Jul 23 (EN) Sri Lanka tea prices remained weak in the third week of July amid with slightly lower volume being sold from a week earlier, and industry expecting crop intake to fall, as rains ease and fertilizer problem starting to be felt, industry officials said. Preliminary information from estates indicated that crop volumes may fall in the coming weeks, market participants said. There had also been quality issue in recent auctions brokers said. There are anecdotal evidence of tea farmers more..

Jul 23 (FT) LAUGFS Gas PLC finally admitted the decision to temporarily suspend the import and distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and warned of a likely shortage in the local market. It said the move was due to the delay in authorities agreeing to an upward price revision in tandem with spikes in the global LPG market and freight cost. Yesterday’s announcement comes after the company two days ago denied more..

Jul 23 (Island) 11,551 persons belonging to 4,182 families, displaced during the war in the N&E, have not been resettled, the 2020 progress report of the State Ministry of Rural Housing and Construction and Building Materials Industries Promotion reveals. Since the end of the war the resettlement authorities have resettled 565,335 persons from 176,143 families in Northern Province, 338,306 persons belonging to 91,310 families in the Eastern Province in their original places or in alternative places. more..

Jul 23 (Island) Health Ministry will soon amend health guidelines on weddings after hundreds of complaints had been received on behaviour that could lead to superspreader events, a ministry spokesman said. “We have allowed weddings to take place with 25% seating capacity or a maximum of 150 people but drinking and dancing are not permitted. We have received many complaints of drunk people and other guests dancing on fully packed dance floors. more..

Jul 23 (TM) At a time when Moody’s Investors Service has decided to review Sri Lanka’s foreign currency long-term issuer and senior unsecured debt ratings for downgrade, Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa yesterday stated that there is a necessity to have a mechanism in order to build trust amongst int'l rating agencies on the economic development in the country. As such, State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal was advised on more..

Jul 23 (CT) A majority of those who are currently receiving treatment in ICUs in COVID-19 treatment facilities and those who succumbed to the viral infection are those that have not obtained a single coronavirus jab, Health Minister, Pavithra Wanniarachchi lamented. She said that as the country had till now received several consignments of the coronavirus vaccines, the Govt had utilised them to initiated a vaccination programme in all parts of the country. more..

Jul 23 (DM) Referring to reports being circulated on social media with regard to the Moderna jab, the Health Ministry today urged people not to be afraid of getting the Moderna as it contains no enzymes that are harmful to human body. Health Promotion Bureau Director Dr Ranjith Batuwanthudawa said social media reports had articulated that Moderna vaccine contained Luciferases. “We inquired into these claims & found out that Moderna vaccine contains no enzymes called Luciferases” more..

Jul 23 (EN) Govt officials and a national professional association of doctors seem to disagree on a the likelihood of an imminent fourth wave of COVID-19 in SL. Though the possibility of a new wave always exists, SL is not looking at a fourth wave of the epidemic at the moment, according to Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) Director Dr Ranjith Bathuwanthuduwa. Pointing to a slight drop in daily cases, the official said. more..

Jul 23 (FT) Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has published a special publication on the history of currency used in SL, titled The 70-year journey of currency issue and management co-authored by CBSL Retired Director Communications Shellomi Gunawardena and CBSL Retired Senior Manager W.M.K. Weerakoon. The authors have utilised their years of experience at the Currency Department of CBSL, in compiling this publication, to be used as a reference for bankers, students, more..

Jul 23 (EN) Sumana Premachandra, wife of slain former MP Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition in the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday (22), challenging the constitutionality of the Presidential pardon granted by Prez Rajapaksa to former MP Duminda Silva, who was convicted and sentenced to death over her husbands’s killing. Through the petition, she has also sought a declaration from the Court that the purported pardon of Silva is null and void more..

Jul 23 (TM) On 19 July the UK Govt launched a consultation on new trading rules, British HC said. UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) is a major opportunity to grow free and fair trade with 70 qualifying countries including SL. Proposed scheme will mean more opportunity and less bureaucracy. This includes improvements such as lower tariffs and simpler rules of origin requirements for countries exporting to UK, more..

Jul 23 (CT) The suspension bridge over Uma Oya in the Daragala area, which connects the Welimada and Uva Paranagama Electoral Divisions, is in a dilapidated condition with decayed and broken steel cables and wooden planks; putting those who use it on a daily basis at serious risk, locals said. However, residents say that authorities have not paid attention to the issue so far and added that the bridge is also used by people from several other localities for various purposes including those living in more..

Jul 23 (SLN) The Navy managed to seize about 107kg and 840g of Kerala cannabis and apprehend a suspect, during a foot patrol conducted in the beach area of Kadeikadu, Vettalakeni on 22 July 2021. Accordingly, the Naval Detachment of Vettalakeni in the Northern Naval Command was able to apprehend a suspect who had attempted to escape the scene, during the foot patrol in the Kadeikadu beach area. The suspect had 16 parcels of Kerala cannabis in his possession more..

