Jul 16 (FT) I�m neither a fan nor do I have a regular presence on the internet. The most recent attack on me especially on Twitter was both unexpected, uncalled for and cruel. Since I�m a strong person with an unshakably positive outlook on life, I could handle the pressure. But the sheer venom and hatred towards me by certain people on this medium was shocking. What started as petty criticism for an edit of online interview done in a pre-pandemic period, was unfair because it misconstrued more..

Jul 16 (EN) Fitch Ratings has confirmed a �CCC� rating on state-run Bank of Ceylon with a negative outlook amid concerns over sovereign credit and the possibility of further weakness in the operating environment. �The outlook on the operating environment assessment remains negative due to the potential for further risk from the deterioration of the sovereign credit profile or pressure on domestic operating conditions beyond our expectation independent of changes in sovereign rating� more..

Jul 16 (EN) With ongoing issues in PCR testing and alleged doubts over officially declining case numbers, public concern over COVID-19 has diminished in Sri Lanka even as the virus continues to spread, the GMOA said. GMOA general committee member Prasad Kolabage said the spread of the different variants of the virus may have increased in areas outside the western province undetected. more..

Jul 16 (Island) The Customs would decide what to do with a urea shipment weighing 9,795 tons that arrived at the Colombo Port on Wednesday long after the government banned agrochemical imports, after their inquiry was over, Customs Spokesman, Deputy Director Sudaththa Silva said. Silva said that the govt had decided to ban agrochemicals on 06 May but the urea had been loaded into the ship, at an Indonesian port on 06 March, as per the documents produced by the crew. more..

Jul 16 (AD) Sri Lanka has received the first batch of US-developed Moderna COVID-19 vaccines today, US Embassy in Colombo said. A special flight chartered by Qatar Airways touched down at the Bandaranaike Int'l Airport (BIA) this morning carrying 1.5 million doses of Moderna jab. Donated by the US, the 1,500,100 doses of the vaccine come to Sri Lanka under the dose-sharing mechanism of COVAX facility promote equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines across the globe. more..

Jul 16 (EN) SL�s manufacturing and services activities have begun to recover from a third wave of Coronavirus according a Purchasing Managers Index compiled by the central bank. The Manufacturing PMI recovered to 50.4 in June from 42.1 in May when a new lockdown started. �The manufacturing PMI recorded an index value of 50.4 in June 2021 with an increase of 8.3 index points from the previous month, more..

Jul 16 (EN) Muslim Women�s Research and Action Forum and Muslim Personal Law Reform Action Group in a joint statement have welcomed the news that the Advisory Committee on Muslim Law Reforms has submitted its report on reform of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) to the Minister of Justice, Ali Sabry on 21 June. �Transparency and a timeline of the reforms are currently of the utmost importance and urgently needed to protect against the reform process more..

Jul 16 (DM) Prez Rajapaksa has instructed the officials to launch a mobile vaccination service for those who are suffering from illnesses and unable to leave their homes. "Covid-19 vaccination process has been expedited at the district level throughout the country. However, vaccination of the people who are sick and unable to leave homes has become an obstacle. The President emphasized the need to expedite the mobile vaccination programme with the assistance of the Medical Officers and more..

Jul 16 (AD) Director-General of Health Services has relaxed the travel restrictions that were in force for several more sectors effective from today. Dr. Asela Gunawardena noted that the level of permitted functions can be subjected to amendment depending on the epidemiological situation. He appealed to the members of public to strictly comply with the guidelines issued for permitted levels of functions. more..

Jul 16 (EN) Detained former minister Rishard Bathiudeen may be in double trouble after a 16-year-old girl who was allegedly working as a maid at his Colombo residence succumbed to burn injuries on Thursday. Bathiudeen is already detained by the police over alleged connections to the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombers. Police media spokesman SDIG Ajith Rohana said the teenage girl had died upon admission to the National Hospital in Colombo. �The girl is 16 years & 8 months old,� he said. more..

Jul 16 (Island) A group of 96 university teachers has called for the release of Hejaaz Hizbullah and Ahnaf Jazeem,. They have, in a statement titled, A call to action against the detention of Hejaaz Hizbullah and Ahnaf Jazeem, anti-Muslim violence, and attacks on democracy, asked for a halt to undemocratic actions by govt actors, a repeal of the PTA and other laws that are contrary to the principles of democracy, and ask that the public demand accountability. The full text of the statement: more..

Jul 16 (CT) The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has launched a programme to reduce air pollution in SL, with the first discussion taking place on 14 July. Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Anil Jasinghe stated that the programme focuses on harmful gases and greenhouse gases that are affecting the atmosphere, and that the CEA is working to reduce such emissions. The programme�s long-term goal is to ensure that air pollution in SL reaches Net Zero Emissions. more..

