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Last Update: Sun, Jan 26, 2020, 11:31 pm SL Time

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Qatar to help Sri Lanka in sustainable energy production

Jan 26, Colombo: The State of Qatar has expressed willingness to assist Sri Lanka to establish a reliable network for sustainable energy generation and a consortium of top notch companies in the energy sector will join the endeavor.

Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs of Qatar made this pledge when he called on President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this morning. The Qatari Minister, congratulating President Rajapaksa on his recent electoral victory, also requested the nomination of a special envoy from Sri Lankan side to further discuss the implementation of the proposal.

National Action Committee on President’s Advice to prevent spread of deadly coronavirus:
	Jan 26, Colombo: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi to appoint a National Action Committee to prevent the spread of deadly coronavirus in Sri Lanka.

Two transit passengers arrived at Sri Lanka international airport with symptoms of coronavirus infection admitted to hospital:
	Jan 26, Colombo: Two transit passengers who arrived at the Bandaranayake International Airport in Colombo today, were suspected to be infected with the coronavirus, and admitted to the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in Colombo for further treatment.

Update: Sri Lanka to bring back Sri Lankan students residing in Wuhan, China at government’s expense:
	Jan 26, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Relations has announced the latest measures taken on the instructions of the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa regarding the Sri Lankans residing in Wuhan, China.

Constituent Council decides to question Attorney General on certain orders:
	Jan 26, Colombo: The Constituent Council chaired by the Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has decided to summon the Attorney General and inquire into some of the decisions taken by him.

Qatar to help Sri Lanka in sustainable energy production:
	Jan 26, Colombo: The State of Qatar has expressed willingness to assist Sri Lanka to establish a reliable network for sustainable energy generation and a consortium of top notch companies in the energy sector will join the endeavor.

SriLankan Airlines facilitates return of Sri Lankan students in China:
	Jan 26, Colombo: Acting swiftly on the instructions of the President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in the light of the Coronavirus pandemic, SriLankan Airlines has taken steps to facilitate the return home of Sri Lankan students who are currently in China.

Pakistan’s Naval Chief arrives in Sri Lanka on an official visit:
	Jan 26, Colombo: Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport on 25th January 2020 for a five-day official visit to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau shows its potential at CMT 2020, Germany:
	Jan 26, Colombo: Sri Lanka was able to create a positive image on the minds of those who visited the Sri Lanka stall at the CMT 2020, the largest consumer fair in Germany, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) said.

US, Sri Lanka share compelling interests: Alice Wells:
	Jan 26, Colombo: Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells on Friday said the United State and Sri Lanka have compelling shared interests...

Sri Lanka patients tested negative for coronavirus :
	Jan 26 Colombo: Tests conducted of four people with suspected symptoms of the coronavirus infection have come back negative, the government has said.

Chinese citizens in Sri Lanka advised to pay attention to the development of new coronavirus infection :
	Jan 26 Colombo: The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka has advised the Chinese citizens visiting the island to pay close attention to development of new coronavirus infection pneumonia and report suspected cases to authorities in a timely manner.

Special traffic plan in Sri Lanka capital in preparation of Independence Day celebrations:
	Jan 26 Colombo: A special traffic plan will be in place from today surrounding the area of Independence Square in Colombo due to the rehearsal of the 72nd National Independence Day celebrations.

Sri Lanka makes arrangements to evacuate Sri Lankan students from Wuhan:
	Jan 25, Colombo: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Relations to immediately make arrangements for the immediate repatriation of all Sri Lankan students living in Wuhan, China, where coronavirus pneumonia is spreading.

President opens Sri Lanka’s first child care center for children with disabilities:
	Jan 25, Colombo: President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa today opened Sri Lanka’s first National Center for Children with Disabilities in Ragama.

Use electricity frugally, Power and Energy Minister requests:
	Jan 25, Colombo: Power and Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera today requested the public to use electricity conservatively as they do not intend to have power cuts although the water levels in hydro power reservoirs are depleting rapidly.

Two women suspected of contracting coronavirus in Sri Lanka admitted to the IDH :
	Jan 25, Colombo: Two women suspected of contracting the coronavirus have been admitted to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Angoda.

A culture built on trust: H-Connect secures Great Place to Work® certification:
	Jan 25, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s leading Business Process Management (BPM) and Shared Services experts, H-Connect, was certified as a great workplace today by independent analysts at Great Place to Work® in Sri Lanka (GPWSL).

IGP Pujith Jayasundera testifies before the presidential commission of inquiry :
	Jan 25, Colombo: Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara, who has been sent on compulsory leave has arrived at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate the Easter Sunday terror attacks last year.

