Jan 21 (EN) Sri Lanka has set up 108 special examination centers for the Covid positive children across the country to sit for the grade 5 Scholarship exams on Saturday (22), the Examination Department said. The examination, which was postponed at least by five months, is to be held on Jan 22, from 0930 am to 1215 pm. Commissioner General of Examinations said a total of 340,508 students will be sitting for the exams in 2943 exam halls island wide. more..

Jan 21 (AD) A suspect, who was apprehended in connection with the hand grenade planted inside All Saints� Church in Borella, recorded a statement behind closed doors for nearly one and a half hours at the Colombo Magistrate�s Court. The CCD produced the suspect before Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya earlier today. During the court proceedings, the CCD officers informed the additional magistrate that permissions has been granted to detain the suspect for 90 days more..

Jan 21 (EN) New COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in Sri Lanka, with health authorities detecting over 800 new infections on Thursday (20) for a second consecutive day. With the 827 new cases, total cases in Sri Lanka have gone up to 599,363 official data showed. Around 15,279 patients are currently receiving treatment in hospital or at home. With 12 deaths reported in the last 24 hour period, more..

Jan 22 (GV) Once known as being the best fed, most educated and healthiest people in South Asia, Sri Lankans are facing the bleak prospect of a full blown economic crisis that will dramatically push back hard won social gains of several decades. The World Bank estimates that 500,000 people have fallen below the poverty line, which is an equivalent of five years� worth of progress in fighting poverty. Food and fuel shortages, escalating costs of basic goods, import restrictions, school closures more..

Jan 22 (DM) Many definitely have a serious interest in handing over the govt to the JVP/NPP as it seems only, they can deliver the people from the hell that the Rajapakses, with the help of the UNP and the SLFP, have dumped them in. It is true that the people have run out of choices. So, they have concluded that perhaps the JVP/NPP must be given the chance to walk the talk. I am happy the JVP has taken the hint from the article I had written to the Daily Mirror (A challenge to the SJB and more..

Jan 22 (DM) In order to understand the 1962 Coup d��tat conspiracy phenomenon, it is essential to delve deep into some events that happened between Independence in February 1948 and the envisaged D-day for executing the coup on Jan 27-28th 1962. A brief re-run of history is necessary to comprehend the motives of the coup suspects many of whom belonged to the upper echelons of the Police and Army. more..

Jan 22 (CT) I thank the Chair for giving me this opportunity to take part in this discussion. Much was expected by way of reconciliatory statements from the President vis-a-vis the Tamils. Only advice we got from him was Forget your people! Come and join me to do development work. 2022 years ago a person who died on the cross said certain prophetic words � �Man does not live by bread alone� he said. Prez wants us to leave our kith and kin, leave those who voted for us, leave those who are more..

Jan 22 (DM) Sri Lanka is caught up in crisis after crisis, controversy after controversy and chaotic confusion as to who is doing what and who is not doing what. Unfortunately, we do not have a statesperson who works for the next generation and not for the next election. It is widely accepted that a good family makes a good society but most of our families have been plunged into turmoil mainly because of the virtual breakdown in the education system and the children suffering due to more..

Jan 22 (CT) 2nd Session of the 9th Parliament commenced ceremonially on Tuesday, under the patronage of President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. On the instructions of the Prez, arrangements were made to hold the ceremony in a very simple manner. Thus, there were no gun salutes or car parades. Instead, Prez was received in front of Parliament with a cultural salute with the participation of Police Cultural Division. more..

Jan 22 (CT) CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal speaking to the Media on Thursday said that foreign tourists dining out and paying for their meals in rupees will have to show proof of foreign currency conversion. �He will be carrying such a receipt if he had made such conversions in the airport. He will have to show proof by showing that he made the required conversion when paying in rupees after dining,� CB Governor said. That means a tourist dining out and paying in rupees will have to more..

Jan 22 (Island) Prez Gotabaya did not say anything new in his policy statement presented to Parliament on Tuesday, much less spell out how his govt was planning to hoist the country from the current economic mire. The parliamentary debate thereon did not leave us any the wiser, for the Opposition did not offer any alternatives to the govt�s policies. What President Rajapaksa has said of the youth in his address to Parliament, however, is of interest: �I especially hope that the patriotic youth who more..

Jan 22 (TM) Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), on Wednesday, criticised Prez Rajapaksa�s statement regarding giving more attention to establishing private universities. FSP Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda, pointing out the Prez�s statements about the passing of legislation that allows fully fledged private universities, alleged that the latter was trying to establish private universities using the prevailing economic crisis and the need for foreign investments as excuses. more..

Jan 22 (Island) Total foreign currency reserves of the country were around seven billion dollars at the beginning of 2021 but it decreased to around 1.2 billion dollars towards the year end, even though the Central Bank announced that there was a reserve of three billion dollars. The net foreign assets of the total banking system are said to be a US$ 4.1 billion deficit by 2021 end. Everybody knows the suffering and difficulties the countrymen undergo as a result of the depletion of foreign currency more..

