Mar 29 (TM) The 47-member UNHRC last week adopted the Resolution forwarded by Britain to once again put the Govt of SL in the dock for alleged human rights violations. The 22 to 11 vote in the 47-member council provided a mandate to UN Rights Chief Michelle Bachelet and her office to directly “collect, consolidate, analyse, and preserve information and evidence, and to develop possible strategies for future accountability processes for gross violations of human rights or more..

Mar 29 (TM) Sri Lanka has once again returned to the agenda of the UNHRC with last week’s adoption of the resolution moved by the Core Group on Sri Lanka at the 46th Council Sessions in Geneva. As the UNHRC has taken immediate action for the implementation of the resolution, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry has also initiated its action plan to address the resolution and on the action to be taken at the upcoming 76th Sessions of the UN General Assembly. more..

Mar 29 (TM) UN resolution on Sri Lanka promoting reconciliation, accountability, and human rights, presented by the UN Core Group led by the UK, Canada, and other allies, was adopted at the 46th Session of the UUNHRC on 23 March. What will happen next, now that the resolution – which was strongly rejected by the Govt of SL for being politically motivated and unwarranted – has been passed? more..

Mar 29 (ST) If the Govt of SL wants to congratulate itself which it seems to be desperately seeking to do on the (inevitable) passing of UNHRC Resolution 46/1 in Geneva this week, it may do so for having irrevocably internationalised the prime duty of the State to protect its citizens in accordance with the Constitution. This is precisely what we are at, make no mistake. By each and every act, the Govt has flaunted contempt for constitutional safeguards, the upholding of basic liberties of citizens more..

Mar 29 (ST) The UN’s watchdog on human rights, the UNHRC, this week put the Govt of SL in the dog house and warned: From henceforth, everything you say, every move you make will be monitored and held against you in any future legal proceedings. We will be watching you. This was the blunt message delivered to Lanka by the UNHRC which received its mandate to tag the Govt after the resolution on SL, brought by Britain and a core group of members was adopted at its 46th Session held in Geneva more..

Mar 29 (SO) Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament that the Govt remains committed to protect those who have made immeasurable sacrifices to neutralise terrorism, protect the territorial integrity of the country and to regain for all people in Sri Lanka the most cherished of all rights, right to life. He said despite the vote of the UNHRC Resolution against Sri Lanka, the country will pursue its domestic mechanisms aimed at bringing about reconciliation and a lasting peace. more..

Mar 29 (GV) Histories of the tri-traditional dances of Sri Lanka – Kandyan, Low Country and Sabaragamuwa – generally highlight a handful of pioneering women, point out their significance as the first female dancers on stage and summarize their life stories. In these narratives their contribution is presented as creating a space for female dancers on stage. Yet, these female pioneers emerged on stage at a critical point in the journey of the tri-traditional dances from ritual space to stage. more..

Mar 29 (TM) The Ministry of Mass Media has taken measures to make several amendments to the existing Press Council Act to include regulations on electronic and new media content as well. The Sunday Morning spoke to Minister of Mass Media Keheliya Rambukwella to understand the ongoing process in amending a law that only governed print media and how he plans to widen the provisions of the Act towards appointing a more..

Mar 29 (CT) The likes of Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Thirimanne and Niroshan Dickwella are expected to continue their fine form as the tourists eye a vital away win when they take on Kraigg Braithwaite led West Indies in the second Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua today. After failing to impress in the T20Is and ODI’s, Sri Lanka played a much better brand of cricket in the Test series, with the first Test eventually ending in a thrilling draw, where the game could have gone either way more..

Mar 29 (ST) SL Army athletes Sandaruwan Dunukara and Kalhari Madirika won the men’s and women’s race walking titles respectively at the 46th National Sports Festival at Kataragama. Dunukara representing North Central Province won the race walking gold medal at the National Sports Festival for the fifth consecutive time. The 29-year-old who won the event in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 clocked a winning time of one hour 38.17 minutes. Madirika representing Western Province more..

Mar 29 (Island) Former Maris Stella College, Negombo athlete Ushan Thivanka was awarded a car when he was adjudged the best athlete of the National Sports Festival in 2019. Months later he sold it and utilized that money to enter a university in the USA. But an athlete nursing an injury would not be granted a full scholarship. Odds were against him. Ushan, the only son of polio victim parents, had an injury to overcome, more..

Mar 29 (Island) Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has accused the plantation industry of attempting to sabotage the 1,000 rupees a day wage award by resorting to court action. A pile of cases have been filed in the courts challenging the wages board award and when these will be determined is not yet clear. The case was called on Friday but not taken up at the time of writing and had later been postponed for Tuesday. Equally unclear is whether the challenge that has been mounted by more..

