Feb 24 (EN) SL is in talks with banks in the Middle East for financial facilities amounting to US$ 2 billion, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said. �Discussions have been initiated with banks in the Middle East for 2 billion dollars in financial facilities,� he told parliament. �Successful results are starting to come.� SL is seeing pressure on the rupee peg of 200 to the US dollar, depletion of foreign reserves and parallel exchange amid liquidity injection made to maintain low-interest rates. more..

Feb 24 (Island) More than 80 SL Coast Guard (SLCG) members are now competent enough to handle oil spill control, and recovery, thanks to training and patrol craft and equipment received from Japan. The training programme was evaluated by a team from the Japanese Coast Guard (JCG) Mobile Cooperation team and Japan Int'l Cooperation Agency (JICA). The delegation, headed by Senior Advisor of JICA � Japan Koji Tsuchiya, comprised three JCG and more..

Feb 24 (Island) Nearly 70 people engaged in the cleaning and collecting of nurdles from the ill-fated X-Press Pearl Ship, which sank off the port of Colombo in May 2021, were at a severe risk due to being exposed to harmful chemical substances, warns a team of experts covering a wide spectrum. Hemantha Withanage, Senior Advisor, Centre for Environmental Justice/Chairman, Friends of the Earth, said that more..

Feb 24 (DM) Having denied the fake media reports, Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) Chairman Kingsley Ranawaka said it was not the fuel issue that had made an SLTB bus to stop abruptly halfway. He said designated filling stations are there in every SLTB depots across the country and they were supplied with sufficient fuel all the time. He said certain websites have reported that a bus belonging to the SLTB stopped suddenly in Kalutara due to the absence of diesel to run further. more..

Feb 24 (Island) Relatives of a nine-month-old infant, who died recently after being admitted to the Vavuniya District General Hospital, held a demonstration alleging that the baby had died due to doctors� negligence. They requested the Ministry of Health to conduct an investigation into the death. Initially, they protested within the hospital premises. The protesters told journalists that the baby had not received proper medical attention. The deceased was from Thawasikulam. more..

Feb 24 (EN) SL�s merchandise exports in January 2022 rose 13% from a year earlier to US$ 1,063.63 million, the islands export promotion office said. Most categories of exports had shown growth and he was hopeful of the trend continuing Export Development Board Chairman Suresh de Mel said. Exports to the US grew 36% to US$ 295 million , UK bought US$ 81 million of goods, up 31% and exports to India were up 28% to US$ 71 mil. more..

Feb 24 (DM) The safety of Sri Lankans living in Ukraine has been ensured following the tensions erupted after Russian Prez Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine. Ambassador of SL to Turkey M. Rizvi Hassen said they were monitoring and keeping a close eye on the situation. �Out of over 70 Lankans living in Ukraine, 14 are students. However, eight students have already left Ukraine while several others have requested through Embassy of SL in Ankara, more..

Feb 24 (DM) The incumbent Govt has failed to pinpoint its priorities which has resulted in numerous issues including the power crisis adding burden on general public, SJB MP Champika Ranawaka claimed. He told Parliament that the Govt had given priorities to constructing highways and roads without paying due attention to issues that are sensitive to people. �Govt is spending dollars on highways in such a situation where they have neglected to import milk power, medicines, fuel & essential food more..

Feb 24 (AD) PUCSL has approved the request made by the CEB for rotational load shedding tomorrow. PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake stated that interruptions to the electricity supply of 04 hours and 40 minutes will be imposed in the areas mentioned under groups A, B, and C in the power interruptions schedule. In the meantime, power cuts of 05 hours and 15 minutes will be imposed in the other areas. As per the schedule, power cuts of 4 hours and 40 minutes are imposed between more..

Feb 24 (EN) Sri Lanka�s ongoing power crisis has so far had no adverse effect on the storage of COVID-19 vaccines, an official said, though a continuous fuel supply will be needed to supplement electricity supply during power cuts. Dr Hemantha Herath told reporters on Thursday (24) that so far the scheduled power outages have had no impact on the cold chain. �We need fuel supply as a priority, because without fuel we cannot supplement the electricity supply with extra generators. more..

Feb 24 (HT) Ahead of a visit by SL finance minister Basil Rajapaksa to India this week, the two countries are close to finalising three defence-related agreements and arrangements that are expected to boost cooperation for maritime security. Rajapaksa, the younger brother of Prez Rajapaksa and PM Rajapaksa, has been coordinating with the Indian side to firm up an economic assistance package to help SL tide over a severe more..

Feb 24 (CT) Govt assured the safety of those who have been arrested as it is not bent on revenge, Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardena said in Parliament yesterday. He made this remark when the Opposition raised concerns over the safety of former CID Director Shani Abeysekara. Opposition Leader, Sajith Premadasa alleged the Govt�s conduct regarding Abeysekara was questionable. �It seems the Govt is acting in a cowardly manner with regard to Shani Abeysekara who is more..

