Mar 31 (Island) Time was when there were retail shops, or sillara kades, at every nook and cranny of the country, selling various commodities, including grocery items, at reasonable prices. Catering as they did mostly to low income groups, they could keep prices low as they had no overheads as such. They were open, from morn till night, daily. They stood the ordinary people in good stead in that essentials were available at affordable prices. But, most of these small businesses could not more..

Mar 31 (Island) We have seen people behave in various ways amidst the COVID-19 situation. On one extreme are those who think this is an over-reaction, generally considering the prevailing movement restrictions a nuisance to be subverted. On the other are those in high levels of distress getting ready for impending doom. This is a situation that is constantly evolving. Undoubtedly, this creates a sense of uncertainty and confusion about what to do and not. more..

Mar 31 (MFA) The SL Missions in South Asia, in collaboration with the Foreign Ministry, have been closely engaging with the SL communities overseas and are working towards assisting and facilitating the many SL expatriates in the region in the wake of COVID-19 epidemic. Mission wise, databases of SL students and other expatriates are being compiled by the Missions with a view to keeping in close contact and ensuring their more..

Mar 31 (Island) COVID-19 has wide-ranging implications on two fronts: healthcare provision and economic activities. The impact is being transmitted at the global, sectoral and individual levels. The severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is being compounded in global financial markets by the tension in the oil market arising from Russia’s effort to undermine the US shale sector leading to a split between Russia and Saudi Arabia. The severity of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic more..

Mar 31 (FT) Nations are best tested in times of crisis. This is when our humanity should rise over self-interest and when all differences should be put aside. This is when intellect, indefatigable energy, absolute resoluteness and the courage and conviction to stand up and be counted all come together. This is when populations are united into nations. This is when an aggregate of individuals become a community. This is the moment of the team. In other words, COVID-19 has created more..

Mar 31 (DN) For SL cricket captain Dimuth Karunaratne the curfew imposed by the govt to curb the dreaded Coronavirus has given him a God-given chance to spend time with his family. “Focus on cricket is less these days but we are maintaining our fitness and we have time to spend with our families which is something we don’t get when we are playing cricket around the year,” he said. “We won’t get a chance like this more..

Mar 31 (DN) Football Federation of SL president Anura de Silva said that their biggest challenge following the Coronavirus outbreak was rebuilding and reorganising football to face similar situations in the future. “Depending on the outcome of the current Covid-19 situation faced globally we are currently making plans for the next six months,” he said. “So far all our qualification matches globally have been postponed and hopefully we will be able to overcome this situation in next few months” more..

Mar 31 (Island) Given that all decisions, regarding imposition of curfew, selection of localities to clamp it and declaration of areas to be isolated, is taken at the highest level of govt, regional authorities must not attempt to take decisions on such matters, PMD said. “All the decisions with regard to imposition of curfew, selection of localities to implement curfew and declaration of isolated areas are being taken at the highest level of the Govt following an in-depth analysis of data received,” more..

Mar 31 (TM) Foreign investors have pulled out a whopping Rs. 28.12 billion worth of investments from SL’s Treasury bills and bonds in the first three weeks of this month, according to the data from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). This amounts to over 67% of the total net foreign outflows reported since 1 January to 20 March, which is Rs. 41.55 billion. Net foreign outflows were seen intensifying, more..

Mar 31 (DM) Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday urged the govt not to politicize the distribution of essential goods to people. "We have been told that efforts are being made to fulfil political aspirations when essential goods are distributed to people by the govt. This should not be the case," Mr. Premadasa said in a statement. He also urged the govt to distribute essentials free of charge and to avoid scarcity of essential food items. more..

Mar 31 (FT) Due to increased usage of water and low water levels caused by dry weather, National Water Supply & Drainage Board (NWSDB) yesterday requested the public to be careful when using water. In a statement, the NWSDB explained that water supply would continue without interruption, but that water levels were low due to dry weather. In addition to this, due to a large number of people being at home, usage has also increased. NWSDB thus requested the public more..

Mar 31 (DM) Medical experts have warned that Sri Lanka needs to expand the availability of more COVID-19 tests to battle a possible upsurge in the coming weeks. Senior medical practitioners and academics have stated that tests and more tests were the only way to sustain measures such as curfews taken to control the pandemic. They urged that facilities for more tests be increased using labs at various uni.s more..

Mar 31 (ENA) His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, received a phone call from Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to discuss ways to enhance fraternal relations in all domains, as well as regional and international developments of mutual interest. During the call, the two parties reviewed the latest developments surrounding the coronavirus, COVID-19, and discussed ways to cooperate to avoid the further spread of the epidemic. more..

