Sep 11 (TM) The Urban Development Authority (UDA) is to reconstruct and renovate the Gaffoor Building, a prominent four-storey, wedge-shaped building located in Colombo Fort, to transform it into a luxury hotel, State Minister for Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal, and Public Sanitation Dr. Nalaka Godahewa said. He said that renovation work of the project had already been commenced and the project would be completed in another one-and-a-half years. more..

Sep 11 (DM) SL's first-ever Maritime Museum to be opened in Kalpitiya by mid next year after the completion of skeleton structures of various marine animals, Senior Official of the Wildlife Conservation Marine Dept said. Maritime Museum to be set up at Kudawa in Kalpitya would be in a large block of land belonging to the Wildlife Department. This museum was established following a large sperm whale washed ashore at the Kudawa beach. "Carcass of the sperm whale measured 43 feet in length more..

Sep 11 (CT) The final decision to ban cattle slaughter has been postponed by a month. Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella noted that the decision taken by PM is being reviewed, while obtaining public opinion in this regard. He said, the idea to ban cattle slaughter was the Premier�s idea and was being discussed. On 8 Sept, PM told the SLPP Parliamentary Group the Govt would legislate against cattle slaughter soon, more..

Sep 11 (AD) The total number of positive cases confirmed in the country reached 3,155 as three new COVID-19 patients were detected today (10). The latest cases include 05 arrivals from the UAE, Kuwait and Singapore. Earlier this evening, 05 arrivals from the Maldives were also found positive for the novel coronavirus. In the meantime, the number of recoveries from the disease moved up to 2,955 as 09 more persons infected with the virus were discharged from hospitals earlier today. more..

Sep 11 (DN) Govt yesterday said that it will accommodate further amendments to the 20th Amendment to the Constitution at the Committee Stage in Parliament if required. Co-Cabinet Spokesman Udaya Gammanpila said the Justice Minister will table the Bill to provide for the 20th Amendment in Parliament for the first reading after the completion of two weeks from publishing it in the Gazette. �Then there is a week to constitutionally challenge it before the Supreme Court. more..

Sep 11 (FT) Transparency International SL (TISL) highlighted accountability lapses in the proposed 20th Amendment, focusing on key areas like public finance, free and fair elections, investigation of corruption, and Right to Information. TISL Executive Director Asoka Obeyesekere said there were four key areas TISL had identified as those they wanted to flag, explaining, �We are all conscious of the fact that there are more..

Sep 11 (FT) Governance-wise, the 20th Amendment can be described as a regressive step. In my opinion, with the enactment of the 20th Amendment, one era of SL will come to an end. The era that ends with the introduction of the 20th Amendment cannot be considered as an era of democracy. Similarly, the new era that begins with the 20th Amendment too, cannot expect to be an era in which the system of democracy will thrive in its true spirit except that it would herald a period in which more..

Sep 11 (FT) Imagine that you lived in a country where there was One Law. Not that this would be anything like that other salutary nation-state where there is � or is to be � One Country, One Law. But rather, it would be an overarching law that transcended and superseded all other laws. And it would be written not in that country�s supreme writ� rather: in air, water, fantasy, and other rock solid creative imaginative averments. This country would, of course, have a plethora of lower laws. more..

Sep 11 (Island) Ebert Silva Holidays commenced the exciting Colombo City Tour Open Deck double decker city tours last weekend amid much enthusiasm and interest from Sri Lankans young and old. Colombo City Tour showcases Sri Lanka�s premier city to both Sri Lankans as well as foreign nationals and is a venture by Sri Lanka Tourism and Ebert Silva Holidays with unmatched panoramic views of the city in its big red open deck double decker coaches. more..

Sep 11 (DM) Land Commissioner General�s Dept, in an Extraordinary Gazette notification, requested the people to make application in order to consider giving away clear titles for their lands. The directive was given to people using state lands to construct permanent houses, and for agriculture or any development purposes. The Gazette notification was issued under the signature of Land Commissioner General R.M.C.M. Herath. The Gazette said the programme was initiated by the Govt more..

Sep 11 (AD) Colombo Magistrate�s Court has directed authorities to obtain samples from crude oil stored inside the oil tanker �MT New Diamond� and copies of the vessel data records. Court also instructed the CID to record statements from the Captain and crew members of the distressed crude oil tanker. The court granted permission for the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) to obtain samples from more..

Sep 11 (DM) A former Sri Lankan ODI cricketer Antony Ralph Marinon Opatha passed away today, family sources said. He was born in August 5, 1947, in Colombo. The right-arm medium pace bowler played five One Day Internationals at the 1975 and 1979 Cricket World Cups. He was educated at St. Peter's College, Colombo and later joined the Royal Ceylon Volunteer Air Force in 1968. He had played for his college cricket team and went on to play for the air force cricket team till 1977. more..

