May 11 (Island) Yuthukama Convenor Gevindu Cumaratunga, alleged that the political forces defeated at the last prez election were still trying to pursue their agenda inimical to the SL State. Cumaratunga said that in spite of being routed by SLPP candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Nov 2019 prez poll those who backed UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa’s candidature were making a desperate bid to regroup. more..

May 11 (Island) Director General of Health Services, Dr. Anil Jasinghe has told the Minister of Passenger Transport Management, Mahinda Amaraweera that public transport must not be made available for the general public, for two more weeks, from today (11). Dr. Anil Jasinghe is of the opinion that if public transport is made open to all, people might go on non-essential travel. Ministry said that public transport will be available only for public and private sector workers. more..

May 11 (CT) Sri Lanka is at risk of losing considerable amounts of foreign remittances due to the global economic situation caused by the outbreak of COVID-19, and the repercussions are visible as inflows declined nearly 14% during March this year. According to statistics released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, worker remittances, Sri Lanka's largest foreign exchange earner, declined 13.9 per cent to US$ 492 .1 million in March this year from US$ 571.4 million a year earlier. more..

May 11 (FT) PM Mahinda Rajapaksa called for public support to gradually restore normalcy to the country and said it is necessary to keep in mind that COVID-19 has been controlled to a satisfactory degree but not eradicated. Issuing a statement ahead of the easing of restrictions, PM claimed SL had begun COVID-19 countering measures quite early and were therefore able to keep infections and deaths to a minimum. more..

May 11 (SO) Pasindu Hirushan, Sri J'pura Uni student who was seriously injured after a tire was thrown at him by a group of seniors is now walking with the assistance of the medical staff, according to National Hospital sources. The accident which occurred on March 6 had left the 21-year-old with serious head injuries and paralysis. Pasindu can walk a short distance assisted by the medical staff and is making slight improvements. He is yet unable to recognise family members or friends, more..

May 11 (SO) As the Govt takes steps to resume some of the day-to-day activities of civilian life tomorrow (11) by easing the lockdown in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam, Governor of the Western Province Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goonetileke said now it is the public call. “We expect 30% of the workforce to be in operation with strict social distancing,” Goonetileke said. The country is under an island-wide curfew since March. Civilian life in areas other than more..

May 11 (TM) Govt intends to continue borrowing to meet both debt obligations and expenditure needs, despite allegations of a breach in the borrowing limit. Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle said that they would need to borrow for debt servicing as there was a shortfall in state revenue. “There is a current account deficit. That means revenues are not enough to conduct the current business including (servicing) debt interest. more..

May 11 (AD) Seven new cases of Coronavirus have been confirmed increasing the total number of cases reported in Sri Lanka to 863, the Ministry of Health said. All seven new cases are reportedly navy personnel attached to the Welisara camp. As of 11.55 p.m. last night (10), a total of 321 patients have been discharged from hospital after recovery while 533 active cases are currently under medical care. There have been nine COVID-19 related deaths in the country. more..

May 11 (Island) SJB leader Sajith Premadasa, called for an end to the discriminatory and prejudicial manner in which the govt conducted the last rites of Muslims who had died of Covid-19, and continued racist attacks on Muslims. "Racist attacks perpetrated against our Muslim brethren is abhorrent and should be confronted by all of us. Such heinous acts are contrary to the noble teachings of the Lord Buddha", he noted, pointing out that any attempt to misinterpret such blessed principles more..

May 11 (DM) Curfew in the high risk districts of Colombo and Gampha will remain, however work will commence from today and both public and private sector employees can travel to work by showing their office identification, an email, sms or Whatsapp message on their mobile phones, showing their proof of employment to the thousands of military and police personnel who will be deployed on the roads to maintain health guidelines. more..

May 11 (DM) An election monitoring body said today that it was ready to cooperate with the Election Commission in evolving guidelines to conduct the parliamentary elections amidst the coronavirus threat. Rohana Hettiarachchi, the Executive Director of PAFFREL, told Daily Mirror that it would be impractical to wait for the total eradication of COVID-19. He said the elections should be conducted at one point once the coronavirus crisis was brought to a manageable level. more..

May 11 (DN) The Govt does not expect people to visit towns, etc today (11) for non-essential purposes. Although there is no community spread of COVID-19, the public should stay at home without going out for non essential things, Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said. Addressing media at the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak she said that those who are under home quarantine, especially who are connected to the Navy clusters should stay at home more..

May 11 (FT) A year has passed since the deadly Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka. Victims, survivors, and the general public still await answers. Amidst these desperate demands for accountability, Hejaaz Hizbullah, a prominent Muslim lawyer, is suddenly – and most unexpectedly – arrested and detained. I met Hejaaz during the first-ever debating tournament I participated in. He led the team from S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, and I represented St. Joseph’s College, Colombo. more..

