Jun 15 (Island) Father’s Day is the day of honouring fatherhood and parental bonds. In Roman Catholic countries, in Europe, it’s celebrated on March 19th, the St Joseph day. In America, it’s the third Sunday of month of June. So, this year’s Father’s Day is on 21st June, 2020. Our children, usually send us a greeting cards, on Father’s day. My son, who is 26 years old now, during the last few years, used to take me to my favourite restaurant, to lunch. My wife, Yamuna, would allow me to have more..

Jun 15 (Island) Guards are supposed to guard themselves, but they do not do so where SL prisons are concerned. A recent earful a group of senior prison officers got from Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa, at a meeting, seems to have had the desired impact. It has jolted them into taking some action to rid the state pens of banned items and prevent convicts from running underworld operations from inside their cells via mobile phones. A recent raid conducted by the Prison Intelligence Unit (PIU), more..

Jun 15 (TM) Controversial businessman Arjun Aloysius is attempting to reclaim the management of alcohol producer W.M. Mendis & Company, which he owns, a mere two years after handing it over to a company for a 10-year period, The Sunday Morning Business learns. This has come to light with an enjoining order being obtained by the said company, Jayasiri Holdings (Pvt) Ltd., on 9 June from the Commercial High Court to more..

Jun 15 (Island) Of course, Rajiv Jayaweera was not my friend. I never saw him in person, nor heard him; but I had once seen his picture in a web publication. However, I saw him well enough through his writings as a fellow contributor to The Island, & experienced a latent relationship with him as a person whose intellectual grasp of our country’s burning issues, and whose concerns and attitudes relating to them generally matched mine; I felt as if I had known him closely as a friend for some time. more..

Jun 15 (DM) When anti-Beijing protests gripped Hong Kong last year, and demonstrations broke out again in the city, with China’s impending imposition of a National Security Law for Hong Kong, the organisers of the protests were hailed by British and American leaders as progressive heroes. British PM Boris Johnson, known for his bombast, said Britain would not walk away from the people of Hong Kong if China imposes a national security law that would conflict with its int'l obligations under 1984 more..

Jun 15 (ST) Sri Lanka can proudly boast of having produced a gold medal in boxing at the 1938 Empire Games from Barney Henricus, a world champion in billiards by M.J.M. Lafir (1973) and winning the Cricket World Cup in 1996 under Arjuna Ranatunga while athletes Duncan White (1948 London) and Susanthika Jayasinghe (2000 Sydney) provided the silver lining at the Olympics. But these feats are few and far between, more..

Jun 15 (Island) The emptiness that engulfed the SL cricketing fraternity after the 2007 World Cup is unparalleled. It’s not that Sri Lanka was robbed of what was deserved, but it’s the frustration that Sri Lanka weren’t even given a chance to have a shot at glory. There were many things that had to go Sri Lanka’s way to halt the rampant Aussies, but unfortunately none went even remotely SL’s way. Join on this journey re-imagining how it would have been had the proceedings went SL’s way. more..

Jun 15 (Island) Victorious wartime PM Winton Churchill has once said a pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. Rising from a wartime of difficulties, challenges and threats, posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now high time to drill for the opportunities underlying the difficulties. Today, SL’s education system is stricken by not only the extended closure of schools and universities, but the economic recession which more..

Jun 15 (ST) Popular worldwide online system PayPal has been persuaded to start the inward money transferring service to facilitate the e-market place enabling SL brands, entrepreneurs and companies to have more opportunities. The govt will be seeking PayPal to provide Sri Lankans inward access so that they can receive payments for the supply of products and services to their local bank account through this system SL youths more..

Jun 15 (EN) SL’s embassy in Rome has made arrangements for over 10,000 persons who have immigrated to Italy illegally to get regular passports after the Italy declared an amnesty during Coronavirus crisis, the foreign ministry said The govt of Italy has declared a Sanatoria 2020 amnesty from June 01 to July 14 to regularize their visa status of illegal migrants. Amidst the present uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the context of the strong bilateral relations that have continued more..

Jun 15 (CT) SL’s dollar bond yields are too high; thus borrowing from International Financial Markets currently appears very unfavourable, according to a leading economist. Speaking at a webinar organised by the CCC on Friday, Verite Research Executive Director, Dr. Nishan de Mel observed that monetary expansion through money printing is alright in the short term, as long as various economic factors are balanced; however, SL should build its long-term credibility to borrow at lower rates. more..

Jun 15 (CT) Govt has not paid due attention to the plight of Foreign Employment Agency sector in its post-COVID economic recovery plan, despite the sector being a top contributor to the economy even during wartime, complained a Foreign Employment Agency operator who is also a Member of the Association of Licensed Foreign Employment Agencies (ALFEA). Ceylon FT spoke to ALFEA Assistant General Secretary, more..

