Jan 14 (EN) SL’s worker remittances were down 60% from a year earlier to US$ 325.2 million in Dec 2021 with foreign exchange diverted to the unofficial market as money printing undermined the credibility of a 200 to the US dollar peg. Full year 2021 official remittances were down 22.7% to US$ 5,491.5 million. SL’s official remittances started to fall as money printed by the central bank to keep interest rates down was used up in the economy, driving imports up and foreign exchange controls were tightened, more..

Jan 14 (Island) Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana has said that the SLAF was able to earn USD 6 million in 2021 by deploying an aviation unit and troops on UN missions. He said that all the foreign exchange earnings had been handed over to the Treasury and the total amount handed over to the treasury by the SLAF since 2014 was USD 110 million. Air Force commander made this disclosure while briefing the media on the 71st anniversary celebrations of the SLAF, which falls on the 2nd of March 2022. more..

Jan 14 (AD) It is now evident that certain leaders used the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks for political advantage, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith alleges. The remarks of the Archbishop of Colombo came during the service held at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka in Ragama today to mark 1,000 days passed since the heinous carnage. The service was attended by the survivors of the suicide bomb attacks at Katuwapitiya and Kochchikade churches as well as the family members of the victims. more..

Jan 15 (DM) During the nearly 30-year civil war and the two armed insurrections led by the JVP hundreds of thousands of SL people were killed or injured while an equal number were left in deprivation and destitution, desolation and social degradation. The socio-economic damage caused was incalculable. After the outbreak of the unprecedented covid-19 pandemic and its variants such as the Delta and the fast spreading Omicron, vital sections are staging protests and more..

Jan 15 (DM) Public Services, Provincial Councils and Local Govt Minister Janaka Bandara Thennakoon has not given, as he is not legally required to, any reason for the term extension of local govt bodies, till March 19, next year. The Gazette notification that was issued on Monday (10) gives only the legal provisions under which the Minister is empowered to postpone the elections that were scheduled to be held before Feb 10, this year. Sagara Kariyawasam, General Secretary more..

Jan 15 (DM) This January is the 60th anniversary of what has come to be known as the 1962 Coup or Coup d’état of Sri Lanka known formerly as Ceylon. News about the coup in Ceylon/SL was first relayed over the state radio known then as Radio Ceylon on January 28, 1962. It was a Sunday and therefore a holiday. Radio kept broadcasting several news bulletins about the coup intermittently. The news sent shock waves throughout SL. more..

Jan 15 (CT) Last Wednesday, Ceylon Today reported that a hand grenade was found in the premises of All Saints’ Church Punchi Borella on the previous evening (Tuesday) by the STF. The explosive was found following a tipoff, SSP Nihal Thalduwa is quoted to have had said. Four persons had been arrested in this connection. On the following day, Thursday, CT reported that approval was given by the Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya to CCD of the Police more..

Jan 15 (CT) Two years of systemic economic mismanagement by a government elected to power with great expectations and grand promises has led the people into a miserable existence of hopelessness, despair and depression. The regime is scapegoating Covid-19 for the disaster, which no doubt aggravated it, but policy faults by govt were several, and worse was its brick headedness not to listen to experts in the field simply because they were not part of its power cartel. more..

Jan 15 (CT) Prez Rajapaksa on Thursday (14) made an inspection visit to the Litro Gas Terminal at Kerawalapitiya. Prez Rajapaksa, who visited the main operation centre of the terminal, inspected the process of unloading gas from the vessels and the process of storing gas. He was accompanied by Theshara Jayasinghe, Chairman of Litro Gas Lanka Limited, Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardana, more..

Jan 15 (CT) Politics is all about power capturing, retaining and resisting. Irrespective of what level or in which theatre politics plays out, it simply aims either at acquiring and preventing power, by means that may be good or bad. Irrespective of whether it is a man or woman, whoever desires to enter politics at any national, provincial or local level, should possess power that is comparatively higher than their contenders. Financial capacity, status and social contacts together determine more..

Jan 15 (Island) People’s attention has shifted from gas explosions, economic woes, forex crisis, power cuts, and other such burning problems to another very serious issue––the detection of a grenade inside All Saints Church, Borella. The manner in which the police are conducting investigations into the incident has given rise to a controversy with the Catholic clergy claiming that the investigators have been barking up the wrong tree. They have produced proof in support of their argument, more..

Jan 15 (TM) Well water in agricultural regions of SL is contaminated with highly hazardous insecticides and associated with a decline in kidney function, according to research published in the npj Clean Water journal this month. This finding is the latest piece in an ongoing puzzle regarding the epidemic of chronic kidney disease of unknown origins in Sri Lanka and other developing countries in agricultural regions. Although the exact etiology of the disease has not been confirmed, more..

