May 25 (FT) Despite the revelation by the Govt that 32 million doses of COVID vaccines have been ordered, more questions are being raised over the accuracy and credence of the claimed procurement. SPC Chairman Dr. Prasanna Gunasena was quoted yesterday by the Daily FT as saying 32 million doses have been ordered, with 2.5 million of it being delivered between Tuesday and first two weeks of June. more..

May 25 (FT) With domestic travel restrictions being extended further, the reopening of the airport is still under review, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said. Previously, the authorities expected to reopen the airports on 31 May after a 10-day closure of the airport, in a fresh move to curb the spread of COVID-19. However, due to the spike in COVID-19 cases, the Govt yesterday announced that travel restrictions within the country have been further extended till 7 June. more..

May 25 (DM) Sri Lankans will have the opportunity to witness a lunar eclipse on the day after tomorrow (26), the full moon Vesak Poya Day, a senior official of the Arthur C. Clarke Centre said. Accordingly, the full or partial phase of the eclipse will not be visible to SL but will be able to see its last 57 minutes from 6.23 pm to 7.19 pm tomorrow, he said. For the people in Australia, parts of the western US, western Latin America, or in South-East Asia, the lunar eclipse will be visible in total more..

May 25 (FT) SL’s COVID-19 detections rose to 167,712 with 2,971 persons testing positive for the virus yesterday. The patients detected yesterday include 2,970 persons linked to the New Year cluster. The Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, Prisons and New Year clusters have expanded to 160,765. This includes 82,785 persons from the Peliyagoda cluster, 66,329 persons from the New Year cluster, 5,622 persons from Prisons more..

May 25 (CT) Central Bank of Bangladesh or Bangladesh Bank (BB) has recently approved a US$ 200 million currency swap facility for SL, according to Bangladeshi media reports. However, a CB spokesman said that no final statement had been received from Bangladesh in this regard. But, he confirmed that Sri Lanka has requested such currency swap initiative with Bangladesh during the PM Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to Bangladesh to join the celebrations of the golden jubilee more..

May 25 (DN) In the coming weeks, clearance procedures are going to allow imported goods requiring supplier credit to be allowed with credit periods shorter than 180 days. The imported items will still require that the supplier provide credit for the item but the controls will be amended to allow for shorter credit cycles. Dept of imports/exports control controller General, Damayanthi Karunarathne noted that the economic fallout from COVID-19 necessitated the need for import controls more..

May 25 (DM) While stressing that certain categories of healthcare workers especially a powerful medical trade union were granted special provision to vaccinate their immediate family members, Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) said this has happened in such a situation where the Ministry of Health has not issued any general announcement to health staff to this effect. AMS President Dr Lakkumar Fernando more..

May 25 (CT) Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella and SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara have quarantined themselves following Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa being tested positive for COVID-19. He said Maddumabandara and Kiriella have been identified as close contacts of Premadasa, adding that Premadasa has also made a general request to those who believe they have been in close contact with him to self-quarantine. more..

May 25 (DN) Chief Prelate of Asgiriya Maha Vihara Chapter of the Siyam Maha Nikaya Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathna Thera stated that it is most appropriate to adhere with all Govt health regulations when celebrating the Vesak festival. Thera, issuing a Vesak Day message observed that Buddhist teachings should be given priority by devotees when celebrating the Vesak festival. “As Buddhists, we can be proud of the fact that this day has been declared a special day by the UN. more..

May 25 (TM) Health sector trade unions are preparing to go on strike today to protest the decision by the Ministry of Health to vaccinate the relatives of the members of the GMOA, ignoring other health sector workers’ relatives, who the trade unions claimed face the same risk in the fight against Covid-19. President of the Govt Medical Laboratory Technologists Association Ravi Kumudesh said that excluding the GMOA, more..

May 25 (CT) Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), which is fully engaged in dousing the fire on board of the Singaporean ship X-PRESS PEARL which caught fire, while sailing with dangerous cargo, said they speculate there would be an enormous damages claim from the shippers and they are assessing the cost incurred for the whole operation. SLPA Chairman Daya Ratnayake said by afternoon yesterday, there was no fire on board but there was heat and smoke still emanating and more..

May 25 (DM) The Cabinet, headed by PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, decided to suspend the importation of a limited number of vehicles today (24) in view of the current situation in the country, the PM's office said. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by PM Mahinda Rajapaksa today. Ministers have pointed out to the Cabinet that the import of vehicles should be further restricted, taking into account the current situation in the country and the financial situation. more..

May 25 (NH) While people are busy saving lives, this is what politicians are doing with our hard earned money: Bank of Ceylon leases Rs. 3.5 billion worth of luxury vehicles despite the suspension of vehicle imports? Credible information has come to light, revealing plans to import 399 vehicles including 227 luxury Land Cruiser SUVs under BOC’s Rs. 3.5 billion leasing facility despite the current ban on importing more..

