Feb 18 (FT) Minister Wimal Weerawansa this week made a request to Prez Rajapaksa to give priority for locally produced Govt procurements. “Although it is said that the local producer takes the lead in the Govt procurement process in our country, there are many instances where it is violated. Despite being the biggest buyer, Govt is procuring the lowest amount of locally produced goods,” he told the Prez, who was present in the audience of the National Industrial Awards 2022 on Tuesday. more..

Feb 18 (AD) The GMOA has called off its one-day token strike scheduled for Feb 21 (Monday). The decision was taken after the discussions held with Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella earlier today. The Secretary to the Health Ministry and the Director-General of Health Services have also attended the said meeting. The token strike was slated to be staged at govt hospitals across the island on Monday, in protest of the incumbent govt’s violation of the national wage policies. more..

Feb 18 (TM) The future of education is the Internet and the Govt has already taken all possible steps to equip all schools in the country with internet facilities as well as the necessary tools, said Minister Dullas Alahapperuma. He made this statement during a computer donation drive held in Jaffna today (18), adding that all should work together to eliminate educational inequality in the country. “25% of primary school teachers in Sri Lanka are untrained in modern technology. more..

Feb 18 (EN) Stock index fell 1.77% on Friday to its lowest in more than one week low with investors were forced to sell their stake to settle broker credit amid economic concerns, brokers said. The main All Share Price Index (ASPI), closed 218.34 points lower at 12,134.34 points, its lowest since Feb 9. “The forced selling continue as the market has been come down gradually. The main concern mots investors have is if there could be margin calls. If that happens, they will have to sell more..

Feb 18 (Reuters) Car spare parts dealers in Colombo are receiving a steady stream of customers looking for what is fast becoming a prized commodity in the island nation - side mirrors for Suzuki’s compact Wagon R. The scramble for the humble product highlights rising economic risks for the South Asian country as imports slump, foreign exchange reserves plummet and a potential sovereign default looms. more..

Feb 18 (CT) Minister of Wildlife and Forest Conservation C.B. Ratnayake said, he will be inquiring from President’s Secretary Gamini Senerath as to the veracity of claims made by Director General of the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens, Shermila Rajapaksha, that she had resumed work in her portfolio with the blessings of the President and the President’s Secretary. The Minister said he will also be looking into the legal implications of the move when more..

Feb 18 (CT) Chief Incumbent of the Deliwela Historic Kotavehera Temple, Ven. Pusselle Ariyawansa Thera said, cash prize of Rs 1 million will be offered to anyone who provides correct information with regard to the recent theft of nine priceless artifacts (including a gold plated relic holder) from the temple premises. Ven. Thera made this offer at a media conference held at the temple premises yesterday (17) with regard to the robbery of nine priceless artifacts including more..

Feb 18 (EN) State-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has lost 83 billion rupees in 2021, and is running a 551 million rupee a day loss in Feb 2022 amid rising global oil prices and domestic taxes, Petroleum Minister Udaya Gammanpila said. The CPC was now making a loss 551 million rupees a day, Minister Gammanpila said on Feb 18. CPC had lost 83 billion rupees last year. CPC was making loss of 19 rupees on a litre of Octane 92 more..

Feb 18 (TM) The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka is to hear all petitions filed by numerous individuals and organisations against the exiting Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the amendments which was tabled by Foreign Minister G L Peiris in Parliament recently. Accordingly, the Centre for Policy Alternative Executive Director Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu has filed a a Special Determination Petition in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the PTA Amendment Bill. more..

Feb 18 (TM) SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) is currently discussing with a number of airlines to start direct flights from the countries a higher number of tourists arrive in SL with the expectation of improving air connectivity globally. SLTDA Chairman Kimarli Fernando stated: “We reach out to the airlines directly because people look for direct flights to the country. We have never done this before.” Fernando said that SLTDA focuses on countries such as France, Germany, Russia more..

Feb 19 (CT) The buzz is on after the Opposition SJB accepted PM Rajapaksa’s challenge to fresh Elections, but neither side is telling which of the polls either of them is talking about. Even keeping the Prez and Parliamentary Polls aside, the much-delayed PC polls and LG Elections are due, each one fought on a slightly different trajectory. PM Mahinda threw the challenge at the increasingly-ever critical SJB-led Opposition at the Anuradhapura campaign-launch with Prez taking the lead. more..

