Apr 16 (Island) Wartime Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama says that the leader of SL Core Group at the Geneva�based UNHRC the UK�s policy of double standards has been challenged by no less a person than UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet. Bogollagama said that the Bachelet warning couldn�t have been issued at a better time as the UK stepped up pressure on SL over accountability issues. more..

Apr 16 (AD) Sri Lanka Embassy in Oman jointly with the SL Export Development Board, organised a virtual B2B meeting between Carrefour Oman and eight prominent SL fruits and vegetables exporter companies, to boost SL exports of varieties of fruits and vegetables to Carrefour Oman hypermarket chain which has more than 12 outlets in the Sultanate of Oman. Opening the virtual B2B meeting SL�s Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman Ameer Ajwad highlighted that SL fruits & vegetables more..

Apr 16 (Island) All over the world, an ever expanding need for energy is creating new and innovative opportunities for products that meet customer expectations while delivering sustainable energy solutions. As the national LPG provider with a legacy of 150 years, Litro Gas Lanka has always sought to keep in step with expanding consumer needs by providing innovative LPG solutions, says Anil Koswatte chairman & CEO of Litro Gas Lanka. Introducing a unique LPG solution to meet more..

Apr 16 (EN) SLPP MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe claimed that he received a threatening phone call from Prez Rajapaksa this morning. The MP said that an irate president had hurled abuse at him in language that was not befitting a head of state. Rajapakshe claimed he was forced to respond in kind. According to Rajapakshe, the president had been angered by his remarks yesterday about the China-backed Port City project. more..

Apr 16 (MFA) Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona presented Letters of Credence to Prez of China Xi Jinping on 14 April at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. He also formally handed over the letter of recall of the former Ambassador. By the presentation of the credentials, Dr. Kohona has been formally recognised as the Ambassador of SL to China by the Chinese Head of State. Credentials ceremony was conducted according to a new format complying with health guidelines, although China has more..

Apr 16 (TM) The govt took steps to provide Rs. 5,000 allowance for Samurdhi recipients as well as low income earners for the New Year. The govt emphasizes that this program is still active. Presidential Task Force on Economic Rehabilitation and Poverty Alleviation and the Department of Samurdhi Development are implementing the program of providing an allowance of Rs. 5000. The allowance will be given to Samurdhi recipients, low income earners, the elderly, the disabled and more..

Apr 16 (EN) SL�s China-backed Colombo Port City will be a driver of growth and knowledge transfer but the draft bill for a Commission directly under the Prez raises questions over the constitutionality and regulatory integrity, SJB MP Harsha de Silva said. He said the Port City Commission envisaged during the last administration would have had members appointed by a Constitutional Council and more..

Apr 16 (EN) Sri Lanka�s Cinnamon Life had completed construction of one residential tower with 196 apartments and an 30-floor office tower, John Keells Holdings said. Planned as a city within a city, Cinnamon Life will also have an 800-roomed luxury Cinnamon hotel, along with offices and residences, the property will also have premium retail and entertainment malls. The project is built by HKN Construction, a consortium made up of Hyundai, Keangnam and Nawaloka. more..

Apr 16 (DM) Three farmers in Thannimurippu in Mullaithivu had died when they were struck by lightning on Thursday evening (15). The three men were taking shelter under a hut in a paddy field during heavy rain when the disaster struck. The victims P. Suwarnan (34), a resident of Kumulamunai and Kanapathipillai Mahurin (35) from Wattrappalai in Mullaithivu. Mullaithivu police referred the bodies to the DMO of the General Hospital for postmortem examination. more..

Apr 16 (ST) Public Health Inspectors (PHI) Union has expressed concerns over the Govt Analyst�s delay in issuing reports on potentially carcinogenic coconut oil samples. Union Secretary Mahendra Balasooriya, said the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA)�s PHIs have given 150 samples to the Govt Analyst�s dept to date, with more being collected from markets and small coconut oil storage facilities. He pointed out that PHIs can only more..

Apr 16 (FC) A media organisation in SL has shared a claim that UNESCO denied any damage to the country's Sinharaja forest, following reports of deforestation. But the claim is misleading. The statement was made by the National Commission for UNESCO in Sri Lanka, which is separate from and does not speak for the global organisation. UNESCO is in fact looking into deforestation concerns in SL, a spokeswoman said. The claim was shared on Facebook by SL TV channel more..

Apr 16 (DM) Police have arrested two persons with 13kg of Kerala Ganja and 45 grams of Ice last night in Kottawa following a tip-off received by them. Accordingly, a stock of Kerala Ganja weighing over 13 kgs was taken into custody from a residence in Liyanagoda along with a person while 45 grams of Ice and cash worth Rs. 41,800 were taken into custody from Katukurunda along with another person. The suspects are 22 and 26 years of age. The police are of the opinion that the duo more..

Apr 16 (MB) Earlier this month, more than 300 people gathered near the borders of the Dahaiyagala Wildlife Sanctuary in Uva province armed with axes, long knives, ropes and handheld hoes called mamoties. Their apparent intention: Take control of sanctuary lands and expand their farms. Triggered by a rumor that the protected status of Dahaiyagala would soon be stripped as part of a countrywide drive to more..

