Mar 30 (Island) Former Sri Lanka captain Roshan Mahanama and former fast bowling great Chaminda Vaas have appealed to the cricket lovers to come forward to help the daily wage earner who have lost their livelihood due to the ongoing lock-down. The initiative to help the daily wage earners was started by Dr. Krishan Thalagahage and team. Vaas and Mahanama urge the public to donate essentials such as rice, noodles, dhal, salmon, dry fish, sprats, sugar, chilies, curry powder and biscuits. more..

Mar 30 (ST) Like most athletes around the world, SL’s US-based star Hiruni Wijayaratne has welcomed the decision to postpone the Tokyo Olympics by one year because of the coronavirus pandemic. She joined 23-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps who noted his support for the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday night. “I was shocked that they hadn’t cancelled before this,” Phelps told NBC. more..

Mar 30 (Island) The first Covid-19 death has been reported, and new cases continue to be detected in SL. The ongoing stringent measures to prevent the spread of the disease must continue if a catastrophic situation is to be averted. Even the developed countries are struggling to manage the Covid-19 crisis. The New York Times reported, on Friday, that Covid-19 patients had to share ventilators in some New York hospitals. What we are faced with is an unprecedented health emergency, more..

Mar 30 (ICC) International Cricket Council (ICC) has opened its comprehensive archive of match footage and programming to its broadcast partners, giving fans throughout the world the opportunity to relive some of the greatest cricketing moments of the last 45 years as they stay at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Move will enable fans around the world to watch memorable cricket matches, highlights and ICC films at a time live sport programming stands disrupted due to Corona Virus. more..

Mar 30 (FT) A number of 22 civil society organisations issued a collective statement contending that the Presidential pardon extended to convicted Army officer after his sentence was affirmed by a five-judge Bench of the Supreme Court was a lethal blow to the rule of law. On 26 March, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa granted a Presidential pardon and released convicted death row prisoner former Army Staff Sergeant Sunil Rathnayake. more..

Mar 30 (EN) Engineers of CEB have provided medical equipment to hospitals designated to treat Coronavirus patients and are collecting funds to provide supplies to hospitals. The CEBEU had handed over 1.1 million rupees medical supplies include beds for ICUs to Panadura Hospital. The union is also helping to fund the conversion of a ward in Nagoda Hospital in Kaluthara. CEBEU said it has now launched a collection to by 1,000 PPE kits for the Army Hospital. more..

Mar 30 (Island) As the national telecommunications provider, Sri Lanka Telecom, recognizing its responsibility in a time when Sri Lanka is affected by the coronavirus pandemic, has come up with a range of free unlimited data offers with the aim of making it possible for you to stay connected with your loved ones. SLT now offers free unlimited data for Messenger, WhatsApp, Viber, IMO and Telegram making it easier for you to stay closer to your friends, family & relatives in this time of need, more..

Mar 30 (CT) Covid 19 pandemic has forced National Athletes to stick to their homes for an indefinite period, which they aren't used to or haven't done so in the past and they hardly want to miss two days of practice on the trot. SL has a couple of athletes who are stuck in other countries due to the pandemic. Sprinter Yupun Abeykoon is stuck in Italy where 69,176 cases and 6,820 deaths have been reported, while Marathoner Hiruni Wijayarathne more..

Mar 30 (CT) Police have informed the Kaduwela Magistrate's Court regarding former Minister Champika Ranawaka who had held a meeting at his residence on 28 March, at a time when the Police curfew had been imposed and meetings were prohibited. As soon as the information about the said meeting at Champika's residence in Rajamalwatha Road, Battaramulla, was reported, a team of Police officers of the Thalangama Police Station and a Public Health Inspector went to Ranawaka's more..

Mar 30 (SLN) In view of the looming threat of COVID-19 pandemic, SL Navy shouldering the national responsibility has swiftly set up 2 quarantine centres at the naval establishment SLNS Buwaneka in Mulankavil, Mannar and Oluvil harbour premises on 28th March, for persons suspected of COVID-19 infection. To augment the coordinated govt efforts to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country, four buildings of SLNS Buwaneka were arranged with quarantine facilities, more..

Mar 30 (Island) Human Rights Commissioner Dr. Deepika Udagama has requested Prisons Commissioner Jayasiri Tennakoon to take measures for the protection of prisoners. Dr. Udagama has written to Tennakoon after discussing with him over the phone how to safeguard the health of prisoners during the current health epidemic. The following letter has been sent to the Chief Justice, Attorney-General and acting IGP as well as more..

Mar 30 (Island) The novel coronavirus is becoming not only a raging pandemic in Sri Lanka which demands systematic containment and eradication but is also a test that would measure problem solving, intelligence and creativity especially in resolving the untold miseries faced by the economically vulnerable sections of people across the country. The Island Financial Review yesterday spoke to several daily wage earners over the phone to find out the ground situation. more..

