Jan 27 (DM) The health authorities urged parents not to send their children to school if they had developed any symptoms such as fever, cold, diarrhoea or vomiting, claiming that there was a significant increase in diseases among children specially Covid-19, viral fevers and dengue fever these days. Paediatrician at the Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital Dr. Channa de Silva said there is no treatment for viral fever and said the best way to keep children at home & allow them to rest. more..

Jan 27 (CT) Despite allegations being made by persons with vested interests that there were not enough hospital beds and oxygen cylinders, the people would be able to get the maximum health service without any shortage, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella reassured. He said the high commitment of doctors, starting from specialists, nurses and health staff had been a great strength in controlling the Covid pandemic. At a special meeting held at the Health Ministry with State Minister more..

Jan 27 (AD) SL Prisons Emergency Action and Tactical Force (SPEAT Force) was introduced on Wednesday (26) to thwart corruption and misconduct in prisons and to control such issues in a more transparent approach. The concept of SPEAT Force was brought to the Department of Prisons, while introducing reforms to the prisons and correctional system and their intelligence units under the directives of Prez Rajapaksa, more..

Jan 27 (TM) Amidst the turbulent circumstances due to the prevailing pandemic, the fisheries sector of Sri Lanka has been able to earn $ 318 million during 2021, which is the highest export value from the sector thus far and over $ 100 million more than the previous year�s record. State Minister Kanchana Wijesekera stated: �With the challenges of the Peliyagoda cluster, domestic Covid-19 lockdowns, lockdowns in overseas markets, freight costs tripling, the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster, and more..

Jan 27 (CT) Although Rs 430 million was allocated by the Yahapalana Govt to develop Meethotamulla garbage dump into an urban park, no development work had taken place during that tenure, Anura Prasanna, Director, Property Development Division, Urban Development Authority (UDA) claimed. �Following this revelation, PM Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister in Charge has instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, Sirinimal Perera, to expedite more..

Jan 27 (AN) Sandhya Eknaligoda shaved her head and asked for divine intervention so that she can have justice for her husband who went missing 12 years ago. She is convinced that Rajapaksa supporters kidnapped her husband, Prageeth, a journalist who was investigating into allegations that the govt had used chemical weapons against Tamil Tigers. Prageeth Eknaligoda went missing in 2010 when Mahinda more..

Jan 27 (IT) Three arrests in Tamil Nadu over fake passports in October 2021 have put central agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on alert. An investigation by TN police revealed the involvement of active LTTE cadres behind the fake passport racket. In Chennai, Tamilnadu police �Q� branch arrested Letchumanan Mary Franciska in October 2021. Another Sri Lankan national was arrested by Tamil Nadu police in Madurai airport while boarding a Sri Lankan more..

Jan 27 (DM) With the country running on a very thin power supply with the shortage of fuel created by the forex crisis, sources at the Ceylon Electricity Board said they will be compelled to issue the power supply times to the general public from March, similar to some African countries, if the crisis is not sorted soon. Presently power plants are running on a very thin line with fuel supplied on a very limited basis. This has led to water being currently stored in reservoirs to generate hydro power, more..

Jan 28 (TM) Sri Lankans have been barely able to spend three months without travel restrictions or without worrying about the possibility of another Covid-19 wave like before. Although there was a certain sense of safety after the third wave was brought under control, now, there are warning signs of the emergence of another wave that we cannot ignore. Covid-19-related statistics during the past few weeks have been alarming, as they continue to show a significant and steady rise more..

Jan 28 (Island) On 28 Jan, 1962, SL awoke to the startling news that a coup d��tat by key police and military officers had been foiled. In retrospect, the coup was a crucial turning point in SL�s contemporary history. There was a new two-year-old family-centred govt viewed by many as inept. Political commentator K.K.S. Perera�s description of January 1962 (Nation 4/11/12) was that �strikes had crippled the economy; it was going downhill, resulting in increasing cost of living and more..

Jan 28 (DM) Seeking compensation for the environmental damage caused by the fire-stricken vessels has become almost unthinkable due to the procedure adopted in seeking compensation for the environmental damage. It is reported that the manner in which the SL officers have prepared the relevant compensation estimates makes it difficult to receive compensation fully or partially. Obtaining the due compensation for environmental damage more..

Jan 28 (DM) Despite the geographical distance, Turkey and SL, resemble each other in several aspects. We have our distinct culture and traditions based on our rich historical heritage. Our diplomatic contacts go back to 1864 when the Ottoman Empire appointed an Honorary Consul to the city of Galle. Today, the memory of our shared history is cherished by naming a street after Sultan Abdulhamid the Second in the city of Colombo. Today, both Turkey and SL play a pivotal role more..

