By Imesh RanasingheThe Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the real weaknesses Sri Lanka had in terms of its economy for the past four decades. He said more than the aggregates of imports and exports, the encouragement to productivity from having open trade or non-restricted trade is more important. Countries with GSP+ status are Cape Verde, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bolivia, and Paraguay. Hence, according to him, by maintaining this focus, Sri Lanka can try to keep up with its competitors. Also, because of the draconian protectionist policy, Sri Lanka had missed this type of opportunity.

September 04, 2021 18:45 UTC

Let’s place AT&T vs T-Mobile on center stage to see which carrier is right for you. See also: AT&T buyer’s guide | T-Mobile buyer’s guideAt first, T-Mobile and AT&T might seem fairly similar. Check out the carrier maps: AT&T | T-Mobile AT&T vs T-Mobile — Perks and promosReliable coverage should be your primary concern when it comes to a mobile carrier, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg. See also: The best AT&T deals | The best T-Mobile deals AT&T vs T-Mobile — Phone selectionsEric Zeman / Android AuthorityBoth T-Mobile and AT&T are considered GSM carriers, which means they operate on a slightly newer framework. See also: The best AT&T phones | The best T-Mobile phonesOutside of T-Mobile’s relationship with OnePlus, the other devices are generally the same.

September 04, 2021 18:00 UTC

The company in charge of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority’s (NMRA) software system says that several files in the database were deleted by mistake by an engineer and that the data could be restored once the system was allowed to enter. The State Minister of Drug Regulation and Supply and the Chairman of the Authority stated that the originals related to the deleted data are safe. The NMRA is the body that regulates the issuance of licenses to pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and pharmacies in the country. As it is highly sensitive, all information related to these operations is stored in its digital database. It was revealed last July that some data in the system had been deleted and several parties, including the Opposition, had accused it of being a conspiracy.

September 04, 2021 17:48 UTC

Ambassador to Afghanistan in Sri Lanka Ashraf Haidari is reportedly quite disgruntled over his failed efforts. Haidari had stated that despite his efforts to build a bridge between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, no such efforts have been made on Sri Lanka’s part. He made this observation in response to a question posed in an interview that was widely circulated on social media. He had further noted that Sri Lanka has been very reluctant to engage with countries like Afghanistan, even when it comes to granting tourist visas to Afghans. “In any bilateral relationship, both countries need to have citizens commuting between the countries, whereas Afghans are unable to secure a tourist visa to Sri Lanka despite having all the documentation in place,” Haidari had added.

September 04, 2021 17:26 UTC

Sri Lankan High Commissioner-designate to India Milinda Moragoda assumed duties after nearly a year since his appointment. Moragoda was appointed to the post in August 2020, but did not assume office till last month. The staff of the High Commission had welcomed Moragoda and his wife, Jennifer Moragoda, by presenting the traditional sheaf of betel leaves. Moragoda had assumed duties while seth pirith was chanted by the Maha Sangha via Zoom. Moragoda had also officially announced his policy framework “Integrated Country Strategy for the Sri Lanka Diplomatic Missions in India 2021/2023”.

September 04, 2021 17:26 UTC





Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez, who is of Sri Lankan origin, was questioned as a witness in a money laundering case, India’s Enforcement Directorate sources were quoted as telling the Indian media. The agency had questioned the Sri Lankan movie star for around five hours. Chandrashekar had allegedly swindled the 36-year-old too, agency sources had said, and it is believed that the actor fell on his radar through his wife Leena Paul. On 24 August, the probe agency had said that it had seized a sea-facing bungalow in Chennai, Rs. 82.5 lakhs in cash, and over a dozen luxurious cars in connection with the money laundering case against Chandrashekar.

September 04, 2021 17:26 UTC

In a letter addressed to the High Commissioner of New Zealand in Sri Lanka Micheal Appleton, the Supreme Council of Sufi Thareeqas in Sri Lanka (SCOT-SL) condemned the extremist attack which unfolded in Auckland today (03). “The recent extremist incident by the lone attacker in Auckland is strongly condemned by the Muslim community in Sri Lanka. “The ideologies have no place in our island nation and as such, are banned in Sri Lanka. We vehemently oppose this kind of behaviour and carnage,” the letter noted. The SCOT-SL concluded by stating that they continue to be on the side of New Zealand, while expressing sympathies and prayers to the nation in this hour of grief.

