Mar 5 (AFP) A lengthy post promoting several precautionary measures which will purportedly protect people from the novel coronavirus has been shared tens of thousands of times by multiple SL Facebook users. But health experts have refuted many of the claims, including one that sunlight can kill the virus, saying they are false or misleading; SL health authorities have urged the public to refrain from sharing misleading more..

Mar 6 (DM) The establishment of the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) on Feb 28, 2018, with a broad mandate to investigate the fate of the missing and disappeared and protect the rights of their relatives, represented an explicit acknowledgement by the State of its responsibility to establish the truth and ensure justice. It was a milestone in the continuing struggle of the families of the missing and disappeared. Successive Commissions of Inquiry and committees, appointed by more..

Mar 6 (FT) The day after the Govt�s declaration in Geneva of withdrawal from the co-sponsorship of the 2015 Resolution and its successors, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, tendered her observations on the human rights situation and trends worldwide, with reports on an array of countries including Sri Lanka. Michelle Bachelet is a two-time President of Chile, who won with 53% of the vote the first time (2006) and 62% in her comeback (2013). more..

Mar 6 (CT) As a nation recognised internationally as a tourist hotspot, Sri Lanka relies on tourism as a main source of foreign exchange, but our tourism service providers still face certain issues that need to be immediately addressed by the Govt. Foreigners tend to visit our country repeatedly if they enjoy a good experience, which is why tourism service providers of all kinds have to be professional to ensure more..

Mar 6 (FT) The Economist magazine published an article in 2017 about the new commodity that was fuelling a lucrative fast growing industry. It predicted the possible need of antitrust regulator stepping in to control the monopolising the said commodity, similar to US govt intervention to restrain Rockefeller family�s Standard Oil Company in 1800s. Since this publication by the magazine, topic has generated much discussion and Data is new Oil became the common catchphrase in conferences, more..

Mar 6 (DM) As cyber violence is considered as the fastest growing form of violence that affects women and children on a daily basis, it has become a need of the hour to train law enforcement authorities to deal with crimes of this nature. Keeping this in mind, Women In Need Sri Lanka (WIN) recently launched a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the SL Police to refer to when dealing with cybercrimes. Apart from that WIN also presented some key findings of a research that addressed more..

Mar 6 (ST) Was it meant to be? A Thaththa�s dream that propelled her towards a demanding and challenging career, where only few women dared to go, that has finally paid dividends. It was, however, never her ambition to reach the top. She did whatever duty entrusted to her in her line of work with commitment. �I think Thaththa wanted me to join the Survey Dept because I was studious,� smiles the first woman to sit in the high chair more..

Mar 6 (Island) Recently the Cabinet of Ministers have approved a cabinet paper requesting approval for rewarding a contract for monitoring and evaluation of Health System Enhancement Project (HSEP) to a private consultancy firm, Sri Lanka Business Development Centre. The contract which is valued at Rs. 94 million is less than 1% of the overall project cost of USD 60 million, out of which USD 50 million is funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB) and USD 10 mil by govt of SL. more..

Mar 6 (Island) The police, acting on a directive by the Attorney General, sought arrest warrants to take into custody 12 persons in connection with the bond scams under the yahapalana govt, and the court decision thereon is expected today. The matter is best left to the learned judge, and we don�t comment thereon. We, however, can�t help wondering why on earth there are frustratingly protracted delays on the part of the state prosecutor and the long arm of the law as regards action to be taken more..

Mar 6 (DN) Medicare 2020, the national healthcare exhibition will be held for the 11th consecutive year at the BMICH, Colombo on March 6, 7 and 8 from 10 am to 7 pm under the theme Healthy Sri Lanka � Happy Sri Lanka. It will also be held at Veerasingam Hall, Jaffna on March 20, 21 and 22 from 10 am to 7 pm. Medicare 2020 organised by the Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Ministry consists of five main pavilions - Health Awareness Expo and Ayurveda Expo for SL healthcare providers more..

Mar 6 (DN) Hambantota has a wide range of soil and climatic conditions endowed with a variety of vegetation, wildlife and geophysical features. Hambantota has been well- known for its potential in agriculture and traditional economic activities. With a new regime coming into existence under President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, it seeks the participation of the private sector in the govt�s development drive. The Hambantota District is also a hub for tourism activities. more..

