Oct 26 (TM) Sri Lanka�s first Test cricket Captain Bandula Warnapura passed away yesterday (18) at the age of 68. He had passed away while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo, sources said. He had been hospitalised earlier this month after he was diagnosed with high sugar levels and, according to reports, was recovering after having had his right leg amputated. Following are condolences made by dignitaries, past Captains & players on Warnapura�s passing yesterday. more..

Oct 26 (Island) CIPM SL � the Nation�s leader in human resource management together with the World Federation of People Management Associations (WFPMA) and Asia Pacific Federation of Human Resource Management (APFHRM) announced that the world�s most premier people event �World HR Congress 2021� will be held from Dec 6 to 8 2021 as a virtual conference experience in Colombo, SL. The theme of the congress Exalting People Professionals Amidst a Planetary more..

Oct 26 (CT) Even though the Teachers� and Principals� Trade Union Alliance has temporarily withdrawn from trade union action, trade unions yesterday staged islandwide protests from 2 p.m. after school hours. Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin said they will stage protests, awareness campaigns, etc, on 25, 26 and 27 October at 300 different locations islandwide. Meanwhile, protesters who attempted to more..

Oct 26 (FT) SL�s COVID-19 detections rose to 536,645 with the detection of 561 COVID-19 patients yesterday. The patients detected yesterday were from the New Year cluster. 5,920 PCR tests were conducted yesterday. On Sunday, 6,682 PCR tests and 2,715 rapid antigen tests were conducted and 555 COVID-19 patients were detected. This includes 550 persons from the New Year cluster and five persons from the Prisons cluster. A total of 431,997 patients from the New Year cluster more..

Oct 26 (FT) COVID-19 vaccines were administered to 21,746 persons on Sunday and the Epidemiology Unit states that 90% of the country�s population over the age of 20 has received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. 14,987,889 persons have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 13,156,574 persons have received the second dose as well. According to Our World in Data, 69.66% of the country�s population has received the first dose and 61.06% has received both doses. more..

Oct 26 (DM) Environment Minister instructed the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) officials to continue with the decision not to promote the Oil Palm plant cultivation in the country. The instructions were given following an inquiry about palm oil cultivation in the country while discussing the reports prepared for tabling in Parliament by the CEA and GSMB Technical Services. The govt has taken steps to deactivate palm oil cultivation in several stages and not to promote it. more..

Oct 26 (EN) Sri Lanka can come out of the current economic crisis through right policies targeting long term instead of ad hoc policy measures, opposition legislator Mayantha Dissanayake has said. SL�s precarious economic situation has created high uncertainty to entrepreneurs and businesses in the country. Loss of govt revenue and steep increase in govt spending have resulted in higher budget deficit amid the central bank�s excess money printing. Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa was more..

Oct 26 (EN) The loss of GSP+ free trade benefits will hit multiple sectors and hurt rural women, an apparel industry official has said. The EU has given trade concessions to several low income countries where the ruling class has held back liberties and absolute guarantees of equality which have been available in most countries for decades in the expectation of improvement. The EU has started a review of SL�s concessions more..

Oct 26 (FT) In a fresh boost to early revival of post-COVID tourism, LOT Polish Airlines will resume direct flights to Sri Lanka from 7 Dec. Lot Polish will fly twice weekly to Colombo until the end of the winter season. SL Ambassador in Poland Dhammika Semasinghe met with LOT Polish Airlines Chief Commercial Officer and Board Member Michal Fijol yesterday and welcomed the resumption of the carrier�s services to Colombo. The Ambassador underscored that direct air connectivity more..

Oct 26 (CT) The Appeal Court ruling on the appeal made by noted gangster Kanjipani Imran, was read out before Colombo High Court Judge Damith Thotawatta yesterday (25). Kanjipani Imran had been sentenced to six years in jail, by the High Court, on pleading to possessing and selling ganja. The Appellate Court has ruled that Kanjipani Imran complete his term of six years RI in three years. Accordingly, High Court Judge Thotawatta ordered the Registrar of the Court to take steps to more..

Oct 26 (Island) Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara has strongly defended the right of the SLPP constituents� to take up contentious issues in public. Minister Nanayakkara told SLPP parliamentary group meeting at the President�s House on Sunday night that their right to differ on matters of public interest shouldn�t be questioned. Nanayakkara said so when Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena and MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi faulted more..

Oct 26 (TM) In a letter released yesterday (25) whilst in remand prison custody, activist and IUSF Convenor Wasantha Mudalige accused SDIG � Western Province Deshabandu Tennakoon of threatening him via a phone call on the day of his arrest on 6 Aug 2021. �When I was arrested, I was taken to the Thalangama Police Station. While I was giving my statement, SDIG Tennakoon called the Thalangama Police Station�s OIC who passed the phone to me. more..

