Apr 7 (Island) The media is full of information about the dangers of aflatoxins, increasing fear in the minds of public. Exposure to extremely small doses of aflatoxins of the order of micrograms per kilogram for long periods leads to liver cancer in humans and animals. Aflatoxins can also cause deaths within a few days if people are exposed to extremely high doses of it. In the world, there has been only one such recorded incident due to toxicity; 105 people died after consuming aflatoxin contaminated more..

Apr 7 (TM) Rohan Jayasekera, that lanky Royalist who batted in the top order while keeping wickets in the late 1970s. He was an up-and-coming player in his early 20s then when Sri Lanka was starting her journey in the world of Test cricket. Jayasekera played for SL in three internationals and then left for Canada where he still lives. His memories can revive a fascinating era of cricket in SL when the island nation was striving to mark its footprints in the world game as a newborn Test nation. more..

Apr 7 (CT) Several witnesses testified before the PCoI into the bombings on Easter Sunday, that the group led by National Thowheed Jama�ath (NTJ) leader Mohamed Qasim Zaharan alias Zaharan Hashim, had initially planned to carry out suicide bombings targeting a large number of locations in 2020. However, Zaharan told his team members that they should carry out suicide attacks as soon as possible, more..

Apr 7 (TM) Sri Lanka has now become probably the only country in the world which is involved in international cricket for almost two and half months without the national cricket selection committee. The previous selection panel was disbanded after Sri Lanka�s second and final Test against England in Galle on 25 January. Its Head Ashantha de Mel resigned following the 2-0 whitewash in that series which followed the 2-0 loss, another whitewash, in South Africa. �It�s a chaotic situation. more..

Apr 7 (TM) A person�s dignity depends largely on the nature of his/her character, and the values we, as a society, assign are subjective. The process of assigning people various man-made values and gauging a person�s dignity based on such parametres has cost societies the opportunity of strengthening and promoting people�s self worth, thereby losing an essential part of a progressive society. The grand finale of Mrs. Sri Lanka for Mrs. Universe 2021 was held recently, more..

Apr 7 (CT) The first National and Junior National Athletics trials will begin today and go on till the 9th at the Sugathadasa Stadium. The schedule features several finals, including both the 100m and 400m today. The trials will be an opportunity for athletes to be selected for the forthcoming 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games by achieving direct qualification standards, or by increasing their present world ranking positions with a good performance. more..

Apr 7 (CT) ICT solutions provider Huawei and SL�s Softlogic Information Technologies, subsidiary of Softlogic Holdings, and one of the country�s leading software and hardware solutions providers, recently announced their partnership in Enterprise Solutions, Cloudand AI to bring innovative ICT solutions to the SL market. The digital economy is now firmly established as a core driver of growth to nations & its industries and importance of digital technologies to modern economy is undeniable. more..

Apr 7 (CB) The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced the much-awaited return of its Leasing Vaar� promotion during which buyers of vehicles can enjoy lower interest rates and affordable lease rentals on new automobiles as well as on trade-ins. Coupled with special offers of selected reputed vehicle dealers, Commercial Bank�s Leasing Vaar� will run until 30th June 2021. In addition to the reduced interest rates, customers can benefit from tailor-made leasing options to suit individual more..

Apr 7 (FT) The confectionery manufacturing industry yesterday expressed concerns over its survival and security of jobs, following the sudden decision by the Govt to ban its key raw material � palm oil imports � with immediate effect. �The sudden decision by the Govt has caused significant stress and additional burden to all confectionary, bakery and food processors severely. It affects all food processing industries, more..

Apr 7 (FT) Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena yesterday confirmed two COVID-19 deaths, which brought the country�s COVID-19 fatalities to 588. According to a statement issued by the Dept of Govt Information, a 47-year-old individual from Ampara tested positive for the virus while receiving treatment at the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital. He was then transferred to the Angoda Base Hospital where he died of COVID pneumonia and acute leukaemia on Monday. more..