September 03, 2021 12:22 UTC

September 3, 2021 by Ruwani Fonseka No CommentsPresident Gotabaya Rajapaksa made a comment this morning (03) at a meeting held with the Covid-19 prevention committee which detailed that school children will most likely be given the Pfizer vaccine as soon as health authorities give their consent, the President’s Media Division said in a press release. However, no specific age range was mentioned. He further went on to emphasize the need to vaccinate individuals aged 20-29 within the next two weeks. So far, the national inoculation drive has been targeting individuals aged 30 years and above only.

September 03, 2021 12:22 UTC

The Department of Immigration and Emigration says the validity period of all types of valid visas currently obtained by foreigners residing in Sri Lanka has been extended by 30 days from 07th September to 07th October 2021. Only Visa fees applicable for that period will be charged for the Visas expire within this period and exempted from charging overstay penalty, it said. Instructions for Tourist Visa holders to get endorsed visas:Accordingly, Tourist Visa holders can follow one of the methodologies to make payment for the extension of visa and to get visa endorsement. Instructions for Resident Visa holders:The visa extension from 07th September 2021 to 07th October 2021 also applies to all valid resident visa holders. To get extended the residence visa before 07th October 2021, contact 0707101050 from 8.30 am to 3.00 pm on working days to make an appointment.

September 03, 2021 12:22 UTC

By Mark Duell for MailOnlinePublished: 08:10 EDT, 3 September 2021 | Updated: 08:44 EDT, 3 September 2021AdvertisementAn off-grid beachside 'oasis' with no mains water or electricity has gone on the market for £550,000. They were used by the coastguard until the 1950s - and the cottage on sale is in the middle of the three. The reception rooms have multi-fuel burners to provide heating while the kitchen has a gas cooker and gas lamps. The Napoleonic war was expensive and I believe the government decided to built coastguard cottages to monitor smugglers and recoup some money. You can enjoy your own private oasis, listening to the waves crashing and retreat from the stresses of everyday life.

September 03, 2021 12:11 UTC

In an interview with Indeewari Amuwatte on @HydePark, the Chairman of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) revealed that thus far Sri Lanka has spent Rs. 29.24 billion for the vaccine that it has purchased. “For the additional doses as well as the booster, we have to pay anther Rs. He stated that everything for the purpose of vaccination to this year has been secured. “We have secured another 14 million doses of Pfizer vaccine, which is an mRNA-type vaccine which can be given as mix-and-match for any other vaccine given to the population,” he said.

September 03, 2021 12:11 UTC

Branson's red lightVirgin Galactic’s core spaceship, SpaceShipTwo, is now grounded pending investigations (Reuters). In short, it’s reported that the flight didn’t go to plan, which isn’t wildly unexpected given the various firsts being achieved. That risked a hazardous descent and landing, with a red warning light: Virgin Galactic pilots Dave Mackay and Mike Masucci were aware of the problem. (A Virgin Galactic spokesperson disputed this contention.) spokesperson confirmed that Virgin Galactic “deviated from its Air Traffic Control clearance” and that an “investigation is ongoing.”The New Yorker report further questions the safety culture of the company, which Virgin Galatic denied in various statements.

September 03, 2021 11:03 UTC

Vets advised her to put the tiny white kitten to sleep, after he was diagnosed with an untreatable spinal defect. But she nursed 'Angel' back to health and now, thanks to the prosthetic wheels, the cat is living a full life. Footage shared by Constanza shows Angelito as a kitten wearing a nappy and using tiny toy car wheels attached to a sock to get around. The cat is then seen zooming around the apartment and even going outside for walks. In video footage shared online, the cat is seen zooming around the apartment and even going outside for walksThe 15-day-old kitten was emaciated and had deformed rear legs when he was found.

September 03, 2021 11:03 UTC

Richard E Grant said his heart was broken as he announced his devoted wife Joan has died aged 71 alongside a moving video of them dancing together. Joan - Love of my Life & Giver of Life to our daughter Olivia. Grant married voice coach Joan Washington in 1986 and has one daughter with her, Olivia, and a stepson, Tom. The couple went on to have one daughter, Olivia, 31, together, while Richard is a step-father to Tom, 44, from Joan's previous marriage. The actor has since described daughter Olivia as a 'miracle baby'.

September 03, 2021 10:52 UTC

September 3, 2021 03:35 pmA total of 1,998 more COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospitals and treatment centres as they have recovered from the virus infection, the Ministry of Health said today. This brings the total number of recoveries reported in the country to 380,166. Sri Lanka has confirmed as many as 447,757 cases of COVID-19 to date. According to Epidemiology Unit’s data, 57,987 virus-infected patients are currently under medical care. Meanwhile, the death from novel coronavirus now stands at 9,604.

September 03, 2021 10:07 UTC