Discontent brews among tea exporters hit by double whammy
Discontent brews among tea exporters hit by double whammy View(s):Many in the tea industry, including some players, are openly unhappy with recent government policy decisions, which they suspect would threaten the sustainability of the industry in the long term. The tea industry is no exception either as some of the leading tea exporting companies rang alarm bells saying that the impact would be fully felt by next month. In addition to this came another circular issued by the Tea Board recently regarding the re-export of imported tea. According to the circular, all tea importers and exporters are instructed to blend imported green tea fannings with a minimum of thirty percent of Ceylon Tea when re- exporting. The same applies to CTC tea- processing black tea as well.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC
Dirty tricks that debase media
Dirty tricks that debase media View(s):A few days back, I received an email with a couple of pictures attached. One of the reasons for the spread of social media worldwide is the growing disaffection and even disgust, with politics. There are several examples to illustrate how social media contributed to fuelling popular uprisings that led to regime change. Such spontaneous amplification of messages gives social media an advantage that traditional media including TV do not have even with interruptions to regular programmes with “breaking news”. We know that social media takes different forms — satirizing news, fabrication, manipulation, parodying of news and personalities, advertising and propaganda.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC
Generating more power from renewable energy resources
Generating more power from renewable energy resources By Jeremy Fernando, MIET (UK) Feature View(s): View(s):The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) has announced an ambitious target of achieving up to 70 percent energy generation from Renewable Energy (RE) sources, according to a recently issued gazette. These roofs are mostly un-utilised for solar power generation. As is the case, all power generation in the country has been and will have to be funded by the GoSL. Unfortunately, large scale renewable energy generation projects require long time for implementation, and they also need vast resources and investment by the CEB. Only 20 percent of energy will be sent out to the grid, which will reduce the burden on the grid and allow large scale roof-top solar energy generation a feasible option.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC
Pension with arrears for Cabraal; lifetime pension for Lakshman
The MB took up the matter after Mr Cabraal, State Minister of Finance, Capital Markets and State Enterprise Reforms, made requests for a pension for himself. Mr Cabraal also told the media he did not avail himself of the duty free vehicle he was entitled to. Despite demands by trade unions for a scheme for this category of staff, Mr Cabraal did not introduce one during his eight-and-a-half year tenure. At the time he retired, therefore, there was still no pension scheme available. When a new pension scheme was finally brought in, the criteria included at least 10 years of service.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC
US Open 2021 — the essence of continuity
US Open 2021 — the essence of continuity View(s):New York is staging the 141 edition of the US Open. The US Open is to reiterate Americans ‘tennis is alive in their land and will be so in the future’. Only tennis player in the top ten of that list is Bianca Andreescu of Canada, seventh position. Strangely, her name does not appear in the top 10 earners list of women tennis players. Staging the event directs national energy over the coming year towards tennis and provide the essence of continuity in difficult times.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC
Bhanuka, perhaps the truly struggling Rajapaksa in Sri Lanka
Bhanuka, perhaps the truly struggling Rajapaksa in Sri Lanka cricket View(s): View(s):Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 29, was thought by many cricket pundits, of being unfairly treated by the national selectors time to time, as he was either underestimated or undermined at his prime as a top order batsman. Sri Lanka had the same dilemma after a vacuum was created with the exit of Asanka Gurusinha, until Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene ideally filled in the blank. After Jayawardene’s departure Sri Lanka tried many youngsters who had come and gone without much hope. He was destined to be the ideal No.3 batsman for Sri Lanka in both short forms of the game. If unanswered with a perfect fix, perhaps national cricket selectors will have to start their hunt all over again for a perfect One Down match.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC
Crucial time for Govt. as UNHRC sessions begin tomorrow
Ahead of tomorrow’s sessions, the Government circulated among all countries a 14-page document titled “Progress made by the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) on human rights and reconciliation”. The sessions will begin at 10am tomorrow with an oral update by High Commissioner Bachelet, under ITEM 2 — report on Venezuela, oral updates on Nicaragua and Sri Lanka. This oral update on Sri Lanka was mandated by the country specific Resolution A/HRC/RES/46/1 that was adopted in February this year. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) apparently is very concerned about the significant increase in reported deaths in police custody. They are committed to a Sri Lanka that is founded on ideals of pluralistic coexistence, human rights, and justice.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC
Sri Lanka Under-19 cricket squad in Residential Training Camp at SSC
Sri Lanka Under-19 cricket squad in Residential Training Camp at SSC View(s):Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced that, it will conduct a Residential Training Camp for the 26 selected members of the National Under-19 squad at the SSC grounds in Colombo. The Residential Training Camp will focus on upcoming inbound tours, the Under-19 Asia Cup, and the ICC Under-19 World Cup. The 22-day Training Camp will be conducted at the SSC, Colombo, under a Bio-Bubble Environment. Before the selection of the 26 players, 75 players underwent a Residential Training Programme in Kandy,” it added. The Residential Training Camp will be conducted by the newly appointed Under-19 Coach Avishka Gunawardene, Upul Chandana (Fielding), Chamila Gamage (Fast Bowling), Sachith Pathirana (Spin Bowling) and Dhammika Sudarshana (Batting), along with the support staff.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC
Sri Lanka India Society donates equipment for children’s HDU at IDH
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Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC
BPPL strongly poised for next phase of expansion
BPPL strongly poised for next phase of expansion View(s):BPPL Holdings PLC, one of Southeast Asia’s largest brush manufacturers and Sri Lanka’s pioneer in recycled plastic products, said this week that it has recorded “impressive” improvements in all key financial indicators in the 2020-21 financial year, while strongly positioning the business for its next phase of expansion. A leader in sustainable business, BPPL which generates export earnings for the economy while addressing one of Sri Lanka’s critical issues in the form of plastic waste disposal, saw strong performances by its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Group Profit After Tax (PAT) and Profit Attributable to Shareholders increased by 23 percent YoY to Rs. BPPL also undertook a series of key strategic initiatives during the financial year, with the intention of propelling the group to its next phase of expansion, while further enhancing its sound business fundamentals. “While achieving sound growth in all key financial indicators by effectively navigating the significant challenges posed by the pandemic, we have also laid the foundation for the group’s next phase of expansion,” BPPL Holdings PLC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Anush Amarasinghe said.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC
Bitter policy dose after vaccines
Bitter policy dose after vaccines View(s):A few weeks ago, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka decided to reverse its monetary policy stance that it had been implementing over the past one and half years; instead of “loosening” monetary policy, now it is one of “tightening”. Whatever the decisions of the European Central Bank may be, the EU will have to respond to the changing monetary policy stance of the US, if it is likely to begin the monetary policy tapering towards the end of the year. What does these monetary policy decisions mean as their policy objectives? The vaccination campaign coupled with the government spending supported by monetary policy stimulus, have contributed to bounce back the global economy. It is the key for Sri Lanka to ensure long-term growth beyond recovery, leaving the monetary policy to play its part.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC
US$ 500m sought from WB for road and agri projects
US$ 500m sought from WB for road and agri projects View(s):The Government has sought a US$ 500 million loan from the World Bank for the construction of rural roads and an agricultural project, a senior Treasury official said. Talks are underway for the loan to construct some 3000km of roads for which US$ 450 million has been sought while US$ 50 million is for the construction of warehouses and collecting centres for agricultural projects, he said. The repayment period will start 10 years later and payment of the loan will be completed in 2049. The road construction projects will begin from the Sabaragamuwa Province and will be spread across nine districts for which tenders will be called from local constructors. After the completion of the project, the roads need to be maintained for three more years by the company undertaking the construction.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC
Women’s skipper Chamari Atapattu confident of qualifying for World Cup
Women’s skipper Chamari Atapattu confident of qualifying for World Cup By Sajeewa Jayakody View(s): View(s):As Sri Lanka prepares for the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe later this year, Sri Lanka women’s cricket team captain Chamari Atapattu believes, Sri Lanka could finish among the top three teams in the tournament. The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021 will be held in Zimbabwe from November 21 to December 5. Madhavi is the vice-captain of the side Dulani is likely to make her international debut during the World Cup qualifier. But I believe both Harshitha and Dulani will do something special for us in the World Cup qualifiers,” the skipper said. Sri Lanka Women’s team have not played One Day International matches for two years due to the COVID situation.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC
Wrexham Glyndwr University – ideal location, vibrant culture and community!
Wrexham Glyndwr University – ideal location, vibrant culture and community! View(s):Situated in North-East Wales (UK), Wrexham Glyndr University has its origins in the Wrexham School of Science and Art (WSSA), which was established in 1887. The University has been functioning under its present name -Wrexham Glyndr University – since 2008. Although a relatively young University, Wrexham Glyndr University has carved a niche for itself as an innovative higher education institution which offers applied courses leading to employability in a broad range of fields. Student LifeStudents are at the heart of Wrexham Glyndr University and the University’s student support and welfare is second to none.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC
Gypsies, the Rolling Stones of Sri Lanka fall silent ‘Thank you for the music Sunil Aiya’
Gypsies, the Rolling Stones of Sri Lanka fall silent ‘Thank you for the music Sunil Aiya’ By Sanath Weerasuriya View(s): View(s):On Monday, September 6, 2021, Sunil Perera, a legend and one of the most commercially successful entertainers in the Sri Lankan music history, died just eight days before his 69th birthday. On Monday early morning it was a shock wave for all Sri Lankans including the Sri Lankan Diaspora scattered around the world. Uswatta Liyanage Ivor Sylvester Sunil Perera popularly known as ‘Sunil Aiya’ was the frontman of the band the ‘Gypsies’, vocalist, guitarist, songwriter and composer. Sunil was the live wire of the band Gypsies since its inception in 1970. Sunil Aiya had many top hits to his name that cemented his position in Sri Lankan popular culture.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC