Aug 22 (CT) After twenty years, trillions of dollars, thousands of planes, copters and drones in the air, and tens of thousands of military boots on the ground, American enterprise in Afghanistan has come down like a house of cards. The returning Taliban forces took barely two weeks to establish their power all over the country. Afghan armed forces, so called, walked away without resistance and their Commander in Chief, Prez Ashraf Ghani, fled the country with his family and now says more..

Aug 22 (SO) Prez Rajapaksa in his address to the nation on Friday called on everyone to be prepared to make more sacrifices, if the country is to be placed under a lockdown for a longer period in the future. He said at this crucial juncture, everyone should take the country forward strategically by acknowledging the gravity of the situation. The Prez requested everyone to work together in unity as a team to defeat the Covid-19 pandemic. He said that nearly 98% of the population aged over more..

Aug 22 (SO) Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that the sole intention of the Govt is to take every possible measure to reduce the number of Covid-19 patients and deaths. That is why the Govt spends a huge amount of money to import Covid-19 vaccines. He said that no former Govt has made such a huge financial allocation to control any natural disaster. The Minister said the Govt imposed restrictions to control the situation, adding that more..

Aug 22 (SO) Prez Rajapaksa on Friday announced an islandwide lockdown for around 10 days, a move that was widely anticipated following strong appeals from religious leaders, the medical fraternity and many civic organisations. This could be extended depending on the latest developments in terms of case numbers and deaths. Prez�s initial reluctance to impose a lockdown was understandable, as all sectors of the economy are adversely affected when the country is closed. more..

Aug 22 (CT) SL is just one other among the countries in the world facing growing uncertainties of extreme health hazards and rapidly declining economic conditions. Like many others we live in hope and with expectations of changes for the better sooner than later before the conditions wither to levels beyond recovery. For, what does it serve to water the leaves when the tree is cut off at its foot. The global pandemic has pushed them all into an astronomically rising tide with highly more..

Aug 22 (TM) With the crippling effects of the Covid-19 pandemic hitting all aspects of life in SL, and the country facing a serious economic downturn as a result, public concerns mount over issues such as cost of living and scarcities in the face of a growing forex crisis. Minister of Trade Bandula Gunawardana explained the present condition and govt�s plans to overcome these matters. Q: What is the country�s present cost of living situation? more..

Aug 22 (ST) Better late than never, though some might say what�s the point of locking the stable door after the horse has bolted. Events seem to have overtaken the Govt�s feet-dragging decision-making process to clamp a lockdown of the country as the COVID-19 virus began galloping. The people seem to have decided, before the Govt did, to lock themselves in. Town after town began putting up their shutters as the Govt agonised over what to do. Cabinet is said to have deliberated at length more..

Aug 22 (GV) SL�s country statement to the 21st Conference of the Parties (known as COP21) to the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Paris in 2015 stated, �We are aware of the great difference in carbon dioxide that is emitted from biological sources and carbon dioxide emitted from fossil sources. One has sequestered rates measured in thousands of years while the other in millions of years. Yet the cost is still the same. We would request the IPCC to address more..

Aug 22 (GV) On Aug 20, 2006, Father Jim Brown, a Catholic Priest, and Wenceslaus Vimalathas, his associate, disappeared. They were last seen at a Navy check point in Allaipiddy in the Jaffna district while they were going to visit displaced civilians in the Navy controlled village. August was a tragic month for Allaipiddy. On the night Aug 12, the parish priest, Father Brown had welcomed civilians flocking to the local Catholic church seeking refuge from the fighting. But the church was also attacked more..

Aug 22 (ST) The black flags that the head of SL�s Roman Catholic Church has requested his flock to hoist this Saturday in silent protest against the Govt�s inaction to secure justice for hundreds of innocents killed in jihadist attacks on Sri Lankans (2019), should be fluttering aloft the houses of all people, Buddhists, Catholics, Christians, Hindus and Muslims. That should be in protest, for not only what this Govt has done but also for what all Govts have done, in laying waste this beautiful and more..

Aug 22 (ST) Garbled messaging, confusion and blind panic marred the govt�s announcement on Friday of a 10-day countrywide lockdown in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prez had resisted calls for a countrywide lockdown for several weeks, arguing that the resulting damage to daily wage earners and the economy would be too great. In the end however, the pressure proved too great. Daily COVID deaths hit a record 186 on Thursday, more..

Aug 22 (ST) Exporters are incurring higher costs with skyrocketing freight rates and the crisis is worsening as space on ships is reaching a critical stage. Space on ships is getting critical and rates have gone up from Far East ports and when compared to Sri Lanka local exporters quote relatively lower rates, so ships give space for those that give a better yield, Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents Chairman Iqram Cuttilan said. The turnaround time or the time taken to clear more..

Aug 22 (Island) It is becoming increasingly apparent by the day that the govt is coming under mounting pressure to lock down the country and at least slow, if not halt, the roaring Covid pandemic gaining steam by the day. The daily statistics beamed into homes countrywide by the prime time news bulletins of the different television stations, publicize the growing number of infections and death. Each day�s numbers are higher than the previous day�s. The third line in the statistical tables, more..

