Aug 23 (AD) Ambagasdowa Police have launched an investigation into the case of a woman being clubbed to death in the Medahinna area in Ambagasdowa. Police had reportedly received a tip-off that a woman had been murdered and buried on August 16. The murder suspect had been arrested yesterday. Victim is a 36-year-old woman residing in Kandeela, Kodakumbura area. It has been revealed that a conflict over an extra-marital affair between the victim and suspect had led to more..

Aug 23 (DM) Oxford-AstraZeneca COVISHIELD vaccine was 95% effective in controlling the Delta variants which have been identified in the country, the National Research Council (NRC) Chairman Prof. Hemantha Dodampahala said. He said this was confirmed after a clinical trial conducted over four months. The first and second doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVISHIELD vaccines were used for the test, more..

Aug 23 (Island) The current pandemic should not be used as an excuse to delay the formulation of a new constitution, TNA leader, R. Sampanthan said. �COVID-19 is a temporary situation and a new constitution is more important. We have written to the Prez and PM asking for a quick meeting about this. We want to discuss this in-depth,� Sampanthan said. He said that successive govts had promised to solve the issues, faced by the Tamil people through constitutional amendments, since 1989. more..

Aug 23 (AD) Peliyagoda Central Fish Market Complex was opened for wholesale trade from today. Its traders� association stated that the operations at the market are carried out in accordance with issued health guidelines. Jayasiri Wickramaarachchi, President of Peliyagoda Central Fish Market Traders� Association said, �We resumed wholesale trading as per usual. From here on we will only do wholesale trade entirely. Peliyagoda Central Fish Market Complex is a safe place.� more..

Aug 23 (EN) Sri Lanka has an obligation to respect the rights of Afghan asylum seekers who are either already in the country or may arrive in the future, SJB said. Expressing grave concern over developments in Afghanistan, the party said on Monday that specific attention must be paid to the rights of women and children who are particularly vulnerable. The letter was signed by SJB and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa. more..

Aug 23 (CT) Curfew passes will not be issued by Police during the 10-day quarantine curfew. Police Media Spokesman said that special permits will not be issued by police stations, despite several persons requesting such permits for practical reasons. He noted, however, that police personnel have been instructed to inspect any ID's and documents provided by persons attempting to travel during this period. Accordingly, those with a valid reason, and sufficient proof, will be allowed to pass. more..

Aug 23 (MFA) Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, who assumed duties on Wednesday, met Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Sri Lanka Denis Chaibi at the Foreign Ministry on Friday (20). Minister Peiris discussed SL�s wide ranging cooperation with the EU in the political and economic spheres. Foreign Minister Peiris discussed EU support to SL in addressing challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and expressed his sincere appreciation for the EU�s contribution to more..

Aug 23 (Island) UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said that if the govt had accepted the UNP�s 21-point plan to revive the economy and save the lives of people, Prez Rajapaksa would not have had to ask the people to get ready to make more sacrifices. He said that his party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had submitted a 21-point plan, titled the UNP�s policy for health security and economic security, to Prez Rajapaksa. more..

Aug 23 (DM) A tense situation prevailed during the final Randoli Perahera of the historic Temple of the Tooth in Kandy when an elephant carrying the casket of the Kataragama Devalaya, ran amok last night. It was reported that at least five elephants were being prepared for the Kataragama Devalaya perahara turned wild just before joining the Maligawa Perahera. However, the procession resumed after several minutes. Two people were injured in the meelee, but they were more..

Aug 23 (CT) An Extraordinary Gazette, the Fauna and Flora Regulations No. 01 of 2021, issued recently has banned separating baby elephants from mother. The relevant gazette was issued with regard to the protection, well-being and registration of tamed elephants. As per the relevant Gazette, any calf elephant less than five years of age shall not be separated from its mother, and will not be engaged in any work, including cultural pageants. Moreover, pregnant elephants, she-elephants with calfs more..

Aug 23 (TM) Tourists in SL are allowed to travel unrestricted in spite of the 10-day lockdown imposed by the govt due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of Tourism said. Ministry of Tourism Secretary S. Hettiarachchi said that all the relevant authorities have been informed to allow tourists permission to travel with unrestricted access in accordance with a letter issued by the Director General of Health Services. more..

Aug 23 (FT) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Australian Govt-funded Market Development Facility (MDF), will host a series of events titled The Business Case for Climate Change Adaptation for Agribusinesses to increase awareness of local agribusinesses on the risks posed by climate change to their business models. The kick-off event of the series, Experience from Industry Leaders, will take place tomorrow at 9 a.m. via Zoom and will bring together more..

Aug 23 (DM) The cabinet today approved the proposal submitted by PM Mahinda Rajapaksa to donate the salaries of all Cabinet Ministers for the month of August to the Covid-19 fund. Prez Rajapaksa recently requested the general public to be prepared to make sacrifices if the country is to be placed under a lockdown for a longer period of time in the future. PM has said that all ministers will donate their August salaries to the Covid fund in response to President Rajapaksa's request. more..

