Sep 30 (DM) Dept of Wildlife Conservation recently revealed that 189 elephants have died so far for this year due to the ongoing Human-Elephant Conflict. Horowpathana, situated deep in the heart of Anuradhapura District, is an area with a severely aggravating HEC. Punctuated with thick jungles, the area has a dense elephant population. However, people have started to encroach (mostly illegal) and have felled trees and more..

Sep 30 (ST) Chaos and disruptions. This was the view on SL�s import crisis during a conversation with Pedris Appo, short for Appuhamy who is a retired agriculture expert who does farming, and Seeni Bola, my banker friend (so named after he once boasted that other banks were handling seeni bola deposits compared to his bank). We were meeting over coffee at a local coffee shop for a long-overdue chat, earlier restrained by COVID-19. We maintained the strict face-mask rule, pulling down and more..

Sep 30 (CT) Had the intelligence regarding the Easter Sunday attacks been shared with the STF, at least the attacks that took place in Colombo could have been prevented, former Commandant of the STF, Senior DIG, M.R. Latheef stated recently while testifying before the PCoI. This is neither the first nor the only time a high-ranking official made a serious statement of this nature before the PCoI on the Easter Sunday attacks. During the past few months, many prominent figures � including more..

Sep 30 (ST) Lack of finance for geosurface analysis, political interference at local authority level, failure by the State to obtain professional assistance and the absence of continuous reviews of buildings is putting lives in the central hills in danger, experts warn. The tragedy this week at Sangamitta Mawatha in Buwelikada, Kandy that took the lives of a young family could have been prevented if early preventive measures more..

Sep 30 (FT) In meeting the aspirations of the Government and the Central Bank to develop a stronger financial system, Abans PLC, the controlling shareholder of Abans Finance PLC, will be selling its stake in the finance company to Softlogic Capital PLC, the holding company of Softlogic Finance PLC, with a capital gain. The Boards of both Abans PLC and Softlogic Capital PLC approved the proposed transaction yesterday. Shareholders of Abans Finance more..

Sep 30 (CT) Former int'l cricketer Ruwan Kalpage was appointed Head Coach of Tamil Union Cricket & Athletic Club, who are planning to field a strong team for the cricket season under the direction of a new committee. Kalpage brings over 15 years of coaching experience to his new role. Team will be captained by former Test captain Suranga Lakmal, who has played in 60 Test matches to date. Tamil Union has also appointed former Test captain Rangana Herath as their Consultant. more..

Sep 30 (DM) EU�s Ambassador Denis Chaibi speaks about the foreign policy of Sri Lanka and responds to questions regarding the potential of Sri Lanka given its geostrategic positioning in the region. He also sheds more light on bilateral relations between SL and Europe in the context of changed political environment. Q: SL foreign policy is going to be Asia-centric as announced by Foreign Secretary Jayanath Kolombage. more..

Sep 30 (DM) The deficit between the govt�s revenue and expenditure for the seven months ended July 2020, expanded by Rs.188.5 billion, declining from the deficit of Rs.214 billion recorded for the first six months, while the data showed tax revenues making month-on-month gains with the recovery in economic activities. The Finance Ministry data showed a fiscal deficit of Rs.872.6 billion from January through July, compared to Rs.684.1 billion in the corresponding period in 2019. more..

Sep 30 (LBO) Consul General of SL Manorie Mallikaratchy, making a presentation on Sri Lanka as a tourist destination, called for a paradigm shift on how the tourism and travel sector is perceived in the new normal era and invited the Chinese tour and travel industry to explore boundless possibilities between China and SL in reshaping the travel and tourism trade. She made these remarks at a presentation for over 100 offline employees and 300 online employees at Ctrip hq in Shanghai. more..

Sep 30 (TM) Import ban imposed over motor vehicles is reflecting an adverse impact, Vehicle Importers� Association of SL (VIASL) recently revealed. VIASL Secretary Arosha Rodrigo said: �Govt-imposed ban on motor vehicle imports since March 2020 has negatively impacted the SL economy as well as vehicle importers and all related industries. Moreover, govt officials have shared overestimated figures regarding availability of the stocks.� more..

Sep 30 (UL) SriLankan Airlines, the National Carrier of Sri Lanka and a member of the oneworld alliance, reaffirming the global appeal of its marketing communication endeavors, bagged a gold award at the PATA Gold Awards 2020. Accordingly, the National Carrier was among the 20 winners announced recently at the virtual PATA Travel Mart 2020. SriLankan Airlines was awarded the title Marketing Carrier for its Pan India campaign- Next Door Neighbor and Serendipity Next Door. more..

Sep 30 (TM) Consignments of turmeric confiscated over the past few months are to be released to the market through Lanka Sathosa and co-operative stores, State Ministry of Development of Sugarcane, Maize, Cashew, Pepper, Cinnamon, Cloves, Betel Production, and Promotion of Allied Products and Export stated. �A total of 1,068,314 kg of turmeric stocks were smuggled into the country over the past few months and due to import restrictions, the country is faced with a shortage. more..

Sep 30 (EN) Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is saying that the 20th Amendment to the constitution would make the President a ruler who will not be accountable to the Constitution, Parliament or the people of the country. Jayasuriya who is now the leader of the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) was speaking at an event held this morning in Colombo in collaboration with members of the Opposition more..

Sep 30 (ST) Batik, Handloom and Local Apparel Products State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara has insisted on the continuation of a ban on the import of batik, handloom and powerloom textiles. He alleges the ban was lifted by certain officials without his knowledge. Minister Jayasekara stated that the ban, which had been imposed in June, had been lifted by the Finance Ministry recently without his consent. �I made my feelings known on this at the Govt Parliamentary Group meeting this week and more..

Sep 30 (FT) SL-born Anushka Ratnayake has become one of the 13 recipients worldwide of the famous Schwab Foundation 2020 Social Entrepreneur Awardees. It is given to outstanding leaders pioneering solutions for social and environment challenges ranging from refugee family reunification and human rights to water infrastructure and financial inclusion. Anushka is the Founder and Executive Director of Senegal-based myAgro, a non-profit social enterprise. more..

Sep 30 (FT) The SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday raised alarm over international rating agency Moody�s downgrade, warning the Govt that it was the lowest ever rating given to Sri Lanka, and that the country was heading into a serious economic crisis unless multilateral support is secured. Moody�s Investors Service on Monday downgraded SL�s sovereign rating two notches to Caa1, from B2, but said outlook was stable. more..

Sep 30 (Island) Teen athletes competed in their numbers at Divisional and Inter Divisional Athletics Championships of National Sports Festival (NSF) held around the country during the last few weekends. If not for the schools athletes the competition venues of the regional championships of the NSF would have looked lifeless. Yet, it is doubtful when these athletes will be able to compete for their schools as Min. of Edu. is yet to soften its stance on conducting schools competitions more..

Sep 30 (TM) A flaw in the gazette notification on the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for coconuts could make it unenforceable before a court of law. NPP member Counsel Sunil Watagala said that inches are not recognised as a form of measurement in Sri Lanka. �Sri Lanka recognises the metric system and so inches is not legally a valid form of measurement. This could result in the gazette notification unable to be enforced and thus, any wrongdoers could forgo a penalty,� he explained. more..

Sep 30 (CT) Colombo HC Judge Damith Thotawatta yesterday, impounded the passports of SJB MP Champika Ranawaka and two others, in connection with the hit-and-run incident which maimed youth Sandeep Sampath in Rajagiriya on 28 Feb 2016. Other two accused are Dilum Thusitha Kumara and ex-Welikada Police OIC, ASP Sudath Asmadala. Judge also ordered the accused to furnish their passports to Court more..

Sep 30 (ST) Sri Lanka�s tourism industry is now faced with another crisis as their electricity bills have skyrocketed and with no revenues to pay they face the likelihood of disconnection. The cabinet has approved that electricity charges made to the tourism industry be deferred by one year, City Hotels Association President M. Shanthikumar said. He noted that though this has been promised by the govt the CEB has asked them to pay penalties or face disconnection. more..

Sep 30 (DN) SL has received very positive signals from the natural gas and oil extraction process from three basins in the North East Coast. Several follow up initiatives too have been taken in this regard both locally and internationally, Energy Minister, Udaya Gammanpila said. He said the natural gas and oil extraction would be the paradigm shift in the SL economy and it is to this effect that a special Energy Minister was appointed. He said that a decision was taken by the Govt to recommence more..

Sep 30 (Island) Former Commandant of the STF, SDIG M.R. Latheef was informed of the possibility of a terror attack, after he had received information from the SIS, both in writing and over the phone, former IGP Pujith Jayasundara, told the PCoI. Jayasundera said so when a Commissioner pointed out that SDIG Latheef had told the Commission that he had not been informed of a possible terrorist attack by the IGP over the phone. more..

Sep 30 (CT) If the then Govt had paid attention to the warnings, I made in Parliament on the fact that a number of Sri Lankans were involved with the Islamic State (IS), Easter Sunday bombing, as well as the loss of power and the destruction of the UNP could have been prevented, Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, told the PCoI. Following a request made by MP Mujibur Rahman to cross-examine Dr. Rajapakshe, the two had been summoned to appear before the Commission. more..

Sep 30 (FT) China CAMC Engineering Company Ltd and China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd have received Cabinet approval to construct canals as part of the $ 675 million Mahaweli Water Security Investment Program, which is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The ADB has agreed to secure $ 675 million for the first phase and the feasibility study of the second phase of the Mahaweli Water Security Investment Program, more..

Sep 30 (Island) SJB-led Opposition, pledged to work with National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) to scuttle the proposed 20th Amendment. General Secretary of SJB Ranjith Madduma Bandara made the pledge on behalf of its leader Sajith Premadasa, at a meeting chaired by NMSJ Chief Karu Janasuriya. The Opposition grouping reached a consensus on a common action plan to oppose 20th Amendment more..

Sep 30 (FT) Prez Rajapaksa was elected in Nov 2019, but the Constitution restricted him from dissolving the Parliament until completion of four and half years. He ruled with a new Cabinet without touching any controversial issues. The parliamentary elections planned for 25 April had to be postponed twice due to COVID-19. Finally elections were held on 6 Aug and Sri Lanka People�s Freedom Alliance (SLPA) headed by his brother Mahinda won the election with 147 seats out of 225 more..

Sep 30 (AD) A residence of a businessman at the Akkarapanaha area in Katana has been robbed by an armed gang, stated the Police. Reportedly, the robbers had looted nearly Rs 30 million from the residence at gunpoint. According to the Police, the gang of members had arrived at the scene on a car and threatened the occupants of the house with firearms. Police have launched investigations to arrest the suspects involved in the robbery. more..

Sep 30 (FT) The COVID-19 crisis has changed everyone�s life. It will continue to do so as nobody has any solid facts to predict when this pandemic will come to an end globally. Many now believe that we will have to live along with it for some time. We are a country that has comparatively managed the pandemic very well. As a result, we observed over the last couple of months how the lifestyles of our people are gradually regressing to normalcy. Nevertheless, we are yet to experience more..

Sep 30 (CT) Election Commission (EC) Member Prof Ratnajeevan Hoole, had reportedly arrived in Colombo to file the Special Determination Petition against the proposed Bill of the 20th Amendment in the Supreme Court, in a vehicle belonging to the Kilinochchi Election Office, informed sources alleged. The vehicle bearing the number WP-GA 9491 was used to return to Colombo from the North, while being accompanied by his daughter, sources claimed. more..

Sep 30 (AD) The govt�s budget for the year 2021 is scheduled to be presented to the Parliament on the 17th of November this year. State Minister Ajith Nivaard Cabraal announced this during a media briefing today (30). He noted that the govt expects to ensure that the consolidation of the fiscal deficit is brought down to a level of about 4% in the next few years. �This year was a tough year. We had to make payments more..

Sep 30 (AD) Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has demonstrated noteworthy performance recording consistent gains in the All Share Price Index of 31% and S & P Index of 27% since reopening on 11th May 2020. SL is one of the markets that has recovered the fastest from the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic in comparison to countries in the Asia Pacific region recording positive price returns in US Dollar terms. This reflects the strong confidence the investors have placed in more..

Sep 30 (EN) The office of State Minister of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation is responding to a letter circulating on Social Media which appears to show that she has ordered a pricey iPhone, an iPad and other items for her use. Dr Seetha Arambepola has said that the letter that is being circulated is a request made by the minister�s private staff to regain the items which were used by the previous minister. Issuing a statement clarifying the letter, more..

Sep 30 (AD) IGP Pujith Jayasundara says that State Intelligence Service (SIS) failed to provide any definite intelligence on the Easter attacks apart from the pre-warning issued by foreign intelligence units. He revealed this giving evidence before the PCoI yesterday for the fifth day. When the Additional Solicitor General of the State from the Commission questioned him as to whether he acknowledges that the attacks weren�t planned overnight, more..

Sep 30 (FT) Govt relief programs will be introduced to boost dairy production in the country, Presidential Task Force for Economic Revival and Poverty Alleviation stated. The programs aim at increasing the number of dairy farmers in the country in the coming years. This is in addition to the small to medium dairy farmers that contribute to 85% of the current yield. While State-owned land cannot be released to private organisations, the Task Force, which is headed by Basil Rajapaksa, more..

Sep 30 (NR) Five persons tested positive for COVID-19 in SL today. Accordingly, number of coronavirus cases confirmed in the country has risen to 3,379. Today�s cases include, three arrivals from Oman, an Indian sea merchant who landed from Oman and another sea merchant who arrived in the island from the UAE. Accordingly, 136 COVID-19 patients including 23 foreign nationals are currently receiving medical treatment for COVID-19 at five hospitals across the country. more..

Sep 30 (DM) UN Secretary General Ant�nio Guterres has raised concerns on Sri Lanka, in a report submitted to the UNHRC in Geneva. The report, which will be formally presented to the Council at its ongoing 45th Session today, notes alleged surveillance of SL civil society organisations, human rights defenders and others in Sri Lanka and in Geneva. Guterres notes in the report that allegations were raised with the OHCHR more..

Sep 30 (Island) The jackals with rabies in Milleniya, Horana must have contracted the disease from dogs, an expert says. Veterinarians would inoculate the dogs in the area, Director -Wildlife at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Uni of Peradeniya, Dr. Tharaka Prasad said. Dr. Prasad said: �We have found dogs with rabies in the area and the jackals must have contracted rabies from them. We are confident that vaccination programme could be completed within two weeks. more..

Sep 30 (AD) Five including two females have been arrested near the Apeksha Hosptial in Maharagama, while in possession of heroin worth Rs. 10 million. The seized haul contained 1kg and 100g of heroin, according to the police. The raid was carried out by the officers of Maharagama Police, acting on information received on the racket. The police expect to obtain detention orders on the suspects after producing them before the Gangodawila Magistrate�s Court. more..

Sep 30 (DM) It is compulsory to check the TRCSL approval when buying any kind of device which connects to cellular networks via SIM from tomorrow (1), TRCSL Director-General Oshada Senanayake said. This would not apply to the telecommunication equipment operated with a SIM card already connected in the Cellular Mobile Operator's Network. This includes devices imported or brought into SL via other channels. more..