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Colombo’s Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith leaving the head table after yesterday’s media conference where he questioned why the CID released former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother, a key suspect in last year’s Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks, and asked whether there was any political deal. Irrigation Minister and Internal Security State Minister Chamal Rajapaksa having cordial [...]
AG’s and MEPA’s advice ignored; Govt. allows oil tanker to leave
The Government has allowed the ill-fated oil tanker that caught fire off the eastern coast last month to leave the country against the Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) directives and the Attorney General’s advice. “The ill-fated crude oil tanker, the MT New Diamond, is being towed away from Sri Lanka against MEPA directives and the [...]
President sends get-well message to Trump
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa joined other world leaders yesterday in wishing a speedy recovery for the United States President Donald Trump who, along with his wife, tested positive for the COVID-19 on Friday. “I wish speedy recovery for @POTUS @realDonaldTrump & @FLOTUS from the #COVID19. Prayers of the People of #SriLanka are with you in this [...]
Trump’s COVID-19 symptoms ‘very concerning’, next 48 hours critical: Source
WASHINGTON, Oct 3 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump is not yet on a clear path to recovery from COVID-19 and some of his vital signs over the last 24 hours were very concerning, a person familiar with his health said today. The source’s assessment of the Republican president’s medical status seemed to be at odds [...]
Easter Sunday attacks: Cardinal raps police for release of Rishad’s brother, alleges ‘political deal’
The Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith yesterday questioned as to how the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had released suspects it had earlier claimed were directly linked to the masterminds of the Easter Sunday terror attacks without subjecting them to judicial process. Addressing a news conference at the Archbishop’s House, Cardinal Ranjith expressed his “sorrow, [...]
Labour officers withdrawn abruptly: Chaos in Lanka’s foreign missions
Missions abroad are struggling with migrant issues after labour and welfare officers of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) were abruptly withdrawn, diplomatic sources said. One embassy reported that it had 591 active female migrant worker welfare complaints and over 1000 active male complaints. These are usually dealt with by the SLBFE officials. [...]
Govt. says we’ll fix beef solution before rushing to ban
The Government will focus on improving beef imports before legislating a ban on cattle slaughter, Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said. The Cabinet will tomorrow discuss import procedures and concessions for importers so that foreign beef can be provided to Lankans at affordable prices. Equally on the agenda will be amendments to laws relating [...]
Opening SL for tourism: Task Force holds first meeting
A Task Force appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to facilitate the opening of Sri Lanka for tourism held its first meeting on Friday, the Sunday Times learns. The Task Force headed by former Minister Basil Rajapaksa comprises Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga; Army Commander Shavendra Silva, who also heads the National Operation Centre for Prevention of [...]
114th birth anniversary of JR
An event to mark the 114th birth anniversary of former President J.R. Jayewardene was held at the J.R.Jayewardene Centre on Wednesday. The new website of the centre was also launched by the former President’s grandson Pradeep Jayewardene. Pic by Priyantha Wickramaarachchi
Three arrested over the killing of Hindu priest in Jaffna
Three people have been taken into custody over the killing of a Hindu priest in Pungudutheevu, Jaffna, police said. The priest’s body with severe assault injuries was found yesterday morning in the Pungudutheevu Urativu Lord Shiva temple premises. Among the arrested are two priests and an assistant to the victim. Jaffna’s DIG P.P.S.M. Senaratne said [...]
Robbery at Katana businessman’s house: Police arrest 4 suspects
Police are on the hunt for three more suspects allegedly involved in an armed robbery at a businessman’s residence at Akkara Panaha, Katana. As of yesterday four suspects allegedly involved in the heist, where robbers got away with Rs 30 million in cash and gold jewellery, have been arrested in connection with the crime. Police [...]
Central Expressway: Govt. plans shift to BOT track
The Government is considering the construction of two stages of the Central Expressway on a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis despite its high cost. This is in contrast to a previous proposal to raise foreign loans to complete the two stages — from Pothuhera to Galagedara and Kurunegala to Dambulla — covering a total [...]
CWE to obtain Rs. 2 billion loan to import rice
The Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) has been granted approval by the Government to obtain a 2 billion rupee loan to import rice as an urgent measure to overcome a shortfall. Commerce Minister Bandula Gunawardena told the Sunday Times imports would likely be made from India due to its close proximity and affordable prices. “We may [...]
Repatriation flights fly into controversy
Sri Lanka’s pandemic-related repatriation programme is drawing criticism on the grounds that several handpicked “agents” are selling packages (flights, PCR testing and hotel quarantine) for exorbitant amounts. As the market is unregulated and these parties hold a monopoly, the prices are skyrocketing. There is also no guarantee of the type of hotel a returning Sri [...]
