Sep 28 (CT) Several health services sector trade unions launched a token strike yesterday morning crippling the services at several hospitals countrywide. Due to the token strike, scores of patients who had gone to hospitals for treatment and admissions were greatly inconvenienced. Some patients had also suffered for want of transport facilities. Patients charged that at a time when the country is facing the scourge of COVID-19, trade unions were attempting to win their demands more..

Sep 28 (FT) COVID-19 detections in the country rose to 514,592 with the detection of 983 COVID-19 positive persons yesterday. This is the first time daily COVID-19 detections have dropped below 1,000 since the beginning of July. Data shows that daily detections dropped to 869 on 5 July and 934 on 6 July, despite daily detections remaining above 1,000 since 27 April. On 26 April, 997 persons tested positive for COVID-19. more..

Sep 28 (FT) State-owned retail network Sathosa has called for Expressions of Interest (EoI) for the supply of 30 essential consumer items from local producers and direct importers for the rest of the year in its efforts to ensure fair price and ample stocks. EoIs have been called from local producers and direct importers who are able to supply goods of high quality and standards at fair and lower prices than those prevailing in the market. Lanka Sathosa Ltd., has made arrangements to obtain more..

Sep 28 (Island) Most Venerable Mahanayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera told SJB MPs Lakshman Kiriella and Ajith P. Perera that facts about the Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Power Station transaction would be studied and a decision reached by its Karaka Maha Sangha Sabha. Mahanayaka Thera gave this assurance after listening the two MPs who said that the agreement entered into by the govt with the American company was highly detrimental more..

Sep 28 (TM) A number of Muslim Opposition MPs have filed complaints with IGP Chandana Wickramaratne, Police Headquarters (HQ), and CID regarding the alleged hate speech propagated by Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera in a number of electronic media interviews conducted over the past month. SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman said that he had filed a complaint with the Police HQ on 24 Sept, more..

Sep 28 (TM) National Identity Card (NIC) numbers should be assigned to children at birth to ensure their wellbeing, and to ensure their rights are protected, according to the GMOA. In a letter sent to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa dated 22 Sept, the GMOA had stated it �believes that issuance of a National Identity Card number to every child at birth, and issuing a National Identity Card with the same number on or before the age of 16 will further strengthen children�s rights and wellbeing�. more..

Sep 28 (CT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa alleged a new type of land grabbing has emerged in the country, which is currently affecting the Panama area. Premadasa, addressing a public gathering during his visit to Sri Bodhirukkharamaya to look into reported land grabbing in the Panama Ragamwela village, claimed, �Govt is selling Sri Lanka�s resources to foreigners for cheap. Now they are even encouraging the plunder of lands of innocent citizens. more..

Sep 28 (TM) Teachers� and principals� trade unions have warned that if the Govt continues to delay resolving their issues, including the teacher-principal salary anomalies, the protests on the streets that were suspended due to the current Covid-19 pandemic situation will have to be resumed once the country is reopened. CTU President Priyantha Fernando said that after the reopening of the country, plans are afoot to more..

Sep 28 (FT) This synopsis is meant to serve as a guide to those who wish to gain a basic understanding of some of the more important changes introduced in the Securities and Exchange Act No.19 of 2021. It must not however be considered as a comprehensive and/or an authoritative statement of the law or its interpretation. Reference ought to be made to the SEC Act No.19 of 2021 for further clarifications of the exact legal position. more..

Sep 28 (FT) The inherent economic problems faced by Sri Lanka have been compounded since last year by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in several rounds. In this background, it is encouraging to observe that the export sector and the overall economic activities show signs of recovery this year despite the pandemic. Nevertheless, the macroeconomic imbalances manifested by the twin deficits � the fiscal deficit and the balance of payments deficit � have aggravated more..

Sep 28 (DN) Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that steps have been taken to further strengthen the National Environmental Act and to include 42 new amendments to the Act to suit contemporary times in order to carry out the program to protect the environment of our country in a more formal manner. The new amendments also propose to increase the penalties for those who destroy the environment tenfold, Minister said. Accordingly, the Environment Ministry has already submitted more..

Sep 28 (TM) Voicing his stance on the recent Yugadanavi Power Plant deal, Minister Dullas Alahaperuma stated that LNG supply within the country must not be given to a foreign nation. These statements were made at the Cabinet media briefing held today (28). �I made my stance known to the Cabinet clearly at that time, and I have now been fully informed about the new agreement. During that time, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Power made clarifications on this matter. more..

Sep 28 (UCAN) SL�s Buddhist monks have demanded justice for victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks as several demonstrations were held in European countries highlighting the govt�s failure to nab the culprits. Ven. Professor Agalakada Sirisumana Thera said on Sept. 26 that not only Sri Lankans but the whole world is waiting for justice to be done for the Easter attacks. �People did not receive the complete copy of more..

