Aug 20 (Island) A. Baur & Co (Pvt) Ltd., widely known as Baurs, a diversified business group and one of the pioneering innovators in agriculture in SL, announced that it would share scientific and practical solutions for the country�s farming industry to successfully master the conversion from conventional to organic, backed by scientific evidence and sound knowledge drawing from both professional and practical experiences. The expert team comprising senior scientists and more..

Aug 20 (FT) Historically low interest rates have boosted private sector borrowings from banks to Rs. 414 billion in the first half, reflecting a 13% growth, Central Bank said. This figure is already higher than full year borrowings in 2020 (Rs. 374 b) and 2019 (Rs. 235 b). �The momentum of credit expansion is expected to continue in the period ahead, with increased credit flows to productive and needy sectors of the economy,� the CB said, though it yesterday announced new measures that will more..

Aug 20 (ST) With uncertainty looming over school reopening due to the highly contagious COVID Delta strain and its alarming mortality rate, alternative learning methods are being sought to overcome the teacher boycott of online education. �The reopening of schools will be further delayed due to the current COVID situation though initially planned for late Aug or early Sept,� a senior official of the Education Ministry said. more..

Aug 20 (DM) The fall of the Afghan Govt and the take over of the country by Taliban rebels bring back memories of the rule by the LTTE in the northern and eastern parts of SL, many years ago. SL could relate to the recent Taliban takeover more than any other country given its bloody experience with the LTTE. Like the Taliban was initially funded by a powerful force (America) the LTTE too received backing by the TN state of South India. But these terrorist outfits have the habit of biting more..

Aug 20 (Island) UNP MP and former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to have urged the govt to take action to stave off possible threats to SL in case of Afghanistan becoming a terror hub under the Taliban rule. Urging the govt to prevent Sri Lankans from travelling to Afghanistan, he has said that if the Taliban responsible for the demolition of the Bamiyan Buddha statues is recognised, such action would help revive terrorism. Afghanistan is the least of SL�s problems, at present, more..

Aug 20 (FT) Central Bank yesterday announced multiple moves to tighten monetary policy, becoming the first in Asia to do so since and despite the worsening COVID pandemic, but justified its stance saying it will help macroeconomic stability and revive growth. Monetary Board of the Central Bank at its meeting on Wednesday decided to increase the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and more..

Aug 20 (Island) The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), the premier non-political, non-trade union, academic organisation of all doctors in SL, has embarked on an initiative to provide the much-needed individual and confidential advice and guidance exclusively on COVID-19, to the general public through all mobile networks and the Sri Lanka Telecom Land-based telecommunication portal. In these dark days of despair due to all kinds of vagaries of this nasty coronavirus that causes more..

Aug 20 (FT) Softlogic Stockbrokers Ltd. yesterday said that the Central Bank must check money printing to ensure its latest monetary policy measures deliver desired results. �While we believe that tightening rates would somewhat curtail inflationary pressures, it should be noted that if Govt continues its money printing spree, the resulting inflation would be a counterincentive to the monetary policy changes. Therefore, it may not permit inflation to subside to the expected levels,� more..

Aug 20 (CT) The NOCPCO said a new method of treating COVID patients according to severity of symptoms was established in the Western Province from yesterday (19). The Centre said the new method would be employed to transfer patients to COVID treatment centres or provide home-based care. The patients should send an SMS with the information given below to hotline 1904. The information that should be given includes: more..

Aug 20 (CT) Sampath Bank PLC announced the introduction of Touchless Cash Withdrawals, at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), for the first time in Sri Lanka, and possibly the first time in the region. State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal, was the Chief Guest at the commissioning of this service at the Sampath Bank Head Office premises. He performed the first Touchless Cash Withdrawal transaction in the presence of Harsha Amarasekera, Chairman, Sampath Bank PLC, Nanda Fernando, more..

Aug 20 (FT) Ministry of Finance has confirmed that the Commercial Bank of Ceylon was the biggest lender to Sri Lanka�s SME sector in 2020 among all State-owned, private and specialised banks in the country, accounting for more than a fifth of all loans in terms of value and number. According to the Ministry�s Annual Report for 2020, Commercial Bank lent Rs. 163.98 billion or 21.57% of the Rs. 759.7 billion in loans provided to SMEs by 19 institutions, while the 58,584 loans provided by the bank more..

Aug 20 (Island) The discrepancies in Sri Lankan COVID numbers will soon create doubt on all data that comes from SL, former governor, Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon said. In recent weeks there had been many verified reports of the discrepancies, however the manipulation of numbers began in mid 2021, he said. �I had brought some discrepancies to light in May 2021. However, at that time the discrepancies were not that great, more..

