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  President resumes program to provide employment to 150,000 graduates and low-income earners

Aug 14, Colombo: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has decided to re-commence, without delay, the program to provide employment opportunities to 150,000 persons that was halted due to the General Election and the recruits are to report to work on September 02, the President’s Media Division said.

The number of unemployed graduates to be recruited is 50,000. For the remaining 100,000 jobs, candidates will be selected from families of the lowest strata of income earners in the society.

 Quick steps to recover the Bureau of Foreign Employment from the economic crisis:
Aug 15, Colombo: Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Labor has decided to take a number of immediate steps to help the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) recover from the current economic crisis.

  Another 306 stranded Sri Lankans arrive from Oman, China:
Aug 15, Colombo: Another 306 Sri Lankans who were stranded in Oman and China due to COVID-19 pandemic arrived at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport Friday Afternoon.

 HNB posts PAT of Rs. 4.5 bn declined by 7% in 1H 2020:
Aug 15, Colombo: HNB posted resilient financial results during the 1H 2020 amid the unprecedented disruptions of COVID-19 pandemic with Group PAT for 1H increasing by 6.8 % YoY to Rs 5.5 billion while Bank level PAT declined by 7% YoY to Rs 4.5 billion.

 Sri Lanka Customs foils attempt to smuggle Wallapatta and sandalwood to Dubai hidden among fruits:
Aug 15, Colombo: Sri Lanka Customs has successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle Wallapatta and sandalwood to Dubai.

 Australia donates PPE worth Rs. 23 mn to Sri Lanka Navy:
Aug 15, Colombo: The Department of Defense of Australian Government handed over a stock of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth Rs. 23.4 million to Sri Lanka Navy, the Navy Media Unite said.

 SJB, NPP National List MPs gazetted, UNP and OPPP yet to decide:
Aug 15, Colombo: The Gazette notification with the names of the National List Members of Parliament of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and National People’s Power (NPP) was published Friday by the Election Commission.

  Coronavirus update: Sri Lanka COVID-19 cases rise to 2,886 with 4 new cases Friday:
Aug 14, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 cases rose to 2,886 with 4 more persons testing positive for the coronavirus Friday, the Health Ministry reported.

 414 suspects arrested in police raids in Western Province:
Aug 14, Colombo: During raids conducted by the police in the Western Province from 6.00 am Thursday to 5.00 am Friday, 414 persons have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in illegal activities including drug trafficking.

  All universities to commence academic activities on August 17:
Aug 14, Colombo: The Chairman of the University Grants Commission Prof. Sampath Amaratunga said all universities in the country will be reopened from the 17th of this month.
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  15 prison officers suspended, 19 transferred :
Aug 14, Colombo: The Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya says that 15 prison officers involved in various corruption activities have been suspended during the last two months.

  Reports that Attorney General approves MCC agreement are false - AG:
Aug 14, Colombo: Attorney General Dappula de Livera today denied that he had approved the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) development assistance grant.

 President to present the new Government Policy Statement on the 20th:
Aug 14, Colombo: President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is scheduled to present the new government’s policy statement at the inaugural session of the ninth parliament on August 20.

 Sri Lanka trade deficit narrows in June 2020 as exports rebound, imports decline:
Aug 14, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s trade deficit declined in June 2020, with a more than expected rebound in merchandise exports and notable reduction in merchandise imports on account of restrictions on non-essential imports, the Central Bank reported Friday in its External Sector Performance review for the month.

 Sri Lanka’s exports with V-shaped recovery surpass $ 1 bn in July 2020:
Aug 14, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s exports have surpassed the $ 1 billion mark in July after six months’ time period where a similar achievement was only recorded in January during this year.

 President resumes program to provide employment to 150,000 graduates and low-income earners :
Aug 14, Colombo: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has decided to re-commence, without delay, the program to provide employment opportunities to 150,000 persons that was halted due to the General Election and the recruits are to report to work on September 02, the President’s Media Division said.

 Hayleys delivers excellent results in 1Q despite COVID 19:
Aug 14, Colombo: The Hayleys Group remained resilient amidst unprecedented challenges to record a pre-tax profit of Rs.1.17 billion in the first quarter of the financial year compared to a profit of Rs.285.26 million in the corresponding quarter of last year.

 Hemas delivers resilient performance amidst COVID-19 pandemic- CEO’s Review:
Aug 14, Colombo: Hemas Holdings PLC reported a consolidated Group revenue of Rs. 13.0 billion, a decline of 1.6% during the first quarter of the financial year 2020/21, compared with the same period last year.