Jul 24 (CT) The State is the ultimate guardian of all children of a nation. Consequently, the State has an obligation to make sure that children are provided with all necessary safeguards, within the family as well as in wider society, and put in place legal recourses when such safeguards fail. Two separate incidents, involving two children, in the past few weeks shocked the nation to its core. One was the trafficking of a child for sexual exploitation, where more than 40 suspects were arrested more..

Jul 24 (GV) July 1983 was one of the grimmest months in SL history as state-organised anti-minority riots paved the way for decades of violence and human rights abuses across the country. Effect on Tamils was shattering but ultimately all communities were affected. In a world marked by impermanence, history never repeats itself precisely. For example, technological advances offer new approaches to repression. Multiple small-scale attacks, or leaving people to die through sickness or starvation, more..

Jul 24 (CT) The WHO which has been the lighthouse to which all nations have looked to for guidance in their battle against COVID19 has said: “Vaccines save millions of lives each year. Vaccines work by training and preparing the body’s natural defences – the immune system – to recognise and fight off the viruses and bacteria they target. After vaccination, if the body is later exposed to those disease-causing germs, more..

Jul 24 (GV) Most of us spent more time looking out of the windows of our homes this last year than in any other year. So it is perhaps no surprise that one of the works in Chandragupta Thenuwara’s latest exhibition, simply titled Landscape, is a meditation out of the artist’s studio in his home. The effects on the artist of a year spent in and out of lockdown may be why this most recent selection of works feels particularly intimate, even vulnerable. With widely ranging subjects from Madonna to Themis more..

Jul 24 (DM) Against the backdrop of the arrest of trade union and political activists who demonstrated against the proposed General Sir John Kotelawala National Defence Uni Bill, SJB launched a picketing campaign against the suppression of dissent and spiraling cost of living at the Independence Square on July 9. Two leaders of two Tamil parties - one from the north and the other from the up-country – M.A.Sumanthiran and Mano Ganesan who participated in the demonstration more..

Jul 24 (TM) The death of a 15-year-old girl due to severe burn injuries while working as a maid in the house of a powerful politician has become a popular talking point. It just got serious attention (the circumstances surrounding her death is still unclear), but employing underage children from the estate sector by rich families, factories in Colombo and other big cities around the country has been an age old practice in Sri Lanka and more..

Jul 24 (TM) All the relevant stakeholders, including the Local Govt authorities in charge of certain aspects of both the urban and estate/plantation sectors, should develop collaborative partnerships with primary healthcare teams in order to provide optimal healthcare services to address the unique health issues and challenges affecting such sectors and their underprivileged populations. This recommendation was made in a story on Estate and urban sectors in Sri Lanka more..

Jul 24 (DM) Political and other leaders need to remember what they do or fail to do will have a positive or negative effective on the younger generation and generations to come. That is why leaders have a major responsibility because most young people take them as models. Thus if leaders indulge in the abuse or misuse of power large scale bribery or corruption, laundering of black money, condoning criminal acts and similar crimes they are responsible for the negative effects it will more..

Jul 24 (Island) The police have gone into overdrive to get to the bottom of the tragic death of Ishalini, 16, who is believed to have committed self-immolation at SJB MP Rishad Bathiudeen’s residence. They arrested the MP’s wife and father-in-law yesterday over the incident. There have been demonstrations in some parts of the country, demanding justice for the victim. Unfortunately, Ishalini’s death has come to be politicised. Perhaps, it would not have become a mega issue if her employer had not been more..

Jul 24 (Island) I have a bone to pick with my co-Friday columnist who writes from across the ocean about the Pearl. In his July 16 column, he writes at length on dual citizens entering the Sri Lankan Parliament while retaining citizenship of another country. He lauds it in no uncertain terms, while most of us natives, living in our motherland, oppose the move that was introduced in the 20th Amendment. He writes: “A Dual Citizen is back as a national list member of parliament. more..

Jul 24 (CT) A special discussion was held at UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s residence last Sunday concerning the NCM that was filed in Parliament against Minister Udaya Gammanpila by the SJB. Lawyers and party seniors were in attendance. During the discussion most of the seniors inquired whether there was any possibility to submit amendments to the NCM during the course of the debate. more..

Jul 24 (Island) The last Sri Lankan man to run 400 metres hurdles at an Olympics is Harijan Ratnayake. That was 21 years ago. He will be in Tokyo next month. Ratnayake who holds the national record of the discipline will not be running hurdles there. Instead he is accompanying his charge Kumudu Priyanga for the Paralympics. Asian Para Games medallist Priyanga is not a hurdler. She will compete in the 100 metres and the long jump in the T47 category. more..