Mar 6 (ST) Chamari Atapattu has become the most reliable and dominant women�s cricketer SL has ever produced, perhaps due to many facts. Her hero in cricket, as any cricket lover in SL and across the globe would endorse, is Sanath Jayasuriya and she shares the last name of one of SL�s most elegant and dependable batsman, Marvan Atapattu. Both Jayasuriya and Atapattu went on to lead the SL cricket team with their usual and more..

Mar 6 (DN) The stage is set as the 86th Battle of the Saints, will be fought tooth-and-nail by St. Peter�s College, Bambalapitiya, and St. Joseph�s College, Maradana, will unfold at the P. Sara Oval, today and tomorrow, battling it out for the Rev. Fr. Maurice Le Goc Memorial Trophy. In the past 85 encounters between these two leading Catholic schools, Joes have won the trophy 12 times, while their opponents Peters have lifted the trophy 10 times and the balance 63 producing draws. more..

Mar 6 (DN) Ananda College which has a proud cricketing history has failed to live upto expectations this season recording just three first innings wins and suffering four outright defeats against S. Thomas�, Royal, Trinity and St. Joseph�s in 14 matches but they are determined to give off their best in the 91st Battle of the Maroons against Nalanda College on March 7 and 8 at the SSC grounds. Ananda field an average all round side with the services three coloursmen. more..

Mar 6 (CT) Negotiating an array of fearsome short deliveries will be on top of SL's plans when they come out for the second time against West Indies in the T20 series today at Pallekele, following their 25-run loss on Wednesday. However, SL opener Kusal Janith Perera, who smashed 66 off 38 deliveries and playing less than 36 hours of tying the knot with his school time sweetheart following a 12-year love affair, more..

Mar 6 (ST) SL�s leading lady golfer Taniya Minel Balasuriya was the cynosure of all eyes at the inaugural PGF Int'l Ladies Amateur Golf Championship held in Lahore. The petite 17-year-old was the first to tee off at the Defence Raya Golf Course in the historic event organised by the Pakistan Golf Federation from February 21-23. She performed brilliantly in the first two rounds to lie in second place behind the eventual winner Phannari Meeson from Thailand but stumbled on final more..

Mar 6 (ST) The 91st Battle of the Maroons between Ananda College and Nalanda College will take place at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds March 8 and 9 for the N.M. Perera Memorial Trophy, followed by the annual Limited Over encounter on March 15. This year�s clash is of utmost importance as both schools are eager to go for a decision to end the long chain of drawn encounters. The last time a decision came was in 2003 when Ananda under the leadership of D. Kularatne defeated Nalanda. more..

Mar 6 (FT) Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa said in the first 100 days of his rule much was achieved, but opined that he was not satisfied with the progress as per his standards. �Yes we did a lot in the first 100 days. But as per my standards, I am not satisfied,� Rajapaksa said during a luncheon meeting with editors. He pointed to the lack of a two-thirds majority in Parliament, and partly blamed the 19th Amendment, for the failure of a more more..

Mar 6 (Island) Speed and adrenaline rush was the name of the game at the Kart Fight Championship Round 1 on Feb 29, at SL Karting Circuit, Bandaragama. Over 70 drivers competed for the top spot in 9 age-based classes: Cadet (8-12 years), Novice Open (13 years and above), Junior (13-15 years), Senior Intermediate and Advanced (16-29 years), Master (30-44 years), Veteran (45 years and above), Ladies Open (13 years and above), and X30 Open (13 years and above). more..

Mar 6 (CT) West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard who is the most experience cricketer when it comes to T20s, said SL's leg spinning all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva is a street smart cricketer and can be a force to reckon with in int'l cricket. Wanindu troubled the West Indies batsmen with his leg spin, especially his googlies which they found difficult to read. Even during the first T20, he was the one whom the opposition most feared, and it took him only 2 deliveries to remove Nicholas Pooran. more..

Mar 6 (ST) The decades-old Motor Traffic Department (MTD) head office at Narahenpita will get a new look with a modern fa�ade design, a fully computerised and renovated interior office to offer an efficient and expeditious service in an eye-catching environment under the e- motoring project. Primary objective of this initiative is to provide an error-free service, eliminating corruption and malpractices by deploying information more..

