Mar 12 (DM) The sport of cricket continues to attract bad publicity and this time its retired cricketer Kumar Sangakkara whose name is linked with a an alleged fraudulent land sale in Sigiriya Mailaththawa area. The story unfolds of how an elderly and ailing couple was approached by an individual who has promised them help in return for being granted powers as the caretaker of the land apart from being given possession of the documents more..

Mar 12 (CT) The PCoI appointed to probe the Easter Sunday bombings of April of 2019 has at long last submitted its report – said to be some 10,000 (?) pages long, has drawn nearly universal criticism. It is seriously accused of irrelevance, concealment and incompetence. In general, it is evident that its Report has very serious flaws. Has the mountain labored and only brought forth a mouse? It is suspected that the report presented to the privileged is incomplete and that some chapters (or volumes) more..

Mar 12 (CT) Partly in spite of and partly because of the political leadership, in its first 10 years of independence SL never got to evolve a foreign policy of its own. Scholars are divided on why exactly this was so, with some pointing at the indifference of the first two UNP regimes to the country’s external relations and others arguing there was no need for the country to think about external relations just yet. However, it must be borne in mind that far from feigning indifference, more..

Mar 21 (Island) Gazettes are a dime a dozen in this country and whether they serve any purpose is anyone’s guess. The maximum retail prices of some varieties of rice have been gazetted, but neither millers nor traders give two hoots about them. Rice prices have gone through the roof again. A govt plan to buy more paddy from farmers purportedly in a bid to vie with the private millers in the rice market has come a cropper; it asked farmers to sell part of their produce to Paddy Marketing Board, etc., more..

Mar 21 (ST) Ananda College, Colombo student Senura Silva is a table tennis prodigy who oozes confidence and is hungry to bring glory to SL in the international arena. The 15-year-old is ranked third in the Men’s Open category and the top ranked junior table tennis star in the country. Junior National champion in 2018 and 2019, he was adjudged the most outstanding player on both occasions after bagging the 4 titles – Boys U-15 singles, Boys U-18 singles, U18 boys doubles, U18 mixed more..

Mar 21 (CT) With people the world over celebrating Int'l Women’s Day, a collective understanding is beginning to emerge with regard to the tremendous and essential contributions made by women and girls in every aspect of life. One of the key priorities in promoting equal rights and opportunities regardless of gender, is in the space of management. Among the many sectors which women tend to play such a critical role, more..

Mar 21 (Island) A policy framework (SOP) is to be unveiled on 15 March 2021, to gradually move away from importing vehicles to SL, and simultaneously create a solid ecosystem for the assembly of automobiles and facilitate original equipment manufacturer (OEM) status for local auto component manufacturers. The Ministry of Industries has designed this SOP (Standard Operations Procedure) to empower the vehicle assembly industry having taken on board the views, experiences and more..

Mar 21 (GV) The Sri Lankan govt, faced with grave international concerns about human rights, has made little effort to soften its confrontational approach at home or abroad. As a result, it faces a highly critical resolution at the UNHRC which, despite its efforts, may well be passed. The effects of this hardline stance will shortly be clearer. Any defeat for the Rajapaksa government may well be shrugged off, indeed boasted about to gain popularity with the majority community. more..

Mar 21 (FT) SL’s technology sector is set to receive a vital boost as several local banks come forward to offer debt facilities without the need for tangible collateral. This is the outcome of an initiative led by Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) together with PWC, which together developed a Credit Scoring Framework for technology companies and projects, which will be employed by these banks more..

Mar 21 (MFA) Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena with Foreign Secretary, Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage will lead the ceremonial launch of the Regional Consular Office in Trincomalee on Saturday (13) to give impetus to the National Policy Framework of the Govt, Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour by strengthening the productivity of providing services to the public. The opening of the Consular Office will allow the general public in the Eastern Province and adjacent areas to more..

Mar 21 (CT) Continuing to strengthen the farmer co-operative societies in its loyalty network, Dipped Products (DPL) distributed rubber plants to smallholder farmers in the Monaragala District under its flagship sustainability initiative: DPL Firstlight. The plants for the inaugural distribution were sourced from a new nursery established by DPL. Setting in motion plans to continue the initiative annually, the company will expand the facility to hold rubber plants by 3 fold by the end of the year. more..

Mar 21 (ANI) SL all-rounder Angelo Mathews, who is currently in the West Indies, has pulled out of the tour due to personal reasons and will leave the Caribbean. Mathews led SL in the T20I series which the visitors lost 1-2 on Sunday while in the first ODI, the all-rounder got run out after scoring five runs. "SLC wishes to announce that Angelo Mathews, who is currently touring the WI with the national team, will return home. more..

