Feb 18 (DM) Whilst highlighting that Catholics are willing to forgive those who staged the Easter Sunday attacks two years ago, archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Ranjith yesterday called for setting up of new laws to prevent such mayhem in the future. Speaking at the Ash Wednesday Service at St Anthony�s Church Kochchikade Colombo, Cardinal Ranjith called for enacting new laws to prevent such mayhem in the future. �We are willing to forgive those who staged Easter Sunday more..

Feb 18 (F2F) A new and integral step-by-step procedures functionality developed by Sri Lanka�s department of commerce (DoC) was launched in Colombo recently as an enhanced feature of the SL Trade Information Portal (SLTIP). The new one-stop-shop feature developed within the framework of the EU-SL Trade Related Assistance project, is expected to benefit SL traders. The development of the feature was funded by the EU with technical support from Int'l Trade Centre (ITC). more..

Feb 18 (AD) Attorney-at-Law Hejaaz Hizbullah and the principal of Puttalam Madrasa School Mohamed Shakeel have been brought to the Colombo Fort Magistrate�s Court this evening. Attorney General yesterday had directed the IGP to produce the lawyer Hizbullah before the court. Hizbullah had been in the custody of CID for nearly 10 months. As per CID�s investigations, AG has found that Hizbullah is a suspect of more..

Feb 18 (AD) Minister Chamal Rajapaksa has been appointed as the State Minister of National Security and Disaster Management and the State Minister of Home Affairs. He was sworn in before Prez Rajapaksa this evening. The appointment came after the portfolio of State Ministry of National Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management was divided into two separate state ministries � State Ministry of National Security and Disaster Management and State Ministry of Home Affairs, more..

Feb 18 (FT) A recent article on Sri Lanka at the UNHRC this March, in the webzine Just Security out of the New York University (NYU) Law School, cited the new US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken�s remarks of over a decade ago, while an official of the Obama administration, on the SL war: �As Blinken said in a 2010 speech at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, �We have been reminded that there can be no peace without justice�. In SL, we know all too well the crimes committed by Tamil Tigers more..

Feb 18 (EN) Dengue cases in SL plunged by 70.67% in 2020 compared to the previous year with movements being restricted and a drop in pollution, health officials said. �In 2020 we identified 30,802 dengue patients compared to 105,049 in 2019, which is a considerable improvement,� Dr Indika Weerasinghe of the Health Ministry�s National Dengue Control Unit said. �This is mainly owing to the restrictions imposed during the lockdown, more..

Feb 18 (CT) Those found guilty of blackmailing women by using personal photos and videos will be severely dealt with, Minister of Public Security Rear Admiral (Rtd) Sarath Weerasekara said yesterday. �We have expanded the hotline 118 to connect to six other official numbers, where any female individual who goes through any type of harassment such as blackmail, could contact. The identity of the victim will be confidential and severe action against the accused will be taken. more..

Feb 18 (EN) Sri Lanka will house tourists confirmed with Coronavirus at a hospital resort in Koggala which is run by the SL Army and Lanka Hospitals Plc, following a decision at a meeting of industry stakeholders, Prez�s office said. �A decision was taken to shuttle the infected tourists to the hospital in Koggala managed by Lanka Hospital (Pvt) Ltd and SL Army,� statement said. �Prez instructed officials to pay due attention to direct the tourists as per the approved tourism plan.� more..

Feb 18 (Island) SJB MP Mujibur Rahman yesterday said that the SLPP owed an explanation how a newcomer to Parliament, Kokila Gunawardena, contradicted PM Mahinda Rajapaksa�s declaration that burial of Covid-19 victims would be allowed. MP Rahman said that they were quite perplexed how Gampaha District backbencher interpreted PM�s response to MP S.M. Marikkar in Parliament on Feb 10. more..

Feb 18 (DM) All Ceylon Bakery Owners� Association (ACBOA) today said they are faced with a difficult situation to run the bakery industry due to the price increase of a litre of imported palm oil. ACBOA President N.K. Jayawardene said, in order to run the bakery industry smoothly, the govt should take immediate action to reduce the import levy on palm oil. "Palm oil is an essential need for bakery industry, as it is a key ingredient to make margarines which in turn being used in bakery industry," he said. more..

Feb 18 (Island) Some doctors attached to the Office of the Provincial Director of Health Services of the Western Province had not been paid in months, GMOA said yesterday. General Secretary of the GMOA Dr. Senal Fernando said that some doctors serving in the Province had not been paid for nine months. �When we took up the issue, the Governor and the Chief Secretary said that the number of medical officers in the province had exceeded the quota and that it was impossible to pay more..

Feb 18 (RW) The SL Govt has launched a renewed crackdown on dissent that is severely curtailing civil society freedom and obstructing efforts to deliver justice for conflict-era crimes under international law, said Amnesty International, in a new report published today. The report, Old ghosts in new garb: SL�s return to fear, exposes how the SL govt has targeted human rights organisations, media, lawyers, political opponents, and more..

