May 6 (AD) SL Navy says that so far 04 navy personnel who were treated for COVID-19 have fully recovered and have been discharged from hospital. Another two naval persons who were confirmed positive for coronavirus at Anuradhapura and Agalawatta hospitals on April 26 and admitted for treatment to IDH hospital, were discharged from the hospital on Tuesday (5) following their full recovery from COVID-19, the navy said. more..

May 6 (Island) Convenor of Ruhunupura Graduates Forum Ruwan Munasinghe said due to the Election Commission's directive suspending the appointments and training of over 42,000 graduates who had received letters of appointment, until after the parliamentary election was over and the delay in holding the said election due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they were now in deep trouble. Munasinghe said that providing suitable employment for all unemployed graduates was a pledge more..

May 6 (DM) The Navy today denied several news reports posted on several social media outlets and news websites that the Navy had temporarily withdrawn from Covid-19 operations. “SL Navy has not withdrawn from any operations which we engage in the National Mechanism on prevention of Covid-19. Navy continues to engage in those operations with the maximum efforts," SLN said. The SLN said it would take legal action against such individuals and institutes which posted false reports. more..

May 6 (USE) United States announced the commitment of more than $4.5 million to help Sri Lanka in its fight against COVID-19. This brings the total U.S. contribution to $5.8 million. “This assistance continues the long tradition of U.S. support for SL’s security and sovereignty,” said U.S. Ambassador to Alaina B. Teplitz. “Over the past 20 years, U.S. assistance in SL has totaled more than $1 billion, including $26 million for health.” more..

May 6 (NR) Minister Bandula Gunawardena says the govt is compelled to re-open the country to save the livelihoods of the public. He said the country needs to be re-opened for businesses even if covid-19 cases surface in the Western Province. He said the spread of the novel coronavirus is under control at present and the new cases are limited to clusters. Minister noted that discussions are underway with health authorities to review the situation in the country including travel arrangements. more..

May 6 (EN) Former MP Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa is questioning whether the govt is trying to cover-up the COVID-19 death count by attributing deaths caused by the pandemic to other reasons for death. The politician who now is a nominee from Sajith Premadasa-led SJB inquired about the cause of death of the soldier who died collapsing at the Dambulla bus terminal two days ago. “Some say its epilepsy, I don’t think a solider could ever die due to epilepsy since they are subjected to more..

May 6 (EN) A Fundamental Rights (FR) petition has been filed challenging the Gazette notification issued by the Election Commission declaring the General Election on June 20 as well as the Gazette notification on the dissolution of Parliament. The General Secretary of Jathika Samagi Jana Balawegaya and former UNP MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara has lodged the said petition. The Attorney General in lieu of more..

May 6 (TM) President’s Secretary P.B. Jayasundera has requested all state institutions to consider contributing half, a week or a day’s contribution from their May salaries to combat Covid 19, Jayasundera said. He said if govt servants agree to contribute, the proceeds will be deposited into the Widows’ and Orphans’ Pension Fund. “The country would further be able to reduce its budget deficit,” Jayasundera added. He said treasury spends approximately Rs. 100 b on salaries per month. more..

May 6 (AD) Twenty-one more individuals have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the Ministry of Health confirmed a short while ago. The new cases jump the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country to 795. The Ministry added that a total of 215 coronavirus patients have recovered from the disease and were discharged from hospitals. According to the Epidemiology Unit, 571 active cases are currently under medical care at selected hospitals across the country. more..

May 6 (EN) The govt of Sri Lanka has acted in bad faith and failed to provide the people the relief owed to them in the COVID-19 pandemic and its debilitating economic repercussions, the opposition JVP said. JVP former MP Sunil Handunettti said a fuel price stabilisation fund set up by the govt to raise up to Rs 200 billion within six months could’ve been utilised to provide much needed relief to the people. more..

May 7 (CT) Recently there have been many arguments on printed and electronic media on the operation of Sec. 24 (3) of the Parliamentary Elections Act No 1 of 1981 of SL (PEA). It is argued by many that the said section permits the Election Commission (EC) to postpone the election only in one particular electoral district and as such, section 24 (3) is not applicable to the conduct of a General Election in multiple electoral districts. As this has led to many argument I proceed to interpret more..

May 7 (CT) Sometimes it is common sense and not rocket science that is needed. COVID-19 emanated from China and was made known to the World on 31 Dec 2019. In 120 days, it has ratcheted past 3 Million case numbers and 210,000 reported deaths globally. An additional < 56,000 are reported as serious. Over 92% of the 210,000 deaths are along the 30°N – 60°N latitudes/parallel belt of nations – China, Iran, Turkey, Russia, EU, UK, US, etc. Therefore, they must enlist/ensure robust more..

May 7 (ST) As Vesak, the birth, enlightenment and parinibbana of Buddha, the gentle philosopher who spread the message of maithriya draws close, many are the paintings down the ages which have captured this thrice-blessed day. A medical professor, who in her free time, with camera slung on her shoulder treads the unbeaten path to remote areas to capture temple art, gives an insight into the intricacies of such paintings where more..

