May 29 (FT) The country’s COVID-19 detections yesterday rose to 177,711 with 2,850 persons testing positive for the virus. The patients detected yesterday include 2,845 persons linked to the New Year cluster. Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, Prisons and New Year clusters have expanded to 171,213 patients. The country’s COVID-19-related death toll reached 1,363 deaths as 38 deaths were confirmed yesterday. more..

May 29 (NS) Another 39 coronavirus related fatalities have been confirmed in Sri Lanka, raising the virus-related death toll 1,363. The Government Information Department said three deaths were reported yesterday, while 36 deaths were confirmed between the 29th of April and 27th of May. Seven COVID-19 deaths were reported on Thursday alone. The Director General of Health Services confirmed 18 women and 21 men were among the victims. The deceased are between the ages of 32 & 90. more..

May 29 (EN) Indian Coat Guard vessels and an aircraft is keeping watch over a still smouldering feeder vessel X-Press Pearl anchored 9.5 kilometres off Sri Lanka’s coast to prevent a possible oil leak, officials said. Sri Lanka Navy asked Indian support when a fire X-Press Pearl fire worsened in strong winds. “When the fire intensified there was a big risk of the ship breaking up and spilling oil,” Sri Lanka’s Navy Commander Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne said. more..

May 29 (Island) The MV X-PRESS PEARL had not informed SL authorities that there was an acid leak on board, before entering SL waters, State Minister Dr. Nalaka Godahewa said. MV X-PRESS PEARL reached Colombo at around midnight on the 19th of May and Sri Lanka Ports Authority was informed of the need to offload a container only after 10 hours, Dr. Godahewa said. “This was communicated via email to SLPA,” more..

May 29 (FT) No sooner I read Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka’s tract in Friday’s issue of the Daily FT, Rajapaksa arc of political history begins to descend, I started on this riposte. His concluding remark provokes this counter: “The completion of the current cycle of SL’s modern political history looks likely to restore and resume a Premadasa period. Chinese reclaimed land from the ocean. Sri Lankans must reclaim the middle ground, the moderate social democratic centre, in politics.” more..

May 29 (AD) Another MP has been diagnosed with COVID-19, reports confirmed today. SLPP MP representing the Trincomalee District, Kapila Nuwan Athukorala has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. He is the fifth legislator to contract COVID-19 during the third wave of the pandemic in SL. Nuwara Eliya District MP Maruthapandi Rameshwaram, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, SJB MPs Mujibur Rahman and Nalin Bandara had previously tested positive more..

May 29 (EN) Sri Lanka has been nominated for a UN-backed award for environment sustainability over its control of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) and a reduction in the country’s suicide rates. The award is given by Hamburg based World Future Council, a sustainability advocacy. It is supported by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP the ILO, more..

May 29 (FT) Some matters remain in exclusive realms to be confabulated only among the elite. But there is a saying that fools rush in where angels fear to tread. When the whole country was watching the king parading naked imagining he was wearing the best attire claimed by the weavers (according to the folk lore) that the clothe can be seen only by the wise. All choose to keep mum and tight lipped and a child shouted, the king is naked. The story goes on to explain what happened thereafter. more..

May 29 (DM) A policeman who was on duty at a checkpoint near the Ananda College in Maradana, reported to have not allowed the wife of a top ranked police officer-in-charge in the Colombo area to pass the checkpoint for jogging, has been transferred to another checkpoint within minutes. The incident took place near the Ananda College Junction along the Borella-Maradana road, when a policeman attached to the Maradana more..

May 29 (Island) The vaccination process had become a disaster because the govt had no plan to minimise the spread of the pandemic, SJB National Organiser, Tissa Attanayake said. He said that the other nations had placed orders for vaccines for coronavirus, but the SL govt had pinned its hopes on concoctions by shamans. “Vaccine manufacturers now can’t take more orders because they have to first deliver the orders already taken. “These shamans used the name of Sinhala medicine more..

May 29 (AD) A youth has fled his home at Magazine Road in Borella after being diagnosed with COVID-19, the police said. The 28-year-old identified as Sangeeth Danushka Dabare was tested positive for the virus in a PCR test conducted on May 26. Health officials and the officers of Borella Police had visited the patient’s house on Friday (28) to transfer him to an intermediate treatment centre. However, they have learned that the youth had left the house without informing his family members. more..

May 29 (AD) Shooter Tehani Egodawela has become the third Sri Lankan to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Accordingly, the 35-year-old will be taking part in the 10m Women’s Rifle Shooting in the major international multi-sport event delayed by the COVID-19 outbreak last year. The National Olympic Committee (NOC) of SL said Int'l Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed a slot being allocated for Egodawela. more..

May 29 (NR) The govt has decided to grant the Rs.5,000 allowance to all fishermen who are affected by the fire onboard the X-Press Peral vessel. State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said the Fisheries Department has been directed to compile a list of persons who are eligible for the grant. Meanwhile, PM Mahinda Rajapaksa has issued directives to authorities to provide relief to persons who have lost their income due to the fire. Earlier today, PM Rajapaksa visited more..

May 29 (CT) SL Navy on Thursday (27) restored a defunct barge in Jaffna used to transport goods and civilians. The barge was previously rendered inoperable when a section of it sank due to strong winds and rough seas that prevailed on 16 May. At the time of its partial sinking, it had been moored on to the Kurikadduwan Jetty off Pungudutivu Island. The barge belongs to the RDA and was used to transport people, vehicles and goods from Kurikadduwan pier at Pungudutivu Island to more..

May 29 (FT) Govt urged the Opposition and critics not to demonise the Port City, insisting that the venture would serve as a first step in creating a compelling value proposition for SL. Following Speaker signing off on the blueprint on 27 May, the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act is now in effect and several Govt Ministers and State Ministers yesterday yet again cleared out air on new legislation more..

May 29 (Island) The Vavuniya prison could become COVID-19 hotspot as 11 officers and 13 inmates had tested positive for the disease, officials there warned. Since 11 officers were undergoing treatment, others were burdened with additional work in the congested prison. Meanwhile, 13 more COVID-19 cases were detected on Thursday in Vavuniya. Given the spike in COVID-19 cases Health Officers have also disinfected the Vavuniya Hospital. Thirty two COVID-19 cases more..

May 29 (DM) Global Sri Lankan Forum, a movement of Sri Lankans domiciled abroad, has requested Canadian High Commissioner David Mckinnon to take steps through his govt to repeal the Tamil Genocide Education Week Act, 2021 (Ontario-bill 104). Forum said the bill which received Royal Ascent on May 12, 2021, and tabled by MPP Vijay Thanigasalam of SL Tamil descent, describes the entirety of the war, from 1983-2009 as a “genocide that SL state perpetrated against Tamils. more..

May 29 (AD) PM Mahinda Rajapaksa today made an inspection visit to the coastal area in Uswetakeiyawa affected by the debris washed up from the fire-ravaged container ship X-Press Pearl. During the inspection, he has given directives to the officials to expedite the provision of relief to fishermen affected by the situation, PM’s Office stated. Further, PM instructed the Marine Environment Protection Authority more..

May 29 (CI) The remainder of the 2021 IPL season will be held in September-October in the UAE. The decision was taken by the BCCI at a special general body meeting held virtually on Saturday. The BCCI also decided to seek an extension from the ICC "to take an appropriate call" on hosting the men's T20 World Cup, originally scheduled in India between mid-October and Nov 14. ESPNcricinfo has learned that the BCCI has earmarked the start date of the IPL tentatively for Sept 20, more..

May 29 (ST) The Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association (CMTA) has protested to the Govt against a proposed Cabinet memorandum to allow the assembly of vehicles with used parts by one company, saying it is a violation of multiple local and international laws. CMTA, which states it is a Ceylon Chamber-affiliated body that has represented manufacturer-authorised franchise holders for the past 100 years, has raised safety concerns related to the project. more..

May 29 (FT) Despite the rise in global prices, a top Govt Minister this week assured that the local price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) would remain unchanged. “Gas (LPG) prices are rising internationally. However, the Govt has decided not to increase the gas price. If the price of gas goes up at this very difficult time in the country, the people will not be able to bear the inconvenience cause by it,” Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara more..

May 29 (NR) National Center for Trade Zone Workers has accused several investors within the Free Trade Zone of using the coronavirus pandemic to further their interests while violating the fundamental rights of the workers. Directing a letter to the Chairman of the Board of Investment, the Center said certain investors have slashed salaries and deprived the rights of the workers citing the coronavirus pandemic. The letter states some companies have even slashed basic salary more..

May 29 (AD) Central Environment Authority (CEA) has issued guidelines pertaining to the management of debris including hazardous material that have caused damages to marine environment following the fire that gutted the container ship X-Press Pearl off Colombo Harbour. The guidelines were directed to the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) and other relevant stakeholders. CEA says the beaches and other locations where the debris have accumulated must be identified and more..

May 29 (ST) The Govt’s failure to adopt an effective plan to take classroom learning to the homes of students during pandemic times has resulted in many children dropping out of schools, the main education union said. Reports are coming in that O/L and A/L students, predominantly from rural areas in the plantation sector, have left school in search of jobs, it said. The Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) said children disillusioned with more..

May 29 (ST) A Negombo tour guide’s family’s terrifying ordeal has highlighted the grim situation of guides and drivers who have suffered the double blow to business of the Easter Sunday bombings and the pandemic and find themselves unable to pay back loans. Tourism workers’ associations have called on the govt to ensure that a loan moratorium granted to those in the sector be honoured. They say that despite a CB circular announcing the moratorium would be extended until Sept 30, more..

