Jun 28 (ST) On June 10 the European Union Parliament overwhelmingly voted for a resolution calling its 27-member states to temporarily withdraw all the concessions coming under the EU’s GSP. The GSP is a trade arrangement that allows developing countries to pay less or no duties on their exports to the EU. But it’s no free lunch. It comes with strings attached. But the reciprocal altruism practised within the framework of this scheme is not designed to economically profit the giver while more..

Jun 28 (DM) Never have we been so unfortunate to observe and experience a chain of marine turtle deaths in our seas. At the time of this writing, more than 80 dead marine turtles are reported to have been washed ashore. On June 16, when the world was celebrating the marine turtles in our blue planet, we were losing these wonderful creatures from our marine environment. This article looks at the global picture of marine turtles in the face of human impacts on the marine environment and more..

Jun 28 (TM) This case study is not meant to find fault with any particular party, but to find the weaknesses in the system. It is believed that studying the truth will not hamper the Court’s decisions, or insurance claims, as some people tend to think. In the case of the MV X-Press Pearl, the following are the facts of the vessel and her voyage in question. The brand new vessel, built by the Chinese in 2021, is a 37,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT) vessel capable of accommodating more..

Jun 28 (TM) In order to address the ever-growing parking crisis within Sri Lanka’s major cities, the Govt has made plans to introduce multi-storey car parks in Colombo and other selected cities. According to the UDA, these new car parks have been strategically placed after identifying which areas within a city would need them the most. As such, the construction of the latest multi-storey car park in Gold Centre in Pettah commenced more..

Jun 28 (Island) As SL were crashing to another heavy defeat in Cardiff, former England coach David Lloyd reminded us some harsh truths. He said that SL probably needed an Arjuna Ranatunga to get under the skin of England. Arjuna had many ways to skin a cat. He would walk those singles, arrive late for the toss, target opposition’s best bowler 24 hours before the contest by calling him overrated. Then he would purposely forget his opposite number’s name, calling Alec Stewart by the name of more..

Jun 28 (FT) Prez Rajapaksa on Friday, during the address to the nation, claimed that the workers’ remittances decreased as a result of migrant workers losing jobs owing to the COVID pandemic. He said: “Due to the closure of industries in foreign countries, our migrant workers began to return. Many of them lost their jobs. Over 200,000 migrant workers who returned to SL because of the pandemic have not yet been allowed to return to those countries. more..

Jun 28 (TM) Amidst possibilities of SL getting suspended from the GSP Plus provided by the European Union, SL apparel exporters are concerned over losing international apparel markets to regional apparel players such as India and Bangladesh whose cost of production is far more lower than that of SL. Tuli Cooray, the Secretary General of Joint Apparel Association Forum SL (JAAFSL) said that the loss of GSP+ more..

Jun 28 (ST) Two young SL chess players, Sanudula Dahamdi and Oshini Gunawardena, qualified to take part in the finals of the Queen’s Chess Festival, a world event which began this weekend. Sanudula Dahamdi, 14, of Musaeus College, has been selected for the finals of the Queen’s Chess Festival – rating less than 1800 Group while 9-year-old Oshini Gunawardena was selected to the rating less than 1500 for the event. The event is organised by the FIDE Women’s Commission to promote more..

Jun 28 (CI) ECB has been forced to seek replacements for five officials due to oversee the start of England's ODI series with SL at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday, after a positive Covid-19 test was returned by a member of the team at Southampton for the third T20I. Phil Whitticase, the match referee for the T20I series, tested positive for Covid-19 after a PCR test that was administered on Friday. He was asymptomatic and feeling well, but will have to undergo a 10-day period of isolation. more..

Jun 28 (TM) SLC has thrown down the gauntlet. Now they are ready to fight against the national cricketers who have refrained from signing the cricket board contracts. The national cricketers are running the gauntlet. They are now feeling the heat for protesting to sign the contracts before the England cricket tour. Only one possible reason for this player suffering now: Their continued appalling display in the middle. more..

Jun 28 (EN) One step in the in the allocation of International Monetary Fund reserves or special drawing rights (SDR) to its members was passed this week with its Executive Board discussing a formal proposal by Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on the 650 billion dollar extra allocation. Sri Lanka is expecting a 780 million US dollar equivalent extra allocation in August as money printing continues to deplete the reserves backing the island’s Latin America style soft-peg. more..

Jun 28 (FT) Latest $ 100 million SL Development Bonds (SLDBs) issue has elicited only a demand of 35.5%, marking yet another under subscription. When the five-day window for bids closed on Friday, the issue had gotten bids worth only $ 35.53 million. Of the bids received, CBSL accepted $ 34.8 million. It said an issuance window for SLDBs will be opened with the announcement of auction results until the close of business of day prior to settlement i.e., until 4.15 p.m. tomorrow. more..

