Dec 24 (AD) A suspect has been arrested while in possession of a device made for smoking crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘Ice’ and narcotic drugs. The arrest was made by the officers of Thalangama Police on Wednesday (23) at Bandarawatte area in Thalangama. The police seized 250g of ‘Ice’ and 1g 800mg of heroin worth Rs 1.5 million and cash valued over Rs 200,000 during the raid carried out at the suspect’s home. The suspect was identified as more..

Dec 24 (DM) National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) is now in touch with the relevant stakeholders for the registration of effective vaccines against COVID-19, State Minister Prof. channa Jayasumana said. He held talks with Russian ambassador Yuri Materi regarding Russia’s vaccine Sputnik V as part of cooperation in this regard. Russia offered its fullest cooperation in the supply of this vaccine to Sri Lanka. “We remain open for the registration of vaccines,” he said. more..

Dec 24 (EN) Sri Lanka does not intend to impose an island-wide curfew from Christmas to New Year’s Day, Army Commander Lt Gen Shavendra Silva said. “There is some false news circulating on WhatsApp citing a popular media network saying that quarantine curfew will be imposed island wide from midnight tonight till Jan 2. This is not true,” he said. The army chief accused unnamed parties of irresponsibly attempting more..

Dec 25 (DM) The United National Party (UNP) might be blessed with those having brain capacity, but it certainly lacks luck to prosper. Luck is something associated with other political parties; and past election results vouch for this. We have had sympathy votes producing a winner and an instance when a total boycott of voting in one province made an underdog the victor at past presidential elections. Sadly UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe doesn’t have luck or doesn’t believe in luck. more..

Dec 25 (DM) Tamil nationalistic politics which have been overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic and related politics seems to be gaining momentum with the next session of the UNHRC early next year. Tamil political parties are now contemplating to develop a new joint strategy to hold the government accountable, at the UNHRC session in March, to the human rights violations and war crimes allegedly committed by the armed forces during the war against the LTTE. more..

Dec 25 (CT) Sri Lanka should push harder than ever to transform itself from a decades old regional transshipment hub to a global hub for cargo and logistics at least after being welcomed as the Vice Chair of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) for 2021-2023 last Thursday (17). It’s high time that Sri Lanka moves away from internal and regional politics, blindly following trade restrictions when the maritime trade is showing a major more..

Dec 25 (DM) Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who can be considered one of the most influential persons, who ever lived. The impact of Jesus Christ is so great that his birth has split history and time itself into two. Today’s calendars are marked ‘Before Christ and after Christ’. This year we can say that the world is in no mood to celebrate a birthday, as it is caught up in the throes of a deadly virus that has plunged the entire planet into darkness. more..

Dec 25 (CT) Today, Christians the world over will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ that took place in Bethlehem in Judaea, Israel, 2100 years ago. Christians believe that Jesus is God, who came in the form of man, to save man from his sins, by his death and resurrection, thereby fulfilling his earthly mission. The Jews however thought otherwise. They believed that Jesus would save Israel from the cruel Roman yoke. Israel at that time was a colony of Rome and part of the vast Roman Empire more..

Dec 25 (FT) Shippers’ Academy Colombo CEO Rohan Masakorala gave his insights on the current developments in the ports and shipping sector in SL and around the world. It is understood that many issues are faced by countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequences of disruptions of global supply chains. Q: Is there a problem in the ports and shipping industry currently? Can you elaborate? A: Yes, ports around the world more..

Dec 25 (CT) In 2016 Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) accounted for 83% of all deaths in SL. These comprised cardiovascular disease 34%, cancers 14%, diabetes 9%, chronic respiratory disease 8% and other NCDs 18%. The communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions collectively accounted for 8% while 10% of deaths were due to injuries. From these statistics one can see that NCDs generally contribute to much higher morbidity & mortality than infections more..

Dec 25 (DN) The festive season has already started and it will continue until early January. This time we all have a brand new special uninvited guest for all our celebrations. It is COVID-19. This new guest is fatal and will not go away for another two or more years. Therefore we have to live with this guest no matter whether we like it or not. But it is not about this uninvited guest. It is about ourselves. By now we exactly know what COVID-19 is, how it spreads from one person to another, more..

Dec 25 (Island) The worst pandemic ever to hold humanity to ransom since the Spanish Flu of 1918/19 that killed over 50 million people world-wide, has by now come to stay as a devastating health hazard of stunning magnitude and an eerie threat to life on a global scale. The ever-mounting statistics tell us the depressing story of millions of victims who either by now had contracted this deadly virus or hundreds of thousands who have succumbed to it and the challenges that more..

Dec 25 (Island) We are inundated with Christmas message year in, year out, and most of them are mere prosaic statements full of what is already known to one and all, and hardly leave us enlightened or inspired. The same is true of the surfeit of messages issued on other religious occasions as well. But there has been what we consider an unofficial yet telling Christmas message which is worthy of public attention. It came from His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, more..

