Jun 15 (EN) Cabinet of ministers had cleared a proposal to start talks on a preferential trade agreement with Bangladesh as bilateral exchanges with the two nations were at a low level despite being party to a number of regional agreements. PM Mahinda Rajapaksa tour of Bangladesh in March had agreed to start a free trade accord to strengthen economic relationships. SL�s Trade Minister had submitted the proposal to started talks with Bangladesh on a preferential trade more..

Jun 15 (TM) SL�s annual export target for the current year is set to be revised after a consultation with all the export industries due to the prevailing third wave of the pandemic and resultant travel restrictions that have hindered day to day operations. Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman Suresh de Mel stated that the export targets need to be revised for this year. It is because of the twist that has taken place due to more..

Jun 15 (NR) The Chairman of the Vavuniya Urban Council Rasalingam Gowthaman has been arrested by Police over an assault incident. Police said a manager of a rest-house in Vavuniya had lodged a complaint over an assault incident related to the Urban Council Chairman. Accordingly, investigations were initiated by the Vavuniya Police. Police said two more complaints were lodged over the Chairman on incidents of intimidation of employees at the rest-house. more..

Jun 15 (FT) Further reiterating its market position as one of Sri Lanka�s most customer-centric and digitally enabled financial institutions, DFCC Bank has implemented the non-face to face onboarding process based on the guidelines issued by Central Bank and accessing the database of the Department of Registration of Persons to verify customer National Identity Card information. The process was implemented in May 2021 and many customers since have been onboarded. more..

Jun 15 (CT) A home-quarantine period would be permitted for repatriates and dual citizens returning to Sri Lanka who have been fully vaccinated and indicate a negative PCR test report, Deputy Director General (Disaster Management and Response), Dr. Hemantha Herath said. Responding to questions during a Media briefing held in Colombo, Dr. Herath said that measures would be taken to quarantine more..

Jun 15 (AD) The Ministry of Highways has dismissed the reports that construction work of the Central Expressway in Gampaha was temporarily halted. Recent reports claimed that the construction of Central Expressway from Kadawatha to Mirigama came to a temporary stop due to the recent torrential rains at Gampaha Town and nearby areas, the Secretary of Highways Ministry said in a statement. A meeting on the matter, chaired by Minister Johnston Fernando, has been held with more..

Jun 15 (PO) Pakistan �A� team�s proposed tour of SL is likely to be postponed, it is learnt. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was originally scheduled to send its �A� team to SL to play three ODIs� and two four-day games in the month of May, but then was postponed to June and finally to July this year. �The Indian team is arriving here for three ODIs and three T-20Is in July. During the current pandemic situations, we cannot host two teams simultaneously. It is unsafe and unwise more..

Jun 15 (EN) Fitch Ratings has confirmed a �CCC� sovereign rating of SL saying external financing remains difficult but will be able to meet debt repayments in 2021. �External liquidity pressures have eased somewhat in recent months following bilateral loan disbursements, and our expectation of a forthcoming IMF special drawing rights (SDR) allocation,� Fitch Ratings said. �Nevertheless, SL�s medium-term debt service challenges more..

Jun 15 (CT) The Excise Department states that misinformation has been circulated that permission has been granted to Supermarkets to sell liquor through their online delivery services. It added the department has not granted such permission. Deputy Commissioner of Excise and Spokesman Kapila Kumarasinghe said although several requests have been made for permission to sell liquor through online delivery services, following the decision taken by the Department to seal all liquor stores, more..

Jun 15 (TM) In a media statement released by the UNP, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardena urged the govt to re-implement the fuel price formula which was introduced by the UNP govt in the past which will ensure that when fuel prices reduce in the future, the public will immediately enjoy the benefits. �UNP Govt introduced a fuel price formula that would have regulated petrol prices based on global prices. Last year global fuel prices dropped to a record low, however, because this Govt had removed more..

Jun 15 (AP) Sri Lanka�s govt is seeking help from the United Nations and other countries in assessing the environmental damage caused by a fire on a container ship carrying chemicals that is sinking off its capital, officials said Tuesday. The 12-day fire on the MV X-Press Pearl ravaged the vessel, destroyed most of its cargo and caused severe pollution in the ocean and along a long stretch of the island nation�s famed beaches. more..

Jun 15 (TM) Minister Udaya Gammanpila has revealed that the cabinet approved Fuel Price Stabilisation Fund was never maintained. �On the 30th March 2020 the Cabinet had approved to establish this fund,� he said noting that it was approved before he was appointed as the Energy Minister. A Fuel Price Stabilisation Fund should be implemented when the prices of fuel drop, he said, adding that the plan was to use the fund to stabilize prices in the event fuel prices increase more..

Jun 15 (Island) Justice Minister Ali Sabry PC said that the govt had decided to allow anyone or any institution affected by the X-Press Pearl vessel disaster to claim damages separately. He said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had instructed that permission be given to all sectors affected by the disaster that caused a massive destruction to the marine biodiversity, surrounding environment, and a direct impact on major sectors, including fisheries and tourism, to seek compensation. more..

