Apr 27 (SCMP) Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe’s visit to Sri Lanka on Tuesday is as much about boosting political and economic cooperation as it is about military links, experts say. Wei will become the second senior Chinese official to have visited the country since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic when he arrives for the 3-day visit, which follows a trip by China’s foreign policy chief Yang Jiechi in Oct 2020. Wei is expected to hold talks with Prez and PM and other senior officials. more..

Apr 27 (AD) The Narcotics Control Unit of Sri Lanka Customs has seized a cocaine consignment sent to Sri Lanka from Jamaica concealed in a personal gift parcel. The parcel in question, airmailed through a private courier service based in Seeduwa was taken into custody today (April 27). As suspicions were raised about the said parcel, which arrived in the country nearly a week before, the Customs officers had summoned its recipient, a 44-year-old residing in Narahenpita area. more..

Apr 27 (AFP) A new coronavirus wave hitting SL has halted a cricket match between two of the country's top schools that has been played for 141 years, continuing even through world wars. The annual Royal v St Thomas's encounter, originally scheduled for next month, has been indefinitely put off after four players tested positive for Covid-19, a school organiser said. The latest edition of Sri Lanka's longest-running sporting event more..

Apr 28 (TM) Is the SJB the Premadasa party? Its frontline leadership in Parliament last week took to wearing black and casting itself as the ensemble for patriotic protest. A party ideologue of sorts later wrote to the newspapers that the SJB models itself on Premadasa doctrine. He wrote that Premadasa was a true patriot. A UNP patriot, a rarity then, come to think of it. Apparently Premadasa was a true patriot on account of sending then British High Commissioner in SL William Gladstone more..

Apr 28 (CT) The Chinese embassy was bold to question what the big fuss was about their invitation to MPs to a tour of Colombo Port City which China has recovered from the sea through an amazing feat of technological prowess. An opposition MP asked why the embassy was directing this study visit when in the past it had been done by the Urban Development Authority. In a tweet the embassy replied, “Why not? A field visit will help to understand better about the project. Seeing is believing. more..

Apr 28 (TM) The Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill has been making headlines throughout the past few weeks, with many groups publicly raising their concerns. The SC is also in the process of hearing numerous petitions that were filed with regard to Bill. State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal expressed his views in relation to the Bill, along with the country’s economic plight, balance of payments, and the current state of SL Rupee. more..

Apr 28 (CT) Early warning of attempts to arrest SJB frontliner Harin Fernando, who has since been admitted to hospital has raised the alarm about plans by Prez Rajapaksa to make a spate of arrests of key opposition lawmakers. Fernando was summoned to the CID and about to be arrested under the PTA and slapped with a 90 day detention order that would deny him an opportunity to get bail or have access to legal counsel. The list of MPs already singled out for legal action is long. more..

Apr 28 (ST) The currency swap of US$ 500 million with the Peoples’ Bank of China, an expected loan of US$ 500 million from the Chinese Development Bank and other expected foreign assistance are expected to enhance the country’s foreign reserves. At the end of February foreign reserves were US$ 4.6 billion, while foreign debt had risen to US$ 55 billion. Debt repayments during the course of this year are estimated at US$ 6.1 billion. Country has averted an extremely precarious vulnerability more..

Apr 28 (CT) The Bill titled Colombo Port City Economic Commission is being challenged on several grounds in the Supreme Court. Petitioners Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Nayaka Thera and Dasun Yasas Sri Nagashena of Polwatta, Pannipitiya have submitted to the Court that this Bill as whole is inconsistent with many provisions of the Constitution. The draft Bill is not consonant either with the original agreement or more..

Apr 28 (DM) Mosquito-borne diseases achieved greater attention over the last few decades. It has been reported that mosquitoes are responsible for spreading diseases of Malaria, Dengue virus, Yellow fever virus and Chikungunya virus. Dengue virus causes epidemics in more than 100 tropical and sub-tropical countries and over 2.5 billion people (over 40% of the world’s population) are now at risk of dengue virus infection. In recent years, dengue has become the number one vector-borne more..

Apr 28 (CT) The inaugural Super League tourney is likely to go ahead as planned despite a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases in SL, sources at Football Federation of SL (FFSL) revealed. The confirmation comes to allay rumours there is a possibility of the high-profile league being postponed. The league kick started on 19 April and already 10 matches have been played. After a lengthy period of almost 7 months as to when the football calendar will resume, the commencement of the tournament more..

Apr 28 (CT) This year’s Labour Day celebrations have been cancelled due to the surge in COVID-19 cases. Hospitals are seeing a large influx of Covid-19 cases and several areas have been declared isolated to control the spread of the virus. Once again authorities are hard pressed to enforce health-safety guidelines which the public took for granted during Sinhala & Tamil New Year holidays. A new strain of COVID-19 has also been detected in SL that is airborne & highly dangerous to youth. more..

Apr 28 (CB) Khaled Mahmud, the Bangladesh team leader, said on Monday (26) that his team is expecting a result-oriented pitch in Pallekelle when they take on Sri Lanka in the series-deciding second Test match, scheduled to begin on April 29. The opening Test ended in a high scoring draw that saw 1289 runs scored despite the final session of play getting washed off due to rain. The green top wicket didn't offer the promised assistance to the pacers nor was there any help for the spinners. more..