Feb 19 (CT) In a disappointing turn of events, former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and former IGP Pujith Jayasundara, both indicted on charges of failure to prevent the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks and complicity to murder, were acquitted of all charges on Friday, when their case was taken up before a Trial-at-Bar of the Colombo High Court. The victims of the Easter Sunday attacks that killed more than 250 civilians and injured over 500, including a number of foreigners, have been awaiting more..

Feb 19 (CT) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa made a sudden inspection visit to the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority at Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 7 on Friday morning (18). The purpose of the President’s visit was to meet the officials of the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority to inquire into the potential of utilising renewable sources such as water, solar & wind for power generation, more..

Feb 19 (DM) It is widely accepted that in a just and fair society, the foundation is the family. It is accepted that in a family the foundation is the mother who plays a key role physically, spiritually, morally and psychologically. We remember the famous song of Dolly Parton, an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actress, author, businesswoman and humanitarian, known primarily for her work in country music. At the height of her career, when she was a multi-millionaire more..

Feb 19 (DM) Two years back when Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected Prez, he had the best of both worlds. At home, a good part of the Sinhala Buddhist constituency was beholden to him. Beyond the shores, key nations, especially those in Europe and America, were willing to work with him, despite their reservations about him. With a bit of common sense and pragmatism, he could have made miracles. Instead, he squandered both openings. At home, his voters are now poorer and more..

Feb 19 (DM) In the article titled 1962 Coup: Takeover of Govt Through Operation Holdfast, I had written about some persons who were to be arrested and detained at the Army headquarters by the Coup d’etat conspirators. Among these were the then Finance Minister Felix R. Dias Bandaranaike who was also the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and External Affairs (junior minster) and powerful Defence more..

Feb 19 (Island) The govt is planning to jack up fuel prices, again, claiming that the CPC is incurring huge losses. An attempt is apparently being made in some quarters to scapegoat Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila for the fuel price increases in the pipeline. When oil prices were increased on a previous occasion, some SLPP MPs loyal to Basil Rajapaksa flayed Gammanpila for aggravating the woes of the public; they insisted that if Basil had been in the country, he would have prevented more..

Feb 19 (DN) Besides having more chances of landing a good job or advancing the career path, learning a second language can also give a person an insight into other cultures. Learning a second language opens up the opportunity for being part of a community with a different culture, and learning more about the world around us. Language can unite nations across the globe and language can also play a pivotal role in creating dialogue among various nations, cultures, traditions and more..

Feb 19 (TM) Physicians have to continuously adapt to rapidly changing circumstances, and remain committed to patient care despite increased personal risk, as they continue to face challenges in delivering high quality care to all patients. This observation was made in an editorial on the “Physicians’ response to the Covid-19 pandemic: A view from Sri Lanka” which was authored by Sri Jayewardenepura University’s Medical Faculty Chair Professor of Medicine K. Wanigasuriya, more..

Feb 19 (Island) It is 32 years today since the body of Richard de Zoysa was washed ashore, after his abduction by govt forces. This is a significant date for now he has been dead for longer than he lived. He was just a few weeks short his 32nd birthday when he was killed by govt forces. Though this seems an absurd anniversary to think about, I had long thought of it as the time when he would fade further and further into the past, and memory too would begin to die. more..

Feb 19 (Island) The attack on the house of journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama, last Monday night, gave a show of crooked governance, with the stone and faeces throwers coming in a white van. Adding to this, later on the same day, those who forcibly took away the Catholic and social activist Shehan Malika Gamage to the CID, also came in a white van. One is reminded of what Prez Rajapaksa told the heads of leading more..

Feb 19 (FT) SL and Russia yesterday mark 65 years of diplomatic ties with both countries pledging to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. Prez Rajapaksa in a congratulatory message to Russian Prez Vladimir Putin said the abiding friendship and vibrant relations between SL and Russia are time-tested and mutually rewarding. “Underpinned by shared values and mutual respect, relations between our two countries have continued to flourish over the years, promising further expansion more..

Feb 19 (MFA) Foreign Ministry and State Ministry of Batik, Handloom and Local Apparel Products held a joint session on 18 Feb 2022 at the Foreign Ministry to promote SL batik, handloom and local apparel products through SL Missions worldwide. Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris who chaired the event reiterated the importance of economic diplomacy initiatives and emphasized that SL indigenous products are the outcome of creativity of the people and their promotion abroad will directly uplift more..

Feb 19 (FT) Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) raised concerns on the unofficial restrictions made by banks to cripple the country’s vehicle fleet maintenance, which would have a direct impact on goods and people transportation as well as the overall economy. The association revealed the plight with opening Letter of Credit (LC) facilities with regards to spare parts orders and difficulties faced by the vehicle users in the country. more..

