Dec 21 (CT) Ceylon Today recently reported that the lack of a computerised system for maintaining accounts in the Department of Railways has hindered the Department�s activities to a considerable extent. It had also been reported that out of 200 railway stations in Sri Lanka, only 50 have been provided with computer facilities, and that even though there are about 190 substations, none of these substations has computers. It was also reported that as a result, in a context where more..

Dec 21 (TM) It seems that many of the ghosts that were created by the current regime in order to secure power at both the presidential and general elections are now returning to haunt it. And by the looks of it, if these ghosts are not put to rest quickly, they will end up consuming much of the credibility and goodwill that has accrued to the new Govt. The matter of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a case in point. Political pundits continue to argue that it was this very same issue that more..

Dec 21 (Island) Public disillusionment with the incumbent government is palpable. Among its bitterest critics are many of those who ardently supported the SLPP and worked tirelessly to ensure its electoral victories; they include a number of prominent Buddhist monks. The consternation of the disillusioned laymen critical of the govt reminds us of Nanda Malini�s popular song� Pem lovadi dutu ohumada me, ohutada ma anda une; it is about a rueful retrospection by a hapless woman more..

Dec 21 (Island) Quite a number of my distinguished colleagues have written about the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) or held press conferences lately, but all of them addressed only one issue; the removal, by the Minister of Health, of the president and four members of the council appointed by her predecessor. Whilst my colleagues are questioning the legality of this action, the Minister contends that she has the authority to do so and justifies her action on the basis of the findings of more..

Dec 21 (FT) Cementing its track record as the richest region in the country, the Western Province contributed the highest share of 39.1% to SL�s nominal GDP in 2019 but was down 0.5% from the previous year, while the Central and North Western Provinces followed at a distant 2nd and 3rd place. Due to improved contribution from the other provinces, share of GDP held by Western Province declined by 0.5% from 2018. more..

Dec 21 (Island) Reputed banker and former Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket Rienzie Wijetilleke insisted on recruiting sportsmen when he was the Managing Director of Hatton National Bank. A reporter once asked him why he was insisting on sports people for a banking job. His answer was interesting. �They are efficient. They persevere against numerous odds. They don�t give up and above all they are team players. What more do you want.� more..

Dec 21 (Island) SL cricketing fraternity woke up on Saturday for the shocking news of the death of former S. Thomas� cricketer Shashi Ganesan. His funeral took place yesterday. He was 64. Ganesan was a brilliant thinker of the game. He captained S. Thomas� College, Mount Lavinia in 1976. The team was unbeaten that year and won eight of their ten games. S. Thomas� were declared the best team that year. His brother Ajit was vice-captain of the side. The brilliant 1976 team of S. Thomas� more..

Dec 21 (ST) Sri Lanka�s record holder in the 3,000 metre steeplechase Nilani Ratnayaka is agonisingly close to qualification for the Tokyo Olympics, but is battling a race against time to achieve her dream. She has been diligently undergoing high altitude training in Diyatalawa during the COVID-19 pandemic but lack of international competition has resulted in her slip from 35 to 40 in the world rankings. more..

Dec 21 (Island) We�ve had a fire at the Supreme Court, the reconstitution of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), moves to reconstitute the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), an official statement from US Embassy announcing that the controversial MCC agreement has been tossed into the proverbial waste paper basket and unprecedented scenes in A'pura where the man who claimed he had found a cure for Covid-19 courtesy the blessings of Goddess Kali created quite a rumpus. more..

Dec 21 (DN) The results of the initial PCR COVID-19 test performed on the SL cricket squad which they underwent upon their arrival at their official quarters at the Irene Country Lodge in Centurion last Saturday has indicated negative. 34-member contingent (21 players, 11 officials and two Liaison Officers from Cricket South Africa) had undergone the tests at the hotel. According to team sources they are scheduled to repeat the test on 23 Dec, after which the green light is likely to be given more..

Dec 21 (TM) The construction of a cross-country pipeline from Colombo Port to Kolonnawa Terminal that was launched in 2015 is expected to face further delays due to the new policies of the present Govt, despite colossal losses caused by the absence of the said pipeline. Ministry of Energy Secretary K.D.R. Olga stated that Ministry is presently re-evaluating the project in the backdrop of new governmental policies such as more..

Dec 21 (DM) Govt is in a strong position to reopen the schools as soon as possible, subject to health guidelines, Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said. He said this during a meeting with the Mahanayaka of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Mahasangha Sabha of Siyam Nikaya; Most Ven. Dr. Ittapane Dhammalankara Thera at the Sri Dharma Vijayaloka Maha Viharaya in Pannipitiya. "We will soon be able to make a firm statement regarding the opening of schools. It could even be tomorrow," more..

