Feb 19 (CT) Over 795 shuttlers began their quest for top honours when the much-awaited National Badminton Championships 2020 served off on Wednesday. The five-day event is being held at three venues in Colombo, namely the Mercantile Badminton Association courts, Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) Headquarters and Otter Aquatic Club, where a total of 763 matches will be played. The National Championships also kicked off SLB programme for the year 2021. more..

Feb 19 (TM) Local sports authorities are yet to officially announce the names of the new 3-member national men�s cricket selection panel as SL team is to start their tour of West Indies on Tuesday (23), less than four days from now. �I don�t think you can ever expect this type of pathetic situation in any other country,� said an inside source who is in the know of the ongoing proceedings related to appointment of national selectors. more..

Feb 19 (FT) Institute of Policy Studies of SL (IPS) is inviting proposals for the Saman Kelegama Memorial Research Grant 2021. The grant is an annual, merit-based grant awarded to an outstanding undergraduate studying in a Sri Lankan university. It aims to promote policy entrepreneurs among undergraduates by encouraging policy-relevant, rigorous and innovative socio-economic research. The grant was established in 2018 to honour Dr. Saman Kelegama�s legacy of more..

Feb 19 (FT) The Ministry of Industries spearheaded by Wimal Weerawansa is soon to launch the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Local Assembly of Vehicles and Automotive Component Manufacturing to encourage world renowned brands to locally assemble vehicles. Sri Lanka Automotive Component Manufacturers� Association (SLACMA) President Dimantha Jayawardena said that the new SOP had been prepared in keeping with the highest standards around the world. more..

Feb 19 (TM) The Z-score system that is key in determining the entrance of students to state universities is being revisited as part of an effort to explore how the current university entrance system could be changed, The Morning learnt. UGC Chairman Prof. Sampath Amaratunge said that the Z-score is currently being revisited, adding that an entrance policy that suits the present times must be formulated. more..

Feb 19 (TM) A common issue can not only bring people together, but can also divide them, depending on how it is dealt with. By the looks of it, the Covid-19 pandemic is merely a disease that is arduous to contain. However, containing it requires something more than technical solutions, as it is human lives that are at stake. From the very first time Sri Lanka imposed curfew on 20 March 2020 until it began the vaccination programme early this year, all decisions pertaining to managing more..

Feb 19 (CB) David Saker resigned as Sri Lanka's fast bowling coach on Thursday (18) with immediate effect. Saker, who was named as Sri Lanka's pace bowling coach in Dec 2019, cited personal reasons for his decision to step down from the position. The 54-year-old has previously worked with numerous teams in different coaching roles. Saker had a successful time as the fast bowling coach of England, and stepped down from the role in early 2015. more..

Feb 19 (FT) Total COVID-19 patient country yesterday exceeded 78,000 with the detection of 514 COVID-19 positive persons. Yesterday�s patients include 501 associates of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster. This brings the triple clusters that emerged from Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons to 74,371 patients. In addition to this, 1,972 SL returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 persons linked to more..

Feb 19 (TM) My only worry was that I couldn�t fulfil my daughter�s dream. Nothing else. Former SL fast bowler Dhammika Prasad said so yesterday. He said so announcing his retirement from international cricket at the Singhalese Sports Club (SSC) clubhouse, Colombo. �I expected a call for the national side after I recovered from my shoulder injury. In fact I promised my daughter that I would play again for Sri Lanka after healing the injury. Not being able to do that is a worry,� Prasad said. more..

Feb 19 (CT) Football Federation of SL (FFSL) is reportedly looking to get all players, coaching staff and officials (from the 10 teams taking part in the Super League) vaccinated against COVID-19, after three positive cases were detected during the Super League pre-season matches which kicked-off on Wednesday at the Sugathadasa Stadium. Red Star SC Goalkeeper coach M. Imthiaz and Renown SCs M. Imran (Coach) and Dilan Madushanka (right winger) were found positive following PCR more..

Feb 19 (AD) Women Parliamentarians� Caucus has decided to stand for the rights and job security of SL�s first female DIG Bimshani Jasin Arachchi. The Women Parliamentarians� Caucus stated this during a special press conference held at Parliament today (18), attended by its chairperson State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle. The state minister condemned the challenge to the promotion of DIG Bimshani Jasin Arachchi, more..

Feb 19 (FT) The event management industry is up in arms over what it terms as unfair and unreasonable restrictions on corporate events by the Govt, while turning a blind eye to large weddings and other functions. Event Management Association President Roshan Wijeyaratne condemned the ad hoc approach adopted by the Govt on COVID-19 control measures, with hotels being allowed to host large weddings while corporate events which are carried out with all precautions in place are banned. more..

Feb 19 (ST) Though there is indication that there is no import ban to SL, there are impediments from the banks to pay in foreign currencies for imported goods, said Denis Chaibi, Ambassador of the Delegation to the European Union to SL and the Maldives. He was speaking at the official launch of the Step by Step Trade Procedures Functionality of the SL Trade Information Portal (SLTIP), held at Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo this week. The four year EU-SL Trade Related Assistance Project more..

