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Home » NewsTeachers’ strike: Schools fail cleanliness test
During the COVID-19 pandemic schools have been closed for several months but teachers, parents and principals maintained them through regular clean-up operations. However, during the latest lockdown and the teachers’ and principals’ strike, school maintenance has collapsed. This was the scene at the CWW Kannangara Model School in Anamaduwa . Pic by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe
Lanka turns to China to buy oil on credit basis
Sri Lanka has turned to China for more fuel purchases on long-term credit as the country continues to face serious issues in raising funds for oil imports. Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila, who returned to the country after talks with West Asian oil exporting countries to purchase fuel on long-term concessionary rates, told the Sunday Times [...]
Indian Foreign Secretary here for high-level talks and to launch projects
Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla arrived in the country last night on a three-day whirlwind visit, covering seven districts. It will focus on bilateral talks, meeting with political party representatives and opening of social projects. He was received by Foreign Secretary Jayanath Colombage at the Bandaranaike International Airport. The visiting Indian Foreign Secretary will [...]
Covid death toll drops but officials issue ‘abide by guidelines’ call
The COVID-19 death toll has shown a sharp drop during the week but health authorities have urged the people to adhere to health guidelines and support efforts to curb the spread of the virus after the country was reopened on Friday. The weekly death toll came down from about 1000 several weeks ago to 300 [...]
President says no coal, but CEA exploits loopholes to approve king coal project
The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has exploited loopholes in its own approval process to permit coal imports to Hambantota Port by businessman Nandana Lokuwithana and to allow coal-based industries at the Mirijjawila Export Processing Zone, even as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa continues to eschew the high-polluting fossil on global arenas. Earlier this year, the CEA granted [...]
Garlic scam: Trade Minister Bandula says Govt. must exonerate him
Two Pettah businessmen who were arrested over their alleged involvement in the Lanka Sathosa “garlic scam” were remanded in custody till October 5 after being produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court on Friday. The two suspects, identified as Velayutham Sridharan and Sinnaiah Kamalakumar, were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over their alleged role [...]
CID should have questioned culprits not editors and journalists: TEGOSL
The Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka (TEGOSL) condemned the attempt by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to question three senior editors of newspapers and several journalists this week over articles published in their respective newspapers on the ‘Sathosa Garlic Scam’. Issuing a statement, the Guild’s Secretary Sisira Paranatantri notes that the attempt to question editors [...]
First RTIC ends term, second Commission to be appointed by president
The Right to Information Commission (RTIC) held its final public sitting this week at the Kandy District Secretariat as the majority of its members completed their five-year terms of office on Thursday (September 30). Among the Commissioners who will be stepping down due to the ending of their terms are its Chairman Mahinda Gammampila, Ms [...]
Strong brew: Tea estate worker-management brawl intensifies
The Ceylon Planters’ Society (CPS) has complained to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) about worker unrest in the upcountry tea estate sector. The most recent incident was reported this week at the Talawakelle Tea Estate, which comes under the Maskeliya Plantation Company. During the incident, workers had allegedly assaulted the estate manager and two [...]
Ex-WNL manager passes away
The former Credit Control Manager of Wijeya Newspaper Ltd Mr. Palitha Ranasinghe passed away. His remains lie at Mahinda Panagoda funeral parlour in Malabe. The funeral will be held tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.
Litro-LAUGFS combined Siyolit in limbo
The full functioning of Siyolit (Pvt) Ltd, the special purpose vehicle (SPV) incorporated by joining the State-run Litro Gas with the private sector LAUGFS Gas (Pvt) Ltd is still bogged down in delays, authoritative sources confirmed. While the company stands incorporated – with a Board of Directors – and is not dissolved, it is yet [...]
A case for overhauling SL’s judicial system
To be embroiled in any sort of court case in Sri Lanka is to lose time, money and sanity in the corridors of crumbling courthouses. The Justice Ministry is now trying to fix that–several decades too late. Over the past one year, five subcommittees and 23 advisory committees have been devising ways in which [...]
Free at last! Incense burns as shops celebrate lockdown windback
Heavy monsoonal downpours failed to dampen spirits as people finally went out in public this week following a 40-day lockdown, and sweeping, dusting and purification rituals such as sprinkling of turmeric and incense burning were a common sight in many shops. Permitted public activities, according to the Director-General of Health, Dr. Asela Gunewardena, include the [...]
First-ever study to gauge the carbon footprint from energy use in tea production
Breathless and chilled to the bone, he clambered up mist-laden hills, then staggered and slithered down again, after which he ventured into factories churning out those invigorating tea leaves. For three years, Dr. JagathdevaVidanagama roamed the hills and valleys under challenging conditions – all for the benefit of the environment. His efforts have paid off. [...]
Rice price free-for-all as controls are lifted
Rice prices increased further this week following Cabinet’s decision to revoke the gazette setting a retail price cap on the staple food item. Wholesale merchants and retailers, one example being large-scale miller Dudley Sirisena, began setting their own prices following the cabinet decision on Tuesday. According to Mr. Sirisena the prices of rice varieties such [...]
Fertiliser fiasco: Farmers face uncertain future as Maha season approaches
With the ‘Maha’ cultivation season less than a week away, farmers are facing an uncertain future, not knowing whether there will be fertiliser or not and, if fertiliser is available, whether it will be organic or chemical fertiliser that they will be using. At Thiruvaiyaaru in Kilinochchi, 75-year-old farmer Subramanium Kanapathippilai, hailing from a farmer [...]
Waiver of second PCR test brings quick profit at Arrivals gate
The tourism industry has welcomed the Health Ministry’s decision to revoke the requirement of a PCR test at the airport, saying the decision would boost tourist numbers. Under new guidelines, people who have negative results from a PCR test carried out 72 hours prior to arriving at the Colombo airport will not have to undergo [...]
