Dec 10 (DM) Just the other day there was a discussion among some rugby administrators in Colombo. And those present were informed that a large number of schoolboys engaging in the sport played with the oval shaped ball had emigrated due to the lack of opportunities to excel in their chosen disciplines. The reason for this is the present pandemic situation in the country. Many know that some of the accomplished youth sportsmen and women concentrate on sports more than on more..

Dec 10 (TM) Today (10) marks this year�s Int'l Human Rights Day, a day designated for a topic that never gets old, and this year, the world commemorates this day at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has deprived scores of their human rights. Topic of human rights is a delicate, sensitive, and at the same time, extremely serious matter. In SL, human rights have been the foundation of many ongoing discourses, especially due to the three decade war, and the events it entailed. more..

Dec 10 (DM) Former member of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka and former head of the Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA), Jeevan Thiagarajah was recently appointed as the Governor of the Northern Province. Thiagarajah has outlined some of the priority areas he hopes to focus on while he has also had several meetings with officials and politicians in the North as well as foreign diplomats. more..

Dec 10 (DM) Would or could the Pakistani authorities, especially PM Imran Khan Walk the talk in respect of eradication of religious extremism as they vowed following the barbaric attack on the SL factory manager Priyantha Kumara on Dec 3 in the eastern city of Sialkot. Khan�s response to the brutal lynching of Priyantha Kumara by a mob so far is commendable. We use the terms so far and commendable in the light of our cognizance of power/extent of religious extremism in Pak, more..

Dec 10 (CT) London Guardian on Friday reported that Portugal�s Interior Minister Eduardo Cabrita stepped down nearly five months after his driver was involved in a car crash that killed a road worker while the Govt official was on the back seat. To quote further excerpts, Guardian said, �Cabrita�s position became untenable after public prosecutors formally accused his driver of negligent homicide, saying that he was driving above the speed limit when he ran over 43-yr-old highway worker, more..

Dec 10 (TM) SL�s Ayurvedic and indigenous medicine sectors are gearing up to develop and promote the two fields with a focus on catering to the demands of the modern healthcare, tourism, and trade sectors. While plans including those concerning laws and policies are being devised to achieve these objectives, the Ayurvedic and indigenous medicine authorities have already commenced several initiatives with support more..

Dec 10 (CT) Since recently, I have been encountering people who seem to share one common feeling towards the current situation of the Pearl of the Indian Ocean � SL. Among them are highly learned personnel, university professors, senior lecturers, administrators, teachers, religious leaders, social analysts, thinkers, friends and colleagues. All of them seem to be hinting quite overtly at one and the same thing: �This country is gone to the dogs. There is no way out. more..

Dec 10 (DM) Every time, breaking news of a barbaric crime or terror act is reported from anywhere in the world, peace-loving Muslims the world over feel dejected and wish it had not been another tragedy that will make others glower at them with suspicion as though they too are complicit in the crime. But often, what they dread is the case, for more than 90 percent of such inhumane and barbaric acts � like the Sialkot slaying of a SL factor manager and the Easter Sunday massacres more..

Dec 10 (Island) It looks as if some fireworks factory owners had taken over the local gas companies. Gas explosions continue, but the govt is said to be still conducting investigations. Time was when the people feared explosions in public places, but felt safe at their homes. Today, they are living in fear of blasts in their kitchens thanks to the irresponsible gas companies that do not seem to care two hoots about the safety of their consumers. The colour usually associated with death is black, but, more..

Dec 10 (Island) While welcoming that policy decision of the Govt, who can say that this is not another election gundu to deceive the people aimed at the proposed PC Elections? If the Govt was really honest and concerned about public good, what it should do is to abolish this joke immediately, particularly in view of the present hard times the country has fallen on, as Canada had done in 1995, without continuing an unwanted bonanza to trap politicians cunningly, used as a bait by more..

Dec 10 (FT) Minister Basil Rajapaksa said the economy is facing great difficulties with the looming foreign exchange crisis and drastic measures would have to be taken. Given the current situation of the country�s foreign reserves, Minister said the Govt would have to curtail imports of milk powder, vehicles and State sector recruitments. �Next year is critical for us in terms of our foreign exchange situation,� he said more..

Dec 10 (Island) There seems to be conflicting ideas as to how tourism should be promoted in the short term, in the post Covid -19 arena. A wide range of good initiatives have been proposed from various experts. We must not get carried away by emotion, and resort to crystal ball gazing, but make our plans, based on evidence and research. What seems to be overlooked is the need to properly understand the post Covid-19 consumer behaviour, and only focus source markets. more..

