Dec 17 (PO) All members of the SL team and the support staff touring South Africa on Friday gave their PCR tests on Tuesday, it is learnt here. �The 72-hour pre-departure tests were conducted in Colombo and Hambantota and results so far are good�, one of the sources close to the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said. �Another tests will be done on arrival in South Africa and there will be repeated tests during their stay�. �Unlike in SL, the players will have no strict quarantine stay in hotel rooms more..

Dec 17 (Island) It was so unfortunate that people had to take to the street to save the national assets from the very same politicians who came to power promising to protect them, Convener of the National Movement to protect state assets Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thera said. Thera said that during the Yahapalana regime there had been many patriotic forces including leading bhikkhus, protesting against the sale of national assets more..

Dec 17 (TM) A crucial meeting between the Ministry of Plantations and regional plantation company (RPC) owners regarding the long-running dispute over the daily wage of plantation sector workers will be held today. The proposed increase of the daily wage to Rs. 1,000 for plantation workers will be discussed with RPC owners today. Planters� Association of Ceylon (PA) Chairman Bhathiya Bulumulla said the Govt has indicated a middle point with the RPCs� representative body more..

Dec 17 (FT) The UNP called for an independent inquiry into the fire that broke out at the Supreme Court complex on Tuesday. Issuing a statement the UNP noted that the building was the apex of the country�s judicial system and was situated in a high security zone and called on the Govt to conduct an immediate and transparent inquiry into the cause of this fire. �The SC complex is situated in a section of Colombo which is currently under lockdown and court proceedings have been limited to more..

Dec 17 (FT) Over 600 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the triple cluster that emerged from Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons to 31,070 patients. 560 associates of the Peliygaoda COVID-19 cluster and 51 persons linked to the Prisons cluster are among the 611 patients detected yesterday. The total count of COVID-19 patients in SL is 34,732. The total number of COVID-19 patients detected more..

Dec 17 (Island) Govt was confident that it could attract foreign direct investments (FDIs) worth US$ 2.5 billion next year, State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal said. He said so while speaking at a virtual forum held to mark the 4th annual investment conference of Asia Securities. �This is a reasonable and realistic FDI value Sri Lanka targets for next year having created the right investment environment. The Port City is set to bring in US$ 1 billion, Hambantota Tyre facility US$ 300 m more..

Dec 17 (NR) Three more COVID-19 related fatalities have been recorded in the country, raising the death toll to 160. All 3 deaths were confirmed from the Western Province. First victim has been identified as a 43-year-old female from Bandaragama who passed away at the Homagama Base hospital after being transferred from the Panadura Base hospital. The cause of the death has been reported as COVID-19 pneumonia and organ failure due to blood poisoning. more..

Dec 17 (CT) Considering the amount of compensation paid for the deaths and injuries that occurred during the unrest in Digana and Beruwala and the damage to property, very little compensation has been paid for those who lost their lives and were injured in the Easter Sunday bombings. Also, various political interventions have taken place in paying compensation to the victims of these incidents. For instance, politicians such as more..

Dec 17 (FT) Year 2020 is one that humanity�certainly the generations alive today�shall always recall, collectively, as the most dreadful. 2020 was a watershed year for SL. Politically, the administration of Prez Rajapaksa secured a two-thirds majority in Parliament. Constitutionally it concentrated political power by means of the 20th Amendment to a degree that, at the least, took us back over 40 years to the original J.R. Jayewardene presidency at a time when society has evolved beyond it, more..

Dec 17 (FT) A decisive Govt was what the SL public clamoured for at the 2019 Prez Election. On the back of claims that the Yahapalanaya administration had been too slow in implementation and plagued by divisions between the Prez and the Cabinet, the public looked to Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the strongman leader they needed. With a commanding mandate, and a sweeping victory at the subsequent General Election, the President and his Govt have been empowered to proceed with their plans more..

Dec 17 (Island) The Eastern Province blessed with huge amounts of resources remained one of the poorest provinces of the country owing to inaction and lethargy of officials, Eastern Province governor Anuradha Yahampath said yesterday. Addressing a meeting at the Batticaloa District Secretariat to formulate a sustainable development plan in accordance with the vision of the Vistas of Prosperity programme, the Governor said: �This province accounts for 25% of paddy production of SL. more..

Dec 17 (DM) The health authorities, police or the armed forces personnel would conduct various anti-Covid-19 health operations during the festive season in order to prevent the deadly virus spreading on a mass scale, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said. He requested the public to provide the authorities or security officers with details including names, addresses and NIC numbers. He also urged the people to write down their details on a piece of paper and and keep it with them all the time. more..

Dec 17 (Island) Reiterating its support for the controversial sacking of five members of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), GMOA claimed that the group got to know about what was really going on only after some of its members received appointments therein. The GMOA-backed members in the SLMC include four elected representatives, namely Anuruddha Padeniya, Naveen de Zoysa, Nalinda Herath & Harris Pathirage. more..

