Jun 4 (DM) SL has banned arrivals from South Africa and countries in South America with immediate effect. The ban has been enforced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic spreading rapidly in those countries. In accordance with instructions received from the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation all online and offline airlines have been informed that passengers with a travel history (including transit) in the past 14 days to South Africa and countries in South America more..

Jun 4 (DM) Minister Sarath Weerasekara today denied reports that he ordered the bus transporting 14 persons including model Piumi Hansamali who had attended a party at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo to return when it was travelling to a quarantine centre in Passara. In a statement, the ministry said that an Attorney-at-Law has called Minister Sarath Weerasekera on June 2 and told him that his clients were being taken to a quarantine center in Badulla and that they did not even more..

Jun 4 (DM) Sri Lanka Cricket’s decision to introduce a fitness test to qualify for the playing XI is ill-timed, former Captain Lasith Malinga has said. The new rule requires players to complete a 2 kilometre run in 8 minutes and 35 seconds, which several key players have been unable to meet prior to recent matches. The new regulation was introduced by SLC prior to the Sri Lanka vs. West Indies series in February. more..

Jun 4 (CT) Troops attached to the 561 Brigade, 56 Division, 16 SL Sinha Regiment, under the Wanni Security Force Headquarters, are on round the clock observation on the improvement of the health condition of an injured tusker lying in a swamp, close to Puthuvilankulam Village, off Vavuniya, first detected on 9 May, Sri Lanka Army (SLA) said. The tusker was found with gunshot injuries and is suspected to have had been shot at by poachers. “Since day-1 of its discovery, more..

Jun 4 (DM) The number of COVID related deaths among senior citizens and elderly persons at home has increased compared to the first and second waves, the GMOA Secretary Dr. Senal Fernando said. He said 60% of the COVID deaths were reported during the past one-and-a-half months, especially after the New Year. When compared to the COVID deaths since March 2020, 60% of the deaths were reported during the third wave after the Sinhala/Tamil New Year, he said. more..

Jun 5 (DM) The fixation to global free market profits with COVID-19 pandemic control efforts became more evident with an international call to establish a Global Health Threats Council (GHTC) with a high profile senior global political leadership via a UN General Assembly. This call by a group of ex-heads of States and politicians calling themselves Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response proves completely out of tune with national issues due to more..

Jun 5 (DM) We today mark World Environment Day, a vital day for the whole world because if we do not take effective steps in the battle against climate change the death toll may far exceed the number of people who have died in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with some environmental experts warning that as many as two billion people could die from air and water pollution, the mass cutting down of forests and other factors related to climate change. Some people even world leaders including more..

Jun 5 (DM) Tamil Nadu has a history of agitating when Tamils in Sri Lanka are discriminated against or undergo severe hardships. During the ethnic conflict scores of Tamil citizens fled to South India and most of them are still living in refugee camps under trying circumstances. Their plight has been further highlighted by the fight that they are putting up to stay alive during the pandemic. According to reports published in Indian newspapers more..

Jun 5 (Island) There is desperation and a degree of panic among the populace of the Pearl. Mainly due to a bungled vaccination program by those in charge of it. The blame however is seemingly being transferred to doctors and other members of the medical profession. This exacerbates the King Kekilla type of situation that prevails not only among those who govern but among the people as well. After all those bizarre verdicts issued by that demented ruler of legend, were accepted by more..

Jun 5 (CT) In order to put the records right, it is necessary to state emphatically at the very outset that the creation of the economic, political and social crises, which pushed the present Rajapaksa family lead govt into submission to China’s tempting rescue offer, was not only the creation of the present and previous Rajapaksa regimes but principally the creation of the UNP lead govts since 1977. The transition from essentially a democratic, independent, stable, largely inclusive country more..

Jun 5 (CT) The detection of black fungus in COVID-19 patients has been a growing concern with the increase in the number of cases and deaths reported in India. In this backdrop, black fungus detection in COVID-19 patients in SL was put under the spotlight with the information on the death of an individual who is believed to have been infected with black fungus. Mucormycosis, often termed as black fungus, is a rare yet serious more..

Jun 5 (TM) Recently, there were many complicated situations that occurred in Sri Lanka, especially relating to the ultra-rapid spread of Covid-19 and cyclone Yaas creating havoc inland. If one may wonder whether the situation can get any worse than this, it just did, with a ship containing tonnes of chemicals burning in our waters. Leaving aside hundreds of questions that are pertinent, such as who authorised the Pearl to enter into SL waters and Colombo Port, why would authorities allow more..

Jun 5 (DN) Justice prevails when the law is equally applied to the elite and the ordinary people of the country. Often there are accusations that law enforcement authorities are over enthusiastic when taking action against law-breakers in the lower strata of the society, but when the rich and influential people breach law, they are handled with velvet gloves. Prez Rajapaksa, in his policy statement Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour stated that only one set of laws should be applicable to the more..