Feb 19 (Island) Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) said that they were dismayed by the revision of salaries and various allowances in respect of various groups in the health sector, in violation of procedures. “This will only result in further unrest among various categories of healthcare workers,: President-AMS, Dr. LakKumar Fernando said in a letter to Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. “We strongly believe that any revision and corrections of anomalies in salary structure of govt sector more..

Feb 19 (MFA) Ocean Affairs, Environment & Climate Change Division of the Foreign Ministry, together with the High Commission of Australia to SL and the Maldives, held a multi-stakeholder meeting recently, to discuss international best practices, application of Systems Engineering model to work on the vision, mission and needs of SL to establish a holistic and state-of-the-art Maritime Safety Authority. The discussion was carried out to learn from the Australian experience on managing more..

Feb 19 (FT) Evacuation of the MV-X Press Pearl which caught fire and sank in SL waters began yesterday with the Govt assuring the move posed no harm to the seabed or the environment. The evacuation was observed by Ministers Ali Sabry and Rohitha Abeygunawardena, State Ministers Kanchana Wijesekera and Mohan Silva by visiting the spot where the ship caught fire and wrecked. During the observation visit, Justice Minister said that the evacuation of the ship will be more..

Feb 19 (TM) Niroshan Dickwella, who was unfortunately victimised for telling the truth before a panel of inquiry on last July’s disciplinary breach incident in England, has finally been recalled to this month’s India tour which is to consist of three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) and two Tests. Dickwella, who showed a notable batting form in the ongoing SLC-Dialog National Super League (NSL) 50-over tournament, had been overlooked as the other two involved in the said inquiry more..

Feb 19 (Island) The recent salary increase granted to teachers, in violation of the national salaries and wages policy as well as far-reaching changes proposed in the health sector, would cause a catastrophic situation, GMOA spokesman Dr. Prasad Colombage said. Referring to the crippling trade union action resorted to by 18 health sector trade union grouping, alleging salary anomalies as a result of the increase granted to teachers, more..

Feb 19 (FT) SL’s leading private sector bank HNB, partnered with Sun Lanka Auto Traders to offer customers special leasing opportunities and exciting discounts for SANY excavators. The partnership between the industry leaders will be applicable for customers purchasing any model of SANY excavators available in the market. HNB Deputy General Manager-Retail and SME Banking Sanjay Wijemanne and Sun Lanka Auto Traders Chairperson Koshila Erathne were present more..

Feb 19 (DM) An investigation has revealed that a controversial tweet by TNA MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam about an alleged abduction attempt in Kalmunai, was false and misleading, Police Headquarters said. On Thursday, MP Rasamanickam taking to his Twitter account reported an alleged abduction of a member of a Tamil political group. “Unidentified men who claimed to be part of the state intelligence apparatus attempted to kidnap ITAK youth wing more..

Feb 19 (ST) Yet another wave of price hikes has been set in motion with the LIOC increasing fuel prices while the state-run CPC is also indicating an upward revision of prices. Although the LIOC fuel price hike has led to a marginal increase in the prices of goods and services, a noticeable chain reaction will be seen only if the CPC follows suit, traders say. Public transport providers and goods transporters say they will raise fares more..

Feb 19 (CT) Health Ministry is currently focusing its full attention on administering the Booster or the third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, but a fourth dose would be given to those going abroad, Dr. Asela Gunawardena said. He explained that Sri Lankans who are going abroad and have received the two doses of Sinopharm and the Pfizer - BioNTech would be given the fourth dose of the vaccine after a period of one month. However, the vaccine would be one which is accepted by the country which more..

Feb 19 (DM) Maha Sangha of Presidential Buddhist Advisory Council today pointed out that it is important to hold further discussions before reaching a definite conclusion regarding the registration of new places of worship. Buddhist Advisory Council expressed these views when they met at the Presidential Secretariat today (18) for the 13th time. There was a lengthy discussion on the construction and maintenance of new places of worship, the conduct of Sunday Dhamma Schools, more..

Feb 19 (DP) US company Textron Aviation has been awarded an $11 million contract for its new Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft. Built in Wichita, Kansas, the plane will be delivered through a foreign military sales contract to SL with production set to be completed by September 2025. The aircraft will be handed over to the US Army, which will install sensors before delivering it to the SL Air Force. Textron Vice President of Sales for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa Tom Perry said, more..