May 11 (FT) There is considerable confusion as to what the upcoming relaxation measures that are to allow a resumption of work and civilian life in the still curfewed (24/7, as opposed to the rest of the island that seems to be intermittently curfewed) parts of Sri Lanka, actually mean. As I have noted before, this curious extension of curfew, now longer in terms of shutting businesses in Colombo than Wuhan itself (the global epicentre of the pandemic with thousands of deaths), has already detached more..

May 11 (FT) While the nation is wrestling with the deadly COVID-19, a ferocious battle has erupted between the Govt and the Opposition for the control of what is known as the Consolidated Fund. Two months ago, it was an alien subject to the ordinary public. But today, it is a household name due mainly to the heated arguments over the media between the Govt and Opposition members. more..

May 11 (TM) Major Gen. Sanjeewa Munasinghe has been appointed Secretary to the Ministry of Health. Munasinghe replaced Ms. Badrani Jayawardana who served as the Health Ministry Secretary under the new regime led by Prez Rajapaksa. He is the Director General of Army Medical Services and former Colonel Commandant of Army Medical Corps. He is an alumnus of the Faculty of Medicine of Uni of Ruhuna. He completed his MBBS degree in 1986 more..

May 11 (AD) The Ministry of Power and Energy says that indicating an unusually high amount on the electricity bill of some consumers had been a mistake on the part of the CEB. Reportedly, the subject Minister Mahinda Amaraweera had received information that electricity consumers of certain areas had received bills citing higher charges as two-month electricity bills. An investigation on the matter revealed that the situation had arisen due to a mistake of the CEB. more..

May 11 (AD) All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed 179.20 points down at 4,392.43 and the S&P SL20 index indicated a fall of 196.93 points to 1,750.49. This is a decline of 3.92% and 10.11% from the previous close (20 Mar). Stock exchange had already shortened operations to two hours as the island nation’s capital remains under curfew even as the govt allowed public and private companies to resume operations from Mon. more..

May 11 (Island) Excise Department says that even after the curfew is lifted, from Monday, to facilitate the normal course of life, the liquor shops will not be reopened. Deputy Commissioner of Excise says the liquor stores will not be reopened, once the curfew is lifted, since the reason for the closure was not the curfew. Earlier, the liquor shops were reopened, when the curfew was relaxed, but the govt soon decided to close them again due to huge crowds that gathered near liquor outlets. more..

May 11 (NR) Govt of India has announced that all existing visas granted to foreigners except to those belonging to diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment and project categories shall remain suspended till prohibition on international travel of passengers from/to India is lifted by the Govert of India. Foreign nationals stranded in India whose visa (regular visa, e-visa or stay stipulation) has expired or would be expiring in the period between 1 Feb 2020 more..

May 11 (AD) Police has issued a set of guidelines to be followed with regard to restoring normalcy in civilian life while the quarantine curfew is being implemented for preventing the spread of the COVID 19 virus, and also details of businesses permitted to reopen. The quarantine curfew is occasionally implemented for preventing the spread of the COVID 19 virus throughout the island. The govt has decided to commence the restoring normalcy more..

May 11 (AD) Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court that he is not in a position to appear for Election Commission and its members in a Fundamental Rights petition case. The petition has been filed at the Supreme Court challenging the date set for the General Election, stated the Coordinating Officer Attorney General. This was informed to the court when the multiple Fundamental Rights petitions filed against the election date, before the 3-member Supreme Court bench more..

May 11 (TM) Gampaha Chief Magistrate has determined that the Quarantine Curfew imposed by Police on advice of Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe, is legal. This was announced by DIG Ajith Rohana today. Former MP Abraham Sumanthiran in several occasions had raised concerns over the legality of the curfew imposed by the govt. The MP said no curfew had been declared in the country in terms of any applicable law. more..

May 11 (TM) Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) has released a report listing recommendations for companies who commence work today (11). The report titled Institutional Preparedness and Response to Covid-19 Outbreak has been prepared by SLMA President Prof. Indika Karunathilake and lists out the institutional measures to control the spread of Covid-19 at workplaces. These include a company’s management more..

May 11 (TM) Two Dubai returnees are among 16 Covid-19 cases reported yesterday, the Health Authorities said. The two persons had tested positive for the virus while they were undergoing quarantine. The patients were among the 197 Sri Lankans who were repatriated from Dubai on Thursday. Meanwhile, another Sri Lankan who returned from Dubai tested positive after arriving in the country. The individual had displayed symptoms of COVID -19 at the BIA. more..

May 11 (AD) Another batch of individuals who completed the process of mandatory quarantine has been released from the Iranamadu quarantine center. Accordingly, 175 civilians have left the quarantine facilities operated by the SL Air Force for their residences. The quarantined persons have been subjected to PCR testing before they were released. The group f 175 includes 92 females and that they are residents of Keselwatta, Bandaranaike Mawatha, Kotahena and Dematagoda. more..