Mar 30 (AD) Considering the prevailing situation, training period of trainee graduates who have reported to Divisional Secretariats has been delayed until May, Ministry of Public Admin, Home Affairs, PCs and LG has announced. However, taking into account the request of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine, a decision has been taken to temporary attach these trainee graduates to Medical Officer of Health (MOH) offices for assisting the process of controlling coronavirus disease. more..

Mar 30 (EN) Isolated cases of Coronavirus cases are still turning up from various locations posing a hidden threat, and the public should be careful to maintain social distance when curfew is lifted in some areas on Monday, Army Chief Shavendra Silva said. “You can see that from time to time, infected persons are turning up from here and there,” General Silva said in a recorded video address to media. “There is a certain threat. more..

Mar 30 (DM) On March 3, 2020, coronavirus or COVID-19 made its first appearance in Sri Lanka when a foreign national tested coronavirus positive. However, despite the country’s state of unpreparedness to face what was to become a world-wide pandemic, local doctors were able to save the patient’s life and she was able to leave the country. Sadly, a few of the people whom she had interacted with, were soon found to be coronavirus positive. Our people almost and more..

Mar 30 (DM) Most of us are now forced to work from home. This is nothing new, at least to some of us, who are used to working from anywhere at any time. But the sudden COVID-19 outbreak enforced work from home regime should make us pay attention to the real dangers posed of cyber trauma. During the last fortnight, I have written, spoken and posted heavily on cyber trauma and its impact on journalism and journalists. Most of it is applicable to general online usage as well. more..

Mar 30 (AD) Three more patients have tested positive for Coronavirus bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 120, as of 8 a.m. today. Five new patients had been identified within the past 24 hours, four from Puttalam District and the other from Kalutara District. Ministry of Health stated that 117 patients suspected of contracting the virus are currently under observation at several hospitals across SL. more..

Mar 30 (DN) Special Presidential Task Force for Essential Services which met under the leadership of President and PM have approved an allowance for Samurdhi recipients as well as those with special needs. Accordingly the task force has also approved the payment of an annual Festival Advance to public servants, an interim payment of Rs. 5,000 each to the 2.3 million Samurdhi families and to pay the allowance for persons with disabilities to those who are registered but yet to receive allowance. more..

Mar 30 (EN) Central Bank said it relaxing loan loss provisions, capital enhancement deadlines and would also allow banks to draw down their capital conservation buffers amid the economic shock from Coronavirus and curfews. Monetary Board of the Central Bank has decided to introduce several extraordinary regulatory measures to provide flexibility to Licensed Commercial Banks and Licensed Specialised Banks to provide some relief to businesses and individuals affected by more..

Mar 30 (DM) Over 230 people who went into quarantine after attending the big match played between Royal College and St. Thomas' College earlier this month, ended their quarantine period safely yesterday and no one has thus far shown any symptoms of the coronavirus. Sources said that the UL First Officer, who tested positive for the virus which led to several members from the Turf Club Tent into isolation, has also fully recovered more..

Mar 30 (NR) Former Leader of JHU Venerable Omalpe Sobitha Thera has called for the introduction of an efficient programme to distribute essential food items and medicine to homes during curfew. Thera said the current programme in place was not effective. He stressed the responsibility of carrying out this effort lies with state officials. Therefore, Thera said the govt must seek to train rural officials, officials attached to various unions, volunteer groups in rural areas, social activist groups, more..

Mar 30 (AD) Australian police claim that a Sydney mother of three swindled multiple people of $29 million by allegedly convincing them she was the daughter of one of the richest men in SL. Australia media reports state that the woman, who cannot legally be named because she is facing multiple prosecutions, allegedly claimed she he was the daughter of businessman Dhammika Perera, whose net worth is about $550 million. Australian Police allege she even went to the trouble of more..

Mar 30 (AD) Another group, quarantined under the supervision of military officers from overseas, is due to return home today. Accordingly, a batch 132 quarantined persons will leave quarantine centers today, said Army Commander Lt Gen Shavendra Silva. Of them, 76 were staying at the Diyatalawa Quarantine Center while the other 56 were in the Poonani Quarantine Center. Among the individuals leaving the centers, 76 had more..

Mar 30 (NR) The family of the individual from Nattandiya, who tested positive for the coronavirus, have also confirmed to have contracted the virus. Four other family members, including a 4-month-old infant, tested positive for COVID-19 today. The individual had returned from overseas recently. The individual’s wife and three children are among those who contracted the virus. The request for persons who arrived in the island as of the 10 of March to self-isolate, if adhered, will ensure families more..

Mar 30 (DM) Easter services in the Colombo Archdiocese have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis while other dioceses including Chilaw are also likely to call off the services depending on the situation. Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith announced that Easter services including services on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and on Easter Sunday will be cancelled in Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara Districts. more..

Mar 30 (AD) Another patient who had been infected by the novel coronavirus has passed away while receiving treatment at the Negombo General Hospital. Ministry of Health stated that a 64-year-old male resident of Kochchikade, Negombo had died from the virus. The individual in question had initially been admitted to a private hospital in Negombo before being transferred to District General Hospital Negombo today more..

