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Last Update: Fri, Nov 27, 2020, 01:41 pm SL Time 		Serving the Sri Lankan community globally since 2000
 
  All operations at Port of Colombo return to normal - SLPA

Nov 26, Colombo: All operations and other services of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority’s (SLPA) terminals and all other sister terminals at the Port of Colombo are swiftly returning to normal, the SLPA said in a statement Thursday.

Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic situation in the country, terminals in the Port faced an impact to its operations over the last week. Subsequently, collective action with decisive measures were implemented to restore operations and to ensure the well-being of all employees and port users.

  CD Wickramaratne assumes duties as IGP:
Nov 27, Colombo: Chandana Wickramaratne has assumed duties as the 35th Inspector General of Police (IGP) at the Police Headquarters today (27).

 COPE meeting held online for the first time :
Nov 27, Colombo: The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) in Parliament had Secretaries of three Ministries joining the committee meeting online through ZOOM technology for the first time Thursday (26).

  Government plans to purchase 1000kg of paddy per hectare from every farmer receiving fertilizer subsidy :
Nov 27, Colombo: From the next season, 1000 kg of paddy per hectare will be purchased at a guaranteed price of Rs. 50 from every farmer who receives the fertilizer subsidy the Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage said.

 Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka recommends amending the gazette issued requiring cremation of COVID-19 dead bodies :
Nov 27, Colombo: The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has recommended the Ministry of Health to amend the gazette issued on the disposal of bodies of people died due to COVID -19 to ensure compatibility with Sri Lankan law and international obligations.

 Sri Lanka Manufacturing and Services activities contract in October 2020 :
Nov 27, Colombo: Purchasing Managers’ Indices for both Manufacturing and Services activities contracted in October 2020, due to adverse impacts of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic erupted in the country earlier in the month, the Central Bank said in its monthly report.

 Number of infected inmates in the Boossa prison rises to 77:
Nov 27, Colombo: Nine more inmates of the Boossa Prison have been diagnosed with COVID-19 infection today (27), Galle District Epidemiologist Venura K. Singarachchi said.

 Former President says Easter Sunday attack was a conspiracy of a foreign group:
Nov 26, Colombo: Former President Maithripala Sirisena concluding his testimony to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter Sunday Attack Wednesday said the 21 April 2019 suicide bomb attack on the churches and hotels was a conspiracy led by a foreign group in Sri Lanka.

  Sri Lankan nationals successfully evacuated from the war zone in the Tigray region of Ethiopia:
Nov 26, Colombo: The Sri Lanka Embassy in Ethiopia, in consultation with the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka and the United Nations in Ethiopia, has successfully facilitated the evacuation of thirty-eight (38) Sri Lankan nationals from the war zone in Tigray region in the northern part of Ethiopia, the Foreign Ministry said.

 Three more COVID-19 deaths reported in Sri Lanka raising toll to 99:
Nov 26, Colombo: Sri Lanka has reported four more deaths Thursday due to COVID-19 raising the death toll from the viral disease to 99, according to health authorities.
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 Coronavirus update: 559 new COVID-19 cases identified Thursday, total rises to 22,028:
Nov 26, Colombo: According to Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry, 559 new COVID-19 cases were reported so far on Thursday.

 COVID-19: Schools in Kalmunai Education Zone will be closed for a week from tomorrow:
Nov 26, Colombo: Eastern Province Governor Anuradha Yahampath has decided to close all schools in the Kalmunai Education Zone for a week from tomorrow (27) after a random PCR test conducted in the Ampara District in the Eastern Province confirmed that 21 people had contracted the COVID-19 virus.

 Final decision on conducting the GCE O/L Examination within the next 10 days - Education Minister:
Nov 26, Colombo: The Minister of Education Prof. GL Peiris said the final decision regarding the conduct of the GCE Ordinary Level Examination this year and the action to be taken will be given within the next ten days.

 PCR confirms deceased OIC of the Kollupitiya Crime Branch was not Covid-19 infected:
Nov 26, Colombo: The PCR test conducted on the OIC of the Kollupitiya Police Crime Division J.M. Nilantha, who died this morning suddenly, was found to be negative for COVID-19 coronavirus.

 Sri Lanka to host maritime Security cooperation talks with India and Maldives tomorrow after six years:
Nov 26, Colombo: Sri Lanka will host the 4th National Security Adviser (NSA) Level Trilateral Meeting on Maritime Security Cooperation between India, Maldives and Sri Lanka on 27-28 November 2020 in Colombo, the Ministry of Defense said.

 HNB SOLO links up with Lanka QR from Central Bank to drive a new paradigm in cashless transactions:
Nov 26, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s most innovative bank, HNB PLC, announced that it had successfully linked its increasingly popular digital Payment App, SOLO, with the newly launched Lanka QR standard.

