Nov 19 (FT) In its first year the Gotabaya Rajapaksa Presidency has made avoidable strategic blunders, tracing a trajectory which when extrapolated, indicate that it will wind up a one-term wonder, like the otherwise widely-disparate administrations of the Trump Presidency (2016-2020), Yahapalana (2015-2019), and Samagi Peramuna (1970-1977). The Trump template should not be underestimated. Back in June, GR insider, author of the inaccurately titled Gota’s War (2012) and SL’s new ambassador more..

Nov 19 (CI) Two years after being charged under the ICC anti-corruption code, former Sri Lanka player Nuwan Zoysa has been found guilty of three offences. Zoysa came under the scanner after his stint as bowling coach of Team Sri Lanka in a T10 tournament organised in the UAE in 2017. Zoysa now remains suspended and sanctions will be announced by the ICC soon. Zoysa has been found guilty of breaching more..

Nov 19 (FT) Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) said it welcomed the progressive capital market related proposals presented to Parliament by PM Rajapaksa in the 2021 Budget proposals speech made on Tuesday. In a statement the CSE said long-term sustainable measures had been proposed by the SL Govt to encourage companies to list on the CSE, encourage savings and investments among SL citizens & improve the attractiveness of Real Estate Investment Trust through tax concessions. more..

Nov 19 (AD) MP Rishad Bathiudeen has connected through the Skype technology to testify before the PCoI probing the Easter Sunday terror attacks. The MP is currently under remand custody for allegedly misappropriating public funds to the tune of Rs. 9.5 million during the 2019 Presidential Election. He had previously recorded statements with the PCoI pertaining to the coordinated suicide bombings which shook the country on the 21st of April last year, on several occasions. more..

Nov 19 (AD) Former Secretary to the Prez Lalith Weeratunga and former Director-General of the TRC Anusha Palpita have been acquitted from the Sil Cloth case. The verdict was given when the case was taken up before the Court of Appeal Justices Kumuduni Wickramasinghe and Devika Abeyratne today. Announcing the verdict, Judge Kumuduni Wickramasinghe said that the decision was taken after a detailed analysis of the submissions more..

Nov 19 (Island) COVID-19 had exacerbated inequalities in education because for many low-income students online courses were a poor substitute for in-person learning, Parliament was told. SJB MP Gayantha Karunathilake said that not all students had access to online education that had being introduced by the govt as a solution to disruptions to education caused by the pandemic control measures. “During the times of our govt we tried to give every student a tablet computer, more..

Nov 19 (NR) Geological Survey and Mines Bureau says a team of geologists have been deployed to probe the minor tremor reported in Ambakota, Kandy last morning. Chairman of the Bureau Anura Walpola said the team’s findings are likely to be announced today. Walpola said the minor tremor gives rise to many questions, adding experts have expressed their opinion on the matter and a special team has also been deployed to the scene to conduct an investigation alongside the Peradeniya Uni. more..

Nov 19 (EN) Sri Lanka will pay LKR 500,000 as compensation to the families of each migrant workers who died due to COVID-19 overseas, Minister of Labour Nimal Siripala de Silva told Parliament today. He said that as of 13 Nov 2020, a total of 68 Sri Lankan migrant workers had died due to COVID-19, while of them 24 had appealed for compensation valuing Rs 12 million from the Sri Lanka Insurance through SLFEA. more..

Nov 19 (FT) The demand for Treasury bills at the weekly auction decreased further yesterday, as only an amount of Rs. 7.65 billion was accepted in comparison to its previous week’s total accepted amount of Rs. 9.19 billion and against a total offered amount of Rs.40 billion. The weighted average rates on the 182 day and 364 day maturities were recorded at its stipulated cut off rates of 4.73% and 4.98% respectively. However, weighted average rate of 91 day maturity was registered at 4.61% more..