Dec 21 (Island) Central Crusaders led by Buwaneka Goonathilake turned tables on favourites Southern Stars in the final to clinch the inaugural Li Ning � Lanka Shuttle Challenge title in Colombo on Sunday. Goonathilake paired Hasara Wijeratne and Lahiru Weerasinghe to win the mixed doubles and the men�s doubles ties respectively to set the stage for a huge up set. Dumindu Abeywickrama out played Southern Stars skipper Sachin Dias in a thrilling men�s singles which was decided in 3 sets. more..

Dec 21 (FT) Free Trade Zone Manufacturer�s Association (FTZMA) called on the Govt not to change the compensation ceiling of Rs.1.25 million given to terminated employees as such a move would place additional pressure on employees already struggling with COVID-19. The association has written to Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, appealing for the relevant legal changes not to be made to more..

Dec 21 (FT) Govt has sought fresh input from industry stakeholders to identify new tourism zones throughout the island to protect and to enhance socio-economic development. In the past, Nilaweli, Maadu River, Arugambay, Trincomalee, Kalkudah, Pinnawala, Dedduwa, Bentota, Kuchchaweli, Kalpitiya, Unawatuna, Negombo, Beruwala, Mount Lavinia and Yala were identified as tourism zones. These areas are all popular tourist spots. However, over the past years, their development, more..

Dec 21 (EN) Sri Lanka Design Festival, an annual event showcases fashion, design technology, knowledge sharing, art and creativity will go virtual in 2021 int'l partnerships to take it global, organizers said. Colombo-based Academy of Design (AOD) initiated the event in 2009, to promote to promote the concept of designed and made in SL fashion showcases, design exhibitions, forums and workshops that focus on product innovation, sustainable design, art & creative industries. more..

Dec 21 (ST) Certain National Fertiliser Secretariat (NFS) employees have been permitting the release of failed fertiliser stocks � with lead, chromium, arsenic, cadmium and other components above permissible levels � by replacing accurate laboratory test reports with fake ones, the National Audit Office (NAO) has revealed in an explosive report. Recent audit checks revealed 34 instances in which subject clerks and more..

Dec 21 (Island) A new party constitution for the SJB was approved by its Executive Committee on Saturday in Bandarawela. The new constitution had vested the power of electing the party leader in the party Executive Committee, Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella said. Speaking at a meeting of SJB activists in Hali Ela, MP Kiriella said that it was a historic day for the SJB. �The most important feature of the new constitution is the manner of electing a new leader. more..

Dec 21 (DM) As promised by the President during his election campaign, the Govt is not in a status of signing Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) agreement, Minister Prof. G.L Pieris said. He said that the Prez spoke about a direct policy which is being implemented to save the country. "We know that the people of some of the signatory countries who have signed the MCC agreement, had become workers. With that risk, Prez mentioned the reason as to why he would not not sign MCC." more..

Dec 21 (FT) Sri Lanka�s total COVID-19 patient count increased to 37,261, with health authorities stating that 592 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday. The patients detected yesterday include 554 associates of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster and 38 persons linked to the Prisons COVID-19 cluster. The triple clusters, which include the Divulapitiya cluster as well, has thus increased to 33,590 patients. more..

Dec 21 (AD) The isolation orders on several areas will be lifted while several more areas will be assigned under isolation from tomorrow (21) morning, the Lt Gen Shavendra Silva said issuing updating the current isolation announcements. Accordingly, the following areas will be no longer under isolation from 5 am tomorrow: Colombo District: - Salamulla Grama Niladhari Division in Wellampitiya police division - Kokila Road in Wellawatte police division. more..

Dec 21 (Island) Coronavirus does not spread through soil or groundwater and even if you bury the COVID-19 infected bodies without a burial vault, the transmission of the virus does not occur, former Prez Chandrika Kumaratunga has said. �This is the absolute truth. I do not say this based on superstitious belief like throwing clay pots into rivers to get rid of COVID-19, but having listened to prominent experts in this field here and abroad. I did not speak anything on this matter before more..

Dec 21 (Island) The nine-member Expert Committee tasked with preparing a preliminary draft for a new Constitution is concerned about the continuing push for Provincial Council polls before a consensus could be reached on constitutional proposals and electoral reforms, authoritative sources said. The committee appointed in early Sept, 2020 on the recommendation of Justice Minister Ali Sabry, more..

Dec 21 (NR) Five more coronavirus related fatalities have been recorded in the country, increasing the death toll to 176. All five deaths were recorded from the Western Province. The first victim has been identified as a 44-year-old male from Colombo-02 who passed away at the National Hospital For Respiratory Diseases in Welisara on Saturday, after being transferred from the Colombo National hospital. The cause of the death has been reported as lung infection due to COVID-19. more..

Dec 21 (CT) GMOA pointed out that a threat of COVID-19 clusters arising in various places within the country has been created, due to certain persons who are moving around in the Western Province as well as outside of it without any responsibility, and not understanding the danger of the COVID-19 pandemic. GMOA Executive Committee Member, Dr. Haritha Aluthge, warned that the number of COVID-19 infected persons are increasing rapidly in the city of Colombo and more..

