May 26 (TM) As we battle a raging pandemic, we are constantly reminded of the importance of healthcare workers. Their commitment in caring for the sick and battling it out in the frontlines, enduring many obstacles and hardships, has definitely been commendable. Among these healthcare workers, an important role is played by nursing officers, a group of professionals whose importance and autonomy is gradually increasing, and rightly so. They have been manning the frontlines shoulder to shoulder more..

May 26 (DN) This young man, given to austerities in life, was called Sumedha. Simply an unknown entity, yet his attempt to achieve the highest spiritual realm was unwavering and unshaken. Such resolute thinkers have been few to none. Sumedha’s tale takes us to the times of yore, past several Buddhas, But then this was a time when the world was blessed by a Buddha who bore a different name: Dipankara. The young man, Sumedha, was intrigued to hear of Dipankara Buddha’s arrival at more..

May 26 (DN) This marks the second year that Buddhists around the world will celebrate Vesak, a holiday commemorating the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and final passing into parinirvana, under the confines of pandemic life. Similar to Vesak 2020, many countries and Buddhist temples have opted for scaled-down or online versions of the traditional events, which include prayer, chanting, the lighting of candles and paper lanterns, and the offering of gifts. more..

May 26 (ST) When govts, politicians and officials at home or diplomats commit faux pas they bury their heads in the sand to avoid answering legitimate questions. They seek refuge by blaming the media to escape embarrassment. How often have we heard the guilty say they have been misquoted or their remarks misinterpreted. The latest escape route is to blame most things on fake news, a ruse made popular by that recently ousted white supremacist US Prez Donald Trump more..

May 26 (CT) Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill was passed by Parliament on May 20 with amendments proposed by the SC to keep it within the framework of the SL Constitution. Given the fact that the Commission has to function under the overall supervision and overarching authority of SL’s regulatory institutions and constitutional bodies, the question as to whether this will help or hinder Commission’s bid to more..

May 26 (Island) SL’s sports scene is similar to a hatchling stepping into the world. Like the newborn learning to cope with new territory, Sri Lanka’s sportsmen and women have to carefully tread wherever they go due to the pandemic that’s raging. Compared to other sports our rugby players have done little to get their training off the ground during this challenging environment. For their ill luck the inter-club rugby sevens tournament became a nonstarter because Sri Lanka Air Force more..

May 26 (FT) The Hambantota International Port (HIP) will partner Intertek Lanka Ltd. to establish a state-of-the-art petroleum testing laboratory which will be unique to Sri Lanka. Through this facility, Intertek will provide innovative and bespoke assurance, testing, inspection and certification services. HIPG CEO Johnson Liu says, “HIPG has great potential in energy services due to its location in the Indian Ocean rim, where 50% of the world’s maritime oil is traded. more..

May 26 (Island) A Ukrainian national Gennardily Gavrylov is among eight persons acquitted by the Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar in a high profile case filed against them over operation of a floating armoury (MV Avant Garde) chartered by Avant Garde Maritime Services (AGMS). The vessel belonging to SL Shipping Company Ltd has been chartered in terms of an agreement between AGMS and more..

May 26 (FT) NMSJ Chairman Karu Jayasuriya has made a special request from three European countries to provide some of the surplus COVID-19 vaccines available in their countries on behalf of the SL people. Jayasuriya has made the request on behalf of the country and its people from Switzerland, France and Germany and the Ambassadors who are representing those countries have informed that special attention of their countries have been paid to this request. more..

May 26 (FT) State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal issued a statement dismissing allegations that his support to Port City is connected to his son being employed by the project company CHEC Port City Ltd. Following is the statement. Since of late, there has been a massive mud-slinging effort against me and my family carried out in an organised manner by a group of persons. At present, that group is claiming that my son Chatura Cabraal is employed by the Company which is carrying out more..

May 26 (DN) The Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) and the Ministry of Sports signed an agreement for the High-Performance Training Programme at the SLTA premises in Green Path yesterday. Under this agreement the Sports Ministry will be funding partially as a part of the National Squad Training Programme. This occasion also marks the first time the SLTA is signing a long-term agreement with the Ministry of Sports for the players' development. more..

May 26 (TM) Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced yesterday that it had launched a programme to provide National Vocational Qualification (NVQ 3 Level) free of charge to trained electricians islandwide in March. This project is being carried out in collaboration with the National Vocational Training Authority and the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission. Accordingly, 2500 electricians covering all districts of Sri Lanka will be certified in the first phase. more..

May 26 (CI) On their way to the top of ICC's World Cup Super League points table, Bangladesh struck off Sri Lanka from their list of teams against whom they haven't won an ODI series. Only Australia and England remain in this list. Mushfiqur Rahim's masterly 125 got them to 246 runs on a two-paced pitch, before the bowlers packed up the visitors to 141 for 9 in a truncated 40-overs second innings to win by 103 runs more..

