Dec 29 (DM) The new COVID-19 variant which is rapidly spreading in the UK and being detected in some European countries has not entered Sri Lanka and strict measures are in place to quarantine locals expatriated from Britain. A senior Health Ministry official said reports claiming that two returnees from the UK had tested positive for the virus and had carried the new variant was baseless and false and UK returnees, upon their arrival at the BIA were being directed to mandatory 14-day more..

Dec 29 (DN) Govt is considering sending drug addicts to rehabilitation centres in the future instead of prisons, Minister Retired Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara said. He said that studies show that imprisonment does nothing to cure drug addiction and added that rehabilitation and vocational training could be the better option. Minister said steps have been taken to control narcotic abuse in three phases. more..

Dec 29 (CT) Over 38,000 persons were affected by the persistent adverse weather conditions, reported around the island, while one death was also recorded, the DMC reported. The DMC noted that 38,666 individuals from 12,100 families have been affected due to the heavy rains, floods, high winds, lightning and earth slips. The affected areas were Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Matale, Chilaw, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara, Badulla and Polonnaruwa. more..

Dec 29 (DM) Thirty-nine people have been killed in fatal road accidents in the country within nine days from Dec 20 till this date, DIG Ajith Rohana said. He said the total number of accidents during that period was around 527. "During that period 122 persons have been critically injured while 238 people have received minor injuries," he said. Meanwhile, the police spokesman said, as per the previous reports, the highest number of accidents in the country had taken place between Dec 20 and Jan 5. more..

Dec 29 (EN) Local public health inspectors (PHIs) in the Kegalle district are contesting the official COVID-19 figures released for that district by the national pandemic task force. Since the emergence of the second wave, from Oct 3 to Dec 27, health officials have found 876 cases in the Kegalle district, Kegalle PHI Kumara Weerasinghe said. If accurate, this figure is significantly higher than the 338 cases more..

Dec 30 (DM) Many independent international political analysts say they are hopeful that the new US administration headed by Prez-elect Joe Biden and Vice Prez-elect Kamala Harris will play a key role in restoring and strengthening a new world order. The key issue will be an end to white racist supremacy, which for centuries has led colonial powers to plunder the wealth and resources of poor Third World countries including SL and they did it by wearing a mask of civilization. more..

Dec 30 (Island) The comments made by the Prez at the meeting he had on 15.12.2020 to discuss the development of renewable energy (RE) projects were highlighted in recent media reports, as described in the writer�s earlier write-up which appeared in The Island of 28.12.2020 under the same heading. However, there was no reference in these reports to any feedback that would have been made by officials present. The purpose of this write-up is to discuss likely issues more..

Dec 30 (DM) SJB MP Champika Ranawaka quit the JHU recently to form a new movement. Q: You took another drastic step in your political life. Why did you decide to quit JHU suddenly at this juncture? A: It is not a decision taken all of a sudden. We have given mind to it for a long time. We have done coalition politics since 2005. We, the JHU, were party to the govt as an alliance partner of the UPFA then. more..

Dec 30 (CT) 186 Ukrainian tourists flew into the country after SL at least partially re-opened its borders, which previously was closed for nine months, i.e. since March, because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Reopening the country�s borders has to be looked at in the context of, health, social and economics. According to the WHO as at Monday, Ukraine with a total of 1,030,374 COVID-19 cases had the world�s 16th largest number of such cases out of 237 countries and territories. more..

Dec 30 (CT) Hope has sprung in the hearts of the world with a spate of new vaccines being introduced to combat COVID-19 pandemic. In mid -October 2020 hope sprang in the hearts of most Americans shifting their attitude towards the COVID-19 pandemic from pessimism to optimism with the news that at least two vaccines with efficacy greater than 90% have emerged, making them more hopeful about what 2021 holds. Media also reported that days before the holy fasting month of more..

Dec 30 (SO) SJB National Organiser Tissa Attanayake talks of his party�s ambitions for 2021. Q: What are the SJB�s key plans for 2021? A: Our main aim is to strengthen our network in the grassroots and build our political force. For this we have already completed the groundwork. We enacted our new party constitution on Saturday, Dec 19. Our focus is the 2024 Prez election. In between we have to face two hurdles, more..

Dec 30 (ST) There has not been a single year in living memory when the global economy was devastated to the extent it was this year. It was not a financial or economic crisis; it was not a recession; it was an economic catastrophe and a human tragedy. Economies around the world have been disrupted. Economic growth of most countries has contracted. Global economic growth is negative. The COVID-19 pandemic was a global tragedy. It killed millions all over the world, infected many millions more, more..

Dec 30 (Island) The map of Covid infection in the country is steadily spreading to more remote parts of the country, radiating from the Western province, which has been the worst affected and the site of origin of the second wave of infection. There was an expectation that the govt would institute a lockdown during the final week of the year to prevent people from travelling and celebrating the beginning of a new year. This impression was strengthened by Public Health Inspectors collectively making more..

