Mar 30 (FT) Interbrand in association with the Daily FT concluded their International Women�s Day [IWD] 2022 � #BreaktheBias: Equality today for a sustainable tomorrow; leaving much food for thought amongst all attendees. A stellar line up of speakers, the cr�me de la cr�me of Sri Lanka�s designers coupled with emerging design talent who showcased in keeping with the theme, sustainable designs, gourmet food and choice wines, scintillating entertainment, a tightly knit production, and more..

Mar 30 (DM) The female involved in the assault incident where a match referee was manhandled by a group of Trinity supporters after S. Thomas� College beat Trinity College at Havelock Park in Colombo last week, had been arrested after she failed to report to the police to settle the matter amicably. The rugby match between Trinity College in Kandy and St. Thomas' College in Mt. Lavinia ended in a tense situation after S. Thomas� College beat Trinity College on March 26. more..

Mar 30 (AD) SL�s year-on-year Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate for the year of 2021 has been estimated as 3.7% of positive growth rate, Dept of Census and Statistics says. The dept noted that this positive growth comes against the backdrop of a 3.6% contraction in the economy reported in the year 2020. �Further, the GDP for SL for the year of 2021 at constant price has increased up to Rs. 9,881,397 million from more..

Mar 30 (DM) UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has witten to Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardena, that the Parliamentary debate on the IMF report should begin with Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa submitting his proposals which he intends to discuss with the global body. Sources said that Wickremesinghe had written to the Speaker and also Gunawardena, seeking a two day debate on the IMF report and this should begin with Basil's more..

Mar 30 (Hindu) T National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday filed a charge sheet in a special court at Poonamallee against six persons, accused of attempting to revive the banned LTTE organisation. Letchumanan Mary Franciska of Chennai, Kenniston Fernando, 58, of Thoothukudi, K. Baskaran, 55, Johnson Samuvel, 33, G. Dharmendran, 40, E. Mohan, 64, of Chennai were cited as accused. The case was registered in 2021 by Q Branch CID Chennai & later taken over more..

Mar 30 (AD) The Supreme Court has refused to grant leave to proceed with the petitions filed against the gazette notification prohibiting people who are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 from entering public places. The petitions were dismissed by the majority decision of the five-judge bench of the SC today. Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, State Ministers Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle and Prof. Channa Jayasumana, more..

Mar 30 (AD) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) has approved the CEB�s request for 13-hour interruptions to the power supply tomorrow. The CEB had sought to increase the duration of power cuts to 13 hours due to the unavailability of fuel for thermal power plants. Thereby, the areas listed under the following groups will experience power interruptions of 13 hours as mentioned below: � Areas A, B, C, D, E, and F � Three hours from 3am to 6am / Four hours from 12pm to 4pm more..

Mar 30 (TM) Ministry of Public Security and the Govt of India have entered an agreement to supply SL Police with 750 jeeps. This was made known through a media release from the Ministry of Public Security today. The purpose of the agreement was to strengthen ties between the two countries. Accordingly, the jeeps would be delivered in 3 phases with the first consignment of 250 jeeps arriving by the end of August, second batch of 250 jeeps arriving by the end of Sept and more..

Mar 30 (AD) The Sri Lanka Retailers� Association (SLRA), the apex body for organised retail in Sri Lanka, has issued a communique requesting landlords, lessors, and business partners to reduce leases and rentals for the Association�s membership. President of SLRA, Mr. Murali Prakash appealed to landlords and lessors to provide a 50% concession on rentals and leases on all forms of physical infrastructure on properties leased and rented by SLRA members for the next one year. more..

Mar 30 (EN) India�s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar visited the island�s Suwaseriya ambulance service perhaps the most visible India linked project that has brought benefits to people around the country. Jaishankar was accompanied by opposition legislator Harsha de Silva who helped found the 1990 Suwaseriya ambulance service and Minister Sudarshani Fernandopulle. Jaishankar had been pleased at how the Suwaseriya system, which was originally started with Indian help was more..

Mar 30 (CT) Indian system is working overtime to expedite its assistance to SL as it tries to cope with a grave economic crisis, said external affairs minister S. Jaishankar said. Recognising that timing is key for Sri Lanka as it tries to cope with a grave economic crisis, the Indian system is working overtime to expedite its assistance to the island nation, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar said on March 30, wrapping up his visit to SL. more..

Mar 30 (DM) Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) today said they would be able to supply fuel including diesel, petrol and jet fuel without any issue in April, as fuel shipments would be recieved as per the schedule under the Indian Line of Credit facility. CPC Chairman Sumith Wijesinghe told a news conference that fuel consumption has unusually gone up by about 35% this year when compared to previous years. He said nearly US$ 1.2 billion had been spent for fuel imports during more..

