Feb 23 (DM) The existing COVID-19 restrictions can neither be lifted nor relaxed in the near future, given the Omicron situation in the country, the Health Ministry stressed. Dr. Hemantha Herath told media that the current COVID situation does not facilitate them to lift the prevailing restrictions. "Several Western countries have already scrapped COVID-19 restrictions. However, it is visible that the number of cases has significantly increased in these countries after lifting the curbs,� he underscored. more..

Feb 23 (CT) Prez Rajapaksa yesterday, directed Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Ministry officials to immediately release necessary funds to clear fuel shipments. A Special Cabinet Meeting was called yesterday evening to discuss the power and fuel crises that have been raging for months. CB Governor and the Treasury officials were also present at the Special Cabinet Meeting. President did not agree to negotiations on more..

Feb 23 (FT) Following an audit conducted by the Auditor General�s Department to evaluate the performance of the licensing and activation process for new renewable energy power projects in the process of developing new renewable energy sources, the AG has issued his report, adding also his observations and recommendations based on the facts revealed. Reading through it we find that it is an excellent contribution which will be helpful in the revival of this sector. more..

Feb 23 (FT) By the time that China adopted its open economic policies, there were no records of foreign direct investment (FDI) flows to China. In 1980 it had received about half a billion dollars FDI and it increased to over $ 2 billion by 1986 and to over $ 10 billion by 1992; after 2008, China continued to receive over $ 100 billion every year and became the largest FDI recipient in the world. As the Chinese economy grew, it also became a source country of outward direct investment (ODI) so that more..

Feb 23 (EN) Queen Elizabeth II has recognized Deborah Edirisinghe, who has founded a network of children�s shelters in SL in a commonwealth award given for volunteers, the British High Commission said. Edirisinghe was given the 211th Commonwealth Point of Light for exceptional voluntary service supporting and caring for disadvantaged children, the statement said. �I�m humbled and feel privileged to be a recipient of the Commonwealth points of light award from SL more..

Feb 23 (DM) Illegal Assets Investigation Division of the CID has arrested a 36-year-old man who had been engaged in a prostitution racket using women in various parts of the country for 18 years. Police said the suspect was also arrested by the Police Children & Womens Bureau for selling a 15-year-old girl online for sexual activities in June last year. Illegal Assets Investigation Division launched an investigation after it was revealed that the suspect had earned money by selling girl for more..

Feb 23 (CI) Wanindu Hasaranga is almost certain to miss the upcoming three-T20I series against India, starting on Thursday in Lucknow, after he returned another positive Covid-19 test. Hasaranga, currently in Melbourne, will not be able to link up with the travelling party in India as a result. Hasaranga, third in the ICC rankings for T20I bowlers, initially tested positive on February 15, ahead of SL's third T20I against Australia. more..

Feb 23 (EN) Former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has called for a postponement of the CEB�s scheduled power cuts until the end of the ongoing GCE A/L exams on March 5. �These power outages are going to be a huge problem to students taking their A/Ls, especially because of the Z score system. Also, because the outages occur at different times in different areas, they can file a fundamental rights petition,� said Wickremesinghe. He that the govt ought to consider delaying planned outages more..

Feb 23 (FT) Ceylon Cinnamon was added to the register of protected designations of origin and Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) on 2 February. EU commission by the implementing regulation � (EU) 2022/144, entered a name Ceylon Cinnamon in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (Ceylon cinnamon (PGI). The logo indicates the relationship between the specific geographic region and the name of the product, more..

Feb 23 (AD) Supreme Court today concluded consideration of the petitions filed against the Yugadanavi power plant agreement. The court stated that the decision on whether or not it will grant leave to proceed with the hearings of the petitions would be announced in due course. Several parties including three Cabinet ministers had filed petitions challenging the govt�s decision to transfer 40% of the Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi power plant more..

Feb 23 (DM) At least 23 individuals were injured in a head-on bus collision in Koralaima on the Horana-Colombo main road today. The head-on collision took place between a SLTB bus travelling from Horana to Colombo and a bus carrying garment factory workers. The injured have been admitted to the District Hospital Wethara and two injured persons whose condition was critical were rushed to the Kalubowila Hospital while no injury caused to anyone travelling in the SLTB bus. more..

Feb 23 (EN) Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) halted trading at 12.13 pm today for the second time to allow the market to cool off after an index of liquid stocks plunged 7.5% in intra-day trading. This was the third time the S&P SL 20 index suffered over 5% fall in three days. The S&P SL 20 index fell 7.5% at 12.13 pm, the CSE said in its official website. �Please note that the Market has been halted for 30 minutes due to the S&P SL20 index dropping over 7.5% from the previous close, more..

