Jan 8 (AD) Veteran actor Robin Fernando has passed away at the age of 84 years. He debuted in �Chandiya� by renowned director Titus Thotawatte in 1965. Fernando has acted in several dozens of movies including Hathara Kendare, Ran Onchilla, Bindunu Hadawath, Sagarika, Sihasuna, Sikuruliya, Nivena Ginna, Bambara Geethaya and Sura Doothiyo. In 1983, Fernando embarked on movie direction through Sura Doothiyo. He also directed the movie Ninja-Sri Lanka. more..

Jan 8 (AD) Prez Rajapaksa paid homage to the historic Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi today and received blessings. President Rajapaksa, who arrived at the sacred site, called on the Chief Incumbent of Atamasthana Ven. Dr. Pallegama Siriniwasa Thera and received his blessings. He has discussed with the Atamasthanadhipati Nayake Thera about the current status of the vehicle park being constructed for the benefit of devotees. The Maha Sangha chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings more..

Jan 8 (Island) Some senior officials of the Ministry of Power are blocking the release of reports revealing those responsible for the blackout in the Kotte area on 2 Dec 2021, senior CEB Engineers allege. They claim that CEB Chairman M.M.C. Ferdinando and CEB General Manager M.R. Ranatunga are attempting to investigate the incident, but certain powerful forces are protecting those behind the blackout. more..

Jan 8 (CT) Out of little over 19,000 doctors serving under the Health Ministry, 11,000 are serving in Colombo, Gampaha and Kandy Districts while only the remaining 8,000 are distributed to the rest of the country. While highlighting this, the Govt Medical Professionals� Association (GMPA) observed that it is time the Health Ministry took action to salvage the appointment and transferring of medical practitioners from the clutches of trade union leaders. GMPA President, Dr. Lakshman Edirisinghe more..

Jan 8 (Island) Attorney General yesterday presented computer-related evidence to the Colombo Permanent High Court Trail-at-Bar, hearing the 2015 Central Bank Bond Scam, against 10 suspects, including former CB Governor Arjuna Mahendran. The list of computer evidence was given to the defence lawyers with the permission of the bench. The case will be taken up again on 04 March, 2022. The case was taken up before Justices Champa Janaki Rajaratne, Damith Thotawatte & more..

Jan 8 (DM) In the wake of cricketer Bhanuka Rajapaksa has announced his intention to retire from international cricket, Sri Lanka Cricket has taken a number of decisions on national players who intend to retire from national cricket. Accordingly, national players who are intending to retire from national cricket, should officially notify the local Cricket governing body three months ahead, elaborating their intention to retire, SLC said. more..

Jan 8 (CI) Danushka Gunathilaka has retired from Test cricket at the age of 30, SLC has made public, confirming that the batter will now be focusing on the shorter formats. The update comes close on the heels of another 30-year-old batter, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, announcing his decision to quit all int'l cricket. Gunathilaka's call to quit the longest format is unsurprising. He hasn't played a Test since 2018, with his eight appearances bringing him 299 runs. He hit two half-centuries, with a best of 61. more..

Jan 8 (AD) The first ship carrying the new organic fertilizer consignment from China is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka by the end of February or the first week of March. According to reports, a total of 8,000 metric tons of fertilizer is slated to reach the island after getting clearance from laboratory tests. Sri Lanka has purchased 96,000 metric tons of fertilizer in total from the relevant Chinese company and these stocks are scheduled to be brought to SL on multiple occasions. more..

Jan 8 (Island) Former Western Province Governor and NUA leader, Azath Salley yesterday complained to the Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) that his fundamental rights had been violated by actions of former Attorney General Dappula de Livera and Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara. In a letter to the Chairperson of HRCSL, Salley said: �I was arrested on the 16th of Mar 2021 and held in both executive more..

Jan 8 (CT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said the recent claim made by the Governor of Central Bank that inflation will not increase even if money is printed, shows that he does not have even a slight idea about the functioning of the economy. �This so-called CBSL Governor is working to push the country in the same direction taken by countries like Argentina, Zimbabwe & Venezuela. Just like those countries, SL too is heading towards destruction due to arbitrary decisions of govt� more..

Jan 8 (Island) The Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery should not be shut down and restarted from time to time, former Senior Deputy General Manager and Acting Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Cyril Suduwella told the media yesterday. He said that such interruptions might damage the operating systems of the oil refinery. The Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery has the capacity to process 50,000 barrels of crude oil per day and the plant should operate continuously for 2 years, more..

Jan 8 (CT) Agreement signed pertaining to the development of the Trincomalee Oil Tank Complex is due to be presented to the Cabinet on Monday (10) and the Parliament on 18 Jan. The Agreement, signed at the Ministry of Finance on Thursday (6), terminates the 2003 lease agreement, and divides the oil tank complex between three institutions for a period of 50 years. Accordingly, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) will own 24 tanks, while the Lanka Indian Oil Corporation more..