Apr 7 (Island) Sanasa Development Bank will go for a Secondary Public Offering (SPO) soon. This is the first offering in the recent past and the bank will issue 88 million new shares to the public through this secondary offering, stock market analysts said. Under this SPO the price of a share will be determined three days prior to the Extra General Meeting, based on the one month volume weighted average price, which would mostly be on par with current market prices, market analysts said. more..

Apr 7 (FT) Linked to one of the world�s largest sugar traders, Pyramid Wilmar Sri Lanka set the record straight on recent allegations arising from the drastic reduction of the Special Commodity Levy (SCL) from Rs. 50 to 25 cents per kilo. Sugar is a political commodity given its popularity among masses. Sri Lanka�s per capita consumption of sugar is 32 kilos per year or 2.6 kilos per month. more..

Apr 7 (FT) ​ Council for Business with Britain (CBB) is now a member of the British Chambers of Commerce and marked this collaboration with an open networking event. The virtual gathering titled The Power of a Global Network gave CBB members and other businesses across Sri Lanka a platform to connect with over 50 Regional Chambers of Commerce in the UK -as well as 70 International British Chambers across the globe, and explore the many trade, investment, learning, and more..

Apr 7 (CT) ​ To attract foreign investors to SL, the first thing is to offer a panel of key business people in this country who can partner international business, a former Member of the European Parliament and member of the Board of Directors of several leading listed companies in SL Niranjan Deva Aditya, said. He believes that, SL will only develop through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Therefore, in the past few years he brought George Soros, Richard Branson and many wealthy people here. more..

Apr 7 (EN) ​ Sri Lanka�s gross domestic product in 2021 has been downgraded to 4% by the IMF from a 5.3% forecast in October 2020, with global growth upgraded to 6.% from an earlier 6%. Sri Lanka has already reported a contraction of 3.6% for 2020 amid a Coronavirus pandemic and monetary instability. The global expansion is led by the US, which is expected to grow at 6.4% after contracting 3.5% in 2020. more..

Apr 7 (DM) ​The enactment of a new piece of legislation for conducting early elections to the Provincial Councils still hangs in the balance since the allies of the ruling party are yet to reach consensus on the provisions of it. Cabinet approvals has been secured to enact the new piece of legislation providing for the conduct of the elections to the Provincial Councils under a new system � a mix of proportional representation (30%) and the First Past the Post System (70%). more..

Apr 7 (DN) ​The Colombo Pettah Floating Market will be re-opened to the public today (7) at 6 pm after a complete renovation on the instructions of PM and Urban Development and Housing Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Urban Development and Housing Ministry stated that the floating market had deteriorated with decaying planks, improper operation of the lighting system, unsafe conditions, unsanitary environment, foul smell and illegal and undisciplined activities. more..

Apr 7 (Island) The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) yesterday (6) filed a case against the Araliya Hotel, Unawatuna in the Court of Appeal. Attorney-at-Law Ravindranath Dabare told The Island that they had been compelled to file action because there had been no proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the negative impact of the project would harm the ecologically sensitive Buonavista reef. more..

Apr 7 (Island) The EPRLF leader Suresh Premachandran alleges that neither Prez nor his govt is interested in solving the national issue or at least addressing basic problems experienced by the Tamil community. He made the allegation when he met the media at his Jaffna residence in the wake of Prez�s recent visit to Vavuniya. Premachandran alleged that during the much-publicised presidential visit, Rajapaksa only met the members of the Sinhalese community living in the district. more..

Apr 7 (Island) The govt would enhance the penalties for destroying the environment under the new National Environmental Act currently in the pipeline, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said, adding that penalties for such offences would be increased 10 times. �Environmental destruction is a grave crime like murder. Those who protect the environment would be rewarded. An awards ceremony will be held to give them national recognition.� more..

