Apr 3 (DN) SL Bureau of Foreign Employment has handpicked 14 hotels throughout the island to accommodate 30,000 migrant workers who will be repatriated under a new scheme. Last week under a revised quarantine regulations programme, the Govt reduced its compulsory quarantine period for migrant workers from 14 days to 7 days. Bureau is currently drawing up a plan to bring these workers within three months and to waive their hotel charges during their mandatory quarantine stay. more..

Apr 3 (AD) The govt has decided to reduce the prices of several goods in view of the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year season. Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena said the relevant items can be purchased at reduced prices from Sathosa outlets starting next Monday. This was announced during a press briefing held at the Trade Ministry on Friday. Accordingly, 1 kg of brown sugar will be sold at Rs. 115. more..

Apr 3 (CT) Prez Rajapaksa pledged the Govt would leave no room for the culprits of the Easter Sunday terror attacks in 2019 as well as groups responsible for this dastardly attack to escape the law. In his Easter message the Prez said the Govt is determined to ensure national security to prevent a recurrence of such tragedies in the country. He said, “Easter, the noblest festival in the Christian calendar, symbolises the victory over evil and sin. Easter further provides devotees an opportunity to more..

Apr 3 (CT) SLPP National List MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, in a letter to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, said the delay in passing the Private Member Bill to amend the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Act (No.1 of 1975) was a violation of fundamental rights of the citizenry as well as his Parliamentary privileges. He said, the delay could be a deliberate attempt to not give an opportunity to pass the Bill. “The Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Act (No. 1 of 1975) was more..

Apr 3 (CT) There is reliable information that attempts are being made to overturn the decision of the Experts Committee appointed by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) to the effect that the data provided so far are inadequate to arrive at a decision on the safety, efficacy and the immunogenicity of the Sinopharm Vaccine, and register the said vaccine for emergency use, SLMA on Friday said. more..

Apr 3 (FT) On 21 April 2019, when my friend stepped into a hotel in Colombo with her family to enjoy the Easter brunch, she never would have imagined that this would be the last meal she was going to have or it was the last moment she was going to spend alive. Why would she have those thoughts when she and all other Sri Lankans believed the days of terror were behind us; when we believed that we lived in a safe country. But we were wrong! Over 260 innocent lives were lost and more..

Apr 3 (Island) These are bad days for SL cops. They are either knocked down by speeding contraptions with maniacs at the wheel or harassed by the ruling party political dregs who think no end of themselves. SL politicians love stooges in the public service, where one’s success hinges on one’s ability to lick political boots. They have an antipathy towards upright public officials who tell them what they do not want to hear. Senior Forest Officer Devani Jayathilake has incurred the wrath of the govt more..

Apr 3 (DN) All SL politicians despite their political ideologies or parties should stand with the present Govt to face challenges against this country, said former Kurunegala District UNP MP Gamini Jayawickrama Perera. “This country does not belong to Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa or Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. These two leaders are elected by the voters of this country only for a specific period of time,” he said. However, the Opposition politicians should refrain from playing petty politics. more..

Apr 3 (DM) The UNP will appoint new organisers starting from May, this year, with focus on women and professionals representing various sectors, its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said. Addressing a meeting he had with lawyers at Sirikotha, Mr. Wickremesinghe said the party will give priority to women, businessmen and other professionals as organisers. “We also welcome lawyers if they are willing to come forward to represent our party,” he said. “We will go for a re-organisation more..

Apr 3 (AD) Director-General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena has issued health guidelines in view of the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Accordingly, the members of the public have been urged to celebrate the festival and to observe the traditions and rituals at home. They have been requested to stay home during the inauspicious time (Punya Kaalaya/Nonagathaya) as much as possible. more..

Apr 3 (FT) As the Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS) is geared to unveil Sri Lanka Internet Day 2021, a first-time occurrence in the country, the Bank of Ceylon is collaborating as the Platinum Sponsor for the event. The event will span two full days and bring IT industry experts, startup entrepreneurs, top delegates, and business decision makers from across the globe together. The bank’s Chairman Kanchana Ratwatte handed over more..

Apr 3 (FT) Seylan Tikiri, the pioneer children’s savings account in Sri Lanka, together with the Wildlife and Nature Protection Authority (WNPS) initiated the Up-Cycled Waste Items Competition to teach children about the importance of recycling and their responsibility towards nature. The digital competition is designed to educate young children on the importance of protecting nature while allowing them to bring out their creativity. Tikiri by Seylan Bank is always on the lookout for innovative more..

Apr 3 (EN) The Bar Association of SL (BASL) will observe action being taken to curb what it calls a disturbing trend of police brutality in the country and stands ready to intervene where necessary, the BASL said yesterday. In a statement signed by BASL Secretary Rajeev Amarasuriya, the association said a failure to hold errant police officers to account would ultimately lead to erosion in the rule of law and the confidence the public more..