Mar 30 (CT) Police Child and Women�s Bureau (PCWB), yesterday, informed Colombo Additional Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrema that the suspect female teacher who has been charged with the sexual abuse of a 16-year-old student, over a four-year period, had intentionally avoided the Police on a few occasions, in connection with inquiries being conducted by them concerning the incident. The PCWB made this submission to Court, after being noticed to do so, in connection with more..

Mar 30 (EN) SL�s rupee hit moral suasion Wednesday after deals done at 330 to the US dollar a day earlier while the kerb traders also lay low after the central bank said their license will be cancelled, market participants said. There were neither firm bids or offers Wednesday in the interbank market after moral suasion, dealers said. Most commercial banks are offered to sell dollars at 299 to the US dollar for telegraphic transfers more..

Mar 30 (DM) National Transport Commission (NTC) is to introduce a special bus service to facilitate commuters during the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year season from April 8 to 19. NTC Director General Nilan Miranda said that buses will leave Colombo city to other provinces until April 15, and from April 15 to 19, the similar operation will continue from other provinces to Colombo city. "We have a total number of 3,200 registered buses at NTC, pool of 1,000 buses for emergency use. more..

Mar 30 (AD) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today said the Bay of Bengal region economies have become the engines of growth in global economy, while stressing the need for protecting BIMSTEC region from the threats of terrorism, religious extremism and narcotics. His remarks came during the 5th Summit of the BIMSTEC taking place in Colombo. President Rajapaksa chairs the summit today, with the virtual participation of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Thailand leaders. more..

Mar 31 (DM) After months of dilly dallying, vacillating and procrastinating, Rajapaksa govt has now decided to seek IMF assistance to restructure or resuscitate SL�s economy, which has plunged into its worst ever crisis. It is interesting to note that the govt has appointed another committee comprising Foreign Minister G.L Peiris, Justice Minister Ali Sabry, CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle, to select an int'l law firm to conduct negotiations with the IMF. more..

Mar 31 (DM) The New York Times (NYT) is in a pitched battle with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). When it comes to misinformation, sleight of hand, slant and heavily editorialized pieces passed off as news it�s almost as though they were twins separated at birth. Of course, both outfits are trying to outdo each other over Ukraine. Almost all the stories are framed by preferred outcomes. To this end certain kinds of villainy are amplified and other kinds ignored. more..

Mar 31 (Roar) It has been a rough and prolonged journey for women advocating for reform of the controversial Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA), the law that governs several aspects of family life for SL Muslims. Originally drawn from a colonial-era piece of legislation, the MMDA of 1951 has been problematic since its inception, with those from both within and outside the Muslim community pointing to injustices more..

Mar 31 (CT) When the country�s economy contracted in 2020 amidst mounting debt, falling foreign reserves, creeping inflation and rising cost of living, and when life turned miserable to millions of Sri Lankans, the govt blamed the pandemic, and Covid-19 was made the scapegoat. With Gotabaya Rajapaksa�s alternate path to develop the economy and homegrown solutions, establishment economists, Viyathmaga experts and CB were predicting a U-turn or V-turn in 2021 or 2022. more..

Mar 31 (CT) Yesterday (30), our sister paper Mawbima, which caters to the Sinhala readership, carried a story under the heading, Jaishankar intervenes in respect of Peradeniya Hospital�s Surgery Issue. To quote excerpts, it said, �Due to the present shortage of medical drugs and equipment, Peradeniya Teaching Hospital�s Hospital Director Dr Arjuna Thilakarathna who sent a directive on Monday, calling for a halt in all routine surgeries, however, rescinded that order on Tue. more..

Mar 31 (TM) Marking an important milestone in Sri Lanka�s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) movement, based on a complaint filed by a local activist, UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) recently stated that a number of steps, including those aimed at reforming discriminatory laws and practices and raising awareness about the LGBTI community, must be taken. more..

Mar 31 (TM) The Supreme Court (SC), on Tuesday (29), suspended the former United National Front (UNF)-led Govt�s Cabinet of Ministers� decision to provide a house down Paget Road in Colombo 7 to incumbent Govt MP and former President Maithripala Sirisena, a decision taken when Sirisena was the Head of the Govt and thereby, the Cabinet. The SC had further stated that the interim order pertaining to the said suspension will remain in effect until duration of the hearing of the petition. more..

Mar 31 (Island) Politicians and their kith and kin have all the luck in this country, where servile electors deify them. They are therefore living in the lap of luxury while the people are suffering. Has any of them or any of their family members been seen languishing in queues to buy fuel or food? Nothing is in short supply for them. Some of them even pounce on hapless state officials if their favourite food items happen to be temporarily unavailable in the Parliament restaurant while many people more..

Mar 31 (DM) Given the new challenge posed by the Russo-Ukrainian war in Europe, and the continuing challenge posed by a rising China in the East, global and regional powers are busy exerting and expanding their influence over countries in South Asia � an area in which they have competing strategic interests. The US, China and India, have noticeably increased their activities in South Asia in the past month. The US Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland, visited India, B'desh more..