Dec 10 (DN) The SL team which took part in the Asian Youth Para Games returned yesterday after a successful tour. The seven-day competition finally ended on a high note by winning 12 medals (4 gold, 4 silver, and 4 bronze) to create history and this is a good sign for the future said National Paralympics Committee (NPC) President Deepal Herath after athletes were welcomed at the Katunayake Airport. The Director-General of Sports Amal Edirisooriya graced this occasion while Ex-co members more..

Dec 10 (CT) Petitioner Nagananda Kodithuwakku yesterday told a Supreme Court Bench, headed by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, that the country�s Apex Court should promptly grant leave to proceed with the Writ Petition filed by him, pertaining to the recent spate of explosions caused by domestic gas cylinders as well as the losses suffered by consumers countrywide as a consequence, as both the Parliament and more..

Dec 10 (CB) Akram Khan, BCB�s cricket operations chief, said that Rangana Herath will join the Bangladesh Test squad as the spin consultant for the upcoming two-match Test series in New Zealand. On his part, Akram also noted that they are looking to ink a long-term deal with Herath. The former Sri Lanka spinner, who initially signed a contract until the end of the T20 World Cup in the UAE and Oman, isn�t a part of the coaching staff for the ongoing Test series against Pakistan. more..

Dec 10 (CT) Galle Gladiators hold the upper hand over high flying Dambulla Giants in the eighth match of the Lanka Premier League 2021 at RPS, Colombo today. Both teams won their last games and are evenly-matched, and will be looking to continue their winning streak. However, Galle Gladiators look a well-settled unit and has slight advantage when considering their performance in the previous outings and are expected to come out on top today. more..

Dec 10 (Island) A new coaching structure will be introduced to the SL national cricket team soon, Minister Namal Rajapaksa informed Parliament. �I will not come out with the details on the new coaching structure but will inform about it later,� the Minister said. We will also bring in a procedure change for the Lanka Premier League (LPL) from next year where it will be mandatory to appoint local coaches for the competing teams. However, it is difficult to make changes as LPL is more..

Dec 10 (FT) Indo-SL Economic Co-operation Forum hosted by the Institute of Economic Studies (IES-India) with the Cooperation of SUNFO Global Federation was held at the Galle Face Hotel recently. High level trade, business and professional delegation from India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, UK and the Middle East came to SL to attend the forum. SUNFO Global Federation Director General and Ambassador of Peace Dr. Deshapriya S. Wijetunge addressed the conference and highlighted more..

Dec 10 (Island) SLPP MP Gevindu Cumaratunga says a section of the ruling coalition is pursuing political strategies contrary to the mandate received by the SLPP at the 2019 prez and 2020 parliamentary elections. MP Cumaratunga also strongly criticised the conduct of the Parliament as the highest institution in the country on the basis of continuing manipulation of the National List to accommodate those who had been rejected more..

Dec 10 (Island) Booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines would help protect people against Omicron, Dr. Chandima Jeewandara said yeasterday. He said the first Omicron lab data had been released by a group of South African scientists within two weeks since reports on the variant came to light. The South African scientists have looked at how Omicron enters human cells and how antibodies respond to Omicron, compared to the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. more..

Dec 10 (FT) The landscape of corruption the world over has changed drastically due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the past two years, increasing opportunities for corruption while deepening the adverse impact of corruption upon the people. Here in SL, there have been numerous scandals and corruption allegations that rocked the nation in 2021, as the people of the country struggled to survive in a pandemic economy, facing multiple challenges, such as the loss of income opportunities and more..

Dec 10 (TM) Participants in the One Country, One Law Presidential Task Force�s (PTF) public consultation held at one of the divisional secretariats (DSs) in the Eastern Province alleged that the discussion was held predominantly in Sinhala, with no proper translators or language interpreters, which severely limited the accessibility of the public consultation. �They only spoke in Sinhala and there were no translators to more..

Dec 10 (FT) The country�s plantation sector said yesterday it continues to face obstacles in obtaining fertiliser despite the lifting of the import ban and that prices of plant nutrients have shot up sharply as well. Planters� Association (PA), which welcomed the lifting of the ban last month, said prices of fertiliser had skyrocketed during the time of the ban, creating additional financial pressure for the Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs). For instance, the price of synthetic fertiliser used for tea more..

