Jun 29 (FT) Govt has embarked on a national program to prepare 100,000 youth with high vocational skills to meet the demands of 25 different professions abroad. The program is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Labour and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). IOM has agreed to provide the training free of charge. A special discussion in this regard was held recently under the patronage of Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, IOM Head of SL more..

Jun 29 (CI) When the cry went up in the wake of an abject T20I series: "Something must be done about SL's batting", this probably wasn't the solution that anyone had envisaged. An evening spent milling about by a bench in Durham's Market Square for Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka has left the squad in even greater disarray than had been the case after three singularly one-sided encounters in Cardiff and Southampton. more..

Jun 29 (FT) The Central Bank (CB) yesterday urged calm and to avoid fuelling undue speculation over the country’s foreign reserves or debt servicing commitments, saying both issues were being satisfactorily addressed. “I wish to assure the media, the general public, the business community and the investor community that the conditions of foreign currency liquidity observed in the domestic market at present are temporary and more..

Jun 29 (DM) SJB MP Sarath Fonseka said he could not agree with UNP MP Ranil Wickremesinghe for his recent remarks criticising the security forces for what he said overlooking the Cabinet in anti- pandemic operations. “One cannot agree with the former PM who criticised the army commander in his inaugural speech in Parliament. “I remember Mr. Wickremesinghe asking me to close down high security zones in 2002. I lodged a complaint against him to then Prez Chandrika Kumaratunga” more..

Jun 29 (Island) Swiss Ambassador to SL Dominic Furgler called on PM Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday and ceremonially handed over a consignment of US $ 4 million worth of medical aid to overcome the COVID-19 epidemic. Commenting on the relief provided by the Swiss Govt to South Asian countries, including SL, to overcome the Covid Challenge, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis had previously stated, “We can only end this epidemic together. Int'l support is essential." more..

Jun 29 (Island) Environmentalists yesterday welcomed Archaeology Director General Senior Professor Anura Manatunga’s intervention to halt the removal of soil and mud from the Tissawewa at Tissamaharama, by a Chinese company. Social Scientist and environmentalist Dr Ravindra Kariyawasam said that be it an American or Chinese company, they were here for a reason and they were least concerned about local ecosystems more..

Jun 29 (AJ) Former India captain Rahul Dravid says separate teams for different formats is a short-term solution to easing the pressure on the country’s cricketers during the coronavirus pandemic. Dravid, who has coached India A and Under-19 teams and is currently director at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), is travelling on Monday with a second-string Indian side to Sri Lanka for a limited-overs tour starting next month in Colombo. Shikhar Dhawan will captain India’s 20-member squad more..

Jun 29 (Island) Ministry of Health has said asymptomatic COVID-19 patients can be t treated in their own homes. Ministry of Health has in a media statement said that a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases, has led to the congestion of interim treatment centres and dedicated COVID-19 hospitals. Thus, there is a delay in admitting a COVID-19 patient to a hospital in the Western Province and several other parts of the country. “A number of health unions including the GMOA more..

Jun 29 (TM) Consumer rights activist Asela Sampath is to seek political asylum due to his concerns over alleged death threats made against him and his family, claiming that he is afraid of leaving his home due to the current situation. “I have a fear that the ministers involved in the current Govt will assault me and my family due to my active participation in matters involving the general public. I was never afraid to talk about these matters, more..

Jun 29 (CT) Construction work began on the Colombo Bird Park yesterday (28) under the patronage of State Minister Dr. Nalaka Godahewa. A statement by the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing said that, according to Prez Rajapaksa’s Vision of Prosperity initiative, several projects have commenced in Colombo to attract both domestic and foreign tourists. These projects were said to include wetland parks, urban forest parks and urban agricultural parks. more..

Jun 29 (TM) State Ministry of Prison Reforms and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation has decided not to grant any amnesty to death row inmates at the Mahara and Welikada Prisons, who are protesting demanding their death sentence be commuted to a term of life imprisonment, as the authorities deem such behaviour and conduct as a threat to the internal security within the prisons. State Minister Lohan Ratwatte said that no pardon will be granted to any prisoner who violates laws governing more..

Jun 29 (TM) The newly proposed English medium study programme, commencing from the primary section to the GCE A/L examination, will have a positive impact on the society and the Ministry intends to continue with it as planned, claimed Education Ministry Secretary Prof. Kapila Perera. He said that the Ministry is still considering implementing this programme, despite the objections of a few. more..

Jun 29 (TM) Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) will be holding protests in a number of districts today against the proposed General Sir John Kotelawala National Defence Uni (KNDU) Bill which was submitted to the relevant parliamentary committee on 22 June. “We are against the threat of both the militarisation and privatisation of education that this Bill poses. We opposed it earlier as well, when it was gazetted in April 2018 under UNF-led Govt. It is the same Bill which was again tabled in P'ment more..

