Sep 25 (DN) The Central Cultural Fund (CCF) has taken initiatives to name Ritigala as a UNESCO World Heritage site. CCF Director General Gamini Ranasinghe said that documentation is underway to name Ritigala as a World Heritage site, and it will take around two years for the whole process to be completed. He said that Ritigala comes across between the two World Heritage sites, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, adding extra value to naming Ritigala as a World Heritage site. more..

Sep 25 (CT) Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) should immediately stop capturing wild elephants and transferring them to the Horowpathana Elephant Holding Ground, Convener of Biodiversity Conservation and Research Circle (BCRC), Supun Lahiru Prakash urged. He noted the Director General of the DWC has ordered the Assistant Director of A'pura Wildlife Administration region to capture a wild elephant from the Pothana, Katukeliyawa area in A'pura, saying that more..

Sep 25 (ST) A combination of irregular taxes, insider information and lack of legislation to act against importers and wholesalers led to the crisis in the sugar import and sale, according to a study by Business Times. While the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) introduced a Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of Rs. 85 per kg, the CAA was unable to enforce it as it had authority only against retailers and not importers and wholesalers. more..

Sep 25 (CT) Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) will promptly demolish all limestone quarries within 100 metres of the Victoria Reservoir overflow level. Following mild earthquakes reported in the Victoria Reservoir region in recent years, Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera formed an academic group to conduct research on minor earth tremors. The committee had submitted a report advocating immediate action to protect the watershed and its environs, noting that more..

Sep 25 (SLN) Commander North Central Naval Area, Rear Admiral Bandula Senarathna on 23rd Sept declared open the new jetty constructed for berthing of small craft at the Naval Detachment of Palleimunai, administered by SLNS Gajaba in the North Central Naval Command. This berthing facility has been a long-felt need for naval craft patrolling the Mannar sea area, with a view to curbing various illegal activities. Accordingly, the new facility which was made possible in short period of time more..

Sep 25 (FT) President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on Thursday stressed that it was essential to transform global food systems to be more sustainable and that all stakeholders should work together in this regard. Prez expressed these views while addressing the Virtual Plenary of the UN Food Systems Summit. The UN Food Systems Summit commenced in New York in parallel to the 76th Session of the UNGA. more..

Sep 25 (ST) Despite several major naval accidents that have caused severe marine environmental pollution in the country�s territorial waters, Sri Lanka has still not taken steps to introduce legislation required to fully implement a key international marine pollution prevention convention it signed more than two decades ago, a report by the National Audit Office (NAO) shows. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, known as the MARPOL Convention, more..

Sep 25 (ST) Even an imperfect lockdown has been useful in bringing down COVID-19 infections and the hospitals being flooded with patients, is the view of numerous experts. The authorities on Friday (17) further extended the lockdown till October 1, as the country recorded a total number of 500,772 infections from the beginning of the pandemic last year, with the daily infections being 2,078 on Friday. The total death toll from COVID-19 is 11,938 with 121 succumbing on Friday. more..

Sep 25 (FT) SL�s COVID-19 detections rose to 511,372 with 1,332 persons testing positive for COVID-19 yesterday. The patients detected yesterday were from the New Year cluster and 10,410 PCR tests were conducted during the day. Questions have been raised about the drop in testing, but Health Promotion Bureau Director Dr. Ranjith Batuwanthudawe yesterday said: �In August, 450,000 antigen tests and 527,431 PCR tests more..

Sep 25 (Island) Govt was planning to finish vaccinating children between 12 and 19 years of age by the end of October, Minister of Health, Keheliya Rambukwelle said at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital. The vaccination drive kicked off with the inoculation of children over the age of 12 suffering from comorbidities at the Lady Ridgeway, Kurunegala and A'pura Hospitals. A 14-year-old girl was the first to be vaccinated. �We started this initiative after the Director General of Health Services more..

Sep 25 (Reuters) SL�s preferential trade access to the European Union, which is the biggest market for its $5 billion apparel industry, is in doubt with an investigation into the island country�s human rights and governance concerns set to start on Monday. European Parliament in mid-June adopted a resolution inviting the EU to consider withdrawing SL�s access, citing deep concern over the country�s deteriorating human rights situation. A five-member delegation is scheduled to meet govt more..

Sep 25 (PMD) The Special Committee on COVID-19 Control decided to devise a comprehensive plan on the health recommendations and restrictions that need to be imposed on reopening the country with the lifting of the curfew. The plan will be prepared by 3 relevant authorities covering three areas. Under the guidance of the Health Ministry and the health specialists committees, Ministry of Public Administration more..

Sep 25 (FT) This is the harvest of medical wisdom gained from interactions with some of the world�s leading researchers and clinicians. Lanka here on the crossroads between recurring paralysis and breaking free of the tripe we�ve been fed, urgently needs these distinctions. Globally, the one-two punch of lockdowns needing vaccines as rescue was a marketing ploy designed to remove our human paradigm antivirus defences and become captive to a distorting set of assertions, more..

