Jul 20 (AD) Colombo High Court has issued summons on former Minister Champika Ranawaka, his driver Dilum Thusitha Kumara, and the former OIC of the Welikada Police Station ASP Sudath Asmadala. This is with regard to the case filed over the alleged hit-and-run incident which took place on Feb 28, 2016 where the vehicle in which the former Megapolis Minister was travelling in collided against a motorcycle in Rajagiriya, more..

Jul 20 (Island) Former PA lawmaker M.M. Zuhair has questioned the failure on the part of parliamentary committees to go into the then State Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene’s disclosures which would have helped identify factors that led to 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. The former MP who later served as SL’s top envoy in Iran has issued the following statement: "Two parliamentary committees appointed during the previous govt have failed to probe into certain significant disclosures more..

Jul 20 (AD) A batch of equipment and other supplies with the latest technology in compliance with ECAC (European Civil Aviation Conference) DFT UK (Dept for Transport UK) and TSA (Transport Security Administration USA) and national security standards were introduced to strengthen the baggage screening facilities at BIA on Monday (20). According to the Civil Aviation Authority of SL (CAASL), compliance of all these standards is required for hold baggage & carry-on baggage screening. more..

Jul 20 (Island) Attorney-at-law Javid Yusuf says him being a member of the Constitutional Council shouldn’t hinder continuation of his role as a member of the civil society. Yusuf assures his unwavering commitment to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution enacted in early 2015. The outspoken civil society activist said so in response to The Island query whether he was concerned of recent criticism of his more..

Jul 20 (Island) On the occasion of the fourth year commemoration of the thwarted coup in Turkey on July 15, 2016, the Turkish Ambassador to SL Demet Sekercioglu said that the coup attempt orchestrated by the Fetullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO) was one of the bloodiest terror attacks in the country’s history. She said: This heinous coup attempt claimed 251 innocent lives and wounded thousands, resulting a severe trauma for our nation. To be able to avoid such tragedies in the future, more..

Jul 20 (AD) The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued a landslide early warning for parts of Colombo, Galle, Kalutara, Kegalle and Ratnapura districts. The warning states that since the rainfall within the past 24 hours has exceeded 100 mm, if the rains continue, people living in following areas are be alert on the possibility of landslides, slope failures, rock falls, cut failures and ground subsidence, being ready to evacuate to a safe location if the need arises. more..

Jul 20 (EN) The international community does not seem to trust all the stories, facts and narratives coming out of the govt about the COVID 19 situation in the country, SJB candidate Eran Wickremeratne said. In an interview with EconomyNext he asked “do we trust the data that is coming out of the govt? He said that it is very important that Sri Lanka build trust with the international community. more..

Jul 20 (FT) The Supreme Court, on Friday, listed the Fundamental Rights petition challenging the Presidential pardon given to ex-soldier Sunil Ratnayake for support on 24 September. The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and its Executive Director Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu filed the Fundamental Rights application, challenging the Presidential pardon granted to Ratnayake, who was convicted for his role in the Mirusuvil Massacre, which occurred in December 2000. more..

Jul 20 (CT) Govt has announced an immediate ban on the repatriation of human remains to the country as a precaution against the festering COVID-19 pandemic, a topmost official said. The ban came into effect from 12:00 midnight on 14 July and no date has so far been announced as to when it will be relaxed or lifted totally. The ban applies to all human remains, irrespective of the cause of death, since it is feared that the bodies could have been exposed to the pandemic at the time of more..

Jul 20 (CT) Vijayakala Maheswaran, a former Cabinet Minister in the previous Govt who made controversial statements in the recent past, is contesting the General Election under the UNP ticket. Maheswaran wants the Govt to take forward the projects launched by the UNP for the northerners and said the UNP will win more seats that its breakaway party led by Sajith Premadasa – the SJB. more..

Jul 20 (SLA) A representative group of five Jaffna-based ex-servicemen Saturday (18) evening called on Lt Gen Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army who was in Jaffna attending a string of inaugurations, organized by the Security Force HQ-Jaffna (SFHQ-J) and had a cordial meeting with him. Interacting with them freely, the Army Chief inquired into their well-being, concerns as well as their health conditions and instructed the SFHQ-J to ensure their more..

Jul 20 (DM) Two thirds majority is needed to draft laws to rid the country of extremism and to strengthen the defence apparatus, SLPP Leader Prof. G.L. Peiris said today. He said the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) is working tirelessly to uncover the truth behind the Easter Sunday attacks. “Once the PCoI completes investigations and releases a report, action needed to be taken accordingly. We must find both the local and foreign origins of attacks,” Prof. Peiris said more..

Jul 20 (PMD) Before 2015 price of pepper per kilo gram stood between Rs. 1,500-1,300. However, it had now come down to Rs. 450-500. Price of raw pepper per kilo is between Rs.150-175. During recent visits by Prez Rajapaksa to several districts, farmers requested him to safeguard the cultivators by taking measures to increase the pepper price. A discussion was held at the Presidential Secretariat today to review more..

