Nov 30 (AD) Cabinet has given the approval to import 20,000 metric tons of rice from Myanmar. The proposal was tabled by Minister Bandula Gunawardena. Relevant rice shipment will be brought in through the State Various Corporation Limited, on the basis of a govt-to-govt agreement between SL and Myanmar. Accordingly, a metric ton of rice will be purchased for USD 460. Earlier, at its meeting held on 24 Sept, Cabinet green-lighted the importation of 100,000 metric tons of rice, more..

Nov 30 (DM) Railway workers have been severely affected due to the non-payment of distress loans, which are paid to public servants in an emergency and for emergency expenses in the event of a disaster or other credit requirement, Railway Trade Union Alliance (RTUA) said. A letter has been forwarded to the Finance Ministry Secretary S.R. Artigala, Alliance Co-Convener S.P. Withanage said. According to Chapter XXIV 10: 1 of the Establishments Code, at the request of more..

Nov 30 (EN) SL is tracing passengers who arrived from high risk countries in the last 14 days before it imposed a travel ban on Nov 28 on six African countries where the newest variant of concern Omicron emerged. State Minister Dr Sudarshini Fernandopulle informed parliament of the decision on Tuesday. �The Omicron strain has been detected in more than 15 countries,� she told parliament. SL on Saturday imposed a travel ban on more..

Nov 30 (AD) Prez Rajapaksa has appointed an eight-member committee to look into the recent LP gas cylinder-related fires, explosions and their causes and to come up with immediate solutions. Chaired by Prof. Shantha Walpola of the Moratuwa Uni, the committee also includes Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon, Prof. Ajith de Alwis of Moratuwa Uni, Prof. W .D.W Jayathilaka of the Uni of Sri J'pura, Prof. Pradeep Jayaweera, Commissioner of SL Inventors Commission more..

Nov 30 (Island) The govt has presented a new Personal Data Protection Bill to regulate the processing of personal data and to provide for the designation of a Data Protection Authority (DPA). The Bill states that it has been introduced to facilitate the growth and innovation in the digital economy of SL whilst protecting personal data rights. �It has become necessary to improve interoperability among personal data protection frameworks as well as to strengthen more..

Nov 30 (CI) Bowling his eighth delivery of the second day, Veerasammy Permaul comes around the wicket to the right-handed Pathum Nissanka. Oshada Fernando had been out just before, but Nissanka is set, on 73, and SL have plenty of batting to come. It could be a slow morning. It could be a slow Tuesday. Permaul's first over of the day, bowled exclusively to Angelo Mathews, had largely been populated by darters more..

Nov 30 (CI) Angelo Mathews' role in the ongoing second Test against West Indies in Galle could be substantially restricted after he picked up a thigh strain on the second morning. He sustained the injury while running a single in SL's first innings, and ended up having to retire hurt, when on 12, presumably to receive further treatment in the dressing room. Mathews did return to bat after a gap of just under eight overs, during which four Sri Lanka wickets fell. Coming in essentially at No. 10, more..

Nov 30 (FT) Sri Lanka�s inaugural Virtual MICE Expo organised by the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference, Exhibition and Event Organisers (SLAPCEO) will be held from 1 to 3 December. The event consists of a virtual exhibition, four business forums and engaging experiences. The local sellers representing the Sri Lankan meetings and events industry will exhibit their products and services at the event. more..

Nov 30 (DM) Due to the higher amount of carbon emissions from gasoline vehicles and due to the current air pollution in urban areas, the govt has decided to give priority to the promotion of electric vehicles when importing vehicles in the future, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said. While addressing the fourteenth session of the New National Environment Council yesterday at the Ministry, he said 71% of the fuel imported more..

Nov 30 (AD) The boss of an Australian investment bank has topped the ranking of this year�s highest-paid chief executives, while Ruslan Kogan�s pay soared 1413%, after he took home $8.99 million. Shemara Wikramanayake, chief executive of Macquarie Group, received a reported pay of $15.97 million in the 12 months to June, according to The Australian Financial Review�s annual list. Compiled by OpenDirector, the pay survey revealed the country�s 50 highest-paid chief executives more..

Nov 30 (AD) A low-pressure area has formed and lays over southern parts of Thailand and the areas in its vicinity, says the Department of Meteorology. It is likely to concentrate into a depression by 2 December over southeast and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal. During the subsequent 24 hours, it will intensify into a cyclonic storm. The system is likely to move northwestwards while further intensifying and reach north Andra Pradesh Odisha coast around 4 December. more..

Nov 30 (AD) Lalith Warnakumara has been appointed to the parliamentary seat left vacant following the resignation of SLPP MP Mahinda Samarasinghe. A special gazette notification will be published today to announce the appointment. Warnakumara, who secured a total of 46,361 preferential votes in the 2020 General Election, was the next on the list to take up the post. He currently serves as SLPP�s chief organizer for more..

Nov 30 (AD) Former Minister Sirisena Cooray has passed away while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo, family sources said. He had served as the Mayor of Colombo from 1979 to 1989 and was elected to Parliament in the 9th parliamentary election in 1989 from Colombo. He was appointed Minister of Housing and Construction in the Premadasa cabinet and had also served as General Secretary of the UNP during the tenure of party leader Ranasinghe Premadasa. more..

