Sep 27 (FT) CB new Governor Nivard Cabraal ruled out SL going to the IMF to seek financial support to manage the debt servicing challenge saying the Govt will rely on homegrown workable solution. His assertion was despite growing calls from several economists and the Opposition for the Govt including former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe at the webinar, to go for an IMF bailout as well as debt restructuring initiative, more..

Sep 27 (ST) The resignation of a Consumer Affairs Authority’s Executive Director on Tuesday marks another addition to the growing list of top officials who have handed in letters citing personal reasons and left their vital post while the nation battled a war of survival on many fronts. The September spate of resignations was triggered off by the sudden departure of Dr. Ananda Wijeywickrama, the eminent senior consultant physician of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. more..

Sep 27 (DM) Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa urged the govt to conduct provincial council and the local govt elections which are due early next year without any delay. Speaking at a ceremony held in connection with the handing over of medical equipment to Pottuvil Hospital, Mr. Premadasa said these elections should be held in order to check the pulse of the people. "Everyone including the govt will be able to know where people of this country stand, if the PC elections more..

Sep 27 (Island) Sri Lanka’s leading light fly weight (49kg) pugilist Sajeewa Nuwan Kumara of the Army lived up to his promise to deliver on the international stage by winning a bronze medal at the 58th World Military Boxing Championships in Russia. Armed with sound technique, the 29-year-old Lance Corporal has been almost unbeatable at home but has been found wanting against international opposition even failing to win a medal at the 2019 South Asian Games in Kathmandu. more..

Sep 27 (CT) SLC are set to host the Bangladesh U-19 team for a limited-over series starting mid October. Bangladesh Juniors are scheduled to reach SL on 7 October and the first youth ODI will be held on 15 Oct. The remaining matches of the series will take place on 18, 20, 23 and 25 Oct respectively. However, the venue of the series hasn’t been decided yet. SL Under-19 team is currently undergoing a residential training programme in Colombo focusing on their next assignments. more..

Sep 27 (Island) TNA accused the govt of having suppressed a proper investigation into death threats the then Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation State Minister Lohan Ratwatte issued to a group of ex-LTTE cadres held at the A'pura prison on the late afternoon of 12 Sept. TNA lawmaker Shanakiyan Rasamanickam said that the CID was yet to record the statements of those threatened by Ratwatte, who continued to be more..

Sep 27 (FT) MP and former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe insisted that a program with the IMF was critical to wade off the impact of the growing foreign debt repayment crisis and homegrown solutions were insufficient. “Unlike in the past, SL’s debt problem has spiked at a time when there is a global debt problem. This makes the situation more challenging and complex. SL is a highly import-dependent economy. Govt shouldn’t sell State assets to ease off the shortage of more..

Sep 27 (TT) The governor of Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has said the bank is ready to provide necessary financial mechanisms for financing trade transactions between Iran and SL. Making the remarks in a meeting with SL’s energy minister in Tehran Akbar Komeijani said: “The expansion of trade and banking relations between Iran and SL is possible based on the financing of exports and imports between the two countries and the provision of direct and indirect payment mechanisms.” more..

Sep 27 (TM) Treasury Dept’s newly formed and controversial special purpose vehicle (SPV), gas company Siyolit (Pvt) Ltd., has been dissolved following a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat last week. Well-placed sources said that in a meeting which was held with the Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundara last week led to the dissolution of the SPV. Siyolit (Pvt) Ltd. was set to impact the State-run more..

Sep 27 (AD) SJB MP Kumara Welgama – the leader of the New Sri Lanka Freedom Party says he would gather all members of SLFP and embark on a new political journey. Speaking to the media after paying tribute to the Bandaranaike Memorial in Horagolla, the MP said he would lead this campaign. Yesterday (26) marked the 62nd commemoration of SL’s fourth PM S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike. A commemoration ceremony was held in honour of the founder of SLFP, which was attended by prominent more..

Sep 27 (FT) Workers’ remittances inflow has turned negative year-to-date (YTD) for the first time in recent years in August. The move follows dip in inflows momentum experienced since March this year, except in June. In August, inflows amounted to $ 446.6 million, a sharp contraction of $ 218 million or 33% from a year ago. This saw the inflows during the first eight months of 2021 decline by 3% to $ 4.22 billion from $ 4.34 billion in the corresponding period of last year. more..

Sep 27 (FT) Weekend COVID-19 detections totalled 2,237 with 1,159 COVID-19 patients detected on Saturday and 1,078 COVID-19 patients detected on Sunday. This brings SL’s total COVID-19 detections to 513,609. The patients detected yesterday include 1,074 persons from the New Year cluster and four overseas arrivals while Saturday’s detections include 1,117 persons from the New Year cluster, 29 persons from more..

Sep 27 (MFA) South African Minister for Int'l Relations and Cooperation Dr. Naledi Pandor received Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris at the Permanent Mission of South Africa in New York, on Friday (24), for a bilateral meeting, on the sidelines of the UNGA. Foreign Minister was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage. Minister Pandor congratulated the Minister on his appointment as Foreign Minister and recalled the close and friendly bilateral ties more..

