Jun 14 (FT) COVID-19 detections over the weekend rose to 4,715 with 2,361 persons testing positive for the virus yesterday. The patients detected yesterday include 2,329 persons linked to the New Year cluster. 18,885 PCR tests were conducted yesterday. On Saturday, 19,676 PCR tests were carried out and 2,354 persons tested positive for the virus. The patients include 2,326 persons linked to the New Year cluster, more..

Jun 14 (DM) National Peoples’ Power (NPP) said they will be going to the Supreme Court next week against the moves to import 227 Prado SUVs for the MPs, claiming that it was illegal. Former JVP Western Provincial Councillor Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala said that Letters of Credits (LCs) have been opened without Cabinet approval and that it was illegal. He said the Cabinet Paper for the import of vehicles was presented on May 18 and added that the LCs had been opened on April 22. more..

Jun 14 (DM) Bahrain has indefinitely suspended giving work permits to people from coronavirus red list countries such as India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and SL, a representative of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority told The National on Sunday. “For the time being, individuals who are in India, Pakistan, SL, Bangladesh, and Nepal are not able to gain work permits in Bahrain," he said. "The decision was put in place on May 24, and we are still unsure of when it will be lifted.” more..

Jun 14 (FT) Under fire for imposing additional burden on the masses amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday justified the sharp hike in fuel prices, saying the move was warranted and also helps to achieve other beneficial broader socio-economic goals. In a statement, the President said the price increase is only one key factor in a common strategy that strengthens the local economy. more..

Jun 14 (FT) Health authorities yesterday confirmed 63 COVID-19 deaths between 23 May and 11 June, bringing the country’s COVID-19 death toll to 2,136. 12 deaths occurred between 23 May and 31 May, while 51 deaths occurred in June. 47 persons died while receiving treatment, nine died while being admitted to a treatment centre, and seven died at home. 33 of the persons were male and 30 were female. 23 persons were between ages 70 and 79, 15 persons were between ages 60 and 69, more..

Jun 14 (FT) The COVID-19 immunisation program on Saturday administered COVID-19 vaccines to 136,677 persons, bringing the number of persons to receive the first dose to 2,259,385 and the second dose to 509,998. 59,881 persons received the first dose of Sinopharm and 76,615 persons received the second dose of Sinopharm on Saturday. A total of 154,640 persons have received both doses of the vaccine and the first dose has been administered to 1,269,157 persons. more..

Jun 14 (EN) Sri Lanka’s central bank which is advocating import controls and is also the banking regulator, did not approve the opening of letters of credit to bring down luxury SUVs for MPs, Governor W D Lakshman said. The LC was opened by a state bank, according to information that is now public. “The Central Bank has not given such an approval,” Governor Lakshman said. “We also got to know about that story later.” more..

Jun 14 (FT) The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in several waves in almost all the countries in the world has codified a new normal for human behaviour. This code of relationships entailing social distancing, wearing face masks plus face shields, frequent hand washing, and keeping a record of first-hand contacts for later follow-up is going to stay with the world for several years. It has also changed the approach which bank supervisors and regulators should adopt when dealing more..

Jun 14 (FT) Social media has increasingly become a part of our daily lives, with respect to its attractiveness. It can have a developmental or detrimental approach towards something or someone. We have often seen how it can jumble fact with fiction in creating chaos. Today’s column is a discussion on the role of social media amidst a planetary pandemic with its associated promises and perils. I came across an interesting article by Heena Sahni and Hunny Sharma, more..

Jun 14 (NR) The Captain of the fire-stricken X-Press Pearl, who was arrested by the CID, has been released on a personal bond. The Russian national Captain was released on a Rs.2 million personal bond and was issued an overseas travel ban. The order was issued by Colombo High Court judge Damith Thotawatte. The Captain was ordered to hand over his passport to Court. The case is expected to be taken up for further consideration on the 1st of July. more..

Jun 14 (Island) A bus transporting garment workers was attacked by a group of youth in Muruganur, Vavuniya on Saturday. They also assaulted the driver of the bus. There were 28 garment workers in the bus at the time of the incident. The youth stopped the bus, got inside and assaulted the driver alleging that he was transporting those who had contracted COVID-19. The youth also warned him to stop transporting garment workers. Vavuniya Police are conducting investigations. more..

Jun 14 (EN) Partner parties of the SLPP-led alliance have issued a joint-statement criticising attempts from within to heap blame for a staggeringly unpopular fuel price hike on Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila. Meanwhile, in a new twist to the saga, State Minister Nimal Lansa has said SLPP architect Basil Rajapaksa would not have allowed a fuel price hike at this juncture. In a statement signed by, among others, NFF leader and Minister more..

Jun 14 (Island) Virtusa Corporation (NASDAQ GS: VRTU), a global provider of digital strategy, digital engineering, and IT services and solutions, recently introduced a 24/7 COVID-19 Care Portal tailored to ensure the health and safety of its team. In Sri Lanka, Virtusa enabled all team members to update their health and risk factors remotely, tracking and managing the well-being of its workforce and their families through the portal, mitigating threats of spread, recording vaccination progress, more..

