Oct 25 (Island) The Q+ Payment App, Sri Lanka�s first QR-based payment application to be launched under LANKAQR, has surpassed the 100,000 registered customers milestone, doubling its customer base in just five months, the app�s owner the Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced. The fastest growing QR app in the country, Q+ Payment App has an easy self-registration process, and is well received by customers owing to the convenience and security it offers them more..

Oct 25 (CI) For once, it was Sri Lanka's batters who bailed their bowlers out. It wasn't the experienced hands either. Here was SL's new generation standing up. Chasing 172, on an asymmetric ground (there was a 73-metre boundary on one side, and a 57-metre one on the other), Charith Asalanka produced the innings of the game, hitting 80 not out off 49 balls, from Sri Lanka's troubled No. 3 position. more..

Oct 25 (Island) Farmers� protests against the prevailing fertiliser shortage are gathering momentum, but Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage insists that there are enough stocks of fertiliser in the country. He says the protests are politically motivated. It is doubtful whether anyone will buy into his claim. There would have been no such protests if fertiliser had been freely available. The possibility of agrochemical companies having a hand in protests cannot be ruled out, but more..

Oct 25 (CT) Legendary SL rugby player Chandrishan Perera passed away last evening after being hospitalized in Negombo. The death of Perera, 60, who was affectionately known as Shan, robs Sri Lanka of one of its finest rugby talents, who impressed in his chosen field with his prowess both here and overseas. Shan Perera a proud product of St. Peter�s College, Colombo 4, set rugby venues in this country alight as a fearsome wing-three-quarter upon his return from the UK. more..

Oct 25 (CI) The terminology is in vogue but the principle is not. The phrase match-ups had started to seep into T20 phraseology by the end of the 2016 T20 World Cup. See England's decision to bowl Joe Root's offbreaks to Chris Gayle in the final as evidence. However, since then, it has become ubiquitous. The question is simple: which bowler is best used against each batter? T20's brevity heightens the importance of each such decision, and the evolution and acceptance of data analysis more..

Oct 25 (Island) SL�s most innovative private sector bank HNB PLC, once again consolidated on its reputation for banking excellence at the International Finance Awards 2021, bagging the Best Retail Bank and Best SME Bank awards in the banking category, a news release said last week. Organized by the prestigious International Finance Magazine as a global platform for the recognition and celebration of the world�s most successful financial institutions, the awards highlight the accomplishments more..

Oct 25 (TM) A common theme reiterated during the pre-budget discussion Budget 2022: SL�s Path to Economic Stability held last Friday was that the Budget 2022 must involve comprehensive economic reform for greater de-regulation and for the organisation of a more complete free market order. Uni of Colombo Dept of Economics Senior Professor in Economics Sirimal Abeyratne claimed that price controls more..

Oct 25 (FT) Health officials stated that 555 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, raising the country�s total COVID-19 detections to 536,084. The COVID-19 patients detected yesterday were from the New Year cluster. A total of 431,447 patients have been detected from the New Year cluster to date. The Epidemiology Unit states that 82,785 persons from the Peliyagoda cluster, 9,043 persons from the Prisons cluster and 3,059 persons from the Divulapitiya cluster have tested positive. more..

Oct 25 (CT) Govt of SL's at least theoretical money printing borrowing costs (MPBCs) decreased by 0.54% (Rs 326.28 million) to Rs 60,187.19 million on Friday, in tandem with GoSL�s face value (FVMP) debt falling by 0.5% (Rs 8,636 million) to Rs 1,734,314.04 million (Rs 1.7343 trillion), thereby marginally defraying demand-pull inflationary pressure as well. GoSL�s FVMP debt has been over Rs one trillion for a record consecutive 64 market days to Friday due to a lack of revenue. more..

Oct 25 (DM) It has been revealed that about 85% of the people in the North are accustomed to watching Indian television channels and as a result children in those areas have less general knowledge of events in the country. This was revealed at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Mass Media held recently at the Parliament premises. Chairman of the SL Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), Reginald Cooray said that educational programs for more..

Oct 25 (AD) Uva Province Governor Raja Collure says that the Communist Party of SL does not have any authority to take disciplinary action against him and remove him from the chairmanship of the party over a decision taken by him as a governor. The Communist Party of SL, issuing a statement earlier today, had announced that Mr Collure has been removed from his position as chairman of the party with immediate effect. The party said that the central committee of the party which convened more..

Oct 25 SLN) The training ships of the 01st Training Squadron of the Indian Navy arrived in SL for a bilateral naval exercise today (24). Accordingly, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Shardul and Magar arrived at the Colombo harbour whereas INS Sujata, Sudarshini, Tarangini and Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Vikram called at the port of Trincomalee. SL Navy welcomed the visiting ships in compliance with naval traditions. In parallel, Flag Officer Commander -in�Chief Southern Naval Command Indian more..