Jun 29 (TM) Attorney General’s Department has informed that indictments have been filed against former Western Province Governor and incumbent NUF Leader Azath Salley, although the exact nature of the charges is yet to be learnt. The fundamental rights (FR) petition filed by Salley claiming that his arrest and detention by the CID under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA) without just cause was in violation of his FR, was taken up for hearing earlier this month. more..

Jun 29 (TM) Committee appointed to propose recommendations to reform the Marriage Registration Ordinance, No. 19 of 1907, pertaining to marriage, divorce, and the custody of children, has recommended less stringent laws on the grounds for obtaining a divorce, and the Justice Ministry is currently considering these proposals. The report which was submitted to Justice Minister Ali Sabry, has proposed that it should be made possible more..

Jun 29 (FT) A few days ago, Govt scrapped the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) Bill, which aimed at repealing the existing 70-year-old Monetary Law Act with a view to transforming the CBSL into a more independent monetary authority, while putting in place measures to improve transparency and accountability. Strengthening the institutional framework of the CBSL through this Bill, along with fiscal reforms, was a key component of the structural adjustment programme envisaged by more..

Jun 29 (FT) Is the European Union threatening our precious garment exports to that rich market? As we sit at home stuck in front of various video screens while the curfews, so-called travel restrictions and, lockdowns, grind through our days and weeks, we wonder what will happen when all this suspension of life ends. What will or, who will, explode first once the pandemic eases and normal life resumes? So many things are pent up within us: in our homes, family life, businesses, more..

Jun 29 (AN) The release of a former MP sentenced to the death has sparked widespread anger in Sri Lanka. Duminda Silva was released on Thursday with 93 other inmates after Prez Rajapaksa granted them a special pardon. Those released include 16 former Tamil Tiger militants who had been jailed under the PTA, who still had another year to serve. Many in SL and abroad have accused Rajapaksa of betraying democracy and undermined the independence of the judiciary. more..

Jun 29 (TM) With speculation of MP Prof. Ranjith Bandara giving up on his parliamentary seat and taking over Central Bank of SL (CBSL) intensifying, Prof. Bandara came forward yesterday to deny these speculations. Prof. Bandara said he had not been informed of such an appointment thus far, even though a piece of news was being aired. “No one has communicated to me (regarding the appointment in CBSL) and I also noticed that such news have been aired,” he said, more..

Jun 29 (AD) The three players of the national cricket squad, who were suspended and recalled for breaching the bio-secure COVID bubble during England tour, have arrived in SL a short while ago. Thereby, vice-captain Kusal Mendis, wicket keeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella and batsman Danushka Gunathilaka will undergo quarantine procedure at a hotel in Negombo hotel, SLC said. On Monday, the SLC suspended Mendis, more..

Jun 29 (CT) Commercial Bank of Ceylon has once again been named among the global giants in banking, becoming the only SL bank to be ranked in the Top 1000 World Banks announced annually by The Banker magazine of the UK, for the 11th consecutive year in 2021. The headwinds of the global COVID19 pandemic notwithstanding, the country’s benchmark private bank said it has reaffirmed its consistency by becoming the SL bank to remain for the longest period on more..

Jun 29 (FT) HSBC and IUCN have launched A road map to a greener apparel sector in SL. The report is a result of a first-of-its-kind study conducted over one and a half years and contains key findings and recommendations for a low carbon transition. Joint Apparel Associations Forum, Sri Lanka Banks’ Association, the Board of Investment SL and the National Cleaner Production Centre supported the project as strategic partnership. HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives CEO Mark Prothero said, more..

Jun 29 (ST) Two members of the independent vaccine advisory expert committee of the drug regulator have resigned, citing reasons as personal and overload of work. They are Prof. A. Pathmeswaran (community physician) attached to the Colombo North (Ragama) Medical Faculty who resigned from the committee two weeks ago and Prof. Neelika Malavige (immunologist) attached to the Sri J'pura more..

Jun 29 (Island) The National Muslim Assembly of Sri Lanka was formally launched at its first annual general meeting held recently at Jetwing Colombo 07. Inaugurated by a collective of Sri Lankan Muslims from private, business, academic and professional spheres, the organisation is the first of its kind to comprise the four key Muslim ethnic groups in Sri Lanka, namely the Sri Lankan Moors, Sri Lankan Malays, Sri Lankan Memons and the Sri Lankan Dawoodi Borahs. more..

Jun 29 (CT) SJB MP Buddhika Pathirana once again questioned the steps taken by the Finance Ministry to address concerns raised on attaching stickers on imported liquor bottles and allegations against the Indian company which has been granted the tender to print the stickers. He said the stickers were redundant as QR codes printed on them don’t work. “This programme was introduced by the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Excise to curb the mushrooming illicit liquor production more..

Jun 29 (EN) SL’s Rajapaksa trinity comprising Prez Rajapaksa, PM Rajapaksa and ruling party architect Basil Rajapaksa have failed in governing the country, opposition MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. “The Mahinda-Gotabaya-Basil trinity has failed,” the JVP leader said today. Dissanayake said the Rajapaksa camp’s original mantra was that it was Mahinda Rajapaksa alone who could turn SL into more..

