Gas Prices Likely To Increase

We have not endorsed a price hike for the last five years. These companies ask for a price hike saying they will be bankrupt otherwise. The request by the two gas supplying companies would be submitted at the next Cabinet meeting

Reacting To Ahimsa: US Congress Urges Justice In SL

Former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera also praised Ahimsa Wickrematunge for ‘courageously continuing her fight for justice for her father,’ even ‘at a time when impunity has become the law of the land’. Lasantha Wickrematunge had written that ‘murder had become the primary tool for controlling the organs of liberty’

Hirdaramani Becomes First In Sri Lanka To Receive I-RECs For Energy Usage

The Hirdaramani Group has yet again taken bold strides towards energy accountability by being the first in Sri Lanka to receive International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs) for its energy usage.

Human Rights: Can Biden Be Different?

Still in its first one hundred-day probation period, the Joe Biden administration has let the world stop and take note of the shift in the US foreign policy.

NTB Takes Lead In Transforming Country's Digital Economy

Nations Trust Bank and the Department for Registration of Persons (DRP) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), enabling the bank to digitally verify the customers’ identity through the information held by the DRP upon the consent of the customer.

Russia's Sputnik Vaccine Approved For Emergency Use In SL

Late-stage trials reveal vaccine gives around 92% protection against COVID-19

Urgent Need For Mental Health Awareness In Sri Lanka

The recent events currently circulating on all media channels have created an uproar and unrest amongst citizens. There are three incidents reported within the past week that grabbed public attention; A body of a dead woman found in a suitcase in Dam Street, Colombo on March 1, a nine-year-old girl beaten to death by her mother and another woman during an alleged ‘exorcism’ believed to drive away the “evil spirits that possessed her” in Delgoda and a 24-year-old mother beating her infant with a cane in Jaffna.

Burial Of Covid-19 Victims Takes Another Turn

The decision regarding the burial of COVID-19 victims was subject to many twists and turns. After more than a year and so many discussions, the government finally allowed it, in the face of vehement criticism from rights groups.

Pakistan To Help Boost Local Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing

The Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Manufacturers ’ Association (SLPMA) facilitated a bilateral meeting with visiting representatives of the Pakistani Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (PPMA) on February 24th.

Price And Demand For Oil Could Decide Rupee's Fate: ICRA Lanka

The crude oil prices, which began to nudge ahead to reach pre-pandemic highs in recent weeks and the growing demand for oil due to the improving economic activities, both domestically and globally, could determine where the rupee would be in relation to the US dollar, says ICRA Lanka Limited.

Sampath Bank Further Simplifies Biz Cash Mgt. Launching Visa Business Debit Card

Sampath Bank recently announced the launch of Sri Lanka’s first Visa powered business debit card linked to a corporate account – the Sampath Bank Visa Business Debit Card – to help businesses of all sizes gain more control over their expenses.

Sports Minister Gives Green Light For Big Matches

Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa has given the green light for schools to conduct their annual cricket big matches. Following requests by school heads and various other parties, Minister Rajapaksa held discussions with Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris before arriving at this decision.

Fresh Faces Could Put Themselves In World Cup Contention – Mickey Arthur

Sri Lanka will be without a handful of regulars when they play their first T20I in almost a year against the West Indies in Antigua tomorrow, but coach Mickey Arthur believes it gives an opportunity for fresh faces to impress.

Gayle Targets T20 World Cup Defence With Windies On Comeback

Opening batsman Chris Gayle has set his sights on a third Twenty20 World Cup with West Indies as he prepares to return to international cricket after an absence of two years ahead of their T20 series against Sri Lanka starting tomorrow.

Israel Moving To Protect Hundreds Of Personnel Against ICC Probe

ISRAEL (REUTERS), 2 MARCH, 2021- Israel estimates that hundreds of its citizens might be subject to war crimes probes by the International Criminal Court, whose jurisdiction it rejects, and is working on how to protect them, the Defence Minister said on Tuesday.

US Imposes Sanctions On Russia Over Navalny Poisoning

The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on Russian individuals and entities over Russia’s attempt to kill opposition figure Alexei Navalny with a nerve agent, senior Biden administration officials said.