Feb 18 (CT) Vavuniya Police arrested an organised gang that had arrived in the area from Colombo to kidnap an individual residing in Kumankulama, Nelumkulama, Vavuniya and forcibly take Rs 1 trillion which had been deposited in his account from overseas. A senior officer of the Vavuniya Police involved in the investigation said a woman among the suspects had led the gang along with a Prison official. A resident of Kumankulama in Vavuniya identified as Kandasamy had received more..

Feb 18 (DM) The Indian Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Sunday arrested businessman, actor and the owner of the Dambulla Viikings of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) Sachiin Joshi, for his alleged involvement in laundering ₹100 crore in the business activities of Omkar Developers, one of the key builders in Mumbai, Hindustan Times reported. The ED has been questioning Joshi for two consecutive days and he has been charged under relevant sections of Prevention of Money Laundering more..

Feb 18 (CNBC) To quarantine or not to quarantine � that is the question. Or at least it has been for countries deliberating how to handle incoming international travelers. But that changed last month when SL reopened its borders with a requirement unlike any country that had opened before it � one that neither grants travelers free rein of the island nor boxes them into a hotel room for two weeks. SL Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando more..

Feb 18 (CT) Minor employees of 40 hospitals staged a walkout yesterday (17), making 11 demands, including overtime allowance of 1/30th of the salary and obtaining a pension for employees over 45 years who were deprived of it by the 2015 govt. General Secretary of the Joint Health Workers� Union (JHWU), Ven. Tampitiye Sugatananda Thera, said minor employees in 40 hospitals including those from the National Hospitals in Colombo and Kandy staged a walkout from 8 a.m. to 12 noon more..

Feb 18 (FT) Sri Lanka�s public transport system is expected to get a much-awaited boost with Cabinet approval given to issue an online prepaid transit card to passengers. Cabinet approved a proposal by Transport Minister Gamini Lokuge to implement a plan submitted by Lanka Clear (Pvt.) Ltd., a 100% local company affiliated with the Central Bank of SL. �The Govt feels this would be a timely endeavour given that there have been many complaints about cash usage on public transport. more..

Feb 18 (AD) Ambassador of the US to SL Alaina B. Teplitz has criticized the SL govt for backing away from ending the discriminatory cremation policy pertaining to victims of Covid-19 infection. In a tweet, the ambassador said she is disappointed to see that the Govt and PM are backing away from ending discriminatory cremation policy. She stressed that �people, including loved ones recently passed, deserve more respect for their rights more..

Feb 18 (CT) SLPP MP Sahan Pradeep, said the Gampaha District Coordination Committee, in a letter to Prez Rajapaksa, emphasised the need for the Govt to acquire the Muthurajawela Wetlands. He added negotiations were underway for the Govt to acquire these environmentally sensitive lands, due to concerns that have arisen following a proposal to construct a luxury hotel by a private company in the Muthurajawela Wetlands. Pradeep further added that Archbishop of Colombo, more..

Feb 18 (DM) Sri Lanka�s first female DIG Bimshani Jasin Arachchi said that people should give up the false belief that women are incapable of reaching the higher ranks of the police because they are unable to do what is perceived to be male work. Commenting on the move by a group of male police officers who had filed a fundamental rights petition at the SC seeking the annulment of her appointment, Jasin Arachchi said many female police officers have proven that they can handle tough more..

Feb 18 (CI) SL fast bowler Dhammika Prasad has announced his retirement from international cricket at age 37. Prasad played the last of his 25 Tests in Oct 2015, following which a serious shoulder injury impeded his career. Prasad eventually made a first-class comeback, following surgery, but could not quite break back into the national team. Before that injury, however, he was one of Sri Lanka's premier quicks, more..

Feb 18 (CT) Under the patronage of Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella a Media Centre for National Development (MCND) was launched yesterday in a bid to boost development dialogue with the media and to disseminate information locally and internationally on the govt�s development strategies under the Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour programme. Milinda Rajapaksa has been appointed as the Director of the Media Centre. At the launch, Minister Rambukwella said more..

Feb 18 (AD) A fire has broken out at the Kerawalapitiya waste disposal site this evening (February 18), Ada Derana reporter said. Reportedly, the fire has erupted from a mound of polythene and plastic garbage. Colombo Fire Brigade and the fire fighting units of the Sri Lanka Navy had arrived at the scene to control the fire. However, as the fire spread rapidly due to polythene and plastic waste helicopters of the Sri Lanka Air Force have been summoned to extinguish the fire. more..

Feb 18 (EN) Human Rights activists and Western countries are expressing concern that Sri Lanka is walking back on an apparent promise to allow Muslim victims of Covid 19 to be buried. Currently, the remains of all victims of the pandemic are cremated whatever religion they and their families belong to. The controversial stand taken by the govt of SL against scientific advice and WHO approved standards has brought about more..

Feb 18 (Island) Award winning social media agency TAC carried out a social media & digital marketing training for young entrepreneurs as a part of their integrated digital responsibility policy to empower core sectors of the Lankan economy. The program was conducted by Head of Operations of TAC, Artheeshayan Segarajasingam, a young GenZ himself, recognized the vitality of empowering young entrepreneurs with the required knowledge to connect with their audiences effectively. more..

