Mar 12 (DM) Coronavirus has no relevance to the general election as preventing the further spread of the disease is the most important matter rather than talking of postponing the polls, SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa said. He said one must only focus on humanitarian work to prevent the spread of disease and to minimize the effect it has on the economy. “Talking of postponing election is not relevant as what has to be more..

Mar 12 (DM) Two important events took centre-stage this week, one being that of the warrants issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake for the arrest of former finance minister Ravi Karunanayake and nine others -- Central Bank’s former governor Arjuna Mahendran, Perpetual Treasures Ltd (PTL) owner Arjun Aloysius, its chief executive officer Kasun Palisena, chairman Geoffrey Aloysius and directors Chithra Ranjan Hulugalle, Muththurajah Surendran and Ajahn Gardiye Punchihewa, more..

Mar 12 (DM) Does withdrawing from Resolution 30/1 demonstrate a rejection of human rights and accountability? Does it indicate total disregard for the UN, UNHRC, UN-member states and the international community? Not necessarily. It’s not as though the entities referred to above are error-free, without bias and impervious to machination, from within and without. Countries err, multilateral bodies err too. It can be cogently argued that Sri Lanka erred in 2015 regarding Resolution 30/1. more..

Mar 12 (DM) Slain journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge’s daughter Ahimsa Wickrematunge has been fighting a lone battle to seek justice over her father’s death, a battle which seems to be heading to a dead end. However Ahimsa Wickrematunge insists that she will continue her fight despite the many obstacles in her way. Ahimsa Wickrematunge also defended her uncle, Lal Wickrematunge who has been accused of more..

Mar 12 (EN) CAA has been instructed probe a racket to push up domestic maize prices just as the harvests are due to come to the market, the Prez’s office said. Sri Lanka blocks imports of maize through tight licensing and import duties allowing an oligopoly of maize collectors and farmers to push prices up, critics have charged. In many countries, high yield maize has made poultry a cheap source of protein for the less affluent. more..

Mar 12 (DM) 20-year old undergraduate Pasindu Hirushan’s life is in limbo. Like every child studying for the A/L Exam, this boy from St. Peter’s College Udugampola made the grade in collegiate education. However, the brutal ragging culture present in uni changed the course of his life onto a bumpy road. We refer to the university as a place where academics are nurtured and our future leaders are moulded. more..

Mar 12 (EN) PM Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Bishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith have met and discussed the current status of the investigation into the Easter Sunday attacks. Ranjith last week launched an attack on the current commission of inquiry saying that no progress has been made to punish those who were responsible for security lapses that led to the attacks on churches and hotels killing 260 people more..

Mar 12 (AD) The writ application filed by the interdicted High Court Judge Gihan Pilapitiya seeking an interim injunction order preventing his arrest has been fixed for consideration on May 04. It was taken up before President of Appeals Court, Justice A.H.M.D. Nawaz and Justice Sobhitha Rajakaruna today. President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva, who appeared on behalf of Pilapitiya, requested judge bench to extend the ruling more..

Mar 12 (AD) Defence Ministry says that it has taken all necessary precautions, together with the Health Ministry, to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) to protect Sri Lankans, who are arriving from virus-hit countries, as well as the entirety of the country’s population. Following the directives of Prez two centres in Punani and Kandakadu have been declared as quarantine centres that function under SL Army to keep more..

Mar 12 (AD) Legal action will be taken against individuals who spread false information regarding the novel coronavirus, stated the Police Headquarters. False rumors that people from many areas of the country have been infected with the coronavirus are currently circulated on social media. However, there is only one individual who has been confirmed to have contracted the virus and he is receiving medical treatment at IDH more..

Mar 12 (AD) The first term holidays of all schools will commence from tomorrow (13), stated Minister Dullas Alahapperuma. The decision to move the term holiday forward has been taken as a measure to prevent parents of students from panicking over the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), stated the Minister at a press conference currently underway. Accordingly, all schools in the island will be closed off until 20th of April. more..

Mar 12 (DM) The govt would pass the benefit of fuel price reduction in the global market to the consumer in the next few days after deciding the way it should be done, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today. “Yes, there is a considerable fuel price reduction in the global market. We would for sure pass the benefit to the consumer in a few days but we have not decided on the way it should be done. more..

Mar 12 (AD) A second person in Sri Lanka has tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of presumptive coronavirus cases in the country to two. The Govt Information Department stated that another individual who had reportedly stayed with the first Sri Lankan patient diagnosed with the virus, who is currently admitted at IDH Hospital, has also now tested positive for coronavirus. more..

Mar 13 (CT) Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief of UNHRC, presented a report[1] to the Human Rights Council on Feb 24, based on his visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of the Govt of SL from 15 to 26 August 2019. The Report was a detailed one comprising of 18 pages. Govt of SL responded[2] briefly to the Report on March 2, 2020. In addition to that Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of SL, Dr. Deepika Udagama also responded[3] more..