Sep 25 (Island) TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran has condemned the arrest of TNFP MP Selvarajah Kajendran while the latter was taking part in an event to commemorate an LTTE leader, Thileepan, who died during a fast unto death in 1987. The event took place in Nallur. They were arrested for violating health regulations put in place to prevent the spread of the pandemic. �I condemn the arrest of Selvarajah Kajendran, MP in Nallur, Jaffna, while exercising his right to memorialisation,� Sumanthiran said more..

Sep 25 (DN) Two inmates at the Colombo Magazine Prison including a former LTTE cadre have passed the GCE O/L Exam 2020 with excellent grades. A young suspect detained related to a crime has passed with three �A� grades while the former LTTE cadre has passed the exam with three �B� grades. Commissioner General of Prisons said that the achievement by the two inmates augurs well for the Dept of Prisons� rehabilitation process for the future betterment of prisoners. more..

Sep 25 (DM) SJB is to brief the Mahanayaka Theras of Asgiri and Malwatte on Sept 27, on the agreement which the govt had got into with the American based New Fortress Energy to run the Kerawalapitiya power plant, an SJB MP Nalin Bandara said. MP said that he and a few other MPS from his party will meet the Mahanayakas of Asgiri and Malwatte on Monday September 27 to brief them about the deal. �We thought we should meet the Mahanayakas as the Kerawalapitiya deal is an important one more..

Sep 25 (ST) It is a first and Sri Lanka was overjoyed to have the honour of seeing twin baby elephants being born in captivity, in an open-zoo environment, at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. While celebrating this momentous event, it is of utmost importance to protect the twins from trauma and disturbance, says well-known international captive elephant expert Vasantha Nugegoda, expressing serious more..

Sep 25 (EN) Prospective lenders have been given extra time until October 05, to respond with proposals for a foreign currency term financing facility, the finance ministry said. The extension was given because some investors requested more time to get internal approvals, Treasury Secretary Sajith Attygalle said. The Expressions of Interest was originally expected to close on Sept 22. Banks, investment houses or institutional investors could submit proposal for fixed or floating rate term more..

Sep 25 (FT) It is nearly two years and six months since the Easter massacre was executed by a bunch of Muslim lunatics led by a madrasa dropout and brainwashed by ISIS and Al-Qaida, Zahran Hashim. That infamy killed nearly 250 innocent Christian worshippers and destroyed three churches and a hotel. All those who were directly involved in that killing were hunted down and killed by the security, and the Muslim community justifiably refused to perform the final religious rites that are more..

Sep 25 (Island) State Minister (Dr) Sudarshini Fernandopulle has emphasised the need for formulating a national policy to ensure gender equality in SL and to prepare an action plan to implement it. State Minister spoke for the need to formulate a National Policy and Action Plan to ensure gender equality in the country in her capacity as the chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee to make recommendations to more..

Sep 25 (EN) SL�s central bank has printed 103.5 billion rupees for 87 days at rates as low as 6.08% days after a ceiling rate on auctions at which money was printed to boost outflows above inflows taking the country closer to sovereign default, was take away. On Wednesday after the ceiling yield was taken away, the three month Treasuries yield rose to 6.38%, up from the previous week of 6.08% when there was a ceiling rate as a de facto policy which allowed money to be printed to suppress more..

Sep 25 (AD) Total number people who fell victim to COVID-19 infection in SL moved up as 79 more fatalities were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services on Friday. New development has pushed the official death toll from the virus outbreak in SL to 12,609. Latest victims include 41 males and 38 females. As many as 57 deaths were reported among the elderly people aged above 60 years. In addition, 22 individuals aged between 30-59 years have also fallen victim to more..

Sep 25 (DM) A businessman arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting to remove two containers with 54,000 kilograms of garlic belonging to Lanka Sathosa was yesterday ordered to be remanded till Sept 28 by Welisara Magistrate's Court. Suspect Welaudam Sri Dharan, the sole proprietor of S.K Traders was arrested on the charges of aiding and abetting, criminal breach of trust, concealing information and more..

Sep 25 (Island) Ambassador of Sri Lanka to China Dr. Palitha Kohona together with Embassy officials visited Sinopharm�s Beijing Institute of Biological Products Co. Ltd. (CNBG) on Thursday (23). The Vice President of the Sinopharm HQ, Shi Shengyi, the President of the Biological Products Division Zhu Jingjin, and the Vice President of the International Division Yan Bing welcomed the Ambassador and escorted the delegation on a tour of the massive facility. more..