Nov 19 (FT) Pathfinder Foundation’s Indian Ocean Security Conference was successfully concluded after three days of deliberations. The virtual event focusing on Maritime Security and Maritime Governance in the Indian Ocean saw participation of over 36 countries and an average of 100 participants from around the world. Indian Ocean littoral countries including those members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), its dialogue partners, Govt officials from many countries more..

Nov 19 (AD) The newly appointed Ambassador of China to SL Qi Zhenhong presented his credentials to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House today. During the brief cordial discussion with the Chinese Ambassador following the ceremony, Prez Rajapaksa expressed his satisfaction over the long-standing and lasting cooperation and friendship with mutual benefits between Sri Lanka and China. more..

Nov 19 (CT) Director of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) W.A.C. Weragoda said replanting trees in the Kallaru Forest Reserve adjoining the Wilpattu National Park would cost Rs 200,000 per acre. He said according to calculations, some 2,500 acres had been deforested while illegal constructions had also taken place. Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen will have to bear the cost of replanting. It is said the cost of replanting would amount to Rs 500 million. more..

Nov 19 (CT) Eastern Province Governor, Anuradha Yahampath, suspended the issuance of sand mining permits in the Batticaloa District with immediate effect. Public representatives as well as State officials stated that illegal sand mining taking place in the District caused great damage to the environment. “All illegal sand miners should be taken into custody without considering their social or political status. I will appoint a special committee headed by the District Secretary to issue more..

Nov 19 (CI) Foreign players, franchise staff and tournament organisers continue to arrive in the Sooriyawewa area ahead of the start of the Lanka Premier League, but the tournament has been hit by two further high-profile player withdrawals. Chris Gayle has told the Kandy Tuskers franchise that he will not be traveling to Sri Lanka on account of an injury. Lasith Malinga - SL's most recognisable T20 player - has also pulled out more..

Nov 19 (CT) Trade Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said in Parliament that through the Appropriation Bill 2021, the Govt encourages exports and local manufacturing and that the Bill stands with the hard- working people of the country. Participating in the Second Reading on the Appropriation Bill 2021, Dr. Gunawardena said that the Govt has granted concessions on loan repayments and tax repayments for those who had to endure many difficulties due to more..

Nov 19 (CT) A Writ Petition was filed in the Jaffna High Court seeking an Order preventing the Northern Province Senior DIG and the Provincial Director of Health Services (PDHS) from attempting to ban the Maveerar Commemorations from 25 to 27 Nov, by citing provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act or the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Attorney-at-Law Vishwalingam Manivannan, representing parents who lost more..

Nov 19 (EN) Colombo Mayor Rosie Senanayake is appealing to donors to contribute towards providing dry rations to at least 30,000 families in the commercial capital as her Municipality is running out of resources to provide for the poor. Senanayake issued a plea for the govt to shut down the capital but was turned down by the Army Chief Lt Gen. Shavendra Silva yesterday. To clarify her position Senanayake said that more..

Nov 19 (EN) Sri Lanka is opening a 6.9 billion rupee vegetable wholesale market in Peliyagoda, in the periphery of Colombo which will reduce congestion in the city and provide more space. Construction of the complex began in 2013, when current Prez Rajapaksa was in charge of the UDA, and it has space for 600 trucks. The market will be opened by PM Rajapaksa. It is spread over a 13.5 acre are compared to 2 acres in the former Manning Market complex in Pettah. more..

Nov 19 (AD) Steps have been taken to manufacture surgical masks, which have been in high demand due to the COVID-19 epidemic, within the country. The import of surgical masks has also been halted accordingly. This was revealed at a meeting held at the Health Ministry chaired by State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana. The meeting was held with the participation of face mask producers and importers. Nearly 1.5 million surgical masks are in daily use within the country. more..

Nov 19 (DM) The police have done an invaluable service in the frontlines to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, foregoing their off-days and staying away from their loved ones while on duty. Their dedication to raise public awareness and protect the people must be appreciated. Often when attending to the safety of the people, police officers have no time to take care of themselves or their families. more..

