Apr 10 (Island) Last week it was Avurudu Thel Keliya. Now we have come to Ranjan Keliya. SJB MP Ranjan Ramanayake has been removed from Parliament, in what is said to be in keeping with the decision of the Court of Appeal, to reject his application against the Supreme Court order sentencing him to four years of imprisonment for Contempt of court. A parliament, of which Ranjan was a most active and more..

Apr 10 (Island) The editor of The Sunday Island, mentions in his succinctly titled editorial � Down the pallang with no end in sight � this statesman. He speaks of Ven Maduluwawe Sobitha�s successful manouevre to curtail the power of Rajapaksas and Prez Mahinda R�s attempt to go in for a third term of his presidency in 2014. Thus, the editor writes: �It is in this context that the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) that Ven Sobitha founded now led by respected elder statesman Karu Jayasuariya more..

Apr 10 (GV) Trapped between unscrupulous microfinance companies and duplicitous govts, SL�s rural women farmers are drowning in debt. Over 200 have committed suicide, some with their young children; families have been wrecked and hard-earned possessions lost as they struggle to meet impossible demands made by big businesses intent on increasing their profit margins. With the emergence of unregulated microfinance in the late 2000s, there are 2.8 million borrowers more..

Apr 10 (CT) The Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Defence met under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Parliamentary Complex on Thursday (8). This was the first meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Defence after the election of the present Parliament. President, in his capacity as the Chairman of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defence, participated in the meeting. more..

Apr 10 (ST) The need to maintain judicial integrity and minimise the Law�s delays were emphasised during the Ceremonial Sittings held at the Superior Court Complex on March 24 to welcome seven new Court of Appeal (CA) Judges. This was the second Ceremonial Sitting for new CA Judges. �I am answerable to the people of this country and also, I am aware that I am personally responsible for maintaining the high traditions of the judiciary. I am confident that I would be able to contribute more..

Apr 10 (Island) Thousands of military personnel who died in the line of duty to make this country safe would turn in their graves if they knew the way the state is treating their loved ones. Their widows and mothers were seen recently staging street protests in a bid to have some grievances redressed. On Thursday, while they were conducting a peaceful march from the Fort Railway station to the Presidential Secretariat, demanding that they be paid their spouses� salaries instead of more..

Apr 10 (CT) South Asian Games (SAG) triple Gold Medallist Dilshi Kumarasinghe, smashed the 5-year-old SL record for the 800m, clocking 02 minutes 02.52 seconds at the National and Junior National trials concluded at Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday. Dilshi, the defending National champion in the 800m, has been in prime form since 2019, and when she beat National 400m champion Nadeesha Ramanayaka on Wednesday it was evident more..

Apr 10 (FT) UNP condemned the arrest of Jaffna Mayor Visvalingam Manivannan under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), and called for the official to be treated with dignity and respect. The UNP said the arrest allegedly took place due to concerns raised regarding the uniforms worn by members of the Jaffna Municipal Council. �The party believes that an inquiry into any alleged wrongdoing by an elected official must be carried out by relevant Ministry prior to any Police action,� more..

Apr 10 (CT) Former National cap Upul Tharanga�s brilliant century helped NCC advance to the finals of the SLC Major Club Limited Overs Cricket Tournament 2020/21 when they overcame Baduraliya CC by a thrilling 18 run at CCC grounds yesterday. After winning the toss and putting their opponents to bat, NCC posted a healthy 292 runs with Upul Tharanga providing the perfect platform with a classy 136 runs off 139 deliveries including 12 boundaries and three sixes. more..

Apr 10 (FT) Central Bank yesterday revamped the mandatory conversion of 25% of exporter earnings imposed in February to 10% within 30 days despite reserves dipping to $ 4.1 b at the end of March. The monetary authority published a Gazette notification announcing the change yesterday evening. It amended an initial notification issued on 18 Feb that made it mandatory for exporters to immediately convert 25% more..