Aug 23 (TM) For all its own flaws and inconveniences, the ongoing pandemic has been successful in bringing many inconsistencies and flaws in many systems to light. Discussions are being held on reforming the social system and the educational system, and it has changed the ways businesses approach their work. So despite all the hardships we are forced to go through during these difficult times, there may be hope yet for more..

Aug 23 (CT) Minister of Education, Dinesh Gunawardena said during his tenure he would take measures to streamline university education to meet the job demand in the local market. He said university education had failed to meet the job market demand, and thus, the relevant officials have been instructed to look into issues pertaining to the matter within the Eastern Province. Prez Rajapaksa had also drawn his attention to it. The newly appointed Minister also advised more..

Aug 23 (AD) Former minister Rishad Bathiudeen has been named as the fifth suspect in the case pertaining to the death of a 16-year-old domestic worker at his residence. Meanwhile the four suspects including the MP�s wife who were arrested following investigations into the teenage girl�s death have been further remanded until September 06. They were ordered to be re-remanded when the case was taken up before the Colombo Magistrate� Court today (23). more..

Aug 23 (Island) Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris says SL has appreciated the assistance provided by foreign govts to evacuate Sri Lankans who wanted to leave Afghanistan in the wake of recent developments. Minister also says he had the opportunity to discuss various issues at hand with foreign envoys over the past few days. The Foreign Ministry over the weekend issued the following statement as regards the situation more..

Aug 23 (DM) 37-yr-old suspect has been arrested by the STF for running a factory making weapons. The STF raided a house where firearms were being manufactured illegally at Epitawala in Kiriella last night. The STF said they arrested the 37-year-old suspect in possession of 12-bore locally made firearm and nine bullets. Following questioning the suspect, the STF found another 12-bore firearm and 12 bore shell casings along with three parts used to manufacture weapons hidden in the house. more..

Aug 23 (DM) Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris today appreciated India's move to supply emergency consignments of liquid oxygen from east Indian ports, even by using Indian naval ships. The Minister also expressed appreciation and continuous support being provided by India for combating the COVID-19 pandemic. He made these remarks when High Commissioner of India to SL Gopal Baglay called on the Minister today. Minister Peiris also appreciated the offer of US$ 15 million by Govt of India more..

Aug 23 (Island) The cash-strapped govt has sought the IMF intervention to address the financial crisis caused by the country�s vital foreign exchange sources dwindling by a big margin in the wake of the raging Covid-19 pandemic. When The Island asked an authoritative source whether he had facilitated govt efforts to secure IMF intervention to address the rapidly deteriorating economic situation, he said that he hoped the Finance Minister more..

Aug 23 (Island) Prof. Neelika Malavige said that Covid-19 vaccination should be an individual choice but she didn�t think anyone would refuse it if properly educated on its benefits. �Anyone who doesn�t want to be vaccinated should be properly presented with the facts,� Prof. Malavige said. The top academic was responding to The Island query whether vaccination should be made mandatory. The researcher and scientist Prof Malavige currently serves as the head as well as more..

Aug 23 (GN) A SL housemaid in Dubai has been awarded Dh1 million compensation by Dubai Courts following a road accident last year. Tharanga Dilrukshi, 45, who was left wheelchair-bound because of the accident, said the judgement, which amounts of around 54 million SL Rupees, has come in her favour after a year-long battle seeking compensation for her injuries. Recalling the accident, Dilrukshi said the accident happened on May 24 last year at a zebra-crossing close to more..

Aug 24 (DM) The current leadership of SL has unfortunately begun to show signs of failure a little too soon. He got elected to power on major promises of a secure country with the strict application of the Rule of Law (One Rule for All) towards a Saubagyamath Dekma and a Sustainable Development. Yet, what is being shown to a discerning public are the exact opposites. Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development paradigms have been trashed. more..

Aug 24 (DM) Based on the nature and the behavior of the coronavirus that has brought in a global pandemic, it is the duty of the medical experts to explain the effectiveness of a ten-day lock down or a curfew. Some reports say that a person who has contracted the virus would show symptoms of the COVID-19 disease 5 to 7 days after he/she was exposed to the virus. Last year, Prof. Neelika Malavige had stated that the patient who develops symptoms remain infectious for 7 to 10 days more..

Aug 24 (DM) People storming the Kabul airport, attempting to cross the Afghan border to other countries and some Afghans falling from a plane are some of the visuals and images that grabbed global attention last week as the Taliban took full control of Afghanistan. Daily Mirror took a look at the situation in Afghanistan by speaking to the Afghan Ambassador to Colombo, Ashraf Haidari, and the UN Special Rapporteur more..