Jun 15 (CT) There has been a slight decrease in the number of COVID-19 patients being reported daily, but it would take about another week to note if there is a marked decrease, Executive Committee member of the GMOA Dr. Prasad Kolambage said. He said yesterday the PCR positivity of patients last week had been 15.6%. However this week it has shown a slight decline to 14.6%. �If the public adhere to travel more..

Jun 15 (DM) The bakery owners have increased the prices of all bakery products except bread by Rs. 5 to Rs. 50 following the recent fuel price increase, All Ceylon Bakery Owners� Association (ACBOA) President N.K. Jayawardene said. According to him, all ingredients used in the production of bakery items have increased sharply by 100%. As a result and being bakery owners, we are debating whether to close our bakery business or expand our confectionery offerings. more..

Jun 15 (AD) The decision on lifting or extending the current travel restrictions can only be taken either on 19th or 20th of June, says Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. Addressing the special media briefing held this morning to announce Cabinet decisions, the minister reiterated that the decision will be reached after analysing the existing circumstances. The govt expects to reopen the country, however, several factors need to be taken into account for such move. more..

Jun 15 (EN) Since May 21, SL has been under lockdown in all but name, with curfew-style movement restrictions imposed island wide in an effort contain surging COVID-19 cases. At the time of writing, with confirmed daily cases still well over 2,000, restrictions that were supposed to be lifted June 14 have been extended till June 21 and are widely expected to continue till the end of the month. Though cases have seen a dip since June 3, more..

Jun 15 (TM) Data has been released by research authorities that the mix and match of AstraZeneca Covishield vaccines and the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are effective, stated Prof. Neelika Malavige . �Several countries have mixed and matched vaccines like AstraZeneca with Pfizer or Moderna effectively. How this is done is by receiving the first dose of AstraZeneca and the second dose from Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. SL�s Health Ministry is also currently considering this,� she stated. more..

Jun 15 (Island) Wildlife Conservation Department is expected to institute legal action against the owners of the Singapore registered Ship, X-Press Peal, for the widespread destruction of marine life. Dept�s Publicity Director, Hasini Sarathchandra, contacted for comment, said that there had been a disasterous environmental impact. �This is the first time we are witnessing deaths of marine animals in large numbers,� she said. Samples of the dead animals were sent to the Govt Analyst, more..

Jun 15 (DM) Event Coordinator Chandimal Jayasingha, model Piumi Hansamali and 21 other people who were placed under quarantine at a govt center in Badulla said they will lodge a complaint at the Human Rights Commission of SL against the alleged injustice caused to them after the court had granted them bail for attending a party. Piumi, Chandimal and the remaining members had been taken to a quarantine center 2 weeks more..

Jun 15 (CT) Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera has directed manufacturing firms and the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to develop a recycling programme for 750 ml plastic bottles. Ministry of Environment is currently concentrating on setting up a cooperative recycling factory with these plastic bottle manufacturing firms, as SL�s Local Govt Authorities lack such facilities. Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Environment is working on an alternative scheme to prevent more..

Jun 15 (Island) United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), an operational arm of the world body, last week handed over 100 Oxygen Concentrators worth US$110,000 as the initial consignment out of a total of 2100 oxygen concentrators to be provided to the Ministry of Health. A press release issued by the UNOPS said: UNOPS SL has been procuring emergency medical equipment for the Ministry of Health in accordance with the requirements outlined by Ministry more..

Jun 16 (CT) US based The Maritime Magazine, in an article published online on Sunday, said that salvors, Sri Lankan officials and satellite imaging providers have identified a gray sheen emanating from the recent half-sunk wreck of the MV X-Press Pearl container carrier, partially submerged off Sri Lanka�s Western Coast. However, X-Press Feeders noted Saturday that there are no confirmed reports of fuel oil pollution from the vessel, the Magazine said. more..

Jun 16 (ST) Facing controversies on multiple fronts, SLPP-led Govt would surely have been glad that this week�s Parliament sittings were limited to just Tuesday (8) owing to COVID-19 concerns. Nevertheless, for much of the day, the Govt was forced to defend itself against attacks by the Opposition over its handling of key issues such as the pandemic, vaccination, the fertiliser crisis and the X-Press Pearl disaster. Making a statement at the beginning of proceedings, more..

Jun 16 (TM) Alleged cases of police brutality have come to light with three incidents being reported within a two-week period. According to reports, the Police have been accused in connection with three recent deaths. Talk of police brutality resurfaced following the death of a 47-year-old on 21 May in the Midigama area in Weligama, Matara. According to the CCTV footage, the individual was assaulted by a helper while two police officers more..

