Jun 1 (EN) SL’s market for aluminium extrusions is expected to drop 40 percent due to the hit on the property sector from Coronavirus, a building materials company has said. “We expect the market size for aluminium extrusions by approximately 40 percent and remain so until a permanent solution for Coronavirus is found,” Lanka Aluminium Industries Plc, said in a stock exchange filing. “We are expecting this drastic reduction in demand after discussions with our customers, especially more..

Jun 1 (NR) The Attorney General has directed the Director of the Colombo Crimes Division to obtain an arrest warrant for the Former Officer-in-Charge of the Welikada Police Station ASP Sudath Asmadala over the case related to the accident of Former MP Champika Ranawaka. The Attorney General’s Coordinating Secretary President’s Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said the CCD Director was advised to arrest the ASP over fabricating false evidence in the case related to the accident. more..

Jun 1 (FT) In the past few years, specifically in the last two weeks, there has been a number of contributions made by some independent economists expressing reservations about the CB’s new monetary policy framework known as flexible inflation targeting. Some of these critics have come from among mainstream economists who normally subscribe to the accepted economic wisdom relating to money and more..

Jun 1 (SLN) The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Jalashwa at the port of Colombo this morning to take 700 Indian nationals back to their motherland. Meanwhile, the SL Navy rendered assistance to this affair which took off the ground on diplomatic level. The vessel arrived at the port of Colombo today to take aboard 700 Indian nationals who had to remain in SL, as all countries in the world have decided to cancel flights following the travel restrictions imposed due to COVID 19 outbreak. more..

Jun 1 (AD) Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa took oath as the new Minister of Social Empowerment and Estate Infrastructure Development a short while ago. Previously the relevant portfolio was held by the late Minister Arumugam Thondam. With the recent passing of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress Leader, the ministerial portfolio was left vacated. Accordingly, Premier Rajapaksa was sworn into the Cabinet Ministry before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. more..

Jun 1 (AD) Technology evangelist Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarana has resigned from the Board of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA). He is the Founder of WSO2 and Lanka Software Foundation. He is currently affiliated with numerous universities, institutes and chambers including the SL National Science Foundation, SL Institute of Nanotechnology, UGC, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and more..

Jun 1 (Island) PM Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the UNP members, who controlled the yahapalana govt were haunted by the crimes they had committed against the country. "When they were in power, they inflicted severe suffering on the people. They took political revenge. Those evil deeds are now coming back to haunt them. Their political party is fractured and they can’t face an election." PM added that the Opposition was doing its best to postpone elections. It was politically bankrupt, he added. more..

Jun 1 (DM) All temporary residents in Colombo and its suburbs should register with the nearest police station, Western Province Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon said. He said those who have not included in the electoral registry should register with the Police. Speaking to media after an illicit liquor brewery was raided in the Dompe area, Senior DIG said he expected to create a data base on temporary residents. The liquor brewery has been operated in a rented house. more..

Jun 1 (AD) All those who enter the country via the BIA will be subjected to PCR testing within the airport premises itself, says Minister Prasanna Ranatunga. He said that this procedure will be implanted from today (01) onwards. Accordingly, the testing will be carried out stationing those who arrive at BIA at a hotel or another pre-determined place, he added. While pointing out that many who had arrived from Kuwait had more..

Jun 1 (TM) Though locust swarms have invaded parts of neighbouring India, the chances of them entering Sri Lanka are very low, according to Director-General of the Dept of Agriculture M. W. Weerakoon. However, Weerakoon said a Agriculture Department task force consisting of 9 members has been appointed to take precautionary measures to address a possible attack from the desert locust. “The chances of the swarm migrating to SL is very low. However we must be prepared because more..

Jun 1 (AD) Fulfilling its ongoing commitment to its communities and other stakeholders, the John Keells Group has been playing an active role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka from the beginning of the lockdown in SL. The largest conglomerate in SL, through its CSR entity, John Keells Foundation, as well as different Group companies has supported multiple relief efforts including critical infrastructure development, strengthening the safety of those in frontline more..

Jun 1 (EN) SL’s imports collapsed 30% to US$ 1.2 billion March 2020 amid a Coronavirus crisis, with oil prices plunging, inputs for exports falling, official data show while the CB said import controls and slower customs clearance also contributed. Oil imports fell 41% to US$ 237 million, textiles fell 24% to US$ 139 million as apparel exports fell, machinery and equipment fell 39% to US$ 130 million, and more..

Jun 1 (CT) Hotels are likely to be allowed to host weddings from 10 June onwards, according to the health guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health. Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, S. Hettiarachchi said that they have granted permission to host weddings and banquets, after a discussion with Prez Rajapaksa. He also said that they instructed the hotel management to follow the guidelines. He said that they have informed the hotel administration to arrange the furniture, more..

Jun 1 (CT) Public servants and schoolchildren will soon be able to use papers manufactured by the Valaichchenai Paper Mill, said Minister Wimal Weerawansa at a Media briefing, after launch of the main paper manufacturing machine at the Valaichchenai Paper Factory. He said the factory could be restarted after the General Election by activating not only the main machine but also other paper manufacturing machines so that the Mill's production range could be resumed more..

