Maithripala Sirisena, Nilantha J, two senior AG Department officials among the culprits By Shamindra Ferdinando The Catholic Church yesterday (25) welcomed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s declaration that the government had the required 2/3 majority in Parliament to take action against those who had been named in the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) by introducing a new Act in Parliament. Top spokesperson for the Church Rev Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando told The Island that the Church had repeatedly asked for the full implementation of the recommendations made by the PCoI. Rev. Fernando…
Read MoreDay: 26 November 2021
Gammanpila proposes a return to fuel pricing formula
Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila has proposed a return to a fuel pricing formula, whilst also suggesting a fuel price stabilisation fund would be better suited for the island. The minister said that with the treasury unable to provide funds, a fuel price stabilisation fund should be the way forward, with the fund bearing the brunt of the impact, during the good times as well as bad times. There is a sense of irony in the minister’s suggestion, as the fuel pricing formula was first introduced during late Mangala Samaraweera’s tenure…
Read MoreForeign Minister stresses importance of collaboration at University of Colombo Annual Research Symposium 2021
Foreign Minister stresses importance of collaboration at University of Colombo Annual Research Symposium 2021 Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris was the Special Guest at the inauguration of the Annual Research Symposium 2021, at the University of Colombo on November 23. The symposium brings together distinguished academics representing a number of disciplines, and highlights the theme for 2021 – Impartial Research through an Interdisciplinary Approach. The event was also attended by the Acting High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Vinod K. Jacob, notable academics from the Faculty…
Read MoreCBSL maintains policy interest rates at current levels – The Island
Novelwall Sri Lanka recently developed Xample – a virtual learning environment with powerful learning tools for children striving to achieve top grades at their GCE O/L and A/L examinations. Understanding that a well-rounded and thorough education is paramount to guiding the next generation to a better future, Novelwall launched Xample under the guidance of its founder, Thunku Ousmand. Xample is an exciting initiative that aims to inculcate perseverance among students while nurturing a positive attitude towards challenges. This virtual learning environment provides students with an effective ‘Testing & Revision Tool,’…
Read MoreDaily COVID cases tally climbs to 714 today
The daily count of COVID-19 cases confirmed in Sri Lanka moved to 714 today (November 26) as 226 more people were tested positive for the virus, the Epidemiology Unit said. This brings the total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus reported in the country to 561,059. As many as 528,806 recoveries and 14,258 deaths have been confirmed in Sri Lanka since the COVID-19 outbreak. More than 17,900 active cases in total are currently under medical care, official figures showed. Thank you
Read MoreAsia Asset Finance PLC to raise Rs 2 billion in last quarter
Asia Asset Finance PLC was in a successful drive of raising Rs. 2 billion during the last quarter (q2) 2021/22 while gaining Rs. 1 billion recently from the market through a listed debenture issue, a press release of the company revealed. This was the second successful Debenture Issue by the company. Both Debenture Issues were oversubscribed reflecting the trust and the confidence placed on the company by the stakeholders Further, the recent Preference share issue too was oversubscribed as a testimony of the investor…
Read MoreSLFP leader issues veiled threat to govt. in Parliament – The Island
By Saman Indrajith Former President, and Polonnaruwa District MP Maithripala Sirisena yesterday reminded the government in Parliament that it had a two-thirds majortiy because the SLFP members of the SLPP parliametnary group were with it. Participating in the third reading debate on Budget 2022, MP Sirisena said that there had been many instances in the past where some governments caused their own dowfall by attacking their coaltion partners. “I would like to stress that it is with the 14 SLFP MPs that the government has a two-thirds majority. Responding to…
Read MoreMinisterial Consultative Committee approves Mahapola Scholarship Trust Fund Amendment Bill
The Bill to amend the Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund Act, No. 66 of 1981 has been approved at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Trade. MORE.. Thank you
Read MoreSamagi Vanitha Balawegaya protests against Tissakutti (Photos)
The Samagi Vanitha Balawegaya today staged a protest against the insult done to women by Badulla District Parliamentarian of the SLPP Janaka Tissakuttiarachchi during the last budget debate. The protest was held in front of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya head office. Photos by Ajith Seneviratne View full album Thank you
