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Never shy of attracting the headlines, Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa stirred the political pot within the ruling coalition, suggesting that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa should be given the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s leadership, a post held now by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Mr. Weerawansa turned up yesterday to say something to the Prime Minister when they met at [...]
Lanka bluntly writes off UN Human Rights Chief’s report
Sri Lanka has hit back at the United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet’s latest report calling for targeted sanctions, saying it is based on “speculative, presumptive and unsubstantiated opinions.” It came in a 30-page response to her report which called for targeted sanctions — asset freezes, travel bans and the reference to International [...]
Burial issue: Health Minister will decide
A decision on COVID-19 victims being buried will be made by Health Minister Pavithra Wanniaarachchi. “She is still undergoing treatment for COVID-19 infection,” Dr Sudharshani Fernandopulle, State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control, told the Sunday Times yesterday. Earlier this week Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa told Parliament that burials of those [...]
Govt. to sign swap deal with China for US$ 1.5 billion; India deal unlikely
Sri Lanka will next week sign an agreement with China’s Central Bank — the People’s Bank of China — for a swap arrangement amounting to US$ 1.5 billion. The move came as the Government is looking at measures to bridge the gap of another US$ 1 billion. The Sri Lankan Central bank was expecting this [...]
COVID-19 vaccine: 18,000 doses discarded due to ‘absurd’ stance
A decision to discard the last quantities in vials of the COVISHIELD AstraZeneca vaccine, amounting to an estimated 18,000 doses, under the current vaccination programme has raised serious concerns in the health sector. At least 18,000 doses, which could have vaccinated 18,000 people, may have already been thrown out, even as the National Medicines Regulatory [...]
New variant: Talks tomorrow on the need for islandwide lockdown
No decision has been taken on an island-wide lockdown amidst a rising number of COVID-19 cases due to the new variant but the issue will be discussed tomorrow when the National Operations Centre meets, according to officials. “No decision on a lockdown has been taken so far. The matter is due to be taken up [...]
COVID- 19 Hospitals feel the strain
Staff in these hospitals on a rollercoaster from which they cannot get off;call to have one or two dedicated COVID-19 wards in all major hospitals Overwhelmed, exhausted and mentally down! This is the feedback that the Sunday Times is receiving from the major dedicated hospitals that are treating COVID-19 positive patients, not only those with symptoms but [...]
Abandoned LRT project’s consultants demand Rs. 5 billion for work done
Project consultants for the Japan International Cooperation Agency-funded Light Rail Transit (LRT) — which was cancelled by the Government last year — have lodged a claim of around Rs 5bn for work already done, other expenses and loss of profit. The consultants are a joint venture between Oriental Consultants Global of Japan and Sri Lanka’s [...]
SC holds corporal punishment in schools is unlawful after teacher’s slap across the ear
The Supreme Court this week reaffirmed that corporal punishment in schools is unlawful and ordered an art teacher at Puhulwella Central College to pay Rs 150,000 as compensation to a student of the same institution who sustained permanent lifelong hearing damage after being hit across the ear. “Encouraging corporal violence normalises violence, undermines the dignity [...]
CID asked to probe reports that Easter Sunday bomber’s wife back in country
The Commission of Inquiry looking into the Easter Sunday attacks has recommended that the Criminal Investigations Department investigates reports that the Katuwapitiya Church suicide bomber’s widow Pulasthini Rajendran alias Sarah who fled to India by sea had returned to the country. This was after intelligence reports revealed that Sarah had returned via sea and stayed [...]
CMC takes up issue of company charging parking fees failing to pay CMC Rs. 12m
Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake has promised to inquire into allegations that one of the companies charging parking fees has failed to pay the CMC Rs 12 million. The issue was raised at the CMC meeting on Friday. SLPP member Sharmila Gonawala charged that the company which had been collecting money for the past two and [...]
