Jan 23 (SO) The Prez has clearly said that he will never allow another country to use Sri Lanka as a strategic threat to India, either on SL soil or waters, said Foreign Ministry Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage. He shot down criticism that SL is leaning towards China in overcoming the forex challenges and said SL received support from India as well. �We are missing choices. The international community should give us more choices of more..

Jan 23 (Island) Time was when franchise cricket was frowned upon. That was a decade or so ago. The reason for this is that unscrupulous player agents used underarm tactics to get their players released from national commitments. There was very little Sri Lanka Cricket could do as franchise owners like N. Srinivasan, at one point cricket�s most powerful man as Secretary of Board of Control for Cricket in India, dictated terms and one could only feel sorry for the plight of SLC. more..

Jan 23 (SO) Indian runners dominated at the Nestomalt half marathon (21 kms) organized by Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) to celebrate their centenary year at the Diyatha Uyana in Battaramulla, Kotte yesterday morning. Their men runners finished first and second while their woman runner emerged winner in their category in ideal cool conditions that attracted nearly a thousand runners from all parts of the country. The men�s winner was Kartik Kumar who finished in one hour & three minutes more..

Jan 23 (ST) The tournament committee chairman Samantha Dodanwela of the National Super League (NSL) getting underway tomorrow defended their stance and selection basis of players saying the 78 nationally contracted players were equally allotted to each of the five team. This is due to the part the SSC representing the Colombo team, is stacked with several top names and appears to be carrying more..

Jan 23 (ST) Returning to action after a lapse of two years, title holders Kandy Sports Club displayed their usual potential despite going through a scrappy first half, to defeat Air Force Sports Club by 34-12 in a Division �A� Club Rugby League match played at Ratmalana yesterday. Leading the halftime by a slender margin of 15-12, Kandy SC finished on a high after scoring from five tries, three conversions and a penalty. The Airmen scored from two tries and a conversion, which all were recorded during more..

Jan 23 (ST) Batter Charith Asalanka was named the Man-of-the-Match for his near run-a-ball 52 off 56, but it was seamer Dushmantha Chameera who set the tone for Sri Lanka�s crushing win over Zimbabwe on Friday, taking two wickets off successive balls in the third over in a run-chase of 255. Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Regis Chakabva gave Zimbabwe an excellent foundation, scoring 80 and 59 for the first wicket in the first two games, neutralising the seam and spin threat from the Sri Lankan bowlers. more..

Jan 23 (ST) The cash-strapped and debt-ridden govt is pruning funds allocated to foreign missions overseas in the wake of dwindling foreign reserves and a scarcity of US dollars. As a cost cutting exercise, the Foreign Ministry has directed all heads of foreign missions to reduce additional expenses with a view to conserving the country�s much needed foreign reserves and minimising expenditure related to more..

Jan 23 (ST) Among the many highs the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) saw over the last year, this one tops the list: CSE has not received any investor complaints during the past year. How�s that for positive news? �We didn�t get any complaints at all during 2021,� a CSE official told the Business Times recently. He attributed this to a large number of investors being happy. It is also a record in CSE�s history unlike in the dark 2011 to 2014 era rampant with insider trading and more..

Jan 23 (TM) Govt is exploring the possibility of entering into a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with China instead of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with some Cabinet Ministers believing that it would benefit the SL economy more than a FTA. Meanwhile, Govt is also keenly pursuing PTAs with Bangladesh and the Maldives. State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya said that the Cabinet was deliberating switching to a PTA with China. �There have been some concerns by the Cabinet more..

Jan 23 (Island) The main opposition SJB says that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa�s Policy Speech delivered in Parliament on Jan 18 failed to provide solutions to the crises faced by the country. SJB MP Eran Wickremaratne said that the crises with regard to economic management and governance had gone beyond the control of the govt subjecting the masses to severe hardships without essential goods and services. more..

Jan 23 (ANI) Prevention, cooperation and mutual assistance in controlled measures at international borders are essential to counter the transnational and connected nature of terrorists and criminal activists in the South Asian region, said SL Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Shavendra Silva, emphasising on the need of law enforcement's institutional reforms based on common and agreed policies. "In the legitimate govt efforts to fight terrorism or organised crimes, more..

Jan 23 (CT) The general public should prioritise Sri Lanka Automobile Service Providers Association (SLASPA)-certified workshops for all the repairs and maintenance, the SLASPA said on Thursday. Sri Lanka Automobile Service Providers Association (SLASPA), the apex body representing the country�s automobile industry, said they were fully committed to transforming the country�s automobile manufacturing, repair and maintenance sector in a challenging 2022. more..

Jan 23 (CT) The Cabinet last week discussed a Cabinet paper presented by Lands Minister S.M. Chandrasena, to give a 184-acre land in the Oruwala area on a free grant to the current owner of the business entity situated on the land and deferred on it following concerns and objections raised by several Cabinet ministers questioning the free grant instead of a long-term lease. Several Cabinet ministers have more..

