Aug 26 (DM) The question posed by Ranga Jayasuriya in his column dated Aug 11, titled Opposition in the Oblivion: How and why it happened warrants more rational scrutiny. This is necessary especially in the immediate aftermath of the recent Parliamentary election, when everyone is alive to what happened. It is my humble position that the post-election climate records the rise of SJB, which is six months old; becoming a viable alternative to the Rajapaksa regime, more..

Aug 26 (Island) The clinical development and release of an effective vaccine against any disease is essentially mandated to go through several rigorously controlled testing processes. A vaccine candidate is first identified through pre-clinical evaluations that could involve high quality screening and selecting the proper biological antigen to invoke a defensive immune response. The pre-clinical stages are also necessary to determine approximate dose ranges and proper drug formulations more..

Aug 26 (CT) Lahiru Udara (NCC) was the first batsman to pass the 1,000-run milestone this season in the SLC Major Tier ‘A’ Tournament conducted by SLC, when he scored 66 against Colts CC yesterday. The 27-year-old has scored 1,039 runs in 9 matches (14 innings - Ave. 86.58) with three centuries and six half centuries so far. His best knock was an unbeaten 290 runs against Ragama CC, and scored centuries against CCC and Colts CC. more..

Aug 26 (Island) On 17th August 2020, at 12.35 pm, Sri Lanka experienced the fifth countrywide blackout in recent memory. Probably, it was around 10.30 pm that night when all customers were reconnected to the grid. In my article ,”The Anatomy of a Blackout” in The Island on Wednesday, 19th August 2020, I explained how a grid operates in dynamic equilibrium and what protection mechanisms are there to save the grid from a total collapse. Why those systems failed to arrest a grid failure, more..

Aug 26 (Island) A car pulls up at the entrance to Parliament. There is no guard of honour or gun salute, and the only sound comes from a cool breeze across the Diyawanna Oya, making the SL flag and Prez’s flag on the vehicle flutter. Out steps that simple man in whom Sri Lankans have reaffirmed their trust. From the other side alights his wife, who reminds us of the late First Lady Elena Jayewardene. Prez Rajapaksa delivers his message in a calm and collected manner. more..

Aug 26 (Roar) As SL continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic that has overshadowed 2020, the recurring threat of dengue is still very prevalent. This mosquito-borne disease, which was first detected in SL in the 1960s, continues to be a major public health issue—with high morbidity, high mortality and no approved vaccination in the country, it has and continues to be difficult to eradicate. In May this year, health officials warned of more..

Aug 26 (DN) Four top clubs namely Java Lane Sports Club, New Star Sports Club, Colombo Football Club, Red Stars Sports Club put up a belligerent performance, before qualifying for the grand semifinals of the Vantage FFSL President’s Cup tournament this Thursday at Sugathadasa Stadium. Java Lane one of the veteran soccer playing clubs from Colombo, put up a splendid performance, before they qualified for this stage of the tournament. more..

Aug 26 (Island) Introduced to the education structure with the objective of nurturing future sportsmen and women of SL, the two dozen Sports Schools doting the island from north to south have lasted three decades without going through a proper scrutiny. Names of majority of Sports Schools are not even heard of when the All Island Schools Games are held annually. While semi government, private and international schools have gone on to dominate school sports, some half a dozen Sports more..

Aug 26 (TM) The long-delayed yet desperately needed second terminal (Terminal II) at BIA has run into a new obstacle that is expected to delay the construction of the project by further two months, according to the Airport and Aviation Services (SL) Ltd. (AASL). After years of delays driven by tender-related issues, the project was finally set to launch at the end of this month and was expected to be completed by Aug 2023 as more..

Aug 26 (DN) Unseeded Ramith Herath continued his giant killing performances while creating another major upset on the fifth day of the SLTA Clay Court Tennis Nationals 2020, which continued at the SLTA Courts in Green Path, Colombo yesterday. The 15-year-old schoolboy from Royal College powered his way into the quarter-finals of the Men’s Singles event with a hard fought 6-4, 4-6, 11-9 three-set win over the sixth seed Sean Sanderson. Earlier, Herath had toppled the 11th seed Suneth Fernando more..