Jun 5 (Island) A 51-year-old woman is reported to have been arrested in Hungama for holding a Grama Niladari at knifepoint to have her name included in an electoral register. What possessed her to do so? This is the question those who are not familiar with politics in this country may ask, but such is the love Sri Lankans have for their franchise, although not all of them are given to violence. They have an irresistible urge to vote for the parties and candidates of their choice. more..

Jun 5 (TM) Sharjah shot to the limelight in 1986, when Pakistan needed four to win off one ball, and Javed Miandad swung Chetan Sharma off his hips and into the pages of folklore. “For most of the next two decades, India and Pakistan simply couldn’t stop meeting in Sharjah, with Bollywood stars (and even the infamous gangster Dawood Ibrahim) thronging the VIP gallery,” wrote Mohammad Isam to Cricinfo on 11 May 2020. “In 1995, Hashan Tillakaratne nearly pulled off a Miandad more..

Jun 5 (ST) Govt plans to merge LAUGFS Gas and the state-owned Litro Gas bringing the two-LP gas importing and distributing enterprises under one banner as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative. A Cabinet paper submitted jointly by the Finance and Trade ministries puts the blame on a large price reduction ahead of the Presidential elections in 2019 and ongoing currency depreciation for operational losses even further more..

Jun 5 (CT) One of the issues that demonstrated the approach of the SL authorities to the problem of enforced disappearances could be discovered in a close study of the narrative of the Office on Missing Persons (OMP). In essence, what it shows is the international diplomacy of deception that Sri Lankan authorities have cleverly developed and practiced over a long period of time in dealing with the UN Human Rights High Commissioner’s Office and other UN agencies relating to human rights. more..

Jun 5 (Island) Speaking at a Webinar held on the 2nd June 2021 on Recent Amendments to the Inland Revenue Act Shamila Jayasekara Partner – Head of Tax & Regulatory said that in principle, retrospective tax law was bad as it could have negative consequences on the concluded transactions of businesses. Sharing her concerns and views on the topic she said,” A lot of changes made to the tax code are incentives provided through the form of tax exemptions, the concessionary rate being more..

Jun 5 (CT) SL men’s cricketers have been given a three-day extension to sign contracts, SLC President Shammi Silva stated, and if they still refuse, players will be offered contracts on a tour-bytour basis. Earlier, the cricketers refused to sign the contracts offered to them citing lack of transparency in the manner in which contract categories had been allocated. The players also expressed shock and dismay that proposed more..

Jun 5 (DN) SL’s national champion Ranindu Liyanage and Susal de Silva recorded victories in the 3rd-round of the Asian Zonal Hybrid Chess Championship, which continued yesterday. Liyanage beat Ahmad Mahatabuddin of Bangladesh while Susal beat Swarnavo Choudhry also from Bangladesh. Both players have obtained 2.5 points each out of a possible three and have maintained an unbeaten record in the tournament. Ranindu and Susal are in the second bunch of six players more..

Jun 5 (Island) Opening batsman Danushka Gunathilaka and middle order batsman Dhananjaya de Silva have passed a much required fitness test which means that they are eligible for the upcoming tour of United Kingdom. Both players had failed the two kilometer run last week and in yesterday’s re-run at Sugathadasa Stadium, they finished the sprint under the required time of eight minutes and 30 seconds. Sri Lanka leave for UK on Tuesday and will engage in three ODIs and three T-20Is. more..

Jun 5 (TM) An Expression of Interest (EOI) has been called for the establishment of a pharmaceutical manufacturing zone in Oyamadu, Anuradhapura, where the Deyata Kirula, National Development Exhibition, was held. Approval for the pharma zone was granted by the Cabinet on 23 March. State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) Chairman Dr. Uthpala Indrawansa stated that they advertised EOI more..

Jun 5 (CT) Abans PLC recorded a remarkable Profit before Income Tax of Rs 2.5 billion in the completed Financial Year 2020/2021 which was a 189% growth over last year. This exceptional achievement displayed the strength of the Abans brand name, despite stiff competition and contracting market conditions preceding the Covid-19 pandemic. Abans PLC was able to reorganize company strategies, branch out into rapid digitalisation to meet customer needs, and employ carefully crafted more..

Jun 5 (DN) The National Cricket Selectors yesterday finalised the 24-member SL Squad that would tour England for the limited overs series next week. The National Selectors have included promising players Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamil Mishara, Ashen Bandara and Praveen Jayawickrama in the squad. The SL Squad led by Kusal Janith Perera also includes uncapped players, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Ishan Jayaratne, Charith Asalanka and Shiran Fernando. SL Squad is subject to approval more..

Jun 5 (FT) Prez Rajapaksa yesterday requested assistance from the United Kingdom to evaluate the impact on the environment from the wrecked MV X-Press Pearl container vessel. The request was made during a meeting with British High Commissioner Sarah Hulton at the Presidential Secretariat. SL has also secured assistance from the European Union, United States, India, Australia, France and several UN organisations to help more..