Jan 22 (Island) Prez Rajapaksa did say with pride the govt�s decision to set up 100 new police stations, at his inaugural speech at the opening of the new session of Parliament. There may be cause for presidential pride in having many more police stations, but the recent records of police activity, especially on matters relating to public security, does leave much to be desired of the Police. The reports flowing in about the hand grenade found at more..

Jan 22 (Roar) Recently, I overheard someone ask if they should make a payment in cash, card, or crypto � driving home the point that blockchain and cryptocurrency have become more than just a buzzword today, even in SL. In Oct 2021, the cabinet of ministers approved the establishment of a committee to study the feasibility of blockchain-related initiatives. In December, later that year, local media reported that the Colombo Port City would allow cryptocurrency trading, subject to more..

Jan 22 (ST) SL Esports athletes raised the nation�s flag high at the inaugural Global Esports Games organised by the Global Esports Federation. The Games began with Regional Qualifier Tournaments, followed by the World Finals in Singapore from Dec 17 to 19, 2021. SL Esports sent a national esports athlete squad of 13 players ensuring representation for each title at the games; hosted Dota 2, eFootball 2022 and Street Fighter 5. Competing in the women�s segment were SL�s first National more..

Jan 22 (CI) SL's bowlers ran rampant in the early overs of Zimbabwe's chase reducing the opposition to 20 for 3, then 31 for 5, and eventually 70 all out, decimating their hopes of chasing down 255 and claiming a series victory. Dushmantha Chameera blasted out the first two wickets, before the spinners claimed the limelight - Maheesh Theekshana squeezing one between Sean Williams' bat and pad, Jeffrey Vandersay more..

Jan 22 (FT) SL and Japan will celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations with a series of events to further strengthen cooperation. Preliminary plans for celebrations were revealed at a joint media conference by MinisterG.L. Peiris and Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki at the Sasakawa Centre earlier this week. It was stressed that SL has been maintaining an excellent relationship with Japan in the fields of political, economic, bilateral engagements, technology, investment, more..

Jan 22 (FT) COVID-19 vaccines were administered to 86,885 persons on Thursday and 75.8% of the country�s population has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine to date. 64.56% of the population has received the second dose. As of Wednesday, booster dose had been administered to 33.1% of the population over 20 years. 16,359,250 persons have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 13,879,863 persons have received the second dose of a vaccine. more..

Jan 22 (FT) Soaring food prices are stoking inflation, with the latest data released yesterday affirming the former�s continued upward pressure on cost of living. DCS said headline inflation in December was 14% as against 11.1% in the previous month and said it was mainly due to the higher price levels prevailing in both food and non-food groups. Inflation of the food group increased to 21.5% in Dec from 16.9% in Nov. more..

Jan 22 (FT) COVID-19 case count yesterday crossed the 600,000 mark with the detection of 840 more patients. Latest detections include 834 persons from the New Year cluster and six overseas returnees. This is the third day in a row where COVID-19 detections have exceeded 800. On Thursday, 824 persons from the New Year cluster and three SL overseas returnees tested positive for COVID-19. 8,242 PCR tests and 5,575 rapid antigen tests were conducted on Thursday. more..

Jan 22 (FT) Perceptions among business executives about the economic climate over the next 12 months deteriorated in December, according to the results of the latest LMD-NielsenIQ Business Confidence Index (BCI) survey. Majority (71% � up from 55% in Nov) of respondents continue to have a more pessimistic outlook of the economy, while a mere 5% (compared to 11% in previous month) believe conditions will improve. Furthermore, 24% of those consulted by the pollsters say economic more..

Jan 22 (CT) I recall feeling uneasy when I saw animals behind bars, some in bleak, concrete enclosures, and others in glass cubicles, fortified by electric fences, and moats that have been artistically designed into the landscape for the viewing pleasure of human beings. Animals, nature�s gift, have the right to live and move freely in their own territory, yet the Dehiwala Zoo remains confined; has little or no similarity to natural more..

Jan 22 (ST) Ceylon Tea is now in the Dimbula season and the concerns are grave as the industry fights against a high cost of production and comparatively the prices are marginally higher than last year. The cost of production of Ceylon Tea has increased from Rs.150 -175 with the labour cost accounting for 70 per cent of the total cost, Planters Association Spokesman Dr. Roshan Rajadurai said. He noted that with electricity, fuel and all other input material including internal transport more..

Jan 22 (FT) The Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIB) raised concerns over the worsening cement shortage and urged for swift solutions from the Central Bank. CIB said the construction industry, being one of the largest GDP contributors and employment generators, is paralysed due to the massive shortage of cement in the country. �We require local production of approx 8.8 million tons, and presently, we can�t release this because LCs cannot be opened to import raw materials. more..

Jan 22 (ICC) The hosts went into the contest knowing they needed a win to stand a chance of qualifying for the Super League quarter-finals, with their opponents and Australia ahead of them in Group D. Openers Shaqkere Parris and Matthew Nandu ensured they made a steady start, reaching the end of the fifth over for 20 without loss before Treveen Mathew removed the latter for seven. Parris was then bowled by Dunith Wellalage for 16 before Teddy Bishop and Kevin Wickham combined more..