Jan 8 (DM) Health Ministry has alerted people about the number of hospitalizations and deaths caused by accidents which steadily increase day by day. Health Ministry Consultant, Non- Communicable Disease Unit, Dr. Samitha Siritunga said around 35,000 people are being hospitalized while around 35 individuals die of accidents daily. "Annually, six to seven million admissions take place in hospitals island-wide, out which 1.3 million admissions are accident victims," he said. more..

Jan 8 (CT) According to the Ministry of Agriculture, SL Standards Institute (SLSI) will adhere to a new set of standards when importing organic fertiliser. �Discussions are on-going and the new SLSI standards will be finalised next week. The new SLSI standards are primarily for the importation of organic fertiliser, which currently lacks a proper standard,� an Ministry official said. However, an SLSI standard exists for organic fertiliser more..

Jan 8 (CT) SL�s capital, Colombo, has entered CNN Travel�s best destinations to travel in 2022 list. Colombo has usually been misunderstood from the beginning. Despite being SL�s biggest city, it isn�t the capital (that would be Sri J'pura Kotte, which is a great fact, to break out at your next pub quiz), and many travellers skip it in favour of the island�s gorgeous beaches and tea plantations. But in 2022 it�s time to pay attention to the city�s underrated design destinations, including more..

Jan 8 (AD) CEB says there will be no disruptions to the power supply across the island today. A spokesperson of the CEB told Ada Derana that there is no need for power cuts anymore as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has agreed to supply heavy fuel oil, making it possible to generate power. Power generation activities at the Sapugaskanda and Kukuleganga power stations were interrupted after the CPC halted supplying heavy fuel oil due to the delays in CEB�s payments. more..

Jan 8 (EN) CB said expat workers are not forced to convert their dollars into rupees, as resident persons earning dollar salaries or payments for doing work from time to time, cried foul over forced conversion of their earnings. Politicians in many countries have given powers to central banks to force citizens to use inflating fiat money and block the use of alternative currencies (through de facto or de jure legal tender laws). more..

Jan 8 (TM) A memorial service was held today to mark the 13th anniversary of the assassination of The Sunday Leader founder Editor-in Chief Lasantha Wickrematunge. The service was held at the slain Editor�s graveside at Borella Kanatte at 9 a.m., with family, friends, former colleagues and others gathering to mark the anniversary and remember Wickrematunge. Assassinated on 8 Jan 2009, Wickrematungewas one of SL�s leading journalists and an outspoken critic of more..

Jan 8 (NF) Five Sri Lankan fishermen have been rescued by merchant ship YM Summit 170 nautical miles east of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, after a Sri Lankan fishing vessel capsized off the coast of the Maldives. The Navy Spokesperson, Captain Indika de Silva said that there were six fishermen on board the vessel, however, one was missing. The Indian Coast Guard stated that the rescue was coordinated by Indian Coast Guard Maritime rescue coordination center (Mumbai) and Chennai. more..

Jan 8 (FT) In 2021, our people faced immense suffering and hardships due to the COVID pandemic. However, I do not wish to revisit the failures of the past nor criticise those responsible for the many blunders made. Instead, I would like to note that the vaccination drive launched by the current Govt to control the pandemic has had a favourable outcome and would like to express my gratitude to those who dedicated their time more..

Jan 8 (FT) Mueen Saheed was recently honoured with the Kala Bhushana State award, as a lifetime achievement commemoration for his services in the arts. Mueen, who holds international recognition for his excellence in jewellery design and painting, has won top prizes in New York, and was the first Asian to win the design prize from the Jewellers of America in 1996 and 2002. His paintings are held in art collections globally, including at the Bordeaux Art Museum in France. more..

Jan 8 (FT) Embassy of SL in Beijing, in collaboration with SriLankan Airlines, met the Chinese travel industry representatives at a town hall meeting recently. The meeting saw the participation of 60 invited guests, including tour operators, major tour agencies and media personnel. SL�s Ambassador to China Dr. Palitha Kohona drew their attention to the unique experiences SL offers. SL�s non-traditional attractions were highlighted, such as indigenous medicine, as well as adventure opportunities more..

Jan 9 (CT) Last October, Colombo Telegraph reported that the Special Presidential Commission (SPC) headed by Justice Priyantha Jayawardena which has been mandated to report on whether civic disability should be imposed on Opposition politicians and officials named in the report of the Presidential Commission on Political Victimisation (PCPV) is being used to create havoc in the Opposition. The PCPV is better known as the Pissu Poosa Commission. more..

Jan 9 (SO) In spite of the economic constraints faced as a result of the current Covid pandemic, the Government last Monday unveiled a Rs.229 Billion (USD billion) relief package aimed at alleviating the Cost of Living (CoL) woes of a broad cross section of the public. Public Servants including teachers, pensioners, Samurdhi recipients, farmers, differently-abled soldiers and several other sections of the society will benefit by this timely gesture. Better still, no new taxes or levies will be more..