Jul 20 (NR) Election monitors claim that several matters that were discussed to contain the spread of the virus while conducting the General Election have not been included in the Gazette issued by the Ministry of Health. National Coordinator of the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence Manjula Gajanayake said the Gazette, Corona Virus Disease (Elections) Regulations, has only focused on three aspects. He explained that the gazette doesn’t include officials who can take action more..

Jul 20 (CT) The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) decided to reduce the number of buses plying on roads by 50% on selected routes and the number of turns by another 50%, with the decision of extending the interim school holidays of the schools and due to low income. LPBOA President, Gemunu Wijeratne stated the income of the buses were increased after the Govt decided to reopen schools in stages, but again the bus industry is in a crisis with this sudden decision. more..

Jul 20 (EN) SL’s unemployment hit 5.7% in the March 2020 quarter, levels not seen since 2009 at the end of a 30-year war, in 2009 when the unemployment rate spiked over 6%, data from the state statistic office showed. SL’s tourism sector took a hit with Coronavirus from the first quarter of 2020, but the airport was closed in March 19 and curfews started shortly after. SL’s economic output is expected to contract more..

Jul 20 (CT) Although the Ministry of Education has allocated funds for schools in the Upcountry region, it has been disclosed that the money is not reaching these schools properly and that this is why some schools in the area do not have the required facilities. It was also stated the money is being transferred from the Education Ministry to the Zonal education authority and the latter is responsible for dividing the money among the schools. Additional Secretary to the Ministry, more..

Jul 20 (HT) The 2011 World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai had several moments which made it a thrilling affair. There was a confusion at the toss, and eventually Sri Lanka decided to bat. Mahela Jayawardene’s ton helped Sri Lanka to a strong total. Virender Sehwag was dismissed in the first over and Sachin Tendulkar was also dismissed cheaply. Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir stitched a partnership, but after Kohli’s fall, Dhoni promoted himself over more..

Jul 20 (Island) By the end of 2018, over 2.2 million Sri Lankans had drawn microfinance loans amounting to Rs. 84.2 billion, Chinthaka Rajapakshe, Convener of Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR) said. Rajapakshe said his outfit had obtained this information from Microfinance Practitioners Association. "This is a huge number. Over 10% of Sri Lankans have taken these loans, almost always at very high more..

Jul 20 (NR) Another two persons have tested positive for the coronavirus. With the detection of six new cases today the number of confirmed infections increases to 2,730. Three returnees from Saudi Arabia and a resident of Rajanganaya an associate of a Kandakadu positive patient are among today’s cases. Meanwhile six more coronavirus infected persons recovered and were discharged from hospitals, increasing total recoveries to 2,041. Accordingly, 676 COVID-19 patients including more..

Jul 20 (CT) Former MP Vijitha Herath challenged Prez Rajapaksa to explain his position on the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Agreement before the forthcoming Parliamentary Election. He said the Govt should inform the United States in writing that it does not need the MCC agreement to be signed. He added that although Govt representatives have expressed different views on the agreement, US Ambassador had said that the Govt had agreed to sign it after the election. more..

Jul 20 (N18) There is a new found interest in King Ravana in Sri Lanka. As per mythology, Ravana, the villain of great Hindu epic Ramayana, was the ruler of Sri Lanka during Lord Rama’s time. He may be a demon for the Hindus in India, but he is certainly an enigma, a great king and a pioneering aviator for many Sri Lankans. SL govt has issued an advertisement asking people to share any documents they have about Ravana. more..

Jul 21 (ST) The country’s foreign reserves of US$ 7.6 billion at the end of 2019 have fallen to US$ 6.5 billion at the end of May mainly due to the deteriorating balance of payments. The continued deterioration of the balance of payments in the second half of the year would diminish foreign reserves to a critically dangerous level by the end of the year and pose a severe threat to the economy. The only way out of this external vulnerability is through foreign assistance by way of aid, more..

Jul 21 (GV) Although Sri Lanka managed to control the initial COVID-19 outbreak, the country is now at a critical juncture where political and public health priorities are at odds. There is an election scheduled for August 5, and the country recorded 300 cases – the highest number of cases within a day – on July 10. The pandemic is still raging across the globe with over 13 million number of cases and over 573, 000 deaths globally. As experts point out a vaccine is at least 12-18 months away and more..

Jul 21 (DM) Socialist Equality Party (SEP) candidate Pani Wijesiriwardena, who is contesting the upcoming 2020 Parliamentary Elections, talks about the importance of a socialist revolution, providing the working class with solutions for issues regarding democracy and eradicate ethno-religious extremism in the country. Q: Why is the SEP only contesting elections in the Colombo, Jaffna and Nuwara Eliya districts? more..

Jul 21 (ST) The past week has been consumed by the question of whether a second wave of COVID-19 has hit SL, or is it imminent in future. PM Mahinda Rajapaksa however has ruled out the possibility of a second wave with the remark that the second wave is only found on Opposition election platforms. Whether a second wave has emerged or not, it is prudent to take all necessary steps to respond to any such situation if it does arise. The World Health Organisation has repeatedly warned that more..

