Apr 10 (NR) The SLPP says SLPP Thanamalvila Pradeshiya Sabha member who sexually abused a 13-year-old mentally disabled girl will be expelled. General Secretary of the SLPP Sagara Kariyawasam said the decision was reached on the advice of the National Organiser of the party Basil Rajapaksa. PS member and four others were arrested yesterday and remanded till the 16th of April by the Embilipitiya Magistrates Court. The underage girl is receiving treatment at more..

Apr 10 (NR) The govt has taken steps to allocate Rs.600 million to facilitate measures to purchase stocks of fish from fishermen during the present crisis that has stemmed from the coronavirus. A special discussion in this regard was held at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Former State Minister Kanchana Wijesekera who was present at the meeting educated the President on several issues that fishermen are faced with. more..

Apr 10 (EN) A flurry of press releases about the opening of pharmacies has left consumers confused about whether they can go to get their medicines or not tomorrow. The first release issued by the Task Force to maintain essential services also contained a series of guidelines for pharmacies issued jointly by Pharmacists Association. It said that Pharmacies will be open from 9 am to 2 pm even where the curfew was in force. more..

Apr 10 (AD) SL migrant workers who are stranded in the Maldives due to the wide-spreading COVID-19 pandemic have appealed to the govt for a chance to be repatriated to the island nation. In a video statement, they have voiced the difficulties they are currently facing in the Maldives. Mahendra Ranasinghe, a SL migrant worker in the Maldives, assured that they would adhere to the guidelines issued by the health authorities in Sri Lanka if they are evacuated from the archipelago. more..

Apr 10 (SLN) Authorities have declared certain districts in the island as high risk areas for the spread of new coronavirus. Stepping in to provide some respite to the people confined at apartments under self-quarantine in Colombo district, the Navy on 05th April commenced several musical programmes in a bid to lift their spirits. Accordingly, this series of entertainment events found more destinations on 09th April at Randiya Uyana housing complex in Henemulla & houses in Handala more..

Apr 10 (GN) At a time when the world is reeling under the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, SL cricketers are taking the lead to protect nature for the future. Many conservationists are already talking of our planet healing itself during this period, and cricketers have decided to contribute to it by planting trees during this stay at home phase hoping to lessen the impact from future natural calamities. more..

Apr 10 (DM) The GMOA has raised concerns to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa regarding a circular issued by Director General of Health Services, on quarantining of high risk individuals. In a letter to the President, the GMOA said the circular had been issued without reaching consensus of relevant stakeholders. According to the above circular, "There is no Need for quarantining any person who has travelled out of the residing district or returning home from another district. more..

Apr 10 (AD) A total of 1,347 individuals are being further quarantined at 12 facilities operated by the tri-forces, says the Army Commander, Lt Gen Shavendra Silva. Accordingly, 3,459 have left the quarantine centres after completing the mandatory quarantine process. Meanwhile, 65 persons from al-Qasim and Palaviya areas have been sent to the quarantine facility at Punani. They had reportedly been in contact with the coronavirus patient who was recently found from al-Qasim town. more..

Apr 10 (AD) No new COVID-19 infections were reported in SL during the past 24 hours, says Director General of Health Services, Dr. Anil Jasinghe. He noted that in addition to testing patients at hospitals for COVID-19, tests are now carried out using samples from the community. This has increased the daily testing capacity, he added. As of Friday evening, Sri Lanka�s confirmed coronavirus cases tally was at 190 and more..

Apr 10 (NR) Police has commenced operations to nab persons who post methods of manufacturing alcohol at home and share them via social media. DIG Ajith Rohana said videos were shared on social media recently of methods to manufacture alcohol domestically, adding that such persons will face a 2-year rigorous prison sentence. DIG said under the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act, the promotion of the use or manufacture of alcohol and cigarettes is an offence. more..

Apr 10 (EN) Sri Lanka�s forex reserves were down by US$ 412.5 million to US$ 7,525 million by end March 2020 from US$ 7,938.24 million in February central bank data showed, as liquidity injections continued in to money markets. Sri Lanka�s forex reserves are made up of the central bank�s monetary reserves which are collected by mopping up inflows (destroying liquidity) and Treasury reserves built up by borrowings. Sri Lanka has been unable to collect significant volumes since 2015. more..

Apr 10 (Reuters) A Sri Lankan chef stuck aboard a cruise ship headed to Europe managed to get ashore in Colombo this week after issuing a social media plea for help from his govt. A navy team in special protective suits helped Anura Herath disembark on Monday on the orders of Sri Lankan Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa after the chef�s appeal on Facebook was picked up by a number of local TV stations. more..

Apr 11 (CT) I refer to the Daily Mirror article, of today (10), on the date for summoning the new Parliament after elections, and The Island�s two pieces yesterday on the same topic. I am in Lockdown in Jaffna and write on my own as a Member of the Election Commission in response to Dr. P.B. Jayasundara�s letter. Dr. Jayasundara wrongly starts the Daily Mirror interview: �President�s Secretary P.B.Jayasundara in a reply to the Chairman of Election Commission said that the date for more..