Sep 11 (Island) Today we with much regret bring to our readers the sad news of the demise of our long time colleague Zacky Jabbar (60). He died at home at Kumaragewatte, Pelawatte, where he had lived alone since the death of his mother. All that we have pieced together is that he last checked the Whats-app on the night of Aug 19, but since he lived a bohemian life like so many journalists, his body was discovered by his elder brother Zalman only on Wednesday. It had not been unusual for more..

Sep 11 (AD) The majority of the executive council members of All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) are Tablighi ideologists, says Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera. He made this remark making his testimony at the PCoI probing the Easter Sunday terror attacks on Wednesday. Presidential Commission had summoned Gnanasara Thera for a cross examination of his previous testimony and more..

Sep 11 (AD) Members of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) and the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) have been nominated. The Committee of Selection, on the meeting held in the 27th of Aug 2020, nominated 16 members to the COPA in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 119 (1) of the Parliament. Nominations for the COPA are as follows: Udaya Gammanpila, Duminda Dissanayake, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Sudarshani Fernandopulle, more..

Sep 11 (DM) While stating that the hunger strike which was launched by several high profile criminals at the Boosa Prison is continuing, the Prisons Dept officials said they were not whatsoever ready to have any negotiation with those involved in the hunger strike. Prisons Commissioner Chandana Ekanayake said 10 out of 40 inmates who launched the hunger strike Thursday morning had abandoned it today. However, high profile criminals like Kanjipani Imran, Wele Suda, more..

Sep 11 (AD) The Russian Embassy in Colombo has expressed concern over the decision of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) to remove three prominent Russian State Universities from the SLMC Approved List without prior information. On Wednesday, it was reported that that three Russian medical colleges which have been offering free full scholarships to SL students since 1960 have been removed from the approved list by of SLMC more..

Sep 11 (CT) Panadura South Police arrested an assistant principal of a leading Colombo boys� school, on 9 Sept for sexually molesting a 15-year-old. The incident had come to light following a complaint lodged with the NCPA, which was directed to the Panadura South Police for detailed investigations. The victim, who was a student at a school in Panadura, was living close to the suspect�s residence in Panadura. Police said as the victim was faring poorly in the Sinhala language more..

Sep 11 (AD) Showers will occur at times in Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces, says the Meteorology Department. Several spells of showers will occur in Western and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts. Fairly heavy falls about 50 mm are likely at some places in Sabaragamuwa province and in Nuwara-Eliya district. Strong gusty winds about 50 kmph at times can be expected across the island, particularly in the Northern, North-central and North-western more..

Sep 11 (AD) Several decisions pertaining to the welfare of the public and the progress of the society have been taken during the meeting between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and all State Ministers held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (10). Increasing the number of national schools to 1,000 in the country is one such decision. Adequate facilities are not available at some of the existing national schools. more..

Sep 11 (EN) Opposition is charging that provisions in the proposed 20th Amendment will affect development negatively because it will reduce the transparency of govt accounts. SJB MP Dr Harsha de Silva said that the govt is trying to develop an opinion in the country that provisions in the 19A directly affects development. He said that abolishing the National Procurement Commission and the Audit Service Commission, granting the Prez immunity and preventing AG�s dept from auditing more..

Sep 11 (FT) Ratnapura District SJB Thalatha Atukorale yesterday hit back at claims made by SLPP MP Premalal Jayasekara that she had played a hand in framing him for murder. Raising a privilege matter in Parliament, Atukorale referred to the speech made by Jayasekera on Tuesday after his controversial swearing-in, where he hinted that his political opponents in the District had been behind a conspiracy to frame him for a crime he did not commit, and refuted the allegations. more..

Sep 11 (PMD) Govt plans to produce 50% of the country�s requirement of pharmaceuticals locally within the next three years. The objective is to provide high-quality medicine to the public and the foreign market as well, at affordable prices. All products are made in accordance with the recommendations and standards of WHO. 85% of the country�s drug requirement is met through imports at an annual cost of Rs.130 billion. more..

Sep 11 (AD) Former Member of Parliament Mangala Samaraweera says he will consider taking on the leadership of the UNP if he is requested to accept the position. Samaraweera further noted that he never withdrew the UNP membership. He made these remarks speaking to the media after recording a statement with the PCoI probing the alleged incidents of political victimization on Thursday (10). The former Minister also pointed out that a fitting leader can rebuild the UNP soon. more..

Sep 11 (Island) Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said that he would introduce new laws to compel the Water Board, CEB and private telecom companies to bear the cost of repairing the roads that were damaged by them. Minister said that he had received a large number of complaints from the general public that the CEB, the Water Board and telecom companies damaged roads for their service needs and not even the newly carpeted roads had been spared. more..

Sep 11 (EN) SL�s Foreign Service is getting an overhaul with the planned termination of the postings of heads of missions who have reached 60-years of age and the proposed appointment of a number of non-career envoys. Traditionally envoys in overseas postings are allowed to continue until the end of their appointed term even though they reach retirement age. According to this decision senior career diplomats Kshenuka more..

