Jul 23 (CT) Prez Rajapaksa acclaimed as un uncrowned king of SL after defeating the LTTE in the genocidal war with the assistance of 22 countries particularly from India, Pakistan and China as confirmed by his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa [Gotabaya�s brother] while he was on a visit to India in May 2009 is now facing an unpalatable deafening voices of protests emanating from every corners of SL. His Govt crowned in 2019 is now sliding fast to be labelled as a failed state. more..

Jul 23 (DM) Tharindu Jayawardhana is the latest victim of threats, intimidation and hatred directed towards journalists and all those who express their voices freely and fearlessly. Once a journalist working for Lankadeepa, Tharindu has been running the very popular media website MediaLK from the year 2019 with substantial public following. He has exposed many cases of religious and racial bigotry, discrimination, human rights abuses, corruption, environmental issues, police brutality etc. more..

Jul 23 (TM) With educational institutions closed indefinitely due to the pandemic, online education has become the main, if not only, way to ensure a future for students around the country. However, they are currently at risk of losing even this last lifeline and being left unable to continue their education, with the situation that is currently evolving. During the past few months, students as well as teachers have been criticising more..

Jul 23 (TM) The interim report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) for the Appraisal of the Findings of Previous Commissions and Committees on Human Rights and the Way Forward, which also looked into the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 48 of 1979 (PTA), has said that it disagrees with the calls to repeal the PTA. This has raised concerns over whether the PCoI�s final report and verdict about the PTA would turn out to be another damp squib. more..

Jul 23 (CT) The Power Ministry, in a statement on Wednesday, said Minister Dullas Alahapperuma has taken steps to promote floating solarsystems on water bodies to generate electricity. Solar electricity is one form of renewable energy (RE). Some of the others being wind and hydroelectricity. Having in place floating solar electricity generating systems will achieve two things. They are, the saving of valuable foreign exchange and minimising environmental pollution because more..

Jul 23 (GV) Despite the extravagant promises, policies and plans contained in its campaign document Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour, Prez Rajapaksa and the SLPP govt have failed miserably to deliver on practically all fronts, according to a report by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA). The report, SL�s Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour: A Critique of Promises Made and Present Trends, provides an insight into the grave issues that are going largely unnoticed as more..

Jul 23 (MFA) Ambassador Majintha Jayesinghe presented the Letters of Credence to the President of the Slovak Republic Zuzana Čaputov� at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava on 07 July, accrediting as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of SL to Slovakia. The credential ceremony entailed a Guard of Honour by the Slovakian Armed Forces and presentation of the Letters of Credence to the President of Slovaka Zuzana Čaputov�. more..

Jul 23 (CI) For many fans watching on, let alone the players, the manner of SL's defeat in the second ODI was particularly tough to take. Amid one of the worst streaks in the country's cricketing history, the opportunity to get one over an old enemy - even if their first choice XI was halfway across the world - would have been as good a salve as any. But, Deepak Chahar had other ideas. So, it's now down to Dasun Shanaka - more..

Jul 23 (ST) Aldoris, the choon-paan karaya, had come down the lane in his modified tuk-tuk offering his hot-hot breakfast pastries. The trio had purchased some kimbula banis at the gate and while Serapina and Mabel Rasthiyadu went to the bench under the margosa tree, Kussi Amma Sera walked into the kitchen, placed the food on a plate and walked out towards the margosa tree, also carrying three mugs of tea. Settling in, Kussi Amma Sera started the conversation, saying, more..

Jul 23 (ST) The much awaited 32nd National Youth Sports Festival (NYSF) of 2020 has been cancelled for the previous year, as the organisers, the National Youth Services Council (NYSC) intends to draw plans to organise the edition for 2021. The first phase of the 32nd NYSF was held through district stages earlier last year, but with the outbreak of COVID-19, the NYSC decided to hold back the final stage until recent, before finally deciding to cancel. �When the pandemic caused a standstill more..

Jul 23 (FT) The SJB is working towards allying with other Opposition parties to face the next General Elections, MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara said. The SJB General Secretary�s statement regarding an alliance came in response to a question at a press conference attended by fellow SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar. "We are talking to our friends, Opposition parties & like-minded groups to form a broad alliance more..

Jul 23 (FT) Fitch Ratings said yesterday cautioned the fertiliser ban would weigh on plantation sector productivity in the near term. In a new report on corporate sector of Sri Lanka, Fitch said that the current ban on the importation of chemical fertilisers was a credit negative for rated corporates such as Kotagala Plantations PLC and Sunshine, given their exposure to palm oil plantations. On 6 May, SL banned the importation of chemical agricultural inputs such as fertilisers on health grounds, more..