Nov 30 (TM) Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today expressed his disappointment over the absence of the majority of the ruling party�s front-benchers during parliamentary sessions. He drew the attention of the Chief Govt Whip, Minister Johnston Fernando towards the situation. �No front-bench ministers on either side of your seat are present at the moment. This is a very disappointing situation.� He also noted that all lawmakers are present when the President attends more..

Nov 30 (Island) The CEB Engineers Union (CEBEU) has sidelined CEB Deputy General Manager Noel Priyantha for welcoming the 70% renewable energy policy recommended by Prez Rajapaksa, as an achievable target by 2030, according to sources. Following DGM Priyantha�s comments at the hydro release ceremony of the Broadlands Hydro Power Plant, on 18 Nov, under the patronage of PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, more..

Nov 30 (CT) Energy Ministry will make efforts on Wednesday, 8 December, to restart operations at the 52-year-old Sapugaskanda oil refinery at full capacity. Ministry Secretary K.D.R. Olga said that they have received sufficient foreign exchange (FX) to purchase crude oil. She said that the refinery will be back to normal operations before the New Year. Previously, Minister Udaya Gammanpila said the Oil Refinery would be shut down for around 50 days due to a lack of FX reserves in SL. more..

Nov 30 (CT) SLFP plans to advise the SLPP Govt on how to keep pledges made in order to keep the current administration in power, which includes pointing out the mistakes they have made and may make. SLFP National Organiser Duminda Dissanayake said the SLFP does not wish to go against the Govt, while the political arena has become heated, adding that the public is concerned that the current administration would fall apart soon, but that some members of the Govt are more..

Nov 30 (EN) Facing its worst forex crisis yet and a threat of sovereign default looming, Sri Lanka is considering a proposal to export medical cannabis amid strong resistance to seeking IMF assistance in debt restructuring. Sisira Jayakody, State Minister of Indigenous Medicine Promotion, told parliament on Tuesday (30) that SL will introduce the legal framework necessary to export medical cannabis in next 3 months. more..

Nov 30 (DM) A case filed against former Megapolis Minister Champika Ranawaka over the alleged motor accident that took place in 2016 at Rajagiriya was today fixed for Dec 2 by Colombo High Court. Defence has raised preliminary objections regarding the maintainability of the indictments. The answers are to be presented regarding these preliminary objections on Dec 2. Accordingly, Colombo High Court Damith Thotawatta fixed the case to be heard on Dec 2. more..

Nov 30 (TM) The current condition of SL�s health sector has dropped considerably and is now at a point where Covid-19 death rates are among the worst in South Asia, says Former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne. He made this statement while speaking in Parliament today. �The covid death rate must be counted by assessing the number of deaths per 1 million people. The Maldives has reported 442 deaths per 1 million people. Afghanistan has recorded 182 deaths per 1 million people. more..

Nov 30 (TM) Responding to recent allegations of army officers in the area of Mullivaikkal in Mullaitivu attacking a Tamil journalist named Viswalingam Viswachandran, SL Army in a statement released today details that the incident was staged. SL Army says that this conclusion was drawn after the conduct of a comprehensive investigation, within hours of the said investigation taking place. more..

Nov 30 (CT) Any Govt constituent party that is not in favour of implementing the policy framework of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa should leave, General Secretary of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Sagara Kariyawasam said. Commenting on criticisms levelled against the Govt by the SLFP, Kariyawasam added if the criticisms are intended to gain the confidence of the public; it is unsuccessful as the public had repeatedly rejected the SLFP as a party that has betrayed their own policies. more..

Nov 30 (EN) Stocks touched a fresh all-time high on Tuesday, led by shares of the companies which are expected to post strong earnings due to exports even if the rupee currency depreciates, brokers said. All Share Price Index gained 2.13% or 238.44 points higher at 11,440.53, a fresh record closing high. Both Expolanka and LOLC Holdings accounted for more than 80% of the ASPI�s gain. �We saw Western markets recovering after the initial sell off post the Omicron fears. more..

Nov 30 (EN) SL�s inflation accelerated to 9.9% in the 12-months to November from 7.6% in October, in the wake of record money printing for over two years, while policy in reserve currency central banks also deteriorated. Colombo Consumer Price Index jumped 2.6% in the 30-day of November. Food prices jumped 5.3% in the month, driven by rice and vegetables. Vegetable prices rose to unusual levels in November more..

Nov 30 (TM) The SJB has called for a criminal inquiry over the recent increase in gas explosions. Speaking in Parliament today, SJB leader Sajith Premadasa listed out several places where such gas explosions have been recorded and stated that there is now a growing fear amongst the people. �There is a growing fear amongst the public now, where no one is confident to use domestic gas anymore. There have been over 11 incidents within a span of 48 hours, and this is not to be taken lightly. more..

Nov 30 (DM) While advising consumers to refrain from resorting to unverified testing methods like soap test to determine leaks, the Litro Gas Lanka said in all instances where people complain about LPG leaks, safety has been compromised as a result of broken or damaged hose, regulator or cooker. In a statement, Hemachandra Gunathilake, Channel Safety Advisor of Litro Gas Lanka pointed out that the correct safety protocols must be followed at all times when using LPG. more..