Government to allocate Rs. 100 billion to purchase this year Maha season paddy harvest:
	Jan 24, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government plans to spend Rs. 100 billion to purchase the paddy harvest of this year’s Maha season from the

EU EOM says Sri Lanka’s well managed 2019 presidential election was tainted by biased coverage by private and state media :
	Jan 25, Colombo: The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) publishing the final report on Sri Lanka’s November 2019 presidential election said the biased election coverage by private and state media tainted the otherwise well managed election process by the Election Commission.

Main challenge for state enterprises is economic growth and profit generation - President:
	Jan 25, Colombo: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says that rapid economic growth is the prime responsibility of all state enterprises and not for profit State institutions should provide an efficient service to the people.

Pakistan’s Naval Chief to visit Sri Lanka:
	Jan 24, Colombo: Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi NI (M) is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka on the invitation of Sri Lanka Navy commander, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva from January 25-29, 2020.

Sri Lanka President says necessary investigations in to the war missing would be conducted before issuing death certificates:
	Jan 24, Colombo: Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said necessary investigations would be conducted before a death certificate would be issued for thousands of people missing from the country’s three-decade long war.

Fundamental rights petition filed by Dr. Shafi Sihabdeen to be considered on June 24th:
	Jan 24, Colombo: The Supreme Court today adjourned the hearing of the fundamental rights petition filed by Dr. Safi Sihabdeen of the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital to the 24th June.

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa reappointed as the deputy leader of UNP:
	Jan 24, Colombo: Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has once again been given the deputy leader’s post in the United National Party (UNP) by party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, state media reported citing party sources.

Defense Ministry to upgrade Police Hospital with dialysis facilities:
	Jan 24, Colombo: Fulfilling a long-felt need, the Defense Ministry will provide extra dialysis facilities, adequate medical and minor staff to the Police Hospital at Narahenpita, Defense Secretary Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne has assured.

Sri Lanka government to digitalize and integrate entire government machinery:
	Jan 24, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government is to digitalize the entire State mechanism under an integrated system through Information Communication Technology (ICT) under the supervision and management of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), the Defense Ministry said.

Fitch Affirms Sri Lanka Telecom at ‘AA+(lka)’; Outlook Negative:
	Jan 24, Colombo: Fitch Ratings has affirmed Sir Lanka Telecom PLC’s (SLT) National Long-Term Rating at ‘AA+(Ika)’. The Outlook is Negative. Fitch has also affirmed the National Ratings on SLT’s outstanding senior unsecured debentures at ‘AA+(lka)’.

Sri Lanka’s first floating solar plant opens in Kilinochchi with Norwegian assistance:
	Jan 24, Colombo: The Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Trine Jøranli Eskedal, opened Sri Lanka’s first floating solar plant in Kilinochchi Friday. The launch of the 42KW floating solar plant took place this morning at the Faculty of Engineering, Kilinochchi Campus, University of Jaffna.

Sri Lanka President instructs police to strictly comply with law when making arrests:
	Jan 24, Colombo: Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructed law enforcement officers to carry out their duties without any fear or favor, but acting strictly in compliance with the law.

Sri Lanka Embassy looking to evacuate Sri Lankans residing in Wuhan China:
	Jan 24, Colombo: The Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing upon the advice of the Ministry of Foreign Relations, is in discussion with the relevant Chinese authorities and other embassies in Beijing to explore all the possibilities of evacuating Sri Lankans in Wuhan the Foreign Relations Ministry said.

SriLankan Airlines takes action with regard to Coronavirus outbreak:
	Jan 24, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s national carrier, SriLankan Airlines announced that it has implemented a series of precautionary measures to mitigate the risks from the current coronavirus epidemic in the Far East, with the safety and well-being of its valued passengers and staff being of paramount importance.

CEB incurs Rs 250 million daily loss due to delay in Norochcholai Stage II - Minister:
	Jan 24, Colombo: Minister of Power and Energy Mahinda Amaraweera said Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) incurs a daily loss of Rs. 250 million due to the delay in implementing the second stage of the Norochcholai coal power plant.

Former Navy Spokesman, 12 others accused of abduction of youths released on bail:
	Jan 24, Colombo: Former Naval Media Spokesperson Commodore DKP Dassanayake and 12 others, who were charged with the abduction and disappearance of eleven youths in Colombo and its suburbs in 2008 and 2009, were released on bail by the Permanent High Court at Bar today.

Knitline Apparels signs agreement with the Board of Investment to set up manufacturing plant:
	Jan 24, Colombo: The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka has signed an Agreement with Knitline Apparels Ltd to set up a manufacturing plant.

