Feb 17 (EN) SL�s MPs are not rushing the fences to get themselves vaccinated against the Covid 19 virus and up to this morning less than 30 of them had got the jab multiple sources said. Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene who is 75 years old was vaccinated this morning at the Army Hospital, accompanied by Indian High Commissioner Gopal Bagley and Army Commander Gen Shavendra Silva. more..

Feb 18 (DM) A few years ago, the Indian Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah, who also served as the President of the Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) from 2014 to 2020 in a conversation over the party�s victories in several States is reported to have quipped Nepal and Sri Lanka are still left. Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb, who recalled the conversation, interpreted Shah�s comments as indicative of the party�s plans to have a BJP govt in SL and Nepal. People can have aspirations. more..

Feb 18 (DM) This turn of events, which would have been the cause for much relief especially to the Muslim community, took place in no less a forum than Parliament with no less a person than PM Mahinda Rajapaksa taking centre-stage. These events resulted from a statement by the State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, saying there was no evidence to prove that groundwater was contaminated by the burial of those who die of COVID-related ailments. more..

Feb 18 (DM) 154 years after the SL Police was established, an Acting Woman DIG took office last October. DIG Bimshani Jasin Arachchi was thus appointed to the post following a progressive career in the Police. Her appointment was seen as a step in the right direction in achieving gender inclusivity in a largely male-dominated profession. However, four months after she resumed duties, Fundamental Rights petition has been filed more..

Feb 18 (DM) In February valentine�s day parties were canceled and people were told to remain at home. SL also braces itself to face a new variant of the COVID-19 pandemic which is said to have originated in England and now present in this island nation. But Sri Lankans who have their thinking caps on are living life low key. This is because of the upcoming UNHRC sessions in March which could put SL in a spot of bother if resolutions are passed against it for alleged human rights violations. more..

Feb 18 (CT) On 20 Oct 2011 in the early hours of the morning NATO forces intercepted a satellite phone call made by Libya�s Muammar Gadaffi, who along with his army chief, his security chief and a group of people were travelling in a convoy of vehicles. A Royal Air Force Panavia Tornado spotted the convoy moving at high speed. NATO aircraft fired on 21 vehicles in the convoy destroying one and immobilising it which led to Muammar Gadaffi�s capture and killing. more..

Feb 18 (DM) Intending to protect the Ramsar Accredited Thalangama wetland from a proposed 10.4 km long highway project, which environmental activists say has posed a threat to the Thalangama lake, surrounding ecosystems and paddy fields, environmental activists, residents of the area and other concerned groups organised an awareness campaign on Feb 13, at the Thalangama Lake bridge. more..

Feb 18 (CT) These days a plethora of opinions have been expressed by politicians, past cricketers, SLC administrators, media personnel, and cricket lovers from all over Sri Lanka and abroad, about what has gone wrong with SL cricket. The blame game has started. Most critics are blaming the SLC Board officials and their alleged corrupt practices. Some observers are very critical of the Manager and the Chairman of Selectors for his poor selection decisions and ineffective managerial skills. more..

Feb 18 (CT) Blackbuck, a rare variety of deer, is an endangered species and in 1998, popular Bollywood actor Salman Khan was given a 5-year prison sentence for killing a blackbuck in a hunting adventure in Rajasthan. In contrast, the two-legged Tigers who killed hundreds of Blackbucks in Point Calamere Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu in 1986 went scot-free. This story was revealed last week by Lt Gen Baljeet Singh, then Additional Director General, Military Operations of Indian Army more..

Feb 18 (Island) Cabinet of Ministers, at its meeting held on 26.01.2021, has decided to amend the Wages Board Regulations (WBR) by making it mandatory for tea plantation workers be paid a minimum of Rs. 1,000.00 a day. This is a follow up to the proposal made by the Finance Minister in his Budget Speech that �I also propose to increase the daily wage of plantation workers to Rs. 1,000 from Jan 2021�. Since about 2016, tea plantation trade unions have been demanding that more..

Feb 18 (GV) On 11 Feb 2010, Pattani Razeek, a former Grama Niladhari (Village Official), a former Managing Trustee of the Community Trust Fund (CTF) and an Executive Committee Member of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) was abducted. His remains were exhumed on 28 July 2011. On 1 Feb 2021, Razeek�s son Riskhan wrote to the AG and the Minister of Justice about getting justice for his father�s case. �Me and my family members kindly appeal more..

Feb 18 (FT) The Govt is stepping up food import substitution with a new program to boost local production of 16 agriculture products within the next four years. These agri products include paddy, chili, potato, big onion, red onion, corn, black gram, green gram, cowpea, soya, sesame, finger millet and peanut. The move is aimed at transforming from an import oriented to a self-sufficient, export-oriented economy. more..

Feb 18 (ST) One of the main objectives of Kanas Kumar Dhanushan, one of the leading junior golfers in the country, is not just about winning competitions but improving the standard of the sport and keeping SL�s flag flying high in the world. The 15-year-old Springfield College, Borella student is articulate about what he wants to achieve in life just as he is proficient with a golf club in hand. Standing tall at 168cm, the lanky youngster seems destined for greatness having fallen in love with the sport more..