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.
Gruelling effort to connect the dots that could damn the X-Press Pearl
Scientists painstakingly collecting and testing the evidence in Sri Lanka’s worst maritime disaster say the work is “an eye-opener” for a country new to dealing with cases of catastrophe in its waters. The environmental impact assessment of the X-Press Pearl which caught fire and sank off the coast of Colombo in May is currently underway [...]
Warning of perils of rough weather, 700 badly affected
Heavy rainfall and lightning have been forecast for the next few days in the country. A low-pressure system across the Bay of Bengal and nearby areas, will result in adverse weather, Athula Karunanayake, the Director General of the Department of Meteorology said. Winds of up to 75 kilometres can be expected in the western slopes [...]
All-powerful Govt. bows to all-powerful rice mafia
Efforts to force big-time millers to follow fixed-price order fail; further blow to ruling party’s flagging reputation Unhappy farmers warn agitation will move to next level; teacher-principal unions also set to resume protest campaigns Questions over continuation of the emergency rule, after gazette announcing controlled prices was revoked; some say it is aimed at preventing [...]
India hopes Lanka’s policy decisions will be in the best interest of two countries’ shared ethos and values: Shringla
India’s 33rd Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla arrived in Sri Lanka last night on an official visit, the details of which are published on page 1. Secretary Shringla is a graduate from the prestigious St. Stephen’s College of the Delhi University. In a career of 37 years as a diplomat he has served as Ambassador [...]
Damaged houses and sound pollution; Karabewa residents complain of metal quarry
A metal quarry at Karabewa in Anamaduwa, is posing a serious hazard to residents of the area. Several of the residents complained that they are subjected to sound pollution on a daily basis and their houses are being damaged as well. Moreover, stones thrown out by rock blasts in the quarry have also become a [...]
Law enforcement and policies failing child sex-trafficking victims, child domestics
Despite a fall in the number of reported instances of child labour in 2020, gaps in the law, law enforcement, policies, and social programmes hamper Sri Lanka’s efforts to eliminate it. The Bureau of International Labor Affairs through the United States Department of Labor released its 2020 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor. [...]
Karuwalagaswewa school in need of urgent repairs
The decision to re-open schools with 200 students was taken mainly to ensure education to students who do not benefit from distant learning and online education through computers, mobile phones and educational programmes on television. Dutugemunu Maha Vidyalaya at Aluthgama in Karuwalagaswewa has 223 students, from low income rural families. Many of these students have [...]
Schools spruce up for re-opening
Cleaning up dust-ridden classrooms, refurbishing rooms prepared for sick children, installing hand washing and sanitising facilities, and getting teachers, lecturers, caretakers, and transport providers to vaccinate, are all taking place as schools, preschools, and higher education institutions gear up for opening after months of closure. According to the latest public activities permitted by the Director [...]
Who prevents national unity and reconciliation becoming meaningful?
Javid Yusuf, in his column, mentioned (The Sunday Times, 26th Sep 2021) that I have portrayed Muslims in a negative light, in my reply to an SJB parliamentarian’s question in parliament. He has quoted only a small section of my reply to “substantiate” his statement and I wonder how a writer of Javid’s calibre could [...]
20A rolled back democratic space 19A had created
Javid Yousuf ‘s response to Minister Weerasekera Public Security Minister Dr. Sarath Weerasekera in the Sunday Times of September 26, 2021 commented on the contents of the column in the National Interest captioned “All’s not well in the Public Service after the 20 A” published on September 19,2021. The Minister’s comments are welcome and in [...]
Waiver of second PCR test brings quick profit at Arrivals gate
The tourism industry has welcomed the Health Ministry’s decision to revoke the requirement of a PCR test at the airport, saying the decision would boost tourist numbers. Under new guidelines, people who have negative results from a PCR test carried out 72 hours prior to arriving at the Colombo airport will not have to undergo [...]
Wetland development or destruction?
Despite city beautification projects taking place around Colombo, some places, like Madiwela, are still awaiting a facelift. The Government’s decision to develop the area and make it a bird park sparked protests from environmentalists, but residents believe the project will help protect the area which has become a garbage dump. The proposed bird park is [...]
Amity medical equipment donation
China’s Amity Foundation donated medical equipment to several hospitals in Sri Lanka, followinag a request from the Sri Lanka China Society. The donation was aimed at helping these hospitals to fight the pandemic, Jinith de Silva, the Society’s president said. The hospitals which received the donations are: The Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, the Kandy Hospital, the [...]
Be a fully qualified CA Sri Lanka Chartered Accountant in just three years and enjoy unlimited international mobility
In a world of intense challenges and complexities and amidst a multitude of qualifications offered both locally and overseas, one qualification has stood the test of time for over 60 years, which is the globally recognised Chartered Accounting professional qualification offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka). CA Sri [...]
Significance of Integrating Spirituality into Education in Sri Lanka
What is education for? To develop the country or to develop the people? We often hear about the significance of developing the country. It is about developing the economy of the country. It is about the need to develop our country to the level of other developed countries. It is about the need for an [...]
ICTISC releases ‘ICT Skill Gap Analysis Report’ emphasising the importance in new trends in IT
ICT Industry Skills Council (ICTISC) recently released the ‘ICT Skill Gap Analysis Report’. Accordingly, Chinthaka Wijewickrama, chairman ICTISC handover ‘The ICT Skill Gap Report’ to Dr. Seetha Arambepola, Minister of State for Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation. ‘‘The objective of this Skill Need and Gap Analysis is to provide analysis on the training [...]