May 26 (Island) The crew of container carrier X-Press Pearl yesterday (25) abandoned the vessel following several explosions. Authoritative sources said that those engaged in firefighting evacuated the 25-member crew. Two of them had suffered injuries, sources said, adding that the fire was raging out of control. The injured have been admitted to the National Hospital. The fire erupted on May 19 nine nautical miles off the Colombo port. The vessel was carrying chemicals. more..

May 26 (Island) President of College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS), Ravi Kumudesh criticised the decision to allocate the remaining 12,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to family members of doctors when there were many others who should be in priority groups who were not vaccinated. Kumudesh said that Sri Lankans did not make a fuss when most of the AstraZeneca vaccine doses were allocated to the health sector because people understood the importance of more..

May 26 (FT) Govt assured that COVID-19 vaccines would be administered to all frontline workers and their immediate close contacts without any discrimination, insisting that the need to expedite the national vaccine program has been recognised as a priority. “We value the service of all frontline workers, not only doctors, nurses, public health inspectors (PHIs), attendants, but divisional secretaries, Grama Niladaris, agriculture officers, more..

May 26 (AD) SL has registered 28 more victims of COVID-19, Director-General of Health Services confirmed on Tuesday (25). The latest fatalities have moved the country’s death toll to 1,269, according to official data. Five of the deaths took place on May 25 and the remaining victims have succumbed to the virus infection between the period of May 18 – May 24. Reportedly, 11 of them have been recorded as domestic deaths. The deceased were identified as residents of Galle, Kalutara, Bulathsinhala, more..

May 26 (DM) The United States has clarified that there is no change in the terrorist threat level for Sri Lanka. The US State Department had on Monday issued an updated travel advise on Sri Lanka telling Americans not to travel to Sri Lanka. A part on terrorism was also in the advise raising fears that there was a terrorist threat to Sri Lanka. “Do not travel to Sri Lanka due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution in Sri Lanka due to terrorism,” the updated travel advise said. more..

May 26 (TM) Although authorities have decided to move the burning MV X-Press Pearl vessel away from the Colombo Harbour into the deep seas, the Sri Lanka Navy told The Morning that the ship cannot be towed until the fire is brought under control. The authorities, which includes the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), had earlier planned to tow away the ship 50 nautical miles into the deep seas in order to minimise more..

May 26 (DN) Govt Nursing Officers’ Association said their members decided to withdraw from obtaining samples for PCR testing and Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) from yesterday over several problems pertaining to their service. Association President Saman Rathnapriya writing to Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi outlined seven issues faced by the nursing staff, adding that solutions were not received to those problems despite repeated discussions with the Health authorities. more..

May 26 (FT) Govt yesterday defended the previous decision to import a limited number of vehicles for MPs, noting that the Treasury will make arrangements to revoke the letters of credit (LCs) opened via Bank of Ceylon (BOC). “We are not aware of the full details of the LCs opened. However, Treasury will be able to negotiate the matter with the relevant parties,” minister Udaya Gammanpila told journalists in response to questions raised on govt decision more..

May 26 (AD) The ministers have presented a roadmap aimed at transforming SL’s economy into a green socio-economy with sustainable solutions to climate change, to Prez Rajapaksa. Relevant plans were tabled at a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (24) with the representatives of the Presidential Task Force on Creating a Green Sri Lanka with Sustainable Solutions to Climate Change. more..

May 26 (DM) It has been forecast that in the event any oil spillage from MV E-XPRESS PEARL, is likely to waft towards the Negombo lagoon, Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) Chairperson Dharshani Lahandapura said. She said they have not spotted any oil spill from the vessel and added they were well prepared to promptly respond to possible oil spillage. "The forecast wad made by the International Tanker Owners' Pollution Federation (ITOPF), more..

May 26 (GDI) The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka donated 4,700 PCR test kits worth Rs.13 million to the Ministry of Health today (25). The Director of Indo-Pacific Development Group, Bradley Elder, handed over the donation to State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana at the Health Ministry and the State Minister Sudarshini Fernandopulle was also present at this occasion. Mr. Bradley Elder stated that the US Govt has supported Sri Lanka in tackling the spread of Covid-19 from the beginning more..

May 26 (FT) The detection of 2,706 COVID-19 positive persons yesterday brought the country’s total COVID-19 detections to 169,878. The Director General of Health Services also reported 28 COVID related deaths yesterday, which increases the total number of deaths in the country to 1,269. The patients detected yesterday include 2,706 persons linked to the New Year cluster and the Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, Prisons and more..

