Over 500 prisoners receive Presidential pardon for Independence Day
President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has pardoned 512 prisoners serving time around the country for minor offences, on the occasion of National Independence Day. Presidential pardon was granted according to the powers bestowed to the president by Article 34 of the Constitution and on the recommendation of Justice, Human Rights and Legal Reforms Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Issuing a statement President’s media division said. 512 prisoners who have been convicted for minor offences under the Penal Code, have been granted Presidential pardon and were released from prisons around the island. The statement further mentioned that pardon would apply only to those prisoners who were in remand from 31 January this year and it will be in effect from this morning.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 04, 2020 10:18 UTC
President's speech at the 72nd Independence Day celebrations
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today addressed the nation at the 72nd National Day celebrations held at the Independence Square. The Independence Day celebrations got underway at the Independence Square this morning under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapksa and Prime Minister Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapksa, other local and foreign invitees attended the celebrations. I pay tribute to all Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Malay and Burgher leaders who dedicated themselves to achieving and ensuring this Independence. We will always ensure their right to think freely, hold independent opinions, and express themselves without any hindrance. An efficient and corruption- free Public Service is essential for the development of a nation.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 04, 2020 09:56 UTC
Oil price collapses on market
Oil prices extended their losses on Monday, dragged down by worries about lower demand in China, the world’s largest oil importer, following a coronavirus outbreak there. Brent and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell for a fourth week in a row last week after airlines canceled flights to China. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 24 cents to $51.32 a barrel, after earlier hitting a session low of $50.42. China’s measures to support its economy might help put a floor under oil prices in the short term, even though the outlook for oil demand remains bearish, said Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist at CMC Markets in Sydney. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)and its allies could bring forward a March meeting to February to discuss the impact on oil demand from the virus flare-up.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 03, 2020 05:48 UTC
Colombo roads closed for rehearsals today
Several Colombo roads will be closed for traffic today from 7 am to 12 noon, Independence Day rehearsals, the Police Media Division announced. They are Independence Road, Vidya Mawatha, Maitland Place, Maitland Crescent, C.W.W. Kannangara Mawatha, Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Foundation Road and Wijerama Road upto Horton Place roundabout. Motorists are advised to use alternative roads during the rehearsal period, Police said.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 03, 2020 02:48 UTC
Showers expected in several provinces after 2 pm
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Sabaragamuwa province and in Kaluthara, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 pm, said the Department of Meteorology. Light showers may occur in the eastern coastal areas of the island. Wind speed can be increased up to 40 kmph at times in North-western province and in Hambanthota and Matara districts. Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces during the morning.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 03, 2020 02:48 UTC
Coronavirus fatalities rise to 361 in China
The death toll in China from the deadly coronavirus outbreak that originated in the central city of Wuhan, rose to at least 361 on Monday, as the Philippines became the first country outside China to confirm a death from the infection. The total deaths nationwide was at least 361, with 17,205 people across the country infected with the virus, after 2,829 new cases reported. Other countries have rushed to evacuate their citizens from Wuhan and Hubei, while many have also imposed extraordinary travel restrictions on travellers to and from China. "What we have available to us is good public health measures," Dr Khan said. This new coronavirus is a stress test of emergency preparedness of public health capabilities in countries worldwide."
Source:Sunday Observer
February 03, 2020 02:48 UTC
Gallery FourLife: The trendiest fine art experience
Gallery FourLife , The Modest Art Gallery space recently opened in Colombo, to give the trendiest fine art experience to art lovers, collectors, Scholars and to the public. Gallery FourLife consisted of four compartments as Public Gallery, Sri Lankan Art Pavilion, International Art Pavilion and Artists’ Live Studio and is solely dedicated to local and international artists to experiment and play with their imagination. As Janaka explains, the main functions of the gallery are, hosting Art exhibitions for public preview, promoting paintings for sale through the International Art pavilion and Local Art pavilions (Showroom galleries). Elaborating the importance of such Art Gallery space in Sri Lanka Janaka said “This Gallery space is different from other local galleries in many ways. Our Art pavilion concept is mainly for artists to promote their work to potential buyers and art collectors.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 02, 2020 04:18 UTC
Gallery Talk with Sanjana Hattotuwa and Channa Daswatte