Jun 16 (CT) Prez Rajapaksa�s compelling necessity to install a military dictator rule is due to many reasons, some of which can be listed as follows: The military mindset of the Prez is also an underlying factor propelling and influencing his thinking. 1. He has to put an end to the accusations of UNHRC, UN and other civil groups, namely the commission of war crimes, crimes against humanity etc. He has to avoid the principle of command responsibility for those alleged commission of crimes, more..

Jun 16 (CT) A recent announcement by PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, at some public meeting, it is reported, announced that all imports of agrochemicals/ fertilizers(?) will be banned and implemented with immediate effect, despite any protests from whatever quarter, come what may. Whether this would be applied to all agrochemicals or to chemical fertilizers, only or was to include pesticides and weed � killers as well, was not clear to me. But from the logic and spirit (tenor) of the speech, more..

Jun 16 (TM) Over the past year, the Govt has placed special focus on the development and beautification of Colombo. These development projects are being done as a part of a bigger plan to transform the city within the next 10 to 15 years. State Minister Dr. Nalaka Godahewa stated that all the projects currently being done and those to be initiated, are a part of a plan that goes back to 2014. He explained that during his time as more..

Jun 16 (TM) Dr. Nanayakkarapathirage Martin Perera, popularly known as Dr. N.M. Perera, one of the greatest politicians and statesmen produced by our country, was born on 6 June 1905. In recognition of his stature as a freedom fighter, a trade union leader, an authority who consolidated parliamentary democracy in the country, an economist who defended the rights of the developing world, and a politician who sacrificed political power to defend minority rights, he remains in the hearts of more..

Jun 16 (Island) The determination of the Supreme Court on the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill was that as many as 26 provisions of the Bill were inconsistent with the Constitution and required to be passed by a two-thirds majority in Parliament. Court further determined that nine provisions of the Bill also required the approval of the people at a referendum. Among the grounds of challenge was that the Bill effectively undermined the sovereignty and territorial integrity of SL more..

Jun 16 (DM) On May 14, 1948, the UN recognized Israel as an independent state. However it was only on Dec 15, 1988, the State of Palestine�s declaration of independence of Nov 1988 was acknowledged in the General Assembly in Resolution 43/177. Meanwhile, 73 years after Israel was accepted as a member of the UN, Palestine continues to be a non-member observer state In the days prior to its independence May 14, 1948, Israel captured substantial tracts of land from the state of more..

Jun 16 (Island) Prof. Sasanka Perera has, in a hard-hitting column published in The Island, castigates all political potentates who do not have an iota of shame and are ready to stoop to anything morally reprehensible to further their own interests. His consternation is understandable, and his astringent criticism will surely strike a responsive chord with the discerning public outraged at widespread bribery and corruption, the plunder of state funds, the abuse of power and the culture of impunity. more..

Jun 16 (Island) Meng Ke (also known as Mencius), the Chinese philosopher, who lived between 372 BC and 289 BC, has been in my mind lately for what he said on shame and shamelessness all those years ago. According to him, a man must not be without shame, for the shame of being without shame is shamelessness indeed. Feeling shameful for doing something wrong is necessarily a core foundation for emotional and ethical more..

Jun 16 (FT) Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) is at the forefront of driving digital transformation to make Sri Lanka a digitally-inclusive nation. The AgTech Showcase held on 10 June virtually, is an initiative to increase awareness and adoption of technology in the agriculture industry. This initiative focuses on creating collaboration among stakeholders in the agriculture sector, introducing new and advanced agri-technologies from local and int'l experts, more..

Jun 16 (Island) In late 1990s, there was a kid from Kandy who came to Colombo to pursue his studies in law. In 1980s, the universities had been closed due to the JVP insurrection and as a result there was a backlog in enrolling students to complete their degrees. The kid from Kandy had to wait for two years for his chance to enter university in a bid to become a lawyer going in the footsteps of his father. So with lot of spare time at his disposal, he decided to play some cricket and was employed by more..

Jun 16 (TM) One of the highly-placed officials of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has shown his concern, and agitation, over the present SLC Technical Committee�s (TC) alleged intervention on the national cricket affairs. The said official, who had been one of the main figures of SLC administration through the last two decades, has raised the issue when the SLC top-brass met last, after the national cricket team left to England for their more..

Jun 16 (Island) What is the current state of the economy? How can the public determine the state of the economy? Let me briefly refer to recent statements made, both in and outside Parliament, by members of the ruling SLPP on the state of the economy. The issue, at hand, is whether the incumbent government is competent to cope up with the situation. Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardane (SLPP/Colombo District), Energy Minister Attorney-at-Law Udaya Gammanpila (PHU/Colombo), more..

Jun 16 (FT) Consumers in SL are set to benefit from a new $ 5 million investment by IFC to Sunshine Consumer Lanka Ltd., a subsidiary of Sunshine Holdings PLC, with a greater number of food products on offer and moves to adopt international food safety standards. The move marks IFC�s first local currency investment in SL�s consumer goods sector and will allow Sunshine Consumer Lanka to diversify its Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) portfolio by expanding its operations from more..