Jul 16 (Island) SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiri said that the much proclaimed independent Constitutional Council owed an explanation as regards its member, Javid Yusuf throwing his weight behind Opposition project on an eve of a national election to deprive the govt a two-thirds majority required to do away with the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. He was responding to Yusuf appearing on the platform of more..

Jul 16 (DN) The activities in the economy, especially the industry and services sector, further improved in June as evident by increasing power demand which is almost on par with June 2019 average ICRA Lanka said. Both the Manufacturing and Services sector showed noteworthy recovery in May. With partial lifting of the lockdown, the economic activities resumed helping the production activities in the manufacturing sector. Employers were seen reinstating some of jobs they previously cut. more..

Jul 16 (DM) Verbal clash between certain members of the SLPP and the SLFP in many parts of the country, particularly in Gampaha, Polonnaruwa and Matara Districts has come under heavy criticism by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the cabinet meeting yesterday, a senior Minister said. President Rajapaksa said that the mudslinging between candidates of both parties immensely damages the SLPP election campaign and those engaged in vituperative politics have to stop it forthwith. more..

Jul 16 (AD) Election Commission on Wednesday (15) said it would be extremely difficult to hold the parliamentary elections on August 5 as scheduled without the govt legalising the health guidelines, including social distancing, amidst a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases in the country. The national poll panel also mentioned the political leaders were not adhering to the health guidelines while campaigning, jeopardising the lives of more..

Jul 16 (FT) Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs) appealed to the Govt to include them in the Rs. 150 billion Saubagya COVID-19 renaissance facility implemented by the Central Bank, noting that the sector could reach out to smaller companies in need of support. The Finance Houses Association (FHA), which is the apex body of the industry, lobbied to be included in the facility arguing they would be able to reach out to companies and community segments that are not covered by conventional more..

Jul 16 (Island) Presidents Chandrika Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa had attended Ministerial Consultative Committee (MCC) on National Security sessions, but Maithripala Sirisena had skipped them, Jagath Gajaweera, Director of Legislative Services of the Parliament told the PCoI investigating the Easter Sunday attacks. The witness said that MCCs had been replaced by Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOC) after 2015 and State Minister of Defence took part in those sessions. more..

Jul 16 (Island) The GMOA has recommended zonal lockdowns to thwart a possible second wave of corona infections. GMOA Secretary, Dr. Senal Fernando, has, in a letter addressed to Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Direct General Health Services, said there is a serious threat of a second wave and countermeasures have to be adopted in the wake of the outbreak of Covid cases at Kandakadu Drug Rehabilitation and Treatment Centre. more..

Jul 16 (EN) Coronavirus tests conducted on most contacts of Covid-19 infected staffers on leave from drug rehabilitation centres in Kandakadu has been negative, officials said while urging the public and private firms to follow health regulations and exercise caution. Sri Lanka quarantined hundreds of persons who had come into contact with staff and volunteers including military personnel who had worked at a drug rehabilitation centre in Kandakadu where inmates had got infected from addicts more..

Jul 16 (FT) Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), one of the leading telecom service providers in SL, will deploy a fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network based on Nokia’s fibre technology. Supporting its accelerated fibre initiative, the deployment enables SLT to bring new, high-speed broadband services to more than 200,000 enterprises and residential users across the country. SLT is rapidly enhancing its broadband footprint in Sri Lanka to better respond to growing ultra-broadband demand from customers. more..

Jul 16 (CT) DNA tests conducted on samples collected from the 26 April 2019 Sainthamaruthu explosion site have revealed that the spouse of the Katuwapitiya Church bomber had not been present at the location at the time of the blast. According to the Govt Analyst’s Dept, the woman identified as Pulasthiya Rajendran alias Sarah, had left the Sainthamaruthu site, before the explosion had taken place. more..

Jul 16 (FT) A group of Canada’s most eminent doctors, doubtless worried by the histrionic hysterics re COVID and the danger that human history going forward will become a footnote to COVID management because of our absurd over-reaction, in terms of actual mortality numbers, have decided to appeal to their leaders for sanity and wisdom. They issued a statement, which I have unpacked and paraphrased below. It is every bit as applicable here in SL as everywhere else on the planet, more..

Jul 16 (FT) Chutti, wiry with an unkempt drawn face with large furtive eyes, known as a kudu karaya in the neighbourhood, is also an odd-job man, handy when regular labour is difficult to find. Although he readily confesses to taking arrack regularly ‘to relieve his aching muscles in the evening’, I have not seen him with drugs, a habit more likely to be indulged in private. My garden needs regular attention, and Chutti is a willing worker, trimming the overgrown branches, cutting the grass, more..

Jul 16 (AD) CID has launched probes in search of individuals who spread false rumours regarding the COVID-19 pandemic via social media. DIG Ajith Rohana said three teams of the CID consisting of 26 officers are carrying out the said operation. After positive cases were discovered from the new coronavirus cluster from the Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Kandakadu as well as those who are linked to it, false speculations about the 2nd wave of virus were rife in social media, more..

Jul 16 (Island) Former IGP Pujith Jayasundara had received intelligence information about NTJ leader Zahran Hashim even in 2016, Achala Dushman, attached to the IGP’s secretariat, told the PCoI. "IGP receives intelligence directly from the State Intelligence Service (SIS). Usually, this comes through our office but there are times when IGP receives intelligence information directly. It is sent back to us but if he doesn’t do so there will be no record," he said. more..

Jul 16 (AD) A tense situation is reported in front of the Angulana Police Station between police officials and residents in the area. Reportedly, a group of residents who gathered at the scene of incident had pelted stones at the police station. The police had used tear gas to control the crowd. However, the situation is currently under control. A protest was launched in front of the Angulana Police Station by a group of more..

Jul 16 (AD) A youngster has been stabbed to death at Gonawala, Thalwatta area in Kelaniya at around 8.30 pm last night (15). Reportedly, a disagreement between two roommates who had been boarded together in a room in Gonawala had escalated into one friend stabbing the other with a sharp weapon. The injured youth had succumbed to his injuries upon admission to the Kiribathgoda Hospital. The two friends had rented a room in Gonawala in search of employment. more..

Jul 16 (EN) Sri Lankan Airlines (SLA) has lost US$ 48.7 million (Rs. 9 bil) in April and May 2020 and is expected to lose US$ 185 million (Rs. 34.4 bil) in the year to March 2021 as the state-run carrier is hit by a Coronavirus pandemic, Finance Ministry said. “The financial situation of SLA was unhealthy even before COVID-19,” Finance Ministry said. “Accordingly, SLA management was expected to reduce SLA operational costs including lease payment renegotiation, more..

Jul 16 (EN) Central Bank has extended exchange controls slapped as large volumes of money printing in March and April 2020 put pressure on the currency for another six months from July 2, though some relaxations have been made. Under the extended controls, companies operating foreign branches or offices have been allowed to remit US$ 20,000 without prior approval. However the amount that can be remitted out more..

Jul 16 (EN) Sri Lanka has extended the term of a committee that is expected to compensation to owners of private companies that were expropriated by the state by one year Minister Ramesh Pathirana said. The cabinet of ministers had extended the term as compensation has not yet been paid for some assets including Sevanagala and Pelwatte Sugar firms that were expropriated, he said. “Because the compensation has not been completed it has been extended,” Minister Pathirana said. more..

Jul 16 (AD) Postal voting of the General Election 2020 has entered its fourth consecutive day. The members of security forces, the Police, the Civil Security Department, health sector workers, staff of District Secretariats, and election offices will cast their postal votes from 9.00 am to 4 pm today and from 9 am to 2 pm tomorrow. The process kicked off on Monday (13) with the staff members at the offices of Medical Officers of Health (MOH) casting their absentee votes from 9 am to 4 pm. more..

Jul 16 (AD) All parties linked to the Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in East Kandakadu have been identified, states Commander of SL Army Lt Gen Shavendra Silva. He pointed out that only one person from the Kandakadu cluster has been confirmed to have contracted coronavirus. He further said that all detainees at the Kandakadu rehabilitation center have been subjected to PCR testing. Currently, all counselors at more..

Jul 16 (AD) Several contraband items have been thrown over the wall of Welikada Prison on Wednesday night. Packed in a total of 18 parcels, the contraband included 38 mobile phones, 264 batteries, 20 SIM cards, 3.5g of heroin, 40 leaves of tobacco and 10 packets containing the Mawa drug. The illegal items were reportedly thrown from the area of Wanathamulla over the wall of the female ward of the prison. The seized contraband has been handed over to the Borella Police for more..

Jul 16 (FT) In the wake of new COVID-19 cases being reported, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said the final decision on holding the General Election should be taken on recommendations of health officials, and insisted that the Govt would not interfere with such decisions. Over 499 persons have tested positive from the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre. Meanwhile, a private hospital in Ragama was closed following a staff member testing positive for COVID-19 on Tue more..

Jul 16 (MoD) Nine senior Police officers have been appointed as Hostage Negotiators, the first of such an initiative in Sri Lanka, in keeping with international aviation obligations as a part of crisis management during a possible aircraft hi-jacking or a hostage situation. The team of Hostage Negotiators received their appointment letters from Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne during an official event more..

Jul 16 (TM) UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provide support to the government programme to supply take-home rations to children covered by the national school meal programme. Funds worth US$ 400,000 (LKR 74 million) were provided by WFP to the Ministry of Education to procure and distribute food rations to 80,000 children, as part of the first stage of supplying take-home ration packs to schoolchildren more..

Jul 16 (Island) Supreme Court yesterday rejected a fundamental rights violation petition filed by Major Erantha Pieris and Corporal S.K. Udagedera pertaining to the charges framed against them in respect of the abduction and disappearances of journalist Pradeep Ekneligoda, on or about August 22, 2009. The petition had said that they had come to Colombo, from the Giritale Army camp, to collect the mail for the Giritale camp. Objecting to the petition, Dy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris more..