Audit unveils serious flaws in LKI administration
A Foreign Ministry audit into the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI) has found weak internal controls in significant functions, decision-making that is non-compliant with Treasury circulars and an absence of overall supervision by higher level management. Compiled by the Ministry’s Chief Internal Auditor, the system audit of LKI’s finance and [...]
Untying the knots on nuts: Export demand and hoarding blamed for price hike
Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) officials were seen in public markets and economic centres this week measuring the circumferences of coconuts using measuring tapes and wireframe rings or what are mockingly called coconut rings to ensure that traders comply with the Government’s maximum-retail price order. According to CAA Information Director Asela Bandara, the Authority conducted more [...]
20A: Most petitioners say the President will be like a king above the law
For the first time in the country’s legal history, the Supreme Court this week heard 37 petitions challenging a bill – the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, presented to Parliament on September 22. Along with more than three dozen petitions, another twenty intervenient petitions were taken up this week before five judge bench of the [...]
Battle against drugs on a new high
For the first time in recent years, a focused attempt to destabilise the narcotics procurement and distribution network is in motion with multiple agencies, including intelligence being involved. Namini Wijedasa reports It was late Friday night when officers from the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB)’s Kandy branch acting on a tip swooped down on two men [...]
Cascade of failures brought Buwelikada house crashing down
An overwhelming failure in integrity, official due diligence and building standards led to the collapse of a five-storey building last week in Buwelikada, Kandy that killed a family of three, the Construction Development Authority (CIDA) has found. Alarmingly, CIDA notes that one in two builders flout the rule to obtain certification that building has been [...]
Council land deeds go missing: Peliyagoda UC to launch probe
The Peliyagoda Urban Council chairman has assured council members that an inquiry will be held into the missing deeds of more than 200 acres of lands coming under the council’s purview. UC Chairman K.D. Chandraratne gave the assurance when SLFP council member Ananda Pushpakumara raised the matter at a recent council meeting. Mr Pushpakumara pointed [...]
Head set to roll over Matara fiasco
A head is set to roll over the fiasco which gripped the country after 15 Russian cargo flight crew members walked out of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) in the south and sought lodgings at a beach boutique resort in Polhena, Matara, without undergoing quarantining. The Chief Airport Manager of the MRIA will be [...]
Forest destruction alarm raised despite official denials
Contrary to government claims that Sri Lanka’s forest cover is not being destroyed, environmentalists are concerned of the damage being done. “Attempts made to reduce rainforests is one of the most serious environmental hazards faced by Sri Lanka,” said Sajeewa Chamikara, environmentalist and director of the Environmental Conservation Trust. Chamikara said: “In the 1920s, our [...]
Indian fishing intrusions worsen under corona cover
Poaching in Sri Lankan waters by Indian fishing vessels has increased alongside the damage done to fishing gear, fisheries groups in the north said on Friday. In the latest incident on Thursday night, a net worth more than Rs 2.5 million was damaged by Indian intruders in the marine waters off Vadamarachchi. The president of [...]
Traditional prawn cultivators in north fear troubled waters ahead
While preparations to facilitate a private venture to breed an imported crustacean named Vannamei, or white leg shrimp in artificial ponds have been continuing for months, little has been communicated to area fishermen who fear a blow to their livelihoods At the pristine Arali Point in the Jaffna Peninsula, a storm is gathering over a [...]
Strangers prey on travellers
Passengers on long-distance buses are at risk of falling prey to thieves who persuade them to take food and drinks laced with a substance that knocks people out, several incidents have revealed. Recently, a pastor on a night journey to Nuwara Eliya had woken up in hospital after sharing a meal and a dessert offered [...]
Check your dogs, not the jackals, rabies officials warn
As two more people died from rabies this week, taking to 18 the fatalities so far this year, strong warnings have gone out to the public to vaccinate local dogs against the illness rather than pointing the finger at jackals and other wildlife. A 12-year-old boy, Kahawe Guruge Gawesh, and an adult male, Sarath Sameera, [...]
SLPP Govt. cannot COPE: Handunnetti slams moves to upend transparent scrutiny
Tasked with ensuring financial discipline in public corporations and semi-Governmental bodies in which the Government has a financial stake, the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) is Parliament’s one of the most important oversight committees. The Committee’s activities came into sharp public focus during the previous (Eighth) Parliament, when Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’s then Parliamentarian Sunil Handunnetti [...]
Outdoors to play games, but also to study: The plight of this school’s students
Dharmasoka Vidyalaya in Uswewa close to Anamaduwa, is no popular national school equipped with necessary facilities. It is not a technologically advanced model school either, but a rural school that has been ignored by education authorities for decades. The school’s only building is in a dilapidated state, forcing students from poverty stricken families to silently [...]
Pick of the Pix
Pix by Isanka Sunimal Pix by Amila Gamage Pic by Nilan Maligaspe Pic by Lahiru Madushanka Pic by Thushara Kumara