Feb 19 (CT) Court of Appeal, ordered Defence Secretary Major Gen (rtd) Kamal Gunaratne and IGP Chandana Wickramaratne, to inform the Court, on 5 March, on the progress of inquiries into the import of 6,000 swords, on the sidelines of the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks. Court gave this order after having perused a petition filed to this effect by the Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith. more..

Feb 19 (FT) Tourist arrivals post reopening of borders have now crossed the 4,000 mark, with the Govt also planning to soon roll out the much-awaited global tourism campaign. Within just three weeks since airports were opened on 21 January for international travellers and commercial flights, there have been 4,368 tourists, SL Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando said. Yesterday�s 211 tourists were the latest to arrive from Kazakhstan at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA). more..

Feb 19 (NR) SL�s COVID-19 death toll increased to 430 yesterday with the confirmation of eight new fatalities. A 67-year-old female from Dematagoda passed away on Tuesday at her residence of COVID-pneumonia and diabetes. Meanwhile a 58-year-old male from Colombo 08 passed away on Wednesday at the Methsiri Sevana Treatment Centre in Anuradhapura of COVID-infection, kidney damages and high blood pressure. Furthermore, a 43-yr-old male from Meegoda passed away more..

Feb 19 (CT) Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya has appointed two separate High Court Trials-at-Bar Benches, to hear the Bonds scam cases involving the Treasury Bonds Auctions of March 2016, stated the Attorney General�s Office. Hence, the first Trial-at-Bar, comprising Justices Damith Thotawata, Manjula Thillakaratne and M. Irasadeen, would preside over the case filed against ex-Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake, more..

Feb 19 (FT) The Hotels Association of SL (THASL) President Sanath Ukwatte in a statement yesterday thanked the Govt for taking all steps necessary to encourage foreign visitors to the country. Speaking after meeting with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday, Ukwatte said the President ensured that all health guidelines for visitors will be designed in a way to encourage more tourists to visit the country without compromising the safety of the nation during this pandemic period. more..

Feb 19 (CT) The Cabinet Paper on the agreement reached between shareholders regarding the Trincomalee Oil Tanks will be submitted to Cabinet once discussions are concluded, Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said yesterday (18). He said the Cabinet Paper would be submitted after making public the points in the agreement and then holding discussions with religious leaders, civil organisations, trade unions and the Maha Sangha to get an overall idea about the agreement. more..

Feb 19 (TN) PM Imran�s maiden SL visit will start on Feb 22, and the host country has released details of his two-day engagements in Colombo. During the visit, he will meet Prez Rajapaksa, PM Rajapaksa and attend an investors' conference. Imran Khan�s speech at the SL parliament had been included in PM's itinerary on the Pakistan govt's request. However, an information coming from Colombo has also been confirmed more..

Feb 19 (DM) Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardene who expressed concern over the lack of public cooperation to bring the pandemic under control, said it was left to the people to decide whether they would hold wedding receptions, parties, public functions and enjoy as in the past, or reduce merry making events to the barest minimum to pave way for the reopening of schools and universities. He said the spread of the disease had prevented the reopening of schools in the WP more..

Feb 19 (DN) State Minister Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle urged public to get vaccinated for COVID-19 without any undue fear. She said this while addressing the media regarding false information shared through social media on the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Adverse effects have not been reported after vaccination and all the reported cases are general discomforts which are common to any other vaccine. She said COVID prevention can be achieved only when more..

Feb 19 (CT) Requesting the final report of the PCoI probing political victimisation of public officials from 2015 to 2019, be tabled in Parliament at the coming session, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said it should be taken up for debate throughout the next Parliamentary week. He claimed the Govt is making a malicious attempt to cover up its irregularities and corruption, by stopping the political activities of Opposition more..

Feb 19 (FT) Looking at the recent developments, the Tamil community in the north, which has remained more or less in a state of spiritual demise over a long period, seems to be making a determined effort to breathe freely again. Not only the Tamil community but also the Sinhala and Muslim communities were in a similar state. In other words, their social psyche has been lying in a state of infirmity for a long time. It is also an important factor contributing to current deplorable situation more..

Feb 19 (FT) During the last couple of months I noticed that there were a number of advertisements sponsored by Central Bank (CB) both in print and electronic media to inculcate the general public about the enormous benefits one can gain through cashless transactions and the agony one has to endure when using cash for transactions. In other words, it encourages simply not to use cash/money/currency but to use plastic cards either credit or debit or smart & ATM cards more..

Feb 19 (Island) Director General of Archaeology, Prof. Anura Manatunga said that before trying to bring back the SL artefacts in foreign museums, the country needed to protect archaeological sites in the country. Prof. Manatunga said he had to sign at least 10 files a day to prosecute against those who had caused damages to archaeological sites. Prof. Manatunga said that archaeological sites were being destroyed at a rapid pace. Int'l agreements prevented artefacts from being traded more..