Jul 21 (GV) I was a PhD student in London when the carnage of July 1983 erupted and thank God for the bravery and foresight of my mother and sister, my family was saved from the electoral register and sword wielding drunken mob that descended on the only Tamil household in the immediate neighbourhood. Now, 37 years and a bloody war of almost three decades later, the question arises as to whether the goals and aspirations of the main protagonists in that atrocity have been more..

Jul 21 (DM) Kandy District UNP candidate Shanthini Kongahage believes that the UNP gave enough prominence to ex-UNP member Sajith Premadasa, but a golden opportunity was lost after he broke away from the Party. However, she’s confident of being elected to Parliament at the upcoming Parliamentary Election. Q: How is the response to your campaign this time? A: The campaign is a bit tough because of the current situation. more..

Jul 21 (DM) World attention is increasingly turning to food. It is during times of food shortages that people think of farmers, fisher-folk and food production. The 2008 food crisis, with tremendous rise in global food prices due to the culmination of financialised trade in food, brought food back into the global agenda. However, food insecurity has continued to be on the on the rise over the last decade. COVID-19 crisis and the disruption to production and distribution of food has further aggravated the problems more..

Jul 21 (Island) The traffic police seem to have got their priorities mixed up. They seem to think their raison d’etre is to generate revenue for the state. Their contribution to the state coffers by way of fines must be somewhere in the region of billions of rupees a year. They are preoccupied with monetising motorists’ indiscipline, as it were, at the expense of traffic management, which they seem to have confused with traffic control. Revenue from motor traffic fines must be low on rainy days, more..

Jul 21 (DM) Sri Lanka is still on the brink of a second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, following the detection of more than 500 coronavirus infected persons at the Kandakadu and Senapura rehabilitation centres for drug addicts early this month and among their relatives. Although it seems that the authorities with the help of the Army intelligence officials have detected almost all contact persons of those infected at the rehabilitation centre – inmates and the counsellors, one cannot more..

Jul 21 (Island) The city of Colombo and its environs have a unique topography. Although it is a coastal city, precipitation there does not flow directly to the sea. This is because of the presence of a ridge along the Galle Road. Rain water falling into the landward side of the Galle Road first flows towards inland and gets accumulated in low-lying marshy land outside the city limits, and later find its way into the sea along a network of canals. Before the advent of foreigners, only the Kolonnawa Canal more..

Jul 21 (CT) In SL, forest areas that are not recognised as Protected Areas under a Gazette are classified as Other State Forests (OSFs). While most of us may have been blissfully unaware of this term, it is now high time we wake up to its importance, considering the Govt’s attempt to amend Circular 5/2001. This decision effectively eliminates the Dept of Forest Conservation’s (DFC) role in protecting these forests and more..

Jul 21 (ST) MCA cricket got back on track last weekend after obtaining a venue clearance certificate from the health authorities and a green light from the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs. A trial match adhering to all health precautions took place between two handpicked teams, one led by the incumbent MCA President Rohana Dissanayake, and the other led by the current MCA General Secretary Sirosha Gunatillake. MCA Tournament Committee Secretary, Punyakantha more..

Jul 21 (DN) “It seems that the resumption of the Under-19 Schools League Tournament is very unlikely, but we have drawn up several alternative options to conduct a tournament fair by the students who are participating in their last year in this age category,” Niroda Wijerama, Secretary, SL Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) said. After the govt deciding the final date for the GCE A/L from Oct 12, U-19 Schools Rugby Tournament has become a doubtful starter due to lack of time and more..

Jul 21 (ST) Ruwan Perera could be considered SL’s most successful pole vaulter, having won three South Asian Games (SAG) gold medals and winning the national championships for a record 23 times consecutively. To be the undisputed champion for 23 times was no easy task and Perera revealed how he achieved this phenomenal feat. The great revolution of his life occurred after getting involved in sports more..

Jul 21 (MFA) Sri Lanka and Viet Nam commemorate the 50th anniversary of their establishment of formal diplomatic relations on 21 of July 2020. Although only officially founded in 1970, SL and Viet Nam’s deep-rooted relationship spans for several centuries. Notably, the founder of modern Viet Nam; the late President Ho Chi Minh paid numerous visits to SL in 1911, 1928 and 1946 on his way to Europe. President Ho Chi Minh was warmly welcomed by a nation that became one of the first to support more..

Jul 21 (DN) 14 year old Fide Master (FM) Susal Thewjan De Silva of Nalanda College Colombo emerged champion at the 7th Sri Lanka Grand Prix 2020 which was played at the Chess Federation headquarters on Sunday. The most promising chess player in the country Susal Thewjan De Silva earned only 9 points in 11 rounds. Susal Thewjan De Silva beat Thisal Manjith Piyumantha, CM Kevin Silva, IM Romesh Weerawardane, Jenith Weeratunge, Elath Mathanga De Silva, Dimuthu Abewardane, more..

Jul 21 (CT) Ministry of Health has paved the way for politicians and the public to violate election-related health guidelines by refusing to empower the Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) in implement guidelines, President of the SL Association of Govt Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs), Ravi Kumudesh said. Kumudesh said that there was no point in gazetting regulations and having an authorised officer, more..