Feb 15 (ST) A multifaceted Water Sports Centre was launched at the Port City premises in Colombo amidst an exclusive gathering on Friday by Lanka Sportreizen (LSR), SL�s only travel and tourism agency related to sports tourism. The Water Sports Centre, Colombo�s first-of-its-kind, opened to the public from this week, will be offering dozens of water-based recreational and training activities. Among the dozens of activities that would be offered would be � diving, snorkelling, wind surfing more..

Feb 15 (DN) The current crisis of shortage of raw material is not something Sri Lanka is facing but is a common global issue, said President of the SL institute of architects Russell Dandeniya. He was speaking at the launch of Architect 2022 Member�s Worker�s and Trade Exhibition which will be held from Feb 24 to 27 at BMICH at Kingsbury Colombo. �The issue of shortage of raw material, current business uncertainty and price fluctuations are not something only common to Sri Lanka but more..

Feb 15 (ST) A national audit has delivered a stinging indictment on the CEB failure to prioritise renewable energy, saying it is a violation of clearly stated national policy and SL�s international pledges. As recently as 2020, only 37% of SL�s electricity was from renewable energy sources. Just 12% of this was new renewable energy (NRE)�mini-hydro, solar, wind, biomass and agricultural or municipal solid waste, observed the National Audit Office more..

Feb 15 (FT) Illustrating the Company�s robust presence and the global expansion drive, LAUGFS Lubricants, recently expanded its presence to Bangladesh. A fully owned subsidiary of LAUGFS Holdings, LAUGFS Lubricants has been offering lubricant solutions for every class of motor vehicle since its inception in 2008. As the only Sri Lankan Company with its own lubricant blending license, LAUGFS Lubricants has become a dominant player amongst multinationals. more..

Feb 15 (FT) The leading blue-chip conglomerate, Aitken Spence PLC has reported its best ever third quarter (Q3) performance with a Profit-Before-Tax (PBT) of Rs. 3 billion in Q3 2021-22, a significant turnaround from the third quarter Q3 of the previous year. Aitken Spence said the Group�s businesses including the tourism sector is showing positive momentum. Across all sectors, the Group�s earnings before interest expense, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) was Rs. 5.2 billion more..

Feb 15 (DN) Vivash Samarakoon of Royal College won the third Sri Lanka Youth Chess Grand Prix 2022 when he beat his schoolmate Thisarindu Induwara 1 � - � convincingly at Chess Federation Head quarters on Sunday. Vivash started the 1st game with more confidence to get early winning advantage. In the second game, Vivash played a defensive game which finally ended in a draw to clinch the title. Vivash received Rs.30,000/= with the trophy and the gold medal and more..

Feb 15 (FT) COVID-19 vaccines were administered to 19,534 persons on Sunday and 76.7% of the total population has received at least one vaccine dose. Second dose coverage among the total population is 64.04% and third dose coverage is 27.94%. 16,812,378 persons have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 14,037,768 persons have received the second dose as well. The booster dose has been administered to 6,128,974 persons. 77.8% of those of aged 16 to 19 have received more..

Feb 15 (TM) Despite Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella having promised that he would discuss the increase in the salaries of health sector workers based on their educational qualifications at the next Cabinet of Ministers� meeting on 21 February, the non-medical health sector trade unions who engaged in an islandwide strike action will continue the same for the ninth day today (15), according to College of CMLS. more..

Feb 15 (Island) Ganuka Fernando, Lithum Jayabandu and Baasith Cader gave the hosts a winning start as they won their respective matches for Sri Lanka to remain unbeaten against Mongolia in the fourteen and under ITF World Junior Tennis Competition Asia /Oceania Per -qualifying Round 2022 at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts on Monday. Ganuka and Lithum won their respective singles matches before the former joined Baasith Cader to win the doubles match. more..

Feb 15 (Island) Supporting the speedy revival of the tourism industry in Sri Lanka, the European Union (EU) Delegation to Sri Lanka, has allocated funds to help strengthen the local wellness tourism capacity for Sri Lanka to transform into an attractive destination for wellness tourism. This will be carried out under the guidance of Sri Lanka Tourism. The resulting Sri Lanka Wellness Tourism Stakeholder Project will be officially launched on 15 February 2022. more..

Feb 15 (Island) Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris has questioned the conduct of British govt, a member of the UNHRC, in addition to being the leader of SL Core Group at the UNHRC, the extraordinary efforts it had made to suppress wartime dispatches from Colombo. Prof. Peiris underscored the irrationality in the British action as they were reportedly so keen to establish the truth, pertaining to unsubstantiated war crimes more..