Sep 27 (TM) Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has stated that initial inquiries into the appearance of an oil slick in the Diyawanna Oya has revealed that it is due to contamination from nitrogen and phosphorus in waste materials being dumped into the water. This oil slick was first visible near the Buthgamuwa area earlier this month, which prompted Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera to instruct the CEA to investigate it. CEA said that waste materials being dumped more..

Sep 27 (TM) Amidst the shortage of milk powder in the market and sustained lobbying by milk powder importers for a price hike, the Cost of Living Committee has now finalised a price hike of Rs. 200 per kg of imported milk powder, The Morning Business learns. The recommended Rs. 200 price hike was determined by the Cost of Living Committee at its meeting with the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), last Friday (24), more..

Sep 27 (AD) Administration of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children with complications is set to commence in all hospitals in the Western Province tomorrow (27). The vaccine will be available for children between the ages of 12 and 19 suffering from various ailments and chronic diseases. Prez of Pediatricians’ Association, Prof. Shaman Rajindrajith said that from tomorrow, children will be vaccinated at all Base Hospitals, District Hospitals, General Hospitals, and Teaching Hospitals in the WP. more..

Sep 27 (DM) An investigation has been launched after the Western Province Intelligence Division had received an information in connection to a WhatsApp group suspected to be connected to Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), operating in SL. Senior DIG in charge of Western Province and all divisions senior officers in the province have been informed to be vigilant over the information. It was reported that a WhatsApp group called Interschool is related to the ISIS and more..

Sep 27 (CT) State hospital nurses, professions supplementary to medicine and paramedics, clerical staff and minor employees have warned they would stage a five-hour walk-out followed by countrywide protests today at 12 noon demanding the Govt reinstate their COVID-19 risk allowance which had been stopped. abruptly, Joint Convener, Health Service Trade Union Alliance (HSTUA), Saman Ratnapriya warned. more..

Sep 27 (CT) After several months in which most provinces were being identified as high risk – red areas, owing to the prevalence of a large number of COVID patients, Medical Technical Services Director Dr. Anwar Hamdani noted the island was gradually moving towards the amber zones due to the large drop in fresh cases being detected on a day-to-day basis. Addressing the Media, Dr. Hamdani said yesterday (26) that there was a significant drop in the daily reports by about 50 to 60%. more..

Sep 27 (CT) The GSP+ monitoring team from the European Union (EU) arrived in Colombo during the weekend to review the implementation of the 27 international conventions applicable for the special incentive arrangement. They will begin their work and meet stakeholders from today. Sri Lanka had been a beneficiary of the EU GSP+ and the EU delegation visits Sri Lanka for regular sessions every two years. The EU monitoring team last arrived in 2018 after lifting of the GSP+ ban in 2017. more..

Sep 27 (CT) Sri J'pura University Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology Head Dr. Chandima Jeewandara tweeted that the Delta branch spreading in Sri Lanka has been named as AY.28, an alias of B.1.617.2.28, Sri Lanka lineage. In a Twitter message, Dr. Jeewandara stated: “Our new delta branch with 701S is now officially AY.28 Alias of B.1.617.2.28, Sri Lanka lineage (sic).” more..

Sep 27 (TM) A fiery argument broke out between State Minister Wimalaweera Dissanayake and other SLPP MPs at a meeting held at the Dehiattakhandiya Town Hall yesterday where he took to the stand amidst hooting, and shouted at SLPP protesters using profanities. The Morning consulted Police Media Spokesperson in regards to this matter, who admitted that there was a brawl at the political meeting which was quickly dispersed by the area Police Officer In Charge. more..

Sep 27 (FT) The Govt through its short-sighted actions has made farmers, consumers and millers worse off. This article makes a strong case to seriously consider fresh solutions in a rational manner to make all the stakeholders better off. Neither the farmers nor the consumers are winners though they were expected to be winners due to Govt intervention. Farmers cannot sell their produce and cover their cost and consumers cannot buy at the controlled price. more..

Sep 27 (FT) After the former CB Governor and State Minister of Finance Ajith Nivard Cabraal took over the helm of the Central Bank two weeks ago, there was a definite change in the tone and the choice of words he used when talking about the Govt’s economic policy program. This was quite obvious in the two interviews he gave, one to Bloomberg News and the other to Derana TV, immediately after he returned to the CB. Previously when he was the state minister, he was openly not for more..

Sep 27 (DN) SL migrant workers, registered with the SL Bureau of Foreign Employment,(SLBFE) will be able to undergo their PCR tests free on arrival at the BIA. SLBFE spokesman Mangala Randeniya said that Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva announced on Friday (24), that the govt has decided to waive the PCR test charges for migrant workers arriving from any part of the world. PCR tests have been made mandatory at the BIA in Katunayake for all incoming Sri Lankans to the island. more..