Apr 28 (ST) SL’s first female Olympian Thilaka Jinadasa wants to empower women in sports and become a role model for youngsters by focusing on coaching education programmes instead of sitting in administration. SL’s nominee for the IOC Women and Sport Award 2021 more than 3 decades after creating history at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Thilaka is invigorated to inspire the next generation with her vast expertise as more..

Apr 28 (ST) Sri Lanka’s National Film Corporation (NFC) has now become a liability to the modern local cinema due to malpractices, irregularities and inefficiency since its inception in 1971, industry stakeholders complained. They urged the govt to maintain the NFC as a regulator of the cinema industry stripping away its additional role as a film distributor and film hall owner as its bureaucratic bungling has prevented the development of the industry for over three decades. more..

Apr 28 (NIA) The visit of the Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe to Sri Lanka which begins on Tuesday (27) is significant as it indicates Sino-Lankan relations may go beyond economic engagement to acquiring a military dimension. A local Sunday paper reported that Wei’s visit will result in China giving SL equipment to modernize the army, navy and air force and enhancing the training component. Though independent confirmation of this has not been possible, more..

Apr 28 (FT) Tax incentives and land at concessionary rates will be among measures the Govt will put in place for the establishment and operation of world-class aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities for all modern commercial aircraft types in the country, according to a recently-released policy paper on the National Civil Aviation Policy for SL. Implementation strategy of the policy focuses, amongst other aviation activities, more..

Apr 28 (Island) Madras High Court (HC) has held the Election Commission of India (ECI) responsible for the surge in coronavirus infections in that country, and said murder charges should probably be brought against the latter. One could not but agree with the good judges, who deserve praise not only from the pandemic-hit Indians but also their counterparts in all parts of the world. Elections have become super-spreader events as political leaders & their supporters throw caution to the wind, more..

Apr 28 (DN) Ranthushka Karunathilake and Dilmi Dias emerged Men’s and Women’s champions at the Summer Season All-Island Open Badminton Tournament, which concluded at the Municipal Council Indoor Stadium in Nuwara Eliya yesterday. In the Men’s Singles final, Karunathilleka beat Buwaneka Gunathilleka 10-21, 21-19, 21-19 after a hard fought battle. Meanwhile, former National champion Dias had an easy game defeating Ranithma Liyanage 21-10, 21-15 in Women’s more..

Apr 28 (CT) Minister Rear Admiral (Rtd) Sarath Weerasekara said that even two years after the 26 April 2019, suicide blast in a house at Sainthamaruthu, the fate of Sara Pulasthini remains a mystery and the second DNA test, that they intend to do, would be a tough procedure because thousands of pieces of flesh that are buried need to be tested singly to prove whether she died or fled to India, as claimed by a witness. more..

Apr 28 (TM) The Kottawa exit of the Southern Expressway will be closed untill further notice from 6 am today (28) after three Road Development Authority (RDA) employees tested positive for Covid-19. Motorists have been requested to use the Athurugiriya and Kahatuduwa exit points. However, vehicles have been allowed to enter from Kottawa without the issuance of tickets. Despite the closure of the Kottawa exit, buses and ambulances will still be allowed to pass. more..

Apr 28 (DM) SL will get 1,440,000 doses of vaccines to provide immunity against Covid under COVAX facility, which is mainly funded by the US. US is the single largest donor to COVAX which has committed 8.4 million doses of vaccines to SL. COVAX is a platform to provide equitable global access and distribution of safe, effective, and high-quality WHO-authorized vaccines. According to US embassy, the country had already donated US$ 2 billion to COVAX and will provide another similar amount. more..

Apr 28 (FT) The country’s COVID-19 patient count yesterday rose to 103,487 with the detection of 1,111 COVID-19 positive persons. This is the first time over 1,000 COVID-19 patients have been detected in a day in SL. The patients detected yesterday include 1,089 associates of the Peliyagoda cluster and seven persons from the Prisons cluster. Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda & Prisons clusters have expanded to 97,794 patients. more..

Apr 28 (FT) Minister Keheliya Rambukwella acknowledged that the Govt should have imposed travel and other limits during the New Year period but stronger COVID-19 restrictions could be imposed in the coming days. He acknowledged that stronger restrictions should have been imposed ahead of New Year holidays but argued the Govt had placed faith in the people sticking to social distancing guidelines. “Since the people were unable to celebrate Avurudu last year as well, more..

Apr 28 (DN) International Chamber of Commerce SL (ICCSL) in a statement issued on Monday said “The Port City project will have a significant impact on the economy in terms of much needed FDI’s to the country, together with the potential new employment & trade opportunities that the project will generate over time. The statement added that “Special Economic Zones similar to this proposed Port City, have been successfully established in many countries worldwide to attract FDIs. more..

