Dec 27 (ST) Minister Udaya Gammanpila has instructed the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Chairman to form a subsidiary company to manage the oil tanks in Trincomalee ahead of obtaining Cabinet approval. Minister in a communication to CPC chairman Sumith Wijesinghe has said he had been instructed by Prez Rajapaksa to form the company first and then obtain cabinet approval. more..

Dec 27 (ST) The Colombo Coroners’ Court reported an incident of a 17-year-old girl being locked in a house by a PHI following the deaths of her 70-year-old mother and her 90-year-old uncle. The incident took place following the deaths of her uncle and mother at their house at Jampettah Street, Colombo 13, as they were infected with Covid-19 and had not received treatment. The postmortem conducted by Judicial Medical Officer, Rahul Haq confirmed that the mother had died due to Covid-19. more..

Dec 27 (SO) Hundreds of fishermen staged a demonstration against Indian fishermen on Friday in Jaffna. They surrounded the District Secretariat demanding that the Govt intervenes to bring an end to Indian fishermen infiltrating deep into SL waters and fishing. Northern fisherfolk chanted slogans highlighting that the infiltration of the Indian fishermen into SL waters was a big blow to their livelihood. The fisherfolk in their hundreds came in procession from their Association building more..

Dec 27 (Island) Railway Station Masters’ trade union action has caused a huge loss to the state coffers. Trains continue to run, and tens of thousands of people are enjoying free travel because there is no one to issue tickets! Is the Transport Ministry rudderless? Or, are the govt leaders sozzled to the gills and do not care a damn about what is going on? Most ministers and their loved ones are holidaying overseas while the country is burning, we are told. more..

Dec 27 (FT) COVID-19 vaccines were administered to 37,196 persons on Saturday and Our World in Data states that 64.32% of the country’s population is now fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine has been administered to 74.34% of the population. 94.5% of the population over 20 years has received both vaccine doses. The first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine has been administered to 15,982,016 persons and 13,829,115 persons have received second dose as well. more..

Dec 27 (TM) BBS General Secretary and Chairman of the controversial One Country, One Law Presidential Task Force Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera has said that he expects to deliver the final report of the Task Force even before the deadline that has been specified by Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Prez ordered the Task Force to submit the final report on or before 28 Feb 2022 when it was first formed in October. more..

Dec 27 (FT) Covid-19 detections over the weekend totalled 927, raising the country’s COVID-19 case count to 583,649. The patients detected over the weekend include 398 patients identified yesterday. Of the detections, 396 were from the New Year cluster and two were overseas arrivals. 3,738 PCR tests were conducted yesterday. The previous day, 5,886 PCR tests and 2,824 rapid antigen tests were conducted. The COVID-19 patients detected on Saturday include 526 persons from more..

Dec 27 (Island) Has the time come to consider seriously the merits of restructuring the govt’s external debt obligations? The SL authorities have indicated that they are in the process of negotiating inflows to meet the country’s immediate foreign exchange requirements. However, there is considerable uncertainty as to whether there would be sufficient inflows to meet the acute dollar illiquidity over the medium-term. Companies and even families, restructure their debt more..

Dec 27 (Island) The US has categorised another senior military official, Maj. Gen. Udaya Perera, who was SL’s Deputy High Commissioner in Malaysia (2009-2011) as a war crimes suspect. The wartime Director of Operations, Perera, has been denied entry to the US recently although he has a 5-year multiple entry visa issued in August 2019. Well informed sources said Maj. Gen. Perera had been informed of the US decision more..

Dec 27 (Island) SL Under 19s romped to their second consecutive victory in the Asian Cricket Council U-19 Asia Cup tournament as Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Sadisha Rajapaksa scored centuries to set the stage to beat Nepal Under 19s by 60 runs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Chasing a target of 323 runs to victory Nepal top order provided hope with openers putting up a 59 runs stand but three quick wickets by Raveen de Silva proved vital as more..

Dec 27 (CB) Bangladesh spin bowling consultant Rangana Herath has completed his 14-day quarantine and has been allowed to join the team ahead of the two Test series against New Zealand. Herath tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in New Zealand while eight other members of the Test squad comprising players and support staff were asked to undergo extended quarantine as they were in close contact with a COVID-positive patient who was flying with them from Malaysia to NZ. more..

Dec 27 (FT) A group of civil society organisations and leaders have issued their second statement on the appointments to the Right to Information Commission calling for inclusion of representatives from minorities as well as reconsideration on the choice of Chairman. Following is the full statement issued by Transparency International SL Executive Director Nadishani Perera, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi, CPA Executive Director more..