Jan 28 (DM) The Sinhala cinema celebrated 75 years this year marking a long and hard journey in moviemaking. Our minds run back to the first film-Kadawuna Porinduwa- that marked the start of the local cinema industry back in 1947. Now when we look back we have tears of joy because SL put herself on the global cinema map with her productions; even though some might say that some of these films might not have an appreciative audience in the west. more..

Jan 28 (TM) Oil palm is considered to be one of the most competitive vegetable oil crops in terms of productivity. The crop provides five times as much vegetable oil per hectare compared to alternative crops, such as coconut, and sequesters more carbon per hectare than tea and coconut. According to studies conducted by SL scientists, per litre of oil palm requires lesser fertilisers and less water than coconut, dry rubber or tea. more..

Jan 28 (CT) Drought, such as that which SL is currently facing, impacting electricity and water supply and irrigation, has been the island�s bane since opening the economy in 1977, which increased demand. Increased demand was caused by more and more of the masses having money in their pockets and investing in electricity and safe drinking water supply connections to their homes which they didn�t have before, coupled with the thrust given to the island�s nascent more..

Jan 28 (Island) Ven. Athureliye Rathana Thera has said he will not re-enter Parliament after serving the current term. Speaking at a public event, he said he would devote his time and energy to social work without engaging in power politics thereafter, and he would be able to do much more for the people as a social worker. Age, experience, setbacks, internal disputes of his party, Ape Jana Bala Pakshaya (AJBP) and reality seem to have had a sobering effect on the firebrand monk. more..

Jan 28 (CT) Opening question: If AKD becomes the next President, what are your plans? Response: There is an uncertainty as to what we will do if there is our government. It is difficult for some people to visualise it, as we did not rule the country before. This interview will provide a good opportunity to elaborate what we will do? Q1. Like some other leaders have you prepared your dress (costume) to be the President? R: Not at all. I have my preferred dress. What we need is not a change more..

Jan 28 (DM) What is in store for the Sri Lankans in the near future, given the current gloomy economic crisis? It is vividly clear that the Government is struggling without solutions to any of the problems, faced by the country, especially the draining of the foreign reserves. Energy Ministry and the Power Ministry have become coolies or day labourers finding their subsistence then and there. They announce every few days how many days they can supply fuel and electricity, leaving people more..

Jan 28 (ST) SL Army soldiers and former separatist rebels are teaming up to turn former battlefields into agri-fields, breaking new ground in reconciliation. Some of the former areas which witnessed intense battles between the security forces and the LTTE in the northern and eastern areas are now being converted into farmlands under a SL Army project, making former foes into friends. In farmlands in Jaffna, Vavuniya, Thoppigala, more..

Jan 28 (DN) The Asian Junior Athletics Championships scheduled to be held from June 16 to 19 in Korea has been postponed up to 2023 by Asian Athletics Association. The Vice President of Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) G.L.S Perera said Asian Athletic Association already informed this to SLA and it�s President General Dahlan Al Hamad stated in an official letter that keeping safe and healthy during these difficult times is important and also on the request of Korea Association of Athletics more..

Jan 28 (CT) Creating a separate Ministry for the apparel sector, re-negotiating FTAs with neighbouring countries, seeking employment quota for Sri Lankans from friendly countries such as China, special concessions to Sri Lankans employed abroad to attract more remittances, creating an authority to develop the spice export industry based on current FTA, developing Colombo Port transshipment facilities were some of the seventeen recommendations listed by more..

Jan 28 (FT) Joint Apparel Association Forum of SL (JAAF) has called for intensive dialogue and greater stakeholder collaboration in order to resolve the current forex crisis, as well as legislative reform towards a more sustainable medium- and long-term trajectory for Sri Lankan apparel. These views were expressed at the recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association, the apex body representing five associations encompassing more..

Jan 28 (FT) The All Share Price Index lost 180 points or 1.38% and the S&P SL20 dipped by 1.75% or 78 points. This week so far, the ASPI is down 3.6% or 486 points and the S&P SL20�s plunge is sharper at 4.4% or 204 points. The market capitalisation of the Colombo Stock Exchange has lost Rs. 285 billion to close at Rs. 5.73 trillion as opposed to Rs. 6.01 trillion last Friday. For a change, foreigners turned bullish and accounted for Rs. 119 million in net inflow thanks to Rs. 126.5 m more..

Jan 28 (FT) SMB Leasing is set to buy Rs. 425 million worth of assets of Swarnamahal Financial Services (SFSP), enabling the latter to settle outstanding deposits. The move follows the Central Bank, in principle, approving SMB Leasing (SMBL) to transfer Rs. 425.3 million to SFSP to settle outstanding deposits. In lieu of the transfer of funds, SFSP is to transfer the unencumbered title of three properties to SMBL. Thereafter, licence of SFSP to conduct finance business is to be cancelled. more..