Apr 11 (CT) Even as the whole nation is in a state of paralysis due to coronavirus pandemic, exploiting the melancholy mood of the people wrapped up in distress and cunningly seizing the moment, Prez Rajapaksa had, on 26 Mar 2020 granted pardon to Army Sergeant Sunil Ratnayake, a mass murderer, and set him free from the jail. Does Gotabaya have the power under the Constitution to grant pardon? At this moment, it�s only a moot question. Apparently, Justice Minister has spoken on the issue to more..

Apr 11 (CT) In view of the current state of national emergency, the National Operation Centre for Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) has launched an online platform to accept requests for essentials and medical supplies. The platform will also allow people to report on individuals exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or suspected of having contracted the virus, as well as those that had returned from overseas more..

Apr 11 (CT) Although the outbreak of COVID-19 is certainly an unexpected disaster, when it comes to managing the present situation, Sri Lanka is far ahead compared with other countries in the region. Actions taken by the Govt with the aim of mitigating the spread of the virus - particularly imposing travel restrictions including curfew, closing down of educational institutes and encouraging people to work from home - are admirable, and have been identified by many in the field of healthcare more..

Apr 11 (CT) Predictions are dire. This pandemic could continue for months and some sectors of the economy will not recover for years. Now it is high time for Sri Lanka to design its own version of 'Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs)' and tools to compensate loss of income of every citizen, jointly by the Central Bank and Treasury. The said SPVs could be any instrument designed to prevent non-financial businesses, which had been performing well prior to the crisis, going bankrupt. more..

Apr 11 (Island) The Christian Festival of Easter calls Christians across the world to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead: An event that happened two thousand years ago. For the last twenty centuries since the foundation of Christianity, this particular festival recalls the most fundamental truth that is at the core of its faith. It is more important and decisive than even Christmas which is celebration of only the Birth of Christ, more..

Apr 11 (DM) All over the world Christians tomorrow mark Easter Sunday-- the greatest event in the Church calendar -- amid an international battle against the Coronavirus pandemic which at 2 pm yesterday had afflicted more than 1,600,000 people and claimed the lives of almost 96,000. Perhaps the best definition or explanation of Easter Sunday or the Feast of the Risen Lord, is given by Apostle Paul who had not physically met the Risen Lord Jesus but wrote about ten of the 27 books in more..

Apr 11 (Island) The govt has declared rice milling an essential service in a bid to ensure an uninterrupted supply of the staple food item, in these troubled times. This has been its response to a warning by one of its former MPs, Siripala Gamlath, at a high-level meeting, chaired by Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on Thursday, that a shortage of rice was imminent, on account of the upcoming festive season. Gamlath said rice mill workers usually took several days off, during the Avurudu season, and, more..

Apr 11 (DM) The disposal of remains of COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka has turned into a hot topic among certain sections of Sri Lankan society while rekindling communal hatred against one another. Going by the manner in which the present debate over the issue is taking place, one has to look into the debate and the issue separately. Firstly, let�s delve into the debate. The authorities had first announced that only cremation would be permitted of those who succumb to deadly coronavirus. more..

Apr 11 (Island) No, it is not a typographical error. The word Covidiot is a slang-word which has a definite correlation with the disease COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 micro-organism. The new coronavirus is spreading far and wide, at lightning speed at that. It has brought countries like China, South Korea, Italy, Spain, UK and US to their knees. Some of these countries, especially some of the more developed Western countries, thought highly of themselves previously and more..

Apr 11 (Island) We are moving to Avurudu without all those delightful and politically promoted activities that laid the path to the celebrations. The celebrations this year will be without the Avurudu Kumari and Kumara competitions, the coconut scraping and lime-on-spoon races that brought the people together, and also without the many events organized by politicians of the area to keep their popularity alive, despite the corruption that more..

Apr 11 (Island) Many people are irked by the outbreak of COVID-19 and the challenges facing the economy are worrisome. Former great Sidath Wettimuny is too affected by the pandemic having been left stranded in Kandy and he is agonized by the challenges facing his business. Wettimuny returned to Sri Lanka after a business trip overseas and instead of returning home to his Queen�s Avenue residence in Colombo-7, travelled to Kandy in order to self quarantine. more..

Apr 11 (FT) Baur and Company is apparently not following the herd, terming some moves as premature, and has instead assured job security and no pay cuts to its staff. Baurs CEO Rolf Blaser in a memo to staff has said the current economy was in a very challenging position and he was given to understand that Lankan companies were terminating employees or cutting salaries to cope with the tense situation. �We at Baurs are of the opinion that such drastic measures are premature more..

Apr 11 (CT) Two-time world Championship participant and USA based SL marathoner Hiruni Wijayarathne is quite disappointed about the decision taken by World Athletics to extend the Olympic qualification till 1 Dec, where an athletes' performance during the intervening period will not be taken into account for qualification or world ranking. "I'm actually quite disappointed. I'm in good shape. more..