Jun 1 (DM) Anuj Poojitha Gunawardena, a Sri Lankan who was rejected by the SL Army twice, is currently serving in the Advanced Attack Helicopter Divison in the US Army. In a Facebook post, Anuj said, “I wanted to join the army when I was eighteen. I went for an interview to join as a Cadet Officer. But I was rejected because I did not have the required weight and chest size.” “However, due to my love for the uniform, I went for more..

Jun 1 (Island) Deputy Director of the Prez’s Media Division Shivanthi Ranasinghe has sent us the following response to our news item by Udara Karunadasa, JVP not happy with India developing East Terminal of Colombo Port: "Island of 24 May, quoted JVP "India has re-launched the project to acquire the East Terminal of the Colombo Port, while SL is facing severe economic hardships, due to the COVID-19 pandemic". Statement made by Former MP Ratnayake, as reported by more..

Jun 1 (Island) Govi Nena, a mobile phone-based information system, for home gardeners, developed by a team of researchers of the faculty of Agriculture of the Uni of Ruhuna, in collaboration with the Uni of Colombo School of Computing and the Western Sydney Uni of Australia, is to be launched by the VC of the Uni of Ruhuna, Senior Professor Sujeewa Amarasena, at its Senate Hall, today (1) With the govt’s initiative to promote the cultivation of one million home gardens, more..

Jun 1 (TM) Supreme Court is to announce at 3 pm tomorrow whether or not to grant leave for FR petitions filed challenging the polls date set by the Election Commission (EC). Consideration of the FR petitions filed challenging the election date resumed for the 10th day today. The petitions were taken up before a five-member judge bench of the SC consisting of CJ Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Sisira de Abrew, more..

Jun 1 (DM) Mayoress of Colombo Rosy Senanayake denied reports that the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) decided to kill stray dogs that are loitering in Viharamahadevi Park and within the Colombo City as a whole. The Mayoress said the CMC intends to come out with a sustainable solution with regard to the stray dogs through a dialogue with all stakeholders. "During the curfew time, due to the non-availability of food, many stray dogs were congregating around Viharamahadevi Park more..

Jun 1 (Island) The GMOA has written to Chairman of the Election Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya, warning him that if he does not send his opinion, on the decision taken by the Ministry of Health to remove the director of Kurunegala Teaching Hospital, from his position; it can lead to a collapse of services provided by the hospital. "If that happens, you and the rest of the commission will have to take responsibility," Secretary to the GMOA, Dr. Haritha Aluthge said. more..

Jun 1 (TM) Avant-Garde Security Services Chairman Maj. (Retd.) Nissanka Senadhipathi claimed that CIABOC, CID and AG’s Department were either influenced or pressurized by former MPs of the previous govt over the Avant-Garde case. Senadhipathi provided evidence for the second day today (1) before the PCoI probing incidents of political victimization under Yahapalana regime. more..

Jun 1 (EN) Central Bank said the business of NatWealth Securities Limited (NWSL), a primary dealer in govt bonds, has been suspended for failing to comply with directions made by the regulator. “CB will take necessary measures to ensure that this regulatory action does not have a disruptive impact on the Govt Securities market,” regulator said. “Action will also be taken to facilitate the handling of the interests of the customers and counterparties of NWSL in an orderly manner.” more..

Jun 1 (AD) Four more persons have tested positive for COVID-19 increasing the tally of confirmed cases reported in the country to 1,639. Six new cases have been reported so far within today. This includes two navy personnel from Mullaitivu and Kalpitiya quarantine centres and two from Rajagiriya Ayurveda quarantine centre who are close associates of a soldier who had previously tested positive. The other two are a returnee from Indonesia who is at Pelwehera quarantine more..

Jun 1 (EN) Chief Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya is assuring Sri Lankans that the Commission is not doing anything underhand to delay the Parliamentary Poll. “We strongly believe that in a democracy it is vital that a Parliament that has been elected by the people should function,” he said, which has been declared Voters Day in SL. He said that lawyers representing the Commission have already informed SC more..

Jun 1 (FT) Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced the commitment of approximately Rs. 10 billion to a Bank-funded COVID-19 Support Loan Scheme to assist affected SME enterprises. This assistance would be in addition to the working capital loans scheme implemented under a credit line provided by CB. Bank has obtained a short-term loan of $ 50 million from a development finance institution for this purpose, and said these loans would be provided at an annually reviewed more..

Jun 1 (CT) Rev. Ganesamoorthy Thirukumaran of the Zion Church in Batticaloa said that church services have to be conducted in a rented place because repairs of the Zion church have not been completed thus far after it was destroyed in the bomb blast on Easter Sunday, 21 April 2019. He made this statement on 30 May 2020 while testifying before the PCoI appointed to investigate the bombings on Easter Sunday 2019. "Since services cannot be conducted in the church, more..

