Apr 8 (AD) Three inmates who escaped from Negombo Prison last night through a hole in the cell wall have been put behind the bars again. Two of them were taken into custody by the officers of Negombo Police last night while the other inmate was captured this morning (07). The escapees were identified as residents of Negombo, Divulapitiya and Kochchikade areas. It is reported that they were in remand custody over drug offences. In the meantime, four persons have been arrested more..

Apr 8 (DM) Presidential Task Force on Essential Services announced that all Ayurvedic Hospitals would be remained open despite the curfew imposed in the country.Presidential Task Force said the govt would take steps to import coriander, ginger and tree turmeric (venivel) after considering the heavy consumption of these herbs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The statement also said that the govt had decided to provide permits to at least one registered Ayurvedic shop in each DS more..

Apr 8 (AD) It has been decided that all persons who undergo the quarantine process at quarantine centers will be subjected to a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, said Specialist Physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. He mentioned this speaking at a special live discussion telecasted on TV Derana on overcoming the COVID-19 challenge together. more..

Apr 8 (CT) With the country facing many challenges during these unprecedented times as the COVID-19 continues to expand, Omega Line Group which operates under the flagship of Italy-based CalzedoniaS.p.A has stepped in to donate 400,000 safety masks to frontline healthcare workers in the fight against the infectious disease. This contribution comes as a part of a project initiated by the SL Apparel Exporters Association (SLAEA) and Joint Apparel Association Forum SL (JAAFSL) more..

Apr 8 (DN) Sri Lanka’s limiting and banning of imports of non-essential items is a welcome step in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic-and more so for the revival of the country’s agri-SME sector. “Govt’s limiting and ban on imports of non-essential items shall help local enterprises looking to get into in the production and processing of these items. We believe this situation presents the country with a rare opportunity to kick-start the revival of several local SME sectors” more..

Apr 8 (SLA) Lt. Gen Shavendra Silva during this critical hour of our Nation, improvised the entire unattended former Voice of America building complex at Iranawila, Chilaw to be an isolation hospital and vested it with state authorities this afternoon (7). The brief inaugural ceremony was attended by Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Lt Gen Shavendra Silva, Dr Anil Jasinghe, Director General of Health Services, former MPs, more..

Apr 8 (Xinhua) Sri Lankan govt, said it had not imposed any restrictions on exporting tea, coconut and rubber as these were vital export crops which would help boost the country's economy. Minister Ramesh Pathirana said that the decision to continue these exports was taken in order to ensure that those engaged in these export industries were not faced with economic difficulties. Accordingly, the minister said that measures have been taken to ensure all operations related to these crops more..

Apr 8 (AD) Minister Bandula Gunawardena says that a complaint has been lodged with police regarding the inhuman assault on a sub-postmaster on duty at Rukmalpitiya by several individuals and that an investigation will be carried out to punish the perpetrators. Three individuals had assaulted the sub-postmaster of Rukmalpitiya in Katuwana, Hambantota when the latter was carrying his out his duties of delivering the pension to a paralyzed patient at home yesterday (06). more..

Apr 8 (Island) Govt Nursing Officers’ Association (GNOA) head and former UNP National List MP Saman Ratnapriya Silva, alleged that the Health Ministry lacked a proper mechanism to implement directives intended to tackle covid-19 issued by political authority. Civil society activist Silva claimed that specific instructions issued by minister Pavitra Wanniarachchi hadn’t been properly implemented much to the disappointment more..

Apr 8 (EN) SL’s Hambantota Port, run by China’s CM Ports group with Chinese oil group Sinopec, has stocked up bunker oil to supply ships passing the island with the global shipping industry hit by the fallout of Coronavirus. “The port invested in refurbishing the tank farm to Lloyd’s classification standards and the tank farm facility will be operated and managed by Sinopec, a leading global operator, who will train our local staff up to international standards in safety and operation,” more..

Apr 8 (Island) Chairperson of Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) Dr. Deepika Udagama said that the govt should have consulted the Muslim community as regards its decision to cremate covid-19 victims. Dr. Udagama has sent us the following statement in response to The Island query on the HRCSL position on the govt policy on disposal of bodies of Covid-19 victims: “The Commission is of the view that if the govt wished to move away from the WHO regulation as well as its own more..

Apr 8 (BBC) A doctor who specialised in treating the elderly has died after testing positive for Covid-19. Dr Anton Sebastianpillai, who was in his 70s, died on Saturday, four days after being admitted to Kingston Hospital. The consultant geriatrician, who qualified as a doctor in Sri Lanka in 1967, had a long association with the hospital in south-west London. Kingston Hospital said he had last worked on 20 March. more..

Apr 8 (NR) The Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs says due to the prevailing situation in the country, the general public should consider celebrating the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year, only with close family members. Secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana Bandula Harischandra said the public should fulfil rituals and customs without hindering the current preventive measures taken by authorities to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country. more..

