May 14 (EN) The govt must put people’s lives before the economy at a time when the country is grappling with a surge in daily COVID-19 cases, former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said. “Any damage to the economy can be recovered. We cannot recover lost lives,” he said. In a video message released this afternoon, Wickremesinghe urged the govt to heed expert advice. “If expert opinion is to lock down the country, more..

May 14 (AD) The govt has decided to purchase stocks of vegetables the farmers had brought to the Dedicated Economic Centre in Dambulla today, says Matale District MP Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon. The decision has been taken during a meeting with Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, PM’s Office, Finance Ministry, Agriculture Ministry and several other stakeholders. The trade association of Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre, Dambulla DS and Dambulla MC have also taken part more..

May 14 (DM) Cabinet has approved the necessary financial provisions to provide all necessary needs to the health sector to control COVID epidemic, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said. He said there shouldn't be no delay, even at least a month in procuring medicines, injections, medical equipment, oxygen, etc. The should swing into action immediately to control the diseases and maintain patient care. Correspondingly, the Cabinet approval was granted to ease the tender more..

May 14 (EN) Sri Lanka must recall retired doctors and nurses to work as the country’s health service is in danger of being overrun with the raging third wave of COVID-19, the SJB said. SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna said the govt must look into the possibility of obtaining the services of retired medical staff in the state health sector on a temporary basis. “The govt has to invest money into such things. Instead, they’re spending more..

May 14 (SLN) A special operation carried out by SL Navy and Coast Guard in Samindugama on 13th and 14th May 2021 led to the apprehension of 30 persons whom were suspected to have attempted to illegally migrate to a foreign country by sea. Incidentally, the Navy and Coast Guard, during a special operation in Samindugama on 13th May 2021, managed to nab 14 individuals whom were suspected to have attempted to illegally migrate to a foreign country by sea, along with more..

May 14 (EN) SL’s health authorities recommend that people who suffer from certain underlying conditions get a medical specialist’s opinion before receiving any of the COVID-19 vaccines currently being rolled out. This is amid unconfirmed reports that people with high blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic conditions were turned away at a number of vaccination centres in Colombo today. EconomyNext could not independently verify these claims at the time of writing. more..

May 14 (EN) Torrential rains that lashed Sri Lanka have triggered floods and landslides killing at least two and residents of low lying areas in several river basins have been warned of rising water levels, the island’s DMC said. High rainfall had filled up reservoirs forcing gates of several dams to be opened, and water is now reaching lower elevations. Water levels were rising in the Kelani River, Nilwala River Kalu Ganga (River), more..

May 14 (TM) Sri Lanka is to receive $80.5 million in additional financing from the World Bank in order to facilitate the country’s access and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines which will further improve pandemic response capabilities. This was formalised through an official signing which took place yesterday. Sajith Attygalle, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance signed on behalf of the Govt and Faris Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for SL, signed on behalf of the World Bank. more..

May 14 (CT) SL-Israel Solidarity Movement (SL-ISM) President Nelson Edirisinghe, in a statement, condemned the current rocket attacks on Israeli civilians by Hamas, launched from Gaza, using Palestinian civilians as human shields. This has led to the deaths of 35 civilians including women, children and the elderly at the time of writing, he said. Edirisinghe in his statement further said that from a historical perspective, the sufferings of Israel are not something new. more..

May 14 (FT) In the global energy landscape, LPG is considered the safest and the most environmentally sound choice suitable for a variety of functions – from household requirements to industrial consumption, LPG is increasingly emerging as the world’s preferred clean and green energy. Although in-house LPG cylinders have been used in SL for a considerable period of time, the safest and the most modern option more..

May 14 (DM) The vaccination drive which is currently underway in the Western Province would be extended to three more districts such as Kandy, Kurunegala and Ratnapura, Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said. She said that they had so far vaccinated over 1.1 million people and expecting to vaccinate about 13 million people. “The vaccination drive will be rolled out to the three districts once it is completed in the Western Province,” she said. She said the vaccines would be given to people more..

May 14 (CT) Due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation, the Govt sponsored Vesak celebrations which was planned to be held in the surrounding area of the Nagadeepa Rajamaha Viharaya in Jaffna will be cancelled, Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs said in a statement. However, all social and environmental programmes such as helping the less fortunate individuals and schoolchildren which takes place on Vesak Day will be conducted as scheduled. more..

May 14 (EN) State Minister Dr Sudarshini Fernandopulle has requested all SL women, particularly mothers, to help the govt contain the raging epidemic by being responsible for health decisions within the family unit. She called on all women to act responsibly over the next four weeks. Fernandopulle said thanks to increased literacy rates among women, Sri Lanka has seen a 99% increase in vaccinating children. more..