Jul 23 (UCAN) Hundreds of human rights activists held a demonstration to pressure the SL govt to arrest the masterminds behind the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. Catholic priests & rights defenders took to the streets in Negombo on July 21 to demand the govt carry out investigations in a transparent manner. Father Rohan Silva, executive director of Center for Society and Religion, said 27 months have passed but no satisfactory investigation has been carried out more..

Jul 23 (ST) Ministry of Education has taken a decision to take off the schools and junior Under-12 age category from competitive level. This decision was confirmed with the amended Schools Sports Development Circular of 34/2016 was enacted after being sanctioned by the Secretary to the Ministry of Education. Accordingly school sports events beginning from the Under-14 category, under the supervision of sports medical doctors, educational instructors and selected parents, more..

Jul 23 (ST) Cricket legends Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara, partners in many business ventures, have come together this time to launch an online grocery retail store � PROVIDORE. The company offers an end-to-end service from order placement to delivery, ensuring the safe storage, handling and delivery of the groceries, guarantees the quality of products by working directly with farmers and suppliers and operates a dedicated fulfilment centre, running its own delivery fleet more..

Jul 23 (Island) A significant amount of antibodies created by the Covishield COVID-19 vaccine remained even 16 weeks after receiving the first jab, Dr. Chandima Jeewandara of the Allergy, Dept of Immunology Molecular and Molecular Medicine of the Uni of Sri J'pura said. �We studied this because it was a serious issue due to hundreds of thousands of people have not received the booster doses yet. more..

Jul 23 (FT) Sri Lanka Education Forum yesterday reiterated that teachers deserved respect and recognition from the Govt and the public. In a statement issued by the coordinators, Dr. Sujata Gamage and Dr. Tara de Mel, Sri Lanka Education Forum said it was dismayed to see that the teachers and principals had to launch a strike at this difficult time, but their grievances were understandable. �Whilst we endorse their claim for higher wages, what we wish to highlight here is lack of trust more..

Jul 23 (FT) Fitch Ratings yesterday warned that SL corporates could face rating pressure should the Govt further restrict imports amid weakening external finances. Issuing a new report, Fitch said it expected corporates that import finished goods in sectors that are considered non-essential to be more affected than those that import raw materials for local value addition. Consumer durable importers are the most vulnerable to tighter import restrictions among Fitch-rated issuers, owing to more..

Jul 23 (Island) The Nuwara Eliya SSP�s office too has commenced an investigation on the death of J. Ilashini, the 16 -year-old girl who died while working at SJB MP Rishad Bathiudeen�s residence. A team led by an ASP has been appointed to lead its probe. The ASP yesterday took statements from Rajamanikkam Ranjani, the mother of Ilashini and Jeyaraj Jude Kumar, the victim�s father. more..

Jul 23 (ICC) Sri Lanka have been fined 20 per cent of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate against India in the second ODI in Colombo on Tuesday. Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Dasun Shanaka�s side was ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration. In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to more..

Jul 23 (TM) Credendo, the European credit insurance group, has downgraded SL from 5/7 to 6/7 for medium to long-term political risk driven by gloomy public finances, the sharp deterioration of external and public debt ratios, and expected external debt repayment stress amid eroding liquidity. Explaining the rationale behind the downgrade, Credendo stated that SL�s economic outlook remains uncertain, and added that in its April forecasts, the IMF expected a 4% real GDP more..

Jul 23 (FT) Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa this week reminded people�s representatives and Govt officials that it was their responsibility to serve the public without causing inconvenience during this difficult time. In a lengthy discussion with people�s representatives, Governors and District Secretaries at Temple Trees on Tuesday, Rajapaksa expressed confidence that the country�s economic sectors could be revived soon. more..

Jul 23 (CT) Wife of SJB MP Rishad Bathiudeen and her brother were summoned by Borella Police last evening to record a statement in connection with the suspicious death of a 16-year-old girl, who succumbed to burn injuries she sustained while serving as a domestic worker at Bathiudeen�s private residence. The wife arrived at the Police Station around 5 p.m. last evening and a few hours later her brother was also summoned to the Police Station. By the time this edition went to press, more..

Jul 23 (Island) The State Ministry of Women and Child Development, Preschools and Primary Education, School Infrastructure and Education Services would establish nine Children�s Courts to cover all nine provinces of the country, State Minister Piyal Nishantha De Silva said. They will be established to expedite the hearing of cases on physical, mental and sexual abuse of children, State Minister De Silva said. �Discussions have been held with the Ministry of Justice on establishing more..

Jul 23 (FT) SL�s COVID-19 detections yesterday exceeded 291,000 with the detection of 1,721 COVID-19 positive persons. In total, 291,298 COVID-19 patients have been detected in the island. 11,302 PCR tests were carried out yesterday and the COVID-19 detections include 1,714 persons from the New Year cluster. A total of 282,985 COVID-19 patients have been detected from the Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, Prisons more..

