May 31 (Island) Chemicals found in nail polish, rat poison, battery acid, car exhaust fumes, paints, rubber cement and gasoline are just a handful of what you will find in a single cigarette. A lighted cigarette create more than 7,000 chemicals and nearly 70 of them are known to cause cancer; and many are toxic. While many of these chemicals found in consumer products carry warning package labels (eg. rat poison), there is no such warning about toxins in tobacco smoke, points out more..

May 31 (FT) The Central Bank has once again tweaked the rules on repatriation of export proceeds with new directives issued via an Extraordinary Gazette effective last Friday (28 May). The Extraordinary Gazette bearing the number 2229/9 contains fresh Rules under Repatriation of Export Proceeds into Sri Lanka Rules No. 4 of 2021. It contains amendments to previous issued rules No.1 of 2021 in Feb, rules No.2 of 2021 more..

May 31 (HT) Former Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal reckons Indian cricket is so well equipped that they can field three international teams at the same time and each of them will be tough to beat. Highly impressed with India's strong bench strength, former Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal reckons Indian cricket is so well equipped that they can field three int'l teams at the same time, each of them being tough to beat. Indian team will be playing 6 Tests in England more..

May 31 (DM) The Covid-19 pandemic has turned the world upside down. Everything and everyone has been impacted, how we live and interact with each other, how we work and communicate, how we move around and travel. Every aspect of our lives has been affected. The world is more or less in lockdown, schools are closed, many businesses are shuttered, travel has been curbed, millions have lost their livelihoods and many have lost a loved one, friend or a neighbour. more..

May 31 (Island) Commissioner General of Labour Prabath Chandrakeerthi strongly denied allegations made by the Free Trade Zone and General Workers’ Union regarding the spread of COVID-19 in factories. In a statement, the Commissioner General of Labour said the Department of Labour paid continuous attention to the problems of not only the employees of the garment factories but all employees of more..

May 31 (ST) Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) conducted its Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday from 9.30am via Zoom technology with representatives from Asian Rugby (AR) joining in as observers. The existing office-bearers, headed by SLR President Rizly Illyas will continue to operate for another year as sports activities were minimal throughout the country and even worldwide due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “This is the first instance that the SLR AGM was held via Zoom technology more..

May 31 (SLN) By virtue of special patrols being conducted to prevent people from entering SL waters by illegal means, Navy was able to prevent 40 individuals aboard 4 Indian fishing vessels, from their attempt to enter into SL waters on 29th May. SL Navy has stepped up security in the island’s waters by increasing 24-hour patrols, as there is a risk of the surge in the transmission of COVID 19 pandemic in the country due to attempts made by foreigners to arrive into the island via sea routes. more..

May 31 (ST) With plans to reopen the airport on June 1 the government’s main objective in doing so is to ensure the repatriation programme continues. Minister Prasanna Ranatunga told the Business Times on Wednesday that the main objective of reopening the airport is to ensure that repatriation of Sri Lankans overseas could continue. The closure of the airport was also since most of the hotels were running high occupancies (from returnees) but now there is a possibility to bring them down, more..

May 31 (Island) Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage again vowed to eliminate the rice mafia of the country. The govt would strive to get it under its grip during the forthcoming season, he said in Kandy on Saturday (29). Speaking to the media, Minister Aluthgamage said there was no need for people to panic about shortages as govt had made all arrangements to supply rice on call from authorised retail dealers through the Cooperative Wholesale Establishments (CWE). more..

May 31 (AFP) Sri Lankan authorities Sunday said they will sue the owners of a Singapore-registered cargo carrier which has burned for 11 straight days off the island's west coast and caused some of its worst-ever marine pollution. Police said a criminal investigation was also launched into the blaze aboard the MV X-Press Pearl, which was carrying 25 tonnes of nitric acid and a huge amount of plastic raw materials. more..

May 31 (FT) Savings giant NSB has ensured continued growth momentum in the first quarter of 2021, posting impressive results. Profit before Taxes had risen sharply by 198% to Rs. 8.3 billion aided by higher net interest income and Profit after Tax has swelled by 277% to Rs. 6.7 billion. Total asset base of NSB grew by 5.8% to Rs. 1.44 trillion. In a statement, NSB said gross Income of the bank grew by 5.9% to Rs. 33 billion during the first quarter of the year from Rs. 31.2 billion recorded more..

May 31 (Island) Australia domiciled Lankan marine scientist Prof. Charitha Pattiarachchi says that the plastic and chemical pollutants released into the ocean from X-Press Pearl will last more than three generations. He said the plastic pellets now in the sea would spread around the coast up to Trincomalee and could reach even India and the Maldives. Prof Pattiarachchi said that the pollutants would spread to lagoons and river estuaries too and mix with the sands on beaches; more..

May 31 (AD) Former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe says that SL’s health sector has reached its tipping point and the only way to protect them is by adopting a common set of principles accepted by all. He urged the govt not to use the vaccination program as an opportunity for middlemen to make money. Stating that SL will need nearly 35 million vaccines if to vaccinate kids over 12 years as per WHO recommendations, more..

