Feb 3 (DM) The UNHRC has issued harshest ever warnings to SL leaders over the implementation of its previous resolutions. The resolutions mainly demanded SL govt to investigate into the allegations of war crimes and other human rights violations allegedly committed by both the security forces and the LTTE. The demands were first put forward by the former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon - six days after the end of the war in May 2009. Then, in 2012 the first resolution required SL govt to more..

Feb 3 (DM) PM Mahinda Rajapaksa speaks about future economic plans of the govt amidst the pandemic situation and responds to allegations made against the regime, which is has completed one year in office. Q: How does the Govt expect to perform amidst the pandemic situation? A: The COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest challenge for us. We are now working with the health authorities to overcome it. more..

Feb 3 (CT) Prez Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa made a giant leap towards dictatorship for life on Sunday (31), appointing a Special Prez Commission of Inquiry (SPCoI) to determine whether politicians and public servants implicated by his Political Victimisation Commission should lose their civic rights. A gazette extraordinary, dated Jan 29, established the Special PCoI which to take the Political Victimization Commission to the next level of persecution against Nandasena more..

Feb 3 (CT) When both the Sinhala Alt-Right and neoliberal Right start attacking you, you know you�re occupying a centrist moral high ground. Appointing Dr Dayan Jayatilleka as the SJB�s Senior International Relations Advisor � no Junior Advisor as of yet � portends, I think, a world of possibility, for an Opposition bruised and battered by a quarter-century of self-manslaughter. The appointment as it stands doesn�t really amount to much, unless you place it in its proper context: more..

Feb 3 (DM) Gotabaya Rajapaksa Govt got itself in a governance and geopolitical-level quagmire following the announcement to hand over the Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port to India�s Adani Group. Going against its own assurance that the ECT will not be given to a foreign party, the Govt once again angered Port trade unions as well. Following the announcement Port trade unions launched several protests and more..

Feb 3 (CT) Two reasons why SL scores over India in the international port business is that the latter is highly unionized relative to that of SL�s and the other, the comparatively lower draught (draft) levels in Indian ports compared to that of Colombo�s which make Indian ports unattractive to the global shipping business. In the global shipping business, mega container carriers, also known as New Panamax carriers, i.e. carriers which can carry up to 16,000 twenty foot equivalent unit of containers more..

Feb 3 (DM) What happens to most working people�s income when they fall sick or become too old to work? What does an economic depression or a disaster such as the current pandemic do to their day to day provisioning? The majority of our working people earn their living in the informal sector, where they are not compensated when their livelihoods are suddenly disrupted or they are no longer able to work. Sad reality is that they are pauperised when their livelihoods are wiped out or grind to more..

Feb 3 (ST) Former SL Davis Cup star Sanjay Wijemanne stressed that an ongoing national squad is mandatory if the talented young guns were to blossom on the world stage. �The talent is there but to be world standard there is some distance to go. In terms of physical training it is much more professional now. You must have a diet plan, physical training, number of hours of tennis and the competition. All those elements have to come in,� Wijemanne said when asked about more..

Feb 3 (TM) I categorically deny that either I or anyone connected to me is managing players at present. I gave up that long time ago. If anyone could prove or mention a player�s name that I manage, I�m willing to meet that person. Let any player come out and say I manage those players, or the so-called proxy of mine is managing anyone. That�s not my business. If I do not manage a player, what interest do I have in that player�s selection? I�ve managed players such as more..

Feb 3 (DM) For more than a year, Daily Mirror reported on the PCoI appointed to inquire into the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks. It concluded its proceedings on Monday. With 457 witnesses testifying before the Commission and numerous twists and turns along the way, have we found those responsible for the heinous attack? The coordinated terror attacks on April 21, 2019 targeting three churches and three luxury hotels in SL more..

Feb 3 (TM) Former World Cup-winning dashing SL wicketkeeper-batsman Romesh Kaluwitharana will be one of the members of the new national cricket selection committee. The National Sports Council (NSC) Chairman Mahela Jayawardene�s invitation has reached Kaluwitahrana and the latter has agreed to take up the position, Sports Ministry sources revealed. SLC on Thursday sent four names to the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the consideration of filling two slots of more..

Feb 3 (Island) The title of this article may baffle the readers. I chose it knowing well that the critics of India desirous of seeing Minister Jaishankar lose would be offended. Dr. Jaishankar, the Indian Minister of External Affairs visited SL from 4 to 7 Jan on the invitation of Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena hoping for nothing but victory. The media eagerly awaited press statements. The outcomes of all high-level discussions are not included in the media statements, but more..

Feb 3 (FT) The apparel sector contracted 23% last year with earnings dropping to $ 4.1 billion from $ 5.3 billion in 2019,top official said, warning that unless the Govt assists in providing Covid-19 vaccinations to its 350,000 strong workforce within the next three months, the industry could face deeper challenges in 2021. Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) Chairman A. Sukumaran, speaking at an online event titled more..