May 11 (Island) Police Support Services personnel say they have been deprived of promotions, granted to other members of the Police despite repeated appeals. In spite of specific instructions, issued by PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, in this regard, Police headquarters had prepared plans to promote those holding the rank of Inspector, to the rank of Chief Inspector, in the Police leaving out the Police Support Services. more..

May 11 (AD) Several members of a family from the Prabodhagama area in Weerawila, Hambantota have been stabbed and injured by a group of individuals yesterday. The incident which had taken place at around 6.30 pm last evening has resulted in serious injuries to 4 persons. A mother, father, daughter, and daughter-in-law of the same family have been hacked in this manner, stated the Police. The injured were admitted to the Tissamaharama Hospital before 3 of them being transferred more..

May 11 (Island) The process of desilting reservoirs under the purview of the CEB continues at a snail’s pace with only few cleaning operations done in the recent past. A senior engineer said that the CEB should dredge all reservoirs expeditiously to increase the water storage and power generation capacities. Power and Energy Ministry Information officer, Sulakshana Jayawardena, CEB, handles the cleaning task in Mousakkelle, Lakshapana, Samanala Wewa and Canyon. more..

May 11 (DM) Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said that it would take at least another month to start schools and that it would be done in four stages. He said schools would be re-opened on the recommendation of the health sector. He said at a meeting held in Matara District Secretariat that schools will be opened on the day that the safety of the children was ensured and that the date is expected to be announced next week. more..

May 11 (AD) Veteran actor Tissa Wijesurendra has passed away at the age of 71. He passed away while receiving treatment at the Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama, the director of the hospital confirmed. A veteran of Sri Lankan cinema, Wijesurendra was one of the most popular actors in 1970s famed for his romantic roles. He has also involved in many dramatic roles in a career spanning four decades. films like Suhada Pethuma, Sureka, Neela, Niluka, Sudu Paraviyo, Kalana Mithuro and Lasanda. more..

May 11 (NR) Commander of the Army Lt Gen Shavendra Silva says 479 Sri Lankans presently in Chennai, India, will be repatriated tomorrow on board a SriLankan Airlines flight. 274 Lankans arrived in the island from Melbourne, Australia and 178 form Malaysia. Lt Gen Shavendra Silva speaking at the daily media briefing said the SL Army is directing all such groups to undergo quarantine measures. 279 persons who completed quarantine measures were released today. more..

May 11 (EN) Supreme Court will next Monday examine at least six Fundamental Rights petitions challenging the holding of the Parliamentary General Elections on June 20 the courts decided today. At these hearings the Court will decide whether they are to accept the petitions and proceed with the cases. A 3-member bench comprising CJ Jayantha Jayasuriya and SC Justices Murdu Fernando and S Thurairajah will more..

May 11 (MFA) Deputy High Commissioner of India in Colombo Vinod Jacob today made a token handover of the fourth consignment of essential medicines and medical items to Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, and Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha at the Ministry of Foreign Relations. The consignment, which consists of around 12.5 tonnes of medicines and equipment arrived by a special Indian flight on 8 May, marks PM Narendra Modi’s initiative to assist more..

May 11 (AD) Twelve more naval personnel infected with coronavirus and who underwent treatment in hospitals, have been discharged from the hospitals after being tested negative to COVID-19. These naval personnel who were identified positive to coronavirus, were admitted to hospitals for treatment. This group was under treatment as five persons in IDH Hospital, 04 persons in Naval General Hospital and 03 others in Homagama hospital. Since, these sailors tested negative more..

May 11 (AD) Prez Rajapaksa has appointed six new Permanent Secretaries to Ministries bringing in two senior military men to run the key ministries of Health and Mahaweli. Health Ministry Secretary Bhadrani Jayawardhana has been moved to Ministry of Internal Trade and Major General Sanjeeva Munasinghe has been appointed in her place. Munasinghe is a serving military officer and currently the Officer Commanding more..

May 12 (DM) SL would be limping back to normalcy in the coming days as much of the restrictions were relaxed, and a curfew that lasted for seven weeks was finally removed in all but Colombo and Gampaha districts, effective from yesterday. The immediate challenge would be to avoid a spike of new cases in the post- lockdown period. Some countries, most notably Singapore, that relaxed restrictions were bombarded with a massive increase in fresh cases in their immigrant more..

May 12 (CT) On 2nd March 2020, the President, in the exercise of his powers under Article 70 of the Constitution, issued a Proclamation dissolving Parliament. He chose to do so six months before the term of Parliament was due to end, and four days after the World Health Organization had described the novel coronavirus as a public health emergency of international concern. As required by Article 70(5) of the Constitution, the President in his Proclamation fixed 25th April 2020 as more..

May 12 (GV) It is a modern morality tale about the dangers of misusing the military, of militarising civilian tasks, of expecting generals to handle pandemics. By 9th May, SL had 847 officially acknowledged Covid-19 cases. Of these more than half were military personnel. The number of infected naval personnel alone tops 400. When Covid-19 pandemic gripped the world, Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa responded in a singular manner more..