IGP appoints Five-member committee to study AG’s instructions to arrest HC Judge Gihan Pilapitiya :
	Jan 24, Colombo: Acting Inspector General of Police C.D. Wickramaratne has appointed a five member committee to study the instructions issued by the Attorney General to arrest interdicted Embilipitiya High Court Judge Gihan Pilapitiya.

Work on new UNIDO Sri Lanka Country Program starts today:
	Jan 24, Colombo: Pioneering work on the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s (UNIDO’s) new Country Program for Sri Lanka 2020-’24 commences today (January 24) in Colombo.

Defense Secretary requests Police to be committed to control drug menace:
	Jan 24, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Defense Secretary Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne urged Police to be committed to control drug menace and organized crimes by implementing effective strategies.

Sri Lanka’s Commercial Bank rejects rating revision by Fitch :
	Jan 24, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Commercial Bank rejected the recent ratings revision by Fitch Ratings which downgraded the Bank’s Outlook to Negative from Stable on the National Long-Term Ratings.

All digital technology services and technology projects under ICTA:
	Jan 24, Colombo: Defense Ministry Secretary Major General Kamal Gunaratne said that the government has decided to operate all digital technology services and technology projects that are implemented under all the ministries and public sector institutions and affect the public, under the management and the supervision of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka.

Ex-CID Director grilled for 6 hours over Swiss Embassy employee case:
	Jan 23, Colombo: The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today recorded a statement from the former Director of the CID SSP Shani Abeysekara for about 6 hours with regard to the investigations on the Swiss Embassy employee Ganiya Bannister Francis, who had claimed that she was abducted and questioned by an unidentified group in a white vehicle.

Government to take census on private medical centers:
	Jan 23, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine, Women and Child Affairs and Social Security Pavithra Wanniarachchi says a census will be taken on private medical centers owned by doctors in the country.

Sri Lanka to appoint Authorized Representatives to submit visa applications of Sri Lankan and Foreign Visitors:
	Jan 23, Colombo: The Department of Immigration and Emigration since 2012 follow the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system for issuance of pre – check up and approval to foreign tourists visit Sri Lanka.

Soldier remanded for murdering medical student of Jaffna University:
	Jan 23, Colombo: An Army soldier who was arrested on suspicion of murdering an undergraduate medical student at the Medical Faculty of the Jaffna University, has been remanded till February 6 by Jaffna Magistrate AS Peter Paul.

Rifkhan Bathiudeen remanded until February 06 :
	Jan 23, Colombo: Rifkhan Bathiudeen, former Northern Provincial Councilor and the brother of former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen was remanded till February 06 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne.

International exposure for Sri Lankan boat manufacturers at ‘BOOT SHOW’ in Dusseldorf, Germany:
	Jan 23, Colombo: The delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) together with the Export Development Board (EDB) organized the first-ever Sri Lankan pavilion at the world’s leading boat exhibition ‘Boot Show’ in Dusseldorf, Germany.

AG orders police to arrest High Court Judge Gihan Pilapitiya:
	Jan 23, Colombo: The Attorney General has ordered the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) to obtain a warrant for the arrest of suspended High Court Judge Gihan Pilapitiya.

Japan to Support Humanitarian Demining Activities in Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Jaffna Districts :
	Jan 23, Colombo: The Government of Japan has provided a total sum of US$ 630,028 (approx. Rs. 111 million) to Delvon Assistance for Social Harmony (DASH) for humanitarian demining activities in Northern Sri Lanka.

Forensic Audits are incomplete without the relevant Annexes, the Speaker informs Central Bank Governor:
	Jan 23, Colombo: As per the directive by the Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, the Secretary General of Parliament Dammika Dassanayake has informed in writing to Professor W.D. Lakshman, the Governor of Central Bank that the five Forensic Audits are incomplete without the relevant Annexes and Exhibits.

A group of 52 harassed Sri Lankan housemaids return home from Kuwait:
	Jan 23, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Foreign Employment Bureau has facilitated the return of a group of female domestic workers from Kuwait to the island, the Bureau said.

Ranjan’s voice test halted until further notice:
	Jan 23, Colombo: Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake, who is in remand custody, was not produced before the Government Analyst Department today (23) for obtaining samples of his voice, as scheduled, the Prison Department said.

Government decides to purchase a kilo of paddy at a guaranteed price of Rs 50:
	Jan 23, Colombo: The government has taken steps to purchase paddy at a minimum guaranteed price of Rs. 50 per kilo for the Maha season, co-cabinet spokesman, Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.