Apr 7 (EN) Sri Lanka could get up to US$ 800 million worth reserves from the IMF as a part of a new allocation of Special Drawing Rights, a reserve asset created by the lender shortly before the collapse of the Bretton Woods soft-pegs. �On the basis of our present quota, we should be eligible for a ne allocation of about US$ 800 million,� State Minister Nivard Cabraal said. In April 20202 at the start of the Coronavirus pandemic when more..

Apr 7 (AD) Following the ancient customs and traditions, the Nekath Seettuwa � the table of auspicious times for this year�s Sinhala and Tamil New Year � was presented to Prez Rajapaksa at the President�s House, today (6). State Minister Vidura Wickremanayake presented the Nekath Seettuwa, brought by the astrologer who came with a drummer in keeping with the ancient tradition, to the Prez. The auspicious times relating to Sinhala and Tamil New Year indicating the dawn of the New Year, more..

Apr 7 (FT) A total of 177 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday and the country�s total COVID-19 patient count currently stands at 93,772. The patients detected yesterday include 158 associates of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster. Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons triple clusters have expanded to 88,842 patients. In addition to the triple clusters, the total patient count also includes 2,780 returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 persons linked to more..

Apr 7 (DM) Mrs. world International pageant will go ahead in Sri Lanka as scheduled in December and the recent incident where the reigning Mrs World, Caroline Jurie uncrowned Mrs Sri Lanka, attracting international attention will not have any impact, national Director for Mrs. Sri Lanka for Mrs. world, Chandimal Jayasinghe said. After returning the Mrs Sri Lanka crown back to Pushpika De Silva, who was uncrowned by Jurie on Sunday more..

Apr 7 (Island) Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardena on Monday presented a motion to appoint a select committee to identify appropriate changes to the election laws and electoral system and to recommend necessary amendments. Select Committee will consist of 15 members and the motion states that the recommendations of the committee should be submitted within six months post the appointment of the Select Committee made by the Speaker. more..

Apr 7 (EN) SL�s plantations stocks plunged after Prez Rajapaksa said they would be required to uproot oil palm from the fields in stages and said imports of palm oil was banned from April 6, while coconut plantation soared. Watawala Plantations plunged 7.83% falling 4.50 rupees to 53.00 rupees in the first hour of trading on Tuesday. Namunukula Plantations plunged 3.98% or down to 175.00 rupees falling 7.25 rupees. Kegalle Plantation fell 4.67% or 4.60 rupees to trade at 94 rupees more..

Apr 7 (Island) Retired Maj. Gen. Chagie Gallage says the country should take a united stand at the Geneva-based UNHRC or face the consequences. The battle-tested Gajaba regiment veteran said that there shouldn�t be a difference of opinion whatsoever as regards Sri Lanka�s defence in the face of a new investigative mechanism approved at the recently concluded 46th sessions. �We are on the Geneva agenda. more..

Apr 7 (FT) Fifty years ago, 5 April 1971, was a Monday. I was an assistant lecturer in economics at Vidyodaya University during that time, a prominent stronghold of the JVP (People�s Liberation Front), which led the insurrection. When I went for my lectures in the morning, not even half of the students were attending. All the prominent JVP activists like Bamunusinghe or Bikkhu Bhaddiya were absent. The whole campus appeared deserted. It was not a secret to us that the JVP might attack more..

Apr 7 (FT) The UNHCR resolution against SL, which was passed in Geneva with 22 countries in favour, 11 against and 14 abstentions, has been sold domestically, as a victory by the Foreign Minister, who deserves a medal for demonstrating how to lie with statistics. Another Professorial Minister said that the resolution was not binding on SL, and Prez Rajapaksa with his characteristic bravado reiterated the Minister�s expertise and said that SL is an independent country and that it need not more..

