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Home » NewsChinese fireworks blaze 31st night sky over Galle Face
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s new variant Omicron spreading rapidly, 31st night attracted a large crowd to the Galle Face Green where the people had the opportunity of seeing Chinese fireworks from the nearby Port City which is under construction by a Chinese company. Pic by Indika Handuwala
Kuwait Airways pulls out as dollar crunch hits airline operations
Kuwait Airways pulled out from flying into Sri Lanka this week in the midst of the “dollar crisis” threatening tourism arrivals with airlines reluctant to increase flights as local offices have fallen back on settling dues. The airline, which only resumed operations to Sri Lanka in September–and that, too, just one flight per week, has [...]
Forex crisis hits vital export sectors as shippers demand payment in dollars
The crisis over lack of US dollars in Sri Lanka’s banks has spread to the export sector with shipping lines demanding that their freight charges be paid in dollars. Leading exporters, including those in the tea and rubber sectors, have been formally and informally informed that clearance of the shipments could be arranged only if [...]
IMF bailout: Cabinet likely to decide tomorrow
A decision on whether to seek a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is likely to be taken at tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting, according to two ministers. Central Bank (CB) Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle have been asked to brief the Cabinet tomorrow on the country’s financial situation and foreign reserve [...]
Marriage registrars want controversial ‘crime-free’ partner knot loosened
As the new circular requiring the ‘security clearance report’ for any Sri Lankan wanting to marry a foreigner came into effect from yesterday, registrars have urged the Government to amend it immediately and grant a three-month grace period to proceed with marriages for which a notice of marriage has been issued. Many of them complained [...]
Engineer killed in train-car collision at Wanawasala’s unprotected level crossing
A 55-year-old engineer was killed when the Colombo-bound train from Kankesanthurai collided with his car at an unprotected level crossing in Wanawasala last afternoon, police said. They said the victim, a resident of Hunupitiya-Wattala, was at the wheel when the tragedy occurred near the Wanawasala railway station. The car burst into flames on impact and [...]
Desmond Tutu’s life and ministry are an example for us today: The Church of Ceylon
The Church of Ceylon (Anglican Church) has mourned the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Right Reverend Keerthisiri Fernando, Bishop of Kurunegala and Presiding Bishop of Church of Ceylon and Right Reverend Dushantha Rodrigo, Bishop of Colombo issuing a statement said: Archbishop Tutu who was a towering figure and leader of the anti-apartheid era, was [...]
Cement prices up
The price of a bag of cement was increased by Rs 100 with effect from yesterday. Accordingly, the price of a 50-kg cement bag will now be sold at Rs. 1,375. This is the third price increase in the past three months. Earlier, the cement companies increased the price of a 50-kg bag of cement [...]
More than 2000 killed in fatal road accidents in 2021
2021 saw 2419 people killed in some 2325 fatal road accidents throughout the year, according to police data. Among the 13,469 injured persons, 5,263 sustained severe injuries while 8,216 sustained minor injuries.
CEB in talks with state banks to help CPC to get dollars for thermal plant fuel
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is holding talks with state banks to help the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) to obtain dollars required to buy fuel for the CEB’s thermal power plants. CEB General Manager M.R. Ranatunga told Sunday Times that CEB could play a facilitator role to enable the dollar transfer from state banks to [...]
Covid rules thrown to the wind as revellers dance the 31st night away
New Year revellers at five star hotels in Colombo and, at Galle Face Green. Pix by Nilan Maligaspe, Akila Jayawardana and Eshan Fernando Little heed was paid to COVID health guidelines, by events organisers and revellers alike as many danced and dined the night away to usher in 2022. The Health Ministry guidelines were largely [...]
Cooking gas shortage puts a damper on New Year celebrations
As 2022 dawned yesterday, the cooking gas crisis was a damper on celebrations with many households not being able to cook even the traditional ‘kiribath’ for the festive table. In the past few weeks, people standing in winding queues stretching over a kilometre to buy gas has been a common sight. Long queues were seen [...]
Eye-watering prices of essentials, shortages set to worsen
The dawn of the New Year failed to cheer many due to the soaring costs of living. While the opposition, and even the indigenous community took to streets protesting against the rising costs of living this week, hundreds lined up for cooking gas, kerosene, rice, and milk powder. In wet markets, housewives complained of high [...]
Oxford trailblazer in SL to help set up more nanopore sequencing facilities
The latest report is out – 41 of 176 samples sequenced from December 14 to 23, were infected by the Omicron variant of concern and the balance by Delta. The samples sequenced by the laboratory of the Sri Jayewardenepura University’s Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine under Prof. Neelika Malavige were from the community as [...]
Nanopore sequencing – rapid insights in real time
Anything, anywhere, anytime and by anyone – is how the nanopore sequencing technology developed by Oxford Nanopore is being described. Dr. Lakmal Jayasinghe recalls how when the pandemic began in Wuhan, the Chinese government labs used nanopore sequencing and how they shipped a container-load of sequencers from Oxford to China in that first week. Thereafter, [...]
Wide-range of uses in varied fields
“Nanopore technology comes in handy not just in COVID sequencing but also in varied fields,” says Dr. Lakmal Jayasinghe. Nanopore technology can also be used in other clinical applications such as cancer research, agriculture, food production and also the environment, it is learnt. It can very quickly answer concerns such as: Is this food or [...]
