Jun 2 (GV) President Rajapaksa dissolved the Parliament on 2nd March 2020– six months before the due date, amidst the growing danger of COVID-19 pandemic. By this time, the uncertainty relating to the possibility of holding elections during the outbreak had already surfaced. However, the President chose to disregard the looming threat and called an election without consulting any other party. This was the first in a series of mistakes committed during the pandemic. more..

Jun 2 (ST) Two weeks before 25-year-old Shehan Madushanka’s arrest, police warned his parents that he was addicted to drugs. They bent the rules for him because of his prospects as a national cricketer. But his mother’s pleas fell on deaf ears. The fast bowler was arrested after a tip-off. With heroin in his possession, he was hanging around the Kudalupoththa tank, allegedly to sell the stash. He was remanded for two weeks and more..

Jun 2 (ST) Sri Lanka emerged champions in the Girls category at the inaugural Asian Boys and Girls Online Chess Championship in their Zone 3.2 on Thursday while the Boys occupied the third position. Leading from the front, skipper Sayuni Jayaweera won the Girls individual championship while Devnethmi Dahampriya finished third. Sri Lanka boys failed to match the girls and had to be contented with the third position. Skipper Harshana Thilakarathne finished in the third spot. more..

Jun 2 (TM) Rainforest Protectors of SL was established in 2012, formed by a bunch of like-minded people. Speaking to The Morning Brunch, Jayantha Wijesingha, one of the founding members of the organisation, shared about their journey and the work they do. Their initial focus was to protect the Sinharaja Rainforest at a time where many development projects were proposed in its surrounding areas like Galle, Matara, Kalutara, and Ratnapura. He considered it to be a hot zone, more..

Jun 2 (ST) The coronavirus outbreak has worsened the situation for local and foreign construction contractors following the govt’s decision to phase-out their payment for five years for the work done in development projects including express highways. Finance Ministry has conveyed this decision to relevant companies informing them that of the unavoidable delay in project completion owing to the countrywide curfew and more..

Jun 2 (ST) Athletes may have to live with the new norm of adhering to strict health guidelines during training because of the COVID-19 pandemic for at least for the next three years but the good news is that sports ministry physicians are looking at the possibility of competitions resuming as early as July. “We are thinking if there is no community spread in the country, then we might actually look into the possibility of starting domestic competition by the end of July or the beginning of August but more..

Jun 2 (ST) Sri Lanka’s seafood exports will bounce back following the exiting of the lockdown and resuming economic activities during COVID-19 as the industry is one step ahead in the global supply chain. The country’s seafood exports were 70% intact in the global supply chain by connecting Sri Lankan exporters with importers in several countries even during the COVID-19 pandemic period, Chairman of Sri Lanka’s Export Development Board (EDB) Prabash Subasinghe said. more..

Jun 2 (Island) SLPP National List nominee Prof. G.L. Peiris, explained the deepening crisis caused by the failure on the part of the Election Commission (EC) to take a common stand in respect of forthcoming parliamentary polls. Prof. Peiris, who is also the Chairman of the SLPP pointed out that the EC should have been able to settle differences among its members before representations were made in the SC more..

Jun 2 (FT) Govt received a $ 500 m syndicated loan from the China Development Bank helping to bolster reserves and counter $ 261 m outflow from the Govt securities market in March, Central Bank said. Gross inflows on account of long-term loans to the Govt amounted to $ 588 million in March, which included the receipt of the syndicated loan facility from the China Development Bank amounting to $ 500 million. A net outflow of the foreign investment amounting to $ 261 million more..

Jun 2 (DM) Access Engineering reported subdued performance for the period ended March 31, 2020 but said the company envisages a quick return to normalcy, although there would be some short-term financial pain due to temporary stoppage of project work and anticipated delays in overseas supply chains due to limited port operations. The construction major said the disruptions to business is less likely to pressurize its liquidity and working capital as funding for major ongoing projects more..

Jun 2 (TM) The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) has categorically denied the alleged irregularities alluded to by Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarana in a blog post following his resignation from the ICTA Board on Saturday, calling them falsehoods for personal gain. “The falsehoods of this story need to be exposed as they are nothing but a ploy of those seeking personal gain,” said ICTA Chairman more..

Jun 2 (DN) Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga has come to the aid of disgraced young fast bowler Shehan Madushanka and stated that mistakes happen and everybody deserved a second chance to rehabilitate himself. “Madushanka is a long term investment who would be an asset to the nation. We need to find out the real reasons behind him using drugs. It may be an escape to his personal problems but this is not the only and the best solution for it,” Malinga told the Daily News. more..

Jun 2 (CT) Covid-19 pandemic has not only ensured the lockdown of virtually the whole world, it has also shut down all kinds of sporting activity. With all sports worldwide coming to halt due to the pandemic, a few sports like cricket and athletics are gearing up for a return to action from the first of this month, based on the assurance given by the Minister of Sports who recently stated step-by-step sports will be allowed to return, but will have to adhere to strict Govt health guidelines. more..

