Colombo Port City project: Expediting regulations to move forward
By Uwin LugodaSri Lanka’s biggest direct foreign investment development scheme, the Colombo Port City, has now begun attracting potential investors to its shores. According to the recently appointed Port City Economic Commission, gazettes are being prepared to expedite the regulatory approvals needed for these investments to move forward. These development regulations will specify the types of the buildings, their height, etc., for each plot of land within the Port City. The establishment of the Commission was a major part of the 76-page Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act 2021, which was approved by Parliament in May. Interest piques in Port CityAttygalle stated that while these six investors have come forward, ready to begin construction, they are not the only interested parties eyeing the Port City.
Source:The Nation
June 26, 2021 17:03 UTC
Fuel price hikes: Commodity prices on the rise
The recent hike in fuel prices came as a hard blow not only to the common folk but various industries across several sectors that seem to have taken a hit. While essential items usually come with a price ceiling, we have witnessed the prices of essential goods skyrocketing in the recent past for many reasons. Fuel price hike should be reconsideredVinuri Hewage, 24, undergraduateThere is so much uncertainty in the country and it’s honestly very unnerving. The fuel price hike in the middle of the pandemic has only further pressurised the general public, who are already struggling. Adds to pandemic uncertaintySahani Perera, 24, undergraduateThe decision to increase fuel prices came at a very bad time, in my opinion.
Source:The Nation
June 26, 2021 16:41 UTC
Government can’t control commodity price increases: Bandula Gunawardana
Even next season, we would use chemical fertiliser, and it’s only by next year’s Yala season that we are going to implement the organic fertiliser policy. With the recent hike in fuel prices, how will the Government control the rising commodity prices and requests for price hikes? What is being done to keep a controlled price for necessary items such as essential food items? We are not increasing the control price of these essential food items. With the travel restrictions, many families outside the city limits are struggling to get essential food items.
Source:The Nation
June 26, 2021 16:41 UTC
Easter Sunday attacks probe: Justice delayed amidst pandemic
Sarath Weerasekara said that another 42 suspects who were connected to the Easter Sunday co-ordinated terror attack would be indicted by the end of July. At a media briefing on 18 June, he said that there are three key suspects who had been charged by the US Justice Department last January, among these 42 suspects. Sharing the progress of the Easter Sunday attacks probe, Public Security Ministry Secretary Major General (Retd.) He said: “A special team from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is working with the AG’s Department under the supervision of some senior solicitor generals. At that time, the CID and the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) had investigated 17 incidents connected to the Easter Sunday terror attack.
Source:The Nation
June 26, 2021 16:41 UTC
Prisoners on death row: Demand commutation to life term
Multi-stakeholder talks underwayPrisons Dept., Justice Ministry involvedDeath row inmates commence agitationBy Yoshitha PereraDiscussions are presently underway between the Prisons Department, the Justice Ministry, and other relevant stakeholders with regard to the commutation of the sentence given to death row prisoners to a term of life imprisonment, The Sunday Morning learnt. Prisons Department Media Spokesman and Prisons Commissioner Chandana Ekanayake informed The Sunday Morning that all death row inmates are requesting that their death sentence be commuted to life in prison. “There are a total of 509 death row inmates in Sri Lanka and most of them have requested that their death sentence be commuted to a term of life in prison, with effect from the day that they were sentenced,” Ekanayake noted. The Prisons Department has had several discussions with the Justice Ministry and other relevant authorities with regard to the matter. According to a statement released by the Prisons Department, the 16 ex-LTTE cadres were detained under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No.
Source:The Nation
June 26, 2021 15:56 UTC
Importing organic fertiliser: Compost fertiliser imports suspended
Laws prohibit importing products with micro-organismsLiquid organic fertiliser importation to continueBy Yumiko PereraDespite Cabinet approval to import organic fertiliser, the Government last week decided to suspend the import of organic compost fertiliser. State Minister of Production and Supply of Fertiliser and the Regulation of Chemical Fertiliser and Insecticide Use Mohan Priyadarshana told The Sunday Morning that the decision was made after taking into account that imported organic compost fertiliser may contain waste materials, as well as to promote domestic production of organic fertiliser. “Compost fertiliser is a type of organic fertiliser, but we have decided to temporarily suspend the import of organic compost fertiliser after taking into account that it may contain certain bacteria and toxins, and the importation of products with micro-organisms is prohibited under the Plant Protection Act as well,” he explained. Further highlighting that liquid organic fertiliser would still be allowed to be imported, the State Minister went on to say: “The main aim behind this move is to promote the local production of organic fertiliser and make farmers and the industry self-sufficient.”According to Priyadarshana, local organic fertiliser production has increased after the Government decided to ban the importation of chemical fertiliser. Meanwhile, speaking with The Sunday Morning, All Ceylon Farmers Federation National Organiser Namal Karunaratne said: “The Government has failed to issue the fertiliser stocks in the country to the farmers and they are busy making one misguided policy decision after another.”Attempts made by The Sunday Morning to contact Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage proved futile.
Source:The Nation
June 26, 2021 15:56 UTC
Sri Lanka’s #MeToo begins with the media: Government to probe sexual harassment allegations
According to Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, the Government Information Department has been requested to probe into the matter. Several female journalists recently took to social media to relate accounts of alleged sexual harassment they were subjected to by male seniors at work. This prompted more female journalists to come forward with their stories. Meanwhile, Free Media Movement (FMM) Convenor Seetha Ranjani commended the courage of the female journalists who came forward with their stories. Furthermore, commending the Government’s intention to probe into the matter, she reiterated that harassment in any form should neither be tolerated nor condoned.