May 31 (AD) Thirty-four persons have been injured in a bus accident on the Ratnapura-Kalawana road this morning (30). Reportedly, a bus transporting employees of a tea factory had toppled after it veered off the road near the 13th Mile Post area on the Ratnapura-Kalawana road. The individuals injured in the accident have been admitted to the Ratnapura Hospital. However, their conditions are not critical. Police investigations into the incident are currently underway. more..

May 31 (FT) Epidemiology Unit states that 21,989 persons were vaccinated on Saturday, of which 21,477 received the first dose of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine and 512 persons received the second dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The first dose of Sinopharm has been administered to 601,508 persons and 2,435 persons have received the second dose as well. The first dose of AstraZeneca has been administered to 925,242 persons & 343,805 persons have received more..

May 31 (FT) A total of 5,741 persons tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend, including 2,859 persons yesterday, bringing the country’s total COVID-19 detections to 183,452. Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, Prisons and New Year clusters have expanded to 176,889, with health authorities stating that 2,849 of the COVID-19 patients detected yesterday are linked to the New Year cluster. 36 COVID related deaths more..

May 31 (DM) Renowned SL artist Laki Senanayake passed away this evening at the age of 84. He was well known for his art creations and was the designer of Diyabubula the Barberyn Art and Jungle Hideaway, a boutique hotel consisting of five villas, located near the town of Dambulla. Senanayake created many sculptures and murals for Geoffrey Bawa’s buildings. His work includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, architecture, landscape gardening, silk screen printing, batik, more..

May 31 (CT) The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has issued guidelines to agencies, including the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), on handling mixed hazardous waste from the MV XPress Pearl fire. The guidelines directed that beaches and sites polluted by debris and chemicals should be identified and designated as hazardous areas and that field experts should be sent to collect and handle the toxic waste, as well as utilise adequate safety equipment & methods. more..

May 31 (TM) The number of PCR tests conducted last week, specifically from 24 May onwards, to determine whether an individual is infected with the Covid-19 virus, stayed below the 21,000 mark, with the exception of yesterday, which is a notable decrease from the rate of testing during the first three weeks of May. According to the Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) Covid-19 Dashboard, the number of PCR tests conducted from 30 Apr more..

May 31 (CT) Nurses will stage a sick note campaign today, making several demands, including obtaining the COVID-19 vaccine for the nursing staff, General Secretary of the All Ceylon Nurses’ Union (ACNU), H.M.S.B. Mediwatta said. He lamented there were nurses and members of the health staff who had not even been given the first dose of the vaccine against the viral infection, but the Govt had the ability to administer it to certain political henchmen and their cronies and even the families of doctors. more..

May 31 (AD) On Sunday that 36 more deaths in SL have been attributed to the novel coronavirus infection. The latest fatalities have moved the country’s death toll to 1,441. Seven of the deaths took place on May 30 and the remaining victims have succumbed to the virus infection between the period of May 2 – May 29. Reportedly, 33 of them were over the age of 60. The deceased were identified as residents of Hatton, Kaduruwela, Galle, Horana, Mathugama, Galagedara, Kalutara, more..

May 31 (FT) SJB MP S.M. Marikkar yesterday alleged that the extra cost the Govt would incur by buying Sinopharm vaccines at a higher price than Bangladesh was greater than the amount involved in the much-maligned Treasury bond scam. He said that Govt had agreed to purchase 14 million doses of Chinese Sinopharm vaccine at $ 15 each, with the exercise to cost $ 210 million or Rs. 42 billion. more..

May 31 (Island) JVP said that the Covid vaccination drive was doomed to fail owing to the govt’s inefficiency and political interference. JVP MP Vijitha Herath said that the govt had not made timely decisions to launch the vaccine rollout. “There is a vaccination crisis. The govt could not place orders in time for the vaccines. Even countries much poorer than SL have done better. Morocco obtained its stock by Jan 21. Myanmar had purchased 3.7 million vaccines, B'esh purchased 7 mil vaccines. more..

May 31 (AD) A special discussion, chaired by Attorney General Sanjaya Rajaratnam was held this morning (30) on the next steps to be taken with regard to the fire-ravaged container ship X-Press Pearl. Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenna and Chairman of the MEPA Darshani Lahandapura were also present at the discussion. During the discussion, Navy Commander Ulugetenna said that currently there is no risk of the ship sinking or leaking oil. more..

May 31 (EN) SL has officially informed a state enterprise of China that reclaimed Colombo Port City to adhere to language policy of the country following controversy over a name board, though it was not a matter for concern Minister G L Peiris said. “We have officially informed them,” he said. “That is not a matter which is cause for concern. That has been corrected. “That has been brought to the notice of the relevant people more..