Mar 31 (Island) SL is under pressure to back the US-EU stand on the war in Ukraine. The cash-strapped govt, struggling to cope up with the deepening political crisis within the ruling coalition, stepped-up opposition protests, and the growing economic turmoil, is also under pressure to reach a consensus with one-time LTTE loyal ally/mouthpiece, the TNA as part of the overall response to the current difficulties. Prez Rajapaksa received the top TNA delegation, at Prez Secretariat, last Friday. more..

Mar 31 (ST) The rapid, continuous drop of levels in hydropower reservoirs could cause water scarcity and remaining reserves must be managed well at least till May, when rains are due. Meanwhile, the dire shortage of water will further hamper power generation in the coming weeks. But reports of power cuts up to 10 hours next week were denied by the regulator, Public Utilities Commission of SL, which said the CPC more..

Mar 31 (FT) Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) announced a change in the S&P Sri Lanka 20 index constituents made by S&P Dow Jones Indices at the 2022 March ad-hoc index rebalance due to the amalgamation of Commercial Leasing and Finance PLC with LOLC Finance PLC after which Commercial Leasing and Finance PLC would cease to exist. Effective 31 March Commercial Leasing and Finance PLC (CLC.N0000) is out and Softlogic Life Insurance (AAIC.N0000) has been added. more..

Mar 31 (FT) 22nd AGM of SL Germany Business Council (SLGBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was held on 23rd March 2022 at Hilton Colombo Residences. Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to SL Holger Seubert who is also the Patron of the Council, was the Chief Guest. Established in 1999, with the primary objective of promoting trade, investment, tourism and services, with particular emphasis on promoting exports from SL to Germany, SLGBC continues to develop more..

Mar 31 (FT) SL�s internal and external stakeholders have all lost confidence in the current Govt, and this will impact the level of assistance the country receives to overcome the current crisis, charged the SJB at briefing yesterday, and once again called on the Govt to resign and make way for change. The party also called on the Govt to dissolve the Monetary Board and make fresh appointments, as incumbent had clearly failed with its strategy. more..

Mar 31 (Island) Big match fever takes over the cricket pitch on April 3rd as the Battle of the Maroons, the annual cricket encounter between Ananda College and Nalanda College played for the late P de S Kularathne Trophy, powered by SL�s premier connectivity provider, Dialog Axiata PLC, will go LIVE from the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium on Dialog TV channel #140. The boys from Ananda College will be led by all-rounder Saviru Bandara, while the lads from Nalanda College will play more..

Mar 31 (FT) SL Retailers� Association (SLRA), apex body for organised retail in SL, requested landlords, lessors, and business partners to reduce leases and rentals for its membership. SLRA President Murali Prakash appealed to landlords and lessors to provide a 50% concession on rentals and leases on all forms of physical infrastructure on properties leased and rented by SLRA members for the next one year. Furthermore, the association appeals to all business partners to share other costs more..

Mar 31 (FT) SL�s COVID-19 case count rose to 661,453 following the detection of 168 COVID-19 patients yesterday. The previous day, 232 persons tested positive for COVID-19. 3,192 PCR tests and 1,299 rapid antigen tests were conducted on Tuesday. 73,714 COVID-19 patients have been detected this year. SL�s total COVID-19 detections also include 483,090 persons from the New Year cluster, 82,785 persons from the Peliyagoda cluster, 9,154 persons from the Prisons cluster and more..

Mar 31 (FT) COVID-19 vaccines were administered to 5,424 persons on Tuesday and first dose coverage among the total population has risen to 77.59%. Second dose coverage in the country is 65.77% and third dose coverage is 35.87%. Among the population over 20 years, 96.2% has received the second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 53.81% has received the third dose. 96.3% of the population over 12 years has received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine & 81.7% has received more..

Mar 31 (TM) As Sri Lanka prepares to face unprecedented 13-hour power cuts today, CEB Engineers� Union (CEBEU) said that the country would have to spend the Sinhala and Hindu New Year in darkness if the CEB does not receive fuel and if the rains do not come in April. �Currently, we only have fuel for the Barge Mounted Power Plant and for the Kelanitissa Combined Cycle Power Plant, about 1,500 MT of fuel. more..

Mar 31 (FT) The SL Institute of Biotechnology (SLIBTEC) will collaborate with the US Govt�s development arm � the USAID, to boost innovation in the biotechnology sector by establishing SL�s first Biotechnology Innovation Park. By unleashing change through bio-innovation, SLIBTEC expects to increase Sri Lanka�s hi-tech exports by at least 1%. Following the signing of a Letter of Cooperation with USAID�s PARTNER project, Treasury Secretary and Chairman of SLIBTEC S.R. Attygalle said: more..