Apr 28 (AD) A special diplomatic discussion between Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and a delegation of European Union (EU) ambassadors unfolded this morning (27). The delegation led by Ambassador of the EU Denis Chaibi, consisted of Ambassador of France Eric Lavertu, Ambassador of Italy Rita Giuliana Mannella, Ambassador of Germany Holger Seubert and Ambassador of Romania Victor Chiujdea. more..

Apr 28 (MFA) Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena participated in a joint video conference on COVID-19 response involving his counterparts from China, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan held today (27). The discussions focused on consolidating COVID-19 response cooperation and promoting post-pandemic economic recovery as well as poverty alleviation amidst the recent spike in COVID-19 infections. During his remarks, Minister Gunawardena underlined the critical need for more..

Apr 28 (DM) Whilst stating that top priority should be given to suppress the COVID- 19 pandemic which has raised its head once again, former Minister of Health Dr. Rajitha Senaratne today called for a joint effort of all parties and stakeholders to overcome the situation. He said that the present situation was not favourable to hold May Day rallies. “I call for a joint effort of all parties and other stakeholders to fight the pandemic and top priority should be given for it and to forget all other issues more..

Apr 28 (FT) Opposition MP Harin Fernando yesterday filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) application with the Supreme Court seeking an order to prevent his arrest. The legal action of the SJB MP comes in the wake of his admission to a private hospital for treatment last week. The CID Director, IGP, Public Security Minister and AG have been named as respondents in the application. Fernando had made several controversial statements regarding more..

Apr 28 (CT) Colombo HC Judge Namal Balalle yesterday sternly warned the lawyer representing SJB MP Champika Ranawaka to henceforth exercise caution when making submissions at times when the Court notes down points in connection with the case. Judge gave this warning to Ranawaka’s lawyer when the case in connection with the hit-and-run incident involving the former Minister, where youth Sandeep Sampath suffered life-threatening injuries, was taken for hearing. more..

Apr 28 (Island) Moulavi Munajith, who allegedly posted a video on social media justifying the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, three days after the carnage, has launched a protest in Vavuniya against the arrest of Vanni District lawmaker Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother, Riyaj, in connection with the attacks. Moulavi Munajith demands that the Bathiudeen brothers be released immediately as, he says, their arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) were illegal. more..

Apr 28 (Island) All-party Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has directed the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) to take all possible measures to collect tax arrears running into billions of rupees. In the absence of COPA Chairman Prof. Tissa Vitharana, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, JVP MP, chaired its recent proceedings. Dr. Amarasuriya told the IRD to submit a report within two to five months on taxes and penalties in default to be recovered. more..

Apr 28 (TM) As the State sector ICU bed capacity is reducing due to the rise in the number of Covid-19 patients, the Ministry of Health informed that it would resort to the utilisation of ICU beds in the private sector and defense sector if required. State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said that the Govt’s primary aim is to prevent patients from requiring ICU facilities, in order to reduce mortality. “As of now, I’m not aware of any move to utilise the private sector for ICU beds. more..

Apr 28 (TM) As the Cabinet of Ministers decided yesterday to close all schools in the country till 30 April due to the rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in the country, a decision as to whether schools would return to online teaching or if they would reopen for physical classes would be made by 2 May. Ministry of Education Media Secretary said that the zonal education offices would be consulted in this matter as the present Covid-19 situation has affected education zones in different ways. more..

Apr 28 (Island) A bitter pay dispute is on the cards after salaries of Sri Lanka’s national cricketers were cut by significant amounts lead up to the two Test series against Bangladesh. National cricket team is currently engaging in the series having refused to sign annual contracts and the deadlock could have a serious impact on the sport. The players have been without central contracts since January. more..

Apr 28 (DM) World Bank representatives commended SL's new digital transformation strategy which aimed at creating a technology-based knowledge economy. Ms Chiyo Kanda, World Bank Country Manager for SL and Maldives, said that the Bank will provide the necessary support as a development partner to successfully achieve the desired results of the digital strategy of SL. A meeting was held at ICTA to discuss and clarify the role, priorities and challenges of the country more..

Apr 28 (AD) Eight more COVID-related deaths were confirmed in SL on Tuesday (27), says the Director-General of Health Services. The latest coronavirus victims have pushed the country’s death toll from the pandemic to 655. The details of the deceased are as follows: 01. A 62-year-old man from Polgolla area: He died while receiving treatment at the Kandy National Hospital on April 23. The cause of death was recorded as COVID pneumonia. 02. A 45-year-old man from Hettipola area: more..

Apr 28 (DM) While saying that the capacity in hospitals where COVID patients were treated had exceeded, Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardana cautioned the public over irresponsible behaviour, stating that the number of hospitalisations surged within a week. “As these hospitals receive patients from all over the country, they are expected to exceed their capacities by tonight," he said, adding that more..

Apr 28 (FT) Whilst special economic zones are nothing new in Sri Lanka, the proposed Port City Special Economic Zone will truly harness the full potential that such mechanisms can provide, especially for financial services. In order to create and provide sophisticated, deep and liquid financial markets and services, there has to be an innovative, flexible and participant friendly framework in order to provide a conducive environment for businesses to carry out their services, unhindered. more..