Mar 31 (DM) The apparel sector will lose USD 2 billion for the three-month period starting from March because of the disruption to supply chain in Europe and the US following the COVID-19 outbreak, Minister Bandula Gunawardene said. He said representatives of the apparel industry met him last Sunday and discussed their grievances triggered by the pandemic. He said apparel exporters were in a predicament as they were unable to ship their consignments meant for upcoming summer. more..

Mar 31 (AD) Prez Rajapaksa has introduced more financial and material relief for SL public who are affected by the novel coronavirus outbreak. Prez has directed the Presidential Task Force on Essential Services to pay low income and vulnerable families, individuals an allowance of Rs 5000 as a lump sum in order to relieve them of the difficulties faced by them. Secretary to the Prez Dr. P.B. Jayasundara today (30) issued a circular more..

Mar 31 (EN) SL’s farmers who could not sell vegetable complained in national television Monday days after a permit raj was tightened and a price control agency was lionized on national television amid curfews slapped to control Coronavirus. Consumer Affairs Authority, the price control agency was seen on television berating traders at economic centres & disrupting activities over the weekend. TV anchors claimed that kooter welandun (racketeering businessmen) were driving up prices. more..

Mar 31 (DM) A large number of organizations and individual donors, including former cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan are contributing funds to strengthen the COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund. President Rajapaksa established this Fund on March 23 to strengthen the mitigation activities aimed at controlling the spread of COVID-19 virus in the country and related social welfare programmes. Creating the Fund, President Rajapaksa donated Rs. 100 million from the President’s Fund. more..

Mar 31 (EN) SL is planning to start sample testing of the population to check Coronavirus community transmission, health chief Anil Jasinghe said as confirmed Covid-19 cases rose to 122 and SL recorded the 2nd death. “We have so far only tested person in isolation units in hospitals,” he said. “We want to check whether there is to some extent this disease in the community. “Even though we don’t we need to confirms that. more..

Mar 31 (DM) The curfew imposed to maintain social distancing or physical distancing to curb the spread of COVID-19, the latest version of the disease caused by the coronavirus family has started to bite the entire nation, irrespective of race, religion or political party the people belong to. The economy made up of large scale corporations to that of those doing odd jobs have been hard hit. Besides, the isolation at homes and curtailment of freedom of movement is killing us slowly. more..

Mar 31 (PMD) The ongoing curfew in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutura, Puttalam, Kandy and Jaffna which have been identified as High Risk Zones will remain in force until further notice. In all other districts, curfew will be lifted at 6am tomorrow (1), Wednesday and will be re-imposed at 2pm on the same day. Traveling to and from all districts is completely prohibited except for the purpose of providing essential services. Those who misuse regulations introduced with the aim of more..

Mar 31 (FT) A disease-modelling study recently released from the Uni of Oxford makes the claim that the majority of coronavirus infections are so mild as to have already passed unrecorded by the authorities and potentially also by the people infected. This is a serious university study, much hated by the hysteria industry for whom the pandemic is a true gold-mine. The rest of us have to intelligently play agnostic and sceptic with these claims and continue to err more..

Mar 31 (FT) Although with a virus as tenacious it is far too soon to bless the day, relative to many other countries, we appear to have done well in containing and even preventing the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 thus far. In terms of numbers (of the afflicted), for a densely populated island, SL’s figure of only one hundred plus two (as of 25 March), gives reason for optimism. Many Developed countries, possessed of much more resources and advanced medical facilities, are stricken badly, more..

Mar 31 (DM) Social media has become a busy place following the indefinite curfew period. A mushrooming number of delivery services has come forward to serve customers with relief packages at various rates. While some customers have expressed their gratitude for their quick and efficient service, many services have also received negative reviews for overcharging, delayed deliveries and some even for delivering rotten fruits and more..

Mar 31 (DM) We have seen people behave in various ways amidst the COVID-19 situation. On one extreme are those who think this is an over-reaction, generally considering the prevailing movement restrictions a nuisance to be subverted. On the other are those in high levels of distress getting ready for impending doom. This is a situation that is constantly evolving. Undoubtedly, this creates a sense of uncertainty and confusion about what to do and not. more..

Mar 31 (DM) All operations of the Kollupitiya HNB branch have been shut down for a period of 14 days after a parent of a staff member of the particular branch has tested positive for COVID-19, the bank said. “As a precautionary measure, HNB has immediately closed the branch and has instructed the entire staff of the branch to enter into self-quarantine. Meanwhile, all operations of this particular branch have been shut down for a period of 14 days and due disinfection processes more..

Mar 31 (EN) SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem is condemning the fact that the remains of a Muslim man, the second person to die from COVID 19, were cremated as it is against the teachings of the Islamic faith. The former Minister in a posting today on Facebook said it is “unfortunate, regrettable and of course reprehensible that the Janaza of the Negombo Victim of the COVID 19 virus had been cremated without permitting more..