Feb 18 (ST) Last week when SL was celebrating its 73rd Independence Day, I received an email from one of the readers of my column. He had asked me a question which inspired me to use it as today�s theme. He asked: �What is the economic model you suggest for the development of our nation, Sri Lanka?� What an interesting question to be asked after nearly three-quarters of a century since independence! He had explained further the reasons for raising such a question: more..

Feb 18 (FT) Govt plans to treat those who abuse narcotics as addicts, not criminals, Public Security Minister Admiral (Retd.) Sarath Weerasekera said. He said addicts needed to be treated as victims that need rehabilitation, adding that in the future the Police will move to direct drug abusers to rehabilitation centres where they can be treated and not seek to prosecute them in court. Further, measures will be taken to enhance education more..

Feb 18 (DN) Football Friday programme a new concept initiated by the Ministry of Sports, will be held tomorrow from 6 p.m. until midnight at the Racecourse Grounds in Reid Avenue. Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ceylon Professional Sport Management (CPSM) and Football Federation of SL (FFSL) will jointly organise this programme with the aim of popularising the sport. Football Friday is for the public to maintain a healthy lifestyle, a relaxed mindset and to have a joyful family evening more..

Feb 18 (ST) Sri Lanka�s tax collection efficiency will be improved through the introduction of an online-managed single Special Goods and Service Tax (GST) in place of the various goods and service taxes and levies soon. This GST is now set to be enforced under multiple laws and institutions on alcohol, cigarettes, telecom, betting and gaming and vehicles, which accounts for 50% of the income from taxes and levies. It is expected through this reform to direct institutions under more..

Feb 18 (TM) The govt is gearing up to ban brown sugar imports completely with effect from this June, as the country�s brown sugar manufacturing has been more than sufficient to cater to the local demand. Additional Secretary to State Ministry of Development of Minor Crops Thilaka Jayasundara stated that the predominant cause for the ban is the local production of brown sugar being more than sufficient to cater to local demand. more..

Feb 18 (DN) The Galle harbour was cold shouldered for many centuries and plans are now underway to develop it and convert it to a major revenue generator for SL, Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said. He said that plans are underway to convert Galle Harbour to a Tourist harbour anticipating future development of tourism and a Yacht Marina will be built with foreign collaboration for which ROP will be called. �We have already allocated the Police barracks area for this development.� more..

Feb 18 (CT) Officials of the State-owned Ceylon Fisheries Corporation (CFC) on Tuesday locked the main gates of the Walkers Colombo Shipyard Ltd (WCS) located in Modera, Mutuwal Fishery Harbour premises and decided to acquire properties leased out to the WCS, CFC and WCS officials revealed. Chairman of Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, Maj. Gen. S.W.L. Daulagala (rtd) said, the decision was taken due to non-payment of Rs 25 million in rent and related late fees due to the Corporation. more..

Feb 18 (FT) Sri Lanka�s first waste-to-energy power plant by Aitken Spence Group�s Western Power Company was officially launched in Kerawalapitiya yesterday by PM Mahinda Rajapaksa. The growing problem of waste disposal was addressed by the CMC who invited bids for the implementation of an environmentally acceptable and sustainable mechanism for the disposal of municipal solid waste. more..

Feb 18 (FT) Lodule International Ltd. Korea CEO Byungchul Kim and Senior Director Donghan Shin called on the Ambassador of SL Dr. A. Saj U. Mendis, at the Embassy to further discuss the aforementioned international joint venture (IJV) and to find the most efficacious navigation of the proposed IJV in SL. The international joint venture (IJV) partner in Sri Lanka is the reputed corporate Micro Electric International Ltd. headed and founded by Dhammika Samarawickrama. more..

Feb 18 (FT) The very first outlet of YOO shoes, the 100% SL brand which is gearing up to take the highly competitive market, was declared open by Prez Rajapaksa at the State Trust Centre (Rajawasala) Shopping Complex established within the Economic Centre premise in Narahenpita, on Thursday. Minister of Trade Bandula Gunawardena was also among a host of other distinguished guests who attended the opening ceremony of the brand-new showroom, part of SL State Trading more..

Feb 18 (EAR) Sri Lanka and Pakistan will not be signing any defense agreement during the visit of the Pakistan PM Imran Khan to Sri Lanka from Feb 22 to 24, Lankan Foreign Secretary Adm. Prof. Jayanath Colombage said. �A number of agreements on economic cooperation, culture and other subjects are on the cards but none on defense, � Adm.Colombage said. He was asked to comment on a report in a Sunday newspaper more..

Feb 18 (FT) Commercial High Court of Colombo recently took up a case against Usha Factory Access Ltd., based on actions filed by the brand owner, Victoria�s Secret Stores Brand Management LLC, through its legal representatives, Sudath Perera Associates. Plaintiff filed action under the Intellectual Property (IP) Act No. 36 of 2003 for the manufacture and the sale of counterfeit garments by the Defendant Usha Factory Access. Plaintiff pleaded that the Defendant was selling more..