Apr 10 (EN) A majority of borrowers given in SL given a debt under moratorium given as relief during the Coronavirus have begun repayments, but a portion of them appear to be in difficulties Deputy CB Governor Yvette Fernando said. �About 10 to 20% of loans under the moratorium are facing difficulties whereas the rest have started settling,� Yvette Fernando said. �Therefore, banks might have to negotiate and extend the time given for these 10 to 20% who faces difficulties in settling.� more..

Apr 10 (FT) A total of 228 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the total number of patients detected in the island to 94,564. The patients detected yesterday include 180 associates of the Peliyagoda cluster and three persons from the Prisons cluster. The Department of Government Information states that 89,524 patients have been detected from the Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons cluster. The country�s total patient count also includes 2,845 SL returnees from abroad, more..

Apr 10 (ST) As the controversy over harmful coconut oil stocks continued, yesterday the authorities said they were unable to confirm whether the contaminated oil had reached the consumers. Customs, Public Health Inspectors & Food Control Admin. Unit (FCAU) of the Health Ministry said a string of investigations were underway into the import and could take time as they were to ascertain whether harmful oil had entered the markets. more..

Apr 10 (DM) Mayor of Jaffna Visvalingam Manivannan who was arrested by the Jaffna police was released on bail after being produced before the Jaffna Magistrate yesterday, the police said. The Mayor had released on two personnel bail of Rs. 200,000 each by the Magistrate. Mayor Manivannan was arrested yesterday for allowing five of the municipal council's men to wear uniforms similar to the ones the de facto LTTE policemen used to wear during the conflict, the Police said. more..

Apr 10 (FT) LMD-Nielsen Business Confidence Index (BCI) registered an increase of six basis points to 126 in March. This marks the highest point for the unique index over the last 12 months, placing it 20 points above the average for this period while reaching its all-time average too. Commenting on this result, Nielsen Director � Consumer Insights Therica Miyanadeniya states: �Businesses are slowly opening up with some resorting to a hybrid model of working from home and office; more..

Apr 10 (Island) Chairman of the COPE Prof. Charitha Herath yesterday said that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had taken contradictory positions in respect of Rs. 29 mn deposited in an account belonging to an American identified as Diamond Channel. SLPP MP Prof. Herath made the revelation when The Island raised the simmering controversy over unbridled corrupt practices in respect of SLC operations over the years. more..

Apr 10 (TM) Presidential Task Force has been appointed by Prez Rajapaksa to ensure the realization of objectives and needs of the people that the govt seeks to achieve through the Discussion with the Village programme. A 15-member team of state ministers and MPs has been nominated to the Task force chaired by Minister Namal Rajapaksa. State Ministers Nimal Lanza, Dilum Amunugama, Kanchana Wijesekera, Seetha Arambepola, Channa Jayasumana, MPs Cader Mastan, more..

Apr 10 (FT) An estimated 270,000 metric tons of vegetables and fruits are wasted annually, causing a loss to the SL economy of approximately Rs. 20 billion, it was disclosed at a meeting of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) this week. An audit conducted by the National Audit Office in 2015 had estimated the extent of the post-harvest damage to vegetables and fruits in SL at 30%-40%. The report also revealed that about 73% of the adult population of the country does not consume more..

Apr 10 (Island) COPE has directed the Secretary to the State Ministry of Livestock and Farm Promotion and Dairy and Eggs Related Industries to review the controversial milch cow project, under the previous govt, and submit a full report urgently. Under a subsidy scheme to introduce high-yielding imported pregnant cows from Australia in 2017, the last govt distributed 3,030 substandard cows, imported from there, more..

Apr 10 (MFA) The First Round of Foreign Ministry Consultations between SL and NZ was held virtually on 08 April 2021. The meeting was co-chaired by Actg. Director General of the East Asia Division of the Foreign Ministry Rohana Ambagolla and the Divisional Manager, South, and Southeast Asia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand Andrew Needs. A wide range of matters of mutual interest were discussed. This included enhancing cooperation in multiple more..