Jul 23 (DN) Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris has informed Teachers� Unions that a Cabinet Paper to eliminate teacher salary anomalies is being prepared and this will be submitted to the Cabinet next Monday. Accordingly, the representatives of the Teachers� Unions are scheduled to hold another discussion with the Minister on Tuesday at 11 a.m. regarding the contents of this Cabinet Paper. Education Minister has informed of this development over the phone while the representatives of more..

Jul 23 (FT) Health officials on Wednesday confirmed 42 COVID-19 deaths, which brought the country�s COVID-19 fatalities to 3,959. Of the 42 COVID-19 deaths, 25 were male and 17 were female. In total, 2,306 fatalities have been male and 1,653 fatalities have been female. The deaths include 35 persons over the age of 60, six persons between ages 30 and 59, and one person below the age of 30. 74.98% of fatalities had been over the age of 60, 23.74% had been between ages 30 and 59, more..

Jul 23 (FT) SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne filed a petition in the SC challenging the constitutionality of the Finance bill which seeks to authorise tax amnesties and write-offs default taxes. Wickramaratne, in his Petition stated that several provisions in the bill are inconsistent with the Constitution and would require to be passed with a special majority in Parliament as well as get the approval of the people at a referendum to become law. more..

Jul 23 (FT) SL�s fully vaccinated population rose to 1,722,998 with 175,696 persons receiving either the first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday. The first dose of a vaccine has been administered to 6,317,202 persons in total. On Wednesday, 111,465 persons received the first dose of Moderna and 349,848 persons have received the first dose of Moderna to date. The first dose of Pfizer has been administered to 91,992 persons, including 16,252 persons vaccinated on Wednesday. more..

Jul 23 (CT) Minister of Mass Media Keheliya Rambukwella said since the resumption of tax on foreign teledramas and films broadcast through local Media in February 2021, which had been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, revenue of Rs 251 million has been received. He said attention will be paid to increasing the amount of tax levied to preserve local culture and local teledrama art and industry, as well as to encourage local artists to participate in it, the Minister said, more..

Jul 23 (TM) The academic community, the undergraduate students body, and Opposition political parties condemned a recent Gazette notification on amending the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978, questioning whether this was a reactionary move to the backlash that arose against the General Sir John Kotelawala National Defence Uni (KNDU) Bill. A Gazette notification was issued by the Govt on Tuesday (20), stating that more..

Jul 23 (DM) Actress Anusha Damayanthi today lodged a complaint with the CID over an insult aimed at her on a social media platform. After lodging the complaint, she told media that she had decided to raise it with the law enforcement authorities as she could not bear the recurrent mudslinging campaign carried out through social media against her. "I am being slandered on Facebook. I think it must have been because I fought hard for the Rajapaksa camp. There is mudslinging campaign carried out more..

Jul 23 (FT) Amending the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 48 of 1979 (PTA) would be an expeditious way of getting rid of the draconian provisions in that law, than experimenting with new legislation. Blatant provisions in the PTA include, the deprivation of the liberty of the subject by without the arrested person having a clear judicial remedy in any court whatsoever, in violation of Article 13(2) of the Constitution and int'l treaties to which Sri Lanka is a signatory. more..

Jul 23 (Island) The national vaccination campaign is gaining momentum with more vaccine doses coming in and a significant number of them being administered daily. It has received a tremendous boost from the armed forces� involvement in the inoculation process. A senior medical doctor, in a letter published on the opposite page today, pays a glowing tribute to the Army, which deserves accolades for its good work. Govt health personnel are also working tirelessly to inoculate more..

Jul 23 (FT) In this article I intend to discuss a participatory methodology that could help divert the course of the country which at present is moving towards an abyss and steer it on a progressive path. However, it is impossible for a single person to do it, but it could be accomplished by a band of enthusiastic, creative and determined people. Both the Govt and the Opposition do not seem to perceive the crisis facing SL as an issue that needs to be combated by a program of structural more..

Jul 23 (AD) The brother-in-law of MP Rishad Bathiudeen has been arrested on charges of allegedly sexually abusing a young woman. The incident was brought to light amidst the probes carried out into the death of a 16-year-old domestic worker at the parliamentarian�s private residence. Investigating officers have learned that the brother-in-law of MP Bathiudeen had sexually abused a female who worked as a domestic helper more..

Jul 23 (Island) During 2020, 1,512,344 persons belonging to 412,520 families were affected by natural disasters and out of them 19,872 families were placed in 202 shelters, the Annual Performance Report of the State Ministry of Internal Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management for the year 2020 has said. The State Ministry added that 62 deaths were reported in 2020 due to natural disasters, 393 houses were completely destroyed, 30,317 houses were partially damaged, and more..