Dec 25 (CT) The number of dengue patients reported so far this year has dropped significantly compared to the last year. 30,337 dengue patients, which is the lowest number of patients since 2015, have been reported so far this year while 105,049 dengue patients had been reported islandwide last year. Highest number of patients this year has been reported from the Colombo District and is 4,208. Last year, 20,718 patients were reported more..

Dec 25 (Island) PM Mahinda Rajapaksa has recently said that the Provincial Council (PC) elections will be held when the ground situation is conducive. Minister Sarath Weerasekara insists on scrapping the PCs. Ambassador Nalin de Silva has opined that in the absence of elected PCs, the 13th Amendment (13A) stands abolished. There are three competing standpoints: (a) Legally, PM believes the 13A is intact; (b) Conceptually, Minister Weerasekara believes 13A is live, but must be killed; more..

Dec 25 (CI) Stereotypical as it may be, the question had to come up. Is South Africa's plan against Sri Lanka to attempt to bounce them out based on the (these days outdated) assumption that batsmen from the subcontinent are afraid of the short ball? Yes, and no, according to Anrich Nortje. "If there is someone that's not comfortable against the short ball, he is definitely going to get the short ball. If there is someone that's comfortable with it, he is not going to get it too much." more..

Dec 25 (CI) Rare is the SL captain that arrives on foreign soil with greater trust in his seam-bowling stocks than his batsmen. But two days out from the Boxing Day Test, that is the situation Dimuth Karunaratne felt he was in. For the first time in several years, SL have an almost-complete set of quicks to choose from. There's not a lot of experience there, but there is variety. Lahiru Kumara perhaps has the greatest potential more..

Dec 25 (DN) Sri Lanka will look to repeat their heroics of 2019 season when they begin a two-Test series against South Africa on December 26 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. The series will also be part of the ICC World Test Championship, which is currently headed by Australia. However, for the Lankans this series will provide another opportunity to improve on their overseas track record in the longest format of the game. The last time they toured the Rainbow Nation more..

Dec 25 (DN) A Decade-long Partnership with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) as the Largest Investor Supporting the Passion of the Nation Committed to empowering the homegrown talent of sportsmen and sportswomen at national and international level, Dialog Axiata PLC, SL’s premier connectivity provider, will continue its, long-standing partnership with SLC till 2023 as the Official National Team Sponsor of Sri Lanka Cricket. Dialog will help enable the growth of both men’s and women’s more..

Dec 25 (Island) When the track and field sport resumes action this weekend after more than a year on the sidelines due to the Covid 19 pandemic, not only the top national athletes who are going to benefit. While the elite senior athletes compete to achieve qualifying standards for the Olympics and other international events, a host of school athletes vying against their senior counterparts will strive to weigh in their more..

Dec 25 (Island) Lifebuoy, through yet another far reaching initiative to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, pledged its support to all teachers engaged island wide in A/L exam paper marking, by donating much needed hygiene protection. Sufficient stocks of Lifebuoy hand sanitizer were presented to Minister Prof G.L. Peiris at the Ministry of Education premises for this. Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of Education said, “We are thankful to Unilever SL for supporting us more..

Dec 25 (DM) The govt wants houses designed with grocery stores built into them to promote women entrepreneurship at village level. To this end, the govt intends to advise the National Housing Development Authority to design houses with a room to accommodate a grocery store as part of the household. “Select a woman in every village and work towards building women entrepreneurship facilitating a grocery store inside their houses,” said Basil Rajapaksa, Chairman of PTF more..

Dec 25 (TM) The fall armyworm infestations are now being reported from the Uva, Eastern, Southern, North Central, and North Western Provinces, with crop damages of over 5,000 acres of maize being reported, it is learnt. The extent of maize grown during the Maha season extends over 19,066 hectares (47,665 acres), out of which the districts that cultivated the highest amounts of maize are recorded from Ampara with 4,853 more..

Dec 25 (FT) Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman Suresh de Mel yesterday said the country has achieved 88.5% of the revised target of merchandised and services exports within the first 11 months of this year. He said during the period of January to November, earnings from exports recorded $ 11.84 billion including the estimated services data for July to November. This is 88.47% achievement from the revised export target of $ 13.39 billion set for 2020. more..

Dec 25 (EJ) Govt of Japan has provided a total sum of US$ 636,262 (approx. Rs. 115 million) to the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) for humanitarian demining activities in Northern SL. Grant contract was signed on the 23rd Dec at the Ambassador’s Residence in Colombo, between Mr. Sugiyama Akira, Ambassador of Japan and Ms. Emilie Mbaye, Interim Country Director of MAG. The project will contribute to the efforts of Govt of SL in ensuring that mine-contaminated areas are safe, more..

Dec 25 (FT) Govt has allocated a total of Rs. 517 million to develop five botanical gardens in the country within next year. The five botanical gardens that will be developed next year include Peradeniya, Gampaha, Hukgala, Seethawaka and Mirijjawila. The Royal Botanic Gardens Peradeniya (1821), Hakgala Botanic Gardens (1861) and Henarathgoda Botanic Gardens, Gampaha (1876) were established by the British while more..

