Jul 6 (CT) Mohamed Ibrahim Insaf Ahmed, who carried out the suicide bombing at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, studied the Arabic language with his brother Mohamed Ibrahim Ilham Ahmed (Shangri-La Hotel suicide bomber) and Abdul Latif Jameel Mohamed, bomber at the Tropical Inn Lodge in Dehiwala, at the factory located in Wellampitiya in 2017, said Sanun Mohamed Ishad, Manager of Colossus company, owned by Insaf Ahmad. more..

Jul 6 (AD) Cricketer Kusal Mendis who was arrested over a fatal accident in Panadura has been released on bail by the Panadura Additional Magistrate’s Court. He was produced before the Panadura Additional Magistrate’s Court this morning (06). Mendis has been released on two surety bails worth Rs 01 million each. Further, his driving license has also been temporarily suspended by the court. The next hearing date of the case was set as September 09. more..

Jul 6 (AD) The eight suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Chairman of the Self-Employed Professionals’ Three-Wheeler Association, Sunil Jayawardena, have been further remanded. The suspects have been ordered to be remanded until July 17 as per the order of Nugegoda Additional Magistrate Tissa Wijeratne when the case was taken up today (6). Jayawardena, who was critically injured following an assault which took place in front of a leasing company located in Mirihana more..

Jul 6 (EN) The SJB is complaining that the governing SLPP is not abiding by the COVID prevention regulations for public meetings laid down by the Elections Commission (EC). Party’s National Organiser Tissa Attanayake accused the EC of turning a blind eye to the recent rallies where PM and Prez participated violating these regulations. Attanayake said that the EC gave guidelines to the opposition about certain restrictions when more..

Jul 6 (NR) The voting period at the August 5 General Election has been extended an hour. Chairman of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya issuing a statement said voting at the 2020 General Election will take place between 7 am and 5 pm on the 5 of Aug. Election Commission considered extending the voting period as the usual 7 am to 4 pm voting period will be insufficient given the health guidelines that are required to be adhered to by voters and officials on election day. more..

Jul 6 (AD) Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has decided to extend the suspension of Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) from carrying on the business and activities of a Primary Dealer for another six months. The Monetary Board, acting in terms of the Regulations made under the Registered Stock and Securities Ordinance and the Local Treasury Bills Ordinance, has decided to extend the suspension for a period of six months with effect from 4.30 p.m. on Sunday (July 5). more..

Jul 6 (EN) Sri Lanka is seeking a billion US dollar repo from the New York Federal Reserve to boost dollar liquidity, Treasury Secretary S R Attygalle said as the island re-opened most economic activities after controlling Coronavirus. The repo facility would be done by pledging Sri Lanka assets in the US, he said. Sri Lanka had US$ 6.49 billon by end May of which US$ 4.52 billion were securities and US$ 796 million more..

Jul 6 (AD) BOI signed an agreement with Dart Global Logistics to set up a state-of-the-art logistics fulfillment center, at the Muthurajawela Industrial Zone located in Kerawalapitiya, Wattala with an investment of over US$ 3 Million. The agreement was signed by Susantha Ratnayake, Chairman BOI and Jude Wijesundara, COO and Mr S Mohandas, Group CEO of Dart Global Logistics. The Facility will offer top-of-the-range third-party logistics (3PL) services under one roof for various more..

Jul 6 (DM) Supreme Court today resumed oral submissions in the first contempt of court case filed against former State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake for allegedly making insulting remarks on the reputation of the judiciary. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sarath Jayamanna appearing for the Attorney General submitted to court that respondent Ramanayake had deliberately made a contemptuous statement to media on Aug 21, 2017 outside the Temple Trees. more..

Jul 6 (AD) Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) now allows up to five guests to accompany passengers into the departure terminal of the airport. Previously, only three guests were allowed to enter the departure terminal with a passenger carrying a valid air ticket. On June 15, the departure terminal was reopened for guests after been closed off for guests for a prolonged period owing to the COVID-19 global pandemic. more..

Jul 7 (CT) The govt last week responded to the concerns of those countries in the UNHRC in Geneva which have been taking a special interest in SL. They had expressed their concern about the govt’s position that it no longer supported UNHRC Resolution 30/1, which SL had co-sponsored in 2015 under its previous govt. Canada, Germany, North Macedonia, Montenegro and the UK issued a joint statement that expressed disappointment at the abandonment of the partnership with more..

Jul 7 (CT) This writer is at his wits’ end to unravel the following: 1) Mahindananda Aluthgamage was the Sports Minister at the time of the 2011 Cricket World Cup Final. Why did he not pursue his allegation of ‘match-fixing’ giving victory to India at the time he was sports minister? 2) Why has he now after 9 long years raised this issue? 3) Police media spokesman SSP Jaliya Senaratne now informs that the Sport Ministry’s Special Investigation Division has halted its investigations as more..

Jul 7 (SO) Shasheendra Rajapaksa is another brilliant and patriotic scion of the Rajapaksa family, who has rendered an immense service to the Uva province as Chief Minister. Equipped with a 5-year master plan, he is contesting the General Election from Moneragala district, with the intention of executing his plan to fulfill his obligations to the regional community and the country. Excerpts on the current political situation and more..

