Feb 18 (FT) The retail industry which constitutes 23% of the country�s GDP said it was hardest hit by the ongoing forex crisis and urged the Govt to resolve it fast before putting thousands of jobs at stake. In a statement, SL Retailers� Association (SLRA) said the wider ecosystem of employees, suppliers, farmers and consumers of SL impacted by the ongoing crisis and is pushing businesses to the brink of collapse. more..

Feb 18 (FT) Data shows that 23,463 persons were vaccinated against COVID-19 on Wednesday, with first dose coverage in the country rising to 78.25%. 65.33% of the population has received the second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 27.94% of the total population has received the third dose as well. In total, the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine has been administered to 16,824,201 persons and the second dose has been administered to 14,047,994 persons. 3rd dose has been administered to 6,239,597 more..

Feb 18 (Island) That�s with apologies to Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice and their hugely successful 1978 musical Evita and the tremulously sung Don�t cry for me Argentina. Cassandra actually cried seeing the huge political rally of the SLPP with both the Prez and PM dressed in red shirts (or was it kurakkan colour?) spouting political fire and brimstone. The Prez spoke of his govt�s successes since he ascended the throne � o ooops sorry, was voted to lead the country and led it (where?) more..

Feb 18 (Island) SL Volleyball Federation (SLVF) will conduct the first Central Asian Beach Volleyball Tournament as part of its plans to conduct volleyball and beach volleyball tournaments to celebrate the 75th Independence Day. Tournament is a brainchild of Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa. The first Central Asian Beach Volleyball Tournament, organized by SLVF under the supervision of the Asian Volleyball Federation and the Central Asian Volleyball Federation, will be held from more..

Feb 18 (FT) Sampath Bank announced impressive results for 2021 with profit before tax up 51% to Rs. 16.8 billion and after-tax profit grew by 55% to Rs. 12.5 billion. At group level PBT was Rs. 18.8 billion and PAT was Rs. 13.9 billion with all subsidiaries Sampath Centre Limited, SC Securities Ltd., Siyapatha Finance PLC and Sampath Information Technology Solutions Ltd., recording remarkable performance compared to the previous year. Total assets of the group grew by 8% to Rs. 1.24T. more..

Feb 18 (TM) After President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa instructed the relevant authorities to take steps to grant the nursing officers� demands so as not to affect the entire public service yesterday, the health sector non-medical trade unions that were recently engaged in a strike action have warned that they would resume their strike action if a similar discussion with the President was not granted before 1 March. more..

Feb 18 (DM) CFA Society Sri Lanka announced the selection of the top four teams for the local finals of the CFA Institute Research Challenge competition. This year, the CFA Institute Global Research Challenge competition will be held in New York City on April 22, 2022. The winning team of the local finals will advance to the sub-regional competition and have a chance to progress to the regional and global competitions thereafter. CFA Society SL President Dinesh Warusavitharana CFA said more..

Feb 18 (FT) Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) Group, has concluded the financial year 2021 on a high note, recording a turnover of Rs. 102.3 billion for the year ended 31 Dec 2021 marking a top line growth of 12.3% year-on-year. Group�s sustained growth resulted in a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 12.2 billion, a growth of 54.3% as compared to the previous year. Group profits were propelled forward by robust performances by multiple business segments. The EBITDA of the Group grew at 16.6% more..

Feb 18 (AD) The launch of the National Techno Park Eco-System Development project, which will comprise modern tech infrastructure coming up in strategic locations of Galle, Kurunegala, Digana, Nuwara Eliya and Habarana, was officially initiated with the commencing of construction on the Galle Techno Park today (17). It is expected to add approximately 350,000+ Sq Ft for a land area of each Techno Park, more..

Feb 18 (FT) Fitch Ratings said yesterday Sri Lankan banks are likely to face continued asset-quality pressure in 2022 as rising macroeconomic stresses stemming from the sovereign credit profile pose a threat to borrowers� repayment capacity, alongside the conclusion of most relief measures in 2021. Fitch-rated banks� stage 3 (impaired) loans ratio has remained broadly unchanged since 2019 (9M21: 9.4%, 2019: 9.5%), as relief measures prevented deterioration in lending quality. more..

Feb 18 (AD) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) and CEB say they have successfully implemented a pilot project of the country�s bulk supply consumers temporarily using their standby generators today (17). PUCSL chairman Janaka Ratnayake said that in total around 70 megawatts in standby generators had operated between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. today. The PUCSL had recently stated that an uninterrupted power supply could be maintained if certain conservation initiatives more..

Feb 18 (EN) State-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has asked to pay 146.31 rupees per liter of diesel CEB due to rising global market prices, an official said. The new price is likely to increase CEB�s cost of power generation further and consumers and expand its losses if there is no tariff increase to customers. The CPC now sells auto diesel to all customers at 121 rupees a litre. �We have been informed that the price will be increased to 146.31 rupees per liter of diesel by CPC. more..