Jun 28 (CT) Sprinter Amasha de Silva won the Silver medal in the 100m, clocking a seasonal best 11.59 seconds at the 60th Inter State Championship continued in Patiala India. Dhana Lakshmi of Tamil Nadu won the Gold in 11.52 seconds, while Archana, also from Tamil Nadu, finished third in 11.60. India’s fastest woman and Asian Games Silver medalist Dutee Chand finished fourth in 11.62 seconds. more..

Jun 28 (CT) Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) request for a universality place for a women’s 800m runner has been approved by World Athletics, and SLA have recommended Nimali Liyanarachchi’s name as an entrée for the forthcoming Tokyo Olympic Games. 3000m steeplechase runner Nilani Rathnayaka is currently within the Olympic quota - 45th out of 45 - and if she does not make it, SLA has recommended Nimali’s name as she is the highest ranked female athlete among the rest, where she is ranked more..

Jun 28 (DM) The Govt had decided to administer Covid-19 vaccines for all those who will be leaving SL to take up foreign employment from next week, Foreign Employment Bureau (FEB) media spokesman and Deputy Manager Mangala Randeniya said. The decision was taken following instructions of State Minister Piyankara Jayaratne and FEB Chairman Kamal Ratwatte. The President's attention was also drawn to vaccinate the persons who leave the country for foreign employment more..

Jun 28 (FT) The condominium property has seen a significant increase in sales transactions in the country despite the COVID pandemic in the first quarter 2021 compared to the previous quarter, Central Bank revealed citing a recent survey and specialised index compiled. It said as per the Condominium Property Volume Index, the prevailing low-interest environment, as well as the increased supply of comparatively affordable more..

Jun 28 (FT) Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FCCISL) has sent Prez Rajapaksa a lengthy submission of 10 core issues facing the private sector, especially the SMEs, and how those could be resolved. FCCISL is the apex body of the SL chamber movement, giving the leadership to 64 business chambers and associations across the country representing over 25,000 business entities starting from micro level up to extra-large category of business enterprises in the fields of more..

Jun 28 (DM) SL Petroleum Private Tanker Owners' Association (SLPPTOA) said that there would be a 15% price hike in line with the recent diesel price hike from July 1. SLPPTOA Joint Secretary D.V. Shantha Silva said a discussion was held in this regard with the Energy Minister on June 25. "The meeting was held with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO), CEYPETCO Managing Director (MD), CEYPETCO Deputy Manager (Finance) and Ceylon Petroleum Storage more..

Jun 28 (FT) SL’s COVID-19 cases exceeded 253,000 yesterday with the detection of 1,767 COVID-19 positive patients. The COVID-19 total number of confirmed cases identified in the country rose to 246,629 yesterday. This includes COVID-19 positive patients reported from Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, Prison and New Year clusters. There are 31,715 patients under medical care, whilst another 2,158 persons being more..

Jun 28 (CT) A total of 150 pregnant women are being treated for COVID-19 currently, Chief of the Family Health Bureau (FHB), Dr. Chitramali de Silva said. Dr. de Silva said there are also another 100 postnatal mothers with the viral infection receiving treatment currently. Responding to questions, she said, however, that she did not have information at hand as to the condition of the neonates. While urging pregnant women to refrain from leaving their homes unless it is absolutely necessary, more..

Jun 28 (DN) SLT-Mobitel has ramped up its service delivery to meet the nationwide increase in data usage and traffic that has nearly doubled since the onset of the pandemic. The company announced that an investment of over Rs. 25 billion is being made annually in the past few years on infrastructure development especially to rollout “Fiber To The Home (FTTH)” high-speed broadband networks and 4G LTE Mobile BTS expansions. This is to facilitate an average 30% growth more..

Jun 28 (TM) While PM Mahinda Rajapaksa will continue to hold the post of Finance Minister, Basil Rajapaksa will be appointed a new Cabinet ministerial post which will be created by merging a number of institutions under the Finance Ministry, high level sources at the Finance Ministry said. Despite reports that there are plans to give Basil Rajapaksa the post of Finance Minister, the sources within the Ministry claimed that more..

Jun 28 (EN) SL’s nation-wide inflation measured by the National Consumer Price Index hit 6.1% in May 2021, highest since Sept 2020, when in it 6.4%. The index grew 1% during the month to 143.5 points from 142.2 points in April. The food and non-alcoholic beverages sub-index was up 10.3% from a year earlier. SL has been printing record volumes of money over the past year under so-called Modern Monetary Theory (MMT), leading to historic balance of payments deficits, which had absorbed more..

Jun 28 (AD) The WHO confirms granting 01 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to SL. This will be granted under the COVAX facility of the WHO, State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana stated. Meanwhile, 03 types of COVID-19 vaccines that have not been used in SL so far will be available within the coming 2 weeks. Accordingly, SL will receive doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines manufactured in the USA and Sinovac vaccine produced in China will be available to SL. more..

Jun 28 (CT) Prez Rajapaksa has informed the Maha Sangha, including the Asgiri Mahanayaka Thera that he will not go back on his decision to use organic fertiliser towards ensuring a healthy future generation for the country. Prez also assured that he will not allow any farmer to face inconveniences during the implementation of the programme. Due to the use of chemical fertilisers, farmers in many parts of the island suffer more..

