Mar 19 (DM) Western Province Governor Dr Seetha Arambepola resigns from her post after she has been nominated in the SLPP national list. She said she had resigned from her post refrain from using state property and funds as stated by the Elections Commissioner. "I handed over my resignation letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Tuesday (17)" She said. She assumed duties as the Governor of Western Province on November 21, 2019, by the President. more..

Mar 19 (Island) We have requested financial institutions to refrain from engaging in speculative activity which could lead to panic in the financial market, and it is good for financial institutions to keep in mind that the revival of business activity in the country is to their own self-interest, CB Governor Prof. W.D Lakshman said issuing a statement on March 16. At an urgent meeting to review the monetary policy stance of the CB on March 16, the Monetary Board decided to reduce more..

Mar 19 (EN) The police curfew imposed on Puttalam, Chilaw and part of the Negombo district to prevent secondary transmission of the COVID19 virus is lifted from 8.00 am today until 2.00 pm to allow nomination papers for the upcoming general election to be handed over police dept said. Curfews were imposed in the Chilaw, Puttalam and one police area in Negombo yesterday due to the high number of returnees from Italy living in those areas. more..

Mar 19 (Island) A large number of estate sector youth employed in the tourism industry, especially in Negombo and Mount Lavinia, had returned home although the preparedness of the plantation economy to face a COVID-19 outbreak was non-existent, Convenor of MONLAR Chinthaka Rajapakshe said. "Since the tourism industry has been badly affected by COVID-19, most of the estate sector youth who were working in tourism-related fields have returned. more..

Mar 19 (Island) Political parties had officially stated that they would not conduct political campaigns to assist the govt to curb the spread of COVID-19, but a number of politicians had already started their campaigns at the grassroots level, National Coordinator of the Centre for Monitoring Elections Violence (CMEV,) Manjula Gajanayake said. "It’s ironical that most of the candidates who are campaigning belong to the SLPP, but there are candidates from other parties as well," more..

Mar 19 (CT) A Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine donated to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) to test for COVID-19 and all other virus infections, and to upgrade its laboratory facility, was allegedly passed on to a research laboratory facility at the Sri J'pura Uni, Academy of Health Professionals (AHP) claimed. AHP President Ravi Kumudesh said the donation of the machine had been made by the Govt of more..

Mar 19 (DM) Turf Club Committee who are organizers of the Turf Club Tent where the UL Officer who tested positive for the coronavirus was present, during the big match played between Royal College and S. Thomas' College has said that it had informed all persons who were present in the tent on all three days of the match to self quarantine for 14 days immediately. Members from the committee said that they had been contacted by Health Ministry and all members were fully co-operating with more..

Mar 19 (DM) Though there has been a notion that COVID-19 virus cannot spread in warm weather and it would spread further in rainy weather, a health expert said it was not possible to confirm that wet weather could increase spread of COVID-19. Head of Epidemiologist Unit Dr Sudath Samaraweera said that it was not possible to confirm that wet weather could increase the spread of the COVID-19 as it was a new virus. “We cannot confirm whether wet weather would increase the spread. more..

Mar 19 (Island) Having accepted nominations for the 2020 parliamentary election scheduled for Apr 25, Election Commission (EC), in terms of Section 24 of the Parliamentary Act No 01 of 1981, could put off the general election. EC consists of Mahinda Deshapriya (Chairman), Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole and Nalin Abeysekera, PC. The EC and other relevant authorities, early last Monday, more..

Mar 19 (DM) These days it is all about the coronavirus also known as COVID-19. Having had its epicenter in Wuhan in the Chinese Province of Hubei, it has spread its tentacles to nearly all parts of the world with Italy being the worst affected European country. Its massive obituary columns show the extent of the tragedy that has overwhelmed the country. Italy reported 345 new coronavirus deaths over the past 24 hours taking its total death toll to 2,503 and more..

Mar 19 (DM) As you know, violence in state universities have been escalating in recent times. What we saw last week at Uni of Sri J'pura (where the young person is still battling for life in the ICU) is one grave atrocity amongst many, which have been taking place in all universities. Due to the serious escalation of violence in universities in the past several years, the UGC steered a study during 2018 to identify the extent of the problem and the causative conditions. more..

Mar 19 (DM) The COVID-19 outbreak has affected the everyday lives of people, including those of politicians. With public health concerns increasing, questions are being raised about holding national elections amid the coronavirus spread. Although nomination papers have been signed, candidates contesting the upcoming Parliamentary Elections will be hampered in running their campaigns and more..

Mar 19 (DM) As 43 cases have been tested positive for COVID 19 at the time this article was penned Sri Lanka’s health authorities and staff are keeping a close watch on returnees from high risk countries and any foreign countries during the past couple of days. While everybody has been advised to remain indoors and avoid public gatherings, employers and employees employed in essential services are at work. more..