Mar 29 (CT) Ashan Randika’s and Himasha Liyanage’s brilliant centuries, plus Thisara Perera’s six sixes off Dilhan Cooray, helped Army SC post a mammoth 318 runs in their allotted 20 overs against Bloomfield C & AC in a first week fixture of the SLC Major Club Limited Overs Cricket Tournament 2020/21 in Panagoda yesterday. Winning the toss and batting first, Army lads were well ahead from the get go as Ashan Randika along with Himasha Liyanage added 212 run partnership more..

Mar 29 (FT) The COVID-19 pandemic has given an opportunity for the Govt to fast-track policy reforms, reduce red tape and support local businesses to expand and link with global value chains to underpin a stronger recovery needed to deliver sustainable growth to Sri Lanka, a new research conducted by a top business chamber has found. The majority of respondents participating in the research undertaken by more..

Mar 29 (FT) Leading global manufacturing company Star Garments Group (Star) recently established a state-of-the-art factory in Buttala in the Monaragala District, with the view of promoting inclusive growth and supporting the nation’s efforts in uplifting regional economies. This is the group’s 11th factory in SL and will go on to provide job opportunities for over 1,000 people. The facility is equipped with modern infrastructure and technology to produce cut and sew knit clothing to some of the more..

Mar 29 (DM) If the people fail to adhere to strict health guidelines, emergence of another disastrous situation at the end of April cannot be ruled out, Public Health Inspectors' (PHI) Union Head Upul Rohana said. He said people have now started to behave carelessly and most of them seem to be taking the deadly virus spread very lightly. "People go on shopping with their whole family. They do not even maintain social distances and even do not wear masks," he said. more..

Mar 29 (CT) First Request for proposal (FRP) would be floated next month to build a logistics centre at the Colombo Port stated SLPA Chairman General Daya Ratnayake. Speaking on the sidelines of Annual awards ceremony of Institute of Chartered Ship Brokers, he said two multi-storey building to host two world class logistic centre’s would come up in Colombo port at an estimated value of USD 200 m each. more..

Mar 29 (EN) Employees working for companies within Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone in land reclaimed by a China-based firm will get tax free dollar salaries, according to a draft law to be presented to parliament. Any foreigner or resident (an authorised person) who want to start a business within the Port City boundaries will first have to get a license and business registration from the Colombo Port City Economic Commission which will run zone. The firms can then employ a foreigner or more..

Mar 29 (Xinhua) The Colombo Fashion Week, one of Sri Lanka's most extravagant fashion events, kicked off in the SL capital on Thursday evening. This year's fashion week will see 21 designers who are set to showcase their collections over a period of three days, on March 25-27. With a theme of Week of Circularity, the fashion week aims to propel Sri Lanka's fashion design industry to transform and make fashion products more relevant in a new environment. more..

Mar 29 (CT) Whilst all grades in State-run schools, Govt approved private schools, including pre-schools, in the Western Province (WP) re-open today (29), all those in the Jaffna Education Zone have been directed to close with immediate effect. Secretary to the Northern Province Ministry of Education, M. Ilankovan said it had been decided to close all schools in the Jaffna Zone from today due to the rapid spread of coronavirus more..

Mar 29 (FT) Two COVID-19 deaths confirmed by health authorities yesterday brought the country’s COVID-19 death toll to 561. Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena confirmed that a death that occurred on 1 Feb as well as one that occurred on 29 Dec 2020 were COVID-19-related. The death that occurred on 1 Feb was that of a 60-year-old individual from Colombo 15 who died while being admitted to the Mawanella Base Hospital. The cause of death is cited as COVID-19 and more..

Mar 29 (Island) Sri Lanka seems to have adopted short-sighted development policies that have aggravated the Human-Elephant conflict (HEC), former Wildlife Department Director-General, Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya said, while adding that little has changed in the approach towards mitigating the conflict over the past 60 years. “The mitigation measures have been ineffective as evidenced by the rapidly escalating casualties among both humans and elephants, resulting in Sri Lanka being more..

Mar 29 (Island) Catholic Church warned the govt of dire consequences unless tangible measures were taken to neutralize the continuing threat posed by 2019 Easter Sunday mastermind Zahran Hashim’s followers. Serious threats remained even two years after the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage, Rev Father Cyril Gamini Fernando, parish priest of St. Anne’s Church, Kurana, said in his Sunday sermon. more..

Mar 29 (Island) Aflatoxins could be more carcinogenic to children than adults, Senior Professor Arjuna de Silva said, warning that the impact of aflatoxin contaminated coconut oil would have disastrous consequences. Aflatoxins usually affect the kidneys and can eventually lead to cancers there. “This might affect children more. Even their growth can be affected if they are exposed to this for a long time or a sudden large dose,” he said, more..

Mar 29 (Island) For the first time in its history the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) will hold a public hearing, on 27 May, as part of its investigation to find out what caused the countrywide power failure on 17 Aug, 2020. The session would commence at 9.30 am. It was the first time that such a massive power failure had occurred in the country and no room should be left for another one. “Because of this power failure, CEB was unable to serve a total energy demand of 27.5 GWh, more..

