Mar 16 (ST) Much like the covid-19 virus which attacks the respiratory systems of victims with lethal force and has brought the global North virtually to its knees, Sri Lanka is being invaded by an anti-democracy virus. We are told that, democracy leads to bickering, that a strong man is needed to rule with a rod of iron, that civil liberties do not matter and that constitutional amendments that fetter the powers of rulers are a nuisance. That chant is drummed into our ears as Parliamentary elections approach more..

Mar 16 (ST) Lanka received her wake-up call early February when a female Chinese tourist was tested positive for the coronavirus and was admitted immediately to the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) for treatment of the feared viral attack that locked down many parts of China and had no known cure. Though alarm bells rang through the local populace and had many in the city frantically purchasing their own half burqas to wear round their faces like knickers around their pelvises, more..

Mar 16 (ST) It was another meeting which NEC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya summoned this week to discuss matters related to the March 25 parliamentary election with secretaries of political parties. �I hope you are taking serious note of our request,� intoned former MP Ashu Marasinghe, who together with Gen. Secy Akila Viraj Kariyawasam represented UNP. �No, I don�t know. What is the serious matter?� queried Mr Deshapriya. more..

Mar 16 (SO) When China put Wuhan on a lockdown, the Western world cried out in horror, especially human rights outfits and those who believe China is the evil empire. Folks back home or rather the local equivalents of such people, associating China with the current regime, took up the chorus. They�ve all gone on a self-imposed lockdown. The reason: well, it�s no longer a China-thing. No longer Made-in-China or, even if that�s where it was born and bred, it�s gone out to conquer the world. more..

Mar 16 (Island) The forthcoming elections and the threat of Covid-19 seemed to have added to the situation of insensitive disunity among SL people. This type of behaviour is counter-productive when facing adversity. Current dissatisfaction began with the proposal to turn old leprosy hospital at Hendala into a temporary quarantine facility. Street protests ensued. Apparently a rumour too had spread that infected persons would be kept there. Some unscrupulous people may have floated this more..

Mar 16 (TM) The cold war between UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and his supporters and UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa and his loyalists that engulfed the party during the past few months has now transformed into a full-blown battle. Although the battle still seems like a home and home match at present, it is beginning to show signs of major political split with nominations drawing to a close. Both the Wickremesinghe-led UNP and Premadasa-led SJB are preparing separate more..

Mar 16 (Island) Desperate times are said to call for desperate measures. Coronavirus has shown remarkable resilience. Its spread has caused the term-end school vacation to be advanced. Public and private education institutions have also been closed and congregational activities at some places of worship suspended. The SLPP has postponed its election rallies in some areas, and the Opposition should follow suit if it has any concern for the public. These measures are welcome in that more..

Mar 16 (ST) Commercial High Court of Colombo has permitted the issue of shares of MG Sugar Lanka (Pvt) Limited (MGSL) to its foreign investor, renewing expectations about a direct investment of US$ 100m to revive the Kantale sugar plant and surrounding plantations. MGSL was incorporated around 2015 as a special purpose vehicle for the revival of the Kantale Sugar Factory. A shareholders� agreement was signed more..

Mar 16 (Island) I live in a place close to Diyathauyana. It has become a habit for mine to go for a walk almost every day, at dawn. I like the place very much for its scenic beauty, cleanness and tidiness. When I heard the news of the inaugural of the boat service, between Diyathuyana and Wellawatta, I almost decided to take a journey along the canal. It so happened that I took part in the journey recently and would like to comment on the experience I gained during the boat trip. more..

Mar 16 (AD) In the face of increasing preventive measures taken island wide against the spreading CONVID19 virus, SL Technological Campus (SLTC) has taken an initiative to minimize interruptions to academic engagements and student life in general, of its university students. SLTC has made arrangements to conduct all its academic activities on virtual platforms and request the students to stay away from the university premises until further notice starting from Monday the 16th of March. more..

Mar 16 (ST) Three Russians are being investigated for organised smuggling of endemic animals and insects and invertebrates from SL after being arrested with a haul of creatures they illegally collected. Attorney C Perera appeared for the suspects who were due to leave SL on Feb 25. They were arrested for attempting to smuggle 500 endemic wildlife. Russians had collected endemic species from national sanctuaries more..

Mar 16 (CT) R.M.S. Pushpakumara (Blacky) and Gayanthika Abeyrathne regained their Cross -Country Championship titles at the 46th National Sports Festival 2020 held at Race Course, Nuwara Eliya, yesterday. Pushpakumara who sustained an injury while the race was on and had to give up after leading for most part of the race last year, made sure he ran through to the finish line this time around as he clocked 34 minutes 7.10 seconds. Gayanthika who didn't take part last year, more..