May 29 (NR) Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa has requested the govt to prioritise the differently abled and special needs communities during COVID-19 vaccination drives. He said there are 1.7 million people with disabilities in the country according to a survey conducted in 2012, adding they are facing many serious social and economic problems due to the spread of coronavirus. MP Premadasa in a statement emphasised that differently abled persons should also be more..

May 29 (ST) Twenty-six-year-old Kavindu Perera’s memories of his father’s battle with the COVID virus are a living nightmare. “My father’s final words still haunt me,” the young Moratuwa man said. “The day before he died he called me thrice from the ICU saying, Puthe, mata wathura tikkak denna kiyannako (Son, ask them to give me some water). “First he pleaded, then screamed and cried. I had to explain to him that there is no way more..

May 29 (TM) Health Ministry is looking at appointing a technical committee to study the possibility of administering the Russian manufactured anti-Covid 19 vaccine, Sputnik V first dose as the second dose of Covishield AstraZeneca vaccine. President of the Association of Medical Specialists, Dr. Lakkumar Fernando said that it has been recommended to the Health Ministry to appoint a technical committee to study the possibility of mixing the two vaccine doses. “The Advisory Committee on more..

May 29 (TM) Gamini Marapana, PC is tipped to be appointed Chairman of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission, which, once formed, would be the main authority managing the Colombo Port City project, well placed sources said. As per the recently enacted Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, Prez Rajapaksa has the power to appoint the members of the Commission and it is learnt that Marapana is the likeliest candidate to be picked for the Chairmanship, more..

May 29 (EN) Colombo Port City will allow Sri Lanka to get on the ‘missed bus’ since independence that economists had been commenting on for many decades, State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal said. “We don’t want to miss the bus this time,” he said. “This will be a turning point in our history. We don’t want to miss the bus this time. Some people in a rather unsympathetic way said that Sri Lanka has missed the bus. more..

May 29 (DM) The national vaccination program will open up in Jaffna from tomorrow, as the Jaffna district has been one of the worst affected districts from the COVID-19 pandemic. The govt's special resettlement facilitation officer for the North and East, Geethanath Kassilingam said that 12 vaccination centers will be allocated from Sunday and those above the age of 30 years will be eligible to receive their jabs. "It will begin from areas which have been identified as high risk and more..

May 29 (ST) A string of administrative issues, a delay in purchasing tablet computers, funds not being allocated as budgeted, and the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in the Population and Housing Census scheduled for this year being postponed for next year. Census and Statistics Dept Director General P.M.P. Anura Kumara said the Census would be held in June next year and the final report released after four to five months. Cabinet had approved Rs. 2.8 billion more..

May 30 (TM) Even though the Govt and Central Bank of SL have to date remained mum on the matter, Bangladeshi media has been making a song and dance about that country now assuming the mantle of a monetary lender, thereby joining a select group of nations to achieve that status. That achievement comes at the expense of its South Asian compatriot, SL, which had sought assistance to overcome its worsening financial headaches. SL is a country that boasts of a written history more..

May 30 (CT) When I heard the news of the opposition leader, Sajith Premadasa, and his wife Jalani Premadasa getting infected with the Covid-19, the first thought that came to my mind was that it was impulsive not to take the vaccine despite the prioritized opportunity available. Few (4-5%), including myself, already had the benefit of receiving the vaccine (say at least the first dose), but it will take a long time to vaccinate the target of 60% of the people in this country. more..

May 30 (TM) The recent ban on chemical fertiliser and pesticides has raised so many questions within the agriculture sector. However Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage shared his views on the mechanism to provide organic fertiliser to farmers, the ban on carbonic fertiliser at this point, and food security in the coming months, among other topics. Q: What is the mechanism to provide access to organic more..

May 30 (CT) The patent-free and inexpensive BCG Vaccine is widely used in the developing world. As a battle for patent waivers on Covid-19 vaccines developed at Warped Speed unfolds with India and South Africa calling for rich countries and pharmaceutical corporations that have been raking in profits in the billions during the pandemic to enable transfer of technology to manufacture affordable vaccines in the developing world, a recent study by members of Uni of Colombo more..

May 30 (SO) The SLPP call for an inquiry into the outcome of the vote on the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill turned into a hot topic among media circles over the past couple of days. Govt lawmakers were of the view that if the vote was announced properly, Govt would have secured a two-thirds majority for the Bill. Therefore, the SLPP had requested the Speaker to conduct an inquiry with regard to the Port City Bill vote in Parliament. Following the SLPP’s request, a decision more..

May 30 (TM) As a measure to control the influx of imported Covid-19 cases, SL last week suspended all commercial passenger arrivals into the country upon instructions provided by the health authorities. However, on Wednesday, Govt announced that the country’s borders would be re-opened for foreign travellers, excluding India, from 1 June. The closure of the country’s borders was taken to ensure less strain would be put on more..