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People let off their gas, go for kerosene

People let off their gas, go for kerosene

With a huge increase in cooking gas prices last week, many people are switching to kerosene cookers. Kerosene carts regularly seen decades ago are now running again and having brisk sales as seen in this picture taken yesterday at Kompannaveediya. Pic by Indika Handuwala  

Fuel crisis: Supplies can be guaranteed only till January

Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila has called on Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa to find a solution to the fuel price crisis and warned that uninterrupted fuel supplies could only be guaranteed for the next two months. Minister Gammanpila told the Sunday Times that the Finance Minister had been informed of the situation where the Ceylon Petroleum [...]

EPF, ETF lose hundreds of millions by investing in loss-making Laugfs Gas

Privately-held Laugfs Gas, which is haemorrhaging red ink and taking heat from domestic cooking gas users and opposition politicians, has also caused multi-million rupee losses for the two main social security nets of Sri Lankan workers battered by unbearable living costs. Financial statements show that Laugfs Gas, whose 2020/2021 annual report is titled ‘Igniting Hope’ [...]

No bidders: Dollar crunch hits spot tenders for coal

Sri Lanka’s dollar crunch has hit another sector: There have been no bidders for the last two spot tenders called by the Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd (LCC) which buys the commodity for the Lakvijaya coal power plant in Norochcholai. The problem arose with suppliers asking for upfront payments to be made for the coal [...]

Jayasumana-appointed committee proposes NMRA be brought under Jayasumana

A five-member committee appointed by Pharmaceuticals Regulation State Minister Channa Jayasumana to probe the activities of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has recommended that the State Minister himself be given full control of the NMRA. The NMRA is currently under Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. The hand-picked committee in its interim report has cited inconsistencies [...]

Controversy looms over ADB-funded Rs. 85 billion tunnel project

The tunnel project of a Rs. 85 billion loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to take water from Moragahakanda to the Mahakandarawa tank in the North Central Province has run into questions from the Public Finance Department for bypassing protocols. The department has written to the Irrigation Ministry, questioning why it is not keeping [...]

Indo-Lanka Mithra Shakthi

Indo-Lanka Mithra Shakthi

The Indo-Sri Lanka joint field training exercise ‘Mithra Shakthi’ was held at the Army Training School in Maduruoya.The exercise which saw 120 troops from Sri Lanka Army and an equal number from the Indian Army taking part lasted two weeks. The final day exercise was held in the presence of the visiting Indian Army chief [...]

Unions on the streets, schools on their feet

Despite the stalemate in talks between trade unions of teachers and principals and the Government on the salary anomalies, some schools are preparing to reopen next week. The Education Ministry said schools will reopen as planned in stages.  Primary schools that have grade 1 to 5 classes, and have fewer than 200 students, will reopen [...]

Maha season begins; but farmers are not in the field

Maha season begins; but farmers are not in the field

Friday heralded the beginning of the Maha season according to the agrarian calendar; but a majority of the farmers across the country were not in their paddy fields sowing seeds but were on the streets demanding organic fertiliser which the Government has promised to deliver. While farmers holding placards and banners were protesting against the [...]

Peradeniya and Uva Wellassa Universities promote social enterprise

Peradeniya and Uva Wellassa Universities promote social enterprise

The University of Peradeniya has established a Social Enterprise Incubation Laboratory (SEIL) to provide formal guidance, mentoring, training and coordination between relevant agencies on Social Entrepreneurship within the University and the Central Province. Social Enterprise Support in Sri Lanka (SESS) is a project granted through the British Council to promote Social Entrepreneurship in the Central [...]

‘Lessons’ to stay safe in the classroom

‘Lessons’ to stay safe in the classroom

With schools opening under new normal conditions on Thursday (October 21) and face masks being expensive, this was the discussion the Sunday Times had with Consultant Clinical Microbiologist Dr. Mahen Kothalawala of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL). A child heading to the classroom would essentially have to wear a face mask as well [...]

Be responsible – Health DG

Be responsible – Health DG

All those, including the health sector, involved in managing the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka have done their utmost, said a top health official, reiterating that now people should act with social responsibility for the greater collective good. “We have done our maximum and will continue to do so, but this is a journey that [...]

‘Best way to prevent post COVID is to prevent COVID-19 itself’

With many people expressing concern over the ailments faced by those who have recovered from COVID-19, the Sunday Times asked the Country Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Alaka Singh about the post COVID-19 condition dubbed ‘Long COVID’. The WHO is supporting studies on Long COVID in Sri Lanka, she said, explaining that [...]