Jan 23 (SO) A national conference comprising all major political parties convened for national consensus and a team of domestic experts tasked with developing a comprehensive structural reform program to stabilise the economy is crucial to lift the country from the economic crisis, said international development expert, policy advisor and researcher, Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja. He said the govt has ruled out going to the IMF for assistance, worrying that the IMF demands for austerity policies more..

Jan 23 (SO) SL entrepreneurs should make use of the huge potential for dried fish in the world market, a businessman in the dried fish industry, Danushka Karunaratne said. He said that there is a huge demand for quality dried fish in the local and foreign market. Therefore, entrepreneurs are welcome to this new sector, which hasn�t been well used so far. Karunaratne said that young entrepreneurs, who see the future in different angles, should enter the industry since it will be the right solution for more..

Jan 23 (AD) The CEB said it will be compelled to disrupt the power supply from next Tuesday (25) as furnace oil stocks at coal power plants have run out. The time schedule for the impending power cuts will be announced on or before Monday, Acting General Manager of CEB said. Meanwhile, operations at the Sapugaskanda Power Station came to a complete stop this afternoon after it ran out of furnace oil stocks. more..

Jan 23 (DM) Special examination centres were arranged for the grade five scholarship examination for 236 COVID positive students reported across the country, Examinations Dept Commissioner General said. He said those exam centres were arranged at the zonal level so as not to be unfair for every child. Commissioner General thanked all the health sector authorities, including the health ministry and its officials, for their great effort and contribution to make this a reality. more..

Jan 23 (AD) SriLankan Airlines today (22) refuted the reports circulated in the media and on social media platforms with completely inaccurate facts and figures regarding the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the institution, including the alleged age and remuneration. In a clarification, the national carrier placed on record that Richard Nuttall, an international aviation management professional, was appointed as Chief Commercial Officer with effect from November 1, 2021. more..

Jan 23 (TM) SL is expected to receive further compensation of $ 2.15 million this week over the damages caused due to the MV X-Press Pearl disaster, MEPA Chairperson Dharshani Lahandapura confirmed last Friday (21), adding that the interim report formulated to map damages was being revised with expert help. She noted that the first interim report on the disaster had been compiled, and that the full report more..

Jan 23 (MFA) The Foreign Ministry has noted with regret that the Sri Lanka section of the HRW World Report 2022 depicts an exaggerated and unduly negative picture of the current human rights situation in the country. Sri Lanka follows a policy of constructive engagement with the international community including with international NGO�s such as HRW on matters related to human rights, and we recognize their constructive role as human rights defenders. more..

Jan 23 (TM) Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) runs the risk of paying demurrage for two shipments carrying 95 octane petrol and diesel which have been anchored in the seas off SL for days, due to delays in opening Letters of Credit (LCs) to the tune of $ 58 million. This, as the CEB warned of possible power outages from Tuesday (25) due to lack of fuel for power generation. The two ships had arrived last Tuesday (18) and Thursday (20) and had to remain without being able to unload their fuel stocks more..

Jan 23 (ST) Ministry of Power under which CEB operates is seeking a direct allocation from the Finance Ministry for fuel instead of depending on the Energy Ministry under which comes the CPC. Power Ministry�s request comes amidst a spat between the two ministries and between the CEB and the CPC on the supply of fuel. Recently, the CPC asked the CEB to find the US dollars to supply it with the fuel required for power generation. more..

Jan 23 (ST) Govt has decided to provide a monthly allowance of Rs. 5000 to employees of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) such as corporations & statutory boards. Through a circular, Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle this week informed govt institutions about the allowance which is effective from this month. The allowance will be determined by an SOE�s board of directors, taking into consideration the following criteria: Officers on no-pay leave are not entitled to this allowance. more..

Jan 23 (ST) Govt, in keeping with a budget decision, has from this month slashed the telephone bill allowances of officers in State Owned Enterprises (SOEs). Accordingly, reimbursement of telephone bills has been reduced by 25% for officers in corporations, statutory boards, and govt owned companies. A chairperson or competent authority who was entitled to a maximum telephone bill allowance of Rs 13,000 a month will now be entitled to Rs 9,750, of which Rs 3,750 monthly more..

Jan 23 (ST) When he delivered his Govt�s policy statement after ceremonially opening the second session of the 9th Parliament on Tuesday, Prez Rajapaksa set an objective for his Govt during the rest of his term. �Our goal is to make SL one of the fastest growing countries in the region in the next few years,� he stated. Towards this end, the Govt is working to achieve definite growth in the agriculture, industry & services sectors, he said. more..

Jan 24 (DM) Currently Europe is on edge. War drums are beating once again in the Balkans. Ukraine and Russia are as yet engaged in a war of words, with Ukraine claiming Russia is about to invade. Russia has massed tens of thousands of troops on the Russo-Ukrainian border. European�s fear a slight misstep could well lead to an outbreak of armed hostilities as happened in the aftermath of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie by a Bosnian more..

