Mar 18 (DM) The resolution on Sri Lanka will be taken up at the UNHRC next Monday with a vote expected the same day or the following day. Tuesday was the deadline for the incorporation of any amendment to the resolution to be moved by the core group of countries led by the United Kingdom. The other countries in the core group are Canada, Germany, Malawi, Macedonia and Montenegro. Besides, there are around 40 countries that have signed the resolution as co-sponsors or more..

Mar 18 (Island) The party leaders at a meeting yesterday decided to continue with the debate on the Presidential Commission of Inquiry report on the Easter Sunday carnage, for two more days (25 and 26 March). The two days of the next sitting week have been allocated for the debate, which commenced on March 10. The Party Leaders, who met with Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena presiding, yesterday morning decided to convene Parliament for four days in the next week more..

Mar 18 (EN) The SLFP has yet to reach a decision on whether to contest the upcoming provincial council elections as part of the ruling SLPP-led alliance or to go it alone, SLFP Senior Vice-President Prof Rohana Lakshman said. Laksman said that the party rank and file have raised concerns about broken promises within the alliance. “Our urban council members at the grassroots level weren’t given money to do their council work. more..

Mar 18 (AD) Police are conducting further investigations to apprehend the suspects who had stolen a box of gold jewellery from a jewellery store in Eheliyagoda. An individual had reportedly entered the store under the guise of purchasing jewellery and had suddenly run off with a display box of gold jewellery. The thief had then fled with another suspect on a motorcycle, who had been waiting for him outside, along with the stolen jewellery, estimated to be worth around Rs 2.5 m total. more..

Mar 18 (EN) Sri Lanka is working with India to set up a travel bubble to host destinations weddings in Sri Lanka and also resume meetings and incentive travel, the state tourism promotion office said. Sri Lanka Convention Bureau has launched a Meet in Sri Lanka program to resume Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions and Events tourism with the island resuming post-Coronavirus tourism. Sri Lanka Tourism has had a strategy meeting with SL Association of Professional Conference, more..

Mar 18 (AD) Attorney General has reportedly made clarifications to his Singaporean counterpart for a third time regarding the request of extraditing the former CB Governor Arjuna Mahendran. Attorney General Dappula de Livera stated this before the Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar in Colombo today. Arjuna Mahendran is one of the major suspects wanted by the authorities in connection with the CB bond scam case. more..

Mar 18 (DM) Following the Philippines’ recent success in entering into a historic labour accord with the UAE, SL’s Labour Ministry seeks a similar labour accord with the UAE to protect the labour rights of SL migrant workers employed in that country. “I have already taken steps to instruct the Foreign Affairs Ministry and our embassy in the UAE to impress upon the UAE govt to enter into a similar agreement between the two govts. The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment is working on this,” more..

Mar 18 (NIA) Reflecting the deep and enduring links between India and Sri Lanka, the Indian High Commissioner in SL, Gopal Baglay on Wednesday delivered a speech in Sinhala at the launch of the “Kapilawasupura Sri Sarvagna Dhathu Puranaya ha Rajaguru Waskaduwe Sri Subhuti Thero” in the august presence of the SL Prez Rajapaksa. The launching ceremony of a book titled “Kapilavasthupura sacred relics and Rajaguru Waskaduwe Sri Subhuti Thera”, more..

Mar 18 (Island) The CEB engineers had failed to supply the much-needed 100MW from the Mannar Wind Power farm to the national grid and were delaying other projects that are in the pipeline in order to go for expensive emergency power purchases. CEB Technological Engineers’ and Superintendents’ Union President A.G.U. Nishantha said that the Mannar plant provided only between 20 and 30MW to the national grid. more..

Mar 18 (AD) The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) is due to interrogate former Minister Rajitha Senaratne and former MP Chathura Senaratne over a false complaint by a journalist alleging that he was abducted. A journalist recently lodged a complaint that he had been abducted and assaulted by four individuals on March 10. However, following a lengthy investigation by the CCD, the complaint by the 62-year-old journalist and owner of the ‘Siyarata’ newspaper was proven false. more..

Mar 18 (EN) SL’s rupee closed slightly firmer at 198.50/199.00 levels to the US dollar in one week forward market on Thursday after hitting a new low at 202/303 levels on Wednesday dealers said while the bond yields remained unchanged. The rupee last closed in the one-week forward market at 202/303 to the US dollar on Wednesday. SL has temporarily lifted a requirement imposed on banks to surrender 10% of remittances converted to rupees and 12.5% of export receipts to the central bank, more..

Mar 18 (AD) Director-General of Health Services has issued revised COVID-19 quarantine guidelines for all incoming passengers and tourists arriving in SL from overseas. The guidelines noted that they should receive the approval to enter the country from the Foreign Affairs Ministry and other relevant authorities or from SL Tourism, respectively. All travelers should submit the filled Health Declaration Form to the staff of Airport Health more..