Dec 27 (DM) STF raided a large scale cannabis cultivation, grown illegally on 2 acres of land in the vicinity of the Veheragala Maha Ela in Lunugamvehera National Park and seized 18,815 cannabis plants weighing over 1,481kgs. STF also arrested three suspects along with an additional 37 kilograms of dry cannabis during the raid. A team of officers from the STF base in Kataragama have arrested suspects aged between 42 and 58 following the raid. Also, a foreign made 12 bore firearm more..

Dec 27 (ST) This week’s fuel price increase has triggered a string of chain reactions, raising the prices of goods and services, amid indications that further price rises are to follow. The move to increase fuel prices came after the Statistics Dept recorded the highest inflation rate of 11.1% based on National Consumer Price Index figures for November. It was the first time since 2014 that inflation rate had hit double digits. more..

Dec 27 (CT) National Transport Commission (NTC) has confirmed that the report on bus fare revisions will be handed over to the Ministry of Transport tomorrow (28). During a meeting last week between private bus owners and State Minister of Transport, Dilum Amunugama it was decided to announce the revised fares by 28 or 29 December. NTC Director General, Nilan Miranda said the NTC has requested four working days from the Ministry to compile a proposal based on all costs more..

Dec 27 (DM) Following mounting criticism on social media as to why Defence Ministry clearance was sought for SL nationals to marry foreigners, the govt said this was due to increasing reports of foreigners arriving in Sri Lanka to reside here on spouse visas to carry out illegal activities. Coordinating Secretary to PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, Geethanath Cassilingham, in a statement on Twitter said that he was informed by Defence officials that some of these illegal acts carried out by more..

Dec 27 (TM) Govt’s recent closure of several consulates abroad, including the Cyprus Consular Office, in a measure to save foreign exchange, will ultimately cost the country billions, charged the Ethera Api civil society organisation (CSO). Ethera Api Secretary Lakshman Nipunaarachchi, who is a former MP, stated: “The Govt has decided to close consulates in several countries. As a result, the SL people in those countries are hampered more..

Dec 27 (AD) The Railway Station Masters’ Association has decided to postpone the strike action they were scheduled to launch from midnight today (26), until 10 a.m. tomorrow (27). President of the association Sumedha Somaratne said that a final decision regarding the trade union action would be taken following the meeting with authorities tomorrow. He warned that they would resort to an indefinite strike if positive responses are not received for their demands. more..

Dec 27 (SLA) The 8th contingent of the SL Army Medical Corps (SLAMC), set to leave for UN Peace-Keeping Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to serve the Level-2 SRIMED Hospital hours before their departure presented a ceremonial salute to General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army at the SLAMC Regimental HQ ground at Werahera this morning (24). Brigadier Thusitha Hettiarachchi, SLAMC Regimental HQ’s Centre Commandant after a warm welcome more..

Dec 27 (EN) Cabinet of ministers will decide whether or not to go for an IMF bailout on January 03, with senior officials also present, a minister said. At a cabinet meeting on January 03, senior central bank and treasury officials will be present to provide information to the cabinet, Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said. “They will tell whether we are going to the IMF, whether are not going and if not what are there reasons,” more..

Dec 27 (FT) Aseni, the wiz kid in economics, is in conversation with her grandpa, Sarath Mahatthaya, a former employee of the Ministry of Finance on the recent downgrade of SL’s international borrowings from CCC to CC by Fitch Ratings, one of the three main rating agencies in the world. Aseni has read the press release issued by Fitch Ratings and the response of the Central Bank to the downgrade. The following is the discussion between the two: Aseni: Grandpa, last week one of the rating more..

Dec 27 (FT) Sri Lanka needs a strong Opposition to stop the endemic corruption to restrain the current shambolic governance and to give the citizens an option for a new government with different policies to develop the country. Endemic is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as regularly found in a particular group. In Sri Lanka that particular group who manifest endemic corruption are politicians. It is important to understand the genesis of this endemic corruption. more..

Dec 27 (DM) The Kegalle Divisional Crime Bureau has arrested a suspect in connection with hijacking a number of vehicles which were initially reserved for hiring after intoxicating drivers. Police launched a probe in connection with the hijacking of a Wagon R vehicle worth more than Rs. 4 million. The 33-year old suspect from Kiriella was arrested on Sunday following the investigations. Investigations revealed that the suspect had booked vehicles with chauffeurs for hire, online. more..

Dec 27 (DM) Presidential Task Force (PTF) for One Country, One Law commenced public consultations in the Central Province. Religious leaders, NGOs, professionals and the public who visited the Matale District Secretariat on Dec 25 morning and the Kandy District Secretariat yesterday afternoon expressed their views and opinions before the PTF. Presidential Task Force Chairman Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera thanked the people who expressed their views and more..