May 25 (FT) Much has been talked and written about how to control the present COVID-19 pandemic in the recent past. Many valuable contributions were made by eminent doctors, including Prof. Malik Peiris and Dr. Kamini Mendis of the WHO. I too had mentioned some of the concerns they had with regard to lockdowns covering Grama Sevaka Divisions only, and not in larger areas encompassing at least the adjacent Grama Sevaka Divisions. more..

May 25 (FT) Despite palm oil being a highly controversial product, it is still highly prevalent. It can be found everywhere – in our foods, cosmetics, cleaning products and fuels. Palm oil is one of the least expensive and most popular oils worldwide, accounting for one-third of global plant oil production. Palm oil plantations currently cover more than 27 million hectares of the Earth’s surface. Forests and human settlements have been destroyed and replaced by green deserts more..

May 25 (AD) MP Nalin Bandara and his wife are confirmed to have contracted the COVID-19 infection. Posting a message on his official Facebook page, SJB MP confirmed this. MP requested those who came in contact with him recently to be vigilant and to self-isolate. SJB leader Sajith Premadasa and his wife had tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. Serjeant-at-Arms of Parliament had stated that the movements of the Opposition Leader within the parliament more..

May 25 (DM) Sri Lanka’s pandemic-hit hospitality sector is on the verge of collapse with revenue flows drying up due to the absence of tourists, The Hotels Association of SL (THSASL) said yesterday while renewing its call for further govt assistance. “We are indebted with no revenue. We have very limited funds to pay our workers or to maintain our buildings. Our pleas to the govt for a wage support scheme are yet to materialise,” said THASL in a media statement yesterday. more..

May 25 (AD) Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) says that floating toxic/poisonous material or packages from the burning and abandoned ship X-Press Pearl may reach the shores of Colombo, Negombo, and nearby areas. However, the public has been strictly warned against touching or opening such material or packages. Public is requested to contact the SL Navy or the Police upon the sight of any such items. more..

May 25 (DM) A tense situation has broken out outside the Lady Ridgeway Hospital in Maradana where over 3000 people have gathered, demanding the second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccinations. People had started lining up outside the Hospital since today morning as Whatsapp messages circulated that jabs were being administered inside the Hospital, but for staff and selected people. Several people rushed to the area and began demanding the vaccines, breaching more..

May 25 (DM) Husband of popular actress Sabeeta Perera, millionnaire businessman Upali Jayasinghe was rushed to the Colombo National Hospital last evening after CCTV footage showed him collapsing on the side of a road. Footage showed that Jayasinghe seemed to be on his routine walk when suddenly he stopped on the side of the road and fell down unconscious. He was soon after rushed to the Colombo National Hospital. Sources said he had injured his head due to the fall. more..

May 25 (AD) Significant levels of flooding can be expected in low-lying areas of several rivers, due to the prevailing adverse weather condition in the country, the Department of Irrigation warned today. According to Meteorology Dept’s advisory issued this morning, the cyclone “YAAS” located in east-central Bay of Bengal has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and the system is very likely to intensify into a more more..

May 25 (AD) National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) has issued an updated announcement on the isolation orders. Thereby, 08 localities in Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Gampaha districts have been isolated with effect from 4.00 am today: Nuwara-Eliya District: Watawala police area: Welioya GN Division, Locan GN Division. Ginigathhena police area: Moragahahena GN Division, Millagahamula GN Division. Dayagama police area: more..

May 25 (CT) A total of 636 individuals were arrested on 23 May for not wearing face masks and not maintaining social distancing. This is the highest number of daily arrests made since the quarantine operations began on 30 Oct 2020. They were taken into custody for failing to wear face masks in public, not maintaining social distancing, and violating quarantine regulations. Over 12,714 arrests have been made since the quarantine operations began on 30 October and another 3,627 individuals more..

May 25 (EN) SL expects to acquire 14 million doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine, 13 million doses of Sputnik V, and five million of Pfizer-BionTech by the end of the year. In addition to these, funds have been set aside to purchase one million doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, Minister Ramesh Pathirana said, some 600,000 of which will be administered to those anxiously awaiting their second jab. more..

May 25 (AD) U.S. State Department on Monday urged against travel to Japan and Sri Lanka due to a new wave of COVID-19 infections, saying those two nations will now fall under the department’s Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory. This week, the following Travel Advisories have been assessed and reissued with updates, raised to a Level 4 - Do Not Travel: Japan, Sri Lanka, the State Department said on Monday. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a new alert that more..

May 25 (DM) The 44-year-old sportsman managed to secure a buyer for the property, located in Prahran - an inner suburb just five kilometres from Melbourne's CBD. The modern apartment was sold at auction earlier this month but the price hasn't been disclosed. The lower level features an entrance hallway leading to two spacious bedrooms with built-in wardrobes. There is also an open-plan lounge and dining area, as well as a master bedroom with a wrap-around terrace. more..

