Jun 12 (CT) Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) issued recommendations on regularising the imposition of curfew. HRCSL noted that a large number of persons have been arrested and vehicles confiscated for the violation of curfew imposed from March 2020 and thereafter in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the Commission fully recognises the need to restrict the freedom of movement in the interest of public health and more..

Jun 12 (PMD) An Ombudsman office has been created at the Presidential Secretariat to look into complaints and grievances of the public and provide speedy solutions. Retired Senior DIG of S. M. Wickremasinghe has been appointed to the post. The objective of setting up an Ombudsman Office is to provide solutions to any inconvenience or distress caused to the public as a result of negligence of public officers or acting beyond their limit while exercising their administrative powers. more..

Jun 12 (DM) A luxury motorcar belonging to former parliamentarian Palitha Range Bandar�s son Yasodha Range Bandara met with an accident last night at Thonigala in Anamaduwa, Police said. They said the motorcar had collided with a tipper truck transporting sand from Puttalam to Anamaduwa. However, the individuals on board the motorcar and the driver of the tipper truck had fled the scene leaving the vehicles there. Meanwhile, the individual supposed to have driven the motorcar more..

Jun 12 (CT) Former Speaker Jayasuriya, addressing the issue of Police using force to disperse the FSP's Black Lives Matter protest in Colombo on 9 June stated that people must have the liberty to express their opinion, as long as they do it legally, peacefully, and with due care. �This is a fundamental aspect of a democracy and all Govts and citizens must protect it. Without free speech, there will be no free country,� he added. more..

Jun 12 (CT) The PM�s Office, stated that on the instructions received from PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, a dengue-eradication programme had been initiated throughout the country, with effect from 10 June. As the first phase of this programme, the clearing up and fumigation of the surrounding area of the PM�s Wijerama Mawatha residence commenced under the supervision of the Public Health Department attached to the CMC. This programme will be continued throughout the country. more..

Jun 12 (TM) Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has urged Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) to conduct a disciplinary inquiry on the doctor who was involved in the failed money heist that took place at the Colombo General Hospital on Tuesday. AMS said it was gravely concerned about the abortive attempt robbery, allegedly carried out by a medical officer in postgraduate training. The AMS stressed that doctors are expected to adhere to strict code of ethics laid down by SLMC. more..

Jun 12 (PDO) The China-SL Belt and Road Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and main political parties of Sri Lanka has been established, with the first meeting of the mechanism held via video conference on June 11. Song Tao, minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, and leaders of People's Front, UNP, SLFP & People's United Front attended more..

Jun 12 (CT) Locals living near the newly-nourished stretch of the Mount Lavinia Beach claimed that the mounting piles of garbage were not washed in by tides, but rather were brought in through the beach nourishment project. A local hotelier said they have witnessed those carrying out the Beach nourishment fill the stretch with sand mixed with garbage. He further claimed that the Mount Lavinia Beach had never seen this level of garbage before. Meanwhile, Pearl Protectors organisation, more..

Jun 12 (EN) Pathfinder Foundation, a think tank advising the govt, wants SL to sell more to Asia which it calls the most dynamic region in the world and recovering fast from the COVD 19 threat. It also recommends SL enlarge preferential market access to attract FDI to promote export growth. In a media statement, Pathfinder said that since the country has achieved success in containing the danger posed by the COVID 19 it is time for a concerted and decisive focus on reviving the economy. more..

Jun 12 (FT) Uni of Peradeniya has been included and placed higher in the World Uni Rankings 2020 edition. It is the first time that Peradeniya has made the list, and the University is ranked in the category of between 401 and 500. Uni of Colombo, which has been in the list for several years, is ranked 1001+, the same as last year, but lower ranking in comparison to its 2018 placing in the between 801 and 1,000 category. more..

Jun 13 (CT) George Floyd is no longer about the United States of America, or the West. It�s about the world, and the beleaguered, oppressed nations and communities of that world. The protests against his murder at the hands of a white policeman have thus become, from Baltimore to Berlin, a symbol of solidarity and unity among those marginalised nations and communities against the big stick wielders. It�s the protest of one half of the world against the other half, or one half of a country more..

Jun 13 (DM) Minister of Environment and Wildlife Resources has come under heavy scrutiny following the appointment of three honorary directors to Wildlife Conservation Department (DWC), as wildlife experts fear that the directors may misuse their authority. Although it is permitted through the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance, the sections clearly mention that they need to be public servants within the meaning of the Penal Code. However the Daily Mirror learned that so far only two more..

Jun 13 (CT) Explosive new revelations have surfaced about how Secretary to the Foreign Ministry Ravinatha Aryasinha has authorized monies to the tune of tens of millions of rupees for Ambassador Saroja Sirisena�s luxury abodes in Vienna, Austria. Sirisena�s eight month term as Ambassador to Austria has cost the SL tax payer upwards of Rs 41 million* CT can reveal through this fresh expose � but this sum could be more..