Mar 19 (DM) Former MP Arujna Ranatunga yesterday said he will refrain from contesting the general election because of the crisis brought on by CORVID-19. Mr. Ranatunga speaking at a press conference said that he will make the final decision on refraining from contesting the election as resolving the crisis is more important that holding an election. “ I will sign the nomination paper but would withdraw as and when I make final decision. more..

Mar 19 (ST) As 21-year-old Pasindu Hirushan lies in intensive care at the National Hospital after a bizarre incident left him with head injuries at a social at the Sri J'pura University, questions emerged whether the police had found the tyre, which had caused injuries. Police who visited the pavilion had found a used bus tyre that had reportedly been rolled on to Hirushan, but eyewitnesses say that it was a much larger more..

Mar 19 (Island) Yuthukama Convenor Gevindu Cumaratunga says a two-thirds majority at the next parliamentary election was nothing but a prerequisite to introduce far reaching constitutional changes proposed by Prez Rajapaksa & SLPP. He said so at a media briefing in response to a query. Asked whether Prez required a two-thirds majority to govern the country, Cumaratunga said such an overwhelming majority wasn’t needed. more..

Mar 19 (AD) Cabinet of Ministers has decided that PM, Cabinet Ministers, former Speaker and former Opposition Leader would be required to make certain payments to the govt for the use of official vehicles and official residences, if they participate in activities promoting the party or candidature during this pre-election period. Cabinet Spokesman stated that the President has dissolved the 8th Parliament by now and more..

Mar 19 (TM) The govt is to declare a six day work from home period for the public and private sectors. The six day work from home period will commence from 20 Mar until 27 Mar. Govt sources said that these days will not be declared as public and mercantile holidays. Respective department/institution heads will have the discretion of deciding the manner in which the staff would be handled & forming a work roster for the staff, more..

Mar 19 (EN) Sri Lanka’s confirmed infections of COVID 10 Coronavirus had gone up to 53 which includes a Chinese tourist who was confirmed in January, govt data showed Thursday. Patients in designated hospitals under observation had gone up to 243 from 212 a day earlier, data from the Health Ministry said on March 19. Many under observation are usually released without developing Coronavirus. more..

Mar 19 (EN) Sri Lanka will keep oil prices fixed and build a 200 billion rupee fuel price stability fund, Minister Bandula Gunewardane said as global prices collapsed amid a Coronavirus pandemic. Taxes will be levied on fuel to take out cash from oil distributors and build a fund, which will be used to repay debt of the CPC and CEB. The govt is planning to keep fuel prices fixed for the next 12 months, he said. more..

Mar 19 (AD) The Election Commission (EC) has decided to postpone the General Election 2020, which was scheduled to be held next month. Holding a special media briefing this afternoon, its Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said the General Election will not be held on April 25. The EC has taken this decision considering the prevailing situation in the country owing to the threats posed by the coronavirus outbreak. more..

Mar 19 (FT) I cannot remember a single govt in this country that did not end in crisis. I was born in 1956 and have no memory of the assassination of SWRD but we know that’s how it ended. I do recall every other govt though, and each of them was governing in a situation of crisis fairly shortly after it commenced its term. Several had internal crises as well. Many had violent conflict and worse on their watch. In my lifetime there were no exceptions. In the history of Independent Sri Lanka more..

Mar 19 (CT) Politicians from several countries have been infected with Coronavirus. More will perhaps be added to that list. A few have died, as in Iran. More perhaps will. This is not wishful thinking. This is the reality in global crises of the sort impelled by Coronavirus. The uncertainty strikes where it will. But at the end of the day, the huge expenses and costly accommodation and professional manpower services, costs of medicines and sundry items needed in the healing processes, all add up more..

Mar 19 (Island) The complainant in the Rs 130 million cheating case Rajendram Jacob of Sweden has written to the Director CID W. Thilakaratne through his Attorneys that unit 5 of the CID investigating his case is trying to send the file to the AG without completing the investigations and without complying with the orders made by the Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake. Rajendram Jacob, in his letter copied to the AG, has said that he is a senior citizen with more..

Mar 19 (AD) Sri Lankan SMEs bear the brunt of Coronavirus onslaught. “We welcome HE President Gotabaya Rajapakse for his initiative to remove taxes from mask imports. Our SMEs face the brunt of Coronavirus spread. We also praise his suspension of recovery of loans to businesses and SMEs by banks. "Helping SMEs is helping our people” said COSMI Founder President Nawaz Rajabdeen on 18 March. COSMI’s Rajabdeen was welcoming HE Prez’s latest initiatives and more..

Mar 19 (EN) Election officials have rejected the nomination papers of firebrand Buddhist Monk Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara who was planning to contest the upcoming Parliamentary General elections from a registered political party called Ape Jana Bala Pakshaya (AJBP). The party’s nominees in the Kurunegala, Colombo and Moneralaga Districts were rejected a BBS spokesman said. Fellow hardline monk Athureliye Rathana more..