Mar 29 (TM) Ministry of Fisheries is currently in discussions with Govt of India for the implementation of a programme that would permit Indian fishermen to fish in SL waters. “There are two main problems we face in our waters. Indian fishermen illegally crossing the border, and engaging in bottom trawling. To settle these problems we have proposed that a limited number of Indian boats be given licenses to fish here per week,” more..

Mar 29 (EN) A special economic zone to be set up in the Colombo Port City reclaimed from the sea will have regulation covering gaming according to a draft law to be presented to parliament shortly. A Colombo Port City Economic Commission, with a board appointed by the President of Sri Lanka and a Director General will administer the area. The Special Zone is expected to bring a variety of investments including offshore banking to boost economic activity and also bring investments. more..

Mar 29 (FT) Over 500 persons tested positive for COVID-19 during the weekend, pushing the country’s total COVID-19 patient count to 92,088. A total of 249 patients were detected yesterday, including 168 associates of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster. On Saturday, 278 persons tested positive for COVID-19, of which 251 were detected from sub-clusters related to the Peliyagoda cluster and nine were from the prisons cluster. Fourteen SL returnees from abroad and four foreigners were also more..

Mar 29 (TM) The issue of adulterated oil being passed off as coconut oil is widespread in SL, and it is undermining public health, according to a senior Ministry of Health official. Food Safety Unit of the Health Ministry Director Dr. Thilak Siriwardana said the coconut oil industry is at a stage where it needs rapid correction. “Some importers bring crude coconut oil containing aflatoxin, which is harmful to the human body. more..

Mar 29 (AD) A final decision regarding the amendment of the laws pertaining to the Provincial Council elections will be taken at the Cabinet meeting to be held today. Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, presented two alternative proposals to the Cabinet last week regarding the holding of the Provincial Council Elections. The proposals were to hold the PC elections either under the old system or to amend the new Act and hold elections under mixed system. more..

Mar 29 (TM) CPSTL Chairman Uvais Mohamed said that there was no fuel shortage in the country due to the Suez Canal blockage, and that there are ample stocks to last for 20 days. CPSTL has placed orders to purchase more fuel stocks, and that the ships carrying these stocks are on the way. “People need not panic, and there will be no fuel price increase either. A majority, or 65%, of the fuel we import arrives from India and Singapore, and the rest from the Middle East. more..

Mar 29 (DM) The Govt has banned a number of Tamil diaspora groups, including some influential organizations based in the UK. Some of the groups were banned in 2014 but were de-listed by the Govt in 2015. The Global Tamil Forum (GTF), British Tamil Forum (BTF), Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC), Australian Tamil Congress (ATC), National Council of Canadian Tamil, Tamil Youth Organisation and more..

Mar 29 (FT) In the previous two parts we looked at the contribution made by the Late K. Sivagananathan to Sri Lanka’s banking education and trailblazing fintech revolution. He was a leading member of the two teams that successfully completed the accreditation of the qualifications of the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka by the London-based Institute of Financial Services and the creation of LankaClear as a public private partnership, respectively. more..

Mar 29 (FT) The recent verbal encounter between a Govt minister, who asked those who want to live under sharia laws to go to Saudi Arabia, and a former Muslim Governor of Western Province, who refuted the minister and maintained that one could live under sharia laws in Sri Lanka, which eventually ended in Police arresting the ex-Governor under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, illustrates how deeply and widely has political Buddhism penetrated the realm of national governance and, more..

Mar 29 (DM) A person who claimed to be a policeman attached to Cinnamon Gardens Police station had forcibly got into a taxi which was on a private hire with a Journalist on Saturday night and got down without paying his fare. The man claimed to be a cop who was in his police uniform suddenly got into the taxi near Kirulapone Junction and asked the driver to drop him near the Kohuwala Police Station. However, when nearing the Kohuwala Police Station the man who claimed himself more..

Mar 29 (DN) State Minister Dilum Amunugama said he will write to the IGP to take stern action against buses carrying passengers more than the seating capacity violating the stipulated health guidelines. He said a Gazette stipulating that all public transport buses must only carry passengers to the number of seats available had been issued and is still effective. He said he wrote to the IGP on a previous occasion too drawing his attention to the matter, but Police do not seem to take adequate action in this more..

Mar 29 (AD) It has been reconfirmed through tests that the unrefined coconut oil stocks, imported to SL by 3 companies, contain the carcinogen Aflatoxin, SL Standards Institution (SLSI) stated. SLSI, Food Safety Unit of the Ministry of Health, and Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) re-tested the samples of imported unrefined coconut oil, based on appeals by the importing companies. However, the test results released today reconfirmed that more..

Mar 29 (DM) Meegoda Police said tody that the 10-year-old girl who was reported missing from the Welisenawatte area in Meegoda recently had been found. Earlier, National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) sought public assistant to locate the child who had been missing from Friday. According to the Chairman of the NCPA Muditha Vidanapathirana, the child’s mother had complaint with the NCPA and Police that her child had gone missing. Child's mother divorced the father and left to UK more..