Sep 28 (DM) Co-Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Ramesh Pathirana contradicting State Minister Sudarshani Fernandopulle's views on vaccinating children above 12 years of age, said today that according to reports, vaccinating children against Covid-19 was more beneficial than its harmful aspects. He told the Weekly Cabinet briefing that the WHO has recommended vaccinating children after considering the benefits it has on them when compared to a small number of children reported with more..

Sep 28 (AD) The COVID-19 task force has been requested to work out the procedures by which state institutions and public transport services will be maintained once the country-wide lockdown is lifted on Oct 1. However, no final decision has been taken regarding the reopening of the country, Commander of Army General Shavendra Silva stated. The final decision will be announced in the next two days, he added. Army Commander mentioned this following an offering at Temple of the Tooth in Kandy more..

Sep 28 (EN) SL will import 100,000 tonnes of rice which would be healthy but not necessarily organic a minister said as domestic farmers were banned from using chemical fertilizer and insecticides and domestic rice prices soared amid import controls. Cabinet of ministers had cleared the import 100,000 metric tonnes of rice, Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said. Rice would be distributed to Lanka Sathosa & co-operatives. more..

Sep 28 (DM) Health Ministry today requested the parents not to direct their healthy children above 12 years of age for vaccination because there was no such a decision as of yet. Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said though the vaccination drive for children aged 12 to 19 years who have comorbidities and disabilities is underway, there is no such decision to vaccinate healthy children as yet. "The decision was taken considering the greater benifit of the vaccines more..

Sep 28 (AD) The Pfizer vaccination program for children with co-morbidities aged between 12 - 19 years will be carried out island-wide from Oct 1, SL College of Paediatricians (SLCP) says. According to its member Dr. Surantha Perera, vaccines will be made available at selected hospitals in each province. The inoculation program is currently operative only in five districts. SL commenced vaccinating children suffering from underlying health conditions on Sept 24 at several hospitals more..

Sep 28 (Island) Supreme Court has decided take up, on 04 Oct. for hearing a petition filed by the Association of Self-Employed Traders against the opening of liquor stores during the current lockdown. The traders have requested the apex court to order the govt to allow members of their union to engage in business activities since the liquor stores had been allowed to reopen during the lockdown. more..

Sep 28 (EN) SL�s cabinet is not aware of a US$ 2.5 billion loan which state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation had reportedly negotiated with some foreign parties after unsolicited offers, Co-cabinet spokesman Ramesh Pathirana said. �We are not aware of such a thing,� he said. State-run CPC owes around US$ 2 billion to two state banks and more than a billion US dollars in suppliers credits. The CPC is made to borrow dollars and run up large debts, more..

Sep 28 (Island) UNICEF yesterday announced that the UK was providing lifesaving medical equipment to high-risk pregnant mothers and infants identified with COVID-19 in 11 public maternal hospitals across the country This is in response to a request from the SL Ministry of Health through UNICEF, following the rapid escalation of COVID cases since mid-April 2021. The initiative is funded by the UK�s International Programme Fund and led by UNICEF. It will support the health care system by more..

Sep 28 (AD) Former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe warns that there is a serious risk that a govt will not have any funds to pay pensions in another ten to 15 years. He said that currently the govt expenditure is divided between paying away debt and paying wages and that and that it would not be possible to pay pensions by 2030-35. He urged that consideration needs to be given to that matter as well, when decision are being taken. more..

Sep 28 (DM) SJB MP, Harin Fernando has been hospitalized after developing heart complications from a surgery conducted a few months ago, sources said. Fernando was admitted to the ICU where after tests, it was revealed that he had developed complications from heart surgery performed on him a few months ago which hospitalized him for weeks. He has been admitted to a private hospital in Colombo and will undergo another surgery. more..

Sep 28 (AD) Chairman of the UGC says the universities are expected to reopen in the month of November following prolonged closure caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. The govt is planning to complete COVID vaccinations for youths aged 20 - 30 years by the end of October, Prof. Sampath Amaratunga added. When asked if it is mandatory for students to be fully vaccinated when returning to universities, the UGC chairman stated that a decision on the matter is yet to be taken. more..

Sep 28 (EN) SL�s central govt debt had climbed to 104% of gross domestic product by June 2021 from 101% in Dec 2020, based on the latest national income estimates and debt data. SL�s nominal GDP for the 12 months ending June was 15.9 trillion rupees, while total debt had grown to 16.56 trillion rupees. Foreign debt in rupee terms went up to 6.63 trillion rupees, from 6.0 trillion rupees, despite a net pay back of rupees as the rupee fell. more..

Sep 28 (NR) 55 COVID-19 related deaths have been confirmed today. The Government Information Department said the deaths were reported to have occurred yesterday, the 27th of September. 29 males and 26 females were among the victims. 39 individuals, 19 males and 20 females, were 60 years or above while 16 persons, ten males and six females, were between the ages of 30 and 59. Accordingly, Sri Lanka�s coronavirus death toll increases to 12,786. more..