  SriLankan Airlines says all passengers of suspended Shanghai flight were COVID-19 negative at boarding :
Aug 14, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s national carrier, SriLankan Airlines clarifying its position with regards to the temporary suspension of the Colombo-Shanghai operation by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for a period of four weeks said all passengers tested negative for COVID-19 when they boarded the Shanghai flight.

 Construction of the country’s largest wind power plant has been completed:
Aug 14, Colombo: The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) says that the construction of the Mannar Island Wind Power Plant, the largest wind power plant in the country, has been completed.

 Suspicion falls on girlfriend’s husband for SF Lokka’s murder:
Aug 14, Colombo: The Police have launched an investigation into several suspicious transactions involving Rs. 8 million from the bank account of the girlfriend of the Iron Ranasinghe alias SF Lokka, the organized crime gang leader who was shot dead at Dahaiyagama Junction in Anuradhapura on August 05.

  BOC tied up with SLT to launch first ever Dynamic QR for utility bill payments:
Aug 14, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s No. 1 bank, BOC recently tied up with the National telecommunication provider, Sri Lanka Telecom, to launch the first ever Dynamic QR for bill payments.

  Hemas launches two of Sri-Lanka’s most beloved brands in Nepal:
Aug 14, Colombo: Hemas Consumer Brands launched Sri Lanka’s most beloved baby care and hair care brands Baby Cheramy and Kumarika to the Nepalese market recently.

  Gazette notification to convene new Parliament on the 20th issued:
Aug 14, Colombo: An Extraordinary Gazette notification has been issued by the President to convene the inaugural session of the 9th Parliament where the elected members of the General Assembly will meet.

 Tourism Minister instructs to expedite providing relief to those in tourism industry:
Aug 14 (CP) Colombo- Tourism Development Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has instructed the Secretary to the Ministry to expedite the provision of relief to those in the tourism industry affected by the COVID-19 epidemic as the restrictions imposed by the Elections Commission on the provision of relief are now over.