Mar 13 (CT) In 430 BC, an entire chapter of the Peloponnesian war documented by the Greek historian, Thucydides was about a deadly epidemic. According to him, while Athenians prepared for war with Sparta, its course changed dramatically due to a plague. First, Athenians believed it was the work of Spartans who have poisoned their waters, but eventually understood it was a plague. Over the course of history, epidemics have wiped out villages, populations; devastated/transformed empires. more..

Mar 13 (CT) SJB General Secretary and former Moneragala District MP, Ranjith Maddumabandara, says the UNP did not split at the Prez Election. "Still, the Party has not broken. Already, a large group is with us. We will get the support of the minority also in the future," he said. Q: Is the SJB united? A: We hope to build unity. Q: While you try to make peace, a General Election is nearing. When will you be united? more..

Mar 13 (DM) Kalpitiya Peninsula in the Puttalam District is a beautiful stretch of land and rich natural resource. Territorially, it is 40km in length and there are nearly 18,000 families living in the peninsula whose livelihood is fisheries or agriculture. Having the sea on one side and lagoon on the other, Kalpitiya Peninsula is one of the main contributors to the local fisheries industry. The crabs and prawns for which Kalpitiya lagoon is known & its contribution to the export market are indeed significant. more..

Mar 13 (DM) A most informative message on my phone started me thinking of how different our country could be if we took examples from some of the other countries in the world, who have made their mark in world history!!! Apparently, the difference between poor and rich nations does not lie in the age of the nation and is ably demonstrated by countries like India and Egypt, which are more than 2000 years old and are still poor countries!!! Conversely, Canada, Australia and NZ which more..

Mar 13 (CT) Uber, the sixth largest internet company in the world by revenue, came under severe criticism in SL in the past few months, following several incidents where passengers were harassed and assaulted by drivers. Passengers were extremely disappointed when they found Uber being slow to respond to critical incidents concerning life and death. Alleging that Uber does not maintain accountability, many passengers shared their more..

Mar 13 (Island) Chaminda Pusswedilla and other hilarious characters in Arsikland will agree with bewildered Cassandra that this lovely Isle of ours, a land like no other and all that, is in a pol mess. You know the playwright and director of the dramas and musicals of that confused land – Feroze Kamardeen - got his players in March 2020 to get polfied, all interested in polgedi and polgas in advertisements and Chaminda Pusswedilla - now boss, and Trymeepala Maruwedilla and Wickrema more..

Mar 13 (CT) Spoofs happen in every trade, and every profession. Politics is no exception. So, looking at the funny side of unexpected events, or genuine mistakes is what I propose here. I was once asked by a young entrepreneur, whom I greatly liked, to come and speak a few words on behalf of his father, who intended to contest LG Election from Medirigiriya. Now, I had never met the father, but was convinced; that the apple cannot fall far from the tree; and so judged the tree by the apple. more..

Mar 13 (CT) Even as both Govts are still celebrating the recent India visit of US President Donald Trump, and for right reasons so, the respective strategic communities have been left speculating on the real benefits that could accrue over the medium and long term in due course of time. One thing that has become very clear is that both Nations have learnt to treat their strategic and economic relations independent of each other, and it should be a matter of relief for both their policy-makers. more..

Mar 13 (Island) Rumour mill has gone into overdrive following the detection of the first local COVID-19 patient here. Some social media outfits, specialising in panic mongering, are making various false claims to have the public believe that apocalypse is just around the corner. Some of them are apparently trying to paint a bleaker picture of the situation here than the one in China or Italy. The dissemination of fake news is aimed at causing mass hysteria, which is not uncommon in this country. more..

Mar 13 (CT) When an early Prez Election was announced in late 2014, there had been an emerging general consensus for a regime change. A single demand campaign to abolish the Executive Presidency, a core feature of the 1978 Constitution, was gaining strength. The late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera took the leadership of the non-party political movement for democratic governance. Abolition of Exec. Presidency, more..

Mar 13 (Island) In his monumental three-volume work Capital, Karl Marx quoted economist T.J. Dunning: "Capital eschews no profit, or very small profit, just as Nature was formerly said to abhor a vacuum. With adequate profit, capital is very bold. A certain 10 percent will ensure its employment anywhere; 20% certain will produce eagerness; 50%, positive audacity; 100% will make it ready to trample on all human laws; 300%, and there is not a crime at which it will scruple, nor a risk more..

Mar 13 (DN) Batting excellence and catching blunders were the highlights at stumps, on the opening day of the 141st Battle of the Blues cricket encounter, between S. Thomas’ College and Royal College that got underway at the SSC grounds yesterday. In worthy batting performances, a heartbroken Shalin de Mel (85) missed out on a well-deserved hundred, while another hope for the Thomians Ryan Fernando squandered the big stage on compensating personally & for the team. more..

