Mar 6 (ST) India has called for a road map from Sri Lanka on how it is going to overcome its economic crisis in the long term as well as to clear the decks for a long list of its economic cum strategic demands for implementation in the North and the East of SL. Till then the future of the one billion dollar emergency loan from India seems uncertain. Minister Basil Rajapaksa’s twice cancelled visit to India after securng a USD 500 m loan more..

Mar 6 (TM) The Sri Lankan Govt is looking at utilising an already existing $ 135 million Russian defence Line Of Credit (LOC) to purchase essential items such as fuel. State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya said that the Govt was in discussion with Russia on using the $ 100 million-plus defence LOC to purchase essential items. “Our Ambassador to Russia was recently in Sri Lanka, and he said that he had raised the matter with the Russian authorities and that they had been a little reluctant. more..

Mar 6 (ST) The CEB, in keeping with a govt decision yesterday, decided to call for proposals to buy 200MW of emergency power with immediate effect. CEB General Manager Rohantha Abeysekera said the need to buy emergency power had arisen and the CEB would do it based on approval granted by the PUCSL and the Cabinet. CEB sources pointed out that the move would be costly as even if the power plants ran or not high-capacity charges would have to be paid to buy emergency power. more..

Mar 6 (TM) Sri Lanka’s fuel supply shortage and the resulting constraints on public transport and commuting have begun to impact both private and public sector employees. Several trade unions (TUs) have voiced their concerns over the fuel crisis impacting workers across the island. They stated that the crisis has caused a chain reaction, leading to a shortage in both public and private transport options for workers. more..

Mar 6 (ST) Diesel vehicles transporting tourists and registered with the SLTDA will be issued with a special sticker to draw fuel from bus depots on a priority basis in view of the shortages experienced. A Tourism Ministry official said the measure had been taken after a string of incidents where tourists were left stranded in different areas due to the fuel shortages. Accordingly, vehicles with the special stickers could call over at any bus depots in the country and receive fuel. more..

Mar 6 (ST) The interactive dialogue on Sri Lanka at the UNHRC in Geneva will end on Monday and the focus will then shift to its sessions in September when a new resolution is likely. Monday’s continuation for less than an hour is the result of the Council making provision for an urgent debate on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. UN Human Rights High Commissioner Michele Bachelet, who commented on her report on SL that was released earlier, said “the past year has seen more..

Mar 6 (ST) Prez Gotabhaya Rajapaksa sacked two partner leaders of his coalition, Ministers Wimal Weerawansa, and Udaya Gammanpila, on Thursday, bringing to the fore sharp divisions in his govt. That effectively brought the curtain down on an opposition within. Those from eleven partner parties played that role, holding private meetings and making critical references to their leaders over numerous issues. more..

Mar 7 (DM) Equality before law means, that among equals the law should be equal and should be equally administered, that like should be treated alike. Sadly this description is not always followed in international politics or even in domestic and day-to-day affairs. The Palestinians as a group are among the biggest victims of inequality. Palestine, or what little was left of it after that country was divided, has been subject to numerous invasions by the govt of the state of Israel. more..

Mar 7 (DM) I often reflect on the tumultuous years of the late 1970s and the paths not taken that may have determined a different future for our country. Emergency rule and then the enactment of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in 1979 are unforgettable times of my childhood in Jaffna. It was perhaps the excitement of the solidarity visit of many progressives from the South including the visionary Jesuit Socialist Rev. Fr. Paul Casperz as repression mounted along with the PTA, and more..

Mar 7 (DM) The Samagi Vanitha Balawegaya (SVB), the women’s wing of Samagi Jana Balawegaya has spearheaded several initiatives to address issues faced by women and children at grassroots level. The Sakwala programme for instance, aims to empower students and teachers from underprivileged schools with modern technology. In view of International Women’s Day, SVB’s National Organizer Hirunika Premachandra spoke about initiatives taken by SJB women politicians to address issues of more..

Mar 7 (ST) The powerfully symbolic image of the head of SL’s Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican and soon thereafter, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet in Geneva this week conveys an unmistakable warning to the Rajapaksa Presidency. This was not the opening up of another front of challenge that this Govt, already racked by inner convulsions, would want. As the meetings took place on the eve more..

Mar 7 (CT) Putin’s campaign in Ukraine is receiving wide condemnation and sanctions. Russian missiles hit Ukraine’s second largest city of Kharkiv last week; destroying many monuments in the country’s cultural heart. Sources from the frontline describes Russian’s action as cruel as Europe sees a return to a state of destruction and conflict it has not witnessed since the end of World War II. The Kremlin says its military action is an operation to de-nazify and liberate Ukraine and more..

Mar 7 (SO) Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that the people need to realise that if Prez Rajapaksa’s administration was not successful, they would not have given him the two-thirds majority at the General Election, nine months after he assumed office. Minister said during those nine months in office before the Covid-19 pandemic emerged, people could clearly witness how successful Prez’s administration was. more..