Feb 18 (Island) Govt Medical Officers� Association (GMOA) yesterday (17) accused the govt of following destructive yahapalana policy as regards the ad-hoc increase of public sector salaries. GMOA Secretary Dr. Senal Fernando, in a strongly worded statement flayed the current dispensation for brazenly violating the national salaries and wages policy. Dr. Fernando alleged that the unscrupulous govt actions had compelled the entire public sector to what he called a wave of strikes. more..

Feb 18 (TM) Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said that he believes the criticisms against the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill are unfair, adding that the Bill is due to be debated in the Parliament on 8 March. �I believe that the criticisms against the amendments are frankly unfair. For 42 years, nobody has done anything about it. There was no reason for me to take this upon my own shoulders. more..

Feb 18 (DM) Minister Wimal Weerawansa said that his personal Facebook account had been hacked and the hacker had posted some posts critical of the govt, and he asserted that he had no hand in posting such posts. The Minister claimed in a post that his account had been hacked for several days and that he had reported the matter. He said he was fortunate to fully retrieve the account but would call for an investigation. Minister also commented that several posts were shared by the person more..

Feb 18 (Island) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says that the govt has been springing surprises to the people continuously during the past few months and the next surprise on the card will be power cuts. Speaking at a ceremony held at Samanthurai to hand over medical equipment worth over Rs 2,990,000 to the Samanthurai Base Hospital under the Jana Suvaya project of the SJB, Premadasa said the govt had been giving surprises, one after the other, during the recent past in the form more..

Feb 18 (CT) Kelanitissa Power Station was forced to shutdown last night, due to a lack of usable fuel stock. The closure will result in a loss of 280 MW of electricity to the national grid, according to the CEB. Meanwhile, CEB Engineers� Union (CEBEU) claimed the Public Utilities Commission�s (PUCSL) suggestion of maintaining an uninterrupted power supply for the next three months is unrealistic. more..

Feb 18 (PMD) The renovated Dharmapala Park in Galle was declared open by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today (17). The Dharmapala Park, located near the historic fort rampart in Galle attracting local and foreign tourists, was an eyesore due to lack of proper maintenance. Later, at the request of Minister Ramesh Pathirana and the Galle Municipal Council, steps were taken to modernize it under the Strategic Cities Development Programme of Ministry of Urban Development & Housing. more..

Feb 18 (DM) GMOA has said it would resort to an island wide Trade Union (TU) action on Monday (21) in view of protecting the National Wage Policy, which is being violated through Cabinet decisions. "The decision was made by the GMOA General Committee. We earnestly request your good offices to grant us an urgent appointment to discuss this matter in order to maintain uninterrupted health care delivery. Failure to ensure the proper salary structure would result in a human resource shortage more..

Feb 18 (Island) Kuvera de Zoysa, PC, would move court today seeking police protection for Hiru anchor Chamuditha Samarawickrema. Hiru made the announcement as Samarawickrema alleged that he hadn�t been provided protection in spite of the latest incident. Samarawickrema said that he was concerned for his personal safety and that of his family. Minister Sarath Weerasekera says that he inquired from his son ASP Sachitra more..

Feb 18 (FT) Sri Lanka is in a critical state where its survival depends on an urgent corrective surgery. But neither the Head of State nor the Govt has realised that. The Head of State and his Govt have focused their full attention on pursuing a policy of cutting down the cost of imports to a maximum level and continue to disburse the instalments and interest payable on foreign loans obtained as a measure of avoiding the country plunging into a state of bankruptcy. more..

Feb 18 (FT) For a few days recently, it looked like Europe was on the verge of war. The Western govts did their best to convince everyone that Ukraine was about to be invaded by Russia. At a White House press conference, the press thought that after the Iraq experience, they needed a bit more evidence to accept the claim that an invasion of Ukraine was imminent. Jake Sullivan replied that in Iraq, they were trying to start a war, but this time they were trying to prevent one. more..

Feb 18 (TM) Prez Rajapaksa made a sudden inspection visit to SL Sustainable Energy Authority this morning. The purpose of the Prez�s visit was to meet the officials of the SL Sustainable Energy Authority to inquire into the potential of utilizing renewable sources such as water, solar and wind for power generation. In line with the Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour policy framework, Govt aims to use renewable energy sources to generate 70% of the total power supply by 2030. more..

Feb 18 (DM) Former CID Director Shani Abeysekara has filed a Fundamental Rights petition in Supreme Court seeking an order preventing the CID from arresting him in respect of the allegations mentioned at the Kuliyapitiya Magistrate's Court. Former CID Director also seeking an order restraining Prez Rajapakse from issuing a detention order in terms of section 9(1) of the PTA in his capacity as the Minister of Defence in respect of allegations set out in a B-Report at the Kuliyapitiya MC. more..