Source:The Nation
June 26, 2021 15:56 UTC
A Definitive Guide to Rehabilitation Centres in Sri Lanka
2021 Jun 26By definition, rehabilitation centres help individuals in restoring their mental and physical health through training and therapy. All these centres help with integrating individuals back into society and ingraining in them a sense of happiness and dignity. Phone: 0363 362 126Email: [email protected]Address: Jayaviru Samadhi Institute, North Ambalamwatta, PuwakpitiyaMithuru Mithuro MovementMithuru Mithuro, meaning “compassionate friends”, is dedicated towards eradicating drug abuse in Sri Lanka. It has 10 centres across three districts in the country that conduct outreach programmes, vocational training programmes, nutrition programmes and meditation centres. The centre offers various counselling services and also has a residential treatment centre that offers rehabilitation through live-in health care and therapy.
Source:The Nation
June 26, 2021 15:00 UTC
COVID cases confirmed in Sri Lanka cross 250,000
The Ministry of Health says 1,086 more persons were tested positive for the novel coronavirus today (June 26). All new cases have been associated with the New Year COVID-19 cluster. This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases confirmed in the country thus far to 251,012. As per statistics, 31,310 virus-infected people are currently being treated at designated hospitals and treatment centres across the island. Meanwhile, the recoveries count climbed to 216,840 today as 2,172 patients who were under medical care for novel coronavirus had returned to health.
Source:The Nation
June 26, 2021 13:30 UTC
Death toll tops 2,900 with 43 new COVID victims
June 26, 2021 05:47 pmSri Lanka has recorded 43 more COVID-19 related fatalities confirmed by the Director General of Health Services on Friday (June 25). The new development has pushed the official death toll due to the virus in Sri Lanka to 2,905. According to the data released by the Department of Government Information, the new victims confirmed today include 18 females and 25 males. One of the victims were aged below 30 years, 07 were between 30-59 years and the remaining 35 were aged 60 and above.
Source:The Nation
June 26, 2021 12:22 UTC
2,172 more patients recover from COVID-19
June 26, 2021 04:38 pmAs many as 2,172 more novel coronavirus patients were discharged from medical care within the last 24 hours as they have returned to health, the Ministry of Health says. This brings the total number of recoveries from COVID-19 in the country to 216,840. Sri Lanka has so far reported 249,926 positive cases of COVID-19 and more than 30,000 of them are still being treated at designated hospitals and treatment centres. The death toll from the outbreak of the pandemic meanwhile stands at 2,862.
Source:The Nation
June 26, 2021 12:11 UTC
10 Fantastic But Underrated Songs From Animated Films
However, there are several criminally underrated songs in animated films that are just as good as the prize winners (sometimes even better). 9 “I See The Light” – TangledTangled – I See the Light (HD)Tangled doesn’t only have many underrated songs, but is also an underrated film as Frozen seems to take precedence when it comes to favorite animated movies. The film tells the story of Rapunzel in a new and fresh way, with some great songs in the mix. It was the highest grossing animated film of 2014 and won several awards including an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Strangely enough, despite “You’ll Be In My Heart’s” massive success, it is still one of the most underrated songs in an animated film.
Source:The Nation
June 26, 2021 08:03 UTC
Two SL flagged vessels intercepted in Seychelles’ waters
Two Sri Lankan-registered vessels have been intercepted in the Seychelles’ waters on suspicion of illegal fishing, the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF) said on Friday, as reported by Seychelles News Agency. The Patrol Ship Etoile of the Seychelles Coast Guard was diverted to carry out the interception which took place on Wednesday, June 23. SPDF said that “the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) was notified and, based on evidence found, the fishing vessels were escorted to Port Victoria for further investigation. The vessels arrived in Port Victoria under escort this morning. The number of vessels caught on suspicion of illegal fishing in the Seychelles’ waters since May this year is now five.
Source:The Nation
June 26, 2021 08:03 UTC
Sri Lanka registers 1,859 COVID cases within the day
The Health Ministry says 620 more persons have tested positive for COVID-19 today (June 25) increasing the daily count of positive cases to 1,859. All new cases reported within the day have been associated with the New Year cluster. This brings the tally of confirmed infections of coronavirus reported in the country so far to 249,909. As many as 214,668 recoveries and 2,862 deaths have been confirmed in Sri Lanka since the outbreak of the pandemic last year. According to official data, more than 32,000 active cases are currently under medical care at designated hospitals and treatment centres.
Source:The Nation
June 25, 2021 18:03 UTC
Foreign Minister meets the new WHO Representative to Sri Lanka
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena received the newly appointed representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) to Sri Lanka Dr. Alaka Singh (25 June) at the Ministry. Welcoming Dr. Singh to Sri Lanka, Minister Gunawardena recalled the close cooperation between Sri Lanka and the WHO, being the very first UN agency to be established in Colombo in 1952. He appreciated the WHO’s assistance to Sri Lanka during the COVID- 19 pandemic, and requested continued support in securing COVID- 19 vaccines to the people of Sri Lanka. She commended Sri Lanka’s excellent health care system producing impressive health care indicators and the country’s standing as an example for the other countries in the region. The representative of WHO to Sri Lanka Dr. Singh assured WHO’s assistance in securing COVID – 19 vaccines to Sri Lanka, and also in the post COVID- 19 recovery phase.
Source:The Nation
June 25, 2021 16:52 UTC