 Sri Lanka Navy recovers 1067kg of dried turmeric and apprehends a suspect in Puttalam:
Nov 26, Colombo: The Sri Lanka Navy managed to recover a hidden stock of dried turmeric weighing 1067kg and apprehended a suspect, during a special search operation conducted in Puttalam on 25th November 2020.

 Sri Lanka government and ADB sign USD 165Mn loan agreement to aid COVID hit SMEs:
Nov 26, Colombo: The Government of Sri Lanka entered into loan and grant agreements with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to obtain a loan of USD 165 million and grants worth of USD 3 million

 Ground level team set up to monitor Home Quarantine process :
Nov 26, Colombo: The government has taken a number of steps to control the current global COVID-19 pandemic on the technical advice of the Ministry of Health

 Ministries of Defense and Technology brought under President’s purview:
Nov 26, Colombo: Two ministries have been brought under the purview of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in accordance with the November 20 revision of subjects under Ministries, the President’s Media Division said.

 Netherlands agrees to provide free agricultural education and technical knowledge to Sri Lanka:
Nov 26, Colombo: The Government of the Netherlands is ready to provide free higher and post education and technical knowledge related to agriculture in Sri Lanka, said the Ambassador of the Netherlands in Sri Lanka, Tanja Gonggrijp.

 Dialog Axiata’s Genie Partners Eat Me Global to Facilitate Customers with Secure E-Payments:
Nov 26, Colombo: In light of the health and safety mandates given by Government health authorities to minimize the public’s exposure to COVID-19, Genie, Sri Lanka’s first PCI-DSS-certified payment app, powered by Dialog Axiata, recently facilitated grocery and food delivery platform Eat Me Global with a seamless solution.

 ICRA Lanka assigns [SL]A rating with Stable outlook to the proposed debenture program of First Capital Holdings PLC:
Nov 26 (CP) Colombo- ICRA Lanka Limited has assigned the issue rating of [SL]A with Stable outlook to the proposed LKR 2,000 million (an initial issue of LKR 1,000 million with the option to raise a maximum of LKR 2,000 million) senior unsecured redeemable debenture program of First Capital Holdings PLC (FCH or the Company).

 All operations at Port of Colombo return to normal - SLPA:
Nov 26, Colombo: All operations and other services of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority’s (SLPA) terminals and all other sister terminals at the Port of Colombo are swiftly returning to normal, the SLPA said in a statement Thursday.

  New cabinet minister and state minister sworn in:
Nov 26, Colombo: A new Cabinet Minister and a State Minister were sworn in before President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (26), President’s Media Division said.