Apr 8 (AD) Police says that 18,000 individuals have been arrested for violating the curfew between March 20 and 12 noon today (8). A total of 4,667 vehicles have also been taken into custody during this period. Meanwhile police said that 283 persons have been arrested within the 06 hours from 6.00 a.m. and 12 noon today alone while 18 vehicles have also been taken into custody. Sri Lanka Police has warned of strict legal action against people caught violating the countrywide curfew. more..

Apr 8 (DM) Lanka Sathosa, the state run retail chain, has said that its spices which were packed with a design of a lotus flower on it, will not be removed from shelves, despite concerns raised by the CMEV who has written to the National Elections Commission raising serious concerns of polls violation over it. The Daily Mirror learns that many Lanka Sathosa outlets have these spices on their shelves leading the matter to be more..

Apr 8 (EN) Sri Lanka’s tea prices rose sharply at an auction held amid Coroanvirus curfews with a falling rupee, strong demand from abroad and tight supplies after dry conditions in farming areas, an industry officials said. “With the auction prices we can see that there’s a huge demand for Sri Lankan tea,” Dinesh Fernando, Executive director, Ceylon Tea Brokers said. “We say that because usually the market price moves up by around 10 or 20 rupees and very rarely by 30 to 40 rupees. more..

Apr 8 (EN) Softlogic has cut salaries of top executives between 20 to 30%, as curfews imposed to curb Coronavirus disrupted business and hit cashflows. Salaries of employees getting below 50,000 rupees have not been cut. Bonuses and overtime has also been suspended. “This measure is an initiative that you will no doubt concur with as we steer the Group during turbulent times to avert the potential high incident of retrenchment that may otherwise become unavoidable during more..

Apr 8 (FB) Dilmah, the global Sri Lankan family tea producing business, has moved swiftly to safeguard its workforce and adapt its manufacturing when confronted by the coronavirus, and calls for humane family values to recalibrate the post-Covid-19 world. Dilhan C Fernando, the next generation chief executive of Dilmah and Dilmah Conservation, was asked by CampdenFB to discuss how the brand is strategising its way more..

Apr 8 (AD) Central Bank of SL has appealed to the general public to inform relevant banks to cancel the salary deductions for the month of April for repaying loans. Accordingly, those who wish to cancel their payroll deductions for loans are instructed to contact the relevant banks before April 30. Deputy Governor of Central Bank, Mr. H.A. Karunaratne said. Speaking further he said many people have complained that deductions were made from their salary for the month of March. more..

Apr 8 (AD) The growing COVID-19 crisis threatens to hit developing countries disproportionately, not only as a health crisis in the short term but as a devastating economic crisis over the months and years to come. In moments like these, it’s natural to think only about the immediate challenges, but we also need to think about the next stage of recovery, so we don’t lose that opportunity when it comes. Sharing few thoughts on how SL needs to focus its energies in order to get over this more..

Apr 8 (AD) Another COVID-19 death confirmed in Sri Lanka today has brought the fatalities count to 7. The Ministry of Health said the deceased is a 44-year-old male who was being treated at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Angoda. He is reportedly a gem businessman from Mount Lavinia, who had returned to the country following a tour in Germany. In the meantime, the confirmed cases count reached 189 this evening as more..

Apr 8 (PMD) Secretary Defence, Major Gen (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne handed over a donation of Rs. 10 million collected by 1200 employees of the Ministry of Defence voluntarily, to Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera today. The Acting IGP C.D. Wickremaratne also handed over Rs. 50 million from the Sri Lanka Police Department Special Fund to the COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund. The balance of the Fund has surpassed Rs. 420 million as of today’s evening. more..

Apr 8 (Island) JVP called upon progressive people and forces all over the world to condemn what it alleged as the vile moves of the imperialists and resolutely struggle to defeat the pandemic and the vicious agendas of the imperialists. A statement titled Condemn imperialist move to sabotage struggle against COVID-19 issued by the JVP’s International wing said: “We, of the JVP, vehemently condemn the move by imperialists, especially the USA led by President Donald Trump, more..

Apr 8 (AD) The curfew imposed in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Puttalam, Kandy and Jaffna which have been identified as High Risk Zones will continue until further notice. In all other districts, curfew will be lifted at 6 am tomorrow, Thursday the 9th and will be re-imposed at 4 pm on the same day. This will be effective until 6 am on Tuesday the 14th of April. Curfew will be re-imposed in these districts at 4 pm same day. more..

Apr 9 (DN) The crisis caused by Covid 19, more commonly known as the Coronavirus around the world continues into another week and its political implications in SL where a General Election was scheduled to be held in late April became apparent last week. With the country in virtual lockdown with the imposition of an indefinite curfew, the spread of the pandemic has been comparatively well contained. At the time of writing, there have been 185 recorded cases of the disease, more..

Apr 9 (CT) When what we think and do, lack integrity there is only one word to describe it. We become frauds. Our acts become fraudulent. We make feeble attempts to become comfortable with our deception. Losing the authentic self is the price of pretended integrity and mercenary stardom on the small screen. Wadapitiya is the title of the popular political talk show aired weekly by Derana TV network . Argumentative Amphitheater would be the near flawless English construction. more..