Dec 27 (DM) Secretary to the President, Dr. P.B. Jayasundara has tendered his resignation letter to Prez Rajapaksa, following objections raised by the cabinet of ministers who have urged him to step down, but the resignation is yet to be accepted by the President. Highly placed political sources said that Jayasundara had submitted a resignation letter around three to four pages long, detailing the obstacles he faced during more..

Dec 27 (CT) The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) owes two State Banks USD 3.5 billion for fuel imports, while the country’s foreign currency reserves have dwindled to USD 1.5 billion as of November 2021, a top Energy Ministry source said. According to the official, this is the accumulated debt for fuel imports over the last decade and this amount is being settled in instalments from time to time. Meanwhile, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) owes the CPC Rs 158 billion. more..

Dec 27 (DM) Former MP Ranjan Ramanayake who is serving a prison sentence for contempt of court, told MP Harin Fernando that he expects to be freed in the new year to initiate his higher studies. Mr. Ramanayake had said this when MP Fernando paid him a Christmas visit to the prison over the weekend. "Ranjan told me that he would be glad if he is freed in 2022 to engage in higher studies. He was grateful to everyone who is calling for his freedom. I told him that I would be pleased to more..

Dec 27 (DM) A decision has been taken to temporarily close down the Sri Lanka High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria; the Consulate General of SL in Frankfurt, Germany; and the Consulate General of SL in Nicosia, Cyprus; with effect from Dec 31, Foreign Ministry said. The decision was made after the approval was granted by the Cabinet of Ministers as part of a restructuring process of Sri Lanka’s network of Missions and Posts overseas more..

Dec 27 (Island) A Fundamental Rights Application was filed before the Supreme Court by Dr. Darini Rajasingham, Ranjit Seneviratne and Hiran Fernando against Keheliya Rambukwella – Minister of Health, the NMRA, the Director General of Health Services. The primary concern is that children are a target for indiscriminate vaccination in the absence of proper data, inasmuch as all Covid 19 vaccines have only received Emergency Use Authorisation and without the rigours of full clinical trials more..

Dec 27 (EN) US dollar denominated SL Development Bond styled bonds are offered to exporters of goods and services and expat workers and US dollar holders at fixed rates, which will be applicable till the next auction of such securities, central bank said. The minimum investment is 1000 US dollars. SL’s central bank earlier allowed exporters of goods and services to invest up to 10% of their dollar proceeds in SL Development Bonds, a dollar denominated security offered by more..

Dec 27 (EN) SL’s banks have been ordered to surrender 25% of dollars sold by customers to the central bank up from an existing 10%, in a direction issued to chief executives. The rule will be effective from Dec 27. Up to now banks were ordered to sell 10% of dollar receipts to the central bank. Exporters were previously ordered to sell all dollars received after deducting dollars for inputs and debt repayments. Similar rules are found in other countries with flexible exchange rates more..

Dec 27 (Island) Ever since the infamous and biggest multi-crore extortion racket in Delhi involving the fraudster Sukesh Chandrashekhar got unfolded by the Enforcement Directorate, troubles are only mounting for actress Jacqueline Fernandez. ToI report said: As per the latest update in the case, the central investigation agency has now turned down her plea to cancel the lookout circular, issued against her in the case. The actress had requested ED to cancel the lookout notice more..

Dec 27 (AD) SL Railway Station Masters’ Union says that they effective immediately will withdraw from their duties related to the transport of fuel, cement and flour. Association said they decided to abstain from these duties as a protest against the action of the General Manager of Railways. Station Masters’ Union said they will boycott these duties in addition to their ongoing trade union action. more..

Dec 27 (AD) At least three persons have been hospitalized after a private-owned light aircraft had made an emergency landing in the Kimbulapitiya area in Katunayake. Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has deployed a rescue team to the location, the SLAF spokesman said. Two foreign passengers and a pilot have been injured and hospitalised after a Cessna 172 aircraft belonging to Sakurai Airlines made an emergency landing near a marshland in the Kmbulapitiya area. more..

Dec 27 (AD) Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena says that the relevant steps to get the essential items stuck in SL Customs released would be initiated from today. He stated that the relevant list related to releasing the goods is expected to be sent to the Central Bank within today and after that the essential goods would systematically be released. Meanwhile the maximum quantity of rice that consumers can purchase from Sathosa outlets during the festive season, more..

Dec 27 (Hindu) After a year of visible strain in its ties with Colombo, New Delhi may finally have some reason for cheer. In a month’s time, Sri Lanka will ink the long-dragging deal with India to jointly develop the Trincomalee oil tank farms — a coveted project that has remained controversial for decades. “We have been negotiating this for 16 months, and we are now very close to finalising the terms of the Trincomalee project with India. more..