Dec 17 (AD) The two suspects including former MP Abdullah Maharoof, who were arrested over the misuse of vehicles belonging to Lanka Sathosa during the 2015-2019 period, have been further remanded until December 30. The order was delivered by the Colombo Fort Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage when the case was taken up earlier today. Due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the country, the suspects were produced before court via Skype. When the matter was called by more..

Dec 17 (TM) A total of eight employees of SriLankan Catering has tested positive for COVID-19, said a statement released by SriLankan Catering. The first COVID-19 patient within the premises was identified on Monday (14), and seven more were identified up to now, it said. Further, the employees in the departments where COVID patients were identified, were subjected to PCR tests. SriLankan Catering assured that its services will continue while adhering to strict health guidelines. more..

Dec 17 (Island) Election Commission Chief attorney-at-law Nimal Punchihewa said that the govt could easily pave the way for Provincial Council polls by effecting a simple amendment to the Provincial Councils Act. Punchihewa said so in response to The Island query whether the EC was making preparations for PC polls in the wake of its five members meeting PM Mahinda Rajapaksa. Punchihewa said that as a new Act more..

Dec 17 (TM) A group of Anglican, Catholic and Methodist priests tied white clothes outside the crematorium at the Borella Cemetery against the mandatory cremations of COVID-19 victims. Human rights activist Ruki Fernando said the priests tied white clothes outside the crematorium, where a 20 days old child was cremated against the wishes of the parents, to stop forced cremations in SL. �The primary duty of Christians are to be in solidarity and support those oppressed and suffering, more..

Dec 17 (AD) LOLC Holdings PLC's strategic investment arm, Browns Investments PLC announced today that it has entered into momentous MoU to partner with China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC) to commence the Colombo International Finance Center (CIFC) mixed development project in the Colombo Port City (CPC). "China and Sri Lanka have long established and enduring relationship characterized by economic cooperation, societal collaboration more..

Dec 17 (AD) The World Health Organization (WHO) country office for SL, with financial support worth EUR 2 million from the European Union (EU), will help improve emergency response capacities in SL to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. The support will focus on several key areas, including enhancing the effectiveness of COVID-19 case management as well as preventing infection. Developing the system�s case management more..

Dec 17 (Island) Plans are underway to produce devices required by the country�s power sector locally, especially the CEB. Power Ministry officials said that the latest venture would help save billions of rupees and create many job opportunities. A discussion, held yesterday at the Ministry of Power under the chairmanship of Ministers Dullas Alahapperuma and Wimal Weerawansa, focused on the local production of insulators required for the distribution system of the CEB. more..

Dec 17 (AD) A consignment of canned fish containers containing arsenic was re-exported to China today by the SL Customs after being deemed unfit for human consumption by Sri Lanka Standards (SLS). Between July and Oct, 48 containers containing 768 metric tons of canned fish worth Rs 38.4 million were imported from China to the Port of Colombo. However, investigations carried out by the SLS Institution have revealed that the percentage of arsenic content in the canned fish exceeds more..

Dec 17 (DM) Home to a plexus of sensitive ecosystems and a birds� paradise, Thalangama comprises the few remaining green patches in Colombo�s wetlands. With the historic Thalangama Lake on one end, the Averihena Lake on the other, marshlands and an endless stretch of paddy fields, the area is one of the most undisturbed spots in the busy capital. But the greeneries may not last for long. A proposed elevated highway project, more..

Dec 17 (DM) Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said that the programme to repatriate Sri Lankans who are stranded overseas will continue once the airport operations resume. He said that priority would be given to flights to fly the Sri Lankans back, though the airport will be opened for tourists. Minister said with the announcement that the country will be opened to tourists, some parties are trying to spread fear psychosis among the Lankan workers overseas, who are waiting to return. more..

Dec 17 (Island) Batik, Handloom, and Local Apparel Products State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera says that cassocks of Bishops and the Cardinal would be provided from locally manufactured apparel and according to the required standards. Addressing the launch of the Made in Sri Lanka franchise logo to micro and SME manufacturers during a ceremony held at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo on Tuesday, Minister said that so far cassocks for Bishops and the Cardinal were imported from Italy. more..

Dec 17 (Roar) The tensions that resulted in the deadly riot at the Mahara Prison on 29 November had been building up for many months. Since March, when the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in the country, fear and anxiety surrounding the virus were intensifying in Sri Lankan prisons. Issues like overcrowding and subpar sanitary conditions, which had been raised long before the threat of the virus, more..

Dec 17 (DM) A 29-year-old COVID-19 infected mother had given birth to quadruplets at the De Soysa Hospital for Women (Teaching) Colombo today, the hospital Administration said. They said the mother gave birth to two girls and two boys at the hospital. The mother is a resident of the Kuppiyawatte area. One infant out of the three was taken to the ICU due to immature conditions. While the others are in good healthy condition. The four infants weighed 1.6kg, 1.3kg, 1.2kg & 1.1kg more..