Mar 7 (ST) Finally on Thursday evening, the Prez reached the end of his long tether and sacked the two main sprites of the unholy trinity existing in his cabinet, sparing only the ghost. The presidential act would have only been surprising if it had not been taken. It was long overdue. For far too long Industries Minister Wimal and his stand-in side kick Energy Minister Gamman, each with two faces and both double tongued, had been allowed free reign to criticise cabinet decisions more..

Mar 7 (TM) The oxymoronic fact that what is common about common sense is that it is not common at all became yet again evident last week when, in the midst of myriad national crises negatively affecting virtually all aspects of daily life and a Govt that is not only doddering from one crisis to the next but one that has also run out of ideas, the head honcho presiding over a SL saw it fit and thought it wise to sack two cabinet ministers, namely Udaya Gammanpila and Wimal Weerawansa, more..

Mar 7 (TM) Despite the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) having repeatedly requested a price hike, the Govt is yet to approve a revision, given the impact it would have on various sectors and the public, and therefore the CPC has to abide by the Govt’s decision, said CPC Chairman Sumith Wijesinghe said. This is despite the CPC having to incur a loss of Rs. 21.42 per litre of petrol, Rs. 19.50 for 95 octane petrol, more..

Mar 7 (DN) Skipper Kamindu Mendis scored his second century of the tournament when he scored 137 for Kandy’s second innings to pile up 322 for 5 wickets in their National Super League 4-day cricket fixture against Jaffna which ended in a draw at Pallekele International Stadium yesterday. With his second century, in which he struck 10 fours and 2 sixes, Mendis is now the most successful batter so far in this tournament. He hit 142 in the first game against Galle. more..

Mar 7 (Island) The rule of law is what prevents a country’s descent into anarchy. It is an integral part of the so-called social contract that ensures the cohesion of the modern state, and cannot exist in a vacuum; its existence hinges on public faith in the law enforcement and judicial systems. Doomed is a country, where the culture of impunity takes root; the rich and the powerful rise above the law; the police become mere putty in the hands of politicians, and, worse, the scales of justice are tilted in favour more..

Mar 7 (GV) The laudable theme of this year’s World Wildlife Day is Ecosystem Restoration. What a noble ideal but is it applicable to SL? In the last two years, the country has seen widespread destruction of both its terrestrial and marine habitats and environments. This devastation must be stopped first before any thought can be given to restoration. True, there are official policies claiming the intent to increase the forest cover to 33% from the present 30% but these are just pieces of paper based on more..

Mar 7 (ST) The Amateur Rowing Association of SL (ARASL) has made all arrangements to conduct the SL Junior and Intermediate National Championship 2022 on Mar 10, 11 & 12 at Diyawanna Rowing Centre in Koswatte. Events will be held for both boys and girls of three age categories — U-14, Under-16 and U-18 with 20 races slotted to take place in total. The U-14 will have only two events — Singles and Doubles Sculls for both boys and girls. They will compete in a 500m course at all events. more..

Mar 7 (CI) It was a day of landmarks and milestones for India. Ravindra Jadeja became only the sixth man to score 150 or more and take a five-for in the same Test. R Ashwin went past Kapil Dev as the second-highest wicket-taker for India. In the process, Sri Lanka collapsed under the weight of a relentless India attack and lost 16 wickets in 67 overs to lose by an innings and 222 runs inside three days. more..

Mar 7 (CT) Goals from Vijayakumar Vignesh, Kannan Thenushan and M. Nitharsan scripted Northern Province’s comfortable 3-1 win over Southern Province to clinch the Ceylon Provincial League 2022 title at the Durayappah Stadium, Jaffna on Saturday. Into the all important game, both sides spent the early moments getting a measure of the other, but Northern were the first to make inroads when young V. Vignesh opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after a defensive error, more..

Mar 7 (CT) Govt of SL’s (GoSL’s) at least theoretical money printing borrowing costs (MPBCs) increased by 15.48% (Rs 6,545.31 million) to Rs 48,822.57 million on Friday, due to secondary market selling of Treasury Bills and T Bonds to reinvest in next Wednesday’s Rs 60,000 million T Bill auction, for better returns after Central Bank of SL (CBSL) increased its policy rates by one per cent, effective also from Friday. GoSL’s non- demand pull inflationary face value debt fell by 0.09% more..

Mar 7 (ST) A contract to award part of the Central Expressway Project’s (CEP III) third section to a local consortium at a price higher by US$ 822mn (Rs 166.4bn) than its competing bid is to be pushed through Cabinet in the coming weeks. The offer from a recently formed local consortium named LIDC to build the CEP III stretch (Rambukkana-Galagedara) has the backing of Highways Minister Johnston Fernando. more..

Mar 7 (Hindu) This will be the first-ever day-night, pink ball Test at the venue, an exciting novelty that has contributed to the clamour for tickets. Fans have taken a wait-and-see approach before purchasing tickets for the third, fourth, and fifth days, given that India whipped SL inside three days in the first Test at Mohali. The box office sales at the stadium on Sunday witnessed long queues. The small number of tickets (for the more expensive stands) that were made available for online purchase more..

