Feb 22 (CT) Justice Minister Ali Sabry said, accusations that evidence pertaining to the Easter Sunday attacks have been concealed are baseless, while only certain documents that are believed to be a threat to national security are with the Prez and Attorney General and they will be publicised when the Prez decides to do so. He added that it is the AG who decides on the initiation of actions against offenders and that hearing of cases and making decisions is the task of the Courts. more..

Feb 22 (CT) The Court of Appeal is to decide on 29 March whether or not to reject the Writ Petition filed by SJB MP Champika Ranawaka seeking an order to suspend the case against him on charges of causing grievous injuries to two youth in a traffic accident in Rajagiriya in 2016. The date was fixed when the case was taken up before Court of Appeal Judges, Menaka Wijesundara and P. Kumararatnam. Faisz Musthapha, PC and Attorney-at-law Keerthi Thilakaratne appeared for Ranawaka more..

Feb 22 (DM) While expressing hopes for an economic turnover in the coming months, Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said the govt has not ruled out assistance from the IMF to bail out Sri Lanka from the current economic and foreign exchange crisis. �We assess the situation with an open mind. We are in touch with the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other global financial agencies. more..

Feb 22 (Island) The current administration must take immediate steps to prevent Indian fishermen from poaching in SL�s territorial waters, former Prez Maithripala Sirisena said on Sunday, addressing a meeting in Jaffna. He added that during his administration, he had managed to control the poaching by Indians. Sirisena made this statement taking part in the SLFP Jaffna District conference, held in the Uduppidi Stadium, Jaffna. SLFP Jaffna MP, Angajan Ramanathan organised event more..

Feb 22 (DM) A report has been called from the State Intelligence Services (SIS) to ascertain whether there was any security threat to journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrame, Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara told Parliament today. Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, he said the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security has sought guidance and advice from the Victims and Witnesses Protection Authority to provide security more..

Feb 23 (TM) State Minister Wimalaweera Dissanayake recently claimed that not a single local elephant has died after consuming plastic. He made this statement in a context where there are more than enough int'l studies that suggest that consuming plastic � in addition to countless other factors involving the consumption of materials other than food � can cause serious health issues in elephants which have a high potential to leading to deaths and health issues that may not be more..

Feb 23 (DM) I remember the first time I conducted a workshop for journalists in SL. This was some time in mid 2004, I was with the late Thilak Jayarathne, the founder director of the SL College of Journalism. Thilak was unconventional to say the least. But he was effective and efficient. Sadly, in fighting, personal agendas and lack of support from the board forced Thilak to depart after one year at the college. We were in Anuradhapura to train a group of provincial correspondents. more..

Feb 23 (DM) In the troubled and mismanaged economies, as the squeeze gets tightened, it is rather predictable, that unscrupulous political bosses and their rent-seeking cronies double down to skim the last few billions before everything comes crashing down. Generally, in these countries, there exists a nexus between the political leadership and wheeler-dealer business elites; a relationship built on convergence of interests. more..

Feb 23 (CT) Russian Prez Vladimir Putin ordered troops into two separatist pro-Moscow regions, Donetsk and Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine after recognising their independence on Monday, int'l media reported. USA has already announced sanctions on Donetsk and Luhansk. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said US Prez Joe Biden has signed an agreement prohibiting new investments, trade and financing by US persons to, from or in Donetskaya Narodnaya Respublika more..

Feb 23 (DM) It�s out in the open, govt has literally admitted, it faces a major foreign exchange crisis. Govt is today running on a shoe-string budget. The country is running out of options regarding imports of basics which the country depends on like fuel, our staple food rice and medicines. A majority of our citizens today live below the poverty line (below US$ 3 per day). The govt of our country like these unfortunate folk is living from one day to the next. It is waiting for bailouts from more..

Feb 23 (TM) Police has finalised all investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks and now it is in the hands of the Judiciary, says Minister Sarath Weerasekera. �Our Govt took action and is taking action. We have indicted 24 main people, including the main brain behind the attacks. What else can we do? It is up to the Judiciary to take action, not the Police,� Minister said. In this backdrop, he said he did not believe more..

Feb 23 (CT) Excerpts of the UN Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet�s latest report on SL have been highlighted in the media. They indicate that the report is not favorable to the govt. This was to be expected. Her 17 page report has found the govt to be deficient in several areas. The most significant is the PTA which became a central issue due to the EU�s warning that it expects the govt to meet its int'l human rights commitments as a condition for continuing with GSP+ privilege. more..

Feb 23 (ST) Borrow, borrow and borrow until the cows come home! This was how my jolly-mood economist friend Samiya (short for Samson) described the country�s parlous financial state. SL is borrowing dollars, borrowing Chinese and Indian currency loans and also selling its gold reserves. On Thursday morning, as we chatted, he was not in a jolly mood. He was angry. �For how long can we go on like this � borrowing, borrowing and borrowing? To settle an outstanding payment, more..