Oct 26 (TM) President�s Media Division (PMD) has not been informed of an official meeting between Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, who was named earlier this year as India�s second richest person, and Prez Rajapaksa, according to President�s Media Spokesman Kingsly Rathnayake. �We have not been informed. Therefore, I believe that if such a meeting had occurred, it would have been in a personal capacity,� he added. Indian media reports stated that Adani was due to more..

Oct 26 (TM) The Catholic Church has said that instead of naming former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Nilantha Jayawardena as a state witness in the cases pertaining to the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019, he should be prosecuted for not having prevented the said terror attacks despite receiving prior warnings of such an attack. more..

Oct 26 (FT) Although Sri Lanka has achieved lower middle income status, its record on economic growth and structural change has continued to disappoint. In Nov 2019, a new president was elected with an ambitious agenda to transform national security, the economy, and society. However, the advent of COVID-19 created a public health emergency and an economic crisis, causing economic damage and dampening SL�s development prospects. The first clear impact on Sri Lanka�s economy was more..

Oct 26 (FT) Sri Lanka unexpectedly banned the use of chemical fertiliser in 2021 to encourage organic agriculture. This decision came as a bolt from the blue for farmers and is certainly destined for total disaster. Since the 1970s, organic agriculture was promoted mostly by govts in developing countries in response to food safety and adverse environmental consequences of conventional farming. But state intervention can create conflicts of interest between the state and producers and consumers as more..

Oct 26 (AD) Court of Appeal issued a writ order quashing the case filed against High Court Judge Gihan Pilapitiya in the Nugegoda Magistrate�s Court on the instructions of the Attorney General. The court also issued another writ order quashing the AG�s decision to name HC Judge Gihan Pilapitiya as a suspect in the relevant case. The order was issued by a judge bench comprising Justices Sobitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola, delivering the verdict in the writ petition filed by HC Judge. more..

Oct 26 (DM) Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage today advised the ministry secretary to remove Prof. Buddhi Marambe of the Agriculture Faculty of the Peradeniya Uni from all posts he held at the Ministry with immediate effect. The notice in this regard has been issued today. Accordingly, the professor has been removed from the Expert Committee to formulate a National Agriculture Policy, SL Agriculture Sector Modernization Project, and the Smallholder Agribusiness Partnerships more..

Oct 26 (EN) Sri Lanka�s central bank has said several credit lines, land sales and the sale of a stake in a power plant is in progress. Meanwhile the central bank has lifted price controls on bond markets allowing money to be raised from real investor instead of being printed by the central banks. �In the domestic market, yields on Govt securities have been allowed to adjust upwards, thereby easing pressure on Central Bank more..

Oct 26 (DM) Stressing that there is a marginal increase in the number of COVID-19 fatalities, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said it could be an early warning of an imminent danger. �It is too early to arrive at a conclusion on the situation. However, we have to take serious note of this as it could be an early warning of an imminent danger of another wave,� he said. �Thus, people have to be extra cautious especially in a situation where restrictions more..

Oct 26 (Island) Australian govt had assured its fullest support especially technical cooperation to mitigate climate change related issues, Environment Ministry Secretary, Dr. Anil Jasinghe said. Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that the Australian Climate Action Plan would extend the same relief to other countries as Sri Lanka. He said that Acting Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Amanda Jewell had assured the Australian govt�s support in that regard during a discussion held on Friday. more..

Oct 26 (FT) Newly-appointed Northern Province Governor Jeevan Thiagarajah aspires to have a province where triggers to future conflicts are eased and one which is sustainable in food and peaceful at the end of his tenure. �We will be ruthlessly working to be the best province of the country,� he said in an exclusive interview. Commenting about development and the challenges in the province, Thiagarajah said more..

Oct 26 (EN) Sri Lanka has started an online health declaration where passengers can fill in the data, submit the information to the airport before arrival, and could also save a QR code provided by the system and submit it at the health counter, the island�s airport agency said. �The prime objective of introducing this system is to reduce the usage of physical form filling and encourage the passengers to opt in to an online platform reducing the physical contact and passenger processing time,� more..

Oct 26 (DM) The Peliyagoda Police have found the body of a man, brutally hacked to death, on the Posonwatta Road at Wanawasala in Kelaniya. The body was found based on information received given to the 119 emergency number. Police said the victim was brutally beaten to death at another location and later taken to the area. The victim was identified as a 31-year-old male, resident of Talangana in Peliyagoda. Deceased was a drug addict and they suspect he was killed as a result of a dispute. more..

Oct 26 (AD) The SL govt today admitted that some people have lost their jobs and businesses as a result of the import restrictions on vehicles, however emphasized that there has been no change in that policy decision. During the media briefing today, reporters inquired regarding the direct and indirect impact of the vehicle import ban and the govt�s response to this situation. �We acknowledge the fact that some people have lost their jobs more..