Jul 16 (EN) SL plans to stop foreign firms from competing state construction projects and supplies to govt agencies including information technology in a bid to save foreign exchange and give income to local businessmen and create jobs, Minister Bandula Gunewardene said. “For the first time in the history of SL there will be procurement process with 100% local reliance and without importing,” he said. more..

Jul 16 (AD) Forty Sri Lankans who had migrated abroad for employment have deceased of COVID-19 infection, stated SL Bureau of Foreign Employment. Among the deceased are 37 males and 3 females, stated the Bureau. However, their bodies cannot be repatriated according to the regulations set by the WHO. As per an agreement in 2019, compensation of Rs 500,000 paid by the govt during the case of a natural death of a migrant worker is also valid for a death by COVID-19 infection. more..

Jul 16 (IBT) Amith Boteju you may know as AmithWorldWide from all of his social media is a young, dedicated, and energetic SL entrepreneur and a talented musician with a vision to take Sri Lanka to the global arena not only with his music but also with his business and innovative ideas. Raised in a middle-class Sri Lankan family, he has his roots deep in Sri Lanka, which drives him towards his passion of making a global impact on his motherland for its betterment. more..

Jul 16 (PMD) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been awarded the Zero Carbon Certificate presented for first ever Zero Carbon Presidential Election Campaign in the world conducted with community participation. Members of the Committee for Environment Policy Formulation of Saubhagyaye Dekma (Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour) policy statement presented the certificate to the President at the Presidential Secretariat today (16). more..

Jul 16 (EN) The Navy COVID cluster which appeared from the Welisara Navy Camp is three times bigger than the current Kandakadu cluster, said Co-Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena. Gunawardena said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa informed that cabinet due to the fact that many had travelled to various parts of the country from the Welisara Navy Camp the situation that was created by that cluster was three times worse than current Kandakadu cluster. more..

Jul 16 (Island) The govt says all measures are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the country and urges the public not to be misled by various misinformation campaigns carried out via social media. In a media release issued on Tuesday (14), the Govt Information Department said that with the reporting of COVID-19 cases centered on the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre, the govt had taken maximum measures to prevent the spread of the virus in the country. more..

Jul 16 (AD) A proposal has been tabled to the Cabinet of Ministers to extend the agreed period for the payment of salaries for private sector employees due to the crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic conditions. Measures have been taken to pay either a 50 per cent of the total salary of obtained or an amount of Rs. 14,500. Accordingly, the most profitable amount out of these two will be paid for the employees of the establishments more..

Jul 16 (NR) 12 persons tested positive for COVID-19 today increasing cases to 2,686. Eight individuals were identified as individuals of the Biyagama Village Quarantine Centre who associated COVID-19 positive cases at the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre. Four others were identified as returnees from Qatar who were in quarantine. Dr. Anil Jasinghe said the eight were identified as family members of Kandakadu staff members who tested positive for the virus. more..

Jul 16 (PMD) Following corporate, individual donations and direct deposits, ITUKAMA COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund balance has now surpassed Rs. 1491 million. Girl child Jayani Karunaratne has donated Rs. 3,000 to the fund. This sum was handed over to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat. In addition, Ceylon Shipping Corporation Rs. 196,683.50, Sri Lanka Ports Authority Rs. 18,615,544.29, more..

Jul 16 (CT) The survival of other State forests is crucial for the survival of Sri Lanka, said member of the Lanka Nature Conservationists organisation, Dr. Samantha Fernando. When speaking at a Media briefing. According to him, a large percentage of other State forests include cloud forests, the loss of which would have a devastating impact on rainfall, as they have the ability to absorb water from clouds. more..

Jul 16 (NR) Leader of the UNP Ranil Wickremesinghe says the independent commissions established for a democratic governance will not be abolished under a govt led by the UNP. Speaking at the unveiling of the election manifesto of the UNP today, he said UNP will vest executive powers with Parliament in order to protect democracy. UNP leader was of the view that SL must strengthen international relations and focus on obtaining foreign aid, adding that this is a strong asset of party. more..

Jul 16 (NR) General Secretary of SJB Ranjith Madduma Bandara charges that the govt has failed at protecting the country from the coronavirus. He said the coronavirus is being used as a tool for the General Election. He said Sri Lanka boasts to the world that they dealt with the coronavirus the best, and claimed that today the govt is incapable of bringing down Lankans who are stranded overseas. Former MP said today around 30 people have died in the UAE due to inefficiencies of the govt. more..

Jul 16 (CT) The shortage of Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) qualified doctors in the areas considered as difficult stations in the Northern Province has forced the Provincial Health Directorate to seek the support of retired medical practitioners to fill those positions, Provincial Director of Health Services (PDHS), Dr. A. Ketheeswaran said. The Province had been faced with this issue for over 20 years. more..