Jul 16 (CT) Former Minister and UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena claimed more than 600,000 Sri Lankans have applied for visas at Foreign Embassies and High Commissions to enter other countries, ever since the incumbent Govt came to power. He also claimed this has been the first time where the percentage of Sri Lankans applying for visas had increased to a great degree in recent times. �It�s significant that the majority of those who had applied for visas were Sinhala Buddhists more..

Jul 16 (CI) Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who was fined by SLC earlier this month for a breach of contract, has been named in the 25-member Sri Lanka squad for the rescheduled ODI and T20I series at home against India starting July 18. Uncapped batter Lahiru Udara and seam-bowling allrounder Ishan Jayaratne received call-ups in the absence of several big players. Returning from injury, Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha more..

Jul 16 (DM) There is a rapid decrease in the number of childbirths in the country due to the COVID epidemic, Indigenous Medicine Promotion State Minister Sisira Jayakody said. He said that the COVID epidemic, COVID infections in pregnant women and considering their deaths caused the decrease in childbirths. Minister pointed out that the main reason for the said issue was not holding wedding ceremonies following travel restrictions imposed to control the spread of COVID-19. more..

Jul 16 (AD) Police said that four suspects have been arrested in Welmilla for impersonating police intelligence officers and demanding money from various individuals. Moragahahena Police arrested the four suspects in connection with the offences of cheating by impersonation. They have been produced before the Horana Magistrate and the suspects have been remanded. SDIG Ajith Rohana said the suspects have been identified as residents of Piliyandala, Mount Lavinia, Katubedda more..

Jul 16 (EN) Just over a week after they were sent to quarantine camps under legally questionable circumstances, 22 trade union members including CTU general secretary Joseph Stalin were released Friday afternoon. The union members had been arrested for engaged in protests that police said were in violation of a ban imposed on protests and public meetings owing to Sri Lanka�s COVID-19 situation. more..

Jul 16 (CT) The monthly poverty line had its highest jump both in percentage and numerical terms in at least 11 months, increasing by Rs 56 (1.08%) to Rs 5,233; May 2021 over April 2021, available Census and Statistics Department (CSD) data released on Wednesday showed. The jump in the national poverty line coincides with food inflation accelerating to double digits, to 10.3% in May 2021 after a lapse of seven months. Sri Lanka last had its last poverty census five years ago in 2016. more..

Jul 16 (TM) The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has approved the emergency use of the Chinese Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine, State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana stated today. Accordingly, all vaccines approved by the WHO can now be used in Sri Lanka under the prevailing emergency conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic. Earlier, sources told The Morning that the Independent Vaccine Advisory Expert Committee will approve Chinese Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine more..

Jul 16 (DM) In his statement, State Minister Lohan Ratwatte claims that (a) the credit line under which the vehicles were to be imported does not increase the country�s public debt, as a credit line does not involve spending public funds, and therefore, (b) the non-utilisation of the credit line would be wasteful. FactCheck.lk evaluated this claim based on the definition and implications of grants, loans, and credit lines. more..

Jul 16 (DM) In his statement, Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila claims that the accumulated losses of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) are due to the high purchase price of oil relative to its selling price. The calculations from data in the annual reports of the CPC and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) indicate that the accumulated losses of CPC were LKR 335 billion as of 2020. They also provide the accounting information to identify the source of these losses. more..

Jul 16 (DM) Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa in a letter addressed to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene today urged the latter to convene the Parliament Council to discuss about the sudden transfer and removal of officers attached to the Elections Commission. Premadasa in his letter informed the Speaker that Parliament Council which is ultimately responsible for the appointment of persons to independent commissions and officers servicing those commissions under more..

Jul 17 (CT) The entire education system will be digitalised and the necessary knowledge, training and infrastructure will be provided to schoolchildren, teachers and parents� �It is our objective to establish a truly student-centred education system. We will take suitable action to eliminate physical and mental punishments and ensure that there would be no abuse of children in the education system�� Excerpts from the ruling SLPP Govt�s Election Manifesto issued on eve of 2019 Prez Poll more..

Jul 17 (DM) A friend in need is a friend indeed. It is an inspiring and encouraging virtue when the words turn into deeds though it is sometimes categorised among clich�s when it is not practiced. American country singer and song writer Don Williams also gives millions of people inspiration with his best selling song which goes like this �You placed gold on my finger, you brought love like I�ve never known,you gave life to our children and to me a reason to go on, you�re my bread when more..

Jul 17 (DM) Basil Rohana Rajapaksa was sworn in as Finance minister by his brother Prez Rajapaksa on July 8, 2021. The appointment was hailed by Basil�s supporters who project the new Finance minister as the saviour who would liberate SL from the economic morass into which the country is sinking. It is being said that the less dogmatic, more pragmatic Basil with the reputation of being the man who gets things done is the right choice more..