Apr 3 (AD) Four new COVID-related deaths have been confirmed in Sri Lanka on Friday (2), says the Director-General of Health Services. This brings the country’s death toll from the pandemic to 575. Details of the deceased are as follows: 01. An 86-year-old woman from Ikiriya area has passed away on Thursday (1) due to COVID pneumonia. She was transferred to Kandy National Hospital after testing positive novel coronavirus while receiving treatment at Rikillagaskada District Hospital. more..

Apr 3 (DM) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today called on the people to blame him if he was not able to resolve people's issues during his tenure as Prez. He said he has managed to develop the economy, which was crippled when he came to power, as a domestic green economy despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Prez expressed these views while participating at the Gama Samaga Pilisandara programme in Vavunia District today. "I always say it is not Gotabaya Rajapaksa who is important, more..

Apr 3 (DM) A total of 8,957 individuals who have committed various motor traffic offences have been detected in an island-wide operation to minimize motorcycle accidents. DIG Ajith Rohana said the operation was carried out from the 31st of March to the 1st of April. According to him, 295 motorcycles were taken into custody by the police for not being in an apt condition for riding. Meanwhile, 264 motorcyclists were more..

Apr 3 (EN) Sri Lanka’s state-run Bank of Ceylon is planning a 10 billion rupees venture capital fund after seeing high balance sheet growth in 2020, with group gross assets growing 22.8% to 3 trillion rupees, officials said. Bank of Ceylon Chairman Kanchana Ratwatte said a 10 billion rupee venture capital fund is being planned which will target start-ups, export oriented companies, import substitution companies and IT sector businesses. It was still under an approval process. more..

Apr 3 (CT) Our Power of People Party (OPPP) National List MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera has made a request to the Prez calling for a Commission to be swiftly set up to protect the country’s forest reserves. The Thera said protecting these valuable lands with forest canopies should be a national policy. He said a special tree planting programme was held at the sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy on 2 April. He said the programme was organised in collaboration with 100 int'l organisations. more..

Apr 3 (EN) SL’s police and military will give protection to 1,944 churches around the country on the second anniversary of an Islamist suicide bombing attack, DIG Ajith Rohana said. “A special protection will be given to 1,944 churches island wide with more than 12,040 armed forces personnel providing security for the general public that comes for the prayers,” DIG Ajith Rohana said. Islamist bombers hit several churches and hotel in more..

Apr 3 (HT) Days before polling in Tamil Nadu, BJP president JP Nadda on Saturday said PM Narendra Modi is the first PM to visit Jaffna in Sri Lanka where houses were bombarded and got them reconstructed. The Jaffna area has a majority Tamil population. The area witnessed a brutal civil war between the LTTE and Sri Lankan forces that continued for several years and led to the loss of lives of thousands of people. "Modi Ji is the first PM to visit Jaffna in Sri Lanka. more..

Apr 3 (CT) Urban Development Authority (UDA) and the SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) have taken steps to implement a 23-tower cable car project from Nanu Oya Railway Station to Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya. This is a multi-strategic infrastructure development project, aimed at enhancing tourism in Nuwara Eliya, especially around Gregory Lake, and its development, ownership, and assignment are under a private investor. Funded by Outdoor Engineers AG more..

Apr 3 (ST) Child obesity has risen since COVID shutdowns began, adding to a nutritional triple burden of under-nutrition, high levels of obesity and vitamin and mineral deficiencies, studies show. While malnutrition is decreasing, obesity is taking its place in the nutrition crisis, the President of the SL Medical Nutrition Association, Dr. Renuka Jayatissa, said. The level of obesity among children under the age of five has increased more..

Apr 4 (SO) All sectors of the global economy suffered heavily as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, but there is no doubt that the biggest setback was caused to tourism and travel industries. The global travel and tourism sector suffered a loss of almost US$ 4.5 trillion in 2020 due to the impact of Covid-19. Altogether, the sector’s contribution to the global GDP plummeted to US$ 4.7 T in 2020 from nearly US$ 9.2 T the previous year. Almost half the global population travelled in 2019, more..

Apr 4 (TM) Everything changes with time, and the failure to adapt to these changes can not only cause social and economic regression, but also hinder future progress. Among many sectors that are changing rapidly is the education sector, which forms the foundation of a country’s development in numerous ways. The UGC recently stated that it was planning to introduce regulations through a new Act for private sector higher education institutions, in a bid to ensure quality of education provided more..

Apr 4 (SO) State Minister Anuradha Jayaratne said the Opposition’s attempt to topple the Govt would only be a daydream as the Govt led by Prez Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has a farsighted vision and plan for each and every Ministry and Department until 2025. When the people see the results, the Opposition won’t be able to manipulate issues like this and further carry out their false propaganda campaign against the Govt. more..

Apr 4 (GV) Saumya, mother of 2 from Polonnaruwa who has taken a loan of Rs. 200,000 from a well-established microfinance company in the region to start a small apparel business to make ends meet. She had already paid over 75% of agreed amount, including the interest. Then recently she was told by the company to pay another Rs. 120,000 as a default amount before legal action is taken against her. Confused and terrified, with no support from anyone, Saumya narrated her story. more..

