Nov 25 (Island) The private sector has been allowed to import agrochemicals with effect from yesterday. Sri Lankan farmers, who are celebrating the success of their protest campaign, should be thankful to their Indian counterparts who brought the mighty Modi govt to its knees after a year-long struggle. The Indian farmers� victory gave a scare to the Sri Lankan govt, and boosted the morale of the farming community, here, protesting against the current fertiliser shortage. more..

Nov 25 (ST) Reducing the fiscal deficit to five percent of GDP by 2025 is of utmost importance for economic stability and growth. Will the 2022 Budget usher in a process of reducing the fiscal deficit towards that goal? Although, prior to the 2022 Budget, key officials indicated that the fiscal deficit would be brought down to five percent of GDP, the budget expectation of the deficit is 8.5% of GDP. Even this fiscal deficit would be an achievement owing to the prevailing economic conditions, more..

Nov 25 (CI) The first ball he faced in the second innings, Dimuth Karunaratne makes a mistake. He doesn't quite account for the turn Rahkeem Cornwall would get from his offbreak and edges it. But the ball falls short of gully. Luck? Maybe. This guy's always lucky. What's he got on his side? A rabbit's foot? Witchcraft? In Cornwall's next over, the first ball, he makes another error. He tries to hit Cornwall inside out, but is through the shot early, more..

Nov 25 (FT) People�s Bank announced the results for its nine months period ended 30 Sept 2021, reporting asset and deposit growth of Rs. 349.7 billion and Rs. 276.6 billion, respectively � a record high, growing by 15.7% and 15.1% during the said period. Growth in net loans and investment in treasury securities was Rs. 167.4 billion and Rs. 191.4 billion, respectively. On a standalone basis, the bank accounted for close to 20% of the banking sector�s asset and net loan growth during more..

Nov 25 (FT) Having recorded a whopping post-tax profit of Rs. 53 billion, LOLC has retained the No. 1 spot in the 28th edition of the LMD 100 as Sri Lanka�s Most Profitable Listed Company in 2020/21. LOLC, Sri Lanka�s most valuable and globally diversified financial conglomerate, shattered the corporate profit records in Sri Lanka for the 2020/21 financial year by achieving unprecedented bottom line results of Rs. 57 billion in Profit Before Tax (PBT). more..

Nov 25 (ST) SL�s public debt crisis will become critical in 2022 and beyond leading towards a worse economic downturn in the next three years, economists said analysing the statistics of govt borrowings. The govt�s debt-GDP ratio is expected to rise to 108% by 2022 from 101% by the end of 2020, data revealed. Public debt sustainability involves macroeconomic variables and in finding a solution it is necessary to tackle the issue more..

Nov 25 (Island) Hurdler Lakshika Sugandhi smashed the meet record of the women�s 100 metres hurdles as top national athletes continued to shine on day three of the SL Army Athletics Championships at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Wednesday. South Asian Games medalists Lakshika Sugandhi, Himasha Eshan and Roshan Dhammika were the winners in their respective events as they emerged the top performers of the day. Sugandhi clocked 13.84 seconds to clinch the gold more..

Nov 25 (TM) SL�s 22-member Test squad for the two-match West series was announced two days before the start of the first Test in Galle, on 19 November. It was a fine mix of young and old, promise and experience, no doubt. But some of the inclusions and exclusions beg reasonable answers from the selectors, headed by Pramodya Wickramasinghe, whom we tried to inquire about those selections, but failed in our effort. 1. How has the left-handed Kamil Mishara been given more..

Nov 25 (FT) Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal yesterday expressed confidence that the economic crisis would ease by January. �All sectors in the country are currently under pressure due to the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the world now coming to terms with the new normal, the pressure will be at its maximum until next January, after which it will gradually subside,� Cabraal said more..

Nov 25 (FT) The Board of Investment (BOI) said it recently entered into a $ 52 m agreement with Melwa Hotels and Resorts Ltd. to expand room capacity at Hilton DoubleTree Hotel, in Negombo. As a result of this investment, among other expansion activities planned, 57 new rooms will be constructed to augment capacity to reach a total of 141. BOI Chairman Sanjaya Mohottala said: �We commend this initiative by Melwa Hotels and Resorts to expand its property, as the tourism sector more..

Nov 25 (FT) Hatch has created South Asian history by becoming the first in the region to win the coveted The Best Co-Working Space in the World at the Global Startup Awards 2021. The co-working space, startup incubator and accelerator said the award marked a momentous milestone for SL�s startup ecosystem. Hatch was selected from two rounds on a regional and global level from more than 18,000 nominees. To secure the coveted final win, Hatch won against five world-class global finalists more..

Nov 25 (MFA) The UN Assistant-Secretary-General (ASG) for Political, Peace building and Peace Operations, Khaled Khiari, who is currently undertaking a visit to SL, called on Foreign Minister Prof G.L. Peiris, on Tuesday (23). During the meeting, the Foreign Minister discussed matters related to SL�s post-COVID recovery including the economic challenges in the aftermath of the pandemic and the progress in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in SL. more..