Apr 11 (Island) In response to the current COVID-19 outbreak, vivo, the global smartphone brand donated LKR 1 million worth surgical masks to the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka. The donation which is a part of the vivo�s CSR initiative #vivocares, included 15,000 surgical masks that would be utilized by front line medical workers of the Sri Lankan healthcare industry, who continue to work under difficult circumstances and rigorously fight against the spread of the virus. more..

Apr 11 (Island) With the country facing growing challenges similar to that of many others parts in the world as the expanding coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) continues, Arpico Insurance PLC, a fully owned subsidiary of one of SL�s largest blue-chip conglomerate Richard Pieris & Company PLC, very recently announced that it will take care of all medical and life claims relating to the life-threatening upper respiratory disease. Despite the disease being a global pandemic with insurance providers more..

Apr 11 (DM) SL is fighting hard, to the best of all its citizens� abilities, to deal with the current global pandemic caused by the coronavirus. To its credit, SL seems to be comparatively doing well. Let us hope that we in SL could ensure a speedy end to the threat posed by the said Covid-19. However, there is a growing acceptance that SL was tragically still late in focusing its full attention on the prevention more..

Apr 11 (SLN) Another disinfection chamber built by the Navy�s Research and Development (R&D) Unit under Naval Social Responsibility (NSR) Project was handed over for the use of Outpatient Department (OPD) at the National Hospital, Colombo today (10). Going further step ahead with NSR initiatives, this disinfection chamber developed by Research and Development Unit of Sri Lanka Navy was handed over for the use of Outpatient Department (OPD) at the National Hospital, Colombo. more..

Apr 11 (DM) Essential Food Commodities Importers and Traders Association requested the govt to relax restrictions on the import of turmeric which is a vital cooking ingredient. Association President G. Rajendran said that 400,000 kilogrammes of turmeric are needed every month. Earlier, the govt placed import restrictions in a move to boost local production. Mr. Rajendran said the local supply was hardly sufficient for the country. �If there is any local produce, we are ready to buy the whole lot. more..

Apr 11 (EN) Reviving exports urgently is vital to keep Sri Lanka afloat during a Coronavirus crisis and the sector needs room to adapt and cater to emerging demand, though firms are now operating below capacity amid COVID-19 curfews and disrupted supplies, an official said. �It is important that the export industry understands that it is a national priority for us to export and bring in foreign revenue to Sri Lanka,� more..

Apr 11 (Island) The sequence of events that unfolded in the island during the past few weeks due to COVID-19, have made many businesses rethink their traditional operational models. When the demand for fresh produce and grocery items in a curfew ridden city started escalating LAUGFS Supermarkets restructured their operations to meet this need. LAUGFS Supermarkets set up their online order system through grocerypal.lk. Allowing customers the option to order online and more..

Apr 11 (CT) Unilever SL has committed a sum of Rs. 35 million towards national efforts to tackle the coronavirus pandemic in SL. The company has contributed Rs 20 Million towards Public Awareness, Hygiene and Sanitation Efforts across the country through its flagship hygiene brand Lifebuoy. This includes setting up 70 Lifebuoy handwash stations in public spaces such as bus terminals, railway stations and hospitals across the country as well as a wide-reaching public awareness campaign more..

Apr 11 (Island) All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), the premier Muslim clergy body in the country, once again, commended the crucial role played by Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, following the Easter Sunday attacks, last year, and stressed that their prayers and thoughts were with the Catholic community. Speaking at a special Jumma sermon, ACJU President Mufti Rizwie, yesterday, said Cardinal�s role, more..

Apr 11 (Island) In an effort to create awareness, regarding the current health issues, such as communicable and non-communicable diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, mental health and the free-of-charge health services offered by the Govt to the general public, Oxfam and ADRA organized a Health and Nutrition fair in the Buttala town, recently. The fair was one of the activities of the Assisting Communities in Creating Environmental and Nutritional Development (ACCEND) project. more..

Apr 11 (AD) All employees of levels in the western and indigenous medical fields are allowed to use their service ID as a curfew pass. This measure was taken as all medical workers have been called to duty in response to the local outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. In a media release, the Department said that this was mentioned in the letter containing guidelines on issuance of curfew passes, which was directed to the DIGs in charge of provinces and all other police officers by the IGP. more..

Apr 11 (MFA) Minister Dinesh Gunawardena met with the Secretaries and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Relations, the Ministry of Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations and the SL Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), today (10), at the Ministry of Foreign Relations, to discuss ramifications emanating from the present Coronavirus pandemic to SL migrant workers abroad and more..

Apr 11 (DN) Renowned English cricket commentator and Supreme Court judge RKS Suresh Chandra died of a heart attack in Fiji yesterday at the age of 73. Suresh Chandra was serving as a Judge of the Supreme Court in Fiji since his appointment in 2011 and as the Resident Judge of Appeals since 2012. At the time of his death with him was his second son Rasantha who had flown to Fiji a month ago on hearing of his father�s ill-health. Renowned English cricket commentator and SC judge more..