Feb 23 (DM) Pakistan PM Imran Khan said that Pakistan attaches immense importance to its relations with Sri Lanka as a reliable friend and partner. He made these remarks after meeting with Commander of the SL Navy Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne who is currently in Pakistan on an official visit. Premier Khan said that security and defence cooperation was a key component of Pakistan-Sri Lanka relations and a factor of peace and stability in the region. more..

Feb 23 (AD) Second phase of the Central Expressway, or the Ethugalpura Entrance, which was declared open last month, has generated an income to the tune of over Rs. 100 million within the first month of its operations. More than 500,000 vehicles have used this stretch of the road between Mirigama and Kurunegala since it was vested with the public. Accordingly, the income generated by the new section of the expressway during this period has been estimated at Rs.109,659,600. more..

Feb 23 (AD) State Minister Nimal Lanza, who was recently in the news after he decided to withdraw his personal staff from ministry duties, says that he has written a letter to Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa regarding the matter. Delivering a special statement in Parliament today (23), the SLPP MP said that in his letter he explains the reasons behind his decision to withdraw his personal staff from the ministry and more..

Feb 23 (Island) TPA and Civil Activists finalised a document listing the aspirations of Indian Origin Tamil Sri Lankans or Malayaha Thamils, TPA leader Mano Ganesan MP announced at a discussion he chaired in Colombo. He said: �We are looking inward towards full pledged Srilankanism. The political, cultural, economic and social spheres of our people shall be brought into SL political and administrative structure. There are areas where large holes remain where our people are sidelined, more..

Feb 23 (AD) Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila says that despite the increase in the price of crude oil in the world market by 38% from Dec 20 to yesterday, it has been decided not to increase the price of fuel in SL. Minister stated that following a lengthy discussion at the Cabinet meeting yesterday, a decision was taken not to increase fuel prices. The minister further said: �I have to say this for the people of the country to know, that at the moment SL has the lowest fuel prices in South Asia. more..

Feb 23 (DM) SJB today filed a Special Determination petition in Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Surcharge Tax bill, which was placed on the order paper of Parliament on Tuesday. Through this petition SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara is seeking a declaration that the bill requires the approval by the people at a Referendum in addition to the 2/3 approval of the Parliament. more..

Feb 23 (EN) CEB has been given approval to have power cuts of up to 4 hours 40 minutes on February 24, Public Utilities Commission Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said. Group A, B and C areas would have cuts of 4 hours and 40 minutes starting from 8.30 am. The first block will be 2 hours and 40 minutes. The second 2 hour block will start from 1630 and on till 22.30 In P Q R S T U V and W areas there will be two hour power cuts from 8.30 am and 2 hours and 30 minute cuts from 16.30 pm. more..

Feb 23 (DM) UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet should not disgrace the decorum of the institution of the body she represents and should do justice to SL, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka told Parliament today. �Madam, you have heard only one side of the story from those who are supporting the LTTE and representing them. We request you to do justice to us, otherwise you will disgrace the decorum of the institution you represent. I would like to ask you whether more..

Feb 23 (Island) School education during these pandemic times has been severely affected. Considering that now the schools have re-opened, the safety of schoolchildren become the topmost priority for the society, especially those from lower-income families. Lanka IOC which has always been sensitive and active towards social upliftment has further stepped up its commitment by donating stainless steel foot peddle operated hand washing sinks, digital thermometers, sanitisers, more..

Feb 23 (CT) Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has commenced a new bus service from Pungudutivu to Jaffna through Iruppiddy to provide satisfactory transport services to residents. This bus service has been inaugurated on the mediation of Minister Douglas Devananda following a request made by Pungudutivu Iruppiddy people to EPDP Velanai administration. The issue had been brought to the attention of Northern Province SLTB General Manager Gunabala Selvam by Jaffna District more..

Feb 23 (Hindu) In a format best suited for the underdogs, SL has a reasonable chance of going one up against an Indian line-up that looks less than formidable. When the action in the three-match T20I series begins at the Ekana Stadium here on Thursday, the visiting team will look to exploit India�s weakened batting potential in the absence of Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant. With Kohli and Pant rested, non-availability more..

Feb 23 (TM) Former Mrs Sri Lanka beauty queen Pushpika De Silva, who was summoned to the Piliyandala police today in regards to the ongoing investigation on the attack on journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama, has not turned up at the police station and has requested for an alternate date at the last minute, The Morning reliably learns. The Piliyandala OIC confirmed that De Silva did not show up to produce her statement at the police station despite confirming attendance today. more..