Jun 14 (FT) The call for an LPG price hike that was made a few months ago becomes inevitable following the upward revision in fuel prices on Saturday, industry analysts said. The two LPG companies, Litro and LAUGFS, had earlier filed a price revision with the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) but the latter had deferred a decision as well as sought alternative suggestions. The new price requested varies between the two companies but both are above Rs. 500 per 12.5 kg cylinder. more..

Jun 14 (Island) National Forum Against Gender-Based Violence (NFAGBV) in SL has called for immediate attention to the challenges faced by victims of domestic violence during the pandemic, related lockdowns. Domestic violence has been recognized globally as a widespread violation of human rights even prior to the pandemic. In an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, countries including SL have employed travel more..

Jun 14 (SLN) The Navy seized about 237kg and 500g of Kerala cannabis along with 03 suspects and a dinghy, during a special operation conducted in seas north of Point Pedro today. The special operation carried out by the Northern Naval Command in seas north of Point Pedro in the wee hours today, led to the interception of a suspicious dinghy heading shoreward loaded with 02 sacks of Kerala cannabis. Navy also took the dinghy and 3 suspects aboard into custody more..

Jun 14 (EN) Gulam Chatoor, who set up SL’s Spices & Allied Products Producers & Traders’ Association in 1984 to uplift the industry and a past chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has stepped down from his company. He had guided Saboor Chatoor (Pvt) Ltd, a spice exporter in a career spanning 70 years. Chatoor founded and established the Spices & Allied Products Producers & Traders’ Association in 1984. This association provided a platform to members, exporters, more..

Jun 14 (FT) UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed it was the Govt’s duty to retain the European Union’s GSP+ trade concessions and warned failure may put the $ 5 billion apparel industry at risk and compound the ongoing economic crisis. “If we are to protect the apparel industry, we have to take measures to ensure that the GSP+ concessions are retained. It is the Govt’s duty to retain the GSP+, not to throw it away. more..

Jun 14 (Island) Rhino Group serving SL for over half a century, has stepped forward to donate 8 ICU Ventilators worth over Rs. 10 million to the Ministry of Health to support the nation combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has announced. As a corporate entity with the welfare of the community and environment it operates in at the top of its mind, Rhino Group has over the years taken the lead in turbulent times, such as the devastating Tsunami that struck the island, and the landslide more..

Jun 14 (DM) The Environment Ministry is focusing on implementing an alternative to prevent 750ml plastic bottles from entering the environment. Following a meeting held at the Ministry, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera instructed the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) that the plastic bottle manufacturing companies that several plastic and polythene based products have been banned under the program implemented to reduce the use of polythene and plastics in the country. more..

Jun 14 (CT) Marking International Day against Child Labour on 12 June, the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) raised the age of employment for children from 14 to 16 years. "The legal process of increasing the age limit was based on the Education Act of 2016, which extended the age of compulsory education to 16 years under the Ministry's Education Regulations," NCPA Chairman Prof. Muditha Vidanapathirana stated. more..

Jun 14 (EN) Court of Appeal Chair Justice Arjuna Obeysekera was sworn in a SC judge before Prez Rajapaksa June 14 morning. On June 8, the Parliamentary Council approved Prez Rajapaksa’s proposal to appoint Obeysekera to the Supreme Court. Obeysekera replaces recently retired Supreme Court Judge Sisira de Abrew. Court of Appeal Judge Priyantha Fernando was sworn in as the new Chairman of the Court of Appeal filling the vacancy left by Obeysekera. more..

Jun 14 (FT) In the wake of the MV X-Press Pearl disaster, much attention has been drawn to the shipping agent and the role played by the agent in handling Dangerous Cargo (DG Cargo) and also incidents related to damages and handling of such instances. Every ship that has called SL has had a shipping agent who is considered the long arm of the principal who coordinates and arranges all services connected to a vessel’s call in SL to the entire satisfaction of the principal, more..

Jun 14 (FT) United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative Ritsu Nacken who recently completed her stint says SL has made significant achievements in terms of overall health indicators but opined nutrition indicators continue to lag behind. She emphasises the importance of designing holistic, inclusive, comprehensive and agile solutions and more importantly, solutions that bring everyone more..

Jun 14 (CT) Chavakachcharai Police arrested a father from the Thavakkuli area in Jaffna charged with throwing a 10-year-old child into a well after tying the child with a rope. The incident took place on 12 June. Police said the father who had returned home in a drunken stupor had assaulted his wife and his two children before throwing the eldest child into the well. Having heard loud screams from the mother, nearby residents with the support of soldiers who were nearby had rescued the child. more..

Jun 14 (DM) While criticizing the move to provide luxury vehicles for ministers and MPs, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said yesterday that his party would never approve using public funds for the purpose. "We in the SJB condemn the proposal by the govt to provide MPs with vehicles at taxpayers’ expense. We urge the govt to ensure that these scarce public funds are utilized to provide vaccines for all Sri Lankans. SJB will never approve using public resources for the benefit of politicians, more..