Jun 13 (DM) Being an island paradise known as the pearl of the east, SL needs to remember the memorable song of the Caribbean singing duo Nina and Fredrick, �Listen to the ocean, echoes of a million seashells, forever it�s in motion, moving to a rhythmic, unwritten music that is played eternally.� On June 8, the int'l community joined the UN in celebrating World Oceans Day. In a statement the world body says, our ocean is our future. When we think of public health risks, we may not think more..

Jun 13 (CT) In June 2018, Anunayaka of Asgiriya Chapter, Ven. Vedaruwe Upali Thera, when delivering his Anusasana at a Sanghika Dana at Gotabaya Rajapaksa�s residence at Mirihena and in the presence of three of Gota�s siblings, Mahinda, Chamal & Basil apart from other VIPs, unashamedly urged GR to assume the mantle of a Hitler if necessary to build up the country, which, during Yahapalanaya had become politically corrupt and irreparably factional, economically bankrupt more..

Jun 13 (Roar) With SL�s Parliament dissolved, there is a debate raging on the legality of drawing funds from the Consolidated Fund to pay for key public expenses. Chapter XVII of SL�s Constitution specifies that Parliament must oversee SL�s public finances. However, the extraordinary situation SL found itself in when it was forced to postpone scheduled Parliamentary elections to deal with the unexpected COVID19 pandemic more..

Jun 13 (CT) After weeks of waiting, the Election Commission has finally announced the date to hold the General Election 2020. The initial date to hold the election, 25 April, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic prevailing in the country at the moment. After much back and forth, and several attempts to pass the ball onto the Prez�s court, the Commission then announced 20 June as the possible date to hold the much-anticipated Election. Yet, later on, the Commission deemed more..

Jun 13 (DN) Today, we as a nation cherish peace. However, the price of freedom came after much sacrifice. One of the teams totally committed to safeguarding the citizens of SL, was the men of the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) of the Police Special Task Force (STF). Since its inception three decades ago, the Search Wing has made stellar progress and operates presently under the wider spectrum of CTBD - Counter Terrorism and Bomb Disposal. It has brilliantly displayed its prowess in more..

Jun 13 (Island) The five Judge Bench of the Supreme Court by its decision on June 2, 2020 speaking through its majority rejected the preliminary objections raised by the Respondents to the maintainability of the several Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions challenging the legality of the presidential proclamation of March 2 dissolving Parliament. A Petition impugning the date of elections fixed by the Elections Commission for June 20 was withdrawn midstream. more..

Jun 13 (DN) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is exploring the possibilities of appointing a new head coach for the Women�s Cricket Team ahead of the ICC World Cup Qualifying Tournament. The CEO of SLC, Ashley de Silva, stated that the new head coach would assume duties from August as the board would not extend the two-year contract of current head coach Harsha de Silva. �We are currently reviewing the performances of all coaches and we decided not to extend the contract of Harsha de Silva,� more..

Jun 13 (DM) Mathiaparanan Abraham Sumanthiran was in the eye of a raging political storm some weeks ago due to a YouTube interview given by the 56-year-old President�s Counsel cum politician to the Truth with Chamuditha show. A few of the questions and answers in Sinhala were picked up by a Tamil TV � reportedly aligned to a northern politician � which allegedly mistranslated the words of Sumanthiran with a mischievous slant. more..

Jun 13 (Island) Caveat Emptor or Buyer Beware is a slogan that has stood the test of time. This applies to not only merchandise but also many other activities including placing Fixed Deposits (FDs) in Finance Companies or other financial services institutions. Thanks to the initiative of Mr. Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Governor of the CB during the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime, the CB set up a Deposit Insurance Scheme in Oct 2010. This insurance scheme, funded by the financial services industry, more..

Jun 13 (DM) The World Health Organization (WHO) issued new guidelines on face masks, changing its stance on who should wear a face mask and when. The latest guidelines published on June 5 recommend that the public wear cloth masks made from at least three layers of fabric, especially when taking public transport and when physical distancing cannot be maintained. WHO maintained that the use of face masks should always be accompanied by frequent hand hygiene & physical distancing. more..

Jun 13 (Island) SLC has shown much enthusiasm in hosting this year�s IPL tournament in case the competition is unable to go ahead in India due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. There are over 300,000 cases of COVID-19 infections and more than 8000 deaths in India as life is yet to return to normalcy. Board of Control for Cricket in India has not given up the idea of playing the IPL possibly in Sept-Oct. more..

Jun 13 (Island) From a single room in the then General Hospital (present National Hospital of SL) to a centrally coordinated national transfusion mechanism, one and only of its kind in the region and among the handful in Asia, the journey of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) or the Blood Bank as its commonly called, spanning over 55 years is an inspiring one. Recognition of NBTS as a WHO Collaborating Centre is yet another feather in its cap speaking for the best int'l more..

Jun 13 (DN) Department of Registration of Persons will start its one-day service to issue National Identity Cards from Monday (22). The service was stopped because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the service commences on June 22 the Department will take steps to issue 250 identity cards daily to its the applicants visiting the Registration of Persons headquarters in Battaramulla, the Commissioner General of Registration of Persons, Viyani Gunatilake yesterday told the Daily News. more..