Mar 16 (Island) Police HQ had taken steps to award a cash prize to Sergeant A.N.A. Jayaweera (PS 1675), who recently helped a couple recover their lost valuables within hours, SDIG of Western Province, Deshabandu Thennakoon said. Police HQ would also take steps to promote him. The couple from Ambepussa came to Colombo for shopping for the wedding of one of their relatives, recently, and found that they had lost a bag containing their identity cards, credit cards, driving licences & more..

Mar 16 (TM) Sri Lanka�s construction industry has been disturbed by the Govt�s decision to reintroduce the sand transport permit that was temporarily suspended last December. According to a directive of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB), the permit is to be reintroduced today onwards, and is set to impact the transportation of raw materials for construction projects. more..

Mar 16 (Island) Former UNP National List MP Saman Ratnapriya Silva, admitted that all political parties that had been with the UNP-led UNF were now with Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) led by Sajith Premadasa. That was the political reality, Ratnapriya Silva said, vowing that regardless of losing them the UNP would definitely contest April 25 general election under the elephant symbol. The former lawmaker said so when The Island asked him whether UNP had the strength to go it alone more..

Mar 16 (FT) The declaration of Monday as a special holiday to all has caused confusion among businesses, whilst experts knowledgeable on disaster management opine a total shutdown is more advisable if the Govt is keen to step up action against the spread of COVID-19. The Govt via a Gazette on Saturday said 16 March has been declared a special holiday for the State and banking sector, and yesterday clarified that the mercantile sector has been requested to declare same. more..

Mar 16 (FT) Former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday wrote to Prez Rajapaksa, requesting him to summon a meeting of all heads of political parties and other relevant bodies, agencies, and authorities, so as to work out a comprehensive strategy to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 that is acceptable to the public and all stakeholders. Govt said there are 1,719 persons currently under quarantine more..

Mar 16 (Island) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said the general election would be held on 25 April, as scheduled. He said so, participating in a video conference of SAARC leaders on Sunday evening. Pakistan was represented by the Health Minister of that country. The SAARC leaders� video conference was aimed at chalking out a strategy to combat coronavirus spreading in the region. Prez Rajapaksa informed the SAARC leaders of the steps Sri Lanka had taken to prevent spread of COVID-19. more..

Mar 16 (Island) The funds required to face the coronavirus situation in the country has been received already, said the Health Ministry Secretary Badrani Jayawradena. Under the circumstances, Prez had granted the required funds and additional funds as well, adding that the Rs. 40 million funding which had not been received by December 31, 2019 had also been granted by the Prez, she said. She said this during the joint media broadcast on the facts and myths about the coronavirus. more..

Mar 16 (Island) Former UNP National List MP Saman Ratnapriya Silva said that the govt owed an explanation as to why China had been excluded from the two-week-long suspension of visas to foreign nationals. Trade union and civil society activist Silva told a media briefing of the GNOA, Sri Lanka should have imposed travel restrictions on China long before a decision was taken to deny visas to Europeans. more..

Mar 16 (FT) Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said that it would be opportune to either summon Parliament or hold an all-party national conference, as the country grapples with the growing threat from the novel coronavirus COVID-19. �In many countries, all stakeholders have come together to derive plans of action to combat COVID-19 and we are hopeful that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa too would consider such an inclusive approach,� Jayasuriya said in a press release. more..

Mar 16 (ST) Contingency plans have been drawn up to restrict the issue of visas to foreign visitors from more countries, and they will be implemented if the coronavirus pandemic worsens, a senior official said. He said the decision was taken at a meeting presided over by Prez Rajapaksa and attended by top officials, including those from the Immigration and Health sectors. The move came despite the Govt continuing to allow the Chinese to enter the country without a quarantine process. more..

Mar 16 (AD) Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa proposed to leaders of the SAARC to formulate a collective response to combat COVID�19. He further called for SAARC Ministerial Meeting to discuss measures to overcome this deadly health threat. Prez made these proposals participating in a video conference with all SAARC leaders under the theme of �SAARC Leader on Combating COVID�19, Setting an Example to the World�, more..

Mar 16 (Island) A National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court in Chennai has pronounced its judgement in the Thameem Ansari Espionage Case convicting Sri Lankan national Arun Selvarajan on all the charges, DNA India reported. The convict has been sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs. 20,000. The case was originally registered on Sept 17, 2010, at the Q Branch station in TN�s Trichy and police arrested Thameem Ansari, a native of Thanjavur more..

Mar 16 (DM) While rejecting rumours spreading on social media, the Commissioner of Examinations said that no decision had taken to postpone the GCE A/L 2020 exam to November. Commissioner Sanath B. Pujitha said that the rumours floating on social media were baseless and requested the public not to believe those fake news. A/L exam will be held in August as scheduled, he said. Further, the 2019 O/L Exam results would be released at the end of this month as scheduled. more..

Mar 16 (AD) Another 7 returnees from Italy have been diagnosed positive for coronavirus bringing the total number of cases in the country to 18. They had been in quarantine at the Kandakadu quarantine facility. The identified persons are all male and are currently receiving treatment at the Polonnaruwa hospital. Earlier today (15), another 45-year-old male was tested positive for the virus. He had been on the same tour more..