Jun 2 (DM) Former Prez Maithripala Sirisena said that as the head of state, he placed his signature 21,000 times, over a period of three days, on documents compiled by the Attorney General in order to prepare for the extradition of the former CB Governor Arjuna Mahendran from Singapore. Addressing at an event held in Polonnaruwa on Monday former Prez Sirisena said that he strongly opposed the appointment of more..

Jun 2 (FT) The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, and the consequent lockdown and curfew have disrupted the daily lives of people and brought all businesses to a virtual standstill. Businesses in SL are facing the detrimental consequences of this catastrophe as their very survival is now being threatened. The lockdown and other measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in a noticeable drop in the output and income of our economy, which has directly impacted on more..

Jun 2 (CT) Electricity Users' Association, in a letter to Prez Rajapaksa, requested that the Govt use funds owed by CEB and LECO to settle consumers' accumulated electricity bills as a relief mechanism. According to the Association, both the CEB and LECO owe consumers more than Rs 26 billion, counting both deposits and interest. According to an Act incorporated in 2009, both the CEB and LECO are liable to pay interest on the deposits they obtain for providing the connection and services. more..

Jun 2 (Island) JVP-led All Ceylon Farmers Federation, yesterday, alleged that Rajapaksa govt in 2012, had imported milch cows, only on the needs of political authority without giving concerns to the technical know-how, and the incumbent govt was planning to commit the same mistake again. National Organizer of ACFF, former MP Namal Karunaratne, said that the most recent project to import milch cows which commenced when more..

Jun 2 (FT) The UNP said that they were not satisfied with the measures taken by the Govt to ensure the safety, wellbeing and professional dignity of armed forces personnel deployed for COVID-19 containment duties. Issuing a press release, former State Minister of Defence and former UNP MP Ruwan Wijewardena charged that 4,000 sailors isolated at the Welisara Navy camp are being used as lab rats by being asked to inhale steam, consume herbal porridge and other traditional remedies more..

Jun 2 (PMD) With corporate and individual donations and direct deposits, ITUKAMA COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund balance has now surpassed Rs. 1,217 million. The Chief Incumbent of the Somawathi Raja Maha Viharaya, Ven. Dr. Pahamune Sri Sumangala Nayake Thero, has donated Rs.500,000 to the Fund and the cheque for this sum was handed over to Prez Rajapaksa during his recent visit to the sacred Somawathi temple premises. more..

Jun 2 (PMD) President Rajapaksa has emphasized that crimes operated by underworld kingpins and drug mafia from prisons must be put to an end without delay. Specific information relating to criminal activities and drug peddling operated from prisons have been received. The general public is appalled by this situation, Prez said. “This has to be rectified. Use mobile phones within prison premises should be completely eradicated” more..

Jun 2 (ST) Local Police have been deployed at SL's missions in Seychelles, Maldives and Kuwait to protect diplomats from SL migrant workers who are incensed at not being able to return home. Ministry of Foreign Relations has also informed authorities, including Prez Rajapaksa, that there was considerable pressure on certain missions abroad from Sri Lankans and that police protection was obtained in places. Many of these workers have lost jobs and accommodation owing to pandemic more..

Jun 2 (DM) The body of black leopard, who died after being rescued in the Laxapana Estate, Nallathanniya while trapped in a snare, is to be sent to the Colombo National Museum, Wildlife Conservation Dept Director General M.G.C. Sooriyabandara said. The decision had been taken upon a request made by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana & Religious Affairs to the Wildlife Ministry. "The decision to send the body of black leopard to Museum will be finalised once the court more..

Jun 2 (EN) Questions are being raised over a door-to-door survey being conducted by Police in the City of Colombo and its suburbs of residents and the collection of personal data by officers accompanied by unidentified civilians. The DIG of Police for the Western Province Deshabandu Tennakoon told media that the survey was to find out the temporary residents of these areas. All those who do not appear in the electoral registry more..

Jun 2 (FT) This article is about the manner in which the economy of Sri Lanka should be saved from the devastating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. But it goes beyond the short term to the long term as the economy was already very sick when the pandemic hit the country due to problems which have not been solved for several decades. Apart from the visible effects of a lockdown such as supply chain disruptions, shortages of goods and services, the collapse of certain sectors like exports, travel more..

Jun 2 (FT) Let me first suggest, that despite an encouraging few weeks, we haven’t fully moved on. We have yet to have one week since 20 March, or a simple seven-day period, where there hasn’t been at least one day, if not more, of islandwide curfews. This seems particularly strange given that we are told there have not been any new community cases for over three weeks. If so, it’s hard to understand why a Poya celebration is a reason for two days of curfew? Perhaps it needs to be managed more..

Jun 2 (Island) A senior officer attached to the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB), said that with a bribe of Rs. 500,000 to certain jailers a mobile phone could be smuggled into prisons. The PNB officer said that those imprisoned on drug related offences operated their illegal business from within the walls of the prisons using mobile phones. A prison guard at Welikada prison was arrested earlier this year for possessing 10 grams of heroin. Last month Police said they were keeping an eye on more..