Don’t destroy a green oasis
A protest was held yesterday over the proposed four-lane elevated highway from Rajagiriya to Athurugiriya which area residents and environmentalists say would have a serious impact on the the Averihena Tank and surrounding paddy fields which are part of the Thalangama wetland
Remembering Upali
The 38th annual pinkama in memory of Upali Wijewardene, business magnate and founder of the Upali Conglomerate the first Sri Lankan owned multinational company that included Kandos chocolates, Upali Newspapers, Grand Central Plantations, electronic cars among other enterprises and one-time Chairman of the GCEC (Greater Colombo Economic Commission), was held last evening at the Kelaniya [...]
Vaccines through COVAX due this month
Sri Lanka is expecting to get the first stock of vaccines from the global vaccine initiative – COVAX – by the third week of February. Earlier, the country was expecting vaccines for 20% of its people, all for free, from COVAX, but the quantum may go up to nearly 27% to 30%, the Sunday Times [...]
“New normal” to a “new dynamic”: National Law Conference looks to the future in largely virtual event
For the first time in its history, the National Law Conference (NLC) organised by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) opened its doors to virtual participation this year, as the annual event was converted to a “hybrid” virtual and physical conference in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, a limited number of resource persons [...]
Price volatility puts veggies beyond reach once more
Prices of vegetables have rocketed once again and farmers suspect middlemen are responsible, while weather-watchers say the ‘La Nina’ phenomenon which caused heavy rainfall, has also been a factor. Pumpkin, ash gourd, luffa, bitter gourd, aubergine, ash plantains, and green chilli have become unusually costlier. Vegetable grower, Suranimala, 39, of Udawelayayagama in Sigriya, said supply [...]
Flood Plains Valley Protection People’s Movement fears flood gates will open
If squatters are allowed to cultivate lands inside Flood Plains National Park, it will open flood gates for people who live close to national parks in Polonnaruwa and elsewhere to claim their so-called traditional paddy fields inside national parks and disturb its fauna and flora, an environmentalist has warned. A Flood Plains Valley Protection People’s [...]
No more PCR tests at airports; entry rules relaxed
About 25 flights are landing at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) every night, officials said. “Things are more or less back to normal,’’ said the Airport and Aviation Services (AASL) Chairman Major Gen (Rtd) G.L.Chandrasiri. Every day, about 750 passengers arrive and the number of passenger and cargo flights has increased following the removal of [...]
No respect for the dead, scant regard for the living
Yohan Perera had only just handed over his mother’s body to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital (CSTH) in Kalubowila when a mortuary worker dressed head-to-toe in personal protective equipment approached him. “Mahattaya,” he said, cheerfully, “Give us some money for a cup of tea… santhoseta.” Shattered by the death overnight of his 69-year-old mother, santhosey [...]
March school re-opening in Western Province uncertain
Resuming classes at schools will remain in the hands of health officials, although March 15 had been proposed by education authorities. Education Ministry, Secretary, Prof Kapila Perera, said March 15 had been proposed to health officials. School resumption in the Western Province has been postponed several times because the National Operations Centre for Prevention of [...]
Scholarship cut-off mark hullabaloo continues
The Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU), last week, said that the government’s offer to reduce one mark on the cut-off marks announced for Grade 6 admission to popular schools will not make any difference to students. CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin said that the marks announced for 2021 admission were way above the 2020 scores and [...]
Traditional farmers not an environmental threat, says President
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday said he did not consider villagers who have been engaged in traditional farming for generations to be a threat to the environment. He made these remarks while visiting the remote village of Meemure as part of his “Gama Samaga Pilisandara” (Dialogue with the Village) programme. The President visited several locations at [...]
Meemure should be protected: Environment Lawyers Forum President
The Meemure village should be declared a national reservation, if there is genuine interest to safeguard this village from deterioration, Environment Lawyers Forum President Shantha Ratnayake proposed recently. The village, even though it is covered by the Knuckles Reservation, has to be gazetted as a reservation coming under a management committee, Mr Ratnayake said. “This [...]
COVID’s second wave blow too much to bear for small-scale businesses
Ella, once a bustling little town filled with tourists, will surely be mistaken for a ghost town today. Boutique hotels and restaurants that accommodated foreign backpackers have ‘closed’ sign boards hanging at the entrances and inside chairs are seen flipped onto tables. “Of about 1000 tourist establishments in Ella only about 10-15 are functioning. Of [...]