Apr 4 (CT) This tribute is written on Good Friday of 2021, a day that is significant for all Christians and especially for us who have been bereaved by the passing on of our dear friend and colleague Rayappu Joseph, the true and undoubtedly the genuine disciple of Jesus Christ. As we commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, my mind goes back to what Jesus quoted from the Hebrew Scriptures, before he began his public ministry. From the book of the prophet Isaiah more..

Apr 4 (TM) The six-member Parliamentary Committee appointed to study the report of the PCoI into the Easter Sunday terror attacks has finished its study and compiled its findings. SJB MP Harin Fernando has been vocal in his criticism of the PCoI’s report, its findings, and recommendations on how to prevent a further attack and bring justice to the victims. The Morning spoke to Fernando on what he believes is lacking in the report and more..

Apr 4 (ST) While most eyes were on Geneva last week awaiting the inevitable outcome of the vote against SL at the UNHRC, a remark by a very senior Cabinet Minister caught the attention of locals immersed in an ongoing battle to protect the country’s endangered environment. The remark, coinciding with World Water Day, was a proposal to raid the Sinharaja Natural Forest reserve once again–this time to start a water project inside this UNESCO world heritage site with more..

Apr 4 (CT) This may appear to be a bold title just two months after the 1 February a coup in Burma but it’s true. For starters the Burmese junta is in a tight spot – the army opened fire in 40 locations on Saturday; Rangoon saw dozens of deaths and killings were recorded from Kachin in the north to the far south; more than 400 protesters have been killed by army since the coup and there is no sign that the surge of public anger will subside. There is no question that the junta has to be overthrown and more..

Apr 4 (ST) My dear Ravi, I thought of writing to you when I heard that you were released on bail after spending time in remand, charged with the bond scam when you were in charge of the nation’s purse strings. You must be happy that you get to spend time with your family at Easter. These must be difficult days for you, Ravi. The Green Party that you spent most of your political life with is now in tatters and not even a miracle will resurrect it. They can’t even send someone to Parliament for more..

Apr 4 (SO) State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said the outcome of the recent Geneva vote amply demonstrates to the people who genuinely love the motherland and those who are willing to betray it for money and power. He said after the recent Geneva vote it was possible for the people to identify the group that gives priority to the country’s well-being and the other group that will go to any lengths to protect their existence based on money and power hungry politics, even by destroying more..

Apr 4 (ST) A night brawl erupted between lawyers and hotel management official at a well-known hotel in Kandy, leaving many injured and property damaged. The incident took place when the lawyers were having a get-together to mark the end of their term. The brawl had erupted in the midnight hours when some hotel management officials and the lawyers engaged in an argument. The lawyers argued their case, but more..

Apr 4 (ST) Para-athletes are on the cusp of bringing glory to Sri Lanka at the Tokyo Paralympic Games to be held from August 24 to September 5. In the history of Paralympic Games, Sri Lanka has won two bronze medals. They are at the 2012 London Paralympics through Pradeep Sanjaya in the T-46 400metre event and at the 2016 Rio Games when Dinesh Herath came third in the F-46 Javelin Throw event. NPCSL is confident seven or eight athletes will qualify for the Tokyo Games. more..

Apr 4 (SO) Racecourse Athletic Club (RAC) that was established in 2020 by a former Olympian who represented Sri Lanka will embark on a mission to spread awareness to the general public on the benefits of staying fit. They will organize athletic events every Saturday around Racecourse that will help to identify potential youth who can be shaped out to become future Olympic runners. As a fitness club in Colombo they are targetting citizens working out on jogging tracks built throughout SL. more..

Apr 4 (ST) Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game. To be successful in Test cricket a team needs to sustain the pressure until the final ball. In recent times the national cricket team has struggled for consistency in the longest format. Leading in to the Test series in the Caribbean, their form in the format has been dismal after they had been whitewashed by South Africa and England comprehensively. more..

Apr 4 (ST) Versatile sportsman Angelo Joseph Ranjit David, better known as Ranjit David, passed away at the age of 78, weeks after celebrating his birthday which fell on March 10. A former national cap in basketball, David was also equally talented in cricket and football, though he was widely popular among all sports circuits for his immense contribution to all three sports. A former student of St. Michael’s College, Batticaloa, David mastered his skills in basketball under strict upbringing and more..

Apr 4 (ST) Army spinners Matheesh Theekshana (4/40), Dushan Vimukthi (3/19) and Seekkuge Prasanna (3/11) spun a web around Airmen to record an easy 8-wicket win in their Major Club Limited Over match played at Panagoda yesterday. The trio ran through the Air Force batting order ferociously to bowl the visitors out for a meagre 110 in 32 overs–a target the hosts had little trouble in chasing. Airmen had begun well after put in to bat first reaching 28 at the end of the fifth over more..