Apr 9 (CT) As half the planet lives in lockdown to control the spread of COVID-19, the local tourism has hit rock bottom sending home thousands of workers, suppliers and stakeholders home to the point where they have to say goodbye to tourism for the rest of 2020. All hotels, villas, pubs and restaurants in all nine Provinces have shut down due to COVID-19 at this juncture. The Hotel Association of SL (THASL), on Friday, more..

Apr 9 (CT) In an exemplary manner, former Presidential candidate and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa had met Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa and PM Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday and expressed his solidarity towards combatting COVID-19. Premadasa's meeting with the President, PM and other senior officials, on dealing with COVID-19, which has left mankind clueless on getting rid of it, is significant in every way towards uniting all political forces more..

Apr 9 (CT) The way the nation has taken a big hit from covid-19 crisis, and more so on the economic front, it may be time, heads get put together, to discuss, debate, deliberate and come up with suggestions and recommendations for Sri Lanka to come out of it all, with minimum injuries and minimal damage. The rest, namely, the medical care and curfew-imposition, etc, can be left for the Govt authorities to oversee and implement, as may be the case. Whether or not the delayed more..

Apr 9 (TM) The conversation around the use of masks during the prevailing coronavirus pandemic has been brought up by the WHO now and again, providing that wearing masks is not a necessity. The concern has been that there is a shortage of medical-grade protective gear. Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, an infectious disease epidemiologist working with the WHO, stated that globally, there is a significant shortage of medical supplies more..

Apr 9 (DM) The coronavirus or COVID-19 is showing no signs of relenting but is continuing to spew its venom locally and globally with countries such as US, France, Spain and Italy among others, doing their utmost to curb its spread and its catastrophic fallout. In SL, the Health Ministry on Friday urged people to desist from stigmatising and marginalising those infected by COVID-19 because this had resulted in infected patients or those who had come into contact with them being reluctant to more..

Apr 9 (DM) Nearly a month has lapsed after the identification of the first SL national infected with COVID- 19. The first case was reported on March 11. Since then the number spiked to 185 cases by Tuesday leaving six patients dead. Beside, 42 people had recovered fully and were discharged from hospitals. If one looks at the curve of the corona situation during the past two weeks, he or she will find it flattened. That is because only 41 cases were reported during each of the past more..

Apr 9 (CT) Even at this early stage, the coronavirus pandemic leaves an unprecedented economic shock in its wake. High-frequency indicators suggest globally synchronized supply and demand shocks, combined with a flight away from emerging markets and other risky asset classes. To make matters worse, there is no Committee to Save the World a la the East Asian Crisis, or concerted G20 action, which held the global economy together during the Global Financial Crisis. more..

Apr 9 (DN) It is reported that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has granted a pardon to former Corporal Sunil Rathnayake who was convicted of murder, unlawful assembly and common intent by a Trial-at-Bar in 2015. On appeal, the judgment was upheld by a five Judge Bench of the Supreme Court. There is considerable reaction from the public both nationally and internationally for the decision taken by the Prez. As part of this reaction the Human Rights Commissioner of SL (HRCSL) had written to more..

Apr 9 (DN) Every sector in the world from oil & gas, automobiles, air & travel, HORECA (hotel, restaurant, catering), insurance, shipping, printing, banking, apparel/fashion, luxury to FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) products are hit hard by the present Coronavirus pandemic. As analysts predict, Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has delivered the swiftest and hardest global economic shock in modern history. more..

Apr 9 (SLN) SL Navy assisted providing food and drinking water to a couple who was distressed on a foreign yacht anchored in the seas off Galle due to a technical fault of the vessel while sailing across the Southern seas, on 07th Apr. Under the curfew situation declared over SL to control coronavirus, responding to a request made by a foreign couple who was distressed on a yacht anchored in the seas off Galle due to a technical fault of the vessel, SL Navy provided them necessary food and more..

Apr 9 (SLN) The prevailing situation in the country had greatly hampered the monthly receipt of medication of retired and serving naval personnel as well as their family members who are attending clinics in Navy General Hospital Colombo. Taking into consideration the difficulty that these people are in, Navy on 8th Apr launched a programme to distribute pharmaceutical drugs to the houses of those members. This magnanimous event was held for the benefit of patients who are receiving more..

Apr 9 (SLN) Taking in to account a basic concept mooted by an inventor, Thushara Wadasinghe, Navy’s Research and Development Unit developed a remote-controlled smart appliance called Medi Mate in a bid to treat and test COVID-19 patients, allowing healthcare workers to remain at a safe distance from the highly infectious virus. This smart appliance developed under Navy’s patronage was handed over for the use of Dr. Neville more..

Apr 9 (FT) The Centre for Journalism and Education (CJE) urged media institutions, journalists and media personalities/influencers to avoid discriminatory rhetoric, misinformation and disinformation when reporting on any and all matters related to the new coronavirus. “Ethical journalism lies at the core of good journalism. Particularly at a time of unprecedented crisis, it is the responsibility of all individuals and institutions providing information to the public to adhere more..