Jan 15 (Island) Holidaying together in SL with their families were my son and a friend, both domiciled in Australia. For greater enjoyment they usually planned their trips here together, when they could catch up on belated family news and visits. That was how my son learnt that his friend was looking for an elders’ home for his mother, and his friend was relieved to hear that I myself was already in one. He immediately decided that she should apply to the same elders’ home, facing opposition with, more..

Jan 15 (Island) The Chairman of Litro Gas Lanka, Mr. Thesara Jayasinghe, is certainly a big power – the mighty muscleman in Pohottuva governance. He was brought back as head of Litro less than a day after his removal from the position by Secretary to the Ministry of Finance. Well, by whom and how did this happen? It was by none other than the Prez of SL himself – Gotabaya Rajapaksa! Let’s forget (if possible) all those gas blasts more..

Jan 15 (Island) The price of coconuts and coconut oil will increase in the coming months due to the drop in production, Chairman of the National Movement for the Protection of Consumer Rights, Ranjith Vithanage says. Vithanage said that SL coconut owners produced between two to three billion coconuts a year. However, the coconut industry needs around 3.6 billion nuts, he said. “There is a drop in production around this time because of the dry weather. more..

Jan 15 (TM) After having 28 initial public offerings (IPOs) last year, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) stated that it already has five to six IPOs in the pipeline for this year. According to CSE Chairman Dumith Fernando, their target for 2021 had been 20 IPOs, which was easily surpassed, and he claimed that this reflected the demand and faith in the corporate sector. In 2021, the CSE recorded 28 IPOs, the second highest figure recorded in the history of the CSE, behind only 2011 & 2013 more..

Jan 15 (Island) SL skipper Dasun Shanaka confirmed that Kusal Mendis will open batting in the three match series against Zimbabwe that gets underway at Pallekele on Sunday. Mendis was not part of the initial squad but was a late addition after several COVID positive cases within the SL bubble. 26-year-old Mendis last played int'l cricket more than six months ago and missed several series after he was suspended more..

Jan 15 (Island) The era was the mid-sixties. The transitional period of ocean travels to air travels. No hand phones and children read story books and played board games with the adults and sat for dinner together. No phone lines to the rural areas. Electricity was just installed. Roads widened with and given names of the local dignitaries. The only form of communication was by post or by telegrams. We were invited to a world film festival held in Mexico, and the reason was Gamperaliya, more..

Jan 15 (DN) Nimesha Dilrukshi and Niran Pasindu, both from the Sri Lanka Army, emerged champions at the first local highway cycle race that began yesterday morning at the Mirigama highway entrance. Niran finished the race in one hour, 51 minutes, and 35 seconds. The junior men’s event was won by Tharanga Fernando of Ratmalana’s Golden CC. The event was organised by the Ministries of Youth and Sports and Highways, in collaboration with the Cycling Federation. more..

Jan 15 (FT) NMSJ Chairman and former speaker Karu Jayasuriya called for a truly honourable new Constitution, and urged Prez Rajapaksa to make public on or before the Independence Day the progress towards it. “It is the nature of citizens to expect the words and promises of a head of state in politics to be firm and consistent. Therefore, the main focus of the press conference is to remind Prez Rajapaksa of two promises he made to the country in 2020 and the need to fulfil those promises,” more..

Jan 15 (ICC) SL got off to a winning start as they toppled Scotland by 40 runs on the opening day of the ICC U19 Men’s CWC – so often a breeding ground for the game’s future superstars. Sri Lanka executed a skillful defence of their total as captain fantastic Wellalage and his bowlers fired them to victory in Georgetown. Wellalage’s canny left-arm spin saw him rack up formidable figures of five for 27 from nine overs as Scotland were unable to ever get going in pursuit of their 219-run target. more..

Jan 15 (ST) The much delayed controversial fool proof sticker and labeling system for local and imported alcoholic beverages is now fully operational and affixing these stickers on manufactured liquor bottles and cans will be completed by March, M.J. Gunasiri, Commissioner General of Excise confirmed. The implementation of this system came into effect on January 3 with a number of Excise Dept officers currently monitoring the process of affixing these stickers more..

Jan 15 (ST) Linear Squared (Pvt) Ltd, a Colombo-based Cloud business technology company will be acquired by Algonomy, a leader in Artificial Intelligence and Algorithmic software company based in Bangalore and in the US to further enhance business application in AI technology globally, said CEO/Co-Founder of Linear Squared company, Sankha Poruthotage said. He said Linear Squared was started five years ago in SL and with the acquisition by Algonomy, its AI technology and machinery for business application more..

