Oct 28 (DM) Tea plants will be provided free of charge to any grower who wishes to engage in tea plantation from next year, Plantation Minister Ramesh Pathirana said. He said, according to the current system, it takes nearly four years for the tea bushes to produce yield and therefore, the growers often become discouraged in engaging with the industry. "The growers have come forward to cultivate tea adopting the new system. "By adopting this plantation method, it will be possible to more..

Oct 28 (TM) A group of academics from the agriculture field, in a letter to Agriculture Ministry Secretary Prof. Udith Jayasinghe-Mudalige, has requested the latter to facilitate a meeting with Prez Rajapaksa, in order to propose a course of action in agriculture that is consistent with the vision of the Govt and at the same time, acceptable to farmers. The letter, which is signed by 141 senior professors, professors, senior lecturers, and lecturers more..

Oct 28 (Island) A study has revealed that 14% of paints tested in the country contain lead in excess of 90 ppm (the applicable standard in India, Nepal, the U.S., Canada and many other countries). The report released yesterday by the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), in association with the US based Occupational Knowledge (OK) International, tests were conducted on 37 paint products purchased from stores and online from 25 different manufacturers. more..

Oct 28 (EN) Sri Lanka should cut the bloated public service and ramp up training and rewards to the most productive to make it more effective, a policy specialist said as unemployed graduates add to state workers who have been untouched by the Coronavirus pandemic. SL’s informal workers were hardest hit by the Coronavirus pandemic and many small businesses were attacked by lockdowns and import controls and permits were being destroyed. Bigger companies were doing better. more..

Oct 28 (TM) Police clad in riot gear yesterday stormed a Satyagraha campaign at the Govt designated Demonstration Site at the Galle Face Green, which was organised by several teachers’ trade unions, including the SL Govt Teachers’ Union (SLGTU), demanding a solution to the teacher-principal salary anomaly issue for the second consecutive day yesterday. Several teachers’ unions, including the SLGTU commenced more..

Oct 28 (DM) Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi today instructed the National Transport Commission (NTC) Chairman to provide all possible relief for private bus owners to restart bus service. Minister said this following a discussion with the Private Bus Owners' Association at the Transport Ministry today. She said the private bus industry has been defunct for nearly a half-a-year due to COVID pandemic in the country. Therefore, NTC Chairman Shashi Welgama was instructed to provide possible relief to restart more..

Oct 28 (CT) The Parliamentary Council has approved the proposal made by Prez Rajapaksa to appoint P.S.M. Charles to fill the vacancy at the Election Commission created following the resignation of Jeevan Thiyagarajah. Thiyagarajah resigned to take up the post of Northern Province Governor. Charles previously served as Northern Province Governor. She also served as the Health Ministry Secretary and Director General of Customs. Meanwhile, SecretaryGeneral of more..

Oct 28 (CT) Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala yesterday ordered the CID to initiate an investigation into the complaint lodged by State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay regarding an allegation made against him. Accordingly, CID informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday that investigations would be initiated into the complaint, after which the CM ordered the CID to more..

Oct 28 (CT) Nagoda Police said they have arrested Waduramba Police Crimes Division OIC for stealing a sum of Rs. 1 million in cash from an individual who was trying to buy a vehicle. Police said the OIC had introduced a broker from the Meegoda area to a person who had been looking to purchase a vehicle when he had been attached to the Maharagama Police Station. The broker had then informed that a quality vehicle was available in Kalutara and when the buyer had gone to the area with brokerle. more..

Oct 28 (AD) PM Mahinda Rajapaksa has expressed appreciation for China’s continued support when the Ambassador of China to SL Qi Zhenhong called on the PM at Temple Trees on Wednesday (27). He also thanked the Chinese Govt for supporting SL in the fight against the pandemic and the vaccine effort. Meanwhile, Ambassador Zhenhong congratulated SL on the success of the vaccine drive in the country and assured continued support. He also recalled the assistance provided by more..

Oct 28 (AD) Father Cyril Gamini, who had been summoned by the CID today to record a statement in connection with the complaint filed by the Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), has requested for one week’s time to provide the statement. This was informed by three Catholics priests who appeared before the CID on behalf of Father Cyril Gamini today. Speaking to reports afterwards, Fr. Shanthi Kumar Welivita stated more..

Oct 28 (AD) Prof. Neelika Malavige has been selected as a member of the World Health Organization’s technical advisory committee on COVID-19. The WHO established a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to advise on scientific, technical and strategic matters related to the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP). Prof. Malavige currently serves as the Head of the Immunology and Molecular Medicine Dept at the Sri J'pura University. more..

Oct 28 (TM) The cattle slaughter ban will not benefit the local dairy farmers, according to the All-Ceylon Farmers’ Federation (ACFF). Speaking to The Morning, ACFF Convenor Namal Karunaratne said that the move has angered farmers because completely banning the sale of cattle for slaughter will leave them unable to sell their cattle, which was earlier considered a cashable asset. The Cabinet of Ministers has decided to ban cattle slaughter in the country in what it said is an effort to increase more..