Jul 24 (Island) Furthering its efforts to ensure that no child is left behind in continuing their education, Dialog Axiata Group, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, extended free access to its education bouquet Nenasa Sinhala, Nenasa Tamil and Guru TV channels through Dialog Television and ViU App. Despite the learning loss that ensued the pandemic, Dialog remains committed in its resolve to ensuring that children across the country have equitable access to education. more..

Jul 24 (CI) Sri Lanka spinners ripped through India's middle order after a long rain break, taking five wickets in the space of 38 runs, to knock the wind out of India's innings. Then, chasing 227 in 47 overs, opener Avishka Fernando compiled a mature 76 off 98 balls to put Sri Lanka on the brink of victory. There were some middle-order jitters, but the 109-run second-wicket partnership Fernando had put on with Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who hit 65 more..

Jul 24 (Island) The Australians are pioneers in coaching. Having added science into coaching, they took the game to a new level in mid 1990s. Others followed suit. But it’s time to also kick out some of the old Aussie habits. Such as optional training. When Ricky Ponting’s side arrived in Colombo for a lengthy tour in 2004, their coach John Buchanan made training before a game optional. Matthew Hayden went fishing, Shane Warne rushed to the casino while Andrew Symonds was at bar. more..

Jul 24 (ST) As many as 100 badminton players invited to the National Pool lined up last week at the Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) courts to receive a full complement of Li Ning gear, which comprises of high end rackets, shoes and training plus competition dress ensemble, as they await the call for national training no sooner COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Already, the Elite Squad have received their materials and have been in training in a limited programme conforming to health guidelines. more..

Jul 24 (EN) Vietnam’s central bank has promised the US Treasury not to devalue the Dong which insisting that the monetary policy was aimed at domestic stability though the America has extracted a promise to allow to improve exchange rate flexibility over time. A dreaded modernization of monetary policy also looms, perhaps backed by the IMF, which has been peddling flexible policy, that could bring Vietnam down in the future when the US tightens monetary policy. more..

Jul 24 (CPA) On 2021.07.03 Friday, Ms. Jude Kumar Ishalini of Diyagama, Hatton—an underaged girl employed as a domestic aide at the residence of former Minister and present MP Mr. Rishad Bathiudeen was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital with burn injuries. She succumbed to her injuries on the 15th while receiving treatment in Ward 73 of the Intensive Care Unit 2. Thereafter, according to her Case No. B/52944/2/21, Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Suriya visited more..

Jul 24 (ST) The fat is not in the fire, as the saying goes but it has settled well and truly on the bodies of Sri Lankans. Yes, the restriction to homes compelled by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has caused increased physical inactivity and weight gain among Sri Lankans, a study has found. The online cross-sectional survey had been conducted between May 27 and June 2, when Sri Lanka was in the throes of a lockdown, more..

Jul 24 (MoD) SL Army troops built three more new houses recently for the needy families and vested them in, with the objective of promoting reconciliation and improving the living standards of the civilians in Kilinochchi. Mr. Sinnavi Nawarathnam at Kasikuda, Pooneryn, Mr. Ramanadan Maniwaththan at Maduwilnadu and Mr. Arumugam Naguleshwaran at Mailwanapuram, Pilimanthanaru in Kilinochchi were the beneficiaries of the houses and they were also donated with a stock of more..

Jul 24 (DN) Three SL competitors will be seen in action at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics today (24). They are Niluka Karunaratne in badminton Men’s Singles first round, Tehani Egodawela in shooting Women’s 10m air rifle, and Aniqah Gaffoor in Women’s swimming 100m butterfly event. Out of all nine Sri Lankans taking part at Tokyo Olympics, Egodawela will be the first to be seen in action on Saturday morning, firing in the Women's 10m air rifle event qualification round from 8.30 a.m. local time, more..

Jul 24 (CT) Nationwide inflation remained unchanged for the second consecutive month this year, as Sri Lanka reported 6.1% in June with non-food inflation’s increase countered by the reduction in food inflation. Year-on-year food inflation slowed down to 9.8% from 10.3% a month earlier, while non-food inflation rose to 2.9% from 2.5%. The 12-month moving average inflation too remained unchanged for the second consecutive month more..

Jul 24 (LBO) Leading textile manufacturer, Hayleys Fabric further reduced its carbon footprint by 15% with the installation of the largest private sector rooftop solar power system in SL, contributing 6,241,500kWh of power per annum to the National Grid. Installed by sister company Hayleys Fentons, the rooftop solar project was set up at Hayleys Fabric’s primary manufacturing facility in Horana and is part of a broader campaign to reduce carbon emissions and align with the UN more..

Jul 24 (LBO) The SL Association of Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM) appointed Sandra De Zoysa as Chairperson for 2021/’22, at the 9th Annual General Meeting held recently. She succeeds PwC Sri Lanka CEO/Advisory Leader Channa Manoharan. Sandra is the Group Chief Customer Officer at Dialog Axiata PLC whose career in the ICT industry spans over 30 years as the longest tenured employee in the mobile telecommunications sector. more..