Dec 30 (DM) Amid the persisting COVID-19 pandemic, the shutting down of cities and unleashing death and economic ruin are having far-reaching consequences than the loss of jobs and income. As it increasingly becomes clear, economic considerations are compelling governments to overlook the threat of the virus. The danger in this approach is that it could end up losing at both ends. This is a fair bit of warning for Sri Lanka as it plans to bring in tourists while the country is losing its grip on the second wave of the COVID-19 spread. more..

Dec 30 (CT) The boys from St. Joseph�s and the girls from Mahamaya have made a distinctive splash in the swimming pool. Without doubt, St. Joseph�s could be regarded as Kings and Mahamaya as Queens. Joes have ruled the pool for 16 long years and have been the undisputed champions of the Milo All Island Schools Swimming C'ships. Other schools have been searching for strategies to beat the Josephian swimmers, but all attempts from 2004 till latest edition in 2019 have gone in vain. more..

Dec 30 (TM) Despite grades six to 11 in govt schools commencing their third academic term on 23 Nov and ending on 23 Dec in most parts of the country, it is still unclear whether the syllabus was covered in such a short span of time. Earlier last week, Ministry of Education announced that grades one to five in state schools, except in the Western Province and isolated areas, are to reopen on 11 Jan 2021. more..

Dec 30 (DN) In just three days into the first test against South Africa at Centurion Park, the SL team is in dire straits with five of their top players nursing injuries involving their leg muscles, such as hamstring and thigh. This is the result of players being totally unfit due to the failure of SLC to ensure the players' well being after an almost eight months in cold storage due to restrictions brought about by the Covid pandemic. After such a long break the players had to start practice more..

Dec 30 (Island) State Minister Nimal Lansa said that the hope of 22 million people is to open up the country under health care systems and to enable them to carry out their activities as usual and strengthen the economy. He expressed these views while inaugurating road development projects in the Panadura electorate. Minister further stated, We never stopped road development when there was corona effect. We have to live with the corona subject to health advice. more..

Dec 30 (CI) Sri Lanka were in such a good situation in the early stages of the first Test they could even have dominated had multiple injuries not hit. This, at least, was the view of Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne, whose dressing room was decimated by injury through the course of the four days at Centurion. Sri Lanka made 396 in the first innings - their highest ever score in South Africa - but lost Dhananjaya de Silva to a thigh strain more..

Dec 30 (Island) Importers who find themselves on the wrong side of the law have to face legal action. Most of them have to pay heavy fines. But, strangely, those who imported hazardous foreign waste have gone scot free to all intents and purposes. Only 21 out of 263 shipping containers of British garbage including hospital waste, brought here in 2018 and 2019 have been shipped back to the UK. Legal action has not yet been taken against the importers of British waste, more..

Dec 30 (ST) SL�s tourism industry does not have too many hopes for the next year and are viewing 2021 with concern as they are clouded with a possible end to moratoriums and no large numbers of arrivals whenever the country opens to tourists on commercial flights. �The pandemic is changing course everyday so we really cannot predict what�s in store for us next year,� Hotels Association President Sanath Ukwatte said. However they hope some stability would prevail and more..

Dec 30 (CT) Sprinters Nadeesha Ramanayaka and Kalinga Kumarage made a memorable return to the track as the duo finished with two Gold medals each at the 98th National Athletics Championship concluded at Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday. Nadeesha, who was favourite to win the South Asian Games 400m Gold medal, was most unfortunate at last year�s SAG, when she was felled by Dengue and more..

Dec 30 (Island) Emerging school athlete Shanika Lakshani competing alongside seniors shattered one of the oldest athletics records when she clocked 4:33.40 seconds to finish the women�s 1500 metres at the 98th National Athletics Championship concluded at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Tuesday. The Holy Cross College, Gampaha athlete was one of the school athletes taking part in the Nationals in a bid to achieve entry standards for the postponed World Under-20 Championships in Nairobi. more..

Dec 30 (Island) Pasikuda is known as �Green- Algae Bay� which is located approximately 35 kilometers away from the town of Batticaloa. The natural beauty of this beach with its horseshoe shaped bay, endless stretch of sandy shores and sparkling blue waters attracts visitors from all over. There are a string of hotels, restaurants and guesthouses located along the shores of this beach. After the civil war in Sri Lanka and the tsunami in 2004, tourism activities in this area experience a downfall. more..

Dec 30 (TM) National Lotteries Board (NLB) has refused to implement a purely online sales system as recently proposed by COPE, as it would make approximately 20,000 ticket sellers and agents redundant. According to NLB Chairman Lalith Perera, COPE committee had recently suggested moving to an online selling system, considering the growth of the online lottery ticket markets in other countries. more..

Dec 30 (FT) Central Bank said this week that the Sri Lanka Prosperity Index (SLPI) recorded 0.802 in 2019 compared to 0.811 in 2018, with marginal declines of the Economy and Business Climate and Socio-Economic Infrastructure sub-indices. The Wellbeing of the People sub-index has improved during the year, CB added. SLPI is a composite indicator compiled by the Statistics Department of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to measure the level of prosperity of the country. more..