Jan 28 (CT) Alumni Association of Tourism Economic and Hospitality Management (Alumni ATEHM) of Uni of Colombo, the pioneering tourism education body of SL and SLAITO Youth - youth wing of SL Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) takes honor in hosting the SL�s premier Tourism Job Fair and Career Expo 2022 on the 12 Feb at the university premises. The event is conceptualised to provide a perfect and timely important industry-academia joined platform more..

Jan 28 (FT) Luminex Ltd., a multifaceted engineering company with an unblemished record for 35 years of operations, announced its plans to be listed on the CSE, subjected to regulatory approvals. Navara Capital Ltd. have been appointed as the Financial Advisors and Managers to the issue. Established in 1986, the company has an annual turnover of Rs. 2.5 billion and aims to scale up and consolidate local operation with plans to extend its footprint to the Middle East in the near future. more..

Jan 28 (ET) Sri Lanka has initiated a country strategy for India with an eye on integrating its fragile economy with the Indian economy with focus on eight sectors to boost fortunes. Gotabaya Rajapaksa-led govt has identified energy, refineries, electricity grid, ports, real estate, tourism and information and communications technology for attracting investments from India, the island nation's envoy to India Milinda Moragoda said. more..

Jan 28 (TOI) SL's upcoming tour of India is likely to see a change in itinerary. The tour which was supposed to start with the two-Test series followed by a three-match T20I series could be played the other way around. "Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has requested BCCI to play the T20I series first instead of the Test matches. The SL team will be playing a T20I series against Australia before coming to India. It will be convenient for them to send a team which will be already in a bubble" BCCI official said. more..

Jan 28 (FT) Daily COVID-19 detections rose to 942 yesterday, bringing the country�s total COVID-19 case count to 607,104. In addition to the patients detected yesterday, 1,581 COVID-19 cases reported between 1 Jan and 20 Jan were added to the total yesterday after verification. 939 persons from the New Year cluster and three overseas arrivals tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday. The previous day, 922 persons from the New Year cluster and five SL overseas returnees tested positive for virus. more..

Jan 28 (TM) Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said that the Cabinet of Ministers had, on Monday (24), given their final approval to the amendments to be made to the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 48 of 1979 (PTA). �The Cabinet has placed their approval for the amendments I have presented. The next step is for the Bill to be gazetted. What the Cabinet approved on 24 Jan night was the Bill itself more..

Jan 28 (CT) Govt of SL�s face value money printing (FVMP) debt yesterday decreased by 0.61% (Rs 1,353 million) to Rs 2,188,904.03 million (Rs 2.1889 trillion), thereby marginally defraying demand-pull inflationary pressure as well. GoSL�s FVMP debt has been over Rs 1 trillion for a record consecutive 128 market days to yesterday. Also, GoSL�s highest to the 102nd highest FVMP debt has been registered in the 102 consecutive market days to yesterday, though not necessarily in a particular order. more..

Jan 28 (FT) The newly appointed members of the BOI Board met with the State Minister D.V. Chanaka yesterday. The new Board comprises Chairman Eng. Raja A. Edirisuriya, Micro Holdings CEO Dr. Lawrence Perera, President�s Counsel Kushan D�Alwis, Tantri Trailers Ltd. MD Athula Haputantri, and Int'l Investment Banker Jayamin Pelpola. The purpose of this meeting was to revive the existing investment promotion strategies at the BOI and to make it more effective to attract FDI to SL. more..

Jan 28 (FT) Over five million persons have received the booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. In total, 5,018,241 persons have received the booster dose, including 30,253 persons vaccinated on Thursday. According to State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana, officials were hoping to complete the COVID-19 immunisation program soon. �Our expectation is to administer the booster dose to the majority of the country within a week starting Saturday and complete vaccination program� more..

Jan 28 (Island) There was a shortage of rapid antigen test (RAT) kits in state hospitals and it was not only affecting the detection of COVID cases but also delaying the essential medical procedures including surgeries, College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) President, Ravi Kumudesh said. Medical Supplies Division at the Ministry of Health had failed to provide adequate amounts of test kits to govt hospitals and the shortage that began in December had reached a critical level more..

Jan 28 (FT) Sri Lanka is negotiating debt relief with international bondholders and is weighing an approach to the IMF, as the country struggles with a foreign reserve crisis that has left it close to default. Basil Rajapaksa, finance minister, told the Financial Times in an interview that the govt was negotiating with everybody and trying all our options to avoid default and alleviate the economic crisis. more..

Jan 28 (TM) Following 6,923 dengue patients being reported so far for the month of January, health professionals yesterday raised concerns about the possibility of the dengue virus becoming epidemic in Sri Lanka this year, thus adding a burden to the healthcare system already encumbered by the Covid-19 pandemic. �The reported dengue cases are considerably increasing and depending on the past data, if this continues, there is a possibility that this will become an epidemic soon. more..