Feb 23 (NR) Minister Basil Rajapaksa says based on data available with the SL Customs, essential goods that are required for three months have entered the country. He said measures have been taken to supply all essential items without any shortage. The Finance Minister said they do not have data pertaining to distribution of goods to various areas, but according to the Customs and details from wholesalers, he can confirm that goods adequate for three months are available more..

Feb 23 (TM) People are blaming the CEB for the power cuts, which is partially fair, but the root cause is not acknowledged and the 37,000MT of diesel received today will only suffice for another 7 days says CEB Senior Engineers Union (CEBSEU) Spokesperson Nandika Pathirage. �People are in a helpless situation and are blaming the CEB for the power cuts. Today the Govt released USD 33 million for 37,000MT of diesel, but the fact remains more..

Feb 23 (CT) Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardena observed in Parliament yesterday that non-implementation of the recommendations made by the Parliamentary Committees such as COPE and Public Petitions committees problematic and solutions are needed to address them. In response to several MPs who queried as to why recommendations of Parliamentary committees are not being implemented by officials, Gunawardena said the matter is raised due to loopholes more..

Feb 23 (EN) Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) is in the process of waiving demurrage charged on containers at the SLPA-owned Colombo port after importers failed to clear them on time amid forex shortage, officials said. "We are still at the primary stage of examining documents and we are still not sure about the amount that will be waived off,� a senior SLPA official said. �We can�t even be sure of the exact number of requested waivers as we have received many in a short period." more..

Feb 24 (DM) The theme that underpins today�s editorial is based on the struggles of a people and the blatant violation of their human rights. The scene shifts to the Chagos Archipelago some thousands of miles away from the shores of Sri Lanka and making news was the emotional-filled return of five Chagossians to their native country in a symbolic gesture of freedom after more than 50 years of exile in Mauritius. They were deported to Mauritius by British officials to clear the archipelago more..

Feb 24 (ST) The world is now eyeing money talks in the rich countries to decide their own steps. I am returning to a topic that I discussed in this column many times last year. It was about the forthcoming inflationary pressure in the world, which is now quite visible. I thought of elaborating this issue from a global perspective and, the future outlook of the global economy. Before that however, I must also explain why the world is now under inflationary pressure. more..

Feb 24 (CT) Former Prez Maithripala Sirisena said during his tenure from 2015 to 2019, SL did not have any of the problems it is facing presently, inflation was low, and the country maintained good international relations. He criticised the Govt for the controversial organic fertiliser policy and other issues. Pointing out that the SLFP is deeply saddened by this situation, he said agriculture is in dire straits, adding that farmers cannot work more..

Feb 24 (TM) Legend has it that the Queen of France during the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette said let them eat cake in response to news about people not having even bread to survive on. Such insensitiveness, or ignorance, is not what the citizenry of any country expects from their leaders, especially during crisis situations, and at present, when most countries have elected leaders, such answers should not have any place in a civilised society. more..

Feb 24 (CT) Yesterday, this newspaper reported of over four-hour daily power cuts being effected immediately due to the current power crisis. Sri Lanka is said to have a 99 per cent electricity penetration. These power cuts are being imposed at a time when 300,000 students are sitting the GCE A/L Exam, where such power cuts are a first, since power cuts became regular after the opening up of the economy in 1977. This has to be looked at in the context, that 2 hours of those over 4-hour more..

Feb 24 (DM) A verse from the Salalihini Sandeshaya reads as follows; With it�s red lotuses and golden swans, Lake Diyavannā seems ever like a silk garb, Worn by Lady Jayavaddana: Its swirling stream as her waist-fold, And the continuous ripples the garb�s pleats. Here, the poet subtly describes the beauty of the Diyavanna Lake that enriches the Diyavanna Oya wetland ecosystem-which is one of many more..

Feb 24 (Island) The govt finds itself in a quandary over its Special Goods and Services Tax Bill (SGSTB), which, the Supreme Court has said, contains sections inconsistent with the Constitution, and therefore will have to be approved by the people at a referendum in addition to being passed with a two-thirds majority in Parliament if it is to become law. Nothing could be a more worrisome proposition than a referendum to the govt, which is suffering from what may be called polls phobia, more..

Feb 24 (Roar) SL�s gender gap in labour force participation is bad for the economy and for equality. It is also surprising, since SL women are relatively healthy, educated and legally empowered. SL women do well on health indicators such as life expectancy, fertility and infant mortality � measures normally associated with high female labour force participation (FLFP). They graduate in higher numbers from universities and schools than men. And they received the right to participate more..