Feb 18 (DM) Health officers from Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) said that nightclubs operating in Colombo city had not obtained permission to re-open and it should be closed immediately owing to the present COVID-19 pandemic. Chief Medical Officer of CMC, Dr. Ruwan Wijemuni said that following discussions with the Health Ministry, a decision had been taken that nightclubs operating should shut down immediately and if they are kept open, people should inform the police. more..

Feb 18 (PMD) In the face of prevailing Covid�19 pandemic the Govt has taken every possible measure to provide all required facilities notwithstanding the health related restrictions imposed to ensure safety of the public. As the tourism sector is a vital component of the national economy of this country, Prez called on the entrepreneurs of the field to get ready to embark on a new journey by overcoming challenges. more..

Feb 18 (DN) Cricket West Indies (CWI) yesterday welcomed Sri Lanka Cricket�s (SLC�s) decision to send their National Team to the Caribbean for a full series involving all formats of the game starting from March 3. �We are delighted to be able to re-start international cricket in the West Indies, with the announcement of the tour by Sri Lanka,� CWI CEO, Johnny Grave told reporters. �We have a full schedule featuring all three formats, which is sure to attract lots of attention from our fans, more..

Feb 18 (TM) As news reports circulated claiming that Kotelawala Defence Uni (KDU) was provided special permission to conduct a physical convocation ceremony for its graduates, The Morning learnt that universities do not require special permission to conduct convocation ceremonies amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. UGC Chairman Prof. Sampath Amaratunge said that universities are allowed to hold physical convocation ceremonies in adherence to health guidelines, more..

Feb 18 (FT) 722 persons yesterday tested positive for COVID-19, raising the total number of COVID-19 patients detected in the island to 77,906. Patients detected yesterday include 713 associates of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster. This brings the triple cluster that emerged from Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons to 73,870. In addition to this, 1,963 SL returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, more..

Feb 18 (DM) More than 40,000 students will be enrolled to all the 15 Universities in the country this year, UGC Chairman Senior Prof. Sampath Amaratunga said. Speaking to the media, he said it was a great victory that the UGC had received even during this pandemic situation. Only 30,000 students were enrolled annually, but this year the number of students is increased by 10,569. Accordingly, the increased number of students enrolled in certain faculties of the universities are as follows: more..

Feb 18 (AD) Mohamed Shakeel, the principal of a Madrasa school, has been arrested for conspiring and abetting Hejaaz Hizbullah, the Coordinating Officer of the Attorney General stated. The Attorney General, today (17), directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to report facts and produce Mohamed Shakeel before a relevant magistrate�s court for abetting on charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act. more..

Feb 18 (TM) The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs is currently drafting a legal framework to take action against the unethical conversion of individuals to different religions, The Morning learnt. �We are looking at a legal framework to combat the issue of unethical conversions, as at the moment there is no legal provision through which we can act,� Ministry Secretary Prof. Kapila Gunawardana said. more..

Feb 18 (TM) Responding to the move to jointly develop the Upper Oil Tank Farms in Trincomalee, the Indian High Commission said that they are looking forward to continuing the productive engagement with Sri Lanka in this regard. A spokesperson from the High Commission said that India and Sri Lanka have identified energy partnership as one of the priority dimensions of their co-operation. �India is committed to working together with Sri Lanka for the island�s energy security. more..

Feb 18 (FT) Health authorities yesterday confirmed 13 COVID-19 deaths, bringing the country�s COVID-19 death rate to 422. The deaths occurred between 3 and 17 February. Yesterday�s deaths include an 82-year-old from Nugegoda who died at the Minuwangoda Base Hospital of heart disease exacerbated by COVID-19 and kidney disease, and a 74-year-old individual from Panadura who died of COVID pneumonia, blood poisoning and lung cancer while receiving treatment at more..

Feb 18 (FT) Govt yesterday said talks with India on development of the Upper Oil Tank Farm in Trincomalee had concluded with both sides agreeing to manage them via a partnership between Lanka IOC and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), with the latter being the majority shareholder. Minister Udaya Gammanpila speaking at an event at the CPC�s Kolonnawa storage terminal, praised India for more..

Feb 18 (FT) The Latin phrase quo vadis denotes an episode from the life of Saint Peter, as told in the New Testament Apocrypha and the Golden Legend. Peter fled from Rome during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Nero; as he was travelling along the Appian Way he met Christ in a vision. Astonished, he asked Domine quo vadis? (Lord, where are you going?). Christ replied that he was going to Rome to be crucified a second time. Peter then realised that his departure from the city more..

Feb 18 (Island) The govt has allocated Rs 500 mn for relocating squatters who prevented the laying of new underground pipelines from the Colombo Port to the Kolonnawa Oil Storage Facility. This was revealed at an event attended by PM Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister Udaya Gammanpila at the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd, where 112 families received keys to new houses. Treasury and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation have financed the acquisition of houses belonging to UDA. more..