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.
Leaders, people flock to religious places
Religious observances were held yesterday islandwide marking the dawn of a New Year. Large crowds of devotees gathered at religious places as they prayed for a better year after being affected by a pandemic for nearly over two years. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa engaged in religious activities at Kirivehera in [...]
Overall gold award for University of Peradeniya’s 2020 annual report
The University of Peradeniya won the overall gold award for its annual report and accounts for 2020 at the Best Annual Report Award Ceremony organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA) in association with the Association of Public Finance Accountants of Sri Lanka (APFASL). The ceremony was held on December 29 [...]
Driver killed at Wanawasala rail crossing after car collides with train
One person was killed when the Kankesanthurai-Colombo train collided with a car at the level crossing at Wanawasala in Kelaniya last afternoon. The incident occurred at the level crossing next to the Wanawasala Railway Station. The deceased victim was the driver of the car. He was identified as a 55-year-old engineer residing at Hunupitiya in [...]
Kandy MC general meeting disrupted: One councillor assaulted
Kandy Mayor Kesara Senanayake had to abandon the general meeting of the municipal council half way, when Councilor Dhammika Perera questioned whether the municipal ordinance includes a position called “Leader of the Opposition.” When this question was raised the Mayor called for a recess. After the recess, councillor Dhammika Perera said he was on his [...]
Hot weather conditions until March, says Met Dept
Sri Lanka is currently experiencing mixed weather conditions with Ratnapura recording 33.7 degrees. The prevailing hot weather in the country will continue until March, the Department of Meteorology says. Duty Meteorologist, Harith Fernando said the condition is due to increase in temperature and low humidity. This is the weather pattern that occurs as the north [...]
After two years of go-slow, state entities try to catch up with development projects
After two years of setbacks in implementing project proposals, state ministries have drawn up plans to see them through. Ministry secretaries have prepared project proposals and action plans along with cost estimates for 2022. The government is planning to revive the state sector. Earlier, Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle, had issued a circular instructing ministry secretaries [...]
Schools reopen tomorrow, but confusion on the syllabus and who will do what?
From January 3, schools will begin their third term for last year. Schools have been instructed to continue completing the syllabus of 2021 until April 8 which will mark the end of the third term and the school year. National Principals’ Association Secretary Mohan Weerasinghe said the instruction had come with the aim of ending [...]
Don’t come to Australia through unauthorised channels, warns visiting Home Affairs Minister
Renewed high interest among Sri Lankans to pay people smugglers for illegal passage brought Australian Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews to Colombo recently with the strong message that nobody who enters the country through unauthorised channels will be permitted to stay. “We are certainly aware that the people smugglers are doing all that they can,” [...]
Sri Lankans greet New Year with hope and prayer
The New Year is ideally heralded with parties, events, and religious activities. Some households boil fresh milk on the first day of January as a symbol of prosperity. New Year’s eve, too, in the past had been about wining and dining, but this year we hear most people whining about dining with essential items being [...]
New Year wishes for 2022: Lankans urged to reflect on the past year’s challenges
While wishing the people of the country for the New Year, the President, Prime Minister, Opposition Leader and the Speaker in Parliament urged them to overcome challenges with determination this year. They urged the people to reflect on the challenges faced during the past year and work towards reaching prosperity and splendour this year despite [...]
Energy Ministry likely to hand petrol pipeline deal to Chinese firm
The Energy Ministry, acting contrary to a cabinet decision and recommendations of the Finance Ministry, is preparing to hand over the cross-country pipeline project tender — laying of new pipelines between the Kolonnawa terminal and the Dolphin Tanker Berth (DTB) Colombo — to China Petroleum Engineering Pipeline Company Limited whose bid is more than US$21 [...]
Northern fishermen meet detained Indian fishermen; deliver food, tough message during New Year prison visit
In a New Year goodwill gesture, Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda and group of Northern fishermen yesterday distributed packs of dry ration among Indian fishermen detained in the Jaffna prison. While expressing sympathy for the detained Indian fishermen, Jaffna Fishermen’s Association President S. Annarasa said they explained to the Indians the difficulties Sri Lanka’s northern fishermen [...]
Station masters wave red flag, as authorities mull pay-cut to cover the loss due to strike
Station masters and the Railway authorities are once again on a collision course. While station masters’ trade unions are warning of an indefinite strike if their demands are not met in the coming week, the Railway General Manager says the strikers’ salaries would be cut to make up for the losses the Railway suffered during [...]
Bereft fisher families urge Govt. to seek release of their loved ones arrested in Myanmar
Little done by authorities to look into welfare of the fishermen or families facing hardships, they charge Families of a group of fishermen, arrested nearly six weeks ago by the Myanmar navy, have appealed to the Government to intervene and seek the release of their loved ones. The families charged that neither the local politicians [...]
Taking the books to the children
A book can change the world; that is the firm belief of Mahinda Dasanayaka who, whilst working as a Government employee, is running a highly successful mobile library for children in rural areas. A graduate of the Rajarata University, Mahinda’s first job in 2014 was as an officer attached to the National Child Protection Authority [...]