Feb 23 (Island) As reported by the media, over the past one year and more, addressing meetings at various places of lawyers, Judges and public officials and the media, Minister of Justice Ali Sabry, PC has spoken of steps taken by him to modernise the law by reforming and amending outdated laws. During a visit to the new courts complex building at the Beligaha Junction, Galle on Dec 23, 2020, and addressing the media the Minister said, �To expedite justice process we have made a lot of efforts more..

Feb 23 (Island) The western bloc may have thought that its rhetoric, threats and other intimidatory tactics would help browbeat Moscow into coming to terms to the planned enlargement of NATO into Ukraine, and withdrawing its troops, but the Russians have forged ahead, and President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree declaring two Ukrainian regions, Donetsk and Luhansk, independent entities. US, UK, EU and their allies have decried Russia�s military incursion & imposed sanctions; more..

Feb 23 (GV) Perhaps England�s Henry II did not quite say, �Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?� Perhaps he was less explicit, as the sole contemporary chronicler maintains. His meaning nevertheless was clear to the hearers. Four loyal knights, eager to gain favour of their royal master, murdered the offending cleric, Thomas Becket, archbishop of Canterbury. Just 5 days after his landslide electoral victory, more..

Feb 23 (DM) At least 650 minor and 150 major repairs are carried out annually at the Chief Mechanical Factory in Ratmalana, Railways Department said. Repairs were made to locomotives, compartments and wagons used for goods transportation, which have been in use for over 30 years. In addition to these repairs, the old locomotives, power sets and compartments were completely restored, refurbished and put into operation, department said. more..

Feb 23 (FT) National Development Bank PLC, fourth largest listed bank and most awarded corporate, said it posted sound all-round performance for 2021 and sustained growth in several financial KPIs, notwithstanding the multiple challenges that marked the year. Director/CEO Dimantha Seneviratne said that the retrospect of 2021 had many reasons to be grateful for. �We managed one of the largest equity infusions in the history of the bank netting Rs. 9.5 billion and onboarded more..

Feb 23 (FT) Supreme Court has determined that several notable clauses in the Special Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill are inconsistent with the Constitution, a ruling which is likely to kill the Bill. The SC determination was announced to the House by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena last morning. The SC Bench comprised Justices Vijith Malalgoda PC, Murdu Fernando PC and Yasantha Kodagoda PC. more..

Feb 23 (FT) COVID-19 vaccines were administered to 58,202 persons on Monday and 78.38% of the population has received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. As of 20 February, 65.51% of the population had deceived the second vaccine dose. 16,855,359 persons have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 14,091,594 persons have received the second dose as well. The booster dose has been administered to 6,538,759 persons. This includes 44,489 vaccinated on Monday. more..

Feb 23 (FT) Lanwa Sanstha Cement Corporation, a state-of-the-art cement manufacturing facility that is expected to be one of the region's largest, is set to commence operations in early next month. The factory, which spans 63 acres, is located in Hambantota's Mirijjawila Export Processing Zone. A BOI venture, the total capacity of Lanwa Sanstha Cement Corporation Ltd would be 4 million tons with Phase 1 producing 2.8 million tons per annum. One of the facility's strengths is the emphasis on more..

Feb 23 (Island) Former rugby player and now a coach and strength and conditioning professional Bilal Yusuf is concerned about the quantum of training done by both school and club rugby players. It is no wonder that players today are taxed more than their systems can take. The reason, according to Yusuf, could be because these players are following a professional training routine in an amateur system. Gone are the days when hordes of ex-schoolboy players, just out of school, more..

Feb 23 (FT) Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts yesterday launched a unique �One Island, A Thousand Treasures� initiative to let the world rediscover Sri Lanka as a must visit authentic destination. The novel destination promotion campaign in partnership with Sri Lanka Tourism and SriLankan Airlines among others, will unveil the unknown stories behind Sri Lanka and paint a unique picture of culturally relevant stories just waiting to be explored by the world. more..

Feb 23 (CT) In response to the removal of middle-order batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa from the SL men�s T20 squad for the upcoming Indian tour due to alleged fitness issues, Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa told Parliament yesterday that the decision to remove the batter was taken based on recommendations of the Selection Committee and Coaches. Minister made this remark when SJB MP Kumara Welgama queried more..

Feb 23 (ST) An icon of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and ex-captain Mahela Jayawardena moments after being hailed and honoured by his club, SSC, for the ICC Hall of Fame feat urged on the current and next crop cricketers to better and beat the records set by past cricketers. Mahela, only the third Sri Lankan to be inducted to the prestigious ICC Hall of Fame, which coincided with the yesteryear�s ICC WT20, became the third such islander to engrave his name in that elite, exemplary and exclusive club. more..