May 31 (FT) Two events that took place in SL within a space of about 24 months have presented two contrasting results. One was the rejection by Sri Lanka’s Govt of the Millennium Challenge Corporation or MCC Grant offered by the US on the ground that it interfered with the sovereignty of the country. The other is the acceptance of the Colombo Port City Development Project being implemented under the leadership of China, also charged by the critics as a betrayal of SL’s sovereignty. more..

May 31 (DM) The govt should explain as to why it is paying an extra $70 million (Rs.14,140 million) for the 14 million doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines purchased from China, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said yesterday. Making a special statement, Mr. Premadasa said the govet should disclose as to what had become of the extra funds which it has spent for the vaccines. “Sri Lankan govt has paid $15 per Sinopharm vaccine, but Bangladesh has paid only $10 for it. more..

May 31 (FT) We have just witnessed a different Vesak with no dansals and more devotion. Despite the continuing lockdown, it was an illuminating sign of hope in the backdrop of despair and darkness due to the continuing contagion of COVID-19. Amidst the fear and sadness of a ravaging third wave, the need to show the true unity required is slowly coming to the forefront. Sri Lankans have begun to show their serenity, synergy and solidarity, in combatting a cruel phase of COVID-19. more..

May 31 (DN) Former Colombo Municipal Councillor Mohammed Zarook passed away in Maligwatte on May 30. He was admitted to Lanka Hospitals for a heart ailment. He had tested positive for COVID while under treatment. Later, he died at the hospital. His remains were taken for burial in Oddamawady in the Eastern Province. Mohammed Shafie Mohammed Zarook ,87, was a member of the Colombo Municipal Council for 12 years representing the LSSP in the 60s. more..

May 31 (Island) Some private hospitals were giving false positive PCR test reports to trick people into buying quarantine and treatment packages, President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS), Ravi Kumudesh alleged. He said that certain labs had stopped cooperating with the Ministry of Health by not providing details of those who tested positive from PCR tests. “Recently we heard that a lab, attached to a pvt hospital more..

May 31 (FT) Emphasising they are the forgotten stakeholders of the tourism industry, restaurants and bars are seeking urgent relief as the COVID-19 pandemic and resultant travel restrictions have seriously impacted their businesses. The Colombo City Restaurateurs Collective (CCRC) on behalf of its 56-strong membership said the industry was severely impacted by the three waves of the pandemic which followed soon after the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attack. more..

May 31 (DM) As there were 2,859 COVID positive cases reported yesterday, the Colombo District recorded the highest with 608, the NOCPCO said. Gampaha stood next with the second-highest of 547, while Kalutara with 447 and Kandy with 108 cases. Galle and Kegalle recorded 143 and 136 positive cases respectively, the NOCPCO said. The NOCPCO said the people who are under home quarantine were included in yesterday's total cases. They said no cases were reported more..

May 31 (AD) Event organizer Chandimal Jayasinghe and model Piumi Hansamali have been arrested by the Fort Police over the violation of quarantine regulations. The duo had reportedly organized a birthday party at a 5-star hotel in Colombo last night. Around 25-30 people have attended the party and 12 of the attendees have been identified so far. CCTV footage will be used to identify the remaining attendees. more..

May 31 (FT) Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs, and Technology Executives, has accepted Potenza SL CEO Dhanusha Muthukumarana as a member. Dhanusha is also the Potenza APAC Singapore MD and CEO, Director/Chief Technology Officer of BGC Potenza Australia, and Director of Kasper Global. Dhanusha was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his experience. more..

May 31 (CT) Private bus operators are demanding a 50 per cent subsidy on diesel, once the current lockdown is lifted on 7 June. “We will consider operating buses at 50% capacity, if the Govt grants a diesel subsidy. Only a limited number of buses are currently operational for essential services. As the pandemic is still going on we expect the Government to consider our request, to protect the public and prevent the spread of the virus,” said LPBOA Chairman Gamunu Wijeratne. more..

May 31 (AD) Working Committee of the UNP has decided to appoint party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to the UNP’s National List seat in parliament. Chairman of the UNP Vajira Abeywardena stated that the Working Committee unanimously decided to appoint the former PM to the party’s sole National List MP seat. He said that the Working Committee meetings were held with the permission of the Divisional Secretary more..

May 31 (EN) Sri Lanka has suspended passengers from Vietnam with immediate effect as of May 31 after the country found a new COVID-19 variant with characteristics of the highly transmissible Indian and UK strains, a top airport official said. “Passengers with a travel history to Vietnam (including transit) in the past 14-days will not be permitted to disembark in SL with immediate effect,” Shehan Sumanasekara, Chief Director-Operations, Airport and Aviation Services (SL) said. more..

May 31 (DM) Former Chairman of National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol, Dr Palitha Abeykoon, who is also International Pubilc Health Expert, and WHO Director-General Special Envoy for COVID-19 Preparedness and Resonse for SEAR, has won the South-East Asia Region WHO World No Tobacco Day 2021 award. SL was one of the first countries in the world to ratify the Framework Convention on Tobacco Contro (FCTC). Sri Lanka was also one of the first countries in the region to adopt more..