Feb 15 (FT) Health officials confirmed 36 COVID-19 fatalities on Sunday, raising the country�s COVID-19 death toll to 15,844. Thirty COVID-19 fatalities confirmed on Sunday were over 60 years and six fatalities were between 30 and 59 years. Zero COVID-19 fatalities were confirmed from the under-30 age group on Sunday. 76.23% of the total COVID-19 deaths are over 60 years, 22.46% are between 30 and 59 years, and 1.3% are below 30 years. more..

Feb 15 (FT) A total of 1,231 COVID-19 patients were detected yesterday, raising the country�s COVID-19 case count to 629,347. The patients detected yesterday were from the New Year cluster. The previous day, 1,149 persons from the New Year cluster and one SL overseas arrival tested positive for COVID-19. 5,584 PCR tests and 1,860 rapid antigen tests were conducted on Sunday. SL�s total patient count includes 523,671 persons from the New Year cluster, 82,785 persons from more..

Feb 15 (FT) SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairperson Kimarli Fernando yesterday withdrew an application preferred through her lawyers, seeking permission from the Court to move the inquiry date. The permission was sought on the Contempt of Court inquiry date, as she has to travel overseas. This came up in the backdrop where, the District Court of Colombo pursuant to an inter-parte Inquiry, overruled the objections and affirmed an Order to issue summons on the SLTDA, more..

Feb 15 (Island) The number of daily COVID cases remained above 1,000 for the 15th consecutive day on 13 February, according to Deputy Director General of Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath. He said 1,150 cases had been reported on Monday and 31 deaths reported. �The number of deaths has increased during the last few weeks. This is because cases are increasing, and I don�t mean the number of reported cases alone,� he said. Most of those who had contracted Covid-19 are asymptomatic, more..

Feb 15 (FT) Prez Rajapaksa is scheduled to inspect the country�s first technology park near the Pinnaduwa entrance on the Southern Expressway in Galle on Thursday. Under the guidance of Prez, five new technology parks will be set up islandwide in line with the Prosperity Vision Policy Statement. In addition to the technology park being set up in the Galle district, technology parks will be established more..

Feb 15 (DN) A multi-modal public transport hub connecting Katunayake Airport is to be established along with an extensive railway line connecting Veyangoda and Orugodawatta railway stations to the Katunayake Airport. Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said that cabinet approval is intended to be obtained for a feasibility study for this project. �China Harbour Corporation has agreed to carry out a feasibility study at their own expense.� The feasibility study is scheduled to be carried more..

Feb 15 (Island) SL will get an opportunity to respond to UN Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet impending written report to the 49th session of UNHRC. The former Chilean President Bachelet is scheduled to present her report on 28 Feb. UNHRC will take it up for discussion on March 03. Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said that the govt was to receive a copy of Bachelet�s written report on Monday (14). Prof. Peiris said that SL�s response would have to be sent by Feb 19. more..

Feb 15 (Island) The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) and the Professionals� National Front (PNF) condemned the proposal to hand over the Kantale Sugar Factory and 21,000 hectares of land that belongs to it to a Singapore-based company. FSP Education Secretary, Pubudu Jayagoda said that the land would be leased for 30 years and that it was likely that the Cabinet would approve a questionable proposal more..

Feb 15 (Island) Several institutions have been summoned before the COPE a spokesperson for the watchdog committee said. Among these are the institutions which were scheduled to be summoned during the first session of the ninth Parliament. Accordingly, the Geological Survey & Mines Bureau (GSMB) will be summoned before the COPE Committee on February 23rd and the SL Standards Institution will be summoned on February 24th. Development Lotteries Board is scheduled more..

Feb 15 (CT) Some internet users will experience downgraded speeds during peak hours due to a fault in the international submarine cable, SMW4. According to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), a fault has been reported in the international submarine cable, SMW4 on 13 Jan 2022. It is located in the Indian Ocean and is used by many countries. Also, it is being operated by PTCL (Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd). However, alternative measures to provide more..

Feb 15 (FT) Any observer including the smallest electricity consumer would agree with the above assessment, considering the sorry state that the once proud electricity sector has deteriorated to. This is by no means a sudden problem, to which the COVID-19 pandemic can be used as the ready excuse. The well-recognised reality that SL is subject to a dry spell every year from January to April does not require elaboration. However, the CEB, the sole State-owned utility enjoying more..

Feb 15 (FT) The SL hospitality business flourished during the December festive season. The tastefully dressed lawns and lobbies, the many F&B offerings and Customised Festive Menus brought together to celebrate the season was alluring. Having indulged myself in Colombo�s five-star properties, it was evident that the hospitality sector is currently suffering from lack of skilled labour. The quality of food in most hotels had deteriorated whilst the service received was slow and more..