 New Zealand court sentences Sri Lankan national for sexually assaulting sleeping woman:
Aug 14, Colombo: A New Zealand court has sentenced a Sri Lankan national who sexually assaulted a Christchurch woman while she slept to prison and deport to Sri Lanka as soon as he becomes eligible for parole.
 The heads of corporations, boards and statutory bodies should not be changed - President:
Aug 13, Colombo: The Secretary to the President has instructed that the chairpersons and members of the Board of Directors appointed to public corporations, boards and statutory bodies should not be changed.
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 No plans to increase water tariffs - Minister :
Aug 13, Colombo: Water Supply and Drainage Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara said in Colombo today (13) that the government has no plans to increase water tariffs.
 New Media Minister assures media freedom, impartial media tradition:
Aug 13, Colombo: New Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella says that the objective is to handle the media in a friendly manner without suppressing the media.
  Teejay posts operating profit of Rs 15 mn in COVID-19 hit first quarter:
Aug 13, Colombo: Teejay Lanka PLC has reported operating profit of Rs 15.2 million and profit before tax of Rs 13.9 million for the first quarter of 2020-21
 Post-election period is peaceful - CaFFE:
Aug 13, Colombo: Sri Lanka election monitor, Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) says post-election period is peaceful.
 Ceylinco Life reports 6-month income of Rs. 17 billion:
Aug 13, Colombo: Ceylinco Life has reported gross income of Rs. 17.1 billion for the first half of 2020, an improvement of 14.9 percent over the corresponding period of last year.
 UNP discussion ends with no decision on party leadership or National List choice:
Aug 13, Colombo: Another special discussion held Thursday between the United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and senior members of the party at the Sirikotha party headquarters regarding the UNP leadership has ended without an agreement.
 National List of Samagi Jana Balawegaya sent to the Election Commission:
Aug 13, Colombo: Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Sri Lanka’s main opposition party, has sent the list of names proposed for the National List parliamentarians to the Election Commission, the local media reported.
 Cabinet Secretary and 25 New Ministry Secretaries appointed:
Aug 13, Colombo: President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa handed over appointment letters to the secretaries appointed to the 25 new Cabinet Ministries at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (13), President’s Media Division announced.
 World Bank project ensures women in Sri Lanka benefit from water and sanitation services:
Aug 13, Colombo: Think of the last time you went to the movies, a sporting venue, or any public place, and had to use a restroom. Did you notice that the queues for the women’s restroom were generally longer than the men’s?
 Local manufacturers welcome new State Ministry for Pharmaceutical Manufacture :
Aug 13, Colombo: The Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (SLPMA) welcomed the newly elected government’s decision to create a new State Ministry for Pharmaceuticals Manufacture as a crucial positive step towards the strengthening of the local pharmaceuticals industry.
 Nearly 300 Sri Lankans arrive in the island today:
Aug 13, Colombo: A total of 299 Sri Lankans who were stranded in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates due to COVID-19 pandemic arrived at the Katunayake and Mattala airports this morning (13) on two flights.
 President instructs new ministers to assume duties before Monday, cabinet scheduled to meet on 19th:
Aug 13, Colombo: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed the new government’s cabinet and state ministers who were sworn in on Wednesday (12) to assume their duties before next Monday (17).
 Indian maritime security guard arrived from Egypt tested positive for coronavirus:
Aug 13, Colombo: A PCR test has confirmed that an Indian national serving as a maritime security guard who arrived in the Galle Harbor from Egypt has been infected with the coronavirus, Dr. Venura K. Singarachchi, Regional Epidemiologist, Galle District said.
  Couple arrested with 2 kilos of heroin:
Aug 13, Colombo: The Colombo Crimes Division has arrested a man and his wife who were transporting heroin in a car in the Pelenwatta area in Piliyandala.
 China suspends SriLankan Airline’s Colombo-Shanghai flight over COVID-19 cases:
Aug 13, Colombo: China’s civil aviation regulator has announced that SriLankan Airlines’ Colombo-Shanghai flight and two other airlines would be suspended after several passengers tested positive for COVID-19 on recent flights, Xinhua reported.
 Sri Lanka Navy apprehends four suspects smuggling over 6000 kilos of turmeric:
Aug 13, Colombo: Sri Lanka Navy, in two separate raids, has arrested 13 suspects smuggling over 6000 kilos of turmeric, presumably from India, through the seas off the northwestern coast.
 Angoda Lokka’s main shooter shot dead by police :
Aug 12, Colombo: Asitha Hemathilaka alias Solta, who was said to be the main shooter of Lasantha Chaminda Perera alias Angoda Lokka, has been shot dead by a group of police officers in the Welivita area in Mulleriyawa last night (11), police said.
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  Presidential Commission issues summons to former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and eight others:
Aug 12, Colombo: The former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and eight others including two party leaders and five former ministers have been issued summons to appear before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the incident of political victimization on the 21st of this month.
 Sri Lanka Navy seizes over 275 kg of Kerala Cannabis in northern seas:
Aug 12, Colombo: Sri Lanka Navy during a special operation carried out on Tuesday in the northern seas has seized over 275 kg of Kerala Cannabis, the Navy Media Unit said.
 Group of 283 stranded Sri Lankans arrive from Singapore:
Aug 12, Colombo: Another group of 283 Sri Lankans stranded overseas due to the COVID-19 pandemic, returned to the island on Wednesday (Aug 12) from Singapore, according to Airport officials.
 Malaka Silva released on bail:
Aug 12, Colombo: Malaka Silva, the son of former Minister Mervyn Silva has been released on bail when he was produced in court today following his arrest yesterday.
 Embassy of Japan condoles passing away of former Sri Lankan Ambassador Prof. Dammika Ganganath Dissanayake:
Aug 12, Colombo: The Embassy of Japan expressed its profound sorrow and grief on the demise of former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Japan Prof. Dammika Ganganath Dissanayake on 11th August, 2020.
 All-inclusive Sri Lanka Tourism App now ready:
Aug 12, Colombo: Sri Lanka Tourism confirmed that the all-inclusive Sri Lanka Tourism app is now ready and awaiting authorization from the Immigration and Emigration Department to be linked with the online visa process.
  Prime Minister submits his personal details via the E-application to the Parliament Secretariat :
Aug 12, Colombo: Shortly after assuming office at Temple Trees Tuesday, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa filled in the E-application prepared by the Parliament and submitted his biographic details to the Parliamentary Secretariat.
  Ukroboronprom’s enterprises to repair three An-32B aircraft for Sri Lanka Air Force:
Aug 12, Colombo:Plant 410 Civil Aviation and Antonov State Enterprise, part of Ukraine’s state defense company Ukroboronprom, will repair three Antonov-32B transport aircraft of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Ukrinform reported.
 Cabinet and State Ministers of the new Government of Sri Lanka sworn in :
Aug 12, Colombo: The Cabinet of Ministers and State Ministers of the new Government led by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) were sworn in before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Wednesday.
 Rs. 25 million worth stock of drugs seized at the airport:
Aug 12, Colombo: Officers of the Customs Narcotics Division have seized Rs. 24.8 million worth stock of drug pills sent to the Katunayake Cargo Clearance Center by air freight.
 SLT Group 1H operating profit up 55% to Rs. 6.9 b despite COVID-19 pandemic:
Aug 12, Colombo: Sri Lanka Telecom PLC (SLT) Group released its financial results for the first-half of 2020 recording a remarkable 55% YoY growth in its Operating Profits to Rs. 6.9 billion, amidst the many challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
  Rishad Bathiudeen appears before the CID:
Aug 12, Colombo: former Minister and MP-elect of Vanni District Rishad Bathiudeen has arrived at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) this morning following a court order.
 No ministerial portfolios for seven former ministers:
Aug 12, Colombo: Seven powerful former ministers of the previous government have not been given any cabinet posts this time.
 Swearing-in of ministers of the new government commences:
Aug 12, Colombo: The swearing in ceremony of the new Cabinet and State Ministers commenced this morning at the historic Magul Maduwa, the Audience Hall of Kandy Royal Palace at the Sri Dalada Maligawa premises under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and with the participation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
 10-acre Beira Lake land to be handed over to UDA for a mixed development project:
Aug 12, Colombo: A ten-acre plot of land covering the Air Force Stadium, Slave Island Police Station and Helitours Ticket Office reserved for a mixed development project is to be handed over to the Management Board of the Urban Development Authority.
 CSE expresses confidence in the strong mandate for a pro-growth Government:
Aug 12, Colombo: The Board of Directors of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) congratulated the new Government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on receiving a convincing mandate at the recently concluded General Election.
 Consideration of Environmental Justice Center petition on elephants on Oct 15th:
Aug 11, Colombo: The Court of Appeal has scheduled a petition filed by the Center for Environmental Justice seeking the preparation of national plan on elephants to be heard on October 15.
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 SLPA assures safe handling of dangerous cargo under UN regulations:
Aug 11, Colombo: The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) yesterday assured the business community and the general public that all Lankan seaports were safe from dangerous cargo as they were handled in conformity with UN regulations.
 Coronavirus update: Sri Lanka COVID-19 cases rise to 2,880 with 9 new cases Tuesday, three of them returnees:
Aug 11, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 cases rose to 2,880 with 9 more persons testing positive for the coronavirus Tuesday, the Health Ministry reported.
 Man arrested with Rs. 3.5 million worth Kerala cannabis:
Aug 11, Colombo: A person has been arrested in Dehiwala with a stock of Kerala cannabis worth nearly Rs. 3.5 million, according to the Organized Crime Unit of the Police Special Task Force (STF).
  Malaka Silva arrested:
Aug 11, Colombo: Malaka Silva, the son of former Minister Mervyn Silva has been arrested by the Thalangama police in Thalangama today (11).
 Sri Lanka’s new cabinet to be sworn in at Magul Maduwa in Kandy tomorrow:
Aug 11, Colombo: The swearing in ceremony of the new Cabinet of Ministers will be held tomorrow (August 12) at the historic Magul Maduwa, the Audience Hall of Kandy Royal Palace at the Sri Dalada Maligawa premises under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
 Professor Dhammika Ganganath Dissanayake passes away:
Aug 11, Colombo: Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Japan Prof. Dhammika Ganganath Dissanayake passed away, on Tuesday (Aug 11), at the Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama.
 Sri Lanka, Myanmar discuss establishing direct air connectivity:
Aug 11, Colombo: Ambassador- designate of Sri Lanka to Myanmar Dr. Nalin de Silva held a meeting with the top management of the Myanmar Airways International with the view of establishing direct air connectivity between Sri Lanka and Myanmar, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Yangon said.
 Another group of 152 stranded Sri Lankans arrive in the country:
Aug 11, Colombo: Another group of 152 Sri Lankans stranded overseas due to the COVID-19 pandemic, returned to the island early Tuesday morning (11), according to Airport officials.
 Mahinda Rajapaksa assumes duties as 13th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka:
Aug 11, Colombo: Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday (11) officially assumed duties as the 13th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka at Temple Trees.
  UNP to decide on leadership tomorrow:
Aug 11, Colombo: Following the massive defeat suffered at the 2020 parliamentary election, the Leader of the United National Party (UNP) Ranil Wickremasinghe has decided to step down from the leadership after heading the party for 26 years.
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