Oct 28 (TM) The Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) yesterday announced that since the Health Ministry initiated the school vaccination drive on 15 Oct, 340,000 schoolchildren have up to date received the Covid-19 vaccine, and that there have been no serious complications recorded in any child as a result of the vaccine. “On 15 Oct, schools started providing the Covid-19 vaccine to students who are 15 years and above, more..

Oct 29 (DM) SL is slowly working towards promoting organic fertilizer in its attempt to eliminate chemical fertilizer. That initiative is headed by the country’s Prez who even went to the extent of including that programme in his election manifesto. Sri Lankans are quite slow in dropping the bad and embracing what’s good. That was shown in no uncertain terms during the past 72 years when state finances were plundered by politicians. People were very slow in breaking away from the traditional, party and more..

Oct 29 (Roar) On 27 Nov 1953, after a month touring 15 Asian countries, US Vice President Richard M Nixon, accompanied by his wife Pat, arrived at Ratmalana Airport on a 3-day visit to SL, then known officially as Ceylon. It was the first visit by a US holder of that office. He immediately broke protocol by exchanging greetings with the crowd of onlookers and fielding questions at an impromptu press conference, before being whisked off to Temple Trees, PM John Kotelawela’s official more..

Oct 29 (FT) In my article SWRD’s flirtation with federalism published in these columns on 29 Sept, I had referred to the pact signed by the then PM Bandaranaike and Tamil political leader Chelvanayagam in 1957. What I wrote then was as follows: “The agreement signed by S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and S.J.V. Chelvanayagam in 1957 was a significant event in the political history of post-independence Sri Lanka. more..

Oct 29 (TM) According to SL’s supreme law – the Constitution – every citizen is entitled to be treated equally, regardless of their ethnic, religious, and other differences, and that unconditional equality is what most citizens seek and most Govts and politicians promise to give. However, SL has not been quite successful in ensuring that equality. In a new move to achieve said equality, Prez Rajapaksa, this week, established a Presidential Task Force for the One Country, One Law initiative. more..

Oct 29 (CT) Most people would wonder whether Prez Rajapaksa has flipped his lid by appointing the dastardly discredited monk Gnanasara to head a task force to ensure the One Country-One Law. First up, I would ask Justice Minister, formerly the legal representative of the then Secretary of State, Ali Sabry, if he has lost all of his marbles upstairs or if he like many others simply wish to get into the records as Chief Justice, Minister, Army Commander, Governor of CB, AG, et al? more..

Oct 29 (TM) 16-year-old teenager who suffered a heart attack six days after receiving his first dose of the US-German made Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine will receive financial assistance of Singaporean dollars 225,000 from the Govt of Singapore, said its Health Ministry recently. Medical investigations in Singapore had found that the youth had developed acute severe myocarditis or heart inflammation, more..

Oct 29 (CT) The reason for banning synthetic fertilisers to be replaced by compost is one of the stupidest decisions taken by the Govt. Our Prez was led to this irrational decision on the premise that agrochemicals cause the kidney disease in the north-central province by a set of pseudo experts without any experience in either the kidney disease or agriculture. This myth propagated by various individuals has influenced our Prez who committed political hara-kiri by banning the import of more..

Oct 29 (CT) With the country now open for tourism and schools also at least partially reopened as of now, health officials advised Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa to ensure that booster vaccines, preferably Pfizer, be given to all those who are vulnerable and health workers as the effects of the second dose already administered is waning. If not the country once more runs the risk of being swamped by the COVID-19 virus with deadly consequences both from a health and more..

Oct 29 (Island) China has taken exception to the detection by SL scientists of harmful bacteria in the samples of a consignment of Chinese organic fertiliser to be imported. Tests were conducted twice and the samples were found to be contaminated on both occasions. Now, China wants the samples retested at another laboratory acceptable to both sides. The SL govt, whose leaders never miss an opportunity to wrap themselves in the flag, and vow to defend the country’s interests even at more..

Oct 29 (Island) The games that the Prez, his govt and the leader of the Opposition play are fraught with grave danger to the wellbeing of our people and to opportunities to change, grow and preserve this society. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, as a prez candidate held out the prospect of a land in prosperity – saubhagyaye dekma. His advisors in viyath maga, in their wisdom, saw that as a clear path to victory against a hopelessly divided govt in office, poorly led, with no viable plan of action. more..

Oct 29 (FT) Govt yesterday blasted Moody’s downgrade of Sovereign rating saying it was ill-timed and unacceptable whilst the move renews concerns over subjectivity. “Govt wishes to express strong displeasure,” said a statement in response to Moody’s recent assessment that led to the rating action, after being placed under review for downgrade three months ago in a similar fashion. “Once again, Moody’s irrational rating action more..

Oct 29 (GV) Last weekend featured a double header at the T20 Cricket World Cup featuring four South Asian nations. The evening match played under lights was between two countries with a difficult relationship, diplomatically distant as of late. The match ended quite calmly, with Pakistan romping to a 10 wicket win, and images of a smiling Indian captain, congratulating his opposite number going viral. The match before that was between two of the less fancied sides in the tournament; more..