Nov 25 (AD) A Gazette Extraordinary was published on Wednesday introducing new guidelines for the appointment of President�s Counsels. Dated Nov 22, the communiqu� was issued by Secretary to the President, under the directives of the Head of State. The previous gazette notification issued on Oct 29, 2019 has been rescinded through the new communiqu�. As per new guidelines, no individual can be appointed as a President�s Counsel unless he or she is an attorney-of-law of the SC. more..

Nov 25 (FT) Marking a milestone in the aviation industry in SL, PM Rajapaksa will declare open the new aircraft apron of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today. The new aircraft apron is part of the biggest, and long-overdue, development project of the multi-level second terminal of the BIA. The new aircraft apron adds 23 more slots to the existing 26, thereby increasing the total parking facility to 49. more..

Nov 25 (CT) Former SL Sevens captain Fazil Marija believed results of the SL Sevens team at last week Asia Sevens would have been much better if the team had more experienced players. Marija, a former National XV-a-side and Sevens captain, was the best fly half SL produced, and brought honour to the country on many occasions. �Lack of experienced players in the team was part of the problem SL faced at the Asia Sevens. Giving an opportunity for young players was a good more..

Nov 25 (FT) SL�s COVID-19 detections yesterday rose to 559,605 after 745 persons tested positive for COVID-19. The patients detected yesterday include 744 persons from the New Year cluster and one overseas arrival. On Tuesday, 740 patients were detected from the New Year cluster. 454,754 COVID-19 patients have been detected from the New Year cluster and the country�s COVID-19 detections also include 82,785 persons from the Peliyagoda cluster, 9,053 persons from more..

Nov 25 (TM) Amidst proposals and recommendations by various economists and international rating agencies to seek IMF assistance, Govt of SL is divided on seeking such assistance, both within the Cabinet of Ministers and the parliamentary group, according to Minister Dullas Alahapperuma. He admitted that there exists contradicting views within the aforementioned groups and stated that the Govt will consider more..

Nov 25 (TM) The iconic Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) building was illuminated in orange with messages of the national women�s helpline and Mithuru Piyasa hotline on 23 Nov to place a spotlight on intimate partner violence and encourage more women to seek help. The illumination organised by UNFPA in collaboration with the CMC and the High Commission of Canada, launched the 16 days of global activism against gender-based violence in SL with a focus on intimate partner violence. more..

Nov 25 (TM) SL�s first-ever national coffee association was inaugurated as Lanka Coffee Association (LCA) under the Sri Lanka Agripreneurs Forum (SLAF). Issuing a statement, it stated that it represents the collective interests of all stakeholders working towards developing SL�s coffee industry to reach new heights. �Our goal is for all stakeholders to work together in a strategic manner, to elevate the SL coffee industry. In addition, the LCA will provide a common platform to voice more..

Nov 25 (TM) Amidst allegations that Kinniya UC Chairman S.H.M. Naleem had authorised the operation of the unsafe ferry service on the Kuringankerni Lagoon in Kinniya Trincomalee, that ultimately led to six deaths this week in an accident that involved a makeshift barge capsizing, Naleem said that there were many different types of boats and makeshift barges operating in the Lagoon, on the basis of more..

Nov 25 (CT) Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika C. Ragala ordered the CID yesterday to conduct an investigation into the statement made by MP Patali Champika Ranawaka, that �A sum of Rs 8,000 million has gone into the pocket of the Agriculture Minister when importing Nano Fertiliser,� and submit a report. The Magistrate issued this order, based on the Court being informed by the CID while presenting the facts that an investigation was underway. more..

Nov 25 (Island) Deputy Director General of Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath said a large number of tests to determine COVID were carried out daily. However, those tests were not indicated in daily reports, he said. �We do both PCR and Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT). The medical supplies unit issues about 20,000 RAT kits every day. However, these tests are not indicated in the daily reports but if you look at the weekly or monthly reports, you will see that large number of tests we carry out� more..

Nov 25 (AD) Litro Gas Lanka Ltd, denying the allegations that the company has released substandard gas cylinders to the market, assured the public that no changes were made to its LP gas composition. The officials of the country�s largest gas supplier noted that it has been using the same composition for a long time. �An independent int'l lab report is provided before the LPG is loaded onto the ship for import. more..

Nov 25 (Island) The issues faced by health professionals will not be solved by granting chancellor posts to vocal trade union leaders, College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) President, Ravi Kumudesh said. He said that the ego of ministers and the incompetence of officials had led to a number of strikes and demonstrations that inconvenienced the people. Speaking about the 48-hour token strike, which was launched yesterday at 7.00 am, by 15 health sector non-medical more..

Nov 25 (FT) All persons over 20 years of age will be eligible for the COVID-19 booster dose, the Govt said, adding that more information on the vaccination program will be announced shortly. Administration of the booster dose commenced with frontline workers, before targeting persons over-60 and, later, persons over 20 who are immunocompromised. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is being administered as the third dose regardless of the vaccine type the first two doses more..