Aug 26 (CT) Tharanga Paranavithana (38) announced his retirement from cricket after he led Tamil Union for the final time against Negombo CC in their SLC Major league (Plate C'ship) encounter yesterday. Left-handed batsman who represented SL in 32 Test matches, scored 1,792 runs which saw two centuries and 11 fifties. Paranavithana scored almost 15,000 first class runs (14,940) where he could only score 9 and 18 in his final match and failed to complete 15,000 first class runs. more..

Aug 26 (FT) Land value in the Colombo district has become part of the COVID-19 casualty list, with the annual growth rate declining from 13.6% in the first half of 2019 to 7.1% for the same period in 2020, for residential, commercial and industrial property category value indicators. Land Valuation Indicator (LVI) measured by the CB showed that there was a growth of 12.8% for residential land in the first half of 2019, more..

Aug 26 (Island) The recent election results reveal interesting changes in Tamil politics in Sri Lanka. The predominant representative of the Tamil people, the TNA, which contest elections under its largest constituent party, the Illankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), saw its share of the national vote decline, from 4.6%, in 2015 to 2.8% in 2020. Its parliamentary representation correspondingly declined from 16 MPs in 2015 to 10 MPs in the 9th Parliament of Sri Lanka. more..

Aug 26 (CT) The private sector arm of the World Bank group, the International Financial Cooperation (IFC), has become the largest shareholder in Sri Lanka’s largest taxi hailing app PickMe, owned by Digital Mobility Solutions (Pvt) Ltd. Pick Me Chairman, Ajit Gunewardene, said they have raised Rs 475 million during its recently concluded ‘Series B’ capital infusion programme mainly backed by IFC. “There is no controlling shareholder for PickMe at the moment, however more..

Aug 26 (SO) SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem called for the revision of SJB constitution which he said was drafted hurriedly before the parliamentary election on Aug 5. He said that this has already been taken up with SJB leadership. “Constitution of the coalition must be fine-tuned to address the multiplicity of policies and programs of all parties that there might be a unified vision for the country, taking into consideration the views of more..

Aug 26 (TM) SL’s foreign direct investments (FDIs) planned for the second quarter of 2020 have been shifted to the third and fourth quarters, according to Board of Investment (BOI), due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. “The constructions for FDIs like factories and other construction-related projects have been delayed, but that does not mean the FDIs themselves go away. They were just shifted and will come during either quarter three or four,” BOI Director General Sanjaya Mohottala said, more..

Aug 26 (Island) Litro Gas Lanka Ltd (LGLL) entered into a strategic business alliance with the Dept of Co-operative Development SL to expand Litro Gas Points of Sale at selected Co-op outlets. The partnership was forged under the leadership of LGLL’s CEO Anil Koswatte who believes that LPG should no longer be a luxury item in SL. “This is a mutually beneficial venture. Litro gets to leverage on Co-ops’ network of outlets while empowering them in marketing and technology as well, more..

Aug 26 (Island) UK based Global Tamil Forum (GTF) is ready to extend cooperation to AITC and TMTK led by Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam and C.V. Wigneswaran, respectively. AITC won two seats, including one National List whereas the TMTK secured one. GTF spokesperson Suren Surendiran said that the grouping would continue to work with TNA as in the past but would very much like to extend cooperation to new parties more..

Aug 26 (Island) A pygmy seahorse about the size of a grain of rice has been first observed in the Indian oceans by a group of researchers including including Research Associate of Zoology and Entomology at Rhodes University, Professor Louw Claassens, Rhodes University said on its official web site. Finding the new species in in the Indian ocean was very rare, the researchers stated. “It’s like finding a kangaroo in Norway,” says Richard Smith, a marine biologist based in the UK and more..