Jul 7 (ST) Wherever colonial Britain stamped its military footprint, it left several legacies in the territories it occupied. One might say that Ceylon was one of those that escaped relatively unscathed unlike India and some African colonies whose populations did suffer death and deprivation. Like the early trappings of representative govt, there were other British legacies that persist until today in a much more exciting form and format such as cricket, unlike the colonial administration more..

Jul 7 (ST) The increasing balance of payments deficit will weaken the external reserves and increase the country’s external financial vulnerability. External reserves that were US$ 7.5 billion at the end of 2019 are falling likely to dip to below US$ 6 billion at the end of this year. A huge balance of payments deficit is likely this year owing to a large trade deficit, decrease in workers’ remittances and a sharp decrease in tourist earnings. A balance of payments deficit of US$ 3 to 4 billion by more..

Jul 7 (CT) Uninterrupted Police investigations would be conducted on advice from Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratna and Acting IGP Chandana D. Wickremaratna to bust all forms of crimes, illegal drug peddling and similar illegal activities throughout the country following an order issued to this effect to the law enforcement authorities by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, SDIG Deshabandu Tennakoon said. more..

Jul 7 (Island) To start with, let me state that I was born in 1929, and first voted in 1952 as a 3rd year medical student. Since then I have voted at 15 elections – except one (1970), when I was abroad on post-graduate studies. All these elections bring back memories for me personally, and some elections a have special significance for the country. I will give a brief resume of each, as it may interest the younger folk who perhaps voted for the first time. Era as a Crown Colony - more..

Jul 7 (CT) COVID-19 crisis has reinforced the need to have safe drinking water, good clean sanitation facilities and for people to practise good hygiene behaviour at all times, World Bank (WB) said on 23 June. Though Sri Lanka has made great strides in the water supply and sanitation sector, achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by increasing access to improved drinking water and sanitation to 95% and 96% of the population, the next challenge is to achieve the SDGs more..

Jul 7 (DM) Senior DIG for Western Province Deshabandu Thennakoon was seen on TV on Sunday vowing to eradicate drug menace from the country. He very confidently stressed Math drawya uwadura thrun karanawa karanawamai (Will definitely eradicate the drug menace). His declaration comes on the heels of several other actions by the govt to arrest the threat posed by the drug businessmen in the country and some of his own recent statements to that effect. more..

Jul 7 (Island) China is cock-a-hoop at its recent victory during the 44th Session of the UNHRC, where its national security law for Hong Kong received the support of 53 countries. The members who condemned it over issues concerning Hong Kong, Tibet, etc., could muster only 27 votes. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has seen red. He has called the new law an affront to all nations. In backing or opposing resolutions, at the UNHRC, the member states are unfortunately guided by more..

Jul 7 (TM) Controversial businessman Arjun Aloysius has been served with a contempt motion for failing to honour an enjoining order issued against him, barring him from interfering in the management of alcohol producer W.M. Mendis & Co. Ltd. The motion has been served by Jayasiri Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd., to which Aloysius handed over W.M. Mendis & Co. for a 10-year period in 2018, while he was in remand custody over CB Bond Scam, more..

Jul 7 (DM) The UNP is in the throes of an existential crisis. The Grand Old Party in its present self is no stranger to crisis. But the current one is threatening not just its electoral prospects at the general election on August 5, but also its whole existence as a viable political force after the election. During the last 25 years, the UNP had ruled barely seven; on both occasions, in cohabitation arrangements with a SLFP President, with Chandrika Kumaratunga during Dec 2001- 2004, more..

Jul 7 (TM) A petition by Sierra Construction Ltd. following the loss of an LED smart street lighting project awarded by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on 19 June 2020. The petitioner had held the CMC, its Municipal Commissioner, Richardson Technologies (Pvt.) Ltd., which was awarded the project, and the Attorney General as respondents of this petition. Sierra, one of the bidders for this project, specialises in telecommunication engineering and more..

Jul 7 (FT) A nationwide survey has resulted in 15 key recommendations to boost Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) post COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations follow a countrywide survey of nearly 3,000 MSMEs by the Small and Medium Business and Enterprise Development Ministry with academic inputs from Uni of Colombo, Peradeniya and Sabaragamuwa and consultancy facilitation from PASSAsia. more..

Jul 7 (SO) To Bharatha Mendis, rugby is not just a game - it's a passion and a passionate pastime in his life. And he learned a lot which ultimately had a huge impact towards his lifestyle from this beautiful game. He still cherishes the lessons he learnt as an outstanding player for his Alma mater at both Isipathana and Trinity College. Perhaps, rugby would have been the very reason for his gaining recognition wherever he goes throughout his life. Mendis recalled how an illustrious rugby more..

Jul 7 (Island) Test cricketer Kusal Mendis was granted bail yesterday after being arrested for a fatal accident in Panadura that took the life of a 64-year-old man. Mendis had not taken measures to take the injured to the hospital soon after the accident but had called Police after fleeing from the scene of the incident. Sources said that the life of the deceased could have been saved had Mendis acted promptly. The deceased was on his way to work in a bicycle at 5 in the morning. more..