Nov 19 (AD) Specialist Dr. Anil Jasinghe says that his appointment as Secretary to Ministry of Environment was a promotion. Former Director-General of Health Services who pioneered in the battle against COVID-19 first wave mentioned this on Talk with Chathura program. However, referral of Dr. Anil Jasinghe to the Ministry of Environment, despite him and the entire health staff being able to successfully control the first wave of COVID-19 in SL, had stirred controversy with several more..

Nov 19 (NR) 243 individuals have tested positive for the coronavirus thus far today. Number of COVID-19 infections in the country reported thus far has increased to 18,645. All 243 were linked to the Minuwangoda-Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster that, saw the cases reported in the cloister rise to 15,136. Earlier today 316 individuals were discharged increasing coronavirus recoveries to 12,903. 5,673 individuals, including 12 foreign nationals, are currently being treated for the virus at more..

Nov 19 (DM) The govt’s current import restrictions in place are having a negative impact on SL and European businesses, and on Foreign Direct Investment, Delegation of the European Union (EU) said. Issuing a statement together with the Embassies of France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Romania, the EU said that such measures impair SL’s efforts to become a regional hub & negatively impact SL exports more..

Nov 20 (DM) During the past 8 months, fishing has been hit appallingly by the coronavirus. During the first wave of the epidemic, the issues were low prices, low production and incomes due to curfews, lockdowns, etc., while during the second wave, they were the increased risk of spread of the disease, reduced fish consumption, low demand and falling incomes. These incessant multiple shocks have crippled the fisheries sector, torturing especially the small scale fisheries. more..

Nov 20 (CT) Honourable Speaker! I feel elated in being granted this opportunity to speak at this Parliament during the course of its Budget Debate. I thank the Honourable Speaker for this. SL’s budget deficit in 2021 is expected to be 9% of the GDP. Our Govt revenue is expected to reach Rs.1.9 Trillion in 2021 and State expenditure will record a new high in Rs.3.52 Trillion. Budget deficit of Rs. 1.56 Trillion will be financed via 37-40% of foreign finance while the remainder will be financed domestically. more..

Nov 20 (CT) Following the Minuwangoda and Peliyagoda COVID-19 clusters, a large number of patients were being reported from all over the country within a short period of time. At a time when the number of reported infected cases and COVID-19 deaths, keep increasing by the day, it is clear to anyone that the time has come to take more rigorous measures than previously taken to prevent first wave of COVID-19 virus in SL. more..

Nov 20 (CT) Tuesday (17) this newspaper in its lead story reported that the Court of Appeal on Monday had ordered former Minister now Opposition MP Rishad Bathiudeen to bear the cost of reforesting the Northern Sanctuary of the Wilpattu National Park that was cleared for the resettlement of IDPs. Yesterday we reported that Director of the DWC W.A.C. Weragoda said replanting trees in the Kallaru Forest Reserve adjoining the Wilpattu National Park would cost Rs 200,000 per acre. more..

Nov 20 (SO) The new Pfizer vaccine for Coronavirus will probably take time to become commercially available and safe in a country such as ours, and private sector involvement would probably be a necessary concomitant of launching such a new prophylactic here. In the health sector, private sector involvement is frowned upon in a way that it is not despised in other sectors of the economy. That’s to be expected in our country that has a history of free —did anyone say socialized?— medical care. more..

Nov 20 (TM) Uncertainty looms over the construction of the long-delayed Central Expressway once again, as the Govt has decided not to encourage debt-funded projects considering the present financial situation of the country. Prior to calling for new bids, the Ministry of Highways had obtained Cabinet approval to receive technical proposals for the elevated highway from the New Kelani Bridge to Athurugiriya, more..