Dec 25 (FT) Pelwatte Dairy Industries – the national leader in dairy and dairy products – stands in support of SL farmers with regard to the ongoing Maha Oya land issue that has reportedly put the dairy farming community at stake. The company looks forward to having a sustainable strategy in place with the partnership and commitment of all stakeholders involved, thereby nurturing families, safeguarding cattle, and building the economy. Pelwatte Dairy Industries, as a company of more..

Dec 25 (CT) Colombo stock market celebrated Christmas in advance soaring to a 41-month high amidst healthy turnover and play on select blue chips. The All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed at 6,685.64 up 56.62 points (+0.85%) while the more liquid S&P SL20 index closed at 2,599.67 up 24.94 points (+0.97%). Turnover was Rs. 2.7 billion. The ASPI gained 68.69 points (+1.04%) during the week while the S&P SL20 gained 26.72 points (+1.04%). Turnover averaged Rs. 3.47 billion, more..

Dec 25 (Island) A group of medical specialists has requested Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle to apprise the WHO of SL’s readiness to use an anti-Covid-19 vaccine approved by it. The discussion took place close on the heels of Dr Razia Pendse, WHO Representative in Sri Lanka meeting Dr. Fernandopulle. The ministry spokesperson said that they discussed how to provide the vaccine once a decision was made in that regard. more..

Dec 25 (DN) Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, in his Christmas message, appealed to all Catholics to celebrate Christmas while giving prominence to spirituality, and also by committing themselves to help those who are suffering. “Uncertainty & fear are the feelings that characterise these days leading to Christmas amidst the pandemic. As the year comes to an end, it has been marked by suffering for many; it is no doubt a very particular Christmas because of pandemic. more..

Dec 25 (DM) The real Christmas is helping each other at the time when the whole world is affected by new poverty brought on by the COVID 19 pandemic, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said in his Christmas message. His message is as follows: The world is affected by new poverty brought on by the pandemic. Let us help one another at this troubled times as that is the real way to celebrate Christmas. Jesus taught people to respect each other and be mature. more..

Dec 25 (FT) The detection of 592 COVID-19 patients yesterday brought the country’s total number of COVID-19 patients to 39,235. 570 associates of the Peliyagoda cluster, four overseas arrivals, and 18 persons linked to the Prisons cluster tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday. The triple clusters that emerged from Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons have thus increased to 35,548 patients. Total count also includes 1,644 returnees, more..

Dec 25 (DN) The birth of Christ represents peace, forgiveness, mercy, and above all, hope, PM Mahinda Rajapaksa said in his Christmas message, yesterday. His message is as follows: “May this year’s Christmas be our promise of hope renewed. It is a time to spread joy and goodwill, while appreciating our blessings in the presence of our loved ones. “As we commemorate this joyous occasion, I want to say thank you to all those in service; doctors, nurses, volunteers, military, more..

Dec 25 (PMD) Christmas is a noble religious event in the Christian calendar, associated with the birth of Lord Jesus Christ, which inspires the devotion of millions of Christians in God around the world and second only to the Easter. It exemplifies the noble values that make up the foundation of civilized human society such as peace, love, kindness, coexistence and compassion that Lord Jesus Christ preached and demonstrated by practice. From a social perspective, Christmas is also a joyous more..

Dec 25 (Island) The SJB alleged that the govt had issued four liquor manufacturing licences to its cronies who would further worsen the prevailing maize shortage by using those grains for the production of beer and spirit. SJB MP Thushara Indunil said that there was a shortage of maize in the country. “While there is a severe shortage of maize, the govt has surreptitiously issued four licences – two for spirit production, more..

Dec 25 (FT) The Public Health Inspectors’ Union called for travel restrictions between districts during the festive season, warning of an increased spread of COVID-19 with the dawn of the New Year. Voicing concerns about undetected patients living in society, PHI Union President Upul Rohana said a large number of patients are detected in the Colombo Municipal Council area and the Colombo District as a whole, as well as the Gampaha and Kalutara Districts. “If movement is not restricted in more..

Dec 25 (DN) Govt should take immediate action to either bury or cremate COVID-19 infected corpses, instead of keeping them in freezers over a long period, UNP Leader and former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe stated yesterday. He emphasized that the cremation or burial of people who died due to COVID-19 should not be made a political issue but should be done in accordance with the opinion of health experts. Wickremesinghe made this observation when he met health officials more..

Dec 25 (TM) Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Airport and Aviation Services SL Ltd. (AASL) are all set to reopen both the international airports tomorrow (26) after receiving the necessary clearances from the health authorities, it is learnt. The past week saw several discussions taking place between stakeholders where they sought advice from the Ministry of Health to reopen the facilities to receive passengers in addition to more..

Dec 25 (FT) The Parliament can be considered as the first respondent responsible for the collapse of the political and social system of Sri Lanka. I would like to begin this article with a prediction made on Sri Lanka, by Professor Johan Galtung who is considered to be a distinguished scholar of international repute, during a discussion I had with him. Galtung is a Norwegian professor and the principal founder of the discipline of peace and conflict studies. more..