Mar 18 (Island) Chairman of Election Commission Nimal Punchihewa explained how the 1978 Constitution had abolished specific laws meant to ensure financial integrity of lawmakers. In terms of the pre-1978 laws, those who had acted in violation of them not only lost their parliamentary seats but civic rights, as well, Punchihewa, one-time member of the Human Rights Commission of SL, said. He cited several examples while pointing out even the losers faced punitive measures in case of more..

Mar 18 (AD) The disruption in healthcare services caused by Covid-19 may have led to an estimated 239,000 maternal and child deaths in South Asia, according to a new UN report. It’s focused on Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, home to some 1.8 billion people. The report found that women, children and adolescents were the worst-hit. South Asia has reported nearly 13 million Covid cases and more than 186,000 deaths so far. more..

Mar 18 (EN) SL fiction writer Shakthika Sakthumara, who was in pre-trial detention for months over a controversial short story, has sent notices of action against several parties demanding Rs 20 million in compensation, his lawyer said. The writer has sent notices of action against the OIC of Polgahawela Police, IGP and the attorney general for a cause of action of malicious prosecution, with the aforesaid sum as compensation, more..

Mar 18 (AF) SL’s bitter, 30-year civil war continues to cast shadows of grief, loss, and sectarian tension over an ethnically diverse population of Sinhalese Buddhists, Tamil Hindus, Muslims, and Catholics. As the country attempts to navigate the post-conflict period, there is no more urgent task than restoring inclusiveness and social cohesion to public life. The schools are a key to meeting this challenge, and it has been a mandate of govts past and present to reform the education system to foster more..

Mar 18 (CT) History was revisited once again when the Commercial Bank of Ceylon returned to its original branch location in Jaffna recently, resuming operations at an address where banking had taken place since the late 1930s. Completely rebuilt and designed and equipped for eco-friendly operations, the new Jaffna branch building at 474, Hospital Road, Jaffna, represents a major enhancement in services. The original building came into Commercial Bank’s possession in 1973 when more..

Mar 18 (AP) A SL media rights group on Thursday urged police to expedite a probe into the alleged abduction and torture of a journalist, calling the incident a serious threat to the safety of journalists in the country. However, SL police say the journalist, Sujeewa Gamage, lied about being abducted and has been taken into custody for making a false statement. A police spokesperson said the current investigation more..

Mar 18 (Island) Confirming SLIIT’s ranking as the nation’s premier higher education institute and its students’ quality, several graduates received scholarships to pursue their postgraduate studies in prestigious universities in Germany. SLIIT recently celebrated the first batch of SLIIT alumni students who will transfer to Germany for postgraduate studies. Praveen, Hasal and Varuni have enrolled at the Uni of Bremen for postgraduate programmes in MSc Control, Microsystems, Microelectronics. more..

Mar 18 (DM) Two Pradeshiya Sabha members have been arrested by the police in two separate incidents while police are looking for another PS member in connection with the offenses of felling trees in an irrigation reservation. DIG Ajith Rohana said a 44-year-old member of the Bandaragama PS was arrested in Raigama in connection with an assault on a disabled army soldier yesterday. The suspect was remanded till April 1 after being produced before Panadura Magistrate’s Court. more..

Mar 18 (MB) Scientists have been writing obituaries for the SL legume tree since 1982, when the last known specimen of this endemic plant died. In 2006 SL declared the species, Crudia zeylanica, officially extinct in that year’s edition of the national red list of threatened species, and emphasized it again in the latest edition, in 2012. Then, in 2019, C. zeylanica rose from the dead: a group of young researchers found a solitary more..

Mar 18 (UNDP) An Atlas on Mangroves, Salt Marshes and Sand Dunes of the coastal area from Malwathu Oya to Pooneryn in the North Western coastal region of SL, was recently completed and handed over to Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Environment by Mr. Robert Juhkam, Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka together with Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Prof. K.B. Ranawana, Coordinator, more..

Mar 18 (EN) A leaf fall disease caused by Pestalotiopsis, a fungus has begun to ravage SL’s rubber plantations and could reach epidemic proportions in the coming rainy season and hit yields, an industry body has warned. “High humidity favours the spread of the disease causing defoliation and a considerable yield loss and ultimately the death of the tree,” Colombo Rubber Traders’ Association (CRTA) said. “The disease may reach epidemic proportions in coming monsoon more..

Mar 18 (Island) SJB lawmaker Mujibur Rahman yesterday questioned the rationale behind Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (Retd.) Sarath Weerasekera’s announcement of banning the burqa and niqab. This outburst came amidst former UNP Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakse again, publicly this week, repeating the allegation that MP Rahman, too, was behind extremist Islamists. more..

Mar 18 (Xinhua) Anti-epidemic materials donated by the local govts of Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu have been handed over to the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) at an official ceremony. Ambassador of China Qi Zhenhong handed over the anti-epidemic materials to Mayor of Colombo Rosy Senanayake at the Colombo City Hall. "I'm fully confident that the collaboration, exchanges and friendship between different cities in China and SL will be greatly enhanced after the COVID-19 pandemic" more..