Jan 15 (ST) The 12th edition of the Jaffna Int'l Trade Fair (JITF) will be held in Jaffna from Jan 21 to 23, organised by the Lanka Exhibition & Conference Services (Pvt) Ltd in association with the Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Yarlpanam (CCIY) and endorsed by Int'l Business Council, Ministry of Industry & Commerce and Consulate General of India in Jaffna. This trade fair is the most anticipated platform for SMI entrepreneurs to introduce their products to the population of the North. more..

Jan 15 (CT) Amid the looming power crisis in the country, several problems have reportedly arisen within the CEB due to the failure to fill the vacancy of the CEB General Manager. The crisis has arisen following a tug of war between the CEB engineers and the political authority. There are disputes within the CEB to choose a suitable person for the General Manager post based on whether that person opposes or is in favour of Yugadanavi more..

Jan 15 (Island) The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) will deliver 1,500 metric tons of diesel a day to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) until 18 January. CPC chairman Sumith Wijesinghe said they will meet CEB officials on the 18th to decide on a future course of action. Wijesinghe said the CPC had earlier decided to discontinue the supply of fuel to the CEB over unpaid bills. However, a decision had been taken to continue the fuel supply, given the critical situation in the country. more..

Jan 15 (Island) The water levels of Castlereagh and Maussakele Reservoirs are receding due to dry weather on the Western slope of the central highlands, engineers claim. The spill level of the Castlereagh Reservoir is 155 feet and by Wednesday night, the water level dropped to 144.2 feet. The spill level of the Maussakele Reservoir is 120 feet and by Wednesday night, the water level dropped to 85.9 feet. The Canyon has been closed for five days due to a technical issue. more..

Jan 15 (CT) There would be an inevitable islandwide blackout within the next two weeks, Convener of the CEB United Trade Union Alliance, Ranjan Jayalal said. He added the CEB is operating in violation of the CEB Act by not taking sufficient measures to ensure an uninterrupted power supply. Jayalal observed that as a result, the country would encounter an economic crisis worse than the lockdowns imposed during Covid-19 pandemic, while stating that the smooth operations of more..

Jan 15 (DM) The National Peoples' Power (NPP) today alleged that the govt, which came to power capitalising the weakness of the then govt and security situation which erupted in the country after the Easter Sunday attacks, was using fake attempts to fulfill its political objectives instead of bringing the culprits to book. Issuing a statement to mark the 1000th day since the Easter Sunday attacks, the NPP said justice had not been meted out to the dead or the victims as yet. more..

Jan 15 (EN) A third booster dose slashes Coronavirus hospitalizations by 90%, and two doses blocks hospitalization up to 50%, health experts who are urging the public to take freely offered vaccines said. Though the public showed a great interest in taking the first two doses of the Coronavirus, the public was showing less enthusiasm in taking the third dose. It could be due to misinformation and lack of knowledge. more..

Jan 15 (AD) State Ceremony to award Aktha Pathra to the new Mahanayake of Amarapura Maha Nikaya, the Most Venerable Dodampahala Chandasiri Nayaka Thera, was held at the BMICH, this afternoon (14) with the participation of Prez Rajapaksa and PM Rajapaksa. The President presented the Sannas Pathra to the Mahanayake Thera and the Prime Minister presented the Vijini Patha. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, former MP Ruwan Wijewardene, more..

Jan 15 (ST) Two Chinese companies have bagged deals of Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) development project phase11 arousing suspicions of underhand dealings, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) trade unions alleged. International competitive bids had been called and six bids had been received for the supply of cranes and civil works of the project. Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Ports and Shipping to award the procurement of more..

Jan 15 (AD) Minister Sarath Weerasekara says there is a mastermind behind the incident in which a hand grenade was placed inside All Saints’ Church in Borella. The lawmaker also responded to the criticisms made by the Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith against the police over the handling of investigations into the incident. SL Police said that statements have been recorded from 14 individuals with more..

Jan 15 (AD) Railway station masters have called off the strike action after the vice-chairman of their trade union was reinstated. Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union initiated another strike action earlier today, hours after they called off their 24-hour token strike. Tense situations were reported at several railway stations yesterday, as passengers attacked trains and railway stations after it was announced that most of the train journeys were cancelled due to the trade union action. more..

Jan 15 (CT) CID has launched an investigation into an incident where a leading ethanol dealer, who was the main suspect in a drug trafficking case and was later arrested by the security personnel at the BIA in Katunayaka, had been released with the involvement of a State Minister representing the Puttalam District. The suspect, Jayalath Peiris, against whom an open warrant had been issued, had returned from Dubai along with another politician on Monday (10) and more..

Jan 15 (Island) Declaring that 2019 Easter Sunday carnage couldn’t be blamed on Muslim extremists alone, the Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith yesterday questioned the failure on the part of the govt to at least implement the recommendations made by the PSC and PCoI into the near simultaneous suicide attacks. Delivering a sermon at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka where the Catholic Bishops’ Conference organised more..