Jan 22 (DN) Chess Federation of SL (CFSL) is expected to offer more than Rs. 500,000/= and other attractive awards at the Novices Division of the SL National Championships 2022 which is now progress. This tournament has attracted 1400 players from 15 regions making it a good competition. Attractive cash awards for Novices Chess Tourney according to the President of CFSL Luxman Wijesooriya the basic division of the Sri Lanka Chess Nationals, Novices Division of more..

Jan 22 (FT) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday made a sudden inspection visit to the Department of Agrarian Development, which belongs to the Ministry of Agriculture, located at Sri Marcus Fernando Mawatha. The purpose of the Prez�s observation visit is to ascertain whether those objectives were being pursued properly. This is the first time in the decades-long history of the department that more..

Jan 22 (EN) Sri Lanka�s stock market gained marginally on Friday (21) as hopes of better earnings in December quarter helped investors to shrug off the central bank�s monetary policy rate hike on the previous day, brokers said. The central bank on Thursday raised its key policy rates by 50 basis points and the move is expected to increase banks� deposit rates and returns in fixed assets, though it was not strong enough to curb depreciation pressure on the local rupee currency, analysts say. more..

Jan 22 (CT) Govt of SL�s face value money printing debt (FVMP) last Thursday, broke its own record established only on the previous day, Wednesday, by increasing by 1.27% (Rs 26,994.53 m) to a new record high of Rs 2,151,901.28 million (Rs 2.1519 t) due to GoSL�s lack of revenue to meet its monetary commitments. This increase was to prop a liquidity drain of Rs 53,436.53 million during Thursday�s trading equivalent to US$ 264.62 million which was apportioned to pay either GoSL�s maturing more..

Jan 22 (Island) Professionals� National Front (PNF) has questioned the appointment of Renuka Perera as the Chairman of MILCO at the expense of Lasantha Wickremasinghe, a senior member of the outfit as well as an associate of the patriotic civil society outfit Yuthukama organisation. The ruling SLPP accommodated Yuthukama leader Gevindu Cumaratunga on its National List whereas Anupa Pasqual also of the civil society more..

Jan 22 (Island) Sri Lankans would have to experience daily power cuts up to four hours a day, if Sri Lanka could not secure a substantial USD loan by March 2022, Minister of Energy, Udaya Gammanpila said yesterday. Gammanpila said that the country should brace for any eventuality and politicians should lead by making sacrifices. The country was facing a forex crisis and a lot of other sectors would have to suffer if large amounts of fuel had to be imported to generate electricity. more..

Jan 22 (AD) 2021 (2022) Grade 5 Scholarship Examination is scheduled to take place today at 2,943 centres. A total of 340,508 candidates are to face the test this time, Commissioner-General of Examinations L.M.D. Dharmasena said. Special measures have been taken to facilitate novel coronavirus-infected candidates and those who are under quarantine to sit for the exam, he noted. Additional 108 special exam centres have been set up across the island for this purpose. more..

Jan 22 (CT) Various social media platforms and Internet sites have begun to severely criticise the decision to appoint British national Richard Nuttall as the Acting CEO of the SriLankan Airlines. Nuttall had previously served in a similar capacity with the Bahrain Airways 11 years ago, and 24 months later that firm had been forced to be shut down. The international news agencies had also reported the incident. more..

Jan 22 (EN) Tourists visiting SL are encouraged to pay hotels in foreign currency instead of converting money into rupees at the kerb market as the country is facing foreign exchange shortages due to liquidity injections. The central bank said that registered hotels would be mandated to collect payments from tourists only in foreign exchange. �We would ask the foreigners to pay either in credit card or at the time of the check out they would be paying in their currency of a foreign nation,� more..

Jan 22 (DM) Govt will not reject outright financial assistance from the global financial agency, the IMF forever, but for the moment Sri Lanka expects to restructure her debt servicing under a different methodology, Minister Dulles Alahapperuma said. He said the govt maintains a close rapport with the IMF. �SL has received IMF assistance 16 times since 1950. In recent times, we have obtained loans of US$ 1.1 billion in 2016 and US$ 2.5 billion in 2008 during the Mahinda Rajapaksa presidency,� more..

Jan 22 (DM) Port City Colombo, which recently opened its public gallery to visitors, yesterday said that it had been forced to introduce payment methods for those willing to shoot professional pictures and videos on the Port City premises due to a rising number of requests from social media users and companies who wished to make an income from filming on the premises, the Daily Mirror learns. more..

Jan 22 (FT) As I last wrote, the pandemic narrative we have all been hostage to, is in trouble. WHO has now said the manic Biden frenzy to jab healthy children has no basis in evidence. We will do a deeper dive into the Faucian delusions on this front, but suffice it to say for now, that is a staggering rebuke, with no public equivocation. And this came directly from the Chief Scientist of the WHO, Dr. Soumiya Swaminathan, �There is no evidence right now that healthy children or adolescents more..