Jun 29 (AD) The Delta variant could be the most prevalent coronavirus variant in Sri Lanka within 10 weeks if the public fails to adhere to health safety guidelines, State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID-19 Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle says. The State Minister of State said that experts, including Prof. Neelika Malavige of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine in Faculty of Medical Sciences, have warned regarding this matter. more..

Jun 29 (TM) Military and CID have conducted investigations with regard to the presence of camouflage-clad foreign personnel at the Chinese Joint Venture to dredge and clean up the ancient Tissamaharama Wewa. Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the investigations have made it clear that there is no issue in wearing such attire in the country. He noted that the findings of the investigations highlight that such allegations of Chinese Military personnel present more..

Jun 29 (DM) Following the tragedy of the MV X-Press Pearl cargo vessel, which had burnt and sank in SL waters, only 40% of the plastic micro pellets in the ship have washed ashore and there was no trace of what had happened to the remaining 60%, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said. Minister expressed these views while participating at a progress review meeting held at the Ministry and the discussion took place to review more..

Jun 29 (FT) Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa called on Small- and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) to turn challenges into opportunities through innovation and creativity to become a trailblazer in local manufacturing. Delivering the keynote address at the National SME Forum organised and conducted in Sinhala by the CCC titled Accelerating economic growth through creation of a dynamic SME sector, he assured full support to local industries to reach new heights in business. more..

Jun 29 (CT) Colombo District Court Judge Aruna Aluthge yesterday imposed an injunction, effective till 12 July, preventing SLPP General Secretary, National List MP, Sagara Kariyawasam from replacing Kuruvita PS member S. Ratnasiri with another. Judge Aluthge also issued notice on both Kariyawasam and Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara, who have been named as respondents, to make submissions in this connection to Court. Court issued the injunction on more..

Jun 29 (CI) "What's going on with SL cricket?" Do you really want to know? If you're not the kind of person who acts with flagrant disregard towards your own mental health, it's perhaps best to stop reading here. The answer to the question above is the kind that starts with mocking guffaws, turns into nervous laughter as truths begin to hit home, morphs slowly into despondent sobbing, and ends with more..

Jun 29 (TM) In continuation to India’s defence cooperation initiatives with SL towards Maritime Security and capacity building, Govt of India gifted SL with 650 machinery parts worth 120 Million LKR to augment maintenance capability of SL Coast Guard’s Suraksha vessel that was presented by the Govt of India in October 2017. The event was indicative of the growing cooperation, camaraderie and friendship between the two nations and their forces including the Coast Guards. more..

Jun 29 (FT) The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) yesterday renewed its cry for urgent restructuring and rescheduling of tourism-related debt worth Rs. 350 billion.THASL added that this figure did not take into consideration the growing burden of capitalised interest in an industry that has been crippled since April 2019. “THASL does not expect tourism in Sri Lanka to return to pre-pandemic levels until Dec 2022 nor back to pre-Easter Attack levels until Dec 2023. more..

Jun 29 (EN) With dedicated hospitals and treatment centres almost full to capacity, ministry of health has said select COVID-19 patients will be treated at home under the supervision of divisional medical officers of the ministry. Patients – whether symptomatic or asymptomatic – will be selected for home treatment until they are referred to a hospital based on a number of factors, including their risk factors, more..

Jun 29 (TM) The Minister of State of Fisheries Kanchana Wijesekara has initiated the production of Ceynor multi-day fishing vessels and eco-friendly solar powered vessels, State Ministry said. “The 59.5-foot multi-day fishing vessel manufactured by CEYNOR under the State Ministry of Fisheries was inspected yesterday before departure on its first voyage. It is fully equipped with all the latest facilities and technology. 100 more of such vessels will be built in future,” the Ministry said. more..

Jun 29 (DM) Two currency swap arrangements in the pipeline with India's Reserve Bank are key components in the immediate work plan of the Central Bank of SL to boost its reserves, bank's chief WD Lakshman said. The governor was responding to the speculation that SL had faced a foreign currency crisis in the midst of its debt service obligations. "Inflows expected to the Central Bank include the SWAP facility of $250 million from the Bangladesh Bank expected in July 2021, more..

Jun 29 (HRW) The SL govt’s pardon of 16 prisoners convicted under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), however welcome, does not address the urgent need to repeal the draconian law, Human Rights Watch said today. The European Parliament recently adopted a resolution calling for the European Union to consider withdrawing preferential access to its market unless SL govt complies with its commitments more..

Jun 29 (DM) A local businessman was arrested with a consignment 1,500 kg of ghee while attempting to smuggle them into the country by declaring them to customs as lamp oil, Customs media spokesman Sudatta Silva said. He said the 20 foot container was brought in to the country on June 18 by a ship from Kattupalli Port in India for a businessman in Singapore by a local vendor in Colombo 13. "The local vendor upon the request to release the container, declared the contents to be 120 kg more..