Jun 28 (DM) The Balagolla Police have launched an investigation into the abduction and torture of two persons in an inhumane manner for sharing a defamation post against an individual on Facebook. The two victims, who were friends were brought to the suspect's residence at Balagolla in Pallekele and then abducted them to the Ampitiya area. The victims claimed that they were nailed to a cross by the suspect along with eight others on June 25. The main suspect was identified as a 30-year-old more..

Jun 28 (TM) The lowest number of daily polymerase chain reaction (PCR)4 tests conducted in the month of June in SL was reported this weekend, with a mere 14,110 PCR tests being conducted on Saturday (26). This continues a gradual decline in the number of PCR tests conducted since 23 March, which was two days after the country relaxed travel restrictions on 21 June. On both 21 and 22 June, 18,764 tests were conducted, and this number increased to 20,577 tests on 23 June. more..

Jun 28 (ST) Treasured gold jewellery such as wedding rings and children’s panchaudas were taken to pawn shops this week by scores of desperate people when travel restrictions were lifted after weeks of lockdown. Long queues were seen at pawning centres both in cities and villages. While most women turned away when approached by a reporter, some waiting to enter the shops were vocal about the growing cost of living. more..

Jun 28 (Island) These are really bad times for health ministers across the globe. They receive more brickbats than bouquets. Some of them have even lost their jobs. New Zealand Health Minister David Clark had to resign, last year, having breached lockdown rules to take his family to the beach. Jordon’s Health Minister Nathir Obeidat had to step down owing to an oxygen shortage that killed six patients at a Covid-19 treatment centre, about three moons ago. In Brazil, three health ministers more..

Jun 28 (FT) Investment is a sacrifice, which involves taking risks. This means that businesses, entrepreneurs, and capital owners will require a return on their investment to cover this risk and earn a reward. In terms of the whole economy, the amount of business profits is an indication of the potential reward for investment. Investment and reward for investment are determined by the interaction of prospects and challenges. As we saw (Boosting investment in SL: Prospects), more..

Jun 28 (FT) Planter Lalith Liyanage of the Hidellana Tea Factory fame is a daring entrepreneur cum intrapreneur. An entrepreneur will look at the market and exploit market opportunities to make profits. An intrapreneur will improve processes within the business and make it stronger, more viable, and more profitable. As an entrepreneur, following his father’s footsteps, he went into low country tea growing after leaving college, because that was a very profitable business given the advantage more..

Jun 28 (DM) State Minister Nimal Lanza said that Mr. Basil Rajapaksa who heads the Presidential Task Force on Economic Regeneration and Poverty Alleviation should be in Parliament. Minister said Mr. Basil Rajapaksa played a key role in the development of the economy during the time of PM Rajapaksa as the then president. He contributed to a number of programmes including Uthuru Wasanthaya, Nagenahira Navodaya and the development of the rural economy. more..

Jun 28 (AD) Health officials say that another person infected with the Delta variant of coronavirus has been identified in the Jayaligama area in Kahathuduwa. A 47-year-old male who is reportedly employed at a leading construction company in Slave Island, Colombo has tested positive the Delta variant while he has been transferred to a treatment center in Polonnaruwa. Persons from around 50 families in the area including the patient’s more..

Jun 28 (DM) Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the abduction, torture and nailed to a cross of two persons in a highly torturous manner for sharing a defamation post against an individual on Facebook. The STF personnel in Kandy arrested he suspects along with five swords. Balagolla Police have launched an investigation after the two victims were abducted and tortured by nailing to a cross by the suspect along with several others on June 25. According to the police, more..

Jun 28 (FT) UNP charged that Prez Rajapaksa’s speech last Friday failed to address the key issues faced by the country, indicating lack of direction and attempting to shift blame to the public for national woes. Issuing a press release, the UNP stated that the Prez used the nationally televised address as an opportunity to present excuses for the shortcomings of the Govt and deflected blame to the public. The party also condemned the Prez’s remarks on the state of the economy during the period of more..

Jun 28 (TM) With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, photographs of children in remote villages climbing towers of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to access online education have been frequent. Fundraisers for mobile phones to enable students to attend online classes and pleas of parents while pawning gold to buy laptops to fulfill their children’s education needs are commonly heard stories now. more..

Jun 28 (AD) Authorities have taken steps to increase the bus and train services from today (28). A total of 70 new trains will be in operation today, according to the Department of Railways. However, the Deputy General Manager of Railways said that the operation of inter-provincial train services has not been permitted as of yet. Meanwhile, inter-provincial bus services will not be provided as per a decision of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO). more..

Jun 28 (NR) The SJB says the current state of cricket in the country is regretful. SJB National Organizer MP Tissa Attanayake said officials must take responsibility for the continuous defeats faced by the national cricket team. MP Attanayake claimed standard of cricket has dropped drastically over the past few years. He noted SL was on top internationally in the past adding however the national team failed to be among the top eight teams that initially qualified for 2020 T20 World Cup. more..