Dec 30 (FT) National Chamber of Commerce of SL has joined hands again with the National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA) for the fifth year in succession to conduct the Entrepreneur Awards 2020 � Western Province for the Micro, Small, Medium and Large sectors. Applications are now being issued by the National Chamber at the National Chamber Secretariat, No. 450, D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10 or could be downloaded from National Chamber website more..

Dec 30 (FT) National Fertilizer Secretariat (NFS) has overpaid billions of rupees to companies importing fertiliser as part of the Govt subsidy program while officials there have engaged in forging laboratory test reports to release substandard stocks, a recent report by the Auditor General (AG) revealed. The fertiliser subsidy came into effect from 6 April 2018 following a Cabinet decision, but a special audit inspection on more..

Dec 30 (UoK) Prof. Anura Manathuga has been appointed as the new Director General of the Department of Archaeology. The appointment comes in the wake of former Director General Dr. Senarath Dissanayake retiring from the service. The appointment comes into effect from the 1st of Jan 2021. Professor Manatunga is the Director at the Centre for Heritage Studies of the Uni of Kelaniya and was the former Head of the Department. He also served as the Archaeological Director more..

Dec 30 (FT) Lanka Sathosa, the country�s largest retail network business, and MILCO, one of the country�s largest dairy companies, announced that they had successfully propelled Highland to rise above the competition and emerge as the highest selling full cream milk powder at Sathosa. Working together, two State sector entities strived relentlessly to promote home grown brand Highland�s locally manufactured full cream milk powder to consumers across 420 Sathosa outlets more..

Dec 30 (FT) Cinema owners yesterday welcomed the Govt�s move to reopen from 1 January, but requested an increase in the number of viewers whilst conforming to COVID-19 health guidelines. �We are extremely pleased with the decision taken by PM Mahinda Rajapaksa to reopen cinemas,� industry stakeholders said. After a careful deliberation with artistes, including film producers, directors and members of Film Association, more..

Dec 30 (DN) Sri Lanka Tea Board has allocated a promotional budget of approximately USD 30 million for an unprecedented Business to Consumer (B2C) campaign for Ceylon Tea which started in December. The program highlights Ceylon Black Tea through a unique social media activity chain consisting of several digital videos and web posters. Consultant (Global Promotion) for the Sri Lanka Tea Board, Hasitha de Alwis said that the funding for the promotional campaign has been already more..

Dec 30 (CT) Speaker of the Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene has decided to self-quarantine after it was revealed that a COVID-19 positive officer attached to his security detail had roamed in and around Parliament Complex. The infected person, who functioned as a driver of one of the Speaker�s escort vehicles, and his closest contacts have been ordered to undergo the quarantine programme. These details were revealed by the Serjeant-At-Arms of Parliament Naren Fernando. more..

Dec 30 (FT) SriLankan Airlines is to join in the return of tourism with the successful piloting of arrivals from Ukraine starting this week. �We welcome the resumption of tourism, initially with the pilot project of bringing down Ukrainian tourists via a special Govt supported initiative. This is a great start. The national carrier too will promote tourism and encourage foreign visitors with the Govt agreeing to extend us the same guidelines to more..

Dec 30 (Island) TNA leader MP R. Sampanthan has said his colaition will not be accepting a homegrown solution to what he calls the national problem. Instead, a solution should be found with the participation of the international community. That will be the main condition in the TNA�s proposal for a new constitution to be submitted to the govt. MP Sampanthan said so at the TNA�s final meeting on Monday in Colombo to decide on the content of the draft proposal to be submitted. more..

Dec 30 (CT) Police have commenced investigations into an incident where a stone had been hurled at a glass enclosure containing a Buddha statue in the Hingula area, in Mawanella, on 28 Dec. A stone was hurled at the enclosure in front of the Dadimunda Devalaya. The Police said the glass enclosure was damaged in the attack. Mawanella Police are investigating the incident. In Dec 2018, Islamist extremists had vandalised several Buddha statues in the Hingula area and it was later revealed more..

Dec 30 (AD) Health authorities have taken steps to temporarily close down nearly 400 shops in Gampola, Weligalla, Gelioya, Kossinna, and Peradeniya. This is due to a COVID-19 infected sales representative of a private company visiting the shops in the relevant areas. Among the shops that have been shut down, 120 are from the Gampola area. Mayor of Gampola UC, Samantha Aruna Kumara stated that all associates more..

Dec 30 (TM) GMOA has warned that there is a possibility of a new variant of the Covid-19 virus emerging within the country, like in the UK, and therefore urged the public to follow the health guidelines issued by the health authorities. GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said the possibility of a mutation of existing Covid-19 virus and a new viral strain emerging couldn�t be ruled out, as it is normal for viruses to change. �When a virus makes copies of itself, it sometimes changes a little bit. more..

Dec 30 (AD) The woman believed to be the oldest person in SL has died at the age of 117. Velu Pappani, the mother of two passed away last night at the Nagoda General hospital. The resident of Nehinna in the Dodangoda DS area was reportedly born on the 3rd of May 1903. Her details have also been verified through the Elder�s Identity card issued by the govt. On the 1st of Oct this year to mark the World Elder�s Day, a special certificate was presented to Velu Pappani, more..