Jun 5 (CT) Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in SL, for the past ten years, has been low and the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) dedicated to services would increase SL’s ability to attract FDI in the modern services industry, stated CHEC Port City Colombo, Assistant Managing Director Thulci Aluwihare. He was speaking at a programme organised by the CFA Society of SL. SL received FDI worth USD 1.37 billion in 2017 and USD 1.61 billion in 2018, mainly from the Hambantota Port project. more..

Jun 5 (DM) Sri Lanka Tourism recently announced its plans to develop a city tourism strategy to position Colombo as a tourism hub in South Asia. This initiative will follow some of the best practices of national tourist boards in Singapore, Thailand, Dubai, etc. in order to strategically implement forward thinking policies and uplift the family entertainment sector through the easing of taxation for luxury brands, development of locations and provision of int'l entertainment venues, more..

Jun 5 (FT) Sri Lanka on Thursday formally called on the US House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) not to proceed with H. RES. 413 on SL moved by Congresswoman Deborah Ross (Democrat/North Carolina) on 18 May. In a letter addressed to HFAC Chair Representative Gregory Meeks (Democrat/New York) and Ranking Member Representative Michael McCaul (Republican/Texas), SL’s Ambassador to US Ravinatha Aryasinha more..

Jun 5 (CT) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) appointed Brett Harrop as the Lead Physiotherapist of the National Team. His appointment for a two-year period came into effect from 21 May 2021. Before joining SLC, Brett has been working as the Sports Physiotherapist for New Zealand Cricket. He has also worked as the High-Performance Rehabilitation Manager of the Bangladesh Cricket Board. Brett, a former Australian First-Class Cricketer, has worked as Head Physiotherapist of Kings XI Punjab, more..

Jun 5 (Island) High jumper Ushan Thivanka will skip the weekend’s competition in US due to health concerns but will continue his fight to earn qualifying standards for Tokyo Olympics. He was ready to take a long costly trip to Washington to obtain visas for the crucial championship in Kazakhstan where he will get a final opportunity to strive for the Olympic berth. The US based high jumper said that he would skip the weekend’s competition in the US after his doctor advised against competing. more..

Jun 5 (CT) Marine experts say investigations into shipwrecks are a long process and the insurance claim from the Xpress Feeders would take years to complete. Even Feeders of the wrecked ship are waiting until the ship sinks completely so that the investigation could begin and the pumping out the vessel’s fuel can take place, if it is intact. According to information, even the last year’s MV Blue Diamond more..

Jun 5 (DM) According to the education policies of the present govt, it is to increase the number of students who study science for Advanced Level (A/L) from 35% to 60% and expect to reduce the number of students in the arts section to 25%, Education Ministry Secretary Prof. Kapila Perera said. He said the joint project was planned to experiment at the Wijeyarama Vidyalaya and Devi Balika Vidyalaya in Nugegoda, will now be cancelled and converted to English medium schools. more..

Jun 5 (TM) Recycled mobile numbers pose a possible risk in terms of two-factor authentication (2FA) in SL, warns cybersecurity consultants. Information Technology Society SL (ITSSL) Chairman Rajeev Yasiru Mathew said using alternative options to text messages for 2FA ensures potential cybersecurity. He said sending a text message or SMS (short message service) does not provide adequate safety for the user, even though enabling 2FA is a safer decision when more..

Jun 5 (CT) The Selendiva Investment Company will not sell any lands to foreign countries, Ministry of Urban Development and Housing stated. Ministry added that old, dilapidated buildings in Colombo will be developed under PM Rajapaksa. Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing Prof. M.M.S.B. Yalegama said that the Selendiva Investment Company is entirely liable for an audit by the AG. more..

Jun 5 (SLN) The separator tanks containing furnace oil at the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery managed by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, have overflowed with the ingress of rain water following heavy downpour. Responding to this eventuality, the Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard leaped into action this evening (4) to skim the furnace oil exposed to the external environment and to prevent further spread of it. The Heiyanthuduwa area in Sapugaskanda has been flooded due to heavy rains in existence more..

Jun 5 (DM) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is unaware of a Chinese national flag being hoisted at a building in Jaffna. The Chinese flag had been seen hoisted at the office of a Chinese construction company in Jaffna. Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Daily Mirror that the incident has not been reported to the Foreign Ministry as yet. He said that under normal circumstances, foreign companies do not display their nation flags at their premises. more..

Jun 5 (CT) It would take at least another two to three months to control the present COVID-19 wave, Deputy Director General (Disaster Management and Preparedness), Dr. Hemantha Herath said. He said the COVID-19 cluster that emerged following the April New Year season would last at least till the months of Aug or Sept, before it begins to decline. Explaining, he said the COVID-19 cluster that had erupted in October last year had more..

Jun 5 (EN) The UK has placed SL on a Coronavirus red list from June 08, barring travellers who had been in the country during the past 14 days except for citizens and residents. SL is now on the amber list, and from 4 am, June 08 will be under red. “Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against all but essential travel to SL, based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks,” the UK govt website said. “From 4 am on 8 June SL will move to the red list for entering England. more..