Jun 18 (Island) This article is based on a talk to the Postgraduate Surgical Trainees of SL at the Auditorium of the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, Galle under the title Reminiscences of a Surgeon - Lessons from the past and insights for the future. I have condensed the original text of the talk into an article and restricted it only to my experiences in Polonnaruwa from 1982 to 1988. I was then 32 years old, just returned after qualifying as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) more..

Jun 18 (DN) Two former captains, Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal are set to join the second-phase of the training programme organised by the Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) for the national cricketers which would commence on June 22 at the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy. Mathews and Chandimal were earlier named in 16-player squad for 2-test home series against England which however was postponed more..

Jun 18 (CT) Following former Indonesian coach Tony Wahyudi’s departure at the end of his contract, Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) are on the look-out for a suitable replacement. As an interim measure SLB has decided to seek the services of a National Coach from among local candidates until such time they can find an Int'l Coach of repute. CEO of SLB Trevor Reckerman said: “We are on the look out for a qualified National Coach from among local candidates as an interim measure, until more..

Jun 18 (Island) Irrefutable archaeological evidence has surfaced that ancient humans who inhabited this land about 48 millennia ago used flake tools such as arrowheads to hunt squirrels and monkeys. Pahiyangala cave, where the discovery was made has become world famous. Whether they used the tool fashioned with the help of lithic technology, as it were, in any territorial disputes is anybody’s guess. Perhaps, they had no need to do so as they did not believe in modern concepts such as more..

Jun 18 (FT) The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) yesterday lodged a complaint with the National Police Commission citing Police brutality and use of excessive force when the Police sought to disband a protest organised by the party earlier this month. “The Police Commission accepted our complaint and stated that it will be presented to the Commissioners on Thursday when they meet,” FSP Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda said. more..

Jun 18 (Island) A decision taken by the Cabinet is consistent with the govt policies and not open to question. However, a decision taken by the Cabinet at its meeting on 03.06.2020 granting approval for building a 300 MW coal power plant (CPP) cannot be considered as such. At the aforesaid meeting the Cabinet took several decisions on measures to be taken in view of the emergency situation in the country created by COVID-19. Extension of the present 900 MW CPP by adding a 4th unit more..

Jun 18 (CT) Colombo High Court Judge, Pradeepa Hettiarachchi yesterday, convicted a 60-year-old woman on charges of attempting to smuggle 3.6 grams of heroin to the Welikada Prison seven years ago, and sentenced her to life imprisonment. The woman who was in remand prison was thus convicted. The lawyer representing the suspect pleaded the Court to impose a lenient punishment on her on account of her age. Judge Hettiarachchi said as the prosecution had proved charges more..

Jun 18 (TM) The date for the prolonged parliamentary elections of 2020 is finally set and with it, violence against political parties was reported mid-week with a political party office being set on fire in Gannoruwa and the Peradeniya Police commencing investigations on the incident. EC, with the guidance of Ministry of Health, earlier this week, published the guidelines for each stakeholder that will be involved in the upcoming elections. more..

Jun 18 (DN) The Sri Lanka Equestrian Association headed by Suranjith Premadasa has taken steps to assist the Pony and horse owners in Nuwara Eliya, to alleviate the financial difficulties created to them due to the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic. The main concentration of horses and ponies in Sri Lanka are based in Nuwara Eliya with almost all owners depend to earn their living and maintenance of Ponies and horses by using them especially during the festival season to earn their living. more..

Jun 18 (TM) Sri Lankan exporters are cautiously optimistic about business continuity amidst a global pandemic, reveals the findings of a new business survey conducted by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and the USAID. The Chamber said a significant number of the firms surveyed had identified new business opportunities arising from needs relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, although they were deeply concerned about the impact on operations, cashflow, and productivity. more..

Jun 18 (FT) Finance Ministry is requesting proposals from domestic banks incorporated in SL, Int'l Banks and Investment Houses for a proposed Foreign Currency Term Financing Facility (FTFF) of $ 500 million. Finance, Economy and Policy Development Ministry, announcing the Request for Proposals (RFPs) said that Govt of SL intends to raise a FTFF denominated in US Dollars (USD) up to a limit of $ 500 million in 2020. more..

Jun 18 (FT) Chairman of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya informed Prez Rajapaksa that the upcoming Parliamentary Election could cost up to Rs. 10 billion due to the additional expenses that has to be incurred to put COVID-19 prevention health safeguards into place. Deshapriya, along with the other two members of the Commission, N.J. Abeysekara PC and Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole, met with the Prez yesterday to discuss related issues in connection with 5 Aug Election. more..

Jun 18 (CT) A Joint Committee between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), formed to identify measures and mechanisms for the Colombo Stock market to conduct its core activities digitally, has begun work on the first phase of its initiative. First phase involves the conversion of paper-based statements to electronic form and the facilitation of electronic payments of dividends companies listed on the CSE to pay dividends electronically more..