Aug 24 (DM) In early May this year, the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), a Washington Uni research think tank that tracks Covid data projected as many as 250 daily deaths in SL by the second week of June. It projected 20,876 total deaths in SL by Sept 1, 2021, and the peak of daily infections in late May. With a nationwide lockdown announced shortly afterwards, SL avoided the worst of Covid projections. However, Covid -19 is a fast developing and equally fast metamorphosing more..

Aug 24 (TM) The videos of elephants in the Kandy Perahera going berserk during the procession, which were widely circulated on social media platforms, have resulted in animal rights organisations and concerned citizens expressing strong opposition against the use of elephants for cultural activities, especially peraheras, and it is one of the many reminders that Sri Lanka has a long way to go in ensuring the safety of elephants used for cultural and domestic activities. more..

Aug 24 (Roar) The histories of nations and civilizations are contained in the art, architecture and artefacts of their people � however, colonial interventions have resulted in so many of these pieces of history being removed and moved far away from their places of origin. SL is no stranger to this; many of the island�s ancient treasures have been carried off across the seas to Britain, or to the homelands of other colonisers. more..

Aug 24 (CT) Media reports say that in two separate meetings, held on 8th March and 29th Apr 2021, Cabinet of ministers have approved reforms to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA). The reforms will make 18 years the minimum age for lawful marriage, mandate the bride to place her signature on the marriage registration certificate, bar polygamy and to do away with the Quazi court system. Advisory committee, appointed in Dec 2020 by current Minister of Justice handed over more..

Aug 24 (CT) People were settling down to the belief that like Pavitra�s snake oil, the 70% electrical energy generation from renewables totem-pole that the President erected in his halcyon days immediately after his election had been quietly buried and forgotten. Unexpectedly this serenity was disturbed by a wakeup call last week from diehard aficionados of Aesop�s fables. My friend and top Canadian-SL scientist Chandre Dharmawardana last week circulated, very widely, more..

Aug 24 (Island) Several Opposition MPs have let out a howl of protest against Prez Rajapaksa�s recent statement that the public should be prepared to make more sacrifices if the current lockdown gets protracted. Politicians belonging to both the govt and the Opposition are responsible for having caused the public coffers run dry by milking public funds over the years. It is they who must be made to make sacrifices before others. Some ministers have decided to forgo their salaries in response to more..

Aug 24 (Island) Gypsies Sunil Perera is doing fine, said his brother Piyal Perera. He is now out of danger and is looking forward to starting his life, in the new normal. However, Piyal did add that there are a few more tests to be done, to ensure that everything is now totally under control. Being an entertainer par excellence, Sunil still finds it difficult to lead a sedate life, for a short while more, until he is fully fit. The natural instinct is there and he is said to be keeping the hospital staff, more..

Aug 24 (FT) Having reached the milestone of the Rs. 100 mark for its share price on Friday, Expolanka Holdings PLC appeared unstoppable yesterday crowning itself as the most valuable on the Colombo Stock Exchange, driven by frenzied interest and trading by investors mainly retail. Last week Expo contributed 93 points to the ASPI�s gain apart from being the most traded, with 74.7 million shares changing hands via 23,288 trades more..

Aug 24 (DM) Boris Johnson early last month told his people, Learn to Live with Covid as we do with Flu. British Premier declared an end to lockdown restrictions, ditching them from July 19, including the work from home order, social distancing rules, and mask mandates! He argued that the UK must learn to live with Coronavirus, similar to the common flu. Johnson�s idea was condemned as a reckless move in the midst of the highly transmissible Delta variant. Dr. Gabriel Scally of the University of Bristol more..

Aug 24 (Island) Weeks ago the petrol and diesel prices went up. Now the cooking gas prices too have gone up with the govt having to bow to the market realities. It is only a matter of time when the state owned gas supplier Litro Gas will also have to follow suit. Even if the government forces them to maintain the prices to save face, it will not only create a skewed market, but the losses will have to be borne by the public, even if it is not reflected in the price paid for a cylinder of gas. more..

Aug 24 (TM) The Centre for Conservation and Research (CCR) yesterday (23) called for an online public database on all elephants in captivity to be established in order to identify those who have obtained the compulsory licence and microchip as per the new govt regulations on tamed elephants, and to thereby ensure that the illegal capture of elephants is reduced. more..

Aug 24 (Island) Inaugural Meeting of the US-SL Academic and Research Collaboration Network (USLARCN) was held virtually on 15 Aug. Network was launched by the Embassy of SL in Washington D.C with a view to connecting with the academic community within the US, and leveraging their support towards SL in academic collaboration, co-mentoring and facilitating access to US learning resources for SL university students. This further expands the reach of Pan US Overseas more..

Aug 24 (MFA) The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka Yuri B. Materiy paid a courtesy call on the newly appointed Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris on Friday 20 August at the Foreign Ministry. During the meeting, Foreign Minister Peiris underscored the importance of Sri Lanka�s longstanding friendship and wide-ranging cooperation with Russia, and expressed appreciation for Russia�s support to SL on issues of principle and relevance in multilateral fora. more..