Ranjan’s tapes have not been tabled yet, Deputy Speaker says:
	Jan 23, Colombo: The Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri informed the Parliament today that MP Ranjan Ramanayake has not yet submitted the audio recordings to be tabled in Parliament.

Support from the Canadian Government to uplift Sri Lanka’s inland fisheries industry :
	Jan 23, Colombo: The Canadian government has agreed to further enhance Sri Lanka’s inland freshwater fisheries industry, state media reported.

Sri Lanka police nab three passengers smuggling gold biscuits worth Rs. 50 million:
	Jan 23, Colombo: Three passengers have been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake with a smuggled stock of gold worth Rs. 50 million.

New chairman of Sri Lanka Securities and Exchange Commission assumes duties:
	Jan 23, Colombo: President’s Counsel Viraj Dayaratne assumed duties as the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) Wednesday, 22 January 2020.

Privileges given to former Opposition Leader will not be reduced - Leader of the House:
	Jan 22, Colombo: Leader of the House Minister Dinesh Gunawardena today (22) stated that the privileges granted to former Opposition Leader and Leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), R. Sampanthan will not be reduced.

Saman Ratnapriya to be appointed to vacant MP post:
	Jan 22, Colombo: United National Party (UNP) general secretary parliamentarian Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has told media that a trade unionist and civil society representative Saman Rathnapriya will be nominated to fill the vacant UNP national list MP post.

Sri Lanka to explore a non-toxic, sustainable method of eradicating mosquito larvae :
	Jan 22, Colombo: Prof. Donat-Peter Hader Häder, a German expert on a non-toxic and sustainable method of eradicating dengue mosquito larvae using chlorophyll derivatives, recently met with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine, Women and Child Affairs and Social Security Pavithra Wanniarachchi at the Ministry of Health.

Sri Lanka takes measures to prevent entry of Coronavirus through visitors :
	Jan 22, Colombo: Sri Lanka has taken preemptive measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the island through infected visitors and decided to install elevated body temperature screening machines at country’s international airports.

Expert in tea industry appointed as Sri Lanka Telecom chairman:
	Jan 22, Colombo: Rohan Fernando, an expert in tea industry has been appointed as the new Chairman to lead Sri Lanka’s national telecommunication service provider, Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT).

Female medical student of Jaffna University stabbed to death:
	Jan 22, Colombo: A female student of the Jaffna University Medical Faculty was assaulted and stabbed to death in the Pannai lagoon area in Jaffna this afternoon (22).

Norwegian Ambassador to open Sri Lanka’s first floating solar plant in Kilinochchi:
	Jan 22, Colombo: The Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Trine Jøranli Eskedal, will open Sri Lanka’s first floating solar plant in Kilinochchi on Friday.

MP Jayampathi Wickramaratne resigns from his post :
	Jan 22, Colombo: United National Party (UNP) national list parliamentarian Dr. Jayampathi Wickramaratne has resigned from his post as a member of parliament, the parliament announced.

Sri Lanka seeks more interaction with Iran, envoy says:
	Jan 22, Colombo: Iran’s new ambassador to Sri Lanka, Hashem Ashjam Zadehsaid on Wednesday that the South Asian country seeks increased interaction with Iran in different fields.

Sri Lanka Navy, police arrest three suspects transporting 176 kg of Kerala Cannabis :
	Jan 22, Colombo: Sri Lanka Navy, with the assistance of the Anti-Narcotics Bureau of Police, has arrested three suspects who were transporting about 176kg of Kerala cannabis in a bus in Palaviya area, Puttalam on Wednesday (22nd January).

Fitch revises outlook on 5 Banks, 1 NBFI in Sri Lanka to Negative; downgrades PLC; affirms HNB:
	Jan 22, Colombo: Fitch Ratings has revised the Outlook to Negative from Stable on the Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) and National Long-Term Ratings of the following Sri Lanka-based banks and has affirmed their ratings:

Sri Lanka President calls out Armed Forces to maintain public order:
	Jan 22, Colombo: A special gazette notification has been issued assigning Sri Lanka’s armed forces the task of maintaining public order in all 25 districts of the country.

Approval granted for amendments to Inland Revenue Act including tax reliefs under the revival of the economy:
	Jan 22, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Finance Ministry said the proposal made by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic and Policy Development, to fulfill the promise made by the Government to re-create a simple, transparent and efficient tax system, received the approval of the Cabinet of ministers.

Sri Lanka immigration officials arrest five Uzbek women without valid visa:
	Jan 22, Colombo: Officials of Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration have arrested five Uzbekistan women illegally staying in the country without valid visas.

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