Feb 18 (AD) Former IGP Pujith Jayasundara too has been acquitted in the case filed against him over criminal negligence of duty by failing to prevent the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks despite receiving intelligence information beforehand. The verdict was delivered by Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar Namal Balalle, Aditya Patabendige, and Mohamed Irshadeen today. The judge bench ordered to acquit and more..

Feb 18 (DM) Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has endorsed five Bills, which were taken into debate recently, Communications Dept of Parliament said. Accordingly, the Speaker endorsed the certificate on the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amd), Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines, Judicature (Amd), Civil Procedure Code (Amd), Provincial Councils (Transfer of Stamp Duty) (Amd) Bills which were taken into debate and passed on the 09th and 10th of the previous week. more..

Feb 18 (FT) HSBC Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) begins a new season next week championing societal and environmental wellbeing as well as several new initiatives reinforcing the significant impact it has made for nearly two decades. Slated for 24 to 26 Feb at Shangri-La Hotel Colombo, the 19th CFW has Green Conscious and Earth Sensitive as its theme expanding its scope in the new normal environment by developing a series of programs that not only supports emerging designers but more..

Feb 18 (CI) Australia's bowlers strangled Sri Lanka with the ball before a middle-overs batting masterclass from Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell rescued the home side from a precarious position to post another comfortable six-wicket win at the MCG and go 4-0 up. Sri Lanka lost 6 for 12 in 19 balls in their under par innings of 8 for 139 with Ashton Agar bowling 10 dot balls to claim 1 for 14 from four, while Jhye Richardson more..

Feb 18 (FT) Sri Lanka has suggested Kuwait based carrier Jazeera Airways to consider services to Mattala Rajapaksa Int'l Airport (MRIA) as well in the future apart from its current thrice a week flights to the BIA. This request was conveyed by Civil Aviation Authority Director General and CEO Capt. Themiya Abeywickrama recently when Jazeera Airways Vice President of Ground Operations Naser F. Al-Obaid made a courtesy call. The discussions revolved around airline�s new business opportunities more..

Feb 18 (AD) Easy access is a key feature of several new developments undertaken by Prime Lands (Pvt) Ltd. The development of new highways in the country and their fast-growing popularity have spurred interest in residential and investment properties with connectivity, aesthetics and convenience. The newest initiatives undertaken by the company are in Waragoda, Raddolugama, Matiyagane in Kurunegala, Kuruwita in Ratnapura and Weligama. A study done in 2020 states: more..

Feb 18 (CT) CID summoned Media Director of the Archdiocese of Colombo, Rev. Fr. Jude Krishantha, yesterday to record a statement regarding a complaint made by him, calling for a probe into allegations made by Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, that former Prez Maithripala Sirisena was responsible for 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks. Fr. Krishantha said in his 3-hour statement, the CID questioned on how he got to know about the statement made by Minister Ranatunga and more..

Feb 18 (SLN) The fourth edition of Colombo Naval Exercise -2022 (CONEX-22), hosted by SL Navy to further hone professionalism and experiences of naval personnel, concluded on a successful note on 14th February 2022. The annual exercise organized under the guidance of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne was flagged off on 12th February onboard SLNS Gajabahu, under the patronage of Director General Operations, Rear Admiral Prasanna Mahawithana. more..

Feb 18 (DM) Despite assurances that there will be no scheduled power outages in the next three months, PUCSL announced its decision to impose power outages from today. PUCSL Chairman, Janaka Ratnayake said the power shedding starts from 2.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. and from 6.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. One-hour power cuts will be implemented in four different areas between 2.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. more..

Feb 18 (FT) Constituent parties of the Govt are scheduled to hold another round of discussions today on the way forward of the country. The discussion will focus on proposals by the relevant parties to improve the socio-economy of the country. Majority of the proposals include matters related to resolving the most current problems such as the foreign exchange crisis, energy crisis, and the rising cost of living. Following the meeting, the proposals are due to be handed over to the Govt more..

Feb 18 (TM) Unidentified men who claimed to be part of the State Intelligence Services have allegedly attempted to kidnap ITAK youth wing assistant secretary and Law student Mr. Nithanshan. Speaking with ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam today, it has been confirmed that an investigation into the matter is currently ongoing and Nithanshan is at the Kalmunai police station to lodge an entry. �Nithanshan is currently at the Kalmunai Police station lodging his complaint. more..

Feb 18 (EN) Sri Lanka should enter an deal with the IMF Petroleum Minister Udaya Gammanpila said as forex shortages delayed oil imports and power cuts were imposed as fuel supplies were disrupted. �I have expressed my view that we should go for IMF. Now most of the the cabinet ministers are for an IMF deal,� Minister Gammanpila told reporters. �The final decision has to be made by the Finance Ministry and the Central Bank.� more..