Apr 10 (Island) Chief Government Whip Highways Minister Johnston Fernando on Thursday lashed out at SJB MPs including Colombo District MP S.M. Marikkar for deliberately obstructing parliamentary process and wasting public funds. �The Opposition MPs should learn to act according to the Standing Orders. They raise frivolous issues and try to attract media attention. They do that by obstructing the House proceedings. It is already 11.35 am, but they keep raising points of order. more..

Apr 10 (DM) Mrs. World Caroline Jurie, today said she was ready to hand over her crown stating that she stood by her values even if she has to stand alone. Jurie said as a woman, a mother and the crowned Mrs. World, she was aware that she held a great responsibility towards protecting the image of SL women across the world. Jurie said her only intention was to stand up for the injustice caused to the competitors throughout more..

Apr 10 (PHC) As part of Govt of Pakistan�s Sports Diplomacy with the Govt of SL, the High Commissioner of Pakistan, Muhammad Saad Khattak visited the D.S. Senanayake College in Colombo on April 9. He presented a gift of sporting goods for cricket, rugby and football to the College. The HC was warmly welcomed at the College by the Principal, Secretary of the Parents� Committee, representatives of the Ministries of Sports and Education as well as representatives of more..

Apr 10 (TM) The alleged arrest and assault of Journalist Malika Abeykoon on Wednesday (07) drew international condemnation with media rights group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calling for his immediate release. �RSF strongly condemns the arrest of photoreporter Malika Abeykoon while he was covering a protest by health workers yesterday in Colombo. He was assaulted by the police and has been remanded until 12 April. He must be released now!� RSF stated in a tweet on Thursday. more..

Apr 10 (CT) Stating that there are over 20,000 migrant workers stranded in the Middle East, the SLBFE said two flights will repatriate around 400 migrant workers from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait on 12 April. Two flights will assist in repatriating Sri Lankans and that the Bureau is organising necessary accommodation facilities. �We have identified 14 hotels and seven have sought approval from the COVID-19 Task Force. more..

Apr 10 (FT) The first issue out of many about this ongoing mega investment project is to properly identify its pros and cons with a knowledge of authentic information. In the absence of details and particulars transparently available to the public, our task becomes cumbersome and also subject to reprehension. Nevertheless, as citizens armed with an undeniable right guaranteed under the Constitution pivotal to the creation of a culture of transparency in the affairs of the country, more..

Apr 10 (FT) The adoption of the UNHRC resolution against SL is a setback not only to the Govt but also to the country and the people. It is however not the end of the world. Govt as the elected authority by the people should now seriously think about the effectiveness of their foreign policies, foreign relations and perhaps personnel who are handling these crucial matters. Defeating the resolution undoubtedly was a difficult task, among other factors, given the last govt was completely more..

Apr 10 (FT) With a view to increase the country�s forest density and forest cover, the Govt will kick-off the Surekumata Parisaraya initiative next week to plant two million trees within four years. Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure State Minister Nimal Lanza said arrangements have been made to inaugurate the program by planting trees on a six-acre land in the Boys� Town area in Ragama on 16 April at 6:40 a.m., in line with the Sinhala and Tamil New Year auspicious time. more..

Apr 10 (AD) A man, who was pronounced dead by a doctor, has regained consciousness after being sent to the hospital�s morgue. Reportedly, he is currently receiving treatment at the Negombo District General Hospital. The 45-year-old from Dulganpitiya, who was admitted to the hospital on Friday, was pronounced dead by a doctor assigned to the Outpatient Dept (OPD). Accordingly, the man had been transferred to the hospital�s morgue. However, he had regained consciousness after more..