Mar 30 (KO) Bhutan Airlines will bring home 93 students from Sri Lanka today. The parents chattered the flight paying Nu 37,000 each. The flight is expected to land today at 4pm. Meanwhile, Drukair’s new airbus A5-JKW brought home 140 passengers –138 students, one dependent and a minor—studying in Lovely Professional University in Punjab. The Bhutanese students boarded the flight from Chandigarh on March 28. The college was closed on March 13 and since then more..

Mar 30 (CT) Prez Rajapaksa paid homage to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, on Saturday. Prez was received by Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara at the venue. Diyawadana Nilame donated Rs 10 million to the COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund. he Prez called on the Mahanayake of the Malwatta Chapter, Most Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera, and the Prez briefed on the measures taken by the Govt to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in SL. more..

Mar 30 (DN) A special meeting of the Presidential Task Force on Essential Services, empowered with the responsibility to take decisions on maintaining civilian life amid COVID 19 outbreak, was held at temple trees today. The members reviewed the progress of the ongoing efforts to maintain essential services and discussed measures that should be taken in future, the Task Force in a press communique said. more..

Mar 30 (NR) Ministry of Education says reports circulating on social media of the 2020 A/L Exam, scheduled to be conducted in August, being postponed are false. Ministry said a decision has not been reached pertaining to the Exam yet. Ministry requested public to refrain from making irresponsible claims such as these, at a time that the govt and the country is faced with the threat of the coronavirus pandemic. Education Ministry urged the public to only refer to official statements made by govt. more..

Mar 30 (NR) Ministry of Public Adm, Home Affairs, PCs & LG has decided to vest powers to ensure essential services operate to District and Divisional Secretaries due to the present situation in the country. The Ministry issuing a statement also advised to appoint a committee comprising executive grade members of respective districts and to ensure food and medicine and other essential items are sold through mobile mechanisms with the assistance of state and private businesses more..

Mar 31 (CT) This paper was first presented as a keynote speech at the 7th International Conference on Cities, Places and People organized by Faculty of Architecture, Uni of Moratuwa in Nov 14-16, 2019. With the current coronavirus outbreak and the natural catastrophe that humans are facing, I thought that this paper should be edited and shared with my readership. This paper discusses our place, performance and our innate engagement with the natural environment and also questions more..

Mar 31 (CT) At a time when the entire population of Sri Lanka and the whole world is preoccupied with finding the means to escape with minimum damage from the deadly effects of a health and economic crises, caused by Covid-19, also termed as Chinese Communist Party (CCP) virus by Epoch Times, Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa (GR) has picked this moment of despair and despondence to grant a special pardon to an army butcher Sunil Ratnayake, a former staff sergeant, who was convicted more..

Mar 31 (CT) Following statements by MP and civil society activists, the Secretary to the Treasury published the Pre-Election Budgetary Position Report last Monday. Publication of this report prior to elections is a requirement under the Fiscal Management (Responsibility) Act of 2003. While welcoming the Report's publication, it is our duty to draw the Govt's and public's attention to the worrying contents of this report, more..

Mar 31 (SO) A time of concern or even of fear is also a time for reflection and regret. This is when we encounter should have and shouldn’t have. This is when we revisit received truths and start questioning their worth and our wisdom. System failure is what’s before us and this is less evident in the onset of the calamity than in the (in)ability to cope. Science is scrambling for answers. Technology is doing its best. The socio-economic-political edifice is navel-gazing. The human species is lost. more..

Mar 31 (ST) Whew! What a week and we are only at the beginning of the biggest-ever wait-and-see that the world has experienced in modern history. The choon paan karaya was erratic with his bread and savouries’ delivery during curfew hours. Mobile bakers have been allowed to distribute items during the curfew. For the very first time, the regular under-the-margosa tree conversations were not happening, as Kussi Amma Sera, Mabel Rasthiyadu and Serapina have been in lockdown in their more..

Mar 31 (DM) At times of personal and collective tragedy, people find solace in religion; some seek divine blessings, others ponder the impermanence of the life, many others do both. Invocation of religion could be just symbolic for more earthly folks, but it could also be cathartic to some others. Now, a God-defying pandemic is redefining the relationship between religion and the masses – and the disease itself while intensive social distancing more..

Mar 31 (CT) Sri Lanka saw the first COVID-19-related death on 28 March, while the total number of COVID-19 patients is on the rise. The prevailing situation not only shows the importance of precautionary measures taken by the Govt so far, but also raises a question as to what more can we do? In the wake of the soaring number of COVID-19 cases, the Govt decided to impose islandwide curfew, inter-district travel bans, and also restrictions on arrivals to and departures from Sri Lanka, more..

Mar 31 (SO) Remember those times the foreign media reported on curfews in Sri Lanka in startled tones, in stories that seemed calculated to frighten? Remember the time we lived anxious but relatively normal lives despite the war but the foreign media depicted the country as one burning cauldron? Not this time. This is when the world knows what Sri Lanka is going through because the world is going through worse. There are more COVID-19 cases in the US today than in China, more..