Feb 19 (DM) Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said the Trincomalee Oil tank farm would be managed under a company to be formed with Lanka Indian Oil Company with a majority stake for the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC). In other words, it will be a company with majority stake for the CPC. It is subject to scrutiny by the Auditor General. COPE can peruse the audit reports Minister Gammanpila said that the agreement for such an equity sharing arrangement more..

Feb 19 (AD) Minister Wimal Weerawansa says that he will never leave the govt, however added that he cannot say whether the govt will abandon him. He stated this in response to questions from journalists, following an event held in Colombo today (19), as to whether he would be able to remain within the govt. Asked whether any major changes are to be expected in the govt, he said that there is absolutely no need for anyone to more..

Feb 19 (EN) Parliament members in the opposition are trying to spread the COVID-19 virus and create chaos in the country by deferring to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga said. Speaking to reporters yesterday, he said that since it is the MPs and ministers who associate with the people most there is nothing wrong with them getting vaccinated. He said if a cluster is created because of the MPs then the media will start blaming them for it. more..

Feb 19 (FT) The recently-ended year posed a series of challenges in the financial market and business sphere, as the COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to a plethora of risks, drawbacks and losses in terms of profit, capital and company sustainability. However, Abans Group emerged victorious in a highly volatile business atmosphere after employing carefully-structured strategies, controlled decisions, and containing trading and monetary conditions with the goal of functioning according to new normal. more..

Feb 19 (CI) Former SL captain Kumar Sangakkara was straightforward and open about a number of aspects surrounding the IPL and his new role as Rajasthan Royals' Director of Cricket. It wasn't until he was asked about plotting and planning against his good friend Mahela Jayawardene, the Mumbai Indians head coach, that he finally broke into a chuckle. Two, who were part of many big moments in SL cricket history, more..

Feb 19 (EN) SL forex market interventions to defend a soft-peg with the US dollar had picked up to US$ 72.25 million in January 2021 from US$ 22.5 million in December as domestic credit started to pick up, official data showed. Sri Lanka�s rupee has fell close to 200 to the US dollar in the one week forward market in February amid excess liquidity in money market mainly from Treasuries failed to be sold under a price controlled sale which was previously a multiple price auction. more..

Feb 19 (AD) The water supply to several urban and municipal council areas in the Colombo District will be suspended for 16 hours tomorrow due to essential maintenance work. The water cut will be in effect from 8 am tomorrow to 12 am, the National Water Board said. Accordingly, Colombo, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Sri J'pura Kotte and Kaduwela municipal council areas and Maharagama, Boralesgamuwa and Kolonnawa urban council areas will be affected by the 16-hour water cut. more..

Feb 19 (Island) Another 1,000 acres of the Somawathiya National Park were been grabbed yesterday by an organised group who removed boundary posts put up by Dept of Wildlife, and placed them further inside the National Park, thus bringing the extent of the sanctuary land encroached in two days to 3,000 acres. Environmentalists said govt supporters were responsible for the land grab. A group led by a high-ranking official of more..

Feb 19 (CT) Leader of TNPF MP G. Ponnambalam claimed, TNA MPs are not ready to take COVID-19 vaccine at the Army Hospital in Narahenpita, as Tamil MPs do not want to come into contact with the military. He said, his stance had been accepted by the TNPF�s other MP Selvarasa Kajendran as well and remarked that he was personally glad to see the TNA also sticking to the same policy. Ponnambalam added no Tamil MP is willing to come into contact with forces personnel or even visit forces more..

Feb 19 (CT) Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala yesterday (18) enlarged on bail veteran cricket commentator Brian Thomas, who had been in remand on a charge of fraud. Bail was set at Rs 25000 in cash and two sureties of Rs 500,000 each. Thomas had been charged with defrauding a sum of Rs 143 million. The Magistrate also impounded the suspect�s passport. The CID commenced a probe against Thomas on a complaint lodged by businessman Dinesh Schaffter on 20Mar2019 more..

Feb 19 (CI) Former SL seamer Chaminda Vaas has been appointed as the national team's fast bowling coach for their upcoming tour to the West Indies. He replaces Australian David Sekar, who resigned as the fast bowling coach on Thursday for personal reasons. Vaas has previously coached the SL team on three occasions, in 2013, 2015, and temporarily in 2017. Vaas, SL's most successful fast bowler with 355 Test wickets more..

Feb 19 (DM) The Meegahakiula Pradeshiya Sabha imposed a temporary ban on tourists spending the night in tents at Mini World's End in Madulsima. Meegahakiula Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lalith Jayawardena said the decision was taken after a 34-year-old man reported missing during an excursion to the Mini World's End in Madulsima, due to the insecure nature of the area. He said local and foreign tourists often come to the Mini World's End to spend the night in tents and more..

Feb 19 (CT) As the Opposition, the SJB is grateful to the Indian Govt for providing Sri Lanka with 500,000 Oxford-AstraZeneca Covishield vaccines free, said MP Dr. Kavinda Jayawardena. He said the vaccine had shown significant success, though not 100 per cent. He also said it was the responsibility of the Govt and all parties to encourage people to use only scientifically proven immunity boosters, instead of using tonics like what was introduced by Dhammika Bandara in Kegalle. more..