Apr 10 (AD) Steps have been taken to provide a cash allowance of Rs. 5,000 to Samurdhi recipients and low-income families, says State Minister of Samurdhi, Household Economy, Micro Finance, Self-Employment and Business Development Shehan Semasinghe. The decision has been taken in view of the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Samurdhi officers have been instructed to take necessary measures to hand over more..

Apr 10 (NR) State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna says meat sellers agreed to sell 1kg of chicken for a maximum retail price of Rs.600. The agreement was reached during a discussion held at the subject Ministry. State Minister added meat sellers informed him that chicken can be provided to the market without any shortages during the festive season. He noted they agreed to provide broiler chicken which is currently being sold at Rs.630 to the market without any issue or change in prices. more..

Apr 10 (CT) The Cash Recycling Machine (CRM), that had been promised to the Meemure village by Prez Rajapaksa in February, in order for the public to withdraw and deposit money at Bank of Ceylon (BoC), has not been set up to date, due largely to the lethargy exhibited by the Bank Supervision Dept (BSD) attached to the Central Bank of SL (CBSL). This had come to light following a discussion held by President�s Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera with the State bank officials on 8 April. more..

Apr 10 (TM) In response to the media queries on the supply of Indian manufactured Covid-19 vaccines to Sri Lanka, the spokesperson of the Indian High Commission in SL issued a detailed statement. The spokesperson noted that India has made a commitment to collectively fight the Covid-19 pandemic and as a result, has supplied 64.51 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines as at 09 April 2021 to 85 countries. more..

Apr 10 (DM) As Sri Lanka continues to wait for more doses of the Astrazeneca vaccine from the Serum Institute of India, the Health Ministry is considering delaying administering the second jab 16 weeks after the first dose. The matter had been discussed by the coronavirus task force headed by Army Commander Shavendra Silva during a meeting held yesterday. It was noted that the latest scientific research found that the vaccine is best administered after 16 weeks as opposed to 12 weeks. more..

Apr 10 (CT) Strict laws are to be introduced next week against wonton chopping down of coconut trees, Secretary to State Ministry for Coconut, Kithul and Palmyrah Cultivation Promotion, Tissa Hewavithana said. When contacted regarding an Extraordinary Gazette Notification prohibiting the felling of coconut trees without permission, Hewavithana said, authorising officers will include the Grama Niladari, if it was just three to four trees. However, approval would have to be taken more..

Apr 10 (ST) The area of Digana in Kandy, particularly near the periphery of the Victoria reservoir, is experiencing earth tremors of a frequency not seen in years Last year, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) recorded ten tremors between Aug 29 and Dec 5�a period of just eight weeks�although instruments only picked up six main events. They were the first to be recorded since nine accelerometers were fixed in more..

Apr 10 (Island) As a socially responsible corporate citizen, Cargills holds a strong commitment to serving the nation and preserving the planet for future generations. By partnering with AGC Innovate Pvt Ltd � one of the country�s leading innovative solutions providers � Cargills initiated the launch of Paving with Plastic as a means to address SL�s plastic waste menace in an ecofriendly and pragmatic approach. The benefits of plastic are irrefutable, this versatile material is ubiquitous more..

Apr 10 (DM) A group of SJB MPs in a letter addressed to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana has alleged that he is continuously acting partially, affecting them mentally. �MPs of our party are mentally affected by your action of partiality which has become a continuous eventuality,� the letter signed by 39 SJB MPs said. �We have noticed many times that you have been deliberately ignoring the Opposition MPs whenever they oppose a motion. You failed to give a division when more..

Apr 10 (DM) Mrs. World Caroline Jurie, yesterday said she was ready to hand over her crown, stating that she stood by her values even if that meant she had to stand alone and alleged that the Mrs. Sri Lanka pageant was tainted with heavy politicization. Jurie said her only intention was to stand up for the injustice caused to the competitors throughout the competition which was tainted with heavy politicization and it upset her greatly more..