Jan 24 (DM) SL economy is sinking deeper and deeper into crisis. The economic establishment and their policies that reduced the country to this state of affairs are screaming for more of the same. They are calling for restructuring the external debt along with structural reforms, disregarding the fact that it was similar polices in the past that pushed the country into the debt trap. What can be gained from so-called restructuring of external debt? And what will be impact of so-called structural reforms? more..

Jan 24 (CT) Until recently, it was only the rice mafia that disregarded Govt directives, ignored controlled prices and created artificial shortages in the market. But now, it appears that a new mafia has emerged. This time, instead of rice, it�s all about cement. Due to the shortage of cement in the market, a number of mega-scale development projects, particularly high rise apartment blocks, lie idle. Cement prices have been increased on a number of occasions but more..

Jan 24 (ST) When the classical Greeks reminded struggling humanity centuries ago that whom the gods want to destroy, they first make mad they may have been contemplating SL as a special example thereof. As increased low income families poise at the edge of starvation while a few wine and dine on choice luxuries, this is a nation gone mad. The Rule of Law is a luxury that Sri Lankans can ill-afford. Instead, the question is more, (much like what survivors of conflict in Northern war theatre more..

Jan 24 (ST) Jan 18 was a significant day for Lanka. Not only did it mark the opening of a new session of Parliament after it had been prorogued six weeks ago but it was also the day Lanka risked losing its last vestige of credibility and branded an int'l defaulter if it failed to cough up USD 500 million to meet a sovereign bond payment. Thus, while the Prez was eulogising on the state of the nation in Parliament, CB Governor Cabraal was busy settling sovereign bond payment due that day. more..

Jan 24 (TM) During the last two years, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, SL�s pharmaceutical sector faced both criticism as well as commendations due to various reasons, and there were also instances where the State-run pharmaceutical authorities/regulators were the centre of controversial situations that made national headlines. However, despite such challenges, State-run pharmaceutical sector more..

Jan 24 (Island) For homo sapiens, destiny is undoubtedly very much in charge and control in any aspect of life from the cradle to the grave, and very much so in the history of a country. In the context of the grave crisis we are facing today in Sri Lanka, it would indeed be opportune to reminisce into our journey down the slippery slope, particularly during the post-independence era. Many a conscience would certainly have gone pita-pat hearing our own icon, Sunil Perera, the veteran band leader, more..

Jan 24 (CT) The tug-of-war between the Director General of National Zoological Gardens and the SLPP Zoological Department Employees� Union, is the latest in the long list of issues at the Dehiwala Zoo. Animal rights activists as well as the public have been raising concerns with regard to the pathetic condition of animals that are confined to small and dreary spaces inside this urban zoo for a long time. Although efforts have been made to introduce an open zoo in Ridiyagama, more..

Jan 24 (ST) The first order of business of the newly convened Second Session of the Ninth Parliament this week was to debate Prez Rajapaksa�s Statement of Govt Policy delivered on Tuesday (18). The 3-day debate saw the Govt echoing the call made by the Prez during his speech for the Opposition to set aside politics and support the Govt�s efforts to rebound from the crippling economic crisis. Opposition parties, though, hit back that it was the Govt that was playing politics, more..

Jan 24 (Island) What was feared seems to be playing out. MP Diana Gamage, who crossed over to the govt from the SJB, has urged Parliament to extend President Gotabaya Rajapaksa�s term by two years because she thinks he has lost two years owing to the pandemic. Gamage�s call has come close on the heels of Prez Rajapaksa�s statement that a youth recently asked him why a referendum could not be conducted to ask the people whether his term should be extended by two years more..

Jan 24 (GV) No astrologer in SL reached such dizzy heights as Sumanadasa Abeygunawardane. He predicted for the Rajapaksas the future they wanted and was rewarded with power and riches at public expense. When the royal astrologer foretold that the next half century would belong to the Rajapaksas and that Mahinda Rajapaksa, after a fourth and perhaps even a fifth term, will be succeeded by a son or a brother, more..

Jan 24 (ST) Master Blasters, led by Akith Jarudika, beat Lion Warriors by 42 runs to annex the Sanath Jayasuriya Premier League (SJPL) 2021 title in perfect style at the Bloomfield ground in Colombo last Sunday. Played among five teams of young school cricketers, also belonging to various cricket academies from SL, the tournament was played from Dec 27 of 2021, before the curtains came down on Jan 9. The five teams in contention were, eventual winners Master Blasters, more..

Jan 24 (FT) COVID-19 vaccines were administered to 43,298 persons on Saturday and SL�s first dose coverage has risen to 76.3% of the total population. The second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine has been administered to 64.57% of the population. 16,420,801 persons have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 13,883,259 persons have received the second dose. The booster dose has been administered to 4,916,430 persons. This includes 27,919 vaccinated on Saturday. more..

Jan 24 (FT) Shipping agents yesterday warned that import container build-up in the Colombo Port is worsening primarily due to the foreign exchange crisis, and urged authorities to resolve it fast so as to avoid a more serious impact on the economy. Shipping companies rely on import containers being cleared from the ports de-stuffed and returned back to the containers� depots, either to be used as export containers or more..