May 7 (DM) Sri Lanka is traditionally known to be a hospitable country with people, who are friendly, generous and ready to help each other. We are known to have imbibed these qualities from our parents and grandparents and influenced by the teachings of the four great world religions- Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. But see what the coronavirus or COVID19 onslaught has done to this country. Apart from invading our country and threatening our health, it has also more..

May 7 (DM) Political Theorist John Dunn, drawing from John Lock’s Two Treatises of Govt, points out that “It is impossible to foresee and so, by-laws provide for all accidents and necessities that may concern the public.” Therefore, he argues, “There is a latitude left for the Executive Power to do many things of choice which the laws do not prescribe.” Someone who calls him/herself A patriot has elaborated on this idea with respect to the so-called Constitutional crisis regarding more..

May 7 (CT) Corruption comes in all shapes and sizes, but in a one-of-its-kind story, the company M/s Vehicle Lanka Pvt Ltd conned the State out of Rs 1,450 million in taxes by importing dismantled Japanese vehicles declared as overage used vehicle spare parts and paying paltry duties to SL Customs. Though the racket came to light several years ago, the man behind these wheel deals had even in 2019 imported four more..

May 7 (Island) Sinhala Buddhists have, for centuries, associated certain towns with specific Buddhist festivals. Chief among them is the ancient holy city of Anuradhapura where white clad millions throng on Poson Poya in June to celebrate the introduction of the Buddha Dhamma to Sri Lanka over two thousand three hundred years ago. The month of Esala (August) draws many thousands of devotees to Kandy, our last Royal Capital, to pay homage to the Sacred Dalada (Tooth Relic), more..

May 7 (Island) Vesak has dawned while the world is under a pall of uncertainty, caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The prevailing national health emergency, and the attendant restrictions on mass gatherings, in this country, will make the Vesak festival somewhat less colourful, but, on positive side, these preventive measures will allow Buddhists to embrace spirituality in a more profound manner. The rising incidence of Covid-19, and the resultant staggering death toll, remind us of the fragility of life, more..

May 7 (DN) Enlightenment is a tough task in the crowds. The Buddha emphasized this factor in several suttas found in his teachings. The following is a brief extraction from the Satipatthana Sutta (translated by Venerable Soma Thera). “And how, O bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu live contemplating the body in the body? “Here, O bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, gone to the forest, to the foot of a tree, or to an empty place, sits down, bends in his legs crosswise on his lap, keeps his body erect, and more..

May 7 (CT) Prez Rajapakasa at a meeting with China's Acting Ambassador and Charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Colombo Hu Wei at the Presidential Secretariat recently highlighted three issues, the Presidential Secretariat said. Those were the need for investments as opposed to loans, where, in the case of the latter, it gets Sri Lanka further into debt and the deteriorating situation of merchandise exports and the tourism sector because of the COVID-19 pandemic. more..

May 7 (FT) In yet another effort to counter the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, Central Bank yesterday adjusted policy rates for the fourth time this year, reducing rates by 50 basis points, and warned banks it will resort to punitive measures unless interest rates were adjusted to mirror Monetary Board decisions. Monetary Board of the CB, at a special meeting held yesterday, reviewed the current monetary policy stance more..

May 7 (Island) You will most probably read Cassandra this week on Vesak Day. She is completely benign with no malice in mind or tongue. She hastily adds it is not put on, assumed or a veneer. Maybe later when annoyances come along, irritant politicians being the major transgressors of her peaceful mind, she will speak with acid. Not today. It is a day to remember with reverence Gautama Buddha and his Dhamma. Vesak certainly is celebratory. more..

May 7 (Island) The postponement of the General Elections 2020 due to the Covid 19 pandemic has led to different viewpoints being expressed on the legal position. The focus is on two issues - the date of the General Election and the summoning of Parliament. Professor GL Peiris, and Mr. Manohara de Silva, PC, in interviews published in newspapers or TV programmes, have stated that the President is not required to re-summon the old Parliament, after his Proclamation of Dissolution on 2 March, more..

May 7 (TM) The largest liquor manufacturer in the country, Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC (DCSL), is hoping to recommence liquor sales as soon as possible, according to a disclosure issued by its parent company Melstacorp PLC yesterday (6) to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). “We would be working towards getting the beverage sector functioning normally as soon as possible, more..

May 7 (CT) Fundamental Right Petition filed on behalf of Lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah sets out details of how the CID has used threats, coercion and intimidation on children to justify his arrest. Petition, sets out in detail Hizbullah’s rise as a stellar student at S. Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia, and thereafter at Law College. He was then granted a scholarship to study for his PhD at University College of London. Hizbullah was lead counsel in many landmark cases including the 52 day Coup case, more..