Oct 25 (ST) Telecom Regulatory Commission of SL (TRCSL) will sign a management agreement with and hand over the running of the Colombo Lotus Tower to a fully Treasury-owned company with an independent Board of Directors. Board will have nominees of TRCSL which is the owner of the asset. As the sector regulator, the TRCSL is not mandated to carry out commercial operations as it would be a conflict of interest. more..

Oct 25 (FT) COVID-19 vaccines were administered to 126,487 persons on Saturday and 60.65% of the country�s total population has received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. The first dose has been administered to 69.44% of the population. 14,975,778 persons have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 13,126,455 persons have received the second dose as well. On Saturday, 6,542 persons received the first dose of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine and more..

Oct 25 (FT) Relatively young Expolanka Holdings added another feather to its corporate cap by becoming the first SL company to be worth over $ 2 billion in a short span of time apart from being the country�s most profitable. Tag of first $ 2 billion company was achieved on Friday when Expolanka�s share price closed at Rs. 209 up by 3.7% or Rs. 7.50 on Thursday. On Friday it had garnered a market value of Rs. 408.58 billion or $ 2.01 billion. For the week it gained by 13.25% and more..

Oct 25 (ST) The Itukama COVID-19 Fund, launched amidst much fanfare in March last year and administered by the Presidential Secretariat, still has more than Rs. 1.6 billion sitting unused in its account, a RTI request revealed. Prez Rajapaksa established the Itukama COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund on March 23 last year and the first donation was made on that date. Prez Secretariat�s response to the RTI more..

Oct 25 (FT) Lanka Realty Investments PLC Group has regained the 214-perch land at Darley Road, Colombo 10 following an interim order given by the Supreme Court last week. Oak Street Ltd, a subsidiary of real estate investor and developer LRI, being the developer of the land at Darley Road, filed a Fundamental Rights application against inter alia the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA), its Chairman Duminda Silva and certain other officers, alleging a violation of more..

Oct 25 (AD) Veteran actress Vishaka Siriwardana has passed away at the age of 64. She was receiving treatment at a hospital in Kurunegala when she passed away, according to sources. A well known face in the television and movie industry for more than three decades, she had starred in her first movie in 1982. Siriwardena has been a part of over 30 movies including �Anuradha�, �Suraduthiyo�, �Randamwel� and �Sandamadala� while she has also starred in a number of teledramas. more..

Oct 25 (Island) Communist Party lawmaker Weerakumara Weerasinghe says Bandula Gunawardena, in his capacity as the Trade Minister, should take the lead in regaining the SL Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) divested through fraudulent means. Appreciating the manner in which the COPE, under the leadership of Prof. Charitha Herath, had handled the inquiry into the SLIIT acquisition, more..

Oct 25 (FT) Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa is making a strong case for creating a culture to encourage buying locally made electronic goods that will boost SL�s manufacturing sector. He said that steps will be taken to submit a Cabinet paper in this regard, insisting to consider it as a strategic investment. Minister made these remarks following an inspection visit to the Abans refrigeration and air conditioning manufacturing plant being constructed at Milleniya Industrial Zone in Kalutara. more..

Oct 25 (FT) Making Global Goals Local Business (MGGLB) SL hosted by Global Compact Network SL will be held virtually on 27-28 October, bringing together the largest and most diverse line-up of speakers over 10 sessions. Featuring a diverse, international line-up of 60 speakers, from 21 companies, multiple industry associations, UN entities, civil society and govt representatives, MGGLB is organised in partnership with the United Nations in SL, UNDP SL and more..

Oct 25 (CT) Raja Collure, Chairman of the Communist Party of SL, was fired from his position within the party with immediate effect yesterday. The decision was reached at the HQ of the Communist Party, where a motion was voted on to remove Collure from the position of Chairman. Dr. G. Weerasinghe, General Secretary of the party, stated that Collure violated the party�s manifesto by making public statements about the teachers and more..

Oct 25 (CT) Primary sections of Govt and Govt-approved private schools will commence academic activities today. As part of the first phase, primary section of schools with fewer than 200 students began on 21 Oct. Under the second phase, health recommendations have been obtained to begin primary sections in schools with more than 200 children. As a result, Ministry of Education is collaborating with Provincial Governors, Provincial Principal Secretaries, Provincial Secretaries more..

Oct 25 (AD) Ministry of Education says that students of the primary sections of govt schools can attend school tomorrow (25) wearing any suitable dress if they are unable to wear their school uniforms. The primary sections of all government schools across the island are set to reopen for academic activities from tomorrow (25). Speaking on this, the Secretary to the Education Ministry Prof. Kapila Perera said that classrooms with 20 students or less can hold classes every day and that more..

Oct 25 (TM) State Ministry of Production, Supply, and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals has granted local hospitals short-term approval to purchase essential drugs at a local level if they are available in SL, instead of going through the centralised route with the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), in an effort to address challenges in the supply of drugs at the National Cancer Institute or Apeksha Hospital, more..