  Kollupitiya Crime Branch OIC dies suddenly:
Nov 26, Colombo: The OIC of the Crimes Division of the Kollupitiya Police Station has collapsed at the Galle Face Green and died following admission to the hospital, the Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana on Thursday (26).
 Police arrest 72 people for violating quarantine rules in last 24 hours:
Nov 26, Colombo: Police Media Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana stated that 72 persons have been arrested for violating the quarantine rules during the past 24 hours.
 Cyclone Nivar weakening and moves away from Sri Lanka :
Nov 26, Colombo: The Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘NIVAR’ located over southwest Bay of Bengal makes landfall off the coast Tamil Nadu of India, moves northwestwards and gradually weakening, the Meteorology Department said this morning (26).
  Sri Lanka Central Bank maintains its accommodative policy interest rates :
Nov 26, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Central Bank releasing the monetary policy review on Thursday said the Monetary Board has decided to continue the accommodative monetary policy stance.
 Fishing in northern and eastern seas is extremely dangerous, Met Department warns as one fisherman dies :
Nov 26, Colombo: The Meteorological Department says that the severe Tropical Cyclone Nivar will make landfall on the Tamil Nadu coast while strong winds could develop in the Northern and Eastern seas over the next 24 hours.
 Sri Lanka Air Force to conduct aerial observations to curb deforestation:
Nov 26, Colombo: Raising concerns into widespread illegal forest resources degradation, Defense Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said, attention into deforestation is imperative and it is vital to identify such attempts before logging.
 Two more COVID-19 deaths reported in Sri Lanka raising toll to 96:
Nov 25, Colombo: Sri Lanka has reported four more deaths Wednesday due to COVID-19 raising the death toll from the viral disease to 96, according to health authorities.
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 Former president continues to deny responsibility for Easter Sunday attacks, but will accept legal action against if found guilty :
Nov 25, Colombo: Former President Maithripala Sirisena has said that it would not be unfair to take legal action against him if he is found guilty in any investigation into the last year’s terrorist attack on Easter Sunday.
 Remanded ex-director of CID contracts COVID-19 in prison :
Nov 25, Colombo: Former Director of the Criminal Investigation Department SSP Shani Abeysekara has contracted COVID-19 viral infection, according to Prisons Department sources.
 Coronavirus update: 502 new COVID-19 cases identified Wednesday, total rises to 21,469:
Nov 25, Colombo: According to Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry, 502 new COVID-19 cases were reported so far on Wednesday.
 Several areas in Bandaragama and Kandy District isolated:
Nov 25, Colombo: The Kirimanthudawa Grama Niladhari Division of the Bandaragama Police Division which has been isolated will be released from isolated areas with immediate effect, the National Operations Center for the Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) announced.
 UNDP to support to introduce a multidimensional approach to poverty in Sri Lanka:
Nov 25, Colombo: According to the 2020 global report on the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) entitled ‘Charting pathways out of multidimensional poverty: Achieving the SDGs’, 4.1% of the population in Sri Lanka live below the National poverty line, with 14.3% vulnerable to multidimensional poverty.
 Reports that Avant Garde was given 5000 acres of land by the Ministry of Agriculture is untrue - Secretary to the Ministry:
Retired Maj. Gen. Sumedha Perera, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture says that the media reports that 5,000 acres of land belonging to the Ministry of Agriculture have been given to Avant Garde Maritime Services for maize cultivation are completely false.
  MP Rishad Bathiudeen released on bail:
Nov 25, Colombo: Former Minister of Industry and Commerce and Wanni district parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen who was in remand custody in connection with misuse of state property was granted bail today.
  Plans to add 400 repaired SLTB buses to transport from January 01:
Nov 25, Colombo: Transport Minister Gamini Lokuge said in Parliament today (25) that 400 dilapidated buses of the Sri Lanka Transport Board will be repaired and put into operation from January 01 next year.
 COPE Chairman recommends CEA’s involvement for the environmental assessment of the Lakvijaya power plant :
Nov 25, Colombo: Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Chairman Prof. Charitha Herath highlighted that the environmental assessment of the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant done by the Environmental Authority of the North Western Provincial Council alone is not sufficient.
 ADB to help Sri Lankan Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises recover from COVID-19:
Nov 25, Colombo: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it has approved a $165 million loan to Sri Lanka to provide immediate financing support for small and medium-enterprises (SMEs), which have been severely affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and long-term financing to underserved SMEs, including businesses led by women and tea smallholders.
 Arachchikattuwa police temporarily closed after police officer found to be infected with COVID-19:
Nov 25, Colombo: Arachchikattuwa police have been temporarily closed the Chilaw Office of the Police Superintendent said.
 The present government destroyed forests - UNP Deputy Leader:
Nov 25, Colombo: UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene says that since the current government came to power, a large number of forests have been destroyed and plans are afoot to destroy hundreds of thousands of more acres of forests.
 ComBank returns to No 1 ranking in Business Today Top 30:
Nov 25, Colombo: The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has moved to the top of the ‘Business Today Top 30’ ranking of the country’s best-performing companies in 2019-20, leading a veritable pantheon of the who’s who of corporate Sri Lanka.
 Indian Coast Guard intercepts Sri Lankan boat trafficking 100kg of heroin from Pakistan:
Nov 25, Colombo: The Indian Coast Guard has seized drugs, including 100kg of heroin, from a Sri Lankan boat south of Thoothukudi during an operation which began on November 17, Hindustan Times reported.
 Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance and Good Life X announce Grants for Tourism Resilience:
Nov 25, Colombo: With Sri Lanka’s tourism industry grappling to stay afloat amid the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are scrambling to find ways to remain competitive and resilient.
 Human Rights Commission requests IGP to provide details of persons detained under the PTA:
Nov 25, Colombo: The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has written to the Inspector General of Police requesting the police chief to urgently provide the details of persons detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to the Commission.
 Court of Appeal quashes summons issued to President by Jaffna court:
Nov 24, Colombo: The Court of Appeal Tuesday quashed the summons issued to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa by the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court to appear before the court to testify in the abduction and disappearance case of Lalith Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan in 2011.
 Coronavirus update: 459 new COVID-19 cases identified Tuesday, total rises to 20,967:
Nov 24, Colombo: According to Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry, 459 new COVID-19 cases were reported so far on Tuesday.
 Remanded MP Pillayan released on bail:
Nov 24, Colombo: Five suspects, including Batticaloa District Parliamentarian Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, who was in remand custody in connection with the murder of former Batticaloa District MP Joseph Pararajasingham, have been released on bail.
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  ‘We accepted the challenge of opening schools ensuring health security of children’- Education Minister:
Nov 24, Colombo: “Schools can be kept closed because of the challenge. However, we accepted the challenge to open schools ensuring the health security of the children,” said the Minister of Education, Prof. GL Peiris.
  Naval unit deployed to prevent spread of Coronavirus in Katunayake FTZ:
Nov 24, Colombo: Twenty five naval personnel, including four naval officers, have been deployed in the Katunayake Free Trade Zone (FTZ) under the supervision of a naval admiral to assist the health sector in controlling the spread of the coronavirus epidemic, Executive Director (Zonal) of Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka MKD Lawrence said.
 Four more COVID-19 deaths reported in Sri Lanka raising toll to 94:
Nov 24, Colombo: Sri Lanka has reported four more deaths Tuesday due to COVID-19 raising the death toll from the viral disease to 94, according to health authorities.
 Sri Lanka Tourism says wildlife streaming event ‘Couch Safari’ a resounding success:
Nov 24, Colombo: The first ever initiative of Sri Lanka Tourism’s effort in showcasing the island’s wildlife to the world through streaming technology is an unprecedented success with the support of the stakeholders, partners and wildlife enthusiasts from all over the world.
 Sri Lanka and China discuss consolidating bilateral relations :
Nov 24, Colombo: Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage together with Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Luo Zhaohui, chaired the 11th session of the diplomatic consultations between Sri Lanka and China virtually on 23 November 2020.
 Towards a Green Economy: UNDP & Biodiversity Sri Lanka sign MOU:
Nov 24, Colombo: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Biodiversity Sri Lanka signed a 4-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) to extending their support to activities that would strengthen Sri Lanka’s efforts in transitioning towards a green economy.
  Government to take measures to pay pensions on time :
Nov 24, Colombo: Minister of Public Services, Provincial Councils and Local Government Janaka Bandara Tennakoon said that a system will be implemented immediately to pay pensions on time.
  Minister instructs to pay compensation for lands acquired before launching irrigation projects :
Nov 24, Colombo: Minister of Irrigation and State Minister of Internal Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management Chamal Rajapaksa, addressing the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Irrigation in Parliament yesterday (23), said that compensation should be paid for the lands acquired prior to the commencement of irrigation projects.
 School community must make a decision on continuing of schools - official:
Nov 24, Colombo: The Ministry of Education said while the attendance of teachers and students in the re-opened schools on Monday was satisfactory, the school community, including parents, must make the most appropriate decision about continually maintaining schools in the face of the changing COVID-19 epidemic.
  Priority given to repatriate Sri Lankans stranded in the Middle East:
Nov 24, Colombo: Head of the National Operations Center for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva says that priority has been given to repatriate Sri Lankans stranded in the Middle East due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 All schools in Kilinochchi will be closed again:
Nov 24, Colombo: The Northern Province Ministry of Education has instructed all schools in the Kilinochchi District to be temporarily closed for a week from today (24), according to the Kilinochchi Health Division.
 Army Special Forces unit for Disaster Management:
Nov 24, Colombo: Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva says that a ‘Special Forces for Disaster Management’ will be formed under the 58 Division of the Sri Lanka Army.
 Police arrest 62 people for violating quarantine rules in last 24 hours:
Nov 24, Colombo: Police Media Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana stated that 62 persons have been arrested for violating the quarantine rules during the past 24 hours.
 Indian PM confident of reaching full potential of bilateral relationship with Sri Lanka under President Rajapaksa:
Nov 24, Colombo: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a congratulatory message to Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the first anniversary of assumption of Office expressed confidence that full potential of the bilateral relationship between the two countries will be realized under President’s decisive leadership.
 Budget 2021 provides tremendous opportunities for strategic investments - BOI:
Nov 24, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s investment promotion agency, Board of Investment (BOI) welcoming the 2021 budget presented by the Finance Minister and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, said the agency will target strategic investments following the tremendous opportunities provided by the budget proposals.
 Hizbullah received Rs. 3.64 billion from Saudi Arabia to start Batticaloa University, Presidential Commission told:
Nov 23, Colombo: It has been revealed that the former governor of Eastern Province MLAM Hizbullah has received Rs. 3640 million from an individual in Saudi Arabia for the controversial university he established in Batticaloa.
 JVP leader questions why 84% COVID fund is not used:
Nov 23, Colombo: Jathika Jana Balawegaya MP and JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (Nov. 23) in Parliament questioned the government as to why only 16% of the Rs. 1640 million COVID fund has been spent on COVID suppression and the remaining 84% is stashed away despite the great crisis in the country due to the epidemic.
 Former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe proposed for UNP National List MP:
Nov 23, Colombo: The Party Management Committee of the United National Party (UNP) today (23) has decided to nominate the party Leader and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for the post of National List Member of Parliament.
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 Coronavirus update: 337 new COVID-19 cases identified Monday, total rises to 20,508:
Nov 23, Colombo: According to Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry, 337 new COVID-19 cases were reported so far on Monday.
 Sri Lanka reports three more COVID-19 deaths raising toll to 90:
Nov 23, Colombo: Sri Lanka has reported three more deaths Monday due to COVID-19 raising the death toll from the viral disease to 90, according to health authorities.
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