Apr 16 (AD) Thirty persons have died in road accidents which took place within the past 48 hours, says DIG Ajith Rohana. Eight of these fatalities were caused by vehicle collisions that happened yesterday (15). Meanwhile, 14 persons died in road accidents reported on the day of Sinhala and Tamil New Year. 12 of the deceased have been identified as motorcyclists. Police spokesperson noted that Sri Lanka records the highest number of motor accidents on April 14 and 15. more..

Apr 16 (TM) Leader of the JVP Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that no one has given the Prez the authority to allow Port City to become a Chinese colony. �The people never gave a mandate to Prez Rajapaksa or his govt to build a Chinese territory that will have long-term negative impacts on the country,� he said. He alleged that the Colombo Port City Economic Commission is to be established due to the need of the China Harbour Engineering Company to fall in line with the Chinese more..

Apr 16 (AD) The national program titled Jeeva Thuru Udanaya, organized by the State Ministry of Agriculture to make the general public aware of the nutritional and economic value of the Moringa (drumstick) tree, is expected to kick off tomorrow. Manusath Derana, the CSR initiative of TV Derana, will join hands with this program to distribute a total of 1 million Moringa plants. The initiative will be implemented at more..

Apr 16 (DM) The COPA has informed the officials of the Ministry of Health to conduct an immediate and comprehensive inspection regarding the harmful substances in food including imported food items such as coconut oil given that such authority is vested with the Ministry of Health. Chairman of the COPA Prof. Tissa Vitharana informed the officials that laboratory facilities for food testing should be improved and the laws pertaining to food security should be amended expeditiously. more..

Apr 16 (DM) The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) raised its concerns over the limited time given for scrutiny and discussion of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill by the Govt. Issuing a press release, the Executive Committee which was appointed by the BASL to study the provisions of the Bill to make recommendations have been extremely concerned about the timing of placing the Bill on the Order Paper of Parliament, which was after the suspension of sittings more..

Apr 17 (DM) During the past 50 years the world has caused serious degradation to Mother Earth and as the United Nations marks the International Mother Earth Day on April 22 we need to pay attention and take effective action because to the extent we degrade mother earth to that extent we degrade ourselves. In a statement, the UN says Mother Earth is clearly urging a call to action. Nature is suffering. Oceans are being filled with plastic and are turning toxic. Extreme heat, wildfires, floods, and more..

Apr 17 (CT) Since the institution of the Second Republican Constitution of 1978, Sri Lanka has had instituted 11 Special Presidential Commissions and two Special Presidential Committees to probe alleged misdoings. Of these, only one Commission Report has seen its recommendations implemented to the full, while of the balance 10, one was aborted, in the case of another, its recommendations thrown to the dustbin on appeal to the Supreme Court (SC), in the case of the seven others, more..

Apr 17 (DM) Two days before the advent of the Pilava April New Year on April 12, Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala released 11 suspects who had been in custody for two years since early 2019. These included well-known underworld figure Sanjeewa Samararatne alias Ganemulla Sanjeewa a.k.a. Malingamuwe Sanjeewa and ten others who were in custody for allegedly plotting to assassinate TNA MP more..

Apr 17 (DM) The Act of the National Authority on Tobacco & Alcohol (NATA) 27 of 2006, Clause No. 38.2 states that: �A person shall not manufacture or import for sale, or distribute free of charge, any article which is not a tobacco product having the appearance of a tobacco product.� Therefore, manufacturing of cinnamon cigarettes and launching of such product is a violation of the Act. Given the situation, NATA organised a press briefing with a panel of experts on the subject, to discuss more..

Apr 17 (ST) The popular Avilla�..�.avilla, Sinhala Avurudda avilla (the Sinhala New Year has arrived) song could be heard blaring from a radio in a neighbour�s home, heralding the April 13-14 joyous festival, traditionally celebrated by Buddhists and Hindus across the country. For sure, this year�s ceremonies in temples and kovils would draw attention to numerous crises the country is facing on the local and international fronts which have led, in some extent, to a drop in popularity of govt, more..

Apr 17 (ST) K. K. Gunatilleke from Bentota recalls a time when Avurudu was never complete without a wooden game board or two on the isthoppu (verandah) or the meda midula (inner courtyard)- strewn with coconut shells, cowries and pretty olinda seeds. It was all part of the festive air- alongside the petti full of kevun, kokis, weli thalapa, peni walalu and aasmi and the raban playing and crackers. more..

Apr 17 (ST) There is an old saying � All garbage goes to Beira Lake. It is self-explanatory; Beira Lake in Colombo was the recipient of all sorts of garbage in the city � at least those days. In the same way, the country�s open economy has been the recipient of all the blame. Accordingly, all sorts of economic and social problems that we face today are due to the open economy of the country! People are greedy for money because of the open economy; corruption and bribery is rampant because more..