Sep 25 (DM) With vaccination drive which is underway in full swing, the people can go back to their normal lives by second week of the month of November, State Minister Channa Jayasumana said. He expressed these views at an event in A'pura today. �The vaccination drive in the country has been outstanding that we have been able vaccinate over 50% of total population, which is a stupendous achievement when compared to other countries,� he pointed out. more..

Sep 25 (AD) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who addressed the UN High-Level Dialogue on Energy on Friday (24), said SL plans to go carbon neutral, transition from fossil fuels and promote de-carbonization by 2050. He also spoke of the country�s ambitious target for 70% of the country�s energy requirements to be obtained through renewable sources by 2030. Sri Lanka is happy to be a co-lead of Energy Compact more..

Sep 25 (DM) The rapid PCR testing facility established at the BIA, which was to kick off today, has malfunctioned due to a technical failure in the system, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said. He said that the PCR testing facility was scheduled to function for tourists from today but unfortunately, the system encountered a technical fault. After addressing the fault, PCR tests will be done in a day or two, he said. Moreover, Minister denied the chaotic situation which was reported at more..

Sep 25 (Island) Appreciating President Gotabaya Rajapaksa�s speech at the UNGA, the National Peace Council (NPC) has urged the Opposition to back the President�s initiative. Dr. Jehan Perera, Executive Director, NPC, said: �The President�s intention to deal with contentious issues requires the support of the parties in the Opposition, especially the minority parties which have democratic mandates with them and we call on them to accept the invitation that the President extends.� more..

Sep 26 (ST) In his recently published book on reporting 40 years from the United Nations, our special correspondent Thalif Deen, often called SL�s permanent ambassador to the world body, writes; �Come September, SL Prezs or PMs routinely visited New York to address the annual sessions of the UN�. The Bandaranaike family had three members address the UN General Assembly, a record parallaled only by the Nehru family of India. Now SL has two brothers who have addressed it. more..

Sep 26 (ST) My dear Cabraal, I should have written to you a few days ago, but with Lohan doing what he likes to do and making headlines the world over, I had to write to him last week. My apologies for the delay in writing to you, but I am sure the sheer joy of being appointed to the post you love so much will compensate for that. Most people who enter politics have to go through a struggle to get into Parliament, but you were handed that on a platter when Gota maama appointed you through National List. more..

Sep 26 (TM) The growing dissension within the Govt over its decision-making process and the monitoring mission from the EU scheduled to arrive in the country tomorrow indicate that the headaches of the Govt of Prez Rajapaksa and PM Rajapaksa will not abate anytime soon. The governing SLPP was once again facing an internal conflict following the sudden announcement of the divestiture of a 40% stake of the Yugadanavi more..

Sep 26 (CT) When you come to think of it, leaders and opinion makers of our resplendent island have a canny proclivity to create heroes. The media loves to pick on these, magnify them and metamorphosis them from fiction to real formations in the public imagination. There are many conspirators in this hilarious adventure. Every society needs heroes for inspiration and guidance; for national pride and collective psychological boost. As seen in movies or novels, heroes fill our hearts and they inspire more..

Sep 26 (CT) News broke out later in the afternoon that a dramatic breakthrough had been achieved in the long standoff involving the detention in Canada of Meng Wanzhou, the high-profile Huawei executive, and the imprisonment of two Canadians, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig (the two Michaels) in China. Within hours of the announcement, Ms. Meng flew to China from Vancouver and the two Michaels were flying back to Canada. Meng had been detained in Canada more..

Sep 26 (ST) Diplomats taking to Twitter and other social media platforms is part of public diplomacy in the modern world. This week, a series of Pakistan HC Twitter posts, couched in sarcasm, lamented over the low levels to which journalism had fallen and said the High Commissioner had no super power to be in two places at the same time. They were referring to a news item in a northern datelined piece more..

Sep 26 (Island) Advocata Institute�s A Framework for Economic Recovery is both comprehensive and succinct. A response to the spiralling crisis in SL, its publication has been well timed. Striking a realistic and pragmatic note, it foretells the worst for the country, unless certain urgent reforms are implemented. What it admits at the beginning is that the pandemic only highlighted the need for such reforms; the problems they seek to resolve have been in the offing since independence. more..

Sep 26 (TM) If you wish to be a success in the world, promise everything, deliver nothing. Over 200 years after these prophetic words were uttered by French ruler Napoleon Bonaparte, providing a rare insight into his own philosophy that helped overcome challenges military might simply could not, the words are as relevant today in the local political context as they were when first spoken. In essence, it all boils down to telling people what they want to hear and making promises that more..

Sep 26 (ST) COVID-19 infections and deaths might be on a downward trend thanks to a month-long islandwide lockdown, but scandals plaguing the SLPP govt only seem to be going up. Parliamentary sessions held over two days this week descended into shouting matches at times as the govt defended itself against opposition attacks over a host of allegations directed its way. Accusations flew thick and fast when State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana answered questions raised by more..