Dec 30 (DN) The eighth Esports Barrier Break Cup was held recently with the participation of a SL team for the second consecutive time. Realising the power of Esports in changing the lives of people with disabilities towards positivity, Sonasu Ltd. and NPO e-sports Barrier Break Cup Project, Japan have been organising a Esports Barrier Break Cup League for people with disabilities since 2020. With the sponsorship of Moose Clothing Company and Lassana.com, a team consisting of more..

Dec 30 (Island) Men�s singles champion Yasitha de Silva won his second title of the ongoing Tennis National Championships when he joined Thangaraja Dineshkanthan to beat defending champions Thehan Wijemanne and Chathurya Nilaweera in the men�s doubles final at the SL Tennis Association courts on Wednesday. Emerging players Wijemanne and Nilaweera were the doubles champions at the last edition where they beat Yasitha de Silva and Sankha Atukorale. more..

Dec 30 (FT) SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said ad-hoc and highly questionable measures would not resolve but rather further aggravate the severe foreign exchange and reserves crisis facing the country. In response to the CBSL announcement that the country�s reserves have now increased to $ 3.1 billion as of yesterday, he said the new development appeared to be following the drawdown of the Yuan 10 billion ($ 1.5 b) swap facility agreed with People�s Bank of China more..

Dec 30 (TM) People�s Bank of China (PBoC) released a receipt of the � 10 billion (equivalent to $ 1.5 billion) currency swap to the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) yesterday, increasing the official foreign reserves of Sri Lanka to $ 3.1 billion, according to the CBSL. CBSL Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal announced yesterday on his official Twitter handle that due to the receipt of recent foreign exchange inflows, official foreign reserves more..

Oct 30 (FT) SL�s COVID-19 death toll rose to 14,944 after health officials confirmed 21 COVID-19 fatalities on Tuesday. 14 of the fatalities confirmed on Tuesday were individuals over 60 years of age, while seven were between 30 and 59 years. Zero deaths were confirmed from the under-30 age group on Tuesday. 76.44% of the total COVID-19 fatalities confirmed to date are over 60 years, 22.38% of the fatalities are between 30 and 59 years, and 1.18% of the fatalities are below 30 years. more..

Dec 30 (FT) National carrier SriLankan Airlines� dedicated freighter aircraft is to be deployed from March next year, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said yesterday. SriLankan Airlines accounts for 25% of the country�s total air freight exports and 27% of its imports. �Amidst the decline in cargo handling capacities during the outbreak of COVID-pandemic, the national carrier adapted to international trade requirements and freighter demand,� he added. more..

Dec 30 (TM) Claiming that the misuse of antibiotics has now become a serious issue in the country, State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that doctors are primarily responsible for the same. During a meeting with All Ceylon Private Pharmacy Owners� Association (ACPPOA), he said: �The misuse of antibiotics is a serious issue now and doctors are primarily responsible for such. more..

Dec 30 (FT) Grappling amidst COVID-challenges, price escalations across supply chains, fuel hikes and a gas shortage has now tossed the Colombo City Restaurants Collective (CCRC) out of frying pan into the fire during the peak business time of the year. �It�s chaos,� CCRC President Harpo Gooneratne said. He said the restaurants in Colombo were once again hampered by supply chain constraints and price escalations on all fronts, at a time �they just thought of experiencing more..

Dec 30 (Island) Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda says that Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay wants to discuss the longstanding issues affecting the fisher communities. Minister Devananda, who is also the leader of the EPDP, said that he received a telephone call from HC Baglay. The Minister said so speaking to journalists early this week after visiting the Mailatty harbour to inspect Indian fishing craft apprehended by the Navy, while poaching in Sri Lankan waters. more..

Dec 30 (FT) The Ukrainian airline SkyUp Airlines, on Tuesday, made its first flight from Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, to the Hambantota Airport. The charter flight program will last until 17 March 2022 and will provide only the option of a 10-day round-trip departing from Kyiv. The flight lasts 10 hours 40 minutes and provides a technical stop at Sharjah Airport (UAE). Flights will be operated four times a week � on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. more..

Dec 30 (FT) The Central Bank has announced a sharp increase in the annual licence fee for banks in 2022 after keeping the amount unchanged for several years. Licence fee for the biggest banks, whose assets are above Rs. 2 trillion, is Rs. 38 million. For banks with assets over Rs. 1-2 trillion, it�s Rs. 35 million. For those between Rs. 500 billion to Rs. 1 trillion, the fee is Rs. 28.5 million. The fee will be Rs. 25 million for banks whose assets are between Rs. 200-500 billion, and more..

Dec 30 (CT) SL will soon reach an agreement with India to give 49% stake in the proposed Indo-Lanka company (Trinco Petroleum Terminal Ltd) to be set up in connection with the modernisation of oil tank farm in Trincomalee to Indian representatives including Lanka IOC PLC (LIOC), a senior govt official said. According to him, a majority stake of proposed joint venture (JV) company (51%) will remain with the CPC. more..