Gallery talk with activist Sanjana Hattotuwa and architect Channa Daswatte on their Corridors of Power (2015) project currently on display in the One hundred thousand small tales exhibition will be held today, February 2 from 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. One hundred thousand small tales on display at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka is an exhibition that bears witness to many artistic narratives, episodes, and accounts of what has come to pass in Sri Lanka in its recent history. Sanjana Hattotuwa specialises in, advises and trains on new media literacy, web-based activism and advocacy. He is currently pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Otago, New Zealand on social media and socio-political dynamics in post-war Sri Lanka. Channa Daswatte is an architect whose projects include houses, educational institutions, hotels, commercial buildings and conservation projects in Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Malaysia, Thailand and Uganda.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 02, 2020 03:11 UTC
Trinity hold inter house athletics
Trinity College held its inter house track and field Competition 2020 on Friday at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy under the distinguished patronage of Hemantha Perera a top athlete to come out of the school who led the athletics team in 1986. He is a double Lion winner for athletics and cadetting. Central Boarding House with 327 points took first place while Simithraarachchi House 296 and Garrett House 284, Orloff House 282 and Lemuel House 184 took the slots from two to five.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 01, 2020 20:03 UTC
Manners maketh man
“Manners maketh man” is the motto of Winchester College and New College, Oxford. Children were taught good manners in school and teachers ensured that their students would abide by them. Whenever we visited a wedding or a birthday party, mother used to say, “Mind your manners.” Sometimes father would protest that she was trying to place manners on par with morals. However, if you are really concerned about your fellowmen, you can cultivate good manners slowly and steadily. Practise courtesyIf you are serious about cultivating good manners, you have only to do three things.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 01, 2020 20:03 UTC
Sofia Kenin stuns two-time champ
MELBOURNE AFP America’s Sofia Kenin stunned two-time Major champion Garbine Muguruza to win the Australian Open in her first Grand Slam final on Saturday, becoming the youngest player to lift the trophy in 12 years. Kenin, 21, showed all her trademark aggression as she fought back from a set down to win 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in 2hrs 3mins. “My dream officially came true, I can’t describe this feeling,” said Kenin. The Kenin comeback was shortlived, Muguruza breaking back immediately and taking the set in 52 minutes when the young American planted her forehand out. Kenin, who won their only previous encounter in three sets, grabbed the second set in an emphatic 32 minutes.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 01, 2020 20:02 UTC
Ceylon Chamber signs MoU with Kurdistan counterpart
A 17-member high powered business delegation from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq visited Sri Lanka to explore business opportunities. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kurdistan Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry to further enhance trade, investment, and tourism between Sri Lanka and Iraq. The Kurdistan region is an emerging market with an abundance of oil and gas resources, and the region develops them through production-sharing contracts with many international companies of the United Kingdom and Germany. The main item imported to Sri Lanka is mineral fuels amounting to US$ 2.1 million accounting for 74% of total imports from Iraq to Sri Lanka. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has signed 129 MoUs to expand and strengthen relationships with overseas trade promotion organisations.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 01, 2020 19:52 UTC
Vinod: Golfing role model
Q: You have been the National Junior Golf Champion for three years. A: My first overseas tournament was representing Sri Lanka at the Asia-Pacific Junior Golf Championships in Kolkata in 2013. A: I play golf for the Christian Brothers University in Memphis, America. Q: In Sri Lanka golf is generally seen as a game of the elite. Also, Sri Lanka golf should invest more in their juniors and younger amateurs who actually have a chance to turn professional.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 01, 2020 19:52 UTC
InnovBank International Symposium: Closing date for submissions extended
The closing date for online submissions to be presented at ‘InnovBank International Symposium’ on the theme ‘Innovative Banking in a smart world’ sponsored by the Bank of Ceylon, has been extended to February 4. The symposium will serve as a platform to present ideas and proposals that could assist banking and financial services to be more responsive to customer needs. To ensure transparency and clear assessment throughout the evaluation process, organisers have invited independent external evaluators representing academic and professionals in the field of IT and finance. The evaluation process comprises three main phases in order to recognize the best proposal under each category. Evaluation of proposals submitted under school category will be evaluated under special criteria.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 01, 2020 19:52 UTC
Loans to small and medium entrepreneurs
The Government has decided not to reject loans to small and medium scale entrepreneurs merely on the basis of the Credit Information Bureau (CRIB) reports. The rationale behind this decision is to facilitate the obtaining of loans by the small and medium scale entrepreneurs, State Minister of Development Banking and Loan Schemes Shehan Semasinghe said. He said the main problem for the small and medium scale entrepreneurs is that they cannot reapply for loans in view of the records available at the Credit Information Bureau. Semasinghe said the predicament of the small and medium scale entrepreneurs, being rendered helpless after defaulting on bank loans is not mainly due to their fault but to the failed economic mismanagement of the previous Government from 2015 to 2019. The new measures adopted by the Government will certainly help alleviate the misery of the small and medium scale entrepreneurs, he added.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 01, 2020 19:52 UTC