May 15 (TM) The Buddha once said that health is the greatest gift and happiness is the greatest wealth. These two things, even though valuable beyond measure, cannot be sold, bought, or traded for something else, and when these are lost, the effort it takes to regain them is massive. As a matter of fact, amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, good health and happiness are also the two things pandemic-stricken nations are struggling to find most, and that struggle is predominantly driven by more..

May 15 (CT) The World Bank in a report released on 9 Apr 2021 said that SL plans to vaccinate 60 per cent of its population against COVID-19 by the year end. With a population of 22 million, 60% works out to targeting to inoculate 13.2 million of its population by the year end. As a recipient needs two doses within the space of several weeks after being inoculated from the first dose for the total vaccination programme per person to be efficacious, that means SL needs a totality of 26.4 m more..

May 15 (Roar) When one thinks of Ramadan, community is often the first thing that comes to mind. For Muslims, this holy month is very rarely a solitary time — iftar spreads, late-night prayers and charity projects all require the participation of extended families and communities. Short eats are dropped off at the neighbours’ homes, potluck dinners are organised, and family matriarchs sit and stir vats of kanji that could feed more..

May 15 (CT) In a breath-taking attempt to subvert international institutions and the rule of law, Govt of SL has proposed a candidate for election to the United Nations’ Int'l Law Commission, who is compromised by his failure to hold accountable the perpetrators of enforced disappearance, execution, torture and rape during his tenure as the country’s chief law officer. Mohan Pieris is now SL’s permanent representative to the UN in New York but from 2008-11 he served as Attorney General more..

May 15 (CT) Yesterday, we went to Kannatta. The Borella Cemetery, SL’s largest, where most of us residents of the Capital city and population hub, Colombo, would end up sooner or later was deserted and so we had time for a leisurely chat with some of the helpful staff there, albeit after admiring some of the grave sites and remaining beautiful trees. As good social scientists and a medical anthropologist we were on a mission to do some qualitative research and cross-check more..

May 15 (Roar) Efforts to end poaching by Indian fishermen in northern SL coastal waters have continually failed, despite two decades of talks between the two neighbours, the latest move being reviving a proposal to license Indian fishermen. The trouble today is not caused by traditional fishers, so much as by mechanised trawlers owned by TN businessmen, that use big nets to scoop up everything in their path; more..

May 15 (Island) I was reading an article in the papers the other day saying that the Attorney General (soon to retire) had turned down a plum job (interesting and archaic term) by refusing to go as the High commissioner to Canada. In the days when terminology such as plum job was used indeed any member of the Diplomatic Corps was considered elite. They usually came from people who had got degrees with a class and preferably a 1st class, and I believe they had to get through a tough more..

May 15 (DM) TV footages days ago showed Police personnel in their Personal Protective equipment (PPE) forcibly carrying people who have allegedly violated the quarantine law on streets to the buses, before they were transported to the police stations. They might have thought that doing so before TV cameras would discourage such people from breaching the law. No person carried to the buses was seen protesting, they just allowed the police to carry them to the buses. more..

May 15 (DM) Srinivasan Kamal Haasan known popularly as Kamal Haasan and Kamal is arguably the finest actor in Tamil cinema today. He is also acknowledged as being one of India’s foremost thespians. Multi-faceted artiste is a film director, producer, screenwriter, film lyricist, poet, dancer, choreographer and playback singer. The 66 year old actor whose screen debut was in 1960 as a child artiste has acted in about 230 films and won many awards and laurels. more..

May 15 (Island) Manna from the skies and the drop of water to a man dying of thirst is for most now a jab in the upper arm which will hopefully keep at bay the dreaded omnipotent, omnipresent Covid 19 virus. It seems to be getting more virulent especially in poorer countries. But countries with massive daily numbers of those ill with C19 and large numbers dead, are fast returning to near normal e.g. USA. A young man who hibernated for the last fourteen months is away on holiday in the Big Apple more..

May 15 (TM) During the past few weeks, especially after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, many parties have raised concerns about expanding the services to efficiently deal with the rising number of Covid-19 cases from what some are describing as the Covid-19 third wave. Sri Lankans are especially fearful of an India-like health crisis arising in the island and are therefore keen on ensuring that the health sector more..

May 15 (TM) India are to tour Sri Lanka for a short cricket series in July, but increasing Covid-19 cases in that country could worry Indian cricket board. The island nation recorded 2,568 cases on Tuesday (11). According to official numbers announced in Colombo, the 2,568 cases recorded on Tuesday included 38 overseas returnees. On 10 May, the island recorded 2,624 cases and on 9 May the number was 2,672. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly more..

May 15 (ST) Champion diver Dulanjan Fernando, domiciled in Australia, is keeping alive his dreams of representing Sri Lanka at the 2022 Commonwealth Games after winning a bronze medal at the 10-metre platform event at the Victorian State Open Championship last weekend. Representing Mel Am Diving Club from Melbourne, he competed in the 1m springboard and his favourite platform event. “I am a little disappointed about my 1m event as I couldn’t get into finals” he said. more..