Aug 20 (CT) Unbeaten SLC Greys recorded their fourth consecutive win when they beat SLC Greens by 4 runs according to DLS method in the 8th game on Wednesday. They now lead the points table and have qualified for the final of the Dialog - SLC Invitational T20 League. The match had a delayed start and was restricted to 13 overs per side due to rain. However, while only 3.4 overs were bowled, rain intervened again and the inning was further reduced to 10 overs. more..

Aug 20 (CT) Middle distance runner Tharushi Karunarathne advanced to the semi-finals of the 800m at the World Junior (under 20) Athletics Championship 2021 continued for the second day in Nairobi, Kenya yesterday. Still only 17, Tharushi hailing from A. Rathnayaka CC Walala, finished fourth in her heat in 2 minutes 10.07 seconds, but the disqualification of Cuban athlete Daily Cooper meant she was elevated to third place, and hence, earned direct qualification. more..

Aug 20 (Island) Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa reminded the govt yesterday that Sri Lanka Lives Matter and that the govt must immediately listen to health professionals. He said that the pandemic raged and that the general consensus was that the govt had given up. He added that a recent WHO study stated that 18,000 more people would die if the govt did not act decisively. more..

Aug 20 (DN) Chandrika Kumaratunga govt had to cut off power for 10 to 15 hours a day due to the severe drought that affected the country in 2001 and due to this unwise decision taken by the UNF govt which came to power on Nov 5, 2001, the CEB incurs a loss of around Rs. 80 billion every year. At present a situation has arisen where the demand for electricity cannot be met without diesel power plants and the LNG liquefied natural gas power plant is also generating electricity from diesel. more..

Aug 20 (Island) Steps would be taken to release all cargo containers carrying food currently stuck in port warehouses. The decision was announced when SLFP members met Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday. �During the discussion the Finance Minister informed us that as there were a large number of food containers in our port at present, steps would be taken to release those stocks to the market immediately,� Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said more..

Aug 20 (TM) As the Covid-19 situation worsens by the day, speculations of a nation-wide lockdown have caused the private sector to re-evaluate their situation. According to the majority of the private sector, a nation-wide lockdown will have a massive impact on their businesses and even lead to bankruptcy. For instance, Kapruka.com Chairman Dulith Herath said Sri Lanka cannot afford another lockdown. more..

Aug 20 (CT) State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa said there will be a few changes in several other Cabinet Ministerial portfolios in near future. He said that Cabinet Ministerial portfolios should be reshuffled every year. When inquired whether the changing of many Ministerial portfolios indicated any changes in the govt, he said the govt cannot progress while remaining the same. "Changes need to be made yearly and we have to share some responsibilities," he said, adding that more..

Aug 20 (DM) The SLFP requested the govt yesterday to bring the country under what it called a scientific lock down after a thorough assessment of opinion expressed by the Medical Experts, virologists and community physician in support of an island wide confinement to plug the sharp increase of the pandemic. General Secretary of SLFP, State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara told the media at the party office that the govt had to act fast before the controlling of the Covid19 got out of hand. more..

Aug 20 (FT) SL�s COVID-19 detections yesterday exceeded 370,000 with the detection of 3,806 COVID-19 patients. This is the highest number of COVID-19 patients detected in a day in SL. The patients detected yesterday include 3,793 persons from the New Year cluster, which has a total patient count of 266,572. Prisons cluster has a patient count of 7,986. 82,785 patients have been linked to the Peliyagoda cluster and more..

Aug 20 (FT) The number of persons to receive both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine exceeded five million with 164,308 persons vaccinated on Wednesday. At present, the AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Sputnik V, Pfizer, and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are being administered in SL and 12,019,193 persons have received the first dose of a vaccine and 5,124,185 persons have received both doses of a vaccine. T44.6% of the country�s population over 30 has received both doses of a vaccine, more..

Aug 20 (FT) The Director General of Health Services confirmed 186 COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday and the country�s COVID-19 death toll has risen to 6,790. The deaths confirmed on Wednesday consist of 147 persons over the age of 60, 35 persons between ages 30 and 59, and four persons below the age of 30. 75.58% of the total fatalities are over the age of 60, 23.36% are between ages 30 and 59, and 1.06% are below the age of 30. Total of 111 fatalities confirmed on Wednesday were male and more..

Aug 20 (DM) In a situation where patients infected with COVID-19 are detected every part of the country with no origin, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said there is no community transmission yet in the country. Replying to a query posed by a journalist, he said technically, there is a difference between community transmission and patients being reported from the community. more..

Aug 20 (HN) Presidential Spokesperson Kingsley Ratnayake stated that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is scheduled to make a special statement. According to national media reports, the Prez will address the nation on the situation in the country, the economic situation in the country and the difficulties in closing down the country. Meanwhile, the Prez will visit Kandy tomorrow to brief the Chief Prelates of Malwatta and Asgiriya on the situation in the country, the reports said. more..

Aug 20 (DM) Vatican is expected to make a statement on Easter Sunday attacks soon, Catholic priest said. Member of special communication�s committee on Easter Sunday attacks Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said a written statement from Vatican is expected soon on the Easter Sunday attacks. This he said would be a response to the letter sent by Archbishop His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith to the relevant council of Vatican which deals with injustice to Catholics. more..

Aug 20 (CT) A programme to vaccinate those above 60 years of age, who have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine or have received only one dose, will be launched from 21 to 28 Aug. Army Commander Shavendra Silva, introducing the programme, Let us protect senior citizens, said the vast majority of COVID deaths are those who had not been vaccinated, and therefore, they expect everyone�s support to make this programme more..

Aug 20 (FT) Now Sri Lanka lies in a narrow plateau found before a great abyss on its way towards a greater crisis. If it is not saved from falling into the abyss, it is most likely to end up in a state of permanent paralysis that cannot be fully cured. The loss of critical intelligence to a great deal is an unavoidable occurrence in a crisis of this nature. On the other hand, it is due to the loss of critical intelligence that a country is most liable to end up in such a situation. more..

Aug 20 (FT) Vaccines play a vital role in the battle against COVID-19. Countries that have vaccinated a majority of their population are doing better compared to their situation prior to vaccination. The rationale for swiftly and efficiently vaccinating a population seems self-evident. SL�s recent rise in COVID-related deaths would hopefully fall as the number of people fully vaccinated rise. That�s the prevailing theory: if a country vaccinates its population, the death toll will begin to fall. more..

Aug 20 (Island) Jaffna Mayor Vishwalingam Maniwannan held discussions with health and security officers in Jaffna on 17 August to have restrictions currently in force relaxed in view of the annual celebrations at Nallur Kovil. The Mayor earlier told senior policemen that they had placed a number of road blocks along the entrance to the Kovil and that caused grave inconvenience to devotees. Policemen said that those barriers had been erected based on the advice of more..

Aug 20 (AD) Construction work of roads and highways across the country will continue as per usual despite the quarantine curfew, says Minister of Highways Johnston Fernando. Those who are employed in the construction sector can accordingly report to work by using their employee identity card as a curfew pass, the minister stated further. The govt decided to impose an island-wide quarantine curfew with effect from 10.00 p.m. today (20) until 4.00 a.m. on Aug 30 (Monday). more..

Aug 20 (EN) Sri Lanka will go into a 10-day lockdown from 10pm Friday (20) to 4am Aug 30, the national COVID-19 task force announced Friday afternoon. Moments before the announcement was made, State Minister Channa Jayasumana told reporters that Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa had agreed to a request by the country�s Buddhist prelates to shut down the country for one week to contain a rising wave of delta more..

Aug 20 (EN) India has dispatched a Navy vessel INS Shakthi with 100 tonnes of medical oxygen from Vishakapatnam which will reach Sri Lanka on August 22, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said. A total of 280 tonnes of medical oxygen from several Indian ports are being sent to Sri Lanka. The oxygen delivery was in response to a request from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Sri Lanka Navy vessel Shakthi had also departed Chennai with 40 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen. more..

Aug 20 (EN) Stocks fell 0.55% on Friday as the govt�s announcement for an Island wide curfew till August 30 and the central bank�s monetary policy rate hike weighed on the sentiment, brokers said. With several allies of the ruling coalition and influential Buddhist monks appealing to the Prez Rajapaksa to go for a lockdown, the govt announced a 10- day lockdown period from 1000pm on Aug 20 till 0400am on Aug 30. Unexpected 50 basis points monetary policy by the central bank also more..

Aug 20 (DM) As hospitals across the country are spilling over from the rapidly rising COVID-19 patients, many suspected to be carrying the highly contagious Delta variant, authorities yesterday announced a comprehensive home management treatment programme to be carried out in the Western Province, which has been identified as the epicenter of the Delta variant. General Shavendra Silva said that more..

Aug 20 (AD) This year�s Kandy Esala Perahera will continue without the participation of spectators in spite of the quarantine curfew, as a mark of respect to the Sacred Tooth Relic, says the Commander of Army General Shavendra Silva. The decision came after the govt announced an island-wide quarantine curfew with effect from 10 pm today until 4 am on Aug 30 (Monday). Accordingly, the procession will be held with adherence to health guidelines due to the prevailing pandemic situation. more..

Aug 20 (Island) TNA leader R. Sampanthan told journalists yesterday that he had sent a letter to Prez Rajapaksa requesting an appointment to discuss various issues faced by the Tamil people as well as matters of national importance. Sampanthan told the media that a TNA delegation was to meet the President on 16 June, but the Presidential Secretariat cancelled the meeting at the last moment. �We have a number of issues that need to be addressed immediately with the Prez. more..