Jun 15 (FT) The young Police constable who helped apprehend an armed suspect in last week's Rs 7.9 million heist at the General Hospital, died yesterday after being hospitalised due to an accident on 11 June. Police Constable Sithum Alahapperuma, attached to the State Intelligence Services was commended by the Acting Inspector General of Police and drew public praise from many quarters for preventing the escape of heist suspect with Rs 7.9 million in pay with the assistance of more..

Jun 15 (MFA) The first Board of Management meeting in 2020 of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute (LKI) was held on Tuesday, 9 June at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies under the patronage of Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha, new Members of the Board of Management of the Institute, Professor Kapila Gunawardhana, Dr Rohan Gunaratna, Mrs Suganthi Kadirgamar, more..

Jun 15 (Island) Depositors of licenced banks and finance companies that crash are paid compensation up to a maximum of Rs. 600,000 per investor under the Deposit Insurance and Liquidity Support Scheme, but shareholders of such troubled public listed financial institutions will be the last to be settled under the liquidation process. Deposit Insurance Scheme is wholly funded by financial institutions more..

Jun 15 (Island) A group consisting of ex-members of the LTTE has admitted that it failed to forge an alliance with the TNA. Spokesperson for Democratic Fighters’ Party Thulasiyan said that their primary request had been 20% of nominations for the party at the next Provincial Council polls in the North if it was to support any of the political parties at the Aug 5 polls. Thulasiyan was responding to ITAK leader Mavai Senathiraja’s recent declaration that the TNA wouldn’t accept ex-LTTEers’ support more..

Jun 15 (CT) An Ombudsman’s office has been set up at the Presidential Secretariat to look into complaints and grievances of the public and to provide speedy solutions. Retired Senior Deputy IGP, S.M. Wickremasinghe has been appointed to the post. The objective of setting up the office is to provide solutions to any inconvenience or distress caused to the public as a result of the negligence of public officers or by them acting beyond their limit while exercising their administrative powers. more..

Jun 15 (TM) Public Health Inspectors’ Union of Sri Lanka (PHIUSL) has raised concerns over their ability to control and monitor election-related activities in ensuring that politicians, their supporters, and voters adhere to the election-related health guidelines. PHIUSL President Upul Rohana said that it would be impossible for PHIs to take any action against those who violate the health guidelines issued for the election, more..

Jun 15 (Island) JVP politburo member and NPP Kandy District Leader K.D. Lalkantha said the JVP is willing to take responsibility for at least 20,000 SL migrant workers in foreign countries, if the Govt will allow them to return to the country. “There are still about 40,000 Sri Lankans who are stuck in foreign countries as they are not permitted to travel to SL. If the screening mechanism is well established at the airports, we should look at a way to bring these migrant workers back to SL immediately.” more..

Jun 15 (Island) Sri Lanka’s Batting Coach Grant Flower was admitted to a private hospital following a road accident on Saturday night near Liberty Plaza in Colpetty. The vehicle Flower was driving collided with a motor bicycle at around 09. 30 pm. The rider was admitted to hospital with injuries. Sources said that Flower did not sustain any injuries but he was in a state of shock. Flower is a highly rated coach and prior to working with Sri Lanka had a successful stint with Pakistan. more..

Jun 15 (CT) Former IGP Pujith Jayasundara had neglected to convey the information provided by the State Intelligence Service (SIS) on the possibility of an attack on 21 April 2019 to the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID), which he should have done mandatorily, said DIG Ajith Rohana. He was testifying before the PCoI appointed to probe the 21 April 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, on 11 June. more..

Jun 15 (DM) The GMOA said all candidates contesting the upcoming General Elections and all political party leaders should sign a legal document ensuring that no health guidelines on COVID-19 would be violated during the course of election. It said that the responsibility of formulating and directing these guidelines falls on the shoulders of the health officials and the govt should therefore supply all necessary protective equipment and provide transport facilities as required. more..

Jun 15 (AD) Two more individuals are confirmed to have contracted the novel coronavirus. Reportedly, the two new patients are SL Navy personnel. With the 2 new cases, a total of 5 COVID-19 positive have been reported today (14). Previously, 3 more Navy personnel were identified to have contracted the virus. Thereby, the total count of coronavirus cases in the country has risen to 1,889. With 35 patients being discharged upon recovery today, number of recoveries now stands at 1,287. more..

Jun 15 (Island) ITAK-led TNA, over the weekend, initiated talks to introduce a manifesto for the 5 August general election. In line with their political objectives, the TNA intended to put forth different sets of proposals to the Northern and Eastern Provinces against the backdrop of the party initiating talks with Prez Rajapaksa’s govt to reach consensus on post-war solution to problems faced by the Tamil community. more..

Jun 15 (DM) The govt will introduce new legislation to curb the leasing mafia or the unlawful activities of the disorganised financial market, a minister said. Minister Bandula Gunawardane said that around 800 - 1,000 such financial institutions were in operation in the country. The govt has given mind to introduce fresh legislation after the murder of President of the Self Employed Three Wheeler Association Sunil Jayawardane by a group of individuals attached to a leasing company. more..