Aug 26 (FT) Property Development Plc (PDL) is to divest 100% shareholding in Koladeniya Hydropower Ltd. A decision to this effect was made by PDL Board of Directors recently. PDL is the subsidiary of Bank of Ceylon. The Board authorized PDL Chairman or CEO to take all necessary steps whatsoever to facilitate the transfer of shares held by PDL in Koladeniya Hydropower Ltd., and to call for bids in this respect. Price at which PDL will sell the shares will be determined at a later date more..

Aug 26 (FT) SriLankan Airlines yesterday announced a special repatriation flight from Dammam in Saudi Arabia at the cost of over Rs. 220,000 per person amidst charges by Lankans stranded in the Middle East that the exorbitant price for the one-way tickets was unaffordable to many. The flight from Dammam is being arranged in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah more..

Aug 26 (USE) On June 15, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) handed over a U.S.-funded COVID-19 test kit to the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. The test kit carries supplies to conduct 2,000 tests. Valued at an estimated $118,000, the kit contains a RT-PCR machine, the most reliable and efficient technology utilized for COVID-19 testing to date, and accessories such as re-agents, PPE, and other essential safety tools. VC of the Uni of Colombo and Dean of Faculty of more..

Aug 26 (DM) Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of SL (TRCSL) yesterday said it is initiating preliminary measures to implement number portability in SL. “TRC initiates preliminary steps on implementing number portability, which would enable consumers to select service providers without change of the existing mobile numbers,” TRCSL said. Mobile number portability is a network function that allows mobile subscribers to switch service providers while retaining mobile number. more..

Aug 26 (CT) UNP Leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe and Legal Secretary of the UNP have informed the Party Working Committee (WC), which met yesterday, at Sirikotha that since Karu Jayasuriya was not a member of the UNPWC, he cannot be appointed as the leader. WC also discussed summons issued on Wickremesinghe to appear before the PCoI. Meanwhile, it has been decided that the WC will meet next month more..

Aug 26 (SO) Sri Lanka has felt the impact of invasive alien animals and plants affecting agriculture over several decades. The introduction of water hyacinth (1905), Salvinia (1939) and Parthenium (1999) are some invasive alien plants that have affected our water bodies and land. Steps are being taken to overcome the threat from these species by even using biological control methods, said Senior Professor, Weed Science, Dept of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Uni of more..

Aug 26 (DN) Prez Rajapaksa has instructed the UGC to increase the intake of students admitted to the university system by 12,000, Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said. “At present, only 31,000 students are admitted to universities and with the Prez’s proposal this number will be increased to 43,000 per year,” he said. Minister was speaking to the media after receiving blessings from Chief Incumbent of Gaetambe Sri Rajopavanramadhipati Kaeppetiyagoda in Kandy. more..

Aug 26 (AD) Contrasting accounts continue to be expressed regarding the alleged abduction of the former General Secretary of OPPP Ven Wedinigama Wimalatissa Thera. Ven Athuraliye Rathana Thera is meanwhile accused of carrying out the abduction. The Coordinating Secretary of Wimalatissa Thera, Ven Hunupitiye Chandrasiri Thera claims that according to the information they have received, Rathana Thera is responsible more..

Aug 26 (FT) Prez Rajapaksa reiterated once again the need for SL to be a prosperous society and a virtuous society. In a wide ranging policy speech to the new Parliament, he outlined his and his govt’s vision for the post-COVID world. While his message was one of hope and opportunity, he did not elaborate on the perilous state of Sri Lanka’s own economy and that of the world. Perhaps he should have been more forthright in placing the very tough times ahead for Sri Lankans in context. more..

Aug 26 (FT) Prez Rajapaksa reiterated once again the need for SL to be a prosperous society and a virtuous society. In a wide ranging policy speech to the new Parliament, he outlined his and his govt’s vision for the post-COVID world. While his message was one of hope and opportunity, he did not elaborate on the perilous state of Sri Lanka’s own economy and that of the world. Perhaps he should have been more forthright in placing the very tough times ahead for Sri Lankans in context. more..