Mar 7 (Hindu) The ninth edition of Indian and SL Navy bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX (SL–India Naval Exercise) is scheduled to be held in Visakhapatnam from March 7 to 10. The exercise will be conducted in two phases; the Harbour Phase at Visakhapatnam on March 7 and 8, followed by Sea Phase on March 9 and 10 in the Bay of Bengal. SL Navy will be represented by SLNS Sayurala, an advanced offshore patrol vessel, and the Indian Navy by INS Kirch, a guided missile corvette. more..

Mar 7 (DN) “We couldn’t execute our plans well and got our calculation wrong said SL skipper Dimuth Karunaratne after the first Test which lost by innings and 222 runs over India at Mohali yesterday. Karunaratne the experienced opener who himself was unable to make long innings in this game said sometimes we were too defensive, sometimes we were too attacking. Sometimes we just needed to take singles and rotate the strike and get to the other side. That’s how we can play big innings but more..

Mar 7 (FT) A top IFC official says the development organisation aims to boost its investments in SL, with a focus on supporting private sector job creation, paving the way for robust investments to help spur the country’s recovery and future growth. The comments by IFC Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific Alfonso Garcia Mora, came at the end of a three-day visit to SL, which included a meeting with the Prez Rajapaksa, Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, govt officials, more..

Mar 7 (TM) A large meeting will be held soon in Vatican City with the participation of His Holiness Pope Francis, Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, and Sri Lankans living in European countries, where bringing justice to the victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 21 April 2019 will be discussed. Well-placed sources said that this meeting would not take place during Archbishop’s ongoing visit more..

Mar 7 (FT) People’s Bank has announced a consolidated total operating income of Rs. 110.7 billion and total operating expenses amounting to Rs. 50.5 billion in 2021 reflecting a growth of 21.9% and 14.9% respectively over 2020. Consolidated pre-tax and post-tax profits amounted to Rs. 37.2 billion and Rs. 28.1 billion; representing a 51.1% and 74.6% growth. On a Bank standalone basis, figures were Rs. 30.4 billion and Rs. 23.7 billion, respectively - up 43.2% & 67.3% over 2020. more..

Mar 7 (FT) The landmark agreement will see Emirates stepping up promotion of Sri Lanka as a safe and attractive destination for holidays. MoU was signed by Emirates Airlines Commercial West Asia and Indian Ocean Senior Vice Prez Ahmed Khoory and Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando, on 4 March at the Emirates Group Headquarters in Dubai, UAE. This integrated and aggressive joint promotions will further strengthen over 35 years of goodwill and relationship more..

Mar 7 (EN) Sri Lanka will have power cuts of up to 7.5 hours on March 07 depending on how bad the fuel crisis is on that day, according to a provisional schedule released by state-run CEB. Areas E and F will experience power cuts of 5 hours from 0800am to 1300pm and 2.5 hours from 1800pm. Areas P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W up to 3 hours of power cuts in a two hour block from 0900am and one hour from 1700pm. more..

Mar 7 (FT) First dose vaccination coverage in the country has risen to 78.7% with 42,112 persons vaccinated against COVID-19 on Saturday. As of 4 March, second dose coverage was 66.04% of the total population. 16,921,171 persons have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 14,205,539 persons have received the second dose as well. The third dose has been administered to 7,306,152 persons. This includes 30,381 persons vaccinated on Saturday. more..

Mar 7 (FT) The Central Bank said it will introduce certain tough measures to bring down the inflation rate to single digits, noting that the 15.1% recorded in February is concerning. “We have been taken by surprise with the sharp increase in inflation. As you know it has increased beyond our normal norm, while the 13-years of single digit record has been broken and we are concerned about it,” the Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said at the post-Monetary Board Meeting on Friday. more..

Mar 7 (FT) Research firm and think tank Econsult says Friday's rate hike by the Central Bank by 100 basis points is a double blow to the economy. “Increasing interest rates for external shocks is a double blow to the economy in the current environment,” Econsult argued as the CBSL move pushes up input costs (i.e. raw material, printing, shipping, packaging, energy, transport etc). “While the cost of financing of all local industries involved in production too will in turn rise, more..

Mar 7 (FT) SL’s COVID-19 case count exceeded 650,000 following the detection of 1,147 COVID-19 patients over the weekend. 508 persons from the New Year cluster tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday. Previous day, 639 patients linked to the New Year cluster were detected. 4,215 PCR tests and 2,456 rapid antigen tests were conducted on Saturday. Since 27 February, daily PCR testing has remained below 5,500 and daily rapid antigen testing has remained below 3,000. more..

Mar 7 (FT) SLFP General Secretary State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara says no decision has been taken to leave the Govt and the party will continue to work with the Govt. State Minister made this statement following a meeting of the SLFP District and Electoral Organizers held in Colombo Saturday. Dayasiri said that a discussion will be held with the Prez on Tuesday (8) on the current political situation and future course of action. more..