Mar 21 (FT) MTI Consulting has won its first project in Rwanda – a competitive tender for a nationally strategic consulting project, in joint alliance with Nambiar Associates. Rwanda is the 49th country in which MTI has carried out an assignment, since its inception in 1997. Meanwhile, MTI Consulting is also planning to set up its East African Regional Office in Kigali – which is considered to be the Tech Hub of Africa and tipped to be the Singapore of Africa. “Africa is undoubtedly the growth continent more..

Mar 21 (FT) COPE Chairman MP Charitha Herath, this week voiced concerns about weakness in Parliament’s role of overseeing public finances. Speaking after presenting the first COPE report to be undertaken by the new Parliament, Herath said Parliament’s oversight role must be strengthened. The report revealed several instances that highlighted disregard for due process in terms of procurements in the State sector. It said there has been serious weaknesses in the process of more..

Mar 21 (AD) An amount of Rs. 10,000 million has been allotted to empower 200,000 Samurdhi beneficiary families under the program to convert Samurdhi beneficiaries into becoming income generators, the State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said. While addressing the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Finance, he said that the amount has been allocated under the instructions of the PM. State Minister also stated that steps will be taken to more..

Mar 21 (ANI) Upul Tharanga starred in SL Legends' win over Bangladesh Legends in the Road Safety World Series at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Int'l Stadium on Wednesday. Stylish left-hander Tharanga hammered an unbeaten 99 as SL got the better of Bangladesh by 42 runs to take the top spot in the points table with 16 points followed by India Legends at 12. Chasing a target of 181 set by SL, it was always difficult for Bangladesh to overcome it and they ended up being restricted to 138/6 more..

Mar 21 (FT) The current vaccination program targeting all persons above 30 years of age in high-risk areas will be suspended until the country receives more vaccine supplies. According to Chief Medical Officer of the CMC Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni said the vaccination program was suspended yesterday. “On Saturday, the vaccination program for persons aged 60 and above, especially in Colombo city, will begin,” he added. The country is expecting 500,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine more..

Mar 21 (ST) Concerns have been raised about child cruelty in Sri Lanka and the NCPA inability to protect infants and children. This came after two horrifying cases were reported last week–with one child being beaten to death. At Kandugoda in Delgoda, a 9-year-old child was mercilessly beaten to death by a woman exorcist who resided in the area, while the mother stood watching. Child had been brought to the exorcist to have a dhisti, more..

Mar 21 (FT) Health authorities yesterday confirmed five more COVID-19 deaths, which brings the country’s COVID-19 fatalities to 520. A 68-year-old individual from Dehiwala tested positive for COVID-19 at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital and was admitted to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID). However, he died of COVID pneumonia yesterday. An 80-year-old individual from Mattegoda died while receiving treatment at the Homagama Base Hospital yesterday. more..

Mar 21 (TM) Committee that was appointed by PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is also the Minister of Finance, to look into the losses of state-owned oil company Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) is expected to hold discussions with CPC in the next two weeks. CPC Chairman Sumith Wijesinghe said that CPC is planning to discuss the solutions presented by the committee to avoid the possible bankruptcy of the state institution. “The subcommittee was appointed to come up with more..

Mar 21 (FT) A total of 304 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the total number of COVID-19 patients detected in the island to 86,989. The patients detected yesterday include 288 associates of the Peliyagoda cluster and four persons linked to the prisons cluster. The triple cluster that emerged from Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons have thus expanded to 82,644 patients. more..

Mar 21 (ST) On March 3, the Central Bank (CB) issued into circulation a new Rs.20 commemorative coin to mark the 70th Anniversary of the CB. Five million coins have been minted by China Mint in Nickel-plated steel similar in all other respects to the limited edition of 3000 commemorative coin minted in Aluminum bronze that was issued on January 1 in a presentation box and sold for Rs.1300 each from the CB Museum. These circulation coins will be only available through commercial banks since more..

Mar 21 (FT) Catholic Bishops’ Conference in SL has welcomed the Report of the PCoI into the Easter Sunday tragedy and has urged the Govt to take immediate action in the implementation of these recommendations and as a matter of priority with regard to those individuals against whom criminal charges have been levelled. Statement signed by all 15 Member Bishops of the conference has stated that the CBCSL has closely assessed the present situation of the aftermath of Easter Sunday more..

Mar 21 (CT) The charred body of a businessman had been found in a burnt vehicle on 10 March, revealed DIG Ajith Rohana. Police found the vehicle on Asiri Mawatha in Kohuwala around 11:30 p.m. A resident of the area confirmed a loud explosion was heard at that time. Local residents had tried to put out the fire, but were unsuccessful. Later, fire-fighters arrived on the scene and doused the fire. more..

Mar 21 (CT) The amended draft Resolution on Sri Lanka would be tabled today by the UK-led Core Group in Geneva. The Resolution stresses the importance of a comprehensive accountability process for all violations and abuses on human rights committed by all parties. Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said, he expects the Asian Region to support Sri Lanka at the UNHRC, which is readying to table the five country-led resolution on Sri Lanka. more..