Jul 17 (CT) Varuni Amunugama dreams of shutting down SL�s social media platforms because the traditional print and broadcast media pay absolute obeisance to the politically powerful media tycoon and partner at Triad, media observers noted after she forced a newspaper to publish a right of response to an Editorial on 14th July 2021. �The time has come to stand up to cyber-bullying. I believe my stand will auger well for all social media users because a few bullies will not be more..

Jul 17 (CT) On 12 July, Dr. Thampoe Mangaleswaran received his letter of appointment from the Presidential Secretariat as the first VC of the newly founded Vavuniya University. Dr. Mangleswaran is from the Department of Economics and Management of what was until now the Vavuniya Campus of Uni of Jaffna, and has been serving as its Rector and Associate Professor. A Commonwealth Scholar, he holds a doctorate in Business Administration from Madras. more..

Jul 17 (DM) The Yala National Park has been at the receiving end of human disturbances from time to time. Be it a traffic jam to spot a leopard or a visit by high profile persons to spot an elephant, the challenges have been numerous. It is in such a backdrop that the Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation has given approval to three officials from the Dept of Archaeology to conduct a survey around more..

Jul 17 (TM) The forced quarantining of those protesting the contemplated passage of the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Bill was rather dramatic, and has created a ruckus about the propriety or otherwise of disallowing dissent on the basis of health considerations. As interesting as this debate may seem, it�s a temporary problem. The protestors may be hauled away and taken to their isolation locations, and there would be pictures that any photo editor would die for. more..

Jul 17 (DM) However much the govt leaders justify the arrest and subsequent detention of trade union and Student union activists in a quarantine centre in Mullaitivu after they launched a demonstration at the Parliament junction on July 8, it has left so many unanswered questions. Their argument has been that the demonstrators including the General Secretary of CTU, Joseph Stalin and politburo member of the FSP Duminda Nagamuwa should be quarantined as they have violated health more..

Jul 17 (Roar) In a TikTok that has been viewed more than 143,000 times, Tharusha Mudalige (@tharusha_mudalige) lip-syncs along to a modified version of a popular audio clip. It is in response to a comment on one of his previous posts, that floats at the top of the screen: Why are u wearing a girls t-shirt. Mudalige is all smiles, with a rainbow pride flag painted on one cheek and a transgender pride flag on the other, making sure his face catches the sun. He sings along to the audio, which declares, more..

Jul 17 (GV) The debate over the Kotelawala National Defence Uni (KNDU) Bill has become a scorching issue in the past few weeks. It has been heated not only due to the resistance from civil society and other political parties � mainly the Left � and the intense parliamentary debate on it but also because the govt has taken steps to illegally arrest and detain protesters using the quarantine laws and thereby attempted to suppress the voices of the opposition. After all, why did people come to more..

Jul 17 (CT) President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa chaired a special meeting of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 control at the Prez Secretariat last weekend. Legislators Channa Jayasumana, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Sudurshani Fernandopulle, Bandula Gunawardena, Prasanna Ranatunga, Keheliya Rambukwella, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Namal Rajapaksa, Sisira Jayakody & Gamini Lokuge were present at the event. more..

Jul 17 (Island) Many criticisms are directed at the Ministry of Foreign Relations (MFR) (previously Ministry of Foreign Affairs -MFA) for alleged operational failures. Incidentally, the successes of MFR are not spoken much, not for want, but that is life! For example, currently, there are criticisms against the withdrawal threat of the GSP+, and the March 2021 UNHRC Resolution. Even previously we have heard criticisms against Yahapalanaya over co-sponsoring the UNHRC Resolution- 2015. more..

Jul 17 (FT) Sentiment surrounding the economy continued to trend downward in June as only 3% of respondents to the latest LMD-NielsenIQ Business Confidence Index (BCI) survey say that conditions will improve in the next 12 months. This marks a decline from 11% in the previous month. Additionally, half of the business-people consulted by NielsenIQ say the economy will stay the same compared to 32% in the previous month. Another 47% of respondents are of the opinion that conditions more..

Jul 17 (CI) Dasun Shanaka, 29 years old, is SL's newest men's limited-overs captain. He is a cricketer of significant promise, and one that has previously captained Sri Lanka (in a stand-in capacity) to a 3-0 victory over Pakistan in T20s, so you hope he will make a fist of it. Better yet, that he can inspire a team that has lost seven of the eight completed ODIs they've played in 2021, and 12 of their last 13 T20 internationals. But can he? more..

Jul 17 (CT) The first batch of Athletes for the Tokyo Olympic Games consisting of Shuttler Niluka Karunarathne, shooter Tehani Egodawela, Dr. Himan de Silva and admin official Chandana Liyanage took wing to Japan last night. Both Niluka and Tehani have their events during the first week of the competition starting from 23rd. Only other athlete currently in Sri Lanka is Nimali Liyanarachchi. She and her coach Sujith Abeysekara will check in to Cinnamon Hotel and train under a bio bubble. more..