Aug 26 (AD) Better connectivity that results in better trade relations could mutually benefit Sri Lanka and Afghanistan was the main focus of the discussion when Ambassador of Afghanistan to Sri Lanka Ashraf Haidari called on PM Mahinda Rajapaksa this morning at Temple Trees. The two govts are currently working on the possibility of establishing a direct air link between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, which will enable the two countries to explore trade and cooperation in a number of areas. more..

Aug 26 (Island) Former Director of State Intelligence Service (SIS) SDIG Nilantha Jayawardena, in his report to the weekly intelligence review meeting on April 9, 2019, said that country’s security remained stable, although he had received foreign intelligence of a possible terrorist attack, at PCoI investigating the Easter Sunday attacks was informed. Shanaka Ranasinghe PC, who appeared for former Chief of National Intelligence Sisira Mendis, questioned accuracy of Jayawardena’s report. more..

Aug 26 (FT) Today (26) is the 93rd birth anniversary of well-known Sri Lankan Tamil political leader Appapillai Amirthalingam, known affectionately as Amir and Amuthar. Amirthalingam served as a Parliamentarian for 20 years in an illustrious political career spanning four decades. He was a stalwart of the ITAK known as the Federal Party and also the TULF. He was the ITAK MP for Vaddukkoddai from 1956 to 1970 and more..

Aug 26 (Island) Minister Douglas Devananda has flayed Jaffna District lawmaker C.V. Wigneswaran for taking a hostile stand at the inauguration of the 9th parliament and during the debate on Prez Rajapaksa’s policy statement on Aug 20 and 21, respectively. EPDP leader said the Tamil community wouldn’t benefit from such attacks on the govt. Retired Supreme Court judge and leader of the TMTK Wigneswaran alleged that the Prez proposed a govt of Sinhala Buddhists by more..

Aug 26 (PMD) Parliamentarian Susil Premajayantha has been appointed as the State Minister for Education Reforms, Open Universities and Distance Learning Promotion. He took oaths before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today (26). Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Secretary to President P.B. Jayasundera were also present at this occasion, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said. more..

Aug 26 (Island) Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris says the new govt cannot move forward due to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. Prof. Peiris, who is also the Chairman of the SLPP, said that their priority would be to do away with controversial sections in the 19A causing hindrance to the new administration. The minister said so addressing the media. The crisis caused by the 19th Amendment was such that the govt couldn’t more..

Aug 26 (EN) The special police unit of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has arrested a 22- year-old who had fled after allegedly impregnating a 15-year-old girl in Chilaw. According to a media release issued by the police, the suspect had started a relationship with the girl in June last year after a chance encounter on a bus to Kandy. The girl had been on her way to her uncle’s residence in Kandy following an argument with her parents, police said. A month later, the suspect more..

Aug 26 (AD) The Parliament is set to convene tomorrow and the day after (28) from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm without suspending the session for lunch. A Vote on Account, for the govt expenses from Sept 1 until the relevant budget for the next year is passed, will accordingly be presented to the House when its Members meet tomorrow. It will be taken up for debate until 6.30 pm on Friday (26). The party leaders previously came to an agreement to have the MPs informed about the Vote more..

Aug 26 (AD) Acting British High Commissioner Lisa Whanstall has discussed a range of areas on which Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom could collaborate when she called on PM Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees this morning. Conveying congratulatory wishes from the UK on the recent election victory, Acting High Commissioner Whanstall said SLPP has a very strong mandate and inquired about the govt’s priorities, more..

Aug 26 (DM) Although the outstanding private credit showed a slight contraction, the disbursements of new loans starting from July showed a rapid acceleration, reaching beyond the pre-pandemic levels pointing to expansion in the economy. According to the latest CB data published on gross loan disbursements by the banking sector from January 2018 to end-July 2020 showed a surge in loan disbursements from around July as banks ramped up lending under both more..