Mar 21 (DN) The first phase of the Altair mixed development project at Slave Island, Colombo, will open today (12). The iconic high rise, a residential and commercial shopping complex, is 230 meters high and has 68 floors. The Altair building has 407 luxury apartments of four types. The commercial area is 30,000 square feet. All houses are equipped with modern amenities. Built using high quality raw materials, these houses range in size from 1,400 square feet to 5,000 square feet. more..

Mar 21 (CT) SJB MP Ashok Abeysinghe appeared before the CID yesterday, over a statement he made, related to Easter Sunday terror attacks in 2019. MP arrived with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, who came in support of Abeysinghe, at 9:30 a.m. He left the CID premises after five hours. DIG Ajith Rohana said when questioning Abeysinghe about the source of his statement, MP refused to divulge any info. more..

Mar 21 (CT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dinesh Gunawardena and the Govt to withdraw the invitation made to the Foreign Minister of Myanmar, appointed by the military after the coup to participate in the Ministerial meeting of BIMSTEC. He added this would appear as if Sri Lanka is endorsing Myanmar’s military coup, by which the democracy of that State has been immensely impacted, leading to providing Int'l acceptance to such acts. more..

Mar 21 (DM) Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay has undertaken a four-day tour of the northern and eastern provinces to interact with a cross section of society there including political leaders and inspect the projects funded by India which are in various stages of implementation, sources said. The High Commissioner also would visit the places of religious worship. This is his first such visit to the two provinces after he was appointed Indian High Commissioner in SL. more..

Mar 21 (Island) The govt had been stabbed in the back by NFF leader and Minister Wimal Weerawansa, SLPP parliamentary group sources said yesterday (11). Referring to Minister Weerawansa’s accusations regarding clandestine links between a section of the govt and ACMC leader Rishad Bathiudeen, allegedly involved with those responsible for 2019 Easter Sunday carnage, sources pointed out that more..

Mar 12 (FT) It can be said that both the old era and the old system of Sri Lanka have come to a historical end. But not only general society but also the leaders who are supposed to guide and steer the society have not clearly understood it yet. The entire economy of the country is in a state of complete collapse which needs to be revamped. Similarly the State and the political system are also in a state of total collapse. The social system is no different. The Easter Sunday tragedy has pushed more..

Mar 12 (FT) Hitler rose to power through the Nazi Party, an organisation he forged after returning as a wounded veteran from the annihilating trench warfare of World War I. He and other patriotic Germans were outraged and humiliated by the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles, which the Allies compelled the new German Govt, the Weimar Republic, to accept along with an obligation to pay $ 33 billion in war reparations. Germany also had to give up its prized overseas colonies and more..

Mar 12 (DM) The officers of the Customs Biodiversity Unit have taken a consignment of a rare species of marine species called Thambuwa into their custody yesterday while attempting to smuggle them out to UK, Customs Director General Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Vijitha Ravipriya said. He said 76 varieties marine species were found packed in boxes and were ready to be exported by a SriLankan Airlines flight to London last morning, Mr. Ravipriya said. Under the Fisheries and more..

Mar 12 (AD) Attorney General has forwarded indictments to the Puttalam High Court against Attorney-at-Law Hejaaz Hezbullah and principal of the controversial Madrasa school Mohamed Shakeel. The indictments have been forwarded against them on charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) Act. Based on investigations of the CID, the AG found Hizbullah a suspect of misconduct or other means of more..

Mar 12 (DN) The total amount of plastic imported into the country from 2012 to 2018 was 3353.8 million kilograms at a cost of over Rs.184 billion. This was revealed during a recent COPE meeting. The COPE observed that the current plastic import volumes were at an unbearable level due to the improper implementation of waste management, resulting in significant environmental degradation. COPE directed the CEA more..

Mar 12 (AD) Digital Reality Ltd, a joint venture between St. Anthony’s Property Developers Ltd. (SAPD) and Dialog Broadband Ltd, announced the appointment of highly respected banking veteran, technologist and business transformation specialist, Rajendra Theagarajah as Chairman. Theagarajah has been charged with leading its board as Digital Reality gears up for the launch of SL’s first and most advanced High Density Data Centre, at Orion City, and ultimately, securing mandates for data more..

Mar 12 (AD) Minister Bandula Gunawardena claims that the spike in imports of sugar to the country was due to a certain illegal domestic industry. “Sugar imports have increased because when the price of sugar drops – even I personally believe that sugar should be given at this price – because sugar is not only used to drink tea. There is another industry. It is an illegal industry carried out domestically at the village level.” Gunawardena stated that when sugar becomes cheap it is used for more..

Mar 12 (EN) SL’s Roman Catholic Church has called off its month-long protest campaign to demand justice for the victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks by Muslim extremists which killed nearly 270 people and plunged the country into a serious economic and political crisis. Several weeks ago the Church asked the congregants to pray for Justice for the victims and last Sunday the faithful were asked to attend services dressed in more..