Feb 18 (DN) The UNP has urged the Govt to explain to the public why there was a delay in appointing an acting Minister of Health during the COVID-19 crisis. Former MP for the UNP, Sandith Samarasinghe, addressing the media at Sirikotha, charged the Govt of failing in their duties to ensure the health and safety of the public. On the 23rd of Jan 2021, the Minister of Health was diagnosed with COVID-19 and on the 28th of Jan she was admitted to the IDH and was subsequently transferred to the ICU. more..

Feb 19 (DM) There was a time when SL was known as a country of missed opportunities. The last time critics said that profoundly was when the Govt of SL failed to capitalist on the tsunami aid the country would have received; due to bad planning and ridiculous state protocol. The same feeling of missing an opportunity crops up when one hears of the issue surrounding the appointment of the first Acting Woman DIG of Police . The person in the news these days is Acting Woman DIG more..

Feb 19 (CT) Govt of SL belatedly, but, nonetheless in a welcome move, has reopened SL�s borders for British tourists as well. Previously, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SL closed all of its borders to tourists on 17 March, 2020. Subsequently SL reopened its borders on 28 Dec, 2020, but banned UK tourists from entering the country due to an allegedly more deadly COVID-19 virus emanating from the UK. A few days prior to the reopening of its borders, SL banned flights from the UK from more..

Feb 19 (DM) The human rights issue in SL will take center-stage when the UNHRC meets in Geneva for its 46th Session from Feb 22 to March 23. TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran is among those advocating for stronger action on SL over its failure to meet its commitments to the Council. However, the Council and the TNA have been criticized for being one-sided and not drawing attention to the atrocities committed by the LTTE. more..

Feb 19 (DM) Govt has articulated over and again that its foreign policy will be neutral and non-aligned. However, it is now challenging for the regime to be true to such a policy since the major powers with interests in the region have made it almost unworkable in a practical sense. The absence of a cohesive policy regardless of the change of govts has made matters worse. The previous Yahapalana Govt signed a MoU with India and Japan to lease out the East Container Terminal more..

Feb 19 (CT) Currently, most of the economic sectors in SL have been affected by COVID-19 with adverse consequences on trade balance and the balance of payment. Govt has taken numerous measures to revive the economy and the reducing of prices of 27 essential items was one of those. In a bid to provide relief to the consumers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and to address the economic crisis that has been created, the SL Govt reduced and will maintain fixed prices of 27 essential more..

Feb 19 (DM) COVID-19 wasn�t the only pandemic that struck Sri Lanka in 2020. A mass scale Ecocide began and is continuing much to the dismay of environmental activists and nature lovers who have raised their voices to protect the greeneries. The revoking of the 1/2005 and 2/2006 circulars that provided protection for Other State Forests is identified as one of the main contributing factors to this damage. more..

Feb 19 (CT) Vijaya Kumaratunga was assassinated on 16 Feb 1988. On the day, I was in the accident ward of Colombo General (Ward Place) Hospital, by the bed of my friend who was admitted to the hospital due to a head injury. While I was talking to him, suddenly a shocking news was spreading among the patients and the visitors. The news: Vijaya Kumaratunga had been shot and he is being brought to the general hospital. I said to my friend I must go and see him Some people started more..

Feb 19 (GV) Former UN officials and independent experts call on the int'l community to take immediate steps towards justice and accountability to end SL�s cycles of violence. The recently released report on SL by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights underlines, yet again, the country�s lack of progress on justice and accountability. Based largely on an analysis of emerging trends, it makes a compelling case for decisive int'l action to ensure justice and accountability for mass human rights more..

Feb 19 (ST) Kamburupitiya, a sleepy town nestled 12 miles south of Matara, has been awakened to the sight of young boys and girls fighting for glory in the ring in one of the oldest Olympic disciplines � boxing. Within a span of two decades, it has become the hub of boxing down south with about six schools having taken up the sport. Narandeniya National School achieved the distinction of producing a junior int'l Tharinda Nethmina who represented SL at Asian Youth Boxing C'ships in Mongolia in 2019. more..

Feb 19 (TM) Two months since its reopening, SL has managed to attract over 2,500 int'l tourists to its shores. The initial pilot project launched in Dec 2020 and the complete reopening of the airports in Jan 2021 have resulted in tourists from markets such as Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas arriving in the country. However, according to the SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the industry�s recovery is still very slow, making revenue projections unpredictable. more..

Feb 19 (TM) SL and India have long-enjoyed mutually beneficial economic and diplomatic ties, but the strategic bilateral partnership is under pressure at present as China is further expanding its footprint on the island nation by securing yet another lucrative energy deal in outlying islands off the Jaffna peninsula. The energy deal won by the Chinese company to set up three hybrid renewable energy systems mixed with solar, wind, and more..

Feb 19 (Island) DIG Ajith Rohana has alerted the public to an alarming increase in killer road accidents recently. During the past seven days, as many as 23 people have died in road mishaps, he says. Prangs, near misses and the attendant chaos on roads have become the order of the day, again. This may be taken as an indication that the country has returned to normal earlier than expected. During pandemic-related lockdowns & travel restrictions, there was a sharp drop in road fatalities, more..