Jun 2 (DN) The shortage of cattle feed and low efficiency of dairy cows has badly affected the country's dairy industry, National Livestock Development Board (NLDB) Chairman and Sabaragamuwa Uni Faculty of Agriculture Dean Manjula Amith Magammana said. He made this observation at a media conference under the patronage of Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, to make the public more aware about the much debated Cabinet Paper presented by more..

Jun 2 (AD) Supreme Court has refused to grant leave to proceed with the Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging the date set by the Elections Commission for the General Election. The consideration of the petitions which lasted over a period of 10 days came to a conclusion last evening (1) and the court’s decision was set to be announced today (2). CJ Jayantha Jayasuriya stated that the initial objections raised by more..

Jun 2 (Island) The govt had not taken action against those involved in the irregularities in a subsidized scheme to introduce high-yielding imported pregnant cows from Australia in 2017, Amal Suriyage of the Lammermoor Estate in Maskeliya, said. "So far nothing has been done. We are in debt and instead of farms we have cemeteries," Suriyage said, adding that all the cattle, he was given, had died. Suriyage said that the last got had distributed over 3,000 cows imported from Australia. more..

Jun 2 (TM) The Election Commission (EC) is to seek the opinion of the WHO over the holding of the elections. EC member Professor Ratnajeevan Hoole said professional bodies including the WHO will be consulted when setting the election date. “The clearance of the Health Ministry is not the deciding factor when setting the date for the election”, Hoole added. Speaking further Hoole said that the EC will meet tomorrow to discuss how the elections will be conducted. more..

Jun 2 (TM) Private buses are yet to resume operations as bus owners are burdened with gathering funds to repair their buses. Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) President Gemunu Wijeratne, said that since the buses were left stationary for over two months, it would result in dead batteries and corroded engine parts. “Buses have two batteries and most will need replacements that will cost closer to Rs. 100,000. more..

Jun 2 (Island) Colombo High Court Judge, Adithya Patabendige yesterday sentenced Ven. Uvatenne Sumana Thera, Cief incumbent of Sri Bodhirajaramaya, Maligawatte, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of possessing two T-56 weapons and 210 rounds of ammunition. A few days before the 2010 presidential election, STF and CID raided the temple and found the weapons. Judge Patabendige yesterday found the Thera was guilty of charges. Ven. Mawela Subodha Thera, more..

Jun 2 (AD) UNDP in Sri Lanka handed over 10,000 surgical masks and 30 Infrared thermometers to Disaster Management Centre (DMC) to be distributed to relief centers, search and rescue teams and to those affected by the southwest monsoons. Director-General of the Disaster Management Center, Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe who was present at the handover highlighted, “Preparing for the southwest monsoon this year also means preparing to prevent more..

Jun 2 (CT) The annual foot pilgrimage to Kataragama which commenced from the Selva Sannidhi Shrine in Thondamanaru located in the Northern tip of the Jaffna Peninsula on 29 May was stopped by the Police as the pilgrims didn't possess permission to travel through various Districts to reach their final destination of Kataragama in August. Pilgrimage was halted by the Police when it reached Madduvil on 31 May. more..

Jun 2 (Island) There was a difference in the handwriting in the letters sent by former IGP Pujith Jayasundera to the CID about National Thowheed Jamaat and its leader Zahran Hashim in the body of the letter and notes that had been added, it was revealed at the PCOI investigating the Easter Sunday Attacks. Appearing before the PCoI, CI Saman Weerasinghe of the CID presented information about videos that Zahran Hashim had published on social media platforms. more..

Jun 2 (AD) Another group of Sri Lankan nationals stranded in Singapore due to the COVID-19 global pandemic returned to the island onboard a special repatriation flight on Tuesday (02). A total of 291 Sri Lankans arrived onboard SriLankan Airlines flight UL 303 which had reached the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake, at around 4.15 p.m. today. The passengers will be subjected to medical tests and disinfection protocols before being sent to mandatory quarantine. more..

Jun 2 (TM) Independence of the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) has been threatened by the govt, former State Finance Minister Eran Wickramaratne said today. Wickramaratne made these comments after the sudden resignation of two members of the CBSL Monetary Board. Former CSE Chairman and veteran banker Nihal Fonseka and IPS Executive Director Dr. Dushni Weerakoon submitted their resignation from the Board, more..

Jun 2 (CT) The Ethera Api organisation claimed that allegations made by former State Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage against the governing authorities in Kuwait may pave the way to diplomatic problems between the two countries in the future, former Parliamentarian Sunil Handunnetti said. He said recently Aluthgamage made claims against the Kuwaiti Govt that they had knowingly returned locals who had contracted COVID-19 to Sri Lanka as human bombs. more..

Jun 2 (Island) The Embassy of SL in Jordan was collecting and compiling data on Sri Lankans who wish to be repatriated home, Embassy said. It said that it continued to closely monitor the situation on the spread of COVID- 19 in Jordan and was taking all requisite measures to ensure the welfare of Lankans in that country. "The Embassy continues to distribute dry rations to needy SL families who have been impacted by the COVID- 19 crisis in Jordan and have not been able to return to their jobs. more..