Jun 13 (CT) Ceylon Today revealed last year, India�s Asian Championship 800m Gold Medalist Gomathi Marimuthu had been provisionally suspended on 21 May 2019 for a banned substance found in the sample collected following her Gold medal run in April. After a year-long inquiry into the case and her �B� sample too testing positive, Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) finally gave their verdict, and Gomathi has been more..

Jun 13 (FT) The SLPP yesterday said it would disclose how the Govt utilised funds received to fight the COVID-19 once the new Parliament was convened along with a debate. UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday urged the Govt to disclose how an estimated $ 230 million provided by the WHO was utilised to fight the coronavirus. Former MP Anuradha Jayaratne told the media said that the Govt did not intend to hide any information about funds received to fight COVID-19. more..

Jun 13 (DM) People�s Bank has stepped forward to boost the govt�s efforts to rebuild Sri Lanka while providing eligible individuals and organisations with a significant investment opportunity by introducing the People�s Bank Special Deposit Account (SDA). The People�s Bank Special Deposit Account (SDA) is a specialised account that allows eligible customers to receive the highest interest rates by remitting foreign earnings to People�s Bank for 6 or 12 month Fixed Deposits. more..

Jun 13 (CT) Leading officials of the Ministry of Sports and the National Olympic Committee (NOC) were criticised heavily in the Media right throughout the South Asian Games (SAG) over the poor handling of logistics, team selections, preparations and management, which finally prompted the Sports Minister Dullas Alahapperuma to appoint a Review Committee and come up with a report at the end of the Games. more..

Jun 13 (FT) Samagi Tharuna Balawegaya, the youth wing of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), will be launched on Monday under the auspices of party Leader Sajith Premadasa. To mark the launch of the youth movement, Premadasa will sign a declaration and a policy framework to strengthen the country's youth that will be incorporated into the election manifesto of the SJB. The Samagi Tharuna Balawegaya will be founded upon the core principles of humanism, progressiveness & patriotism more..

Jun 13 (DN) Residences at Colombo City Centre is ready to introduce people to the pinnacle of city living, having concluded construction recently on their high-end apartments. These tastefully designed and fully furnished homes are now open for viewing and will shortly be handed over for occupancy. Colombo City Centre is the premier mixed development project to be completed in SL. Project commenced in 2015 with the partnership between Abans Group of Companies and more..

Jun 13 (FT) The proposed $ 100 fee for tourist visas from 1 Aug is to come under review following concerns expressed by the industry. The move follows discussions PM Rajapaksa had with several travel and tourism industry representatives on Wednesday (10). During the meeting, issues faced by the tourism sector, visa fees for foreigners, facilities for local travellers, steps to guide foreigners when reopening the country more..

Jun 13 (DM) German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Presidents of Botswana, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia will join dozens of Chief Executive Officers and UN chiefs at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit next week to address the private sector�s response to three global crises � health, inequality and climate. With more than 15,000 attendees already registered for more than 100 global, regional and local sessions, the virtual Leaders Summit on 15-16 June will be the UN�s largest, more..

Jun 13 (ST) SL will use US$ 1 billion from its foreign reserves to pay foreign debts later this year amidst the growing financial crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Treasury has decided. In the wake of reduction in revenue, foreign remittances and issues in obtaining foreign loans, the funds would be used marking a drop of foreign reserves to US$ 6 billion from the existing US$ 7 billion. At the beginning of the year, foreign reserves stood at US$ 7.5 b and dropped to the current US$ 7 b. more..

Jun 13 (Island) Depositors of licenced banks and finance companies that crash are paid compensation up to a maximum of Rs. 600,000 per investor under the Deposit Insurance and Liquidity Support Scheme, but shareholders of such troubled public listed financial institutions will be the last to be settled under the liquidation process, a senior CB official said. Deposit Insurance Scheme is wholly funded by financial institutions themselves as more..

Jun 13 (CT) Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne said they are in good shape and hoping to bounce back and play good international cricket in the future. He said this at the end of the first 12-day residential training programme which commenced on 1 June where a team of 13 stayed at a hotel and trained at the CCC. �We trained two sessions per day without a rest. That�s what�s important. As captain I�m very happy to see my team train like this. So hoping for another session to start in a week�s time,� more..

Jun 13 (Island) Prez Rajapaksa said the Central Bank has failed in its duty and cannot evade responsibility for the alleged irregularities in ETI Investments, Prez Media Division said. The inquiring committee appointed to investigate alleged irregularities in ETI Investments met with Prez Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat on Thursday. The Committee told the President that ETI Investments had not adhered to proper procedures in the conduct of its business since inception. more..

Jun 13 (CN) Archaeologists announced Friday they have discovered the oldest known evidence of bow and arrow use, as well as ancient clothing material just outside of Africa in the tropical regions of Sri Lanka, challenging the traditional methods of investigating early human cultural development. According to a new study published in journal Science Advances, scientists have uncovered new evidence suggesting more..