Sep 27 (DM) The CID has arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged murder of millionaire businessman and engineer Saman Wijesiri who had gone missing since 2018. Police said the 63-year-old businessman from Chilaw had reportedly disappeared since September 2018. Investigation into the disappearance of Saman Wijesiri was taken charge by the CID following a complaint. more..

Sep 27 (DM) The PCR testing facilities established at the BIA continues to be suspended and is yet to take off ground, airport sources said. Therefore, the biological samples taken from local and foreign visitors at the airport continue to be sent to the research laboratory centres to receive the reports, despite the government assuring that the rapid testing facility would be available since last Saturday. However, the airport officials said that the technical problems will be resolved and more..

Sep 27 (Island) The controversial Elephant Holding Ground at Horowpathana having become a cemetery for many translocated elephants there, environmentalists are protesting against a move by the Department Wildlife Conservation to assign a team with newly recruited and apprentice officers to capture a bull elephant. Convener of the Biodiversity Conservation and Research Circle Convener, Supun Lahiru Prakash said the move posed a risk to both elephants and the DWC officers. more..

Sep 27 (TM) The on-site PCR testing laboratory at the BIA began operations last Friday, and ever since then, many posts have been circulated on social media pointing out a reckless, inefficient and immethodic facility. The Morning spoke to the President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science Dr. Ravi Kumudesh today, who provided an inside scoop on the ulterior motives the hierarchy in place to disrupt the PCR testing more..

Sep 27 (AD) The NBRO has issued landslide early warnings for several areas in five districts following heavy rainfall. Accordingly, the landslide early warnings have issued for areas in Galle, Kegalle, Matara, Nuwara-Eliya and Ratnapura districts, valid for the period until 7 p.m. today. Early warning has been issued for Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Nivitigala and Ratnapura divisional secretariat divisions (DSDs) and surrounding areas in the Ratnapura District and Ambagamuwa DSD more..

Sep 27 (AD) Another consignment of COVID-19 vaccine has arrived in Sri Lanka early this morning (27), Ada Derana correspondent at the airport said. Reportedly, a stock of the US-manufactured COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer, has been delivered in this manner. The package had arrived on a Qatar Airways flight at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at around 2.10 am today. The stock of vaccines has been handed over to the National Blood Center in Narahenpita. more..

Sep 27 (TM) With a Monitoring Mission on the European Union (EU) Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade concessions set to arrive in Sri Lanka today, the reforms to the controversial Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979 as amended (PTA), proposed and recommended by the Cabinet Sub-Committee appointed for that purpose, are expected to be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers more..

Sep 27 (EN) SL’s bond markets were quiet ahead of the first auction without price controls for many months, while speculation rose that the country will follow Zimbabwe into a forex surrender hike. On Tuesday 10 billion rupees of a bond maturing on 15.11.2023 and 10 billion rupees of a bond maturing on 2030 will be offered. Price controls have been lifted on the auction. On Money the 15.11.2023 auction bond was quoted at 7.75/8.00% around the same levels as 7.70/90% on Friday. more..

Sep 27 (DM) A proposal was handed over to the President for issuing a National Identity Card (NIC) number to every child at birth to ensure child rights and social security, the GMOA said. While forwarding the letter to the President, the GMOA General Secretary Dr. Senal Fernando said issuing a NIC number to every child at birth and issuing a NIC with the same number on or before the child reaches 16 years of age, will further strengthen the children’s rights and wellbeing. more..

Sep 27 (DM) A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the authority's decision to reopen liquor shops, violating the prevailing quarantine laws. President, Vice President and Secretary of the United National Society of Self-Employed have filed this petition in the SC seeking an interim order to direct the relevant authorities to take appropriate steps preventing the opening of liquor shops. more..

Sep 27 (TM) National Organiser of the All Ceylon Farmers Federation Namal Karunaratne made some scathing allegations surrounding the possible misappropriation of State funds amounting to Rs. 2.3 Mn at the State Ministry of Livestock, Farm Promotion and Dairy and Egg Related Industries, under the purview of State Minister D.B Herath. At a press conference held in Kurunegala, he read from documents which he claimed to be the expenses allocated for State Ministry. more..

Sep 27 (FT) Oak Street Ltd, a BOI-registered company, on Friday went to the Supreme Court against the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) and the Police, alleging violation of the Fundamental Rights (FR) guaranteed under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. The move follows NHDA illegally taking possession of the 214 perches of land at Darley Road owned by Oak Street, the subsidiary of real estate investor and developer Lanka Realty Investments (LRI), as exclusively reported more..

Sep 27 (FT) SL’s IT industry fame Madu Ratnayake has been picked as one of the world's Top 100 Leaders 2021 by the popular and influential technologymagazine.com. Nominated by readers of Technology magazine and compiled by its in-house team, the announcement of this extensive list is sure to become a landmark date in the calendar – which took place this year at the end of day one of Technology, AI and more..