Oct 25 (Island) Another wave of Covid-19 will be inevitable unless the public acts responsibly, Dr. Lakkumar Fernando, the President of the Association of Medical Specialists (AMA) says. AMA has said Sri Lankans are now enjoying the freedom of movement and assembly following a protracted lockdown. �However, the irresponsible and complacent attitude of some members of the public disheartens civic minded individuals who can sense the threat of another surge of Covid-19. more..

Oct 25 (FT) The Court of Appeal last week took up the petition alleging corruption during the award of a tender to affix tax stamps on alcohol, and issued notice to all respondents of the case, including Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Treasury Secretary Sajith Attygalle, the Commissioner General of Excise and Madras Security Printers in India. The Court of Appeal considered the petition filed by Lasantha Kumara on 13 Oct, and issued notice to all respondents in the case. more..

Oct 25 (TM) Farmers belonging to 41 farmers� organisations in the Elahera area in Polonnaruwa commenced a continuous hunger strike yesterday, demanding the immediate supply of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides required for the Maha cultivating season. The farmers also held a protest and then commenced the hunger strike near Bakamuna town on the Mahiyanganaya-Dambulla main road. more..

Oct 25 (AD) Uva Province Governor Raja Collure says that the Communist Party of SL does not have any authority to take disciplinary action against him and remove him from the chairmanship of the party over a decision taken by him as a governor. Communist Party of SL, issuing a statement, had announced that Mr Collure has been removed from his position as chairman of the party with immediate effect. Party said that the central committee of the party which convened a meeting today (24) more..

Oct 25 (TM) JVP yesterday questioned whether the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (Amendment) Act No. 24 of 2018 will be used to seek assistance from foreign countries as part of the investigation into the allegations recently revealed by the Pandora Papers against Nirupama Rajapaksa and Thirukumar Nadesan. JVP Politburo member Sunil Handunetti said that the Central Authority set up under the Justice Ministry Secretary as per the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act more..

Oct 25 (TM) Head of the Catholic Church in SL, Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said last Saturday that His Holiness Pope Francis had written to him asking what assistance or action the Archbishop requires from the Pope regarding the investigation into the Easter Sunday terror attacks in 2019. He revealed this during a discussion held yesterday with Sri Lankans living in Europe, held via video conference, more..

Oct 25 (FT) Aseni, whiz-kid in economics and a fan of technology, has been exhilarated by the Govt�s pronouncement that SL will go for a system of cryptocurrencies. She has learned that the youthful Minister Namal Rajapaksa has appointed a committee to examine the issue and make recommendations to the Cabinet. The committee is required to suggest a regulatory mechanism for cryptos, permit crypto mining companies to operate in the country, and revolutionise all systems more..

Oct 25 (FT) After watching the webinar, sponsored jointly by FT and ICCSL and broadcasted over social media, repeatedly rewinding and fast-forwarding, has created an enthusiasm to write a review of the proceedings. It is evident that there is an immediate need to acknowledge, accept and assess the volume of the debt crisis, formulate a strategy to restructure debt to a sustainable level, and thereafter, to implement a long-term process to maintain debt with financial discipline across more..

Oct 25 (DM) National Organiser of the All Ceylon Farmers' Federation and former JVP MP Namal Karunaratne has sent a letter of demand claiming Rs.500 million as damages from Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage for allegedly making an oral defamatory statement regarding his involvement to the ongoing farmers' protests. This letter of demand has been sent through Attorney-at-law Sunil Watagala urging Minister Aluthgamage to pay a sum of more..

Oct 25 (SLN) Her Majesty's Ship (HMS) Kent � a Type 23 Frigate serves in the Royal Navy arrived at the port of Colombo on 23rd October 2021 for replenishment. The visiting frigate engaged in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Sri Lanka Navy off Colombo and left the island on 24th October 2021. The ship which arrived in Colombo for replenishment was welcomed by Sri Lanka Navy in keeping with naval traditions. HMS Kent is a 133m long frigate manned by 219 crew members. more..

Oct 25 (EN) Sri Lanka will receive around 1 billion US dollars of foreign direct investment in 2021 despite the Covid-19 pandemic and other disruptions, Board of Investment (BOI) chairman Sanajaya Mohottala said. Foreign Direct Investment has been on a falling trend since its record high of US$ 1.8 billion in 2018 thanks to the sale of Hambantota port to a Chinese firm. FDI in 2019 fell to US$ 793 million and last year it recorded more..

Oct 25 (AD) The Colombo High Court today served indictments on former Western Province Governor Azath Salley over the controversial statement he had made during a media briefing early this year. When the case was called before High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja this morning, the incarcerated leader of the National Unity Front (NUF) who was on a wheelchair was produced to the court. Subsequently, the indictments filed by the Attorney General was served on Azath Salley. more..

Oct 25 (DM) The present govt is targeting making the Railways Dept a profitable entity while maintaining it as a public service, Transport Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said. While addressing a one-day workshop for higher and middle-grade officials, Minister said what the ministry needs to do is to mobilise all these resources and make the Railway Dept a profit-making body. She said the main objective of the workshop was to make the ailing railway department an attractive and more..