Feb 15 (CI) Allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga has returned a Covid-19 positive Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) on the morning of the third T20I against Australia in Canberra. He is currently placed in isolation, and the match is expected to go ahead as scheduled. Hasaranga is the third member of the touring party to test positive for the virus after Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando. Mendis, who returned a positive test on Feb 7, is expected to be available for selection for the third T20I after serving more..

Feb 15 (AD) India�s High Commissioner to SL Gopal Baglay today handed over a fuel consignment of 40,000 metric tonnes from the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to SL�s Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila. He said the India-Sri Lanka partnership continues to work towards energy security of SL. �India - a committed partner and a true friend of Sri Lanka. High Commissioner handed over 40,000 MT fuel consignment by @IndianOilcl to Hon�ble Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila today. more..

Feb 15 (AD) The health sector trade unions currently on strike have decided to temporarily call off their strike for 14 days from 8.00 a.m. tomorrow (15). Co-convenor of the Federation of Health Professionals Ravi Kumudesh said that all 18 trade unions have decided to temporarily call of the strike from tomorrow. Earlier today, the Federation of Health Professionals had said that the final decision on whether or not to continue their strike more..

Feb 15 (TM) Supreme Court heard counsel for Petitioners in support of the FR filed against the grant of the Paget road residence for the use of former Prez Maithripala Sirisena on the basis that the decision was taken by the cabinet while he was in office and hence resulted in a conflict of interest, and on the basis that the house was excessive for an ex-president and more suitable for a sitting head of state. Additionally, the court granted leave to proceed on the alleged infringement of Article more..

Feb 15 (DM) Officers of the SL Customs Narcotic Control Unit today seized five packs of Kush cannabis and 302 ecstasy pills with a street value of nearly Rs.9 million from the Central Mail Exchange (CME). Five packs containing narcotics and pills addressed to a local individual in Colombo and Gampaha areas. The packs weighing 472g were delivered to the Clearance Division of the CME hidden among other goods, and were detected following an alert by the customs more..

Feb 15 (CI) Australia's enviable bowling depth was underlined in their comfortable six-wicket victory over beleaguered Sri Lanka in match three, as they clinched the T20I series in Canberra. In a polished performance reminiscent of their T20 World Cup triumph, Australia's new-look attack without mainstays Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa restricted Sri Lanka to a lowly 121 for 6 with quick Kane Richardson picking up 3 wickets. more..

Feb 15 (CI) The BCCI has announced the revised dates and venues for SL's tour of India, which will comprise three T20Is and two Tests. The tour begins with the first T20I in Lucknow on Feb 24, with the other two being back-to-back matches in Dharamsala on Feb 26 and 27. This will be followed by the first Test in Mohali from March 4, before the tour concludes with a day-night Test in Bengaluru starting March 12. Both Tests will be a part of the second cycle of World Test Championship. more..

Feb 15 (EN) Stock fell 0.85% on Tuesday as looming economic worries dented investor sentiment despite better December quarter earnings, brokers said. �Investors are awaiting for govt�s policy on how it is going to handle the debt and economic crisis. Once there is a clarity, the confidence will return,� a market analyst said. The main All Share Price Index (ASPI), closed 106.01 lower at 12,364.80 points after gaining in the previous two sessions. The index shot up 124.6 or 1.01% more..

Feb 15 (DM) Civil activist, Shehan Malaka Gamage arrested over a statement he had made on the Easter Sunday bomb attacks during a press conference was today ordered to be released on bail after being produced before Maligakanda Magistrate's Court. The suspect was ordered to be released on a cash bail of Rs.15,000 with two sureties of Rs.500,000 by Maligakanda Magistrate Thanuja Jayatunga. The CID had arrested Shehan Malaka Gamage on Monday under more..

Feb 15 (AD) Cabinet of Ministers has given the go-ahead to appoint three Cabinet sub-committees to discuss alternative methods for importing essential food items, raw materials and industrial goods from China, Japan and Middle Eastern countries. During the Cabinet meeting held on Jan. 3, the memorandum economy 2022 and the way forward was taken up for discussion. The Cabinet had considered the need to identify alternative methods for importing essential food items, more..

Feb 15 (Island) While stressing the need for enhanced economic corporation between the two nations, the new American ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, who reached out to expatriates in the United States to a mixed group of Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims told that her priority in Colombo during her tenure will be working with the SL govt on issues concerning human rights, reconciliation among nationalities and accountability for more..

Feb 15 (DM) Minister Basil Rajapaksa assured the Cabinet that EPF and ETF and nine other funds will be exempted from the one-time tax surcharge of 25% as proposed in the 2022 Budget. In the 2022 Budget, it has been proposed to impose a 25% Surcharge Tax on individuals or companies earning an annual taxable income of Rs. 2,000 billion or more. �In my 2022 budget speech, I clearly stated that a one-time surcharge of 25% would be levied on individuals or companies earning more..