Mar 6 (ST) The first multidisciplinary medical care centre for the elderly in SL�s private sector was formally declared open recently by Ceylinco Healthcare Services Ltd with the involvement of some of the country�s leading specialists in Geriatric Medicine. Located on the first floor of the Ceylinco Healthcare Centre at No 60, Park Street, Col 2, the unit comprises four rooms for residential care, as well as facilities for outpatient services and channelling of specialist doctors, more..

Mar 6 (EN) A steep jump in excess liquidity in Sri Lanka�s interbank money markets came from a transfer of profits from the central bank to the Treasury, Deputy Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said. About 24 billion rupees in central bank profits were transferred to the Treasury, he said. Excess liquidity in Sri Lanka�s money markets soared in late February with banks depositing 48 billion rupees at the CB�s excess cash window while another 10 billion rupees were mopped up overnight. more..

Mar 6 (DM) UNP said it was ready to make a maximum sacrifice to avoid a division of the party. UNP former MP Vajira Abeywardene told a press conference that his party was ready to make maximum sacrifice to safeguard unity of the party. He invited the Deputy Leader of UNP Sajith Premadasa and others to sign an MoU with the UNP. "We are ready to make maximum sacrifice to safeguard the interests of UNP and will keep the doors open more..

Mar 6 (Island) Demonstrating that gender equality and economic, social and cultural development are inextricably linked, and the importance of empowering and amplifying women�s voices, the British Council in partnership with Foundation for Innovative Social Development (FISD) launched an inspirational publication titled Transforming communities: Voices and Choices of Women and Girls. The publication is based on the project Transforming communities: Voices & Choices more..

Mar 6 (DN) Subway, an American Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) with over 44,000 restaurants worldwide is launches its comprehensive national re-franchising program and entering into partnership with business entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. With the brand now established, Subway SL has received a growing demand from entrepreneurs that are looking at owning and operating a Subway restaurant. The focus from Subway is to work with new franchisees across all major cities across the country. more..

Mar 6 (FT) As SL braces for the impact of novel coronavirus COVID-19, the Central Bank yesterday said it has adjusted growth to a margin of 3.5-4% from an earlier 3.7-4.5% projection, and called on banks to transfer benefits from the last round of rate cuts to businesses faster, to counter the virus�s impact, which could be felt on a range of sectors. Monetary Board decided to keep policy rates unchanged when they met on Wedn, more..

Mar 6 (FT) PM Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday appointed a committee to streamline the regulatory processes of the quarry industry. The committee is expected to submit an initial report in within two weeks, said the PM�s media unit in press release. PM Rajapaksa has instructed that the quarry industry to adopt environmental friendly standards. The committee is expected to streamline the issuing of licences, permits to quarries on state and private lands, and the lease of such land. more..

Mar 6 (FT) Airport and Aviation Services (SL) Ltd, said the BIA in Katunayake will be reopened for visitors from today. �We have decided to allow one person to accompany the passenger at the arrival and departure terminals as well as at the lobby area of the airport,� Airport and Aviation Services (SL) Ltd. Chairman G.A. Chandrasiri said. On 28 Jan, Airport & Aviation Services (SL) Ltd. announced that all visitors except passengers have been prohibited from entering the BIA premises more..

Mar 6 (CT) Sources at the Police Headquarters state that a 3-way battle is on the cards for the post of IGP, when incumbent IGP Pujith Jayasundara is retired from service this month. Jayasundara, who has been sent on compulsory leave, is scheduled to retire from the public service on 14 March as he will be completing 60 years. Jayasundera was interdicted last year for his failure to prevent Easter Sunday attacks. more..

Mar 6 (FT) Govt is in the midst of negotiating a new loan from China, which could be as much as $2 billion and is likely to be finalised over the next few weeks, Senior Deputy Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said. He said that the Govt is in the middle of negotiating a loan from the Chinese Development Bank that, at least in part, could be used for refinancing requirements this year. SL has to repay a total of $4.8 billion this year, with the next large payment of $1 billion due in September. more..

Mar 6 (AD) SL Railways Locomotive Engine Drivers� Union has decided to call off its planned token strike, stated PM�s Media Division. This was following a discussion with PM Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees. SL Railways Locomotive Engine Drivers� Union had planned to launch a 24-hour token strike by reporting sick leave. The now-canceled strike