Jun 1 (EN) Amid widespread condemnation on social and mainstream media, SL’s Coast Conservation Department (CCD) today defended a controversial Rs 890-million beach nourishment project carried out in parts of the island’s western shoreline. Controversy erupted over the weekend as images of a seemingly ruined stretch of beach in the otherwise picturesque Mount Lavinia surfaced online, with reports that a sizable portion more..

Jun 2 (CT) The Covid-19 which brought in the lockdown and curfew has made all levels of economies from the international, the national to the household collapse. Giant and macro businesses including Multi Nationals (MNs) would, though affected one way or other, use a combination of dedicated, emerging and manipulative strategies to raise their heads from the fallout – that too will not be easy and would sometimes take a long time. This category will either resort to a variety of more..

Jun 2 (DM) Many electricity and water consumers have been complaining about receiving bills with exorbitant amounts for the period since the islandwide curfew was imposed on March 20 in view of COVID-19 threat. Some small families who usually had to pay about Rs. 800 per month for their electricity usage before the curfew was imposed have been compelled to pay fourfold for the month of May. As usual the authorities of the CEB, NWSDB and LECO are tight-lipped on the matter more..

Jun 2 (CT) Ministry of Foreign Relations (MFR) is dealing with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic both within and outside Sri Lanka. Foreign Secretary, Ravinatha Aryasinha, took time off to explain how he and others have taken up the challenge to do their best. He told Ceylon Today that the MFR has managed its affairs and not allowed any pressure to be placed on the Govt on account of the present crisis. more..

Jun 2 (DM) On the night of May 29th, accusatory social media posts began making appearances across Facebook and Twitter, claiming that Mrs. Rosy Senanayake, the Mayor of Colombo had issued an order to relocate all dogs residing at Viharamahadevi Park to the Dog Pound. The shocked animal welfare activists and citizens immediately lashed out against Rosy in regards to the inhumane and cruel basis of the order. Rosy resorted to delaying her statement until more..

Jun 2 (CT) World Milk day is on June 1 each year since 2001, facilitated by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) and has a great significance with COVID-19 where local resources and values are being recognized by people at large. India is the largest milk producing country in the world with around 150 million Metric tons of milk and per capita production of 300 ml milk per day, a cup for each person. Dairy has been part of the culture and livelihood that supports the entire nation more..

Jun 2 (Roar) For the last two months, Tharusha’s* (13) daily routine has been the same; wake up, watch TV, play outside, read a book, go to sleep. But Tharusha is the only one from his class doing that. For in the last two months, his friends have hit their books again. Their teachers send them lessons through WhatsApp, and the students follow instructions at home. But Tharusha’s family does not own a smartphone. more..

Jun 2 (Island) There have been several underworld attacks during the last few days. Many may have thought the capture of Sri Lanka’s Napoleon of Crime, Makandure Madush, who was once blamed for most of the organised crimes that shocked the country, would debilitate the underworld, but other criminal gangs seem to have stepped in to fill the void created by his arrest. The disintegration of his crime syndicate has apparently led to other underworld gangs emerging stronger. more..

Jun 2 (CT) Yesterday this newspaper, in its lead story quoting UNP Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake said that the chairmanship and deputy chairmanship of 17 Local Govt (LG) councils given to the UNP/UNFGG's constituent parties such as the SLMC, ACMC and JHU would be withdrawn, apparently as a punishment for ditching the UNP/UNFGG headed by the colourless Ranil Wickremesinghe, in favour of UNP's former Deputy Leader, the colourful Sajith Premadasa, more..

Jun 2 (ST) A global food shortage is imminent. The impending global food shortage could threaten the food security of less developed nations, especially poor people around the world. In a normal year about 9 million people are estimated to die of starvation and illnesses related to food shortages. Most deaths are in Africa and South Asia. This number is expected to climb two-fold in 2020. The global food situation will undermine food security of poor countries and poor people. more..

Jun 2 (ST) Sri Lanka’s economy has not been in the best of health over a long period of time. The reasons for this are many. Over the years successive Govts’ management of the economy has left much to be desired. In more recent times international borrowings for vanity projects involving high investment that did not ensure sufficient income generation to service such borrowings has added to the strain of keeping the economy afloat. During the past couple of years the impact of more..

Jun 2 (CT) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has forced out independent members of the Monetary Board of Sri Lanka with over two years left in their term Colombo Telegraph learns. Colombo Telegraph is reliably informed that two highly respected non-executive members of the Board were forced out on the instructions of Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera as Prez Rajapaksa seeks to consolidate control more..

Jun 2 (Island) National Police Commission (NPC), apparently oblivious to the unfolding perilous, novel C -19 situation, hatched a stunning, shocking and revolting surprise. This was almost on the first anniversary of the massacre of nearly 300 people on Easter Sunday 2019. Even while a Prez Commission examines the case, the NPC has preempted its findings. It has decided to give unprecedented retirement benefits, among others, to the senior most police officers from the IGP more..