May 26 (CT) On the instructions of PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, all liquor stores and meat shops will be closed today and tomorrow, due to Vesak Full Moon Poya. In addition, supermarkets will also not sell alcohol and animal meats and all slaughterhouses, meat shops and liquor stores will be closed on the given days. This decision was taken by the PM in his capacity as Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious & Cultural Affairs. In line with the travel restrictions, liquor stores had been closed already, more..

May 26 (Island) The SJB said that a govt move to import vehicles for MPs hadn’t been discussed with the party. SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said so when The Island sought their stand on a govt attempt to allocate Rs 3.7 bn for purchasing through a state bank about 225 expensive vehicles described as SUVs. The Colombo District MP said that he had first got to know about the govt move through social media. PM’s Office on Monday said it had decided to withdraw a recently presented Cabinet paper more..

May 26 (FT) Govt yesterday requested all trade union heads and representatives to refrain from taking any strike action over COVID-19 vaccination issues and instead provide an efficient service. According to a statement issued by Ministry of Home Affairs Secretary, the vaccination program will target staff of Divisional Secretariats and Provincial Secretariats, development officers attached to Grama Niladhari offices, and more..

May 26 (DM) Patients have been urged to complain if they are mistreated at hospitals after being admitted while suffering from COVID19. Deputy Director-general Health Services (DDGHS), Dr. Hemantha Herath said that several hotlines have been introduced for patients to register their concerns and complaints on mistreatment. Patients who are being mistreated at hospitals designated as COVID-19 treatment centres can file their complaints via Health Concerns hotline 1999, more..

May 26 (FT) Political chemistry does not necessarily follow the logic of election statistics. Had the UNP kept together and fought together, the whole result may have been different and SL would have had a strong UNP Opposition – to say the least. The 20th Amendment would never have seen the light of day. We have had enough time to reflect with some reasonable detachment the political outcome of the break-away behaviour of Sajith Premadasa’s faction, which eventually led to the SJB more..

May 26 (FT) An old friend of mine, having served the State faithfully all his working life, upon retirement decided on a reunion with his children now domiciled in the UK. He looked forward to a long holiday, away from the intrusions, trespasses and stresses that beset those living in an unsettled society, a society said to be in transition. An avid reader, the libraries, bookshops, magazines and the newspapers of London beckoned irresistibly. He especially loved their newspapers, “intelligent, elegant writing more..

May 26 (TM) Sanjay Rajaratnam PC took his oaths as the 48th Attorney General of Sri Lanka today. He was sworn in before Prez Rajapaksa. Rajaratnam has served in the AG’s Dept for 34 years and has served as Senior State Counsel, Deputy Solicitor General, Additional Solicitor General, Senior Additional Solicitor General and Acting Solicitor General. Educated at St. Peter’s College, Colombo and Royal College, he holds a Bachelor of Laws from Queen Mary University, London. more..

May 26 (AD) Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) says, despite dropping dry chemical powder on the fire-stricken X-Press Pearl off Colombo Harbour, the fire and smoke continues to rage from the vessel. Bell 212 helicopters of the Air Force had discharged 425kg of dry chemical powder this morning to douse the violent cargo ship fire. Meanwhile, reports revealed that one of the two injured crew members rescued from more..

May 26 (DM) The police had began an investigation to identify and take action against those who had rushed to the shores of Colombo, Negombo and nearby areas to collect waste from the burning ship MV X-Press Pearl. Various kinds of waste material reached the shore, have been taken away by certain individuals. It is reported that people had gathered at the beach especially in the Pamunugama, Dungalpitiya, Negombo and Kochchikade police areas to collect them. more..

May 26 (AD) Popular actress Sureni Senarath passed away today (May 26) at the age of 61. She was under medical care at the Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama at the time of her demise. The final rites are expected to be carried out at the General Cemetery in Borella at 5.00 pm tomorrow (May 27). Senarath, who made her debut in the film Amaraneeya Adare (1995), was well-known for her performances Chandi Raja (1990), Dalulana Gini (1995), Salupata Ahasata 2 (2000), more..

May 26 (FT) “The successful growth of the LTTE came at huge cost to the Tamil people of SL. Vertically the LTTE ascended, but horizontally the SL Tamils descended. This was the unpleasant and inconvenient truth that the LTTE and acolytes often denied and did not like to hear it being said in the past” was the final paragraph of the first part of this article published last week. The intention was to draw attention to the pathetic plight of more..

May 26 (EN) Nearly 76,000 households have been affected due to power outages reported from Dambulla, Kurunegala, Kuliyapitiya, Rathnapura, Balangoda, Kegalle, Horana and Ingiriya. Speaking to NewsRadio, Media Director of the Ministry of Power Sulakshana Jayawardena said power outages were reported from last evening due to heavy rains and gusty winds. He noted supply lines have been damaged in several areas. Workers have been deployed to restore the lines more..