Jun 14 (FT) Export Development Board (EDB) expressed concerns over the resolution adopted by the European Union (EU) Parliament calling on the EU Commission to consider the temporary withdrawal of SL’s GSP+ status and the benefits that come with it. Resolution on SL was adopted noting the Govt’s persistent failure to adopt and enact human rights reforms and repeal the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). more..

Jun 14 (DM) The body of a COVID-19 victim which was prepared for cremation was reportedly removed from the Panthiya Crematorium in Matugama, following an order received to allow another body, which was taken in a VIP vehicle, to be cremated. The body of a 93-year-old female, who died of COVID-19 at home in the Galmaththa area in Matugama, was taken to the Panthiya crematorium for cremation by an ambulance. The body was brought by health workers under more..

Jun 14 (DM) Health Ministry has taken steps to change the procedure on announcing COVID-19 related deaths in a single day with effect from today. Accordingly, Director-General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardena said that a procedure would be in place only to report in a day, the deaths that occur within 48 hours or 24 hours. “We have been reporting deaths that occur several days ago in a day, which we are going to change from today,” he said. more..

Jun 14 (EN) A fuel prices stabilization account, which was linked to a fund set up with printed money to fix oil prices according to an election promise given by the current administration to jettison a price formula, had a 26 billion rupee gap by the end of 2020, official data show. Policymakers of the current administration, who slammed market pricing of fuel in 2018, set up the fund as a key part of an economic more..

Jun 14 (DM) PM Rajapaksa advised the education authorities to seek advice from Paediatricians before reopening of schools that are closed due to the COVID-19. The advice was given during a meeting on vaccinating school teachers and children held yesterday at the President's Secretariat. PM pointed out that as soon as the pandemic situation is controlled, it is essential to reopen schools in many stages and said relevant vaccines could be obtained through the Health Ministry. more..

Jun 14 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu state police and Central intelligence agencies have stepped up vigil after threats of an armed group trying to infiltrate from Sri Lanka were received. An alert was issued by a Central intelligence agency on Saturday evening and the police have stepped up vigil in the towns of Kanyakumari, Toothukudi, Rameswaram, as well as in Chennai. According to intelligence sources, a boat carrying armed operatives was headed towards Rameswaram coast. more..

Jun 14 (MFA) The Foreign Ministry regrets the adoption of a resolution on Sri Lanka in the European Parliament on 10 June 2021. The resolution entitled The Situation in Sri Lanka, in particular the arrests under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, contains factual inaccuracies, and does not take cognizance of the multifaceted progress made by Sri Lanka in reconciliation and development. At the outset, more..

Jun 14 (AD) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says that the current govt continues to provide jokes, one not less funny than the other. Issuing a statement, Premadasa says that there no other joke funnier than the claim of the govt’s irrational argument that it intends to encourage local products by increasing fuel price, referring to the recent press release issued by Prez’s Media Division regarding the fuel price hike. Leader of SJB points out that if the local economy is to be boosted, more..

Jun 14 (VNA) Communist Party of Vietnam and the Vietnamese State always treasure the traditional friendship and fruitful cooperation with Sri Lanka, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has said. The Party chief made the affirmation during his phone talks with President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa on June 14. He recalled President Ho Chi Minh’s stop-over in Sri Lanka 110 years ago as part of the late leader’s journey to seek ways for national salvation. more..

Jun 14 (EN) Sri Lanka will not increase bus fares following a controversial fuel price hike but will instead provide concessions to private bus owners, State Minister Dilum Amunugama said on June 12. He said the govt has already increased bus fares to the maximum possible rates the public can afford. “We will not increase bus fares by even one rupee,” he said. SL’s private bus owners have threatened to limit more..

Jun 15 (DM) The old Sinhala adage, Mada sodagath kala goviya rajakamatath sudusui (when the mud is washed off, the farmer is fit to serve as king) has remained in the language used by the peasant. To date, no farmer has gotten an opportunity to be king; let alone washing off the mud. After a glorious period of agriculture attributed to the various kingdoms of yesteryear, colonial invaders made sure that they not only colonised our land, but our rich soil as well. With independence Sri Lanka thought more..

Jun 15 (DM) A step further from last week’s second to last of trilogy in Dollar series— Good, Bad & Ugly. Watch!—is there any plastic around you; yogurt containers, water bottles, bags? Most of them do not make it to the recycling unit, or the landfill. This plastic—carried by waterways, rivers, and wind, will find its way to the Ocean, then convert into micro-plastics [ocean surge and ultraviolet light will accelerate the breakdown] which is easily mistaken by small fish and plankton, more..

Jun 15 (CT) Migrant workers, asylum seekers, boat people, refugees fleeing their home country from poverty, oppression and war, have nothing to share but sorrows and the pathetic lives they spend in strange lands. But the death of Wishma Sandamali Rathnayake, who perished in a Japanese detention facility, is undeserved as Sri Lanka-Japan ties are deep rooted. The matter triggered a political upheaval in Japan more..