Sunday Observer

20 December, 2020 0

PCoI to conclude proceedings on December 22

Final report on Easter attacks next month

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) on the Easter Sunday attacks will conclude proceedings on December 22. The Commission will hear evidence from former Kurunegala Teaching Hospital Doctor Mohamed Shafi Shihabdeen on its final day. The PCoI was appointed on April 21, 2019 by former President Maithripala Sirisena to probe the Easter Sunday terror attacks in Sri Lanka which killed nearly 300 and...

20 December, 2020 0

International charter flights to resume from December 26

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said the Government will resume international charter flights from December 26, nearly eight months after they were closed due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Initially, we will permit tourists to visit Sri Lanka via charter flights, and hope to resume commercial flights next month, the Minister told the Sunday Observer yesterdayThe Minister said they have called upon the...

20 December, 2020 0

People’s behaviour will decide on quarantine curfew - Army Commander

The people's behaviour in the coming days will decide whether a countrywide quarantine curfew is necessary during the Christmas season, Head of National Operations Centre for the Prevention of Covid-19, Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said dispelling rumours that the country will be under lockdown from December 23.The Government may be compelled to lock down the country during the festive...

20 December, 2020 0

Behold those copious tears shed for democracy

Karu Jayasuriya’s comments about the pillars of democracy being assailed by the present government has a plantation Raj era flavour to it. Failing planters were used to oppressing labour and the minor staff in the tea estates in that waning era of the post-independence plantation economy.Justice was not their strong suit. They rode roughshod over the labour force, and meted out unjust punishment,...

20 December, 2020 0

Protecting Sri Lanka from extremists and fundamentalists – Prof. Rohan Gunaratna

This is an exclusive interview conducted with Prof. Rohan Gunaratna on strengthening ethnic and religious harmony in Sri Lanka. He is a Honorary Professor at the Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and Senior Advisor to its Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, Sri Lanka.Q: How can Sri Lanka be protected from extremism and fundamentalism ?A: Sri Lanka is not an exception to the global and...

20 December, 2020 0

Govt will not sign agreements detrimental to the country - Rambukwella

Co-Cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Mass Media Keheliya Rambukwella said the Government will not sign any agreement that is detrimental to the country, no matter how financially beneficial it may be.The Minister said the Government’s decision not to move forward with the MCC Agreement is a clear reflection of this stance. “After a proper study of the agreement, we have made it clear that we don’t agree...

20 December, 2020 0

Sri Lanka leave for South Africa under cloak of secrecy

A 21-member Sri Lanka cricket squad, the highest number of players ever to leave the shores for a two-Test series, left for south Africa on Friday minus the usual invitational media coverage.The two Test series has been shrouded in mystery with several questions raised, first over the disputed selection of the players done solely by coach Mickey Arthur and then reportedly dispatching a two-member...

20 December, 2020 0

Meeting challenges next year

CB will play a pivotal role in rebuilding the economy - Governor

The Central Bank will play a pivotal role in guiding the revival of the economy and placing it on a sound footing to facilitate sustained growth and these are the responsibilities of the entire policy establishment, led by fiscal and monetary authorities, said Central Bank Governor Prof. W.D. Lakshman on the role of the Central Bank in rebuilding the economy.He said the Central Bank’s role in this is, as...