Aug 22 (TM) The State Ministry of Production, Supply, and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals is under heavy pressure from private hospitals in Colombo, where VIP Covid-19 patients are being treated, to issue the drug that has already been allocated for govt hospitals, to private hospitals. The pressure, however, is said to be mounting on the Ministry following a severe shortage reported, especially in the privately owned hospitals more..

Aug 22 (ST) Four sports personalities � Ibrahim Hamid, Zulki Hamid, Zulsky Passela and Shiyam Sideek � passed this week due to complications caused by COVID-19. Ibrahim Hamid, a former Zahira College and Police SC rugby captain and match commissioner of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), passed away on Thursday evening in Colombo. Ibrahim played for Zahira and later led Police SC in 1971. He was attached to several committees at Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union. more..

Aug 22 (Island) In cricket we have had some teams that set the benchmark in the sport. First it was The Invincibles of Don Bradman, who went through a tour of England where they played 32 matches and were never defeated. Then there was Clive Lloyd�s champion outfit in 1980s. His fast bowlers instilled fear among opposition batsmen while his carefree batsmen threw caution to the wind. After several series of total domination of England, lexicon had a new word thanks to West Indies; blackwash. more..

Aug 22 (ST) Banned cricketers Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka and Niroshan Dickwella have appealed to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the Sports Ministry to reconsider their suspensions and fines. The cricketers admitted to breaching the bio-secure bubble during the recent England tour and were banned for six months from domestic cricket, one year from int'l cricket and imposed fines of Rs 10mn each. more..

Aug 22 (SO) Rowing is an attractive sport that has caught the eye of several sports enthusiasts over the world and although there are only a few spectators to watch rowing competitions in Sri Lanka it is a much looked forward to sport here. Besides, it has been an event at the Olympic Games for a long time. Rowers in Sri Lanka have come a long way in competitions taking place in Asia, particularly with regular races against Indian rowers annually. This has prompted the Sports Ministry to more..

Aug 22 (TM) The Kingdom of Raigam expects to announce its Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) for its cosmetics and furniture businesses by the year 2023. Speaking to us, Kingdom of Raigam Founder, Chairman, and CEO Dr. Ravi Liyanage stated that the initial plan was to announce an IPO at the CSE by 2022. However, with the current challenges faced due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation, the company now hopes to announce the same by year 2023. more..

Aug 22 (SO) When SL, then Ceylon, first took part in the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, there was much more than a swagger as four of the country�s finest pugilists and three athletes competed with aplomb. Hurdler Duncan White went on to become a legend winning a silver and the country�s first Olympic medal. Boxers Albert Perera and Alex Obeyesekere went on to win medals at the 1950 British Empire Games in Auckland. more..

Aug 22 (ST) The post-Olympic rhetoric was predictable! Both from the delegations who braved the COVID bubble as well as the locked out opposition, who wantonly took up cudgels with the powers that be. Tokyo is best forgotten with our retinue of talent fallen by the wayside but it also unearths a grim story of any pretensions to sports prowess, let alone sports management. The NOC (National Olympic Committee) glibly stayed with the Olympic edict that it�s not if you win or lose more..

Aug 22 (SO) A SL war veteran has called for a sea change in public attitude, culture and media hypocrisy to elevate the recognition granted to Para sports as they silently soldier on to bring glory to the nation just as they had put their lives and limbs on the line fearlessly during a debilitating three decades old civil war. �Reason Para or sports for the differently able are not popular at the moment at grass roots level is not due to inefficiency (of athletes or officials) but general attitude of more..

Aug 22 (EN) Sri Lanka has recognized the authority of the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban which fought their way to power in Afghanistan and expressed happiness at an amnesty offered by them to foreigners. �Now that the Taliban is in power, the govt of Sri Lanka requests that the law and order situation be stabilized and the safety, security and dignity of all people in Afghanistan be safeguarded,� the SL Foreign ministry said in a statement. more..

Aug 22 (ST) Black flag protests organised by the Catholic Church were held throughout the country yesterday to voice pain and disgust at the govt�s alleged unwillingness to establish the truth behind the Easter Sunday terror attacks. While the protest was observed silently and peacefully in most places, one incident was reported from the Wattala area where a group allegedly led by the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman had cut down flags being put up by protesters. more..

Aug 22 (ST) Economic realities are decided on the street and not in the confines of policymakers� rooms. This was amply displayed when local banks with fast depleting dollar reserves decided to ignore the agreement with the Central Bank (CB) and publish freshly increased US dollar exchange rates on their websites. �This shows the reality of the economy is not within the Central Bank�s walls,� an economist said. A banker confirmed this noting that for far too long they had prolonged more..

Aug 22 (DM) Since the govt announced a 10-day lockdown yesterday afternoon, the nation has been left puzzled. With contradictory terms used for the shutdown and then ever-changing lists being released as to who can function and who cannot, one wonders why a collective decision cannot be taken. Why are the public always left confused? If a curfew or lockdown was being discussed, an official list could be prepared more..