Mar 13 (CI) England's Test tour against Sri Lanka is currently planned to continue in spite of the growing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, but their home Test series against West Indies in June, as well as the T20 Blast, is under threat, with both events scheduled for a period that the UK govt has identified as the likely peak of the virus in the country. PM Boris Johnson confirmed at a press conference on Thursday afternoon more..

Mar 13 (CI) Zak Crawley breezed his way to a fourth first-class hundred, before Joe Root and Ollie Pope finished the day in sight of their own tons as England started their four-day warm-up in brisk and impressive fashion. While the batting had also been good in the first three-day practice game, these runs came against an arguably better attack, featuring the in-form seam-bowling of Asitha Fernando, as well as the capable left-arm spin of Prabath Jayasuriya. The surface at the P Sara more..

Mar 13 (FT) Keeping in line with the Govt’s decision to close all schools, Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs yesterday requested all Islamic religious education institutes to close their respective institutions with immediate effect until further notice. “I hereby kindly request management committees of all Islamic religious education institutes to close their respective institution with immediate effect until further notice,” Dept of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs Director said. more..

Mar 13 (CI) The last time England rocked up on Sri Lankan shores, in late 2018, they had a settled side that had been together for the better part of four years, and were just months away from winning their first-ever World Cup title. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, couldn't buy a win, and a number of those who played in that series would find themselves out of the eventual travelling squad for the World Cup. more..

Mar 13 (FT) An awareness program on COVID-19 is now underway for the staff members of ministries, departments and corporations, the President’s Media Unit said in a statement yesterday. The first in the series was held at the Presidential Secretariat on Thursday. Dr. Deshantha Dissanayake enlightened the staff on symptoms, prevention and precautionary measures relating to COVID-19. Accordingly, this will continue at both State and private sector entities. The staff members are expected to share more..

Mar 13 (DM) Gyms have been identified as high risk locations for catching coronavirus due to sweat and dampness heightening the spread of germs, Sky News reported. Public Health England has not yet offered advice to gym-goers, however medical experts are voicing their concerns over the potential hazard of sharing workout spaces and equipment as the coronavirus outbreak escalates. Immunologist Dr Jenna Macciochi said: "I think people should be extra vigilant in any area where more..

Mar 13 (DM) By the third day since the initiation of COVID-19 quarantine process at the airport, a total of 1,131 passengers who arrived in the country from Iran, Italy and South Korea had been sent for quarantine at Batticaloa Campus, Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Polonnaruwa and the Leprosy Hospital Hendala, AASL Director Shehan Sumanasekara said. Following initiation of the process, more..

Mar 13 (DN) The much awaited and long overdue BIA phase two development project will finally commence in three months and will be completed in 3 years Airport said Aviation Services Ltd, (AASL) Chairman G.A. Chandrasiri said. The project will be built by Taisei Corporation of Japan and will consist of the construction of new multilevel terminal building, Pier no 2 and Pier no 3 with a link concourse, new parking apron & taxiways, elevated access roads, multistory car park more..

Mar 13 (DN) Colombo Stock Exchange suffered a 5% drop yesterday, similar to Tuesday, triggering circuit breakers that halted trading, giving time for investors to digest the sharp drop and prevent a further rout. CSE which commenced for regular trading after the cool off period of 30 minutes recovered slightly to end the day on a 4.66% drop from previous close. ASPI closed on 5,019.55 points dipping 3.55% from its previous close. A Rs.514 mil turnover was recorded at CSE yesterday. more..

Mar 13 (PMD) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa requested the heads of research organizations to find ways and means to uplift a small country like Sri Lanka with a comparatively small population and an economy. Since the current global economy is based on knowledge, ours should be developed centered around our workforce that can be easily trained, President observed. Prez made these observations during a meeting held at more..

Mar 13 (Island) An association, called Anti-ragging Independent Collective, formed by a group of undergraduates, yesterday, (12) said it would campaign against those responsible for perpetrating violence against fellow students. Addressing the media, the group’s convener Navin Sithara Premaratne alleged that the Independent University Students’ Federation continued the despicable practice of inhuman ragging to further its political interests. more..

Mar 13 (EN) Profits and capital of Sri Lanka’s Finance and Leasing Companies (FLCs) would be dented when tighter rules on bad loan provisions come into effect from 2021, Fitch, a rating agency says. FLCs should recognize non-performing loans (NPLs) in arrears for over 120 days from April 01, 2021 compared to the current 180 days and over 90 days from April 01, 2022. Bad loans are now 10.6% of FLC assets and are much higher at 90-day level, the rating agency said. more..

Mar 13 (EN) Sri Lanka has banned all travel from Italy, Iran and South Korea for two weeks starting from Saturday March 14 to 28 in a measure to curb the spread of coronavirus infection as the country reported its second case yesterday. “As the numbers of the confirmed cases continue to rise in these 3 countries, it is a prompt decision taken by Sri Lanka and the authorities concerned to stop the virus entering the country,” more..