Feb 3 (TM) Is former SL cricket Captain and prolific batsman Mahela Jayawardene promoting his club, the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC), of which he is presently the Cricket Committee Chairman? Being the present Head of the powerful National Sports Council (NSC), appointed by Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa last August, Jayawardene, with his strong SSC affiliations, is creating an undue advantage for his club, former national player told The Morning Sports yesterday (31 Jan). more..

Feb 3 (Island) An ardent supporter of local sports, Akbar Brothers Group of Companies has entered into a three-year partnership with Singhalese Sports Club (SSC), as their principal sponsor from 2021-2023 across all cricket formats. This is also a great boost to the sports in the country after a very quiet period in sports since March 2020, after the Covid-19 pandemic affected SL. Established in 1899, SSC is the premier cricket club in the country. Over the years they have developed some of the more..

Feb 3 (GDI) Outgoing Ambassador of Vietnam, Mrs. Pham Thi Bich Ngoc accompanied by Mr. Tran Trong Thanh, Counselor and Deputy Head of the Embassy met the PM at his residence in Wijerama. Ambassador voiced her appreciation regarding the uninhibited support she received from the Govt throughout her tenure. She highlighted few areas of bilateral developments achieved during her time in SL. Historically both nations have shared a strong bond over Buddhism, Ambassador Pham Thi more..

Feb 3 (Island) It was with shock and dismay that the world received the news of Monday�s military coup in Myanmar, and the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and dozens of other democratic leaders. Following Suu Kyi�s recent electoral victory, the military turned hostile, and democracy became a doe at bay in the south-east Asian nation. Myanmar is back to square one. Military junta has incurred int'l opprobrium. Almost all democratic nations and the UN have unreservedly condemned the assault on more..

Feb 3 (TM) Former World Cup-winning SL cricket Captain and politician Arjuna Ranatunga says Charlie Austin, former Cricinfo journalist and Player Manager of over a dozen of prominent SL players, needs to be chased out if Sri Lanka cricket is to be saved. �That person Charlie Austin has to be chased out. All agents of the cricketers have to be stopped. As far as I know, he (Austin) does not pay a single cent as tax. more..

Feb 3 (FT) Health authorities yesterday confirmed seven COVID-19 deaths, bringing the country�s COVID-19 death toll to 330. COVID-19 deaths confirmed yesterday include one that occurred within the day, where a 32-year-old individual from Ragama died of acute COVID pneumonia, high blood pressure, and asthma. The individual tested positive for COVID-19 while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Ragama and was then transferred to the Colombo East Base Hospital and more..

Feb 3 (DN) Creating a historic landmark in the Sri Lankan mobile sector, Micro Electric International Ltd Colombo existing for over 25 years will start the manufacture of SL�s first smart mobile phone. Chairman, Micro Electric International Ltd Dhammika Samarawickrama said that they have already signed a JV with Lodule Co. Korea which is a leading supplier of mobile and TV component manufacturing company in Korea. Since 2015 Lodule Korea has been supplying more..

Feb 3 (CT) Former Chairman of Cricket Selection Committee Asantha de Mel charged that SLC had given in to undue pressure exerted on it by an invincible force to undertake the disastrous two-Test tour to South Africa last December sans adequate preparation. The series ended with Dimuth Karunaratne�s men being blanked 2-0 by South Africa as a spate of injuries and out of form players complicated matters for the tourists. more..

Feb 3 (FT) Renowned chef and restaurateur Dharshan Munidasa, who for the past 25 years has been dedicated to promoting Japanese cuisine and cooking philosophies in SL, received the honorary title of Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador by the Japanese Govt in Jan 2021. The country�s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries bestows this title on professionals engaged in Japanese cuisine capable of providing appropriate consultation on the dissemination of more..

Feb 3 (Island) Following intense criticism about poor fitness standards of SL�s cricketers, they will be given a tough trial in order to be eligible for selections for the upcoming tour of the Caribbean. All players shortlisted for the tour � 35 of them � will have to do a two kilometer run in eight minutes and 35 seconds. The test recommended by new trainer Grant Luden is feared by many in cricket circles and someone with knowledge on fitness standards of players said that some senior players more..

Feb 3 (AD) Minister of Labour, Nimal Siripala De Silva, offered a possible ray of hope for SL�s expatriate workers, who have been stranded overseas without the means to return home. Minister announced that directives have been issued to the SLBFE, to dip into the significant funds it holds in fixed deposit accounts to pay for repatriation air tickets. There were about 63,000 SL expatriates awaiting to return to the island, however, more..