Nov 20 (ST) Some of my friends raised their eyebrows after reading what appeared in this column in the past few weeks. SL is not a business-friendly country with its lack of economic freedom and not among the innovative nations in the world; neither is Sri Lanka a happy nation in the world. All what I wrote was based on international data reports. I used indices comparing countries which appeared in three such reports – Economic Freedom Index, Global Happiness Index, more..

Nov 20 (CT) Regularly as clockwork the SL Navy intercepts smugglers trying to reach the island – but instead of Kerala cannabis or other drugs, increasingly the boats are loaded with a cooking ingredient. Demand for turmeric, believed by many to have immunity-boosting qualities, has skyrocketed in SL during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last December, about a month before SL saw its first COVID-19 case, Prez Rajapaksa’s new Govt banned the import of a range of spices more..

Nov 20 (FT) The Daily FT-Colombo Uni MBA Alumni Association organised 2021 Budget Forum today will feature the best of the best from the business community to provide a critical view from the top, with Money, State Minister Nivard Cabraal and Treasury Secretary S. R. Attygalle in attendance. The format of the popular annual Budget forum this year will be unique as it will be live telecast on Ada Derana 24 from 9:30 a.m. onwards as well as available live on FT FB page and more..

Nov 20 (FT) Export Development Board (EDB) said it was pleased to see an export-focused budget, which will support strong export growth led by investment, value addition and maximising SL natural resources. “This is a pivotal change in Sri Lanka’s growth strategy, which will be led by the exporters,” the EDB said. Following is the list of export focused proposals of 2021 Budget. Corporate Income Tax: Exports, Tourism, Education, Medicare, Construction & Agro processing: 14% more..

Nov 20 (DN) After going through a barren period this year, Sri Lanka will have a packed international schedule in 2021 with not less than 10 One Day Internationals (ODI) lined-up from June onwards. However, SL’s international programme for 2021 will commence with back-to-back Test matches against England at the Galle Stadium in January. This Test series of course, was earlier, schedule to be played in Mar this yr but was postponed more..

Nov 20 (Island) Attorney General Dappula de Livera has got tough with the police in a bid to jolt them into launching a probe to ascertain what actually led to the emergence of the Minuwangoda garment factory cluster of COVID-19, which triggered the second wave of infections in the country, and who is responsible for endangering the lives of people. The police are doing their darnedest, obviously at the behest of the powers that be, to delay the probe; the govt would have the public believe that more..

Nov 20 (AD) Sri Lanka, Israel and Uruguay were added to England’s safe travel list on Thursday, according to foreign media reports. Travellers from those countries as well as Namibia, Rwanda, Bonaire, St Eustatius & Saba, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands will no longer have to self-isolate on arrival in England from Saturday. No countries have been removed from the safe list this week, British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said on Twitter. more..

Nov 20 (FT) The Board of Investment of SL yesterday signed an agreement with world-leading Chinese tyre manufacturer, Shandong Haohua Tire Co. Ltd., to set up a project to manufacture tyres for the export market. Daily FT reported the impending deal in yesterday’s edition. “This significant investment will boost the rubber-based manufacturing industry of the country, while creating new path ways to export markets,” more..

Nov 20 (Island) It was a time when Sri Lanka had in possession some of Asia’s best sprinters. Sri Lanka was so strong in the men’s 400 metres from mid 90s to early 2000s, when the IAAF conducted its World Athletics Continental Cup in 2002, the Asian continental team fielded two SL sprinters in the 4×400 metres relay team. It was at this meet in Madrid that the Asian Games medallists Sugath Thilakaratne and Rohan Pradeep Kumara achieved their best feat (according to placing) more..

Nov 20 (Island) Cassandra is delighted to hand out some bouquets today. It gladdens the heart to hear of others’ success in these times of dire trouble. She bases her stories this Friday on page 1 of The Sunday Island of Nov 15; one to jubilate over and two being stories which do not compliment the country or those in charge. Scientists find a new frog genus in Andamans, name it after a SL taxonomist, said the sub headline in the Sunday Island, also on page 1 of The Island on Nov 16. more..