Mar 19 (TM) National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) has called for blood donations from the public on concerns of an impeding blood shortage. 90% of the national blood requirement is being fulfilled by community based blood campaigns. However, with the coronairus outbreak, community gatherings have been restricted and the NBTS is unable to collect blood from the community. NBTS has therefore called for in-house donations to maintain the required stock of blood. more..

Mar 19 (NR) 148 Sri Lankans who arrived in the island this afternoon from the UK have been directed to 16 quarantine facilities. A flight carrying the group arrived in Sri Lanka around 12:15 this afternoon. Despite the BIA being shut down, the flight was allowed to land on the directives of the Sri Lanka Civil Aviation Authority. The BIA was closed for operations of inward international commercial passenger flights with effect from 4 this morning to contain the spread of the coronavirus. more..

Mar 19 (AD) Police, along with the CAA will be carrying out raids against those who hoard or conceal essential health items such as gloves, from tomorrow (20). DIG Ajith Rohana speaking at a press conference held by the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak, said that SL Police would take action against such parties under quarantine laws and consumer protection laws. more..

Mar 19 (EN) Prez Gotabaya Rajapaska had released 64 billion rupees to govt supplier including importers of drugs and fertilizer, as well as funds to for an ongoing campaign to control the spread of Coronavirus in the country. Banks will get 46 billion rupees in arrears for an interest top up given to under a senior citizens’ interest top up schemes which had not been settled for two years. SL’s banks are expected to give credit relief for firms badly hit by Coronavirus, Prez Rajapaksa said earlier more..

Mar 19 (DM) While issuing an Extreme Caution hot weather advisory for nine districts, Meteorology Department said the temperature felt on the human body could be expected to increase up to Extreme Caution level. Accordingly, the extreme caution was issued to Mannar, Vavuniya, A'pura, Puttalam, Kurunegala, Gampaha, Colombo and Moneragala. Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa, Kegalle, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Galle, Matara and Hambantota are declared as caution areas for the heat threat. more..

Mar 19 (DM) Central Bank (CB) today directed all banks to suspend facilitating importation of all types of motor vehicles for three months with immediate effect. The order is one of the several urgent measures introduced by the CB to ease the Pressure on the Exchange Rate and Prevent Financial Market Panic due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. CB said licensed commercial banks and National Savings Bank are directed to adopt more..

Mar 19 (CT) Colombo Fort Chief Magistrate Ranga Dissanayaka yesterday (18) enlarged on bail a Director of the primary dealer Perpetual Treasuries, Mutturaja Surendran on two sureties of Rs one billion each, after he was imprisoned on charges of misappropriating Rs 52 billion during two Central Bank Treasury Bonds auctions. Before granting bail to the suspect, Chief Magistrate Dissanayaka said that he had considered the order issued by the Court of Appeal connected to a writ petition filed by more..

Mar 19 (NR) Former MP Sunil Handunnetti says JVP will use the public salaries fund to provide relief to the public affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Addressing the media after submitting nominations for the Matara District from the National Movement for People’s Power led by the JVP, Former MP Sunil Handunnetti said the public is not prepared for a General Election adding that the country must recover from the coronavirus epidemic. He requested Prez and PM to also follow more..

Mar 19 (EN) The SL people don’t appear to be taking the COVID-19 public health crisis seriously enough, Minister Pavithra Wanniarchchi said. “We urge the people to act responsibly,” she told reporters this afternoon, calling for public cooperation in restricting movement in the country as public health officials struggle to contain the novel coronavirus outbreak. With confirmed COVID-19 cases now totalling 60, SL is still hesitant more..

Mar 19 (Wisden) SL’s well-established superiority at home had already made its appearance in the opening Test, where they brushed aside Bangladesh by 259 runs at their old fortress Galle. Already under the pump, Bangladesh’s bid to level the series when the two teams arrived at Colombo’s P Sara Oval was made even harder by circumstances off the field. Wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das had picked up an injury, and senior player Mahmudullah had been unceremoniously dumped from XI. more..

Mar 19 (TM) Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) will open tomorrow for the first time since Friday (13), after being closed for four days due to the Covid-19 outbreak, but trading time is likely to be shortened considerably due to the prevailing situation. The opening of the market was confirmed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which regulates the CSE, which stated that the market would be open on all days apart from those that are declared Public Holidays by the govt due to more..

Mar 19 (EN) Parliamentary General elections scheduled for April 25 have been indefinitely postponed due to the COVID19 pandemic Chief Elections Commissioner (CEC) said. CEC Mahinda Deshapriya told reporters Thursday that the precautions being taken to prevent the spread of the virus have hampered govt workers from carrying out their duties and therefore the essential preparations for the poll have not been made. more..

Mar 19 (PMD) Judicial Service Commission has issued a special circular describing criterion for court proceedings for a week from tomorrow, with the aim of preventing the spread of COVID-19 virus in the country. Circular has been issued focusing cases to be called in Commercial High Courts, High Courts, Civil Appellate Courts, District Courts, Magistrates Courts and Labour Tribunals from 19th to 27th, this month. No case shall be heard in open court except for cases which are decided by the judge as more..