May 7 (FT) Fitch Ratings has downgraded in May three SL banks' Issuer Default Ratings after it downgraded SL's sovereign rating to ‘B-‘ with a Negative Outlook and revised down its assessment of the banks' operating environment, both of which reflect the escalating impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the country's economy. Fitch also maintained a Negative Outlook on the banks' ratings, as it believes the sovereign's credit profile could constrain their ratings and to reflect pandemic's effect more..

May 7 (FT) A Fundamental Rights Violation Petition was filed on Tuesday (5) on behalf of lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah, who is purportedly under custody on detention order. Petition was filed by senior Attorney-at-Law Gowry Thavarajah citing Acting IGP C.D. Wickramaratne, Director of CID SSP W. Thilakaratne, Chief Inspector Karunatilaka of the CID, OIC of the SIU Unit 3 Deepani Menike, OIC of the CID Mihindu Abeysinghe, more..

May 7 (Island) The SL rupee shows signs of recovery after falling against the U.S. dollar over the past few weeks. According to the daily exchange report of the Central Bank of SL (CBSL), the current buying rate of the US Dollar stands at Rs.185.81 and selling rate at Rs. 191.71. Buying rate of Euro stands at Rs.201.67 and selling rate at 210.20. The rupee’s gain is a significant change after falling as low as 200.50 on April 9, 2020. The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) SL said more..

May 7 (DN) Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided a guarantee for a $25 million trade loan to the of Sri Lanka (SPC) to purchase medical supplies as part of the country’s response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The supplies, to be purchased by SPC with the loan, will include personal protective equipment such as N95 medical masks, surgical masks, as well as medicines to treat people who have tested positive to COVID-19. more..

May 7 (SS) Mickey Arthur is enjoying his time in Sri Lanka. But the last few weeks have been challenging. With the country witnessing curfew due to the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the head coach of the SL cricket team has confined himself in a hotel in Colombo. While he is far away from home and the family, Arthur has ensured that he follows a strict routine. It’s tough to be honest, he says. more..

May 7 (TM) Tokyo Cement Company (Lanka) PLC has recommended that SL Govt remain steadfast in restricting cement imports that increase the country’s foreign exchange exposure without adding In a statement released to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) on 4 May, Tokyo Cement Managing Director S.R. Gnanam stated that due to saturation by importers, last year saw local manufacturers supplying only 62% to the national consumption, despite having the capacity to supply 90%. more..

May 7 (DN) The National Chamber of Exporters ( NCE) have pleaded with the government to come to the rescue of the export community who have supplied orders to their buyers overseas who have not honoured their payments on account of COVID 19. There are a large number of exporters mainly in the apparel, spices, footwear and rubber sectors who have not been paid their dues for their exports and we have made representations to the Govt and especially Minister Dinesh Gunawardena more..

May 7 (DN) Sri Lankans have to celebrate the 2020 Vesak Festival while facing the COVID 19 pandemic. Sri Lankans are about to free the country from the clutches of COVID 19 due to the dedication, commitment, patience and the equanimity of Buddhists and other communities. Hence the Vesak Festival should be celebrated while protecting the victories of the combat operation against COVID 19. The curfew or the health rules and regulations would not affect a Dharmic Life in any way. more..

May 7 (PMD) The Buddhists in SL, together with fellow Buddhist brethren the world over, celebrate the Vesak, their supreme religious festival, with much religious fervour and enthusiasm. Since ancient times, it has been the practice to spend the period of Vesak indulging in religious observances with the fervent veneration of the Buddha. This year, like the rest of the world Buddhist community, we too have to perform the religious practices of Vesak in the backdrop of a virus pandemic threatening more..

May 7 (DN) Ranil Jayawardena, who has been the MP for North East Hampshire since 2015, announced yesterday that he was asked by the PM to join the Department for International Trade as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, which is the equivalent term for Trade Minister. It comes after Bournemouth West MP, Conor Burns, resigned from the govt after a report found that he used his position to attempt to intimidate a member more..

May 7 (Island) Commissioner of Examinations, Sanath Pujitha said that whether the GCE A/L exam will be held in August will be decided after schools are opened. He added that Ministry of Education has not decided as to when schools will reopen. Therefore, any decision, on the AL exam, will have to be taken, depending on when schools will be reopened, he said. Schools were closed on the second week of Mach. Meanwhile Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said that they had not yet more..

May 7 (DN) A special program to invoke blessings in appreciation of the invaluable service of war heroes has been organized by Senehasa Education, Resource, Research and Information Centre (SERRIC) today, Vesak Full Moon Poya Day. SERRIC, which functions under the Defence Ministry, has planned to light a lamp themed Adhishtana Pahan dedicated to Tri-Forces members who had contracted COVID-19 in their effort to contain spread of the virus and their families more..

May 7 (Island) Acting IGP has ordered the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) to conduct a thorough investigation into the NGO, headed by lawyer Ejaaz Hizbullah, who is in the custody of the CID, as a suspect in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks. The investigation into the NGO was ordered since it had been largely funded by two of the suicide bombers, who carried out the Easter Sunday attacks on churches and hotels, more..