Dec 21 (Island) The JVP renewed its accusation that the govt was planning to issue two new liquor manufacturing licences to SLPP�s cronies. JVP Central Committee Member Wasantha Samarasinghe said one of the licences would be given to a very close friend of the Finance Minister to manufacture liquor. �The other licence is to be given to a businessman who is already engaged in importing spirit and bottling them here. more..

Dec 21 (FT) The TNA has called on the Govt to discuss the issue of mandatory cremation of bodies of those who succumb to COVID-19 with Muslim leaders and come to a reasonable and just decision without any further delay. �The denial of the right of the Muslim people to dispose of their dead bodies in keeping with the tenets of their religion is a violation of their fundamental right and should not continue,� TNA Spokesman M.A. Sumanthiran said in a press release. more..

Dec 21 (CT) Laws of this country are not drafted in order to achieve the narrow objectives of some individuals. Even though the Parliament is an institution that drafts Laws, there are several steps that have to be taken before passing them into Law. Preparing Laws and Acts and Ordinances is not an easy task. Legal experts and specialists have to participate in that procedure. As the State Minister in charge of archaeology, I have been assigned a very serious responsibility. more..

Dec 21 (DN) Overseas Sri Lankans will be allowed to return to the country from Dec 26 without the approval of the Foreign Secretary or the Civil Aviation Authority subject to compliance with paid quarantining at a designated hotel, Foreign Ministry Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage has communicated to the Aviation and Airline authorities on Saturday. Issuing new instructions on routine operations after more..

Dec 21 (FT) Aseni, whiz-kid reading for her AL and pretty much interested in economics, had read in the newspapers that during the Budget debate an Opposition MP had accused the Govt of following a new ideology called Modern Monetary Theory as its strategy. She had tried to understand what this had meant but could not find any literature. So, she asked her grandpa, Sarath Mahatthaya, an ex-officer of the Ministry of Finance, about it. The following is the conversation between the two: more..

Dec 21 (FT) Gone are the days where one vaguely segments and targets consumers. Brands today realise that it�s a human being they�re dealing with. We love a unique, personalised experience. Behavioural marketing just does that. It gives great insights into the actual behaviour of consumers by learning their various activities. This enables us to have a more realistic and meaningful engagement. Online marketers are truly lucky in this regard; they can easily track and measure the whole more..

Dec 21 (DM) The police requests the public to be extra vigilant over snatching, burglary and theft during the festive season, DIG Ajith Rohana said. He said people should be extremely watchful over their handbags, wallets and pockets when venturing out during the festive season. "There is a tendency of increasing snatch theft. Therefore, please take precautionary actions, especially during the evening. Perpetrators are waiting to commit such crimes especially on isolated roads and lanes,� more..

Dec 21 (Island) The contribution of the rubber industry to the national economy would be enhanced by establishing rubber-related industries throughout the country, State Minister Kanaka Herath said recently. He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the National Entrepreneurship Programme for the Establishment of New Rubber Related Industries. National Programme commenced from the Kegalle District and it is planned to establish 100 new Rubber-Related Industries in the Kegalle more..

Dec 21 (EN) Sri Lanka is planning to register foreign digital operators as these digital multinational conglomerates are overwhelming and alienating our local businesses by data colonization, the country�s Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said. In a statement issued through the Director-General of Govt Information today, Rambukwella said he wanted to clarify reports that appeared over the weekend where he told more..

Dec 21 (ORF) Sri Lanka was never at war with Japan during World War II. Japan was at war with the allied forces and Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) happened to be a base operation for the British Eastern Command. Four months after the Pearl Harbour surprise attack by the Japanese in the Pacific theatre which altered US Foreign Policy, another similar attack took place in the Indian Ocean. On Easter Sunday morning of 5 April 1942, Sri Lanka came under attack. more..

Dec 21 (DN) The Dr Roland Silva Mural Preservation and Research Centre was opened by Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister and PM Mahinda Rajapaksa in Dambulla yesterday. It was built near the Rangiri Dambulu Raja Maha Viharaya as a tribute to Dr. Roland Silva, who was the Founder of the Central Cultural Fund (CCF).This is the first state-of-the-art mural preservation and information centre in SL. Rs. 100 million of CCF was utilised for the purpose. more..

Dec 21 (AD) A date has been set for the commencement of the first term in schools for the year 2021, the Ministry of Education said. Accordingly, the schools for Grades 1 to 5 will reopen on Jan 11, 2021, the Minister of Education Prof. G. L. Peiris stated. Pre-schools too will be open for the year 2021 on the same date. However, this will not apply to schools in the Western Province and isolated areas. more..

Dec 21 (NR) Minister Udaya Gammanpila has refuted claims of a coronavirus cluster emerging from the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals in Kolonnawa. He said one individual within the Terminal tested positive for COVID-19 on the 14th of December. Subsequently 57 individuals considered his first contacts underwent PCR tests. The Minister added 11 individuals returned positive PCR test results. 35 individuals were also tested within the Terminal, with all 335 returning negative more..