Private sector intrusion: Veddah chief petitions court to protect forests and Adhi Vasi rights
Veddah chief takes the Mahaweli to Court: Last week, this headline struggled desperately for attention in a sea of controversy over forests, protected areas, protected trees and bulldozers backed by politicians. For years, the Veddahs or Adhi Vasis (ancient dwellers) have fought, with little success, the relentless tide of development that swallowed up whole their [...]
Pull the plug on this costly Elahera deal, engineers urge
Irrigation engineers have urged the government to review the Upper Elahera Canal Project (UECP), launched by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on February 5, saying the massive project is faulty and a waste of taxpayers’ money. They claim the Rs 85 billion project is being implemented without a detailed study underpinning it. It is claimed the detailed [...]
Style on track
Sri Lanka Railways is refurbishing four dilapidated compartments at the Ratmalana yards and putting them into service, Additional Superintendent of Railways (Mechanical) Keerthi Hewawitharana said. Converting the old iron compartments into wooden compartments is currently underway at the Ratmalana railway yard at a cost of around Rs 8 million, and the refurbished compartments will be [...]
Pick of the PIx
FROM OUR READERS Shutterbugs out there, we would once again appreciate your contributions to this picture corner. Please send your captioned photograph along with your name, and the location of the photograph, to: pictures@sundaytimes.wnl.lk We would also appreciate if you mention the camera or cellphone that was used. Pic by Dr Noble Jayasuriya, Pic by [...]
Online discussion on privacy concerns
Considering the current dialogue on privacy in digital applications that stemmed with the latest privacy update notice on WhatsApp, the Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) as a precursor in making citizens more informed on democratic ideals, has organised an online panel discussion titled “Is Your Privacy at Stake? – An Online Panel Discussion on Privacy [...]
Deegawapiya Aruna fundraising programme inauguration held
The Deegawapiya Stupa restoration project commenced on February 11 with the laying of the foundation stone at an auspicious time. Deegawapiya is the fourth largest dagoba in the country, built by King Saddhatissa and enshrining relics of the Buddha. The Deegawapiya Trust Fund is expected to raise funds through sponsors and devotees in Sri Lanka [...]
Hindering path
Residents in Nugegoda have called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to conduct an investigation into alleged illegal constructions that are causing flooding and cutting off access to a new exercise track. More than 80 residents have written to the President, pointing out that construction work has blocked drains carrying rainwater and wastewater, causing water to back [...]
Estuarine fisher folk appeal for jetty
Fishermen say a new jetty should be built at the Maha Oya estuary at Poruthota, so they can continue their activities without obstruction being caused by nature’s forces. Sand that accumulates blocks the estuary, impeding the Maha Oya from flowing into the sea. The river forces its way into the sea through the left bank [...]
Website for vaccine registration — State Ministry Sec clarifies
Like a jab from the blue spreading confusion, came the news of the launch of a website (ehr.lk) on Thursday by the State Ministry for Primary Healthcare, Epidemics & COVID Disease Control, where people can register for vaccination against COVID-19. Many pointed out that with the launch of such a website, urging the public to [...]
Fishermen of Kappal Adiya helpless as backhoes destroy mangroves
The mangroves on the banks of the Odaya river in Kappal Adiya in Kalpitiya are now at the mercy of a development project. Residents of the Kappal Adiya fishing village in the Kalpitiya Divisional Secretariat area allege that the Administrative Grama Niladhari of the Kalpitiya Divisional Secretariat has used backhoes to clear the mangroves. “Everybody [...]
Kilinochchi District gets two educational zones for the first time
Two educational zones have been set up in the Kilinochchi District for the first time since the zonal system was introduced some 30 years ago. Of the country’s 25 districts, the Kilinochchi district had been the only district without zones until last week. This had caused several administrative difficulties in implementing directives issued to educational [...]
Govt jumps in with special loan to stave off bus strike
A promise of Rs. 300,000 low-interest loans enabled the government to halt the private bus strike scheduled to be held this week. The Private Omnibus Association was to launch the strike action this week to push for several demands, including a low-interest rate on bus leases. The Ministry of Transport intervened and came up with [...]