Jun 18 (Island) SLPP has stepped-up attacks on the 3-member Election Commission (EC), which consists of Mahinda Deshapriya (Chairman), Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole and Nalin Abeysekera, PC. Referring to a complaint lodged with the EC by the party against EC member Prof. Hoole regarding a controversial statement he made in Jaffna, SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris alleged that the EC was yet to respond to the issues raised by them. more..

Jun 18 (DM) Prez Rajapaksa is correct in blaming the Central Bank officials, UNP Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake said. “I, during the last regime, said that it was the officials of CB who were spoiling the country’s economy. Some criticised me vehemently when I said this at that time. I am happy that the Prez had found out the truth,” he said. “The President had asked the CB officials to quit if they cannot help building the economy. This is exactly what should be done,” he added. more..

Jun 18 (DM) Responding to remarks of former MP S.B. Dissanayake, former cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara said today that he did not ask for the Nuwara Eliya Golf Course to be given to him for 20 years and that his proposal, which was made years ago, was for a small plot of land adjacent to it. He told the media that he submitted the project proposal for a sports tourism-related hospitality project in response to a newspaper article calling for such a proposal, a few years ago. more..

Jun 18 (CT) Tourism earnings, SL’s third-largest foreign exchange earner and the most impacted industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ended its second month without any sort of income in May this year. COVID-19 pandemic has not affected only tourism industry – many other tourism-dependent nations are also currently suffering from huge losses of income. Country did not earn any sort of income from the industry during May, despite more..

Jun 18 (ST) It was a couple of blessings disguised as serious coronavirus casualties that swept a team of fresh faced young debaters to heights undreamt of by any Sri Lankan before. Story of our SL team who won the Tilbury House Debating Championship of 2020 sounds wonderfully, uncannily serendipitous. Seated in the cosy Café Kumbuk, the six debaters are still weary from their gruelling three-day schedule from June 5 to 7- though jubilant- and visibly radiant like the drinks they sip. more..

Jun 18 (DM) An order to produce Att Hijaaz Hizbullah, who is currently under detention, in Court will be delivered by Colombo Fort Magistrate on July 1. Hijaaz Hizbullah was arrested by the CID on April 14 for his alleged link to the Easter Sunday attacks. However, the CID did not present him before Court after his arrest and detention. When the matter was taken up before Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake, CID said that they are still recording statements & conducting investigations more..

Jun 18 (PMD) Prez Rajapaksa assured to create the background to hold a free and fair election while giving priority to the health protection of the people. Ministry of Health has issued recommendations for the conduct of election amidst COVID – 19 pandemic. This will be recorded as the first election to be held under such circumstances. As such, the Govt will extend its fullest cooperation to EC to make the election process more..

Jun 18 (AD) An individual has been injured in a stabbing incident at Maligawatta area. The victim has been identified as the father of the notorious drug racketeer Kanjipani Imran who is currently under remand custody. Reportedly, three individuals, who had arrived in a three-wheeler, had attacked the victim using sharp weapons, near his house in Maligawatta at around 6.30 pm this evening (17). The 65-year-old, who sustained several cut wounds, is currently receiving treatment at more..

Jun 18 (DM) China Development Bank (CDB) will deliver another concessionary loan of US$140 million -- US$70 million before the end of this month and the remainder by the end of the year -- to tide over the present financial problems, Chinese embassy said. Acting Chinese Ambassador Hu Wei called on PM Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday to discuss bilateral cooperation as a follow up to the telephone conversation between Prez Rajapaksa and Chinese President Xi Jinping on May 13. more..

Jun 18 (DM) Former President Maithripala Sirisena once again denied that he was aware of intelligence reports prior to the Easter Sunday attacks, stating that he would have prevented the attack if he had received such alert. He made these comments during an interview with BBC Sinhala. Journalist: Were you aware of an imminent attack? MS: If I was aware, would I have let it happen? What kind of question is that? more..

Jun 18 (AD) A group of 290 SL migrant workers, who were stranded in the UAE due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, reached the BIA in Katunayake this morning onboard a special repatriation flight. The passengers reached the BIA onboard SriLankan Airlines flight UL-226 which had landed in the country at around 5.35 a.m. this morning. The passengers were subjected to PCR tests within the airport premises itself by a team of hospital staff members affiliated with the Ministry of Health. more..

Jun 18 (Island) Former Ministers Rajitha Senaratne and Arjuna Ranatunga had left their residences and notices could not be handed over to them, PCoI investigating political victimisation was told yesterday. The officials, who visited the addresses of former ministers to hand over notices by the PCoI to appear before its sessions, informed the commission that those ministers had left their residences. JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake too had been noticed to appear more..

Jun 18 (Island) Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, giving evidence before the PCoI investigating political victimisation under the last govt, said Rajitha Senaratne, Champika Ranawaka, Sarath Fonseka, Arjuna Ranatunga and Anura Kumara Dissanayake had tried to have Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrested over Avant-Garde controversy. Testifying before the PCoI chaired by former SC judge, Upali Abeyratne, former Justice Minister more..