Oct 26 (FT) Fulfilling a long-felt need, the Govt is taking steps to introduce a national strategy for boat building and the nautical tourism industry, to be rolled out over the next three-years. �A boat building and nautical tourism development strategy compiled by industry experts will be presented to the Cabinet before the end of this year,� Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena said. Following the inauguration of the Virtual Boat Show SL 2021 yesterday with boat building industry stakeholders more..

Oct 26 (Island) School attendance was high Despite inter-provincial travel restrictions, Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) General Secretary, Joseph Stalin said yesterday. �The govt announced on 22 Oct that primary sections of all schools would be reopened on 25 Oct. Despite the short notice the attendance was high, and this is testament to the faith parents have in teachers,� he said. Primary sections of 9,155 schools recommenced yesterday. �However, we will only teach. more..

Oct 26 (NR) 14 COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed today. The Govt Information Dept said the deaths were confirmed to have been reported yesterday (25). Sri Lanka�s coronavirus death toll accordingly increases to 13,654. nine males and five females were among the victims. 11 individuals, sevem males and four females, were 60 years or above while one male and a female were between the ages of 30 and 59. One male victim was identified as below 30 years of age. more..

Oct 26 (DM) The first Poppy flower to commemorate the Remembrance Day was pinned on Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today. Chairman of the SL Ex-Servicemen�s Association, Maj. Gen. Upul Perera pinned the poppy flower on Prez Rajapaksa. The income generated by selling Poppy flowers is utilized for the welfare of the retired and disabled war veterans. The Remembrance Day was commemorated in 1944 in Sri Lanka and this year it celebrates the 77th more..

Oct 26 (AD) Cabinet of Ministers has approved to award a long-term contract to a Singapore-based energy and commodities company to import petrol and diesel to SL, Govt Information Dept stated. Bids had been called from the registered suppliers of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation for the importation of 1,341,000+10/-5% barrels of petrol (92 Unl) and 459,000+10/-5% barrels of petrol (95 Unl) for a period of 8 months more..

Oct 26 (TM) The JVP filed a writ application before the Colombo Court of Appeal today requesting to annul the decision by the Cabinet Ministers to transfer 40% of the shares of the Yugadanavi Power plant in Kerawalapitiya to New Fortress Energy Inc. 43 respondents were named in total, with the inclusion of PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa, Foreign Minister G L Peiris, The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of SL and The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. more..

Oct 26 (FT) SriLankan Airlines, in its endeavour to support the country�s revival of tourism in the context of para and post-pandemic travel, has resumed one of its award-winning marketing campaigns Sri Lanka, the Next Door Neighbor, appealing to the discerning Indian traveller. During its first appearance, the campaign managed to bag the coveted titles Marketing-Carrier at Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Awards 2020 and two first star awards at the Golden City more..

Oct 26 (DM) The truth is now being uncovered regarding an illegal mining racket in state lands under the Moragahakanda - Kalu Ganga Development Project which is a Mahaveli project in the Matale district. Influential politicians in the Govt, Opposition party MPs, higher state officials and doctors are engaged in locating state lands containing gems in the area. Some of them operate mines with licenses, some obtain one license more..

Oct 26 (CT) Head of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) Prof. Muditha Vidanapathirana has resigned from his position. According to NCPA sources a rift had led to the Chairman�s resignation. When contacted, Prof. Vidanapathirana confirmed that he had resigned from the post, but refused to divulge reasons for his decision. The former NCPA head, who is a JMO, had also worked to vest the national database of the NCPA with the public after it had been devoid of it for the past 23 years. more..

Oct 26 (TM) Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal has been given Cabinet Minister status and is now ranked 5th in the new Table of Precedence of the Govt. At ceremonies and occasions of Provincial nature, precedence is to be given to High Court Judges immediately after the Governor of the CB. This Table of Precedence is intended to be applied during state and ceremonial occasions. Religious and Ecclesiastical Dignitaries will be assigned appropriate courtesy-precedence. more..

Oct 26 (TM) While reiterating that the people have a right to know who is behind the Easter attacks, SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne responded to allegations levelled against him which claimed that he was involved in elements of the terror attack. �The CID arrived at my residence saying that they had questions to ask me. I told them that they have an office where the questioning can be done, and told them that I would come to the CID more..

Oct 26 (CT) More protests were organised, by Sri Lankans living overseas, demanding justice for the 2019 Easter Sunday attack victims. One of such protests had taken place in Canada. A spokesman for the group said yesterday (25) the Govt had been unable to give justice for the victims even 30 months after the Easter Sunday�s attack on 21 April 2019. The Protest was held demanding the incumbent Govt to take action against the real masterminds behind the attack. more..