Feb 24 (CT) Ministry of Environment has allocated Rs 100 million for 2022 to the conservation programme of the Muthurajawela wetland. Muthurajawela wetland covers an area of 6,236 hectares, including 3,168 hectares up to the Negombo Lagoon and 3,068 hectares as wetland. This initiative has been taken to reduce air pollution in Colombo and also act as a filter to the ground water layer in the Colombo District. For decades, various human activities have polluted more..

Feb 24 (CT) As SL�s fuel crisis worsens, the Govt has invited foreign ambassadors from crude oil-producing nations on 15 March to discuss the possibility of buying fuel on long-term credit facility, Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila told Parliament yesterday. Responding to a question raised by SLPP MP Mohammad Muzammil, the Minister said allocating funds for fuel has become a problem to the country at the moment. more..

Feb 24 (CT) The death sentence imposed by the Colombo High Court on Anthony Ramson George who was convicted for the murder of Journalist Melicia Gunasekera was affirmed by the Court of Appeal yesterday. Colombo High Court in 2017 imposed the death sentence on George for the murder of Gunasekera in 2014 by stabbing her at her residence in Battaramulla. The death sentence was imposed by Colombo High Court Judge Piyasena Ranasingha. more..

Feb 24 (AD) Veteran journalist Sunil Madhawa Prematilake passed away yesterday (23), at the age of 78. He died after being admitted to the Thalangama regional hospital last evening. The remains will be taken to his residence in Koswatta tomorrow. The final rites of Prematilake are scheduled to be performed on Saturday (26). Born on 12 May, 1944, Prematilake was the son of former main editor of Silumina newspaper, Meemana Prematilake. He was schooled at Ananda more..

Feb 25 (DM) Sri Lanka is bracing for a food and drug shortage in the future. This is what the opposition harps on these days apart from maintaining that they are ready for any election. Govt of SL (GoSL) however states that there is no impending food shortage and that even the milk powder shortage has been sorted out completely. But the bottom line to all these criticism aimed at the govt is taking place because there isn�t sufficient production in the country. more..

Feb 25 (DM) I remember the first time I conducted a workshop for journalists in Sri Lanka. This was some time in mid 2004, I was with the late Thilak Jayarathne, the founder director of the SL College of Journalism. Thilak was unconventional to say the least. But he was effective and efficient. Sadly, in fighting, personal agendas and lack of support from the board forced Thilak to depart after one year at the college. We were in Anuradhapura to train a group of provincial correspondents. more..

Feb 25 (TM) In the past few years, Sri Lanka saw several high-profile incidents of questionable prolonged detentions, many of which took place under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979 as amended (PTA). Former Western Provincial Governor Azath Salley�s arrest and detention is one such example. He was arrested in March 2021 under the PTA over a statement he made during a press briefing, and more..

Feb 25 (TM) State Minister Nimal Lanza said in Parliament on Wednesday (23) that he has handed over a report to Prez Rajapaksa regarding the issues that have arisen in his State Ministry. At the centre of these so-called issues is the alleged disputes that have caused a conflict of opinions between Lanza and his State Ministry Secretary Prof. Ranjith Dissanayake. More interestingly, Lanza is reported to have instructed his private staff to temporarily refrain from reporting to duty. more..

Feb 25 (CT) SL is facing its most critical foreign exchange (FX) crisis since independence, overshadowing the last time that Sri Lanka faced such a crisis, over a seven-year period from 1970-1977, when the island practised a closed economy. But then, unlike now, there were no shortages of fuel or basic drugs, such as that of a popular int'l brand of paracetamol, a well-known pain killer. While a closed economy debarred foreign investments, nationalised production, banned imports more..

Feb 25 (CT) Abhayakoon Mudiyanselage Ivanthika Kumari Herath, a 28-year-old dancer, was found dead in her apartment near Maharagama on 13 February at 2:54 pm. The autopsy report confirmed that she had died from hanging. It was her associate who found her in her room. This associate is alleged to be her lover although he is married with children. It was noted that he is from the Panadura area. more..

Feb 25 (Island) The govt, which is struggling to find forex even for fuel imports, has decided to spend as much as USD 56 million on a huge advertising campaign to promote tourism, according to a report we published yesterday. It defies comprehension why so much of money should be spent on advertising; we thought SL was already known the world over as a tourist destination. There are many things that the govt ought to do before embarking on an expensive advertising campaign. more..

Feb 25 (CT) There is something really chilling about a crocodile. The thought of one swimming in the sea near your house is enough to scare you out of the water for good. I am are lucky enough to live just a five minute walk from Mount Lavinia beach, which stretches on past Dehiwala until it reaches the canal. Most mornings my wife does a 3 or 4 mile run along the beach and sometimes has a dip in the sea afterwards to cool off. So you can imagine her shock when a diver was killed by crocodile only more..