Feb 23 (ST) Value-added exporters have met with Sri Lankan authorities to advocate a Chinese Renminbi and an Indian rupee swap for raw material imports. Certain industry stalwarts met with Finance Ministry officials to discuss this two weeks ago, officials said. �They promised to look into the Chinese swap,� an industry official told the Business Times. He said the forex crisis is escalating and becoming increasingly challenging to plan ahead in their respective businesses. more..

Feb 23 (TM) Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said that there could be a fuel price hike in SL in the near future, whilst Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila Tweeted about the increase in Brent crude oil prices in the world market yesterday, with prices reaching a seven-year high globally. Dr. Pathirana said that with fuel prices increasing around the world, there could be changes to the fuel price in the country in the near future. more..

Feb 23 (DM) Cabinet of Ministers this week approved a proposal to provide incentives under the Strategic Development Project Act for the proposed US$ 70.4 million luxury urban hotel by SL�s Damro Group. The 652-room hotel, which will be constructed jointly by Damro Group companies� D.R. Home Appliances (Pvt) Ltd., Piyestra Furniture (Pvt) Ltd and D.R. Industries (Pvt) Ltd. will be located in Colombo 3. BoI has given its approval to award relevant concessions more..

Feb 23 (CT) Asia Securities launched DhanaMaga a trilingual financial literacy programme aimed at helping Sri Lankans take control of their financial future. DhanaMaga, online portal and mobile application was officially launched on 21 Feb. The aim of this initiative is to provide answers to all Sri Lankans on their money-related questions, from understanding how to finance small businesses and building personal financial plans, to understanding company financial statements more..

Feb 23 (DN) Commonwealth silver medalist Indika Dissanayake will lead the Sri Lanka weightlifting team for the forthcoming Singapore Weightlifting International Championship which is scheduled to be held from February 25 to 27 in Singapore. The ten-member men�s team and nine-member Women�s team are expected to take part in this tournament which is going to be good exposure for the local weightlifters before the Asian and Commonwealth games, the two major events of this year. more..

Feb 23 (Island) Hiru anchor Chamuditha Samarawickrema says that in spite of a directive issued by the Kesbewa Magistrate to the Witness Protection Division of the police to provide security to him, law enforcement authorities were yet to do so. One-time Director of Prez Maithripala Sirisena�s Media Unit, Samarawickrema yesterday said he hadn�t been provided personal protection regardless of the court directive issued on Feb 18 consequent to Kuvera de Zoysa, PC, moving court more..

Feb 23 (AD) Supreme Court heard that the three ministers who have filed petitions against the Yugadanavi power plant share transfer deal have acted in breach of the collective responsibility of the Cabinet. Making submissions, Attorney General, therefore, requested the court to nullify the petitions, without taking them up for consideration. Several parties including three Cabinet ministers had filed petitions challenging the govt�s decision to more..

Feb 23 (Island) Minister Johnston Fernando told Parliament that the Opposition was bandying about figures as regards the third phase of the Central Expressway construction even through the tender process had not yet been concluded. Responding to a question raised by Galle District SJB MP Gayantha Karunatilake, Minister said: �Opposition members allege that there were frauds of such and such amounts in 3rd phase of Central Expressway. Where did you get these figures? more..

Feb 23 (TM) Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has called on Prez Rajapaksa to exempt tourist zones from power cuts, during the discussion on the power and fuel issue at the Cabinet of Ministers meeting held on Monday. Ranatunga had pointed out that the tourism industry could be hampered due to the power cuts at a time when the tourism industry is on the rise again after the pandemic. He had stated that requests have been made in this regard and that therefore, at least tourist areas should be more..

Feb 23 (CT) Under the Govt-to-Govt (G-G) MoU between Sri Lanka and Myanmar on rice import for the Year 2022 and 2023, it appears that Sri Lanka has purchased rice at a higher price. Sri Lanka signed a rice import MoU with Myanmar at a rate of USD 445 per MT, the Ministry of Trade said yesterday (22) while Myanmar has been selling rice at a lower rate to other countries compared to what they have offered last year more..

Feb 23 (FT) SL�s COVID-19 case count rose to 639,297 following the detection of 1,254 COVID-19 patients yesterday. All patients detected were from the New Year cluster. On Monday, 1,205 persons from the New Year cluster and one SL returnee from overseas tested positive for COVID-19. 5,721 PCR tests and 2,195 rapid antigen tests were conducted on Monday. The country�s total COVID-19 detections include 533,579 persons from the New Year cluster, 82,785 persons from the Peliyagoda cluster, more..