Oct 29 (FT) Dept of Labour said it was disappointed with the response received from the private sector for the e-survey to identify worker demand requirements in 2022. “The response received from the private sector companies was very poor and disappointing,” Labour Dept Commissioner General Prabath Chandrakeerthi said. The objective of the initiative was to re-strengthen the economy severely affected by the COVID pandemic by increasing the productivity of the private sector. more..

Oct 29 (CI) David Warner returned to form with a powerful half-century as Australia started the Super 12s with back-to-back victories. For the second match in a row, Australia chased a target - although there was minimal drama this time, as SL were made to pay for dropping Warner early in his innings. SL's attack has played a big part in their success in the tournament so far, but the challenge provided by Australia represented a step up. more..

Oct 29 (CI) Allrounder Eshani Lokusuriyage, who was instrumental in perhaps SL's greatest ODI win ever, has retired from int'l cricket, aged 37. In a video on Facebook, she said a leg injury had prompted her to make that decision. "I've decided to retire from int'l cricket," she said. "However, I will continue to play for my club side - Navy. I want to take this opportunity to thank the fans who've been with me since 2013. Please continue to support me, because I'll still be a club cricketer." more..

Oct 29 (FT) The upcoming SL Economic Summit 2021, is prepared to host a lineup of contemporary dialogues under this year’s theme Springboard for revival: Opportunity to reset. Day One of the event will commence with a session dedicated towards a focal topic on SL’s Opportunity to Reset in the New Global Norm on 6 Dec. This session will emphasise on the pandemic which has changed the outlook for the global economy with the expectation for global GDP to return to its pre-COVID-19 level more..

Oct 29 (FT) COVID-19 vaccines were administered to 165,260 persons on Wednesday and 70.46% of the country’s population has received the first dose of a vaccine to date. The second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine has been administered to 61.71% of the total population. 91.1% of the country’s population over the age of 20 has received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. The first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine has been administered to 15,262,192 persons and the second dose more..

Oct 29 (CT) SL were in state of bother at the end of day one reeling at 61-6 against Pakistan A in their first 4-day test match at Pallekele Stadium in Kandy. Having won the toss, Pakistan skipper Saud Shakeel had no hesitation to put the hosts in to bat first to take advantage of the overcast conditions. Kamil Mishara and Lahiru Udara opened the batting for SL and provided a decent start to the innings with a 36-run partnership for the first wicket before the Paksitan bowlers wreaked havoc. more..

Oct 29 (ST) A family of six including a two-year-old girl falls like dominoes in the face of the onslaught of COVID-19, just before and soon after the New Year this April. Was it the Delta variant that was gaining dominance, surpassing all others in early April? It was not so in the case of this family, a diligent study initiated by the Kotelawala Defence Uni (KDU) had found. The family had been admitted to KDU Hospital more..

Oct 29 (Island) The US is keen to further strengthen defence relations with Sri Lanka while calling for a probe into alleged accountability issues. Army Commander General Shavendra Silva, who is also the Chief of Defence Staff, has been blacklisted as an unwelcome visitor to the US. In line with the US strategy, SL Navy this week took delivery of Douglas Munro, the second Hamilton Class High Endurance Cutter formerly of the US Coast Guard at the U.S. Coast Guard Base in Seattle, Washington. more..

Oct 29 (SLN) The training ships of the 1st Training Squadron of the Indian Navy; INS ‘Shardul’, ‘Magar’, ‘Sujata’, ‘Sudarshini’, ‘Tarangini’ and ICGS ‘Vikram’ which arrived in SL for a bilateral naval exercise on 28th Oct, departed the island on 27th and 28th Oct, on successful completion of naval exercises held in Colombo and Trincomalee. Besides, Flag Officer Commander - in – Chief Southern Naval Command Indian Navy, Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla who arrived in SL on an official visit more..

Oct 29 (FT) Colombo’s first-ever sand dune ATV adventure centre Colombo Dunes was inaugurated yesterday at the Colombo Port City, with the public able to make bookings starting today. Managed by Crate Adventures Ltd., Colombo Dunes seeks to fill the adventure tourism-sized hole in the market. “At Colombo Dunes by Crate Adventure in Port City Colombo, one can unleash their adventurous self on the multiple tracks more..

Oct 29 (TM) Export earnings of Sri Lanka have been able to record $ 995.8 million during the month of Sept 2021, which is a little less than $ 1 billion monthly earnings, the country’s exports recorded in the previous months. Speaking on the export earnings, EDB Chairman Suresh de Mel said: “Observing the export figures of September, it is remarkable to see that our exporters performed this well amidst travel restrictions and lockdowns due to the third wave of Covid-19 pandemic in SL. more..

Oct 29 (TM) A trend of Sri Lankans choosing to migrate with the hope of obtaining permanent residency (PR) in western nations has been identified, with Canada and Australia being their most preferred destinations, immigration and emigration consultant companies in Sri Lanka told The Morning. It is also learnt from informed sources that most of the Sri Lankans are migrating due to the current economic situation in the country. Meanwhile, speaking to The Morning more..