Jul 7 (ST) From the day Sri Lanka got Test status in 1982 cricket has been the most popular sport in the country. Those were the days that many of the youngsters began to fall in love with the sport. Avishka Gunawardane is a prime example of a versatile player who had to adjust his game plan according to the team requirements. Avishka had the passion for the game from an early age in his life. He had the desire to represent national team. more..

Jul 7 (wsws) The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) will be holding its second online election meeting at 3 p.m. on Saturday (11), streamed live on the party’s Facebook page. The SEP is fielding 43 candidates in the Colombo, Nuwara Eliya and Jaffna districts in the scheduled August 5 general election. SL’s elections are being held as COVID-19 is spreading rapidly across the world, a result of the utter refusal of govts and the ruling classes everywhere to take adequate prevention measures. more..

Jul 7 (Island) This week the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union will formally request FINA, the world governing body for aquatic sports, to withdraw sanctions imposed on Sri Lanka, the SLASU president Nethru Nanayakkara told The Island yesterday. Nanayakkara said that the elected body of SLASU had conducted their Executive Committee Meeting last week for the first time after the covid 19-forced lock down and will request FINA to accept the legality of the elected body. more..

Jul 7 (CT) National Consortium of Three Wheeler Drivers and Industry Workers Union demanded the govt to come up with a national policy on professional three wheeler drivers. Consortium noted that they have been fighting for 40 years to establish a regulated industry for three-wheel drivers. “There are only 6,000 State-owned buses and 22,000 private buses in the transport service. To regulate 28,000 buses, there are nine more..

Jul 7 (FT) Top professional and well-known personality in hospitality industry Rohan Fernandopulle has been appointed as the Chairman and CEO of Waters Edge with effect from 3 July along with a new Board of Directors by the UDA. For Rohan, this is the second stint at Waters Edge as he previously served as the General Manager and his key achievements included tripling revenue within a span of four years, and introducing unique F&B concepts such as Thuna Paha restaurant. more..

Jul 7 (CT) As revealed by Ceylon Today earlier, former National player and Skipper Somitha de Alwis has been appointed head coach of the National netball team to replace Thilaka Jinadasa, while P.D.N. Prasadi remains as assistant coach. This was confirmed by NFSL President Victoria Lakshmi. “Somitha de Alwis has been appointed as the head coach of the National team after NFSL conducted interviews for the position on Monday (6). The new coach will be in charge for a one-year period, more..

Jul 7 (FT) The SLPP pledged to hold the long-delayed Provincial Council (PC) Elections within this year, while assuring it would address shortcomings which delayed polls for over two years. Chairman Prof. G.L Peiris assured that the SLPP would take necessary measures to hold the PC Elections within the year once Parliament was convened. Provincial Councils Election Act No.02 of 1988 was amended in 2017 and more..

Jul 7 (SLN) In line with the beach cleaning drives of the Sri Lanka Navy, Northern Naval Command launched a series of beach cleaning programmes on 04th and 05th July 2020, in order to preserve the pristineness of the beaches in the Jaffna Peninsula. These beach clean-up drives were held under the guidance of the Deputy Chief of Staff and Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Kapila Samaraweera, to augment the initiatives of the Commander of the Navy Piyal De Silva, more..

Jul 7 (DN) Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka (TTASL) is expected to send their leading Table Tennis players for training to foreign countries like China and South Korea. They need that type of training to get more exposure said senior officials of the TTASL. We have to focus on Int'l tournaments and their standard is very high. Especially all leading world ranking players are in the Asian region. Countries like China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia always are in front due to their experience. more..

Jul 7 (Island) SL intelligence agencies had received information from their Indian counterparts in the past and it was considered highly reliable, retired DIG Mohommad Hafeez Marso told the PCoI. Marso said so commenting on information given by India about an impending attack by suicide bombers on the Easter Sunday 2019. "We received intelligence information from Indian intelligence agencies in the past. It happened when I was in service too more..

Jul 7 (Island) Contributing to the govt’s objective of promoting the retail operations in the country, Lanka Sathosa Limited partnered with Sri Lanka Telecom to create an online retail store on behalf of the largest state owned retail network. Responding to the need of the hour, SLT, as the leading ICT and digital solutions provider in the country, has stepped forward to provide technical infrastructure in the form of developing, hosting and managing the online site on behalf of Lanka Sathosa. more..

Jul 7 (TM) Sri Lanka’s insurance market is set to go from bad, in 2019, to worse, in 2020, but a swift recovery will be seen from 2021 onwards, according to the Allianz Group. Allianz, one of the world’s leading insurers and asset managers, made this forecast in its latest Global Insurance Report released last week, which charts the course of insurance markets around the world by looking back at last year’s performance and looking ahead at future developments. more..

Jul 7 (DM) Parliament heads and Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe discussed measures to be taken when the Parliament sits post general elections where Dr. Jasinghe highlighted the need to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines. He said although the COVID19 virus has been well controlled in SL, the risk of the virus spreading in the country has not been reduced as a result of the arrival of more..