May 15 (TM) Australia will have space to make adjustments in their Future Tours Programme (FTP) as they have an open window in September and are likely to host Sri Lanka for three T20Is, international media said this week. The series could be played closer to the T20 World Cup which is scheduled to be played in India in Oct-Nov but most likely to be moved to another venue due to the staggering pandemic situation in India. more..

May 15 (Island) Coronavirus has both masked and unmasked the world, paradoxical as it may sound. It has frightened all humans into masking up and laid bare the true nature of global powers. The pandemic situation has somewhat improved in the rich countries, at long last, thanks to aggressive vaccination drives, but Covid-19 is surging in other parts of the world for want of vaccines, resources and proper political leadership, among other things. Int'l human rights organisations have more..

May 15 (ST) Sri Lankans have the uncanny ability to shine in any sphere of activity overseas especially in countries where talents of individuals are recognised on merit irrespective of where you come from. Sri Lanka has a rich tradition in rugby, but it is almost unimaginable that a former national player would be considered to coach a provincial side in New Zealand. Believe it or not! Former SL scrum half Milinda Jayasinghe, not only came under the radar of Southland Provincial Rugby Union more..

May 15 (ST) Gamini has a business; his company is engaged in both imports and manufacturing. He is a close friend of mine too; when it comes to govt support for business, he and I are in two different ideological positions and, I must tell you why. I look at it from an overall economic point of view, while he looks at it from his own business point of view. Then you might ask what’s the difference? The difference is big: From an overall economic point of view, I know that a country – especially, more..

May 15 (CT) Sri Lanka’s number one shuttler Niluka Karunarathne was among several affected by the lastminute cancellation of BWF int'l events leading up to Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. The 36-year-old two-time Olympian was on a mission to achieve his third Olympic berth with two more international events in Malaysia and Singapore leading up to the Olympics to come, which would have easily ensured his qualification without a hassle. more..

May 15 (DN) Italy based SL sprinter Yupun Abeykoon shattered his own South Asian and National Men’s 100m record with a timing of 10.15 seconds at the Meeting de Savona 2021 held in Italy on Thursday. The 26-year-old was placed second in this meet, while Italian 20-year-old athlete Lorenzo Patta came first with a timing of 10.13s. Minister Namal Rajapaksa was the first to greet Abeykoon on his Twitter message, which read: more..

May 15 (AD) Three persons including a father and a son who were seriously injured after falling from the top floor of a three storied house under construction in the Makuluwa area in Galle succumbed to their injuries after being admitted to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle yesterday afternoon (14). The victims included a 41-year-old man, his one year and a half-month-old son and a 45-year-old man. They had been flying kites from the third floor of the house under construction. more..

May 15 (AD) SriLankan Engineering the engineering and maintenance arm of SriLankan Airlines, has entered into a strategic collaboration with UK-based Avensis Aviation to offer Maintenance (MRO) services for the embodiment of Passenger-to-Freighter (PTF) conversions for Airbus A320 and A330 aircraft. The first output of this collaboration was the embodiment of a PTF conversion of an Airbus A320 aircraft for the operator FitsAir which was recently completed on time and more..

May 15 (CT) US based high Jumper Ushan Thiwanka Perera and Italy based sprinter Yupun Abeykoon shattered Sri Lanka records twice within a short time span, getting closer and closer to achieving their Olympic dream by gaining more points with each competition at which they participated. Meanwhile, SL based athletes who were cheering for their mates overseas are in limbo as they have to beg for competitions from more..

May 15 (NR) Senior attorney Lal Wijenayake says the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill, which has been proposed as a Constitutional Amendment, will be decisive pertaining to the land area of the country. He said the Supreme Court has made a determination over the constitutionality of the Port City Bill. He said the determination has not been tabled in Parliament. Wijenayake noted if it is in violation of the Constitution, it will go through a public referendum after being passed in more..

May 15 (Island) COVID-19 is spreading across a number of areas in the Northern province at a rapid pace. Five members of the same family in Kattakadu, Kilinochchi have contracted COVID-19 and been sent to Krishnapuram Treatment centre. One family member is a university student, who stayed in Colombo. He returned home recently and several family members started developing Covid-19 symptoms a few days later. Health officials conducted PCR tests and found that more..

May 15 (CT) Floods and earthslips wreaked havoc in the Colombo, Gampaha, Matara and Kurunegala Districts, in particular in the past two days until Friday, killing three, affecting 2,750 families comprising 11,542 persons. Two of those deaths were from Nagoda, Galle as a result of the floods and the other from Warakapola, a victim of an earthslip. Some of the top seven disaster areas yesterday were Kelaniya, 839 families more..