Mar 18 (AD) In the face of the prevailing pandemic situation, the private sector should be permitted to import COVID vaccine doses, President of Public Health Inspectors’ (PHIs) Union insisted. Mr. Upul Rohana said the number of COVID infections detected from factories and other institutions is growing. He also noted that the working force must be given priority next in the vaccination program. If the government does not have the means to provide the required numbers of vaccine doses more..

Mar 18 (FT) The film industry has become the latest sector struggling towards recovery post-COVID, calling on authorities for support in maintaining business and increasing occupancy levels to at least 50%, so as to encourage more people to patronise theatres. They claim that, despite repeated pleas, the Govt has turned a deaf to the industry. “We have sent a delegation to the Cultural Affairs Ministry, more..

Mar 19 (DM) The leaders of the political parties which are aligned with the govt resolved on Tuesday evening to have elections to the provincial councils at the earliest. Conflicting thoughts exist among people and the parties on the viability of the provincial councils which remain defunct; some of them since 2017. Some of the forces that back the Govt have also upped the ante against the provincial councils system calling it a white elephant. However, SLPP, leading party of the govt, is all for it. more..

Mar 19 (DM) Locals from Number 65 Grama Niladhari division in Malawenna in Hikkaduwa DS said sand mining activities in the area have continued for years and created a number of hazards. Several complaints have been made to govt institutions against Sevan Idushka, a son of a businessman in the area who is said to be responsible for sand mining activities closer to Heen Ela in Kinitidulawa and Malawanna River. The distance from sand mining site to the beach more..

Mar 19 (CT) The President of the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan Ismail Suttar was in Sri Lanka with PM Imran Khan recently. He was part of the business delegation who held discussions on boosting trade ties between both countries. Suttar, a Business Administration graduate from the Int'l University, Missouri, USA is the CEO and Managing Director of HubSalt. He spoke to Ceylon Today about more..

Mar 19 (TM) Raising its concerns over the report and subsequent action of the PCoI mandated to investigate incidents of political revenge that are alleged to have occurred during the tenure of the previous Govt, Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) issued a statement noting that it is deeply troubled with the report. It further claimed that implementation of recommendations could potentially undermine the independence of the independent parties involved in investigations. more..

Mar 19 (DM) The launch in Colombo of a Trilateral Maritime Security Secretariat, for cooperation between SL, India and the Maldives, merits closer scrutiny. This is on account of revelations contained in a newly declassified document from Washington that could throw light on the provenance of the new entity. The Secretariat, located at SL Navy (SLN) headquarters, was formed on March 1 to facilitate continuation of National Security Advisor (NSA)-level meetings, according to an SLN statement. more..

Mar 19 (CT) It is clear that former Prez Sirisena, former PM Wickremesinghe and the entire previous govt, did not properly understand and fulfil their responsibilities towards national security, which was well reflected through their failure to prevent the bombings on 21 April 2019, Easter Sunday, despite several prior warnings. Many who testified before the PCoI were of the opinion that the former Prez, former PM and other relevant parties had not more..

Mar 19 (CT) The recent tell-all interview by Prince Harry and his wife Meghan sent shockwaves throughout the world; the celebrated pair’s comments had many questioning the purpose of the age-old institution that is called the Monarchy. Just over a year ago, the couple stepped back from the British Royal family in a move that garnered a lot of attention from the global tabloid media. Royalty the world over are oftentimes seen out of place in this modern democratic world where more..

Mar 19 (DM) The law of the country should be equal to everyone. That’s what the law books say. Then we also have religion which is used as a tool to defuse conflict and sort out matters relating to disputes. Even during Gautama Buddha’s time he averted a possible battle between two brothers, in Ceylon, over a gem studded chair. He made the two compromise by preaching the Buddhist doctrine to them. History gives us many other occasions where religion produced that balm to sooth agitating more..

Mar 19 (Island) There have been many arguments and discussions on the future of our electricity sector and more importantly the state of finances of the CEB, which continues to bleed the national economy. While this does remain a matter of grave concern, there is a need for a rational approach on all energy challenges. Although the electricity sector is an elephant in the room there is a much larger mammoth lurking. This is the tremendous drain on foreign exchange due to the complete more..

Mar 19 (CT) Gazette notification has been published on 05th March 2021, announcing proposed amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code. It creates the obligation for all Magistrates in the country to visit Police Stations, situated within the appointed judicial division, once a month. The Magistrates have been assigned the task of visiting those who are in Police custody. It is to ensure that they are protected to the extent provided for in the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, more..

Mar 19 (Island) Kapila Wijegunawardene is expected to be named the new Chairman of Selectors, The Island learns. The former fast bowler who held the position from 2015 to 2016 is respected for his forthright approach and integrity. Given the numerous troubles facing cricket, especially with several corruption investigations involving Sri Lankans being conducted by the ICC, someone with a clean track record is more..

Mar 19 (TM) Not only has Covid-19 brought along unprecedented human and humanitarian challenges for people the world over, but the pandemic and its remnants have also already altered life as we know it in ways we hadn’t thought possible. In addition to the obvious threat to public health, the economic and social disruption that has threatened the long-term livelihoods and wellbeing of thousands is something we mustn’t take lightly, especially post lockdown. A significant number of people more..