Feb 3 (Island) CIPM SL � the nation�s leader in human resource management and the Faculty of Management & Finance of the Uni of Ruhuna entered into a MOU recently to build up mechanisms to strengthen, promote and develop institutional level collaboration and interaction in the field of human resource management. Jayantha Amarasinghe-president, CIPM Sri Lanka and Senior Professor Sujeewa Amarasena-Vice Chancellor, University of Ruhuna signed the MOU more..

Feb 3 (Island) Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, said, in Moscow, Russia maintained political contacts, including at the highest and high levels, and cooperate productively on the international arena, at the UN and other multilateral platforms. The following is the Russian statement on Sri Lanka Independence Day, tomorrow (4): �The friendly people of Sri Lanka have come a long way in the fight first against Portugal, then Dutch and British colonisers. more..

Feb 3 (FT) Total of 715 COVID-19 patients were detected yesterday, bringing the total number of persons to have tested positive for COVID-19 in the island to 65,698. All patients detected were associates of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster. The Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, and Prisons triple clusters have thus risen to 61,705. Total patient count also includes 1,929 SL returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their close contacts, more..

Feb 3 (IE) After the strong opposition from trade unions across the country, the SL govt was forced to renege on a 2019 agreement with India and Japan to develop the strategic East Container Terminal (ECT) at the Colombo Port. After PM Mahinda Rajapaksa�s statement that the operation of the east terminal would be done by Sri Lanka Ports Authority on its own, a cabinet meeting approved a proposal to develop the West Terminal at the Colombo Port as a Public Private Partnership with India, Japan more..

Feb 3 (CT) The GMOA said while over 1,000 healthcare professionals have been infected with COVID-19, the number of their identified close contacts have been gradually increasing. GMOA spokesman, Dr. Haritha Aluthge said with the second COVID-19 wave, over 100 doctors have been infected, adding that with the increase in the number of healthcare professionals being tested positive for COVID-19, there could be a breakdown in the healthcare sector. more..

Feb 3 (CT) Cabinet Spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella said first preference in awarding the West Container Terminal (WCT) would be to India and if they don�t want it, then they would look for other parties to develop it. Although the new suggestion of awarding the WCT has not been officially informed to the Govt of India as yet, the Minister said the new proposal will be taken up by Foreign Ministry & they would go into details more..

Feb 3 (FT) Indian PM Narendra Modi has congratulated PM Mahinda Rajapaksa on SL�s 73rd Independence Day, Indian High Commission said. PM Modi reiterated the shared deep-rooted millennia old ties based on shared linguistic, religious and cultural traditions. He underlined the cooperation between the two nations over the past year, including in the joint fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. He further wished that the strong ties between the two nations would be further more..

Feb 3 (CT) Arrangements have been made to celebrate the 73rd Independence Day opposite Independence Square, with much pomp and pageantry. The event is to be held under the aegis of Prez Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, Ministers and MPs of the SLPP Govt. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and wife Jalani Premadasa are expected to attend. Foreign envoys and other dignitaries numbering over 2,000 will be present on the occasion. more..

Feb 3 (Island) NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa, MP, said that the party that controlled the East Container Terminal (ECT) would be in a position to take over the neighbouring South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) in a couple of years in terms of an agreement between the govt and SL�s first public-private container terminal. SAGT operation was launched in 1999 during Prez Kumaratunga�s tenure at the height of war. more..

Feb 3 (FT) Well, a so-called leading Australian think tank has given Sri Lanka the status of 10th best for handling the COVID crisis. I cannot say I am impressed by their analysis, but not for reasons you might think. On the other hand, we also read that infected patients may have to spend two days at home before going to hospitals and treatment centres due to lack of availability here (already happening in Gampaha based on some reporting). Critics may cackle, saying how inconsistent more..

Feb 3 (FT) �The High Commissioner is deeply concerned by the trends emerging over the past year, which may represent early warning signs of a deteriorating human rights situation,� states the latest report of the OHCHR dated 27 Jan. For how long can the truth be suppressed? For how long can racism hide behind the cover of ground water contamination? For how long are the true medical professionals going to tolerate this unscientific charade desecrating ethics of medical more..

Feb 3 (Island) Several frontline health workers who had received the Indian COVID-19 vaccine had developed mild reactions although the Health Ministry wasn�t interested in collecting and analysing data, President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science, Ravi Kumudesh said yesterday. Answering questions raised by The Island, Kumudesh said there had been mild reactions to the vaccine such as headaches and nausea. Kumudesh said that he couldn�t provide specific percentage of more..

Feb 3 (DM) An exclusive dress-code has been introduced for the retired service personnel to be worn at the functions of national value and service oriented as well as at non-military functions organized by the civil establishments. Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) said that the grandeur and the prestige of ex-servicemen have to be reflected with the glory and the professional status they deserve. He said this while addressing the illustrious ex-servicemen of more..