Feb 25 (CT) Article 3 of our Constitution states: In the Republic of Sri Lanka sovereignty is in the People and is inalienable. Sovereignty includes the powers of govt, fundamental rights and the franchise. Article 4, which goes into more detail, describes powers of govt as legislative, executive, and judicial. Article 4(d) requires all organs of government to respect, secure, and advance the fundamental rights declared and recognized by the Constitution. more..

Feb 25 (Island) Ministry of Justice has published in the Gazette on Dec 24, 2021 the Prohibition of Obscene Publications Bill aimed at prohibiting the publication, distribution, sale, import and export of any matter, object or thing which is obscene. Bill was to be enacted to curb child pornography as well as to safeguard those who fall victim to harassment and exploitation due to absence of strict laws to deal with offenders. The word obscene has been described in the Bill as �any matter, object or thing, more..

Feb 25 (FT) The Colombo stock market suffered its biggest plunge yesterday with nearly Rs. 700 billion wiped off after being inflicted with two trading halts as investors apparently looked chickened out to both macro and corporate issues. All Share Price index closed over 3% down or 374 points and the S&P SL20) lower by over 3.6% or 145 points. Turnover was Rs. 4.5 billion involving 188.5 million shares. more..

Feb 25 (EN) SL is looking at proposals made by international banks to re-finance debt, Treasury Secretary Sajith Attygalle said as the country grapples with falling reserves from low interest rates enforced by liquidity injections. �Investment banks and international banks have met with Finance Ministry with proposals to re-finance debt,� he said. �They have submitted various proposals.� Authorities were now studying the proposals, which involve raising new debt to deal with maturing debt. more..

Feb 25 (CT) Kandy posted a mammoth 373-4 against Galle thanks to brilliant knocks from Lasith Croospulle (93), Lahiru Udara (92) and Kamindu Mendis (90*) in the first match of the National Super Provincial 4-Day Tournament which commenced yesterday in Galle. Winning the toss and electing to bat, Lasith Croospulle and Lahiru Udara opened the batting for Kandy and the duo posted a 169 run partnership for the first wicket to put Kandy in front early in their innings. more..

Feb 25 (CI) Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer blitzed a depleted Sri Lanka attack with half-centuries as India eased to a 1-0 lead. After flickering briefly in the T20I series against West Indies, Kishan caught fire on Thursday and at one stage he even threatened to reach three figures. SL captain Dasun Shanaka ultimately had Kishan holing out in the 17th over for 89 off 56 balls, but Shreyas launched from the platform laid by Kishan more..

Feb 25 (FT) Seylan Bank has recorded a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 4.6 billion for the year ended 31 December 2021 as Net Interest Income (NII) soared with an impressive growth of 20.98% for the period under review compared to 4.64% growth reported in 2020. Despite the extremely challenging operating conditions that prevailed in 2021, the bank recorded a healthy growth of 46.62% in Profit Before Tax (PBT) amounting to Rs. 6.0 billion compared to Rs. 4.1 billion recorded in 2020. more..

Feb 25 (DN) SL�s top order right-hander Avishka Fernando, who got injured during a practice session in Australia, underwent surgery last Tuesday (22). SLC Medical Committee Chairman Prof. Arjuna de Silva said Avishka had a knee injury and his surgery which was done by renowned Australian Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. David Young is successful and now he is recovering. Dr. Young has performed very successful surgeries for several earlier SL top cricketers such as Lasith Malinga, Rangana more..

Feb 25 (Island) A vital Medical Research Institute (MRI) laboratory had been made virtually defunct for over three weeks due to the actions of a specialist doctor attached to the lab, College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) President, Ravi Kumudesh alleged. He claimed that it was the only lab dedicated to investigate fungal infections in the country and about 1,000 samples had been removed due to the actions of the specialist. �She doesn�t allow lab technicians to do their duty. more..

Feb 25 (DM) Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack on a beach restaurant at Narigama in Hikkaduwa where a group of mobs chased away foreign tourists and attacked the restaurant. The Hikkaduwa Police had launched an investigation following a complaint that a group of persons who had entered the restaurant during a DJ musical event had chased away the foreigners, attacked the restaurant's property with swords & clubs & damaged 2 cars parked on the road more..

Feb 25 (TM) Amidst a serious ongoing power crisis, the Power Ministry said yesterday (24) that bids for the emergency purchase of power will open on 28 February, through public advertisements placed by the CEB. �The CEB is finalising the emergency power procurement process and the bids will open on 28 February. After they finalise a seller, the CEB will submit it to the Power Ministry for approval," more..

Feb 25 (EN) Russia�s invasion on Ukraine could hit Sri Lanka�s tea exports, a reviving tourism industry and trigger more external trouble and inflation, if rising oil prices are not raised and energy utility losses are financed with bank credit leading to more monetary expansion, analysts said. Sri Lanka�s cabinet last week decided not to raise fuel prices, which will result in higher credit demand and pressure on interest rates if losses are financed by bank loans. more..