Sep 28 (DM) Transport Ministry and the Energy Ministry have decided to increase the transportation of fuel from 30% to 60% by train. The decision was taken following a discussion with Transport Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi and Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila at the Energy Ministry today. Currently, fuel transportation is handled by bowsers. Fuel transportation by train will help reduce road traffic, environmental pollution and accidents. As a result, Ministers have decided to build more..

Sep 28 (AD) Winner of the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) Jaffna Stallions have a new owner as SL-born British entrepreneur, Allirajah Subaskaran, enters the second season of the premier T20 tournament of the Island Nation by acquiring the Jaffna-based franchise in the tournament. Speaking about the new venture, Mr Subaskaran said, �I have been observing the gradual growth of the LPL. more..

Sep 28 (EN) PM Mahinda Rajapaska had proposed to provide US$ 50 million to pay for shippers and clear containers stuck at port, at this week�s cabinet meeting, Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said. �There are some containers with imports made against import controls,� Minister said. �There are about 800 others which are essential items such as lentils have been imported under existing laws. The PM asked the Finance Ministry to release foreign currency to clear the containers.� more..

Sep 28 (CT) Handing over a 40% stake of the Kerawalapitiya LNG power plant to a U.S. firm does not mean a complete sale, General Secretary of SLPP Sagara Kariyawasam said. He added the power plant will be under the purview of the CEB following the 15-year investment period. While the power plant was constructed by a private company that was in need of funds, the Govt funded the company through the Treasury and thereby has a 50% stake, he noted. more..

Sep 28 (AD) Following the removal of price controls, the Large-Scale Mill Owners� Association have announced revised retail prices for rice. The following prices of three types of rice per kilogram were announced by the chairman of the association, Dudley Sirisena during a media briefing held today. Nadu � Rs. 115; Samba � Rs. 140; Keeri Samba � Rs. 165. The mill owners have also decided to purchase paddy from farmers more..

Sep 28 (TM) A new law to introduce a procedure whereby a landlord who is seeking to recover possession of a premises given on a notarially executed lease can obtain a decree nisi entitling him to the premises at the outset of a case is expected to come into effect soon. In a press release, Ministry of Justice notes that the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to a paper submitted by the Minister of Justice Ali Sabry, P.C to draft new legislation to speed up process on the same. more..

Sep 28 (DM) PM Rajapaksa has instructed the relevant officials not to summon the journalists to the CID, who disclosed the garlic scam to the media, Cabinet Spokesman Dullas Alahapperuma said. He said that Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara also assured that the journalists will not be summoned to the CID nor the CID will visit the media institutions to inquire about the incident. Minister said he regretted over the incident and that such an incident should not have taken place. more..

Sep 29 (DM) Yesterday (27) brought the curtain down on the final day of world leaders addressing the august body. Addressing the sessions, Secretary General Antonio Guterres promoted the lofty ideals of the world body, spoke on issues of justice, warned the world of impending dangers climate change posed to future generations, as well as of death, destruction and the possibility of famine in Ethiopia and Yemen caused by war in those regions. Meanwhile in Switzerland, another game more..

Sep 29 (DM) We have been critical in these columns, admittedly, of the role played by His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith in times gone by. It starts from his sometimes open, otherwise indirect support of the Rajapaksas; in his not standing up to the minority religious rights when they were under threat; in playing down the importance of fundamental rights as well as his part in bringing the Gotabaya Rajapaksa regime in to power; specially in the context of the Easter Sunday bombings more..

Sep 29 (CT) SL�s long-standing problem of seeking justice for the Tamils, and Catholics after the Easter Sunday attacks, has reached UN Headquarters doorstep in New York and even Geneva, amidst the coronavirus scare. Govt in its lacklustre campaign to resolve domestic affairs, has failed to grapple with those issues, despite calls to resolve national issues such as reconciliation, repealing of the Prevention of Terrorism Act more..

Sep 29 (CT) SL is currently experiencing the apparently dying stages of the South-West (SW) Monsoon, though, replete with high winds and showers occurring more than intermittently. What is seemingly significant is that the prevailing weather conditions are similar to those that generally show at the start of SW Monsoon Season which is normally in May-June and not towards its end. It may not be wrong to assume that the change in weather pattern may be due to climate change? more..

Sep 29 (ST) The chorus of protests over the abandonment of chemical fertiliser to be replaced by organic fertiliser is growing, compelling us to revisit the fertiliser issue for the second successive week amidst concerns of a drop in production of SL�s key crops. Also worrying is that tests of two samples taken of a planned consignment of organic fertiliser from China have shown impurities while a third test is being planned on a new sample. This is amidst pressure from high-ranking officials to clear more..