Aug 22 (ST) The govt is to introduce a quota system for importers and for the issue of direct user licences for essential commodity import for the disbursement of foreign exchange subject to the overall direction of the Controller of Imports and Exports. This remedy for the present dollar scarcity is now under consideration as there was bunching of letters of credit for essential commodities in banks and it has to be realised as and when the clearing of shipments of such goods happens, Trade Ministry said. more..

Aug 22 (ST) SL had to unwillingly pull out of the FIBA 3�3 Under-18 World Cup, after six players in the touring contingent were tested positive for COVID-19 upon a mandatory PCR test. The eleventh-hour shocker, which forced SL Basketball Federation (SLBF) to make a reluctant U-turn, came as a heavy blow after the six players were identified as tested positive for the latest Delta variant. As other participating nations, SL had to submit PCR test reports to FIBA week prior to departure. more..

Aug 22 (TM) The health system is overwhelmed with the present surge in the number of Covid-19 cases, and that is the main reason for the discrepancies in Covid-19-related data, Health Ministry Communications Director Dr. Hemantha Herath said. During the course of this year, the number of cases has increased by a thousand-fold compared to the same period last year, yet the total number of health workers has not changed more..

Aug 22 (DM) The prevailing domestic Liquid Petroleum (LP) gas scarcity in the country will be settled from tomorrow, State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said. After paying an inspection visit to the main gas suppliers' warehouses yesterday, he said there was a shortage of domestic gas in the market due to the stoppage of gas manufacturing. Therefore, the Litro gas company has continued to release their gas stocks to the market at the old prices. Laugfs gas has also started releasing more..

Aug 22 (ST) The Delta variant in Sri Lanka has acquired 4 mutations due to its rapid transmission in the community, said a top expert yesterday, reiterating however that there is no need for the public to be concerned about them until it is established whether they are of significance. Prof. Neelika Malavige said that the SARS-CoV-2 virus mutates with time, as seen with many other viruses (such as influenza). The mutations become more frequent when there is higher transmission. more..

Aug 22 (ST) The idea that the China-built Port City will channel billions of dollars into the economy from the outset is a misunderstood concept by many but the project is expected to catalyze construction, employment and the capital�s property in its first phase, said P B Jayasundera, Secretary to the President. �If anybody thinks a US$ 20b investment will come front-loaded, that won�t happen,� he said. �You have to phase it out.� more..

Aug 22 (ST) Former SL skipper Dinesh Chandimal has earned a recall to the national white-ball side as selectors named him in a 30-man squad to play South Africa in a six-match limited over series. The squad also includes uncapped players in Dilshan Madushanka, a 20 year-old fast bowler, spin bowling all-rounder Sahan Arachchige, off-spinner Mahesh Theekshana and 28-year-old fast-bowling all-rounder Pulina Tharanga. SL is due to host South Africa for three ODIs and as many T20Is more..

Aug 22 (DM) Ceylon Petroleum Corporation's (CPC) Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya wing (JSS) Secretary Ananda Palitha has been arrested by the CID for making a statement about fuel shortage. He told the media recently that the stocks of diesel in hand would suffice for only for 11 days, while petrol would be sufficient for 10 days. Police said the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has lodged a complaint with the CID claiming that his statement was false and public would panic over such statement. more..

Aug 22 (ST) Safeguard the other provinces from going in the same direction as the Western Province (WP) which is facing an onslaught from the rapidly-spreading Delta or the Indian variant (B.1.617.2). This was the strong plea from Prof. Neelika Malavige, Uni of Sri J'pura, who has been peering at the virus and all its variants closely. �We should pre-empt and stop Delta from creating the same havoc that it is causing in the WP,� more..

Aug 23 (ST) No matter the excuses now pathetically trotted out, nothing can justify the sordid unbecoming manner in which the Americans pulled out from Afghanistan and abandoned its people to the mercy of the wolves. True. The withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan had been on the cards for some time. Obama had suggested it. Trump had laid the plans for it, and Biden acted upon it, without giving a toss for the foreseen fallout. In a bid to defend the indefensible pullout, more..

Aug 23 (CT) When the captain is oblivious to the stark reality or does not want to accept the inevitable outcome, he will make sure that his band will keep on playing as predictable. However, 8 deaths per hour and a random sample of deaths reported due to corona virus (Covid-19) should be evident enough to conclude that Mother Lanka is in great danger. In Gampaha region, �bodies were piling up at the District Base Hospital Wathupitiwala, as the hospital only has a small morgue with just 4 coolers more..

Aug 23 (GV) Prez Rajapaksa addressed the nation on the day SL became South Asia�s first in average Covid-19 deaths. One hundred and ninety five people died on that day, according to official figures, driving the total count distressingly close to 7,000. The prez expressed no word of regret about these deaths, no word of sympathy for the bereaved families. He had nothing reassuring or compassionate to say to the people beset more..