Sep 11 (AD) Acting Secretary of the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), who was caught while recording the proceedings of the PCoI probing the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, has stepped down from his post. The ACJU stated that the Moulavi�s resignation letter has been accepted. Police Unit of the PCoI on Easter Sunday terror attacks had caught an individual recording the proceedings of the Commission. The incident had occurred when Ven. Gnanasara Thero more..

Sep 11 (DM) A 27-year-old youth and a 45-year-old woman were arrested with heroin worth Rs.1 million during a raid at the Wellampitiya Police area last night by the Organised Crime Preventive Division of Colombo. Suspects were arrested in their house at Ransura Mawatha in Wennawatta, Wellampitiya yesterday following information received to the Crime Preventive Division. �During the raid, 100 grammes and 983 milligrams of heroin were found. Following questioning of 27-yr-old suspect, more..

Sep 11 (DM) An owner of a restaurant at a luxury shopping mall in Colombo was arrested by the Police yesterday afternoon for letting a group of 10 teenage schoolboys of a leading Colombo school to smoke Shisha at the premises. The police commenced probe after finding a social media video uploaded by these students enjoying Shisha at the restaurant, whilst having beer on an earlier occasion. more..

Sep 11 (CT) Making her maiden speech in Parliament, Jathika Jana Balawegaya (NPP) National List MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya yesterday said that the economic principles of Sri Lanka have never given a value to the work such as the household chores done by women without getting paid. She said: �Every woman plays a significant role in her home - preparing food, caring for children, and caring for the elderly, the sick, people with special needs, and so on. more..

Sep 11 (NR) Election monitoring body the PAFFREL says enforcing the 20 Amendment to the Constitution should be the implemented cautiously according to the expectations of the public. Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said the govt will not be able to avoid public displeasure if it fails to understand the mandate that was granted by the country�s citizens. Hettiarachchi noted that the proposed 20 Amendment challenges certain basic fundamentals of democracy. more..

Sep 11 (DM) Following continuous reporting by the Daily Mirror over health risks faced by a group of residents behind the Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Hospital (KDUH) in Boralesgamuwa due to the smoke emanating from the hospital incinerator, the hospital management has finally decided to bring about changes to the incinerator and the clinical waste burning space of the hospital. more..

Sep 11 (WB) The World Bank has reallocated $56 million from ongoing projects in SL to protect the most vulnerable in the agriculture sector, improve COVID-19 protection measures on public transport, facilitate tele-education for school children, and provide digital solutions to improve delivery of public services. This new financing complements the $128.6 million SL COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Project, which was approved on Apr 2. more..

Sep 11 (Island) Laws should be changed as soon as possible to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 and allow female judges in Quasi courts, SSLMC leader Rauff Hakeem told the PCoI. A Commissioner then asked the witness why he had not taken steps to introduce relevant amendments during his tenure as the Minister of Justice. Hakeem said that it was impossible to do so at that time. �When I was the Minister of Justice, a committee was appointed to study Muslim Marriages & Divorces Act. more..

Sep 11 (DM) Although an intelligence report with regard to the use of mobile SIM cards bearing foreign numbers by the suicide bombers to exchange messages had been received to the office of Chief of National Intelligence (CNI) before Easter Sunday terror attacks, the particular report had not been handed over to former CNI Director Sisira Mendis, PCoI was informed yesterday. Responding to a question posed by a Commissioner, more..

Sep 12 (CT) At the end of the day, the new 20th Amendment Bill to the Constitution seeks to undo the wrongs of the earlier 19th Amendment, which was among the key promises of the ruling Rajapaksas, before both the Presidential Elections in November last and Parliamentary Polls last month. The fast-tracking of 20A shows that much thinking had gone into the final draft over the past nine months, and the goal has been kept simple and straight � pending a new Constitution. more..

Sep 12 (CT) The possibility of a huge disaster if the burning oil tanker leaks its cargo, demonstrates our vulnerability if we attract ships into our territorial waters without proper insurance. The article below was published in 2012. It still holds true today, perhaps the oil spill that has just begun, might open the eyes of someone with a sense of responsibility by this nation. In that hope here goes�. �Sri Lanka is exposed as the worst polluter of the Indian Ocean. The new maps on human impact on more..

Sep 12 (TM) Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation instructed the Chilaw Magistrate to take strict action against the perpetrators who are remanded over the clearance of the Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary that took place on 25 Aug. The clearance of this Ramsar Convention-protected wetland came to light when area residents informed Dept of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) officials about the destruction. more..

Sep 12 (DM) If we speak in every language but do not have love or charity, we are like resounding gongs or clanging cymbals. If we have various talents and imaginative skills or fathom mysteries and all knowledge or even if we can move mountains, but do not have love or charity, we are nothing. If we give all we possess to the poor and give over our bodies to hardship that we may boast, but do not have love or charity, we gain nothing. Love or charity is patient and kind. more..