Mar 16 (AD) The Department of Govt Information says that there will not be any changes in the already declared Public, Bank and Mercantile holiday today (16). However, the Department has requested the wholesale and retail traders to remain open. Minister Bandula Gunawardana also announced this during a special media briefing. The government will work in order to make sure the general public will not suffer any shortages of goods, Minister Gunawardana has noted. more..

Mar 16 (EN) SL�s Coronavirus confirmed patients went up to 19 Sunday, made up of Sri Lankans and once Chinese visitors who had been discharged from hospital and authorities advanced quarantine rules from UK, Belgium and Norway. �Due to the very rapid spread of the covid-19 virus a very high level decision has been made � to quarantine passengers earlier than previously informed, CAA said. �Accordingly steps will be taken to quarantine passengers arriving from UK, Belgium and more..

Mar 16 (EN) The head of Sri Lanka�s Roman Catholic Church Sunday alleged that the highly contagious Coronavirus may be man-made and wanted those responsible prosecuted for genocide. Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith addressing the faithful during a closed-door Sunday mass said the United Nations should initiate an international investigation into the origin of COVID-19 which he said was causing death and destruction. more..

Mar 16 (FT) Election Commission officials will meet with health authorities today to discuss the possible implications of the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 on the upcoming polls, though there are no plans to postpone. An EC official said that the meeting with officials of the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry was to discuss measures that should be put in place in view of the increasing number of persons being confirmed with COVID-19. �There is no discussion as of now on postponing more..

Mar 16 (AD) Individuals who conceal the fact that they have contracted COVID-19 will be sentenced to six months in prison, DIG Ajith Rohana said. He added that steps will be take enabling arrest of such individuals without a warrant. Further, the law will be strictly enforced against those who spread false rumors on the coronavirus through social media, he said. Meanwhile, 23 individuals have been arrested over the spread of such false information on the virus. more..

Mar 16 (EN) SL restricted flights from more countries, tightened quarantine as a total confirmed cases of Coronavirus went up to 19, and the WHO declared the island to be a country with community transmission. SL reported 8 new infections Saturday taking those in hospital to 18, and the total with the first Chinese patient to 19. Among those confirmed over the weekend was the teenage daughter of a previously confirmed more..

Mar 16 (DM) COVID 19 or the coronavirus is now in this country. According to latest figures issued by the Ministry of Health the number of patients testing positive for the disease has now risen to 18, with five of this number being returnees from Italy. The sudden rise in the number of detections, the rumour mills triggered by scare stories on social media, has led to panic buying and even several altercations in super markets with frightened customers attempting to grab what they feel are essential items more..

Mar 16 (DM) Fear and panic are all present the world over. As communities shrink under the weight of the Coronavirus, the global economy is grinding to a halt. What does this time of pandemic mean for our society? How does the process and priorities of economic development and the character of democratic culture in a country relate to the impact of natural disasters such as the Coronavirus? The current juncture where the country is at the crossroads socially, economically & politically, more..

Mar 16 (DM) Gedara Hitiya Rosa Kekula Rosa, Rosa was the opening line of a lilting Baila song in Sinhala that was hugely popular in the seventies of the last century. The toe-tapping number which became known as the Rosa, Rosa song was from the film Lasanda released in 1974. Lasanda was based on a story written by former minister T.B. Illangaratne and directed by K.A.W. Perera. more..

Mar 16 (ST) The Irrigation Department has floated a proposal to implement a water supply project for Jaffna at a cost of Rs 13.6bn despite the project already having been approved by the Cabinet at Rs 2bn in 2018. The new price quoted by the Department is nearly 580% higher than what was proposed by the Department and sanctioned by the Cabinet in Sept 2018 as a joint proposal of the PM�s office and the Ministry of Agriculture. more..

Mar 16 (DM) The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) was in the process of finalising a hi-tech system over the weekend to monitor coronavirus patients and those who had any form of interactions with them. ICTA member Sanjiva Weerawarana said that ICTA together with the Ministry of Health and Department of Immigration and Emigration and others were looking to improve on the technology used more..

Mar 16 (TM) Sri Lanka, which is heavily reliant on the Singapore Int'l Arbitration Centre for its arbitration and dispute resolution needs, will soon be conducting these discussions at home in Colombo.. This is because the long-underutilised SL National Arbitration Centre (SLNAC) is set to undergo a complete revamp with the aim of making it a profit-making state institution for the SL Govt, according to the Ministry of Justice, more..

Mar 16 (Cites) Sri Lanka has enhanced its management in wildlife trade by becoming the first country to go live with an electronic permit system developed by UNCTAD and the Convention in International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The country's Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) rolled out the system dubbed eCITES BaseSolution on 14 Feb to better control legal trade in CITES-listed species more..