Jun 18 (FT) Tamil politics is devoid of a strategic calculus. While the recent welcome offers to the Prime Minister and the President (in that chronological order) of conditional cooperation by the TNA leader Sampanthan followed by its rising star Sumanthiran are healthy, positive gestures, the stipulated condition is unwise in the extreme: that of a new Constitution which accommodates Tamil aspirations. That’s been repeatedly tried and has failed. Worse: it’s a Pandora’s Box. more..

Jun 18 (PMD) Following corporate, individual donations and direct deposits, ITUKAMA COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund balance has now surpassed Rs. 1386 million. Staff members of the Employees Trust Fund Board have donated Rs. 2,000,000 and young W.M. Ishini Tecla Warnasooriya contributed with Rs 6,300 while H.R. Ariyawansa donated Rs 500 to the fund. The Deputy Mayor of the Anuradhapura Municipality, M.W. Premadasa offered a total of his 3 month more..

Jun 18 (FT) Globalisation has created an environment for moving with new technology, market access and factor mobility particularly labour, capital and technology. At the same time, in developing countries, agricultural development faced many global and domestic challenges and it opened new opportunities through market integration. The new govt has developed an agricultural policy framework of People Centric Economy with Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor – 2020 with a goal to more..

Jun 18 (Island) The first solar eclipse of 2020 could be seen on Sunday (21) from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, according to Prof. Chandana Jayaratne. He said it would be an annular solar eclipse that would show a ring of fire during the eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon gets between Earth and the sun, and the moon casts a shadow over Earth. An annular solar eclipse is different from a total solar eclipse, a total solar eclipse occurs when the sun is obscured completely by the moon. more..

Jun 18 (Island) Minister Douglas Devananda warned of dire consequences unless the local fishing community adhered to strict guidelines now in place to prevent a second corona outbreak. He cautioned the fishing community against having any contacts with Indian fishermen as well as their relatives in India. He said that they should be vigilant as India was struggling to cope up with the corona crisis though the situation more..

Jun 18 (Island) According to LMD’s Brands Annual publication for the year 2020, Sampath Bank has been ranked among the top 10 Most Loved Brands in the country, the Bank announced. Published by Media Services with Brand Finance, LMD Brands Annual profiles SL’s leading brands through a comprehensive analysis of its performance and achievements. In this year’s rankings, Sampath Bank achieved 10th place in the Most Loved Brands category for the second consecutive year, more..

Jun 18 (EN) Tourism Development Authority said a loan at 4% interest would be given to hotels and travel agencies and restaurants registered under it to pay salaries for 144,000 persons for the next six months. About 124,000 staff with employment records in hotels and travel agencies as well as over 10,000 workers at restaurants, spas, tourist shops and water sports centres could benefit, SLTDA said. The funds would be credited by the Bank of Ceylon based on EPF records of employees. more..

Jun 18 (EN) Addresses of tens of thousands of parcels airmailed to SL from China and neighboring had been lost in transit due to logistics disruptions coming from Coronavirus driven airport closures, Minister Bandula Gunewardene said. “In the recent past the world came to a standstill, airports closed, ships did not come,” he said. “So parcels that should have come by air have been sent by sea. Last week a container came by more..

Jun 18 (AD) The levy on the export of tea has been temporarily suspended for a period of 36 months, said Minister Ramesh Pathirana. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, the local tea industry is currently faced with challenges, including the continuous maintenance of the monitoring activities of tea factories, comparatively decline of the procurement power of most of the countries that import tea, supply chain issues as well as fixed maintenance of quality. more..

Jun 18 (DM) Lanka IOC (LIOC) has secured business from CEB to supply Servo branded lubricants to Sapugaskanda Power Station. This business was secured through competetive bidding by LIOC for the first time. LIOC manufactures automotive, industrial and marine Servo lubricants at its state-of-the-art plant in Trincomalee. The entire range of Servo lubricants are locally manufactured. “In terms of market share in the lubricant segment, Servo is currently at No. 2 position in SL more..

Jun 18 (EN) Sri Lanka is denying reports that it will sign a controversial grant agreement with US Millennium Challenge Corporation after the August Parliamentary General Election. Minister Bandula Gunewardena said reports that have appeared in the local media are untrue. Opposition to the agreement known as the Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) was a vital plank in the political campaign the SLPP ran in getting more..

Jun 18 (Island) Soil erosion had affected one third of SL’s land mass, a senior environmental scientist said yesterday. Centre for Environmental Justice Executive Director, Hemantha Withanage said it had also been estimated that at least 30% of tea lands had been affected by depletion. A study has revealed that 63% of the land degradation is primarily caused by soil erosion whilst biological degradation and fertility loss accounted for 20% and 17% of the land degradation respectively. more..

Jun 18 (AD) The govt of Japan has given its consent to award an aid of Japanese Yen 800 million (LKR 1,360 m) under Japanese non- project grant scheme for the supply of medical equipment required for strengthening the activities of prevention of COVID-19 pandemic situation in SL. Under the scheme, Sri Lanka may obtain medical equipment such as MRI scanners, CT Scanners, Bedside X - Ray Systems, Central Monitors, Bedside Monitors and Defibrillators to fight the COVID-19 outbreak more..