Covid-19 variants could fuel fourth surge in United States, warns CDC

The United States reported a 3% decline in new cases of COVID-19 last week, a much smaller drop than in the previous six weeks, and health officials warned that progress against the global pandemic was stalling.

Pelwatte Forms Auxiliary Industry To Support Local Dairy Farming

Pelwatte Dairy Industries is on a renewed mission to produce sufficient forage for the cattle – all year along, despite the season, weather and climate which usually cause deflects to the produce and affect grazing patterns and milk production capabilities of the cattle.

iHarvest Takes Sri Lankan Agriculture To New Heights

iHarvest, a plantation digitization platform developed by Sri Lankan startup Itechro Private Limited, recently clinched major honors by becoming a winner at the National Best Quality Software Awards 2020 within the Industrial Agriculture Category for its achievements in digitizing the plantation eco-systems and showcasing the potential it possesses as an international product.

India Widens Vaccine Drive To Curb Covid-19 Spike; Modi Takes Jab

India expanded its large but floundering Covid-19 vaccination campaign on Monday to cover people aged 60 and up as it hopes to address a spike in infections as well as “vaccine hesitancy” among people.

Private Credit Expands In Jan. Albeit Slower Compared To Dec.

Jan. private credit expands by 6.9% to Rs.25.7bn. Dec. 2020 private credit at Rs.76.7bn. CB expects 14% private credit growth this year

Resolution On SL To Be Moved At UNHRC Next Tuesday

The resolution on Sri Lanka will be moved at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) next Tuesday, Daily Mirror learns. The resolution, by the core-group of countries led by the United Kingdom, has been rejected by Sri Lanka.

Hambantota Port Begins Wholesale Marine Bunker Fuels Supply

The Hambantota International Port (HIP) achieved another milestone in its multi services portfolio when it launched the wholesale supply of marine bunker fuels, together with its strategic partner Sinopec Fuel Oil Lanka Limited (SFOL).

How Resource-Poor Burkina Faso Deals With Covid-19

The vaccine can protect those vaccinated from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, but it can’t stop them from transmitting it, even if there may be no outward signs of symptoms. Tengandogo is a private facility that treats the country’s most critical patients, but since March it has treated people with coronavirus free of charge. Where the timing is concerned, the situation in Burkina Faso runs a close parallel with Sri Lanka. This country’s health care system could be better resourced than Burkina Faso’s. But just how close has it come to being overwhelmed?

Indian Air Force Arrives For Participation In 70th SLAF Anniversary

In line with the 70th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force, 23 aircraft of the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy arrived here to participate in the event with an Aerobatic Display by Sarang (Advanced Light Helicopter), Surya Kiran (Hawks), Tejas Fighter Aircraft, Tejas Trainer and the Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

Pakistani PM Pledged To Facilitate More Betel Imports From Sri Lanka

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan agreed to further facilitate betel imports among others, from Sri Lanka by eliminating the present bottlenecks raised by the Sri Lankan side, Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardane said yesterday.

UN Warns Of Mass Famine In Yemen Ahead Of Donor Conference

HINDUSTAN TIMES, 28 FEB, 2021- A UN humanitarian agency on Sunday warned that more than 16 million people in Yemen would go hungry this year, with already some half a million people in the war-torn country living in famine-like conditions.

Under-23 Major Youth Club Tournament NIPUN GUIDES SSC TO CONVINCING WIN

An unbeaten knock of 50 in 52 balls inclusive two boundaries and two sixes who together associated in an unbroken 95 runs opening wicket stand with Sohan de Livera helped SSC coast to a convincing ten-wicket win over Badureliya CC in a semi-final encounter of the Under 23 Major Youth Club limited over tournament played at the NCC ground.

FEELING THE PULSE OF THE POOR: MANEL NANAYAKKARA

I first met Manel in the year 1957, as we both joined to do the Diploma in Social work (The Institute of Social Work). As colleagues in the same batch, our friendship grew into healthy intimacy. We enjoyed our student days and have so many nostalgic memories of our past.

EXTREMIST IDEOLOGIES SPELL DISASTER TO A NATION'S FUTURE

It will be near impossible without some ideology to navigate society in its socio-cultural, economic and political directions as it meanders historically on its way forward. Devoid of such dynamics from within, only a static status quo will prevail rendering a people or a nation to stagnate without ideals, hopes and aspirations.