May 25 (DM) 24 cases of the disease which is commonly called Black Fungus and academically named mucormycosis has been reported so far in the country this year, but none of them has tested positive for Covid-19, a medical expert said yesterday. Consultant Medical Mycologist from MRI, Colombo Dr. Primali Jayasekera said that it was not a disease alien to Sri Lanka since cases had been reported annually. more..

May 25 (TM) Prez Rajapaksa today stated that the people of this country should dedicated themselves for the protection and safety of others by staying home and conducting all traditions at home this Vesak festival. “As preached by the Samma Sambuddha, who spread only the compassion to all, it is our societal duty in the face of this epidemic to dedicate ourselves to the protection and wellbeing of the lives of others. It is also an excellent opportunity to display this unique quality cultivated in more..

May 25 (AD) Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to award the construction of the expressway on pillars that connects the Athurugiriya Interchange and the New Kelani Bridge to the China Harbor Engineering Cooperation. On Apr 8, 2020, the Cabinet approved a proposal to implement the aforementioned construction project on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis. Accordingly, bids that contented technical and financial proposals were called from relevant investors for the project. more..

May 25 (EN) Sri Lanka will call international bids for a 100,000 barrels per day oil refinery on a build operate transfer basis (BOT) and laws will be change to end a state refining monopoly, petroleum minister Udaya Gammanpila said. An existing 38,000 bpd refinery owned by state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation will be expanded to 45,000 bpd as part of the project. Feasibility studies are expected to be finished by Oct 2021. more..

May 25 (EN) Sri Lanka is awarding a deal for build operate transfer (BOT) elevated expressway in the capital Colombo to China Harbhour Engineering Corporation, co-cabinet spokesman Udaya Gammanpila said. A cabinet appointed negotiations committee had recommended that the Build Operate Transfer deal be awarded to CHEC after calling proposals in April 2021. It is not clear whether the govt will pay annuities to the BOT operator to supplement income. more..

May 25 (AD) SL is expected to receive a stock of 500,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines donated by China, with the consignment likely to reach the island tonight. Principal Advisor to the President, Lalith Weeratunga stated that the SriLankan Airlines flight carrying the stock of vaccines is expected to touch down at the BIA in Katunayake around midnight today. Flight UL-869 which is carrying the 500,000 vaccine doses had reportedly departed from Beijing at 19:45 and more..

May 25 (DM) While condemning the actions taken by the GMOA yesterday over administering COVID vaccines for them and their family members violating the priority list, Grama Niladari's Association (GNA) today decided to engage in countrywide Trade Union (TU) action from tonight, GNA President Sumith Kodikara said. He said SL United Grama Niladhari Union (SLGNU) also decided to join them in the strike. more..

May 26 (DM) This year, Buddhist devotees will once again commemorate Vesak while being confined to the home which will give them the opportunity to engage positively in following religious observances. Engaging in loud, colourful cultural festivities is not in keeping with the dignified austerity of the Buddhist Teachings, a trend that needs to be urgently discouraged. SL is recognized as the repository of Buddhism in its most pristine state with the tradition of Theravada having come down d more..

May 26 (DM) The Asia-Pacific region has been termed the clothing factory of the world as it accounts for 60 percent of the world’s total apparel exports according to statistics compiled by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The garment sector in Sri Lanka is an important source of income and employment which contributes six percent to SL’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). With the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, apparel manufacturers estimated a loss of USD 1.5 b, more..

May 26 (TM) As schools across the country continue to be closed in order to safeguard students from contracting the Covid-19 virus, children are once again forced to continue their studies using online or distance-learning methods. Even after a year of the pandemic, it is learnt that these methods of education are not carried out successfully, especially with a majority of students not having access to the necessary tools or more..

May 26 (DM) In times of difficulty, we need to depend on each other, and the government needs a hundred percent support of its people if it is to effectively combat the spread of today’s coronavirus, also known as Covid-19. The people also need to be told of measures to be taken in a timely manner. The sudden announcement that shops will be closed is unrealistic. This is important as the majority of workers in this country receive wages only for the number of days they work. more..

May 26 (TM) Ending the Covid-19 pandemic is a collective effort, and if the public does their part, the islandwide lockdown could actually help SL manage the prevailing Covid-19 situation more effectively. However, in order to do that, the support and guidance given by the rulers and the authorities in this connection need to be more judicious, effective, and practical. The prevailing lockdown is one such measure, which can only be a success if the public fulfills their responsibility by adhering to more..

May 26 (Roar) With SL in the initial stages of immunising the public against COVID-19, myths and misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines and their alleged side-effects abound. As we endure a deadly spike in COVID-19 cases across the island, mass vaccination is the singular most viable way to contain the spread of the virus, and the lack of concise & accurate information to appease commonly held doubts more..