Jun 15 (DM) Some 7000 Sri Lankan expatriates who had requested to be repatriated have returned to the island, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe said. Dr. Jasinghe also said that according to the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, almost 40,000 SL expatriates who wish to return to the country have registered themselves with the respective missions. However he noted that they do not expect that all registered expatriates will arrive in the island, stating that more..

Jun 15 (TM) With the number of Covid-19-positive cases rising in India, Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) warned that the coronavirus threat in SL was not yet over and therefore urged the public to strictly adhere to health guidelines issued by the authorities. PHIs’ Union of SL (PHIUSL) President Upul Rohana said adherence to the health guidelines among the public was currently at its lowest, and around 60% of society had more..

Jun 15 (DN) Former Minister Mangala Samaraweera who is quitting politics must be doing so under the instructions of Western powers that have backed him up for a long time, Minister Bandula Gunawardena said. According to Dr Gunawardena, if Mangala Samaraweera contested in the General Election from Matara district he would lose his seat. That would mark the defeat of those foreign powers too, he said. Thus, Dr. Gunawardena said that the said foreign powers had advised more..

Jun 15 (FT) Question posed to Venerable Mahinda as noted in ancient Sel Lipi, “Ven Sir, what would you say about the spread of Buddhism you brought to SL from India? Venerable Mahinda’s response, “It has spread, but had not rooted”. In the backdrop of the worldwide campaign Black Lives Matter, it is perhaps timely for Sri Lankans to look inwards and ask the question whether we are all equals, and treat everyone as equals not just constitutionally, but in spirit, behaviour and attitudes. more..

Jun 15 (MFA) SL High Commission in Male in an effort to mitigate the many difficulties faced by Sri Lankans residing in the Maldives, whose access to food items and medicines is limited, has continued to distribute the food supplies and essential items dispatched by the Ministry of Foreign Relations comprising 10,000kgs (2000 packs) of support kits. Sri Lankan Airlines has collaborated with the Foreign Ministry in this cause, through carrying these support kits on a cost free basis, more..

Jun 15 (AD) The Finance Houses Association (FHA) in its capacity as the apex association of 41 Registered licensed Finance companies of Sri Lanka, deeply condemns the alleged murder of the late Sunil Jayawardena, the Chairman of the Lanka Self Employed Professional’s Three Wheel Association, which has taken place on Wednesday 10th, June 2020, evening. The murder of late Sunil Jayawardena is an example of unethical and unruly practices adopted by fraudulent organizations more..

Jun 15 (EN) Elections Commission officials are praising former President Maithripala Sirisena for calling off an event he was the chief guest at today when officers told him it was a violation of guidelines for candidates. The former President who is contesting the upcoming Parliamentary General Election as a candidate from the SLPP was to act as the chief guest at an event held to felicitate students who had passed the A/L examinations. more..

Jun 15 (Island) Police will take legal action against long distance bus drivers who reach their destinations earlier or later than the time stipulated by Road Passenger Transport Authority. Issuing a press release, the Police said that there had been many complaints of buses reaching their destinations earlier or later than stipulated time. "Drivers who reach their destinations ahead of schedule travel at excessive pace. These drivers endanger the lives of passengers and other more..

Jun 15 (FT) COVID-19 is not going to be a thing of the past. At least this statement will be valid for a considerable period of time. With the general election day announced in Sri Lanka, there will be verbal diarrhoea from many politicians with mega promises. The dire need for managerial leadership in all fronts is more acute than any other time. Recent events related to COVID-19 local and global prompt us to ponder on managerial leadership with its promising prospects. more..

Jun 15 (EN) Civil Society organisations are expressing grave concern regarding the establishment of a spate of Presidential Task Forces in the last few months which they say are usurping the powers and functions of the Cabinet of Ministers. The statement signed by 16 Civil Society organisations and 49 individuals says that the Task Forces have “broad, ambiguous mandates, bypassing existing channels such as more..

Jun 15 (AD) A special repatriation flight carrying 130 Sri Lankan nationals who were stranded in Pakistan due to the Covid-19 epidemic, reached the island this morning. The passengers had been picked up from both Lahore and Karachi airports while the SriLankan Airlines flight UL-1282 had touched down at BIA at around 4.40 a.m. this morning. Upon reaching the airport, all the passengers and the crew of the plane were subjected to PCR tests and they are expected to be more..

Jun 15 (Island) Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Viraj Dayaratne PC, paid a courtesy call on Professor W.D. Lakshman, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka recently. He was accompanied by Director General of the SEC, Chinthaka Mendis. This meeting provided an opportunity for the Governor and the Chairman to share and exchange views on issues of mutual interest as well as certain specific matters regarding which the SEC required the support of CB. more..

Jun 15 (EN) The Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) is saying that the govt is delaying the repatriation of Sri Lankans abroad in order to keep the numbers of Sri Lankans infected by COVID 19 low. Former MP Tissa Attanayake told reporters this morning, that the govt was treating these migrant workers unfairly. Attanayake pointed out these workers bring in a huge amount of money to the country. more..