Dec 10 (FT) Sri Lankan exporters are confident in their outlook for growth despite challenges faced in the first half of 2021, according to the results of the bi-annual Export Barometer Survey made public yesterday. This survey was designed and conducted by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)�s Partnership for Accelerating Results in Trade, National Expenditure and Revenue (PARTNER) project. more..

Dec 10 (Island) Sri Lanka�s apparel industry has risen to the challenges posed by the pandemic and the sector can contribute further to the country�s economy, provided that all stakeholders collaborate to address critical constraints, apparel exporters point out. These views were expressed at the recent 39th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association (SLAEA), the pioneer association representing the country�s apparel exporters. more..

Dec 10 (FT) Hotels Association of SL (THASL) President M. Shanthikumar expressed regret that the potential of tourism for economic recovery was being underestimated by the Govt, adding that the sector needs immediate attention and support to avert a bigger crisis. �Tourism industry is confident of its ability to contribute to the revival of the country�s economy. Its true potential is still very much underestimated,� Shanthikumar said, adding that every dollar earned by the industry more..

Dec 10 (AD) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says there is a mismatch between the education generally on offer in Sri Lanka and what is necessary for the country to develop in the 21st century. �This is why I have constantly called for educational reforms, especially in our tertiary education system," said Prez Rajapaksa, addressing the General Convocation of Sir John Kotelawala Defence Uni at the BMICH today (9). more..

Dec 10 (APP) Special Representative to the PM on Religious Harmony and Middle East, Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi said the Ulema and religious scholars and other segment of society would observe day of condemnation today to condemn lynching of SL national in Sialkot on accusation of blasphemy. He said the Ulema, belonging to different sects, would condemn the lynching of foreigner in their Friday sermons, besides sensitizing the masses the blasphemy laws. more..

Dec 10 (CT) Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) will issue Rs 55,000 million (Rs 55 billion) worth of 2031 maturing Treasury (T) Bonds in an auction on Monday, its second largest ever issue of 2031 maturities at an auction to date, data showed. Its largest ever issue of 2031 maturities, an issue of Rs 75,000 million worth of T-Bonds took place more than two-and-a-half years ago in a T-Bond auction held on 29 April 2019, ie soon after �Bloody Easter Sunday� which took place on 21 April 2019. more..

Dec 10 (EN) Six incidents of cooking gas explosions and leakages were reported in SL on Thursday, including a leak in a cylinder sold by Laugfs Gas PLC, as the country�s Human Rights Commission invited stakeholders for a discussion. The latest in a series of explosions and fires attributed to liquid petroleum (LP) gas sold by the state-owned Litro gas company were reported on Thursday in Kandy, Gampola, more..

Dec 10 (AD) Central Bank of SL (CBSL) says it has initiated regulatory actions against four errant Authorized Money Changers engaged in activities which are not in compliance with the directions issued by the central bank. In response to several complaints that certain Authorized Money Changers are engaged in activities which are not in compliance with the Directions issued under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Act No. 12 of 2017 (FEA), the Central Bank said more..

Dec 10 (FT) SL�s COVID-19 detections rose to 570,672 with 744 persons testing positive for COVID-19 yesterday. The patients detected yesterday include 743 persons from the New Year cluster and one overseas arrival. 7,580 PCR tests were conducted yesterday. The previous day, 7,307 PCR tests and 5,527 rapid antigen tests were conducted and 757 persons from the New Year cluster tested positive for COVID-19. A total of 465,797 patients from the New Year cluster, more..

Dec 10 (TM) Gas companies, namely state-owned Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. and privately-owned Laugfs Gas PLC, will not be accepting the lab results of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), despite State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna stating that CPC tests on market liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) samples have revealed that the propane percentage in the LPG samples was about 47% � which contradicts companies� prior claims. more..

Dec 10 (FT) The present situation of SL can be compared to a complex puzzle which seems unsolvable. Here are some of its key features: The country is in a terrible state of rapid catastrophe. The crisis facing the country cannot be considered as a product of this Govt alone. It is a distinct crisis caused by misguided, destructive, predatory, corrupt and stupid policies of successive govts that have ruled SL from time to time for a long time without facing strong resistance from Opposition more..

Dec 10 (FT) The NaPID document has been well presented with much clarity on the methodology followed when conducting the diagnostic study. The sequencing of the different sections of the report, follows the same logic used by the Task Force to conduct the study. The report proper starts (Section 3.2) with the rationale justifying the high priority accorded to growing the industrial sector and hence the need to prepare the Industrial Policy document. The section also draws attention to the fact more..