Read MoreCEB Engineers’ union launches work-to rule campaign to halt backdoor deal with US energy firm – The Island
By Saman Indrajith Former President, and Polonnaruwa District MP Maithripala Sirisena yesterday reminded the government in Parliament that it had a two-thirds majortiy because the SLFP members of the SLPP parliametnary group were with it. Participating in the third reading debate on Budget 2022, MP Sirisena said that there had been many instances in the past where some governments caused their own dowfall by attacking their coaltion partners. “I would like to stress that it is with the 14 SLFP MPs that the government has a two-thirds majority. Responding to…
Read More406 more patients recover from novel coronavirus
The Ministry of Health says 406 more COVID-19 patients in total were discharged from medical care today (November 26) as they have recovered from the virus infection. This brings the total number of recoveries reported in the country to 528,806. Since the outbreak of the pandemic last year, Sri Lanka has confirmed as many as 560,345 of COVID-19. According to official data, 17,307 virus-infected patients in total are currently receiving treatment. Meanwhile, the death toll from the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country stands at 14,232. Thank you
Read MoreSanath Poojitha retires from the post of Commissioner General of Examinations
Sanath Poojitha has retired from the post of Commissioner General of Examinations. It is reported that he has retired from his post with effect from today. LMD Dharmasena has been appointed as the new Commissioner General of Examinations. He is currently the Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Education and will assume duties in the new post in the next few days. Thank you
Read MoreMONLAR accuses govt. of allowing India to play bigger role in country’s agriculture – The Island
By Saman Indrajith Former President, and Polonnaruwa District MP Maithripala Sirisena yesterday reminded the government in Parliament that it had a two-thirds majortiy because the SLFP members of the SLPP parliametnary group were with it. Participating in the third reading debate on Budget 2022, MP Sirisena said that there had been many instances in the past where some governments caused their own dowfall by attacking their coaltion partners. “I would like to stress that it is with the 14 SLFP MPs that the government has a two-thirds majority. Responding to…
Read MoreFive-judge bench appointed to hear Yugadanavi petitions
Chief Justice has appointed a five-member judge bench of the Supreme Court to hear the Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions filed against the Yugadanavi Power Plant deal. MORE.. Thank you
Read MoreSeek the assistance of the IMF to fend off the economy crisis
Former Prime Minister and Leader of the United National Party Ranil Wickremesinghe says that if Sri Lanka reaches an agreement with the International Monetary Fund in the face of the current foreign exchange crisis, it will be possible to obtain loans from other international financial institutions as well. He points out that dealing with the International Monetary Fund can be seen as a guarantee for borrowing from other financial institutions. He noted that Sri Lanka had no choice but to go to the International…
Read MoreChurch welcomes Prez’s promise to move against those named in Easter Sunday PCoI – The Island
By Saman Indrajith Former President, and Polonnaruwa District MP Maithripala Sirisena yesterday reminded the government in Parliament that it had a two-thirds majortiy because the SLFP members of the SLPP parliametnary group were with it. Participating in the third reading debate on Budget 2022, MP Sirisena said that there had been many instances in the past where some governments caused their own dowfall by attacking their coaltion partners. “I would like to stress that it is with the 14 SLFP MPs that the government has a two-thirds majority. Responding to…
Read MoreMain suspect in Sunshine Suddas murder shot dead in crossfire
Hewa Lunuwilage Lasantha alias ‘Tinker Lasantha’ who was wanted by the police over his involvement in multiple criminal activities has been shot dead in a shootout with the police. He was arrested in the area of Diyagama, Kalutara. ‘Tinker Lasantha’ is also the main suspect in the murder of ‘Sunshine Sudda’. Crossfire ensued when he opened fire at a group of police officers while being escorted to recover hidden weapons. Two police officers have sustained injuries in the incident, reports revealed. Amila Prasanna Hettihewa alias ‘Sunshine Sudda’ was shot dead…
Read MoreValidations begin for Sri Lanka’s first-ever National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security
25 November 2021, Colombo – Sri Lanka’s National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) aims to respond to the needs and priorities of conflict affected women. It stresses on the importance of women’s equal participation in maintaining peace and security and intends to address structural inequalities that impede gender equality in the country. Currently, the action plan is undergoing multi-stakeholder validations including from the G7+ working group – co-convened by UN Women as part of the Japan funded project on implementing the…
Read More