Dec 17 (FT) Chinese Ambassador to SL Qi Zhenhong who called on Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on Monday said the Chinese Govt would be investing in many large projects in the country, including the Port City and an automobile assembling plant. Ambassador also informed the Speaker that the govt of China hopes to build another tyre factory worth the investment of US $ 600 million in the Matugama area similar to the tyre factory in Hambantota. more..

Dec 17 (CI) Legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga has broken into SL's 21-member Test squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa, while left-arm wristspinner Lakshan Sandakan has been omitted. Unlike on their last trip to South Africa, when they won 2-0 with a severely depleted seam attack, SL have essentially their full array of quicks to pick from, provided there are no injuries before the Tests. Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, more..

Dec 17 (TM) Former National Gem and Jewellery Authority Chairman Amitha Gamage has been appointed as Chairman of Development Lotteries Board (DLB) today. He resigned from the Gem & Jewellery Authority a couple of days ago, a position he took over on 30 Dec 2019. An Accountant by profession, Gamage commenced his professional career at KPMG and Meralis Chartered Accountants in the UK and later ventured out in to the Gem & Jewellery Industry to become a learned more..

Dec 17 (NR) US Embassy in SL has released a statement pertaining to the Millennium Challenge Corporation�s decision to discontinue the proposed compact with SL. A statement issued on the US Embassy�s official website said the MCC board, on Tuesday decided to discontinue the proposed Rs.89 billion MCC development assistance grant to SL, due to lack of partner country engagement. The statement read therefore the Rs.89 billion approved for SL will be made available to other eligible more..

Dec 17 (CT) Minister Sarath Weerasekera, told the two Chief Prelates of the Asgiriya and Malwatte Chapters that legal action is to be taken against 33 persons based on murder charges, from among 267 individuals taken into custody by the Police in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks, which caused the death of about 300 persons. He said the Police had conducted investigations in relation to eight incidents more..

Dec 17 (CT) Two academics from the Peradeniya and Sri J'pura Universities have introduced a sanitiser that can destroy all viruses and bacteria active on surfaces, including COVID-19, using 90% water and less alcohol. Dr. Prasanga Mantilaka of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine and Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology, Dr. Ranga Dissanayake, introduced this product. It was presented to Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, on 15 Dec. All the sanitisers currently in use are alcohol-based products more..

Dec 17 (CT) The Ambassador-Designate of Sri Lanka to the People�s Republic of China, Dr. Palitha Kohona, arrived in China on 15 December 2020 and virtually assumed duties, yesterday (16). Dr. Kohona was the former Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations (UN) from 2009 to 2015. Until August 2009, he was the Secretary to the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka and was also the former Secretary General of the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process. more..

Dec 17 (CT) The number of dengue cases that have been recorded this year may be the lowest seen in a decade, Director of National Dengue Control Programme (NDCP), Dr. Anura Jayasekara said. Dr. Jayasekara said from January 2020 to date, there have been a few over 30,000 dengue patients. The website of Epidemiology Unit showed that last year the number of dengue cases had been 105,049, while in 2017 it was 186,101, more..

Dec 17 (DN) Govt which is on a path to create novel political culture would protect all public servants who make decisions for the greater good of the people and country, unlike during the previous UNP led Good Governance Govt which imprisoned the Govt employees, said Prez Task Force on Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication Chairperson Basil Rajapaksa yesterday. He added that the Govt led by Prez Rajapaksa is always prepared to protect the Govt sector servants at any moment and more..

Dec 17 (AD) The Monetary Board, with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, has promoted Assistant Governors, T M J Y P Fernando and N W G R D Nanayakkara to the post of Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) with effect from 14th Dec. T M J Y P Fernando has over 30 years of service in the Central Bank in the areas of supervision and regulation of banks, foreign exchange management and currency management. During this period, Fernando has served as more..

Dec 17 (AD) Covid-19 infections registered in Sri Lanka crossed the grim milestone of 35,000 as 312 more persons were tested positive today. 300 of the newly-identified patients are close contacts of earlier cases linked to the Peliyagoda fish market. Remaining 12 are from the prison cluster. As per statistics, the total number of Covid-19 infections confirmed in the country to date now stands at 35,049. more..

Dec 18 (GV) Words can, and often do, harm others. A society is usually justified in restricting speech that causes harm. The nature and extent of such restrictions depends on the type of harm involved. States are then expected to strike the right balance between the interests of the individual engaging in the speech, and the interests of others affected by the speech. Much depends on how much trust we can place in the state to strike that balance in good faith. This article explores the role of the state more..

Dec 18 (DM) One of the responsibilities of a government towards its citizens is to ensure their physical security from domestic or external threats and protect and promote their human rights, including socio-economic and cultural rights. The Sri Lankan govt is still far from convinced that the burial of the those who die of COVID-19 will not cause any harm to those who are not dead yet and continuing with the policy of forced cremation though there is no scientific basis for its fears. more..