Nov 25 (TM) Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has said that he suspects that authorities are not implementing the recommendations of the PCoI into the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019 due to some involvement of theirs in the attacks. He alleged: �The authorities are not even going to implement what the PCoI has recommended. Even though we have been insisting on it, they are not doing it. more..

Nov 25 (FT) Mangala Samaraweera was a remarkable public servant and one of the most remarkable individuals I have ever known. He was also a courageous leader, who dedicated his life to pursuing his vision for a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-lingual SL that would, as he described it, guarantee equal rights, justice and dignity for all. I was devastated by Mangala�s passing, and these days find myself craving his wise counsel, irrepressible mischief, rare gift for friendship. more..

Nov 25 (FT) It is extremely unlikely that the present Budget could resolve the evolving national economic crisis, not to speak of the political disorder emerging out of it. In fact, during the Parliamentary debates on the second reading the main oil refinery, Sapugaskanda, became closed-down due to the depletion of crude oil. This is part of the foreign exchange problems of the country the present Budget has unfortunately not even attempted to resolve. Instead of obtaining crude oil and more..

Nov 25 (AD) The Department of Irrigation today issued an Amber alert for a considerable flood situation in the low-lying areas of Deduru Oya River Basin as the reservoir�s spilling discharge is expected to be increased with the heavy rainfall. The reservoir, maintained by the Irrigation Department, is now spilling with a discharge rate of 27,800 cubic feet /sec currently, according to Director of Irrigation (Hydrology) S.P.C. Sugeeshwara. As per the warning issued for more..

Nov 25 (AD) An explosion, suspected to have been caused by gas leakage, is reported at a residence in Kottawa, Pannipitiya. The incident took place early this morning, the police said. The house was severely damaged in the explosion, however, no casualties were reported. During the past month, several explosions were reported at two restaurants in Weligama and Colombo 07 as well as at a bakery in Ratnapura. The most recent incident was reported at a restaurant belonging to an international more..

Nov 25 (CI) Nkrumah Bonner defied Sri Lanka for 173 balls on day five, Joshua Da Silva joined him for a 100-run, 44.4-over stand, but although the sky was swimming with dark clouds, rain did not arrive until minutes after SL claimed the last wicket to clinch victory in Galle. Having scythed through West Indies' top order on the fourth evening, SL's spinners were made to toil on day five, bowling 48.3 overs for the last 4 wickets. more..

Nov 25 4 (ANI) A delegation of SL election officers visited India to observe the operation of election machinery on the ground level. The Election Commission of India entrusted this responsibility to the District of New Delhi. A short programme was also held at the AC-38 Voter Centre in the Delhi Cantonment area, a statement from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer said. The visiting delegation from SL was amazed to learn about the effective utilization of information technology more..

Nov 25 4 (AD) Sri Lanka Police says that the Chairman of the Kinniya Urban Council has been arrested over the incident of a passenger ferry capsizing in the Kuringankerni lagoon in Kinniya, Trincomalee. He has been remanded until until December 09 after being produced before court, Ada Derana reporter said. Police had yesterday also arrested the owner and the two operators of the ferry which had capsized on Tuesday morning, claiming the lives of 6 persons including 3 children. more..

Nov 25 4 (EN) Germany has urged SL to end import controls which have blocked vehicles and other goods since last year, as money printed to keep rates low created dollar shortages and depleted foreign exchange reserves. SL slapped import controls in April 2020 as the credibility of highly instable soft-peg fell steeply. Though total imports went up as credit recovered and funds went into areas not controlled by more..

Nov 25 4 (Island) Former Treasury Secretary Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga said the Environment Ministry had routinely received foreign funds for projects that had been implemented without prior approval from the External Resources Department (ERD) of the Treasury. Dr. Samaratunga said so when The Island sought his response to the Auditor General�s disclosure that the Environment Ministry had implemented projects to the tune of USD 9.96 mn and one project worth Euro 1.86 mn in 2017, more..

Nov 25 4 (Island) A research conducted in Jaffna last year has revealed that the rapid salinisation and pollution of groundwater in the northern peninsula and very likely elsewhere in SL is leading to the adaptation of freshwater malaria and arboviral mosquito vectors to brackish water and polluted water with physiological changes that reduce the effectiveness of present vector control methods. Snr. Prof. Pathmalal Manage, Professor of Zoology Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies more..

Nov 25 4 (EN) The engineers union of the CEB has gone for a work to rule campaign, protesting a controversial agreement to sell 40% of the govt�s shares of the Yugadanavi power plant to a US company. The US based New Fortress Energy (NFE) signed a framework agreement with SL�s finance ministry to build a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on July 14, which opponents say will give more..

Nov 25 4 (TC) SL Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa is planning to visit New Delhi at the earliest, to seek from PM Narendra Modi, urgent help to tide over the economic crises in the island, especially the part concerning foreign debt repayment. According to sources, a request has been made for an appointment with Modi. If the appointment is given, the Lankan Minister will make a day�s trip. As stated by Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris, Basil Rajapaksa�s agenda is wide - to seek loans, more..