Valuable advice on how to handle Long COVID

Valuable advice on how to handle Long COVID

Of 63 healthcare workers ranging from doctors to minor staff at the National Eye Hospital, Colombo, who had got COVID-19, 50% (around 31) had some lingering ailment. This is what an ongoing survey by Consultant Physician Dr. Waruna Gunathilake attached to the National Eye Hospital has found, with some being aware of how to deal [...]

Meethotamulla still an environmental hazard; Plans for urban park still underway

Meethotamulla still an environmental hazard; Plans for urban park still underway

A proposal to turn the former Meethotamulla garbage site into an urban park for which Rs 400 million was to be spent, is facing several environmental issues. Following the Meethotamulla landslide claiming the lives of 32 people in 2018, residents predicted another disaster in the near future. The project to convert the Meethotamulla garbage dump [...]

Importers face up to 10-fold rise in freight charges

Importers face up to 10-fold rise in freight charges

Shipping companies have increased freight charges 10-fold from some destinations due to the pandemic, driving up food prices, according to the Essential Food Importers Association. Association spokesman Nihal Seneviratne said the freight charge for a 40-foot refrigerated container from China had shot up from $US1,000 to $US10,000. The depreciation of the rupee against the dollar [...]

Families make do with less and less

Families make do with less and less

Sandamali Perera went to her local shop to replace her gas cylinder on Monday while gas prices were on the increase. The shop owner sold her a cylinder of gas for Rs. 2,750, saying the price had increased from Rs. 1,250. She had heard that the gas companies had deducted Rs. 75 from gas prices [...]

In the absence of hope; many Lankans are looking to migrate

In the absence of hope; many Lankans are looking to migrate

■ Political and economic instability, rising cost of living, the main factors ■ Higher enthusiasm among the 28–35 age categories and family units as opposed to individuals For several weeks, a popular photo print shop in Union Place was teeming with people who stood in long lines to get their passport and visa requirements sorted. This [...]

Govt. deep in infertile political ground, as fertiliser crisis grows

Govt. deep in infertile political ground, as fertiliser crisis grows

Protests by angry farmers across the country; Agriculture Minister Aluthgamage’s effigy burned and beaten; ruling party MPs feeling heat from their constituencies President admits he and his Govt have fallen short of expectations; vows to take the country forward with new vigour once the pandemic is brought under control, asks for active role from PM [...]

Kochchikade Police Station: A peaceful atmosphere for officers and civilians

The Kochchikade Police Station has become a cynosure for people in need of relief for their various grievances as the place is designed in a pleasing manner. A neatly kept compound, the inside of the Police Station has colourful notice boards with directions on where people should go for the respective services. The station also [...]

Blowing in the wind – silky threads of flying spiders cause wonder

Blowing in the wind – silky threads of flying spiders cause wonder

Earlier this month, people in areas such as Hambantota and Ampara reported seeing pale string-like substances floating in the air when they happened to gaze upwards in the morning. It took no time for conspiracy theories to emerge, one being that Stealth aircraft use such string-like mechanisms to evade radar and were overflying Sri Lanka. [...]

Tourism revival: September sets the pace with backpacker visitors

Tourism revival: September sets the pace with backpacker visitors

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is heaving a sigh of relief as the ongoing vaccination drive and the removal of travel restrictions locally and internationally are drawing a trickle of visitors once again. Some locals are also on the move seeking a break from the lockdown boredom. “We are fully booked right now!” said Fred Netzband-Miller, [...]

Pick of the Pix

Pick of the Pix

Shutterbugs out there, we would once again appreciateyour contributions to this picture corner. Please send your captioned photograph along with your name, and the location of the photograph, to: pictures@sundaytimes.wnl.lk We would also appreciate if you mention the camera or cellphone that was used.

Pachyderm paper

Pachyderm paper

A group of women in Karuwalagaswewa, which has been a flashpoint of the human-elephant conflict, have started a small business producing paper from elephant dung and the “Ali Maana” plant. The project first commenced in 2012 under a government grant of Rs 13 million. However, just Rs 3.1 million of this money was received and [...]

Showery days make dengue threat higher

Showery days make dengue threat higher

With the onset of the monsoon, health officials are calling for action to minimise the spread of insect-borne diseases such as dengue. “Unlike COVID, we can stop the spread of this illness by controlling mosquito breeding places,” National Dengue Control Programme Consultant Community Physician, Dr. Shilanthi Seneviratne, said. “Dengue is again on the rise due [...]

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