Mar 31 (AD) Experts in Sri Lanka are about to launch research into the Japanese drug which has been found to be useful in reducing the complications of the COVID-19 virus. Chairman of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) Dr. Prasanna Gunasena said that this will be coordinated with the intervention of the National Drug Regulatory Commission. The stock of relevant drug which was ordered from Japan was shipped into the country yesterday (30). more..

Mar 31 (DM) A house in the Colombo 06 area was sealed earlier today after two people, who had recently returned from India were taken by a team of PHI officers and police, to the isolation center or hospital, eyewitnesses said. A medical team had arrived at the house, in the early hours and had taken the couple, after which the entire house was disinfected and sealed. It is still unsure if the patients were confirmed to be infected by the coronavirus. The Police have issued a warning to more..

Mar 31 (EN) The number of confirmed cases of COVID19 in Sri Lanka rose to129 today as seven more cases were reported officials said. No details have been released about their locations or where they are now hospitalized. The total number of detected cases is 129, with seven new cases. The number under observation is 173 and 16 people have been discharged after a full recovery. The second death from more..

Mar 31 (EN) SL’s Red Cross in partnership with the Ministry of Health is looking to collect 100,000 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to be donated to the IDH which is in urgent need, a statement said. The Infectious Diseases Hospital in Colombo which is the frontline hospital for treating Coronavirus patients is using about 1000 PPE kits a day, the Red Cross said. SL’s Red Cross Society has partnered with international and local corporates, local chambers and more..

Mar 31 (EN) SL is among several low rated emerging countries that are facing significant rollover risk amid currency depreciation and an increase in credit spread, Moody’ a rating agency said. “Low-rated EM sovereigns with large international bond maturities over the next few quarters face significant rollover risk,” the rating agency said. “Given local-currency depreciation, a sharp increase in credit spreads, and dysfunctional primary markets for new issuances, unless more..

Mar 31 (EN) UberEats Sri Lanka, a food delivery firm said it had partnered with a top retail chain and other businesses to deliver food, after curfews were imposed to curb the spread of Coroanvirus with the approval of the govt. “Our partnership with Cargills Food City and other businesses to deliver essential everyday items via Uber Eats will allow people to stay at home and help authorities reduce the spread of COVID 19” more..

Mar 31 (DM) An Ayurvedic disinfectant used for prevention of Coronavirus and another used in the treatment of the deadly disease manufactured according to an ancient Ayurvedic formula was being distributed from today by the North Central Province Ayurvedic Department. The programme was implemented under the supervision of the Aryurvedic practitioners in the Aryurvedic hospital and medical centres on the instructions of the Commissioner of Ayurveda (NCP) Dr. Kumara Alwis. more..

Mar 31 (AD) Six prison officers have been rushed to the Nuwara Eliya General Hospital after a prison bus had gotten into an accident on Nuwara Eliya-Badulla highway. A prison bus en route to the Badulla Prison had veered off the road and fallen on to a house at around 5.30 pm this evening at the Maha Wanguwa area near the Hakgala Botanical Gardens. Six prison officials including three female officers sustained injuries in the accident. No prisoners had been on the bus at the time of the incident. more..

Mar 31 (EN) With SL’s confirmed COVID-19 cases rising to 132 today, curfew continues to be imposed on different parts of the country – indefinitely in some areas – bringing life to a virtual standstill in nearly every aspect. Though both the state and the private sector have launched delivery services, supplying essential food and grocery items to the grounded public, there have been some complaints of mismanagement & inefficiency. more..

Mar 31 (SLN) SL Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel SLNS Sayura seized a vessel carrying a large consignment of narcotics in seas about 463 nautical miles (835km) off southern coast of the island on Saturday, 28th March around 9.30 a.m. After having detected a Flag State-less vessel in international waters, it had been intercepted by the Navy and about 500kg of drugs believed to be crystal methamphetamine (Ice), around 500kg of substance believed to be cocaine were found onboard more..

Mar 31 (NR) GMOA has recommended that 80% social distancing be maintained while lifting curfew sporadically should be brought to a halt. The GMOA said due to the present situation in the country stern action must be taken in order to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The GMOA recommends that all citizens ensure they do not leave their homes during curfew. The GMOA also proposes a system to ensure banking services, essential food items and medicine be introduced a system that more..

Mar 31 (EN) Sri Lanka’s confirmed Coronavirus cases spiked to 142, health ministry data showed, with the authorities preparing more hospitals to accommodate more patients after several clusters of patients were found. Up to 1930 hours 17 new patients were reported on March 31. Among the persons confirmed on Tuesday were three were from Kandy who were close relatives of a person in Akurana. more..