Jan 9 (SO) Minister Keheliya Rambukwella outlines the success story of the National Covid-19 vaccination drive as the country approaches its first anniversary this month. Q: This month marks the first anniversary of the Govt�s vaccination drive. SL has received 45.9 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines by Friday and over 85% above 16 years have now been fully vaccinated. Govt has already begun rolling out more..

Jan 9 (CT) The NPP released its initial political Manifesto entitled a Rapid Response to Overcome Current Challenges on Dec 21 last year. Notably it is introduced as an initial document so presumably after accumulating public comment and benefitting from debate and perhaps a consultative seminar (physical or Zoom) a final version will be written up later this year. Therefore this is open-season for debates and dialogue. Sajith-SJB and SLPP, the only other entities with national-level clout, more..

Jan 9 (Island) There is no escaping the reality that the government is back to the wall and very well aware of it. But it is not going to be toppled in the short term as some of its opponents would wish. Not a day passes when already suffering people are not heaped with more burdens. Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa a few days ago announced a relief package costing Rs. 229 billion but did not bother to reveal how he is going to find the money to fund it. There will be no tax increases, more..

Jan 9 (SO) Minister Johnston Fernando said the Opposition�s attempt to topple the Govt would only be a daydream, adding that the Govt is stronger than ever under the visionary and farsighted leadership of Prez Rajapaksa. He said they will not provide any room whatsoever to topple the Govt. He said if the Opposition feels it can shake the Govt by getting some of our MPs, they should remember that there are many in the Opposition to join govt. more..

Jan 9 (ST) Chinese Foreign Minister arrived in SL yesterday on what we are told is his annual New Year call on African and Asian leaders. While he is warmly welcomed, not without significance was the planned, now cancelled, departure of the country�s Finance Minister to neighbouring India for an economic summit aimed at inviting investors, and talks with its leaders. Such is the interplay of geopolitics in this neck of the woods that SL is getting sucked deeper into the mire of more..

Jan 9 (ST) My dear Susil, I thought I should write to you this week after hearing that you had been unceremoniously sacked from your position as State Minister by Gota maama for the crime of making some critical comments about agriculture policy and the price of vegetables at the Delkanda pola last Sunday. You were annoyed and angry at what happened, Susil, but I don�t think you should be surprised. After all, when a foot soldier criticises a Lieutenant Colonel, say, for example, more..

Jan 9 (Island) With the dawn of the Year 2022 I wish you all happiness, good health, and fulfillment of your needs and targets. But I cannot wish you prosperity, because only the rich are enjoying that privilege. The maximum tax on the rich including multi billionaires still remains at 14%. The average maximum in Europe is 40% while that in Scandinavian country is over 50%. Thus it is clear that the burden of the present economic crisis is being placed on all the people including more..

Jan 9 (CT) Shirantha Peries, the incumbent President of National Shooting Sport Federation of SL (NSSF), added another feather to his cap in contributing to sports and its development activities, by being elected as the new Assistant Treasurer of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC). He was elected uncontested after the NOC Election Committee rejected the nomination of Manoj Karunaratne, who was to compete against Peries for the position. more..

Jan 9 (ST) Pop goddess Cher, aka Cherilyn Sarkisian, now in her mid-70s, has condemned the bathing stunt last week at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage live-streamed by Zoological Gardens Director Sharmila Rajapaksa, using captive born elephant twins. The male twins were born to 25-year-old Surangi last September. In a Twitter post, she decries the inhumane activity: �Does this look right, humane to anyone? more..

Jan 9 (Island) Indian cricket had reached new heights last year winning in Australia, sealing the series of all places at the Gabba, where the Aussies had been unbeaten for three decades. Given such an epic performance, you thought this Indian team will complete a series win in South Africa as well. But the Indians were cut to size as the Proteas chased down a tricky target showing guts in plenty with their skipper Dean Elgar putting up a super show at the Wanderers this week. more..

Jan 9 (TM) Even as the powers that be choose to collectively bury their heads in the sand ostrich style, oblivious to the reality staring in their face, it also appears that fellow travellers are expected to follow suit and see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil. The summary dismissal of a State Minister last week served notice on any potential detractors within the ruling cabal that those holding office do so at the pleasure of the Head of State and more importantly, that there is zero tolerance for dissent. more..

Jan 9 (ST) Five uncapped players are in the ODI side for the three-match series against Zimbabwe but selectors for various reasons have dropped as many as 10 players from the side that played SL�s last ODI series against South Africa last year. Kamil Mishara, Kalana Perera, Chamika Gunasekera, Nuwan Thushara and Janith Liyanage are in the 18-man squad named for the series against Zimbabwe, scheduled to start more..