Apr 17 (TM) The progress of a country is the result of collective efforts, and in the process that leads to progress, every party�s role is vital and hardly replaceable. The role of the country�s citizenry, in this process, is rather special, as it is a decisive factor leading to said progress, and also because they are a direct beneficiary of it. The more progressive a country is, the stronger its human resource gets, and the more efficient a country�s human resource gets, the greater that more..

Apr 17 (Island) The Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill has run into stiff resistance. The proposed law, which has even led to dissension within the ranks of the SLPP, is fraught with the danger of Sri Lanka being left with no control over the Colombo Port City, legal experts warn, insisting that the Bill has to be approved by the people at a referendum in addition to being passed with a two-thirds majority in Parliament to become law. The Opposition has got something to hold onto. more..

Apr 17 (Island) A wise one, with the interests of the country at heart, calling himself A Member of the Silent Majority, wrote in The Island of Friday, April 9, offering an excellent solution for the better and genuine use of the Mattala Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport which was built at a stupendous cost to both the Treasury, and wildlife abundant in the area, to satisfy an ego and sycophants� cries of Hail to the King. Even sans Covid and lockdowns and shut downs of airports, more..

Apr 17 (CT) As Sinhalese and Tamils of the country were busy preparing to welcome the dawn of New Year and Muslims getting ready for their Ramadan fasting month that incidentally fell on the same day, it almost went unnoticed that the Govt tabled in Parliament the Port City Economic Commission Bill. The very next day, US Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz, speaking to selected journalists at a virtual Media roundtable called on more..

Apr 17 (CT) Highlighting the importance of improving SL�s educational system, a senior businessman proposes that the Govt consider improving the education provided and the infrastructure in Technical Colleges islandwide and affiliate them to the existing 15 State Universities as University Colleges. According to Ceylinco Life-Education Sector Chairman, Dr. W.C.J. Alwis the demand for Higher Education and Private Higher Education is increasing both at Bachelors Level and more..

Apr 17 (DN) Uncapped left-arm orthodox spinner Praveen Jayawickrama of Moors SC has been called up for the SL Test Squad for the two-Test series against Bangladesh, which begins at the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy next week. The promising 22-year-old spinner has been included in the 18-member squad in place of left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya who suffered an injury during the second Test against the West Indies in Antigua. The former schoolboy of St. Sebastian�s more..

Apr 17 (CT) A group of SLPP Ministers fired a salvo at MP Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe on Friday, claiming the latter is opposing the Port City Economic Commission Bill as he is frustrated over not being offered a ministerial portfolio by the Govt. The group included Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and State Ministers Shehan Semasinghe, Kanaka Herath and Kanchana Wijesekera. more..

Apr 17 (CT) In spite of heavy underfoot conditions, a thrilling and fitting finale was scripted to the RTC Governor�s Cup 2021 powered by EFL when Western Wind, ridden by jockey Vivek not only stole the limelight, but beat two of the best fillies � Alcazaba and Spirited Touch � to clinch an enthralling win at the Racecourse in Nuwara Eliya yesterday. The event faced a delay in its schedule due to a sudden downpour, which happened for the first time in its history of close to 150 years. more..

Apr 17 (ST) Central Bank has drawn reference to the Sunday Times last week page 1 news item titled As rupee plunges, Govt. takes urgent measures to protect foreign reserves and stabilise rupee. Its Director Communications rushed a media statement (montage on the left) last Sunday itself and carried in the state media referring to the erroneous news item. It says there are no plans to delay or defer repayment of SL Development Bonds (SLDBs) or the repayment of foreign currency loans more..

Apr 17 (ST) SL�s latest plastic ban is receiving mixed reviews with some commentators warning that the prohibition of sachet packets, in particular, will hit the poor and others insisting manufacturers must suck it up and find alternatives. Effective from March 31 this year, Sri Lanka has prohibited the use of sachets containing 20ml or 20g and below (except for packing food and medicines); inflatable toys (except balloons, balls, more..

Apr 17 (CT) The revenue from the three expressways across the country has reached approximately Rs 210 million from 8 to 14 April, inclusive of both days. 773,737 vehicles had entered the expressways from 8 to 11 April. The revenue was Rs 31 million on 8 April, Rs 38.9 million on 9 April, Rs 38.2 million on 10 April and Rs 31.8 million on 11 April. Also, a total of 121,775; 137,721; 141,187 and 114,383 vehicles had entered the expressways on 8,9,10 & 11 Apr, respectively. more..

Apr 17 (DM) Minister Namal Rajapaksa had visited convicted former MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who is imprisoned at the Angunakolapelessa Prison, Prison sources said. The Minister met Mr. Ramanayake yesterday evening and inquired about his health. Namal�s visit comes after visiting Ranjan was restricted to Wednesdays, when one MP who visited Mr. Ramanayake took a selfie with him. Ranjan Ramanayake was convicted by the Supreme Court for Contempt of Court in January this year more..

Apr 17 (FT) The objectives of these directions are to stabilise any financial volatilities created by the foreign funding exposures of LFCs and provide a risk management framework for such foreign currency borrowings. Prior to these directions, CBSL permitted LFCs satisfying criteria such as utilisation for purposes with national interest, maturities over five years, complying with the prudential requirements, etc. to raise more..