Dec 30 (TM) National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Chairman Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa said that the NATA hopes to increase the legal age to purchase alcohol and tobacco from 21 years to 24 years. Speaking at a NATA Advocacy Programme Panel Discussion, he stated: �We hope to increase the legal age to 24 years because medical science has proven that 24 years is the proper age when the brain is fully and correctly developed. We will be the first country to make it 24 years.� more..

Dec 30 (FT) Following the severe shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and spate of fires and explosions related to it, consumers have now opted for firewood and the soaring demand has now led it to supermarket shelves. Leading supermarkets are now selling bundles of firewood ranging from Rs. 200 to Rs. 700 depending on the weight and type of wood. Separately, State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said the shortage of current LPG cylinders was due to the new directives more..

Oct 30 (FT) Central Bank (CB) revealed that the country�s official reserves position by yesterday had increased to $ 3.1 billion and that more inflows were expected to be realised by early next month. CBSL said that, as announced on 22 Dec 2021, the expected foreign currency inflows were forthcoming and with the receipt of recent inflows, the official reserves position had now reached around $ 3.1 billion, more..

Dec 30 (CT) ADB has agreed to reimburse US$ 85 million spent on purchasing Sinopharm multi-dose COVID-19 vaccines, State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana said. Prof. Jayasumana said the ADB had already borne the cost for Sinopharm single-dose vaccines. He added the ADB had taken note of transparency observed with regard to vaccination and the vaccination drive that was being implemented by the Govt which led to the decision to assist Sri Lanka in meeting costs. more..

Dec 30 (Island) Minister Sarath Weerasekera has directed the IGP to investigate an incident where a retired Navy officer, some businessman and several lawyers sought to acquire a foreign ship worth USD 2.5 million by claiming that they had the blessings of Prez Rajapaksa. The persons involved in the fraud were assisted by int'l ship racketeers, Minister has said in a letter to the IGP. They have used the letterhead of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department and forged the signature of more..

Dec 30 (EN) Amid reports that cash-strapped SL�s ruling coalition is split down the middle over an IMF bailout, another cabinet minister on Wednesday spoke in favour of IMF assistance, even going as far as to hint at the sale of the country�s national carrier. �We will have to go to the IMF. There is nothing wrong with that� since we have no other option,� Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said speaking to reporters on Wednesday. more..

Dec 30 (FT) Diyasaru Park is the latest addition to the several recreational facilities developed around our parliamentary complex in Kotte. With several lakes, waterways, marshes interspersed with small untouched patches of green, scrub vegetation and shady trees, the larger Kotte area is ideal for the purpose. In the late afternoon hours, there are thousands of city residents enjoying the open environment; walking, jogging or merely taking in the fresh air. more..

Dec 30 (DM) Sapugaskanda oil refinery will be closed from Jan 3 due to the foreign currency crisis in the country, the Energy Ministry said. It said in a statement that Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) was preparing to resume operation before January 30 after crude oil was purchased. The energy ministry said Sapugaskanda oil refinery was catering to only 14 per cent of the country's petrol needs and 29 per cent of diesel needs and that there will be no fuel shortage due to the closure of refinery. more..

Dec 30 (AD) Minister Johnston Fernando says that the Meerigama to Kurunegala stretch of the Central Expressway will be vested with the public on January 15, 2022. The second phase of the Central Expressway is a 40.91 km stretch from Meerigama to Kurunegala and consists of four lanes while it was built at a cost of Rs. 137 billion. Built to minimize environmental and social impact, the expressway will bypass urban areas and pass through mainly vacant lands, the Ministry of Highways said. more..

Dec 30 (TM) Prez Rajapaksa on Wednesday paid his last respects to late Ven. Buddhangala Ananda Thera. The remains of late Ven. Ananda Thera were lying in state at All-Ceylon Buddhist Congress Hall in Colombo 7. Prez has expressed his deepest condolences to Minister Sarath Weerasekara and the relatives of the late Thera. Ven. Ananda Thera who was an outstanding Dhamma preacher passed away in the early hours of Tuesday. He was 78 years old at the time of his demise and was residing more..

Dec 30 (DM) The Milk Powder Importers� Association has decided to increase the price of imported milk powder with effect from today, Association Spokesperson Ashoka Bandara said. He said that the decision was taken due to the increase in prices in the world market during the past eight weeks. Accordingly, the price of a 1 kg packet of imported milk powder, which was at Rs. 1,195, will be increased by Rs. 150, and the new more..

Dec 30 (FT) The Daily FT reported on Monday that Fitch Ratings had downgraded Bank of Ceylon's (BOC) Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to 'CC', from 'CCC'. Fitch had also downgraded BOC's Viability Rating (VR) to 'cc', from 'ccc', and has affirmed the Long-Term Local-Currency IDR at 'CCC' and BOC's National Long-Term Rating 'AA-(lka)'. Fitch, in a statement, said: �In line with the updated Bank Rating Criteria, we have assigned a Government Support Rating more..

Dec 30 (DM) The Public Services, Provincial Councils, and Local Government Ministries have decided to summon all state sector employees from Monday (Jan 3). Ministry Secretary J.J. Rathnasiri said that the circular in this regard will be issued today. "Earlier, the department heads were given the authority to summon their employees by certain percentages, and that regulation will be revised and all employees will be asked to resume their routine duties from Monday," he said. more..

Dec 30 (DM) The total outstanding public debt has increased slightly under Rs.2.0 trillion during the first nine months, as the cash-strapped govt had to borrow more since the country was hit with multiple waves of coronavirus since April this year, hobbling the economy. The country�s total debt stock had ballooned to Rs.17.05 trillion by the end of October 2021, from Rs.15.12 trillion at the end of 2020, rising by Rs.1,934.5 billion during the nine months. more..

Dec 30 (AD) SL Police has once again sought public assistance to locate the two boys who went missing from their home in Banduragoda, Wattemulla in the Kotadeniyawa police, as the investigations have failed to uncover their whereabouts. The two children are reported missing since the 23rd of November. Kotadeniyawa Police opened an investigation earlier this month, after receiving a complaint on the sudden disappearance of the two cousins. In a media statement issued today, more..

Dec 30 (CT) Trade Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena assured there is no shortage of rice in the market and said that an artificial scarcity has been created in the country. Speaking to the Media after reviewing rice warehouses in the Pettah yesterday (29), the Minister said that rice prices were increased by Rs 5. In addition, the Minister also said Pettah merchants continue to supply the country with critical consumer products without interruption & that rice stocks were in plenty. more..

Dec 30 (DM) The minimum age of sale, purchasing and promotion of tobacco products will be increased from 21 to 24 next year, Chairman of National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA), Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa said today. He told the media that the relevant changes would come into effect as they had decided to amend the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act in 2022. �Several other changes will also be made more..

Dec 30 (AD) Litro Gas Lanka Limited says it has taken necessary measures to expedite the production and distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders. In a statement issued today, the company also noted that it has made all arrangements to import the required technical equipment to ensure that all gas cylinders are properly inspected and to prevent delays in the maintenance procedure. Further, Litro Gas Lanka revealed its intention to release 180,000 more..

Dec 30 (DM) Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed departed on an unofficial visit to SL from Velana International Airport on Thursday morning. The First Couple will be returning to Maldives following the conclusion of their visit, on 2 Jan 2022. The First Couple visited Sri Lanka during July 2021 on an unofficial visit as well. During the trip, the Maldivian president paid a courtesy call on Prez Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariant in Colombo. more..

Dec 30 (EN) Sri Lanka failed to sell 50% of the volume of a 100 billion rupee bond auction, the final for 2021, data from the state debt office showed, as rates rose and the country faced severe foreign exchange shortages from mostly liquidity injected to sterilize interventions. The office offered 50 billion rupees of 15.01.2033 bond and sold all at 12.06%. On Dec 12, 15.03.2021 bonds were sold at 11.61%. The security was quoted around 11.85/12.05 percent before the auction. more..

Dec 30 (DM) At least eleven persons including 10 women have been arrested for operating brothels under the guise of Ayurveda Spas in Mount Lavinia yesterday. Police said six women including the manager of a brothel were arrested during a raid by the Mount Lavinia Crimes Unit at Ratmalana for operating a brothel. The suspects aged 25 and 41, were identified as residents of Meegahathenna, Panadura, Wakwella, Moratuwa, Madolsima and Hambantota. more..

Dec 30 (TM) SL Govt Officers� Trade Union Association (SLGOTUA) has decided to launch a series of long-term trade union actions in Jan 2022 including strikes, in protest over the Govt�s failure to increase the salaries of public servants as a solution to the rising cost of living (CoL). SLGOTUA National Organiser B.A.P. Basnayake said that despite numerous letters to Prez Rajapaksa, PM Rajapaksa, and Minister Basil Rajapaksa requesting more..

Dec 30 (EN) Container volumes at Colombo Port has surged 20.8% in November 2021 to 594,236 twenty foot equivalent units also taking the 11-month volumes past the pre-pandemic number. Domestic container volume grew 18% to 99,382 in November, while transshipment containers grew 22.7% to 484,270 TEUS. Up to November SL�s container volumes were up 4.8% to 6,596,167 TEUs, just exceeding the pre-pandemic number in 2019 of 6,589,498. SL kept Colombo Port open more..

Dec 30 (SC) Sri Lanka all-rounder Jeevan Mendis has announced his retirement from international cricket. Jeevan Mendis, an all-rounder who bowls leg-spin, has represented Sri Lanka in the 2012 T20 World Cup and 2015 World Cup. After three years of break from international cricket, Mendis was picked up for the T20I series against Bangladesh in February 2018. Meanwhile, he was also included in SL�s 2019 World Cup Squad. He made his ODI debut on June 1, 2010, against Zimbabwe more..