Apr 7 (DN) The Sri Lanka Army will be obtaining measurements from 64 former LTTE cadres who lost their limbs during the humanitarian mission to provide them with artificial limbs. This includes 58 males and six females.They are currently in the active service of Civil Security Department in the Northern areas. Measurements will be obtained at the Abhimansala War Heroes Welfare Center in Anuradhapura on April 5 and 6. The project is implemented by the Army with more..

Apr 7 (FT) When the petition challenging the new Bill titled Inland Revenue Amendment to amend the Inland Revenue Act came up before the Supreme Court on Monday, Counsels for the Petitioners suggested proposals to make the Bill consistent with the Constitution. The AG indicated that the proposals would be taken for consideration. Proceedings resumes today. Three petitions including that of a senior Professional in Auditing, Taxation and Financial Consultancy and more..

Apr 7 (EN) The parliamentary seat of SJB MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who is currently serving a 4-year prison sentence, has been rendered vacant and will be filled by former MP Ajith Manapperuma, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said. The speaker told parliament this morning that in terms of section 64(1) of the Parliamentary Election Act No 1 of 1981, Secretary General of Parliament has informed more..

Apr 7 (Island) Never a dull day in SL, where controversies crop up so rapidly that nobody can keep track of them. The latest issue is the govt�s contention that the removal of Chief Justice (CJ) Mohan Peiris, in January 2015, was unconstitutional. Justice Minister Ali Sabry himself said so in answer to a question raised by a govt MP, in Parliament. He promised to take remedial action after consulting PM Rajapaksa. Why has this issue been catapulted to centre stage all of a sudden? more..

Apr 7 (TM) Omalpe Sobhitha Thera says that the staff including the director of SL Standards Institution (SLSI) have taken steps to protect the fraudulent businessmen who imported unrefined oil and other foods so far. He says that the SLSI is not working to protect the people of the country. He further said, �Although the objective of the SLSI is good, it has become clear that these officials are committed to protecting the crooked businessmen, no matter if the people who work there are dead or sick. more..

Apr 7 (FT) Special Deposit Accounts (SDA) introduced by the Govt last year have attracted $ 360.3 million, which has pushed the Cabinet to approve extending their validity period further, a top official said. Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that a paper submitted by PM Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as Finance Minister had been approved to support more inflows. �The period for SDAs have been extended every six months since more..

Apr 7 (TM) A programme is to be implemented to register estate workers who are currently not in possession of a birth certificate. Officials at the State Ministry of Estate Housing and Community Infrastructure said that estate workers in the Nuwara Eliya District who do not possess a birth certificate would be registered through mobile registration vehicles this year. �Many workers do not have birth certificates because they have lost the initial notification of birth issued by the hospital. more..

Apr 7 (FT) Govt will increase the subsidy given to tea plantations for re-planting from Rs. 400,000 to Rs. 500,000 to help the industry reach its target of producing 360 million kilograms of tea by 2025. Out of the total 300 million kilograms of tea manufactured in the year 2019, approximately 75% or about 225 million kilograms were manufactured by tea smallholders. The requirement of upgrading the productivity of tea smallholdings has been recognised as essential for maintaining more..

Apr 7 (EN) Sri Lanka has restricted festivals celebrating the upcoming traditional new year to 100 people at a time, with a temporary ban imposed on a number of Avurudu games to minimise the spread of COVID-19, the health ministry said. However, strict regulations imposed last year have been revised, the MoH said in a statement, with the hope that the pandemic-hardened public will act responsibly this time around. more..

Apr 7 (DM) The Chicken Marketers� Association (CMA) said it is forced to increase the selling price of a kilogramme of chicken to Rs. 800 due to the price increase by poultry farmers. Association Chairman M.I.M. Iqbal said the wholesale price of a kilogramme of chicken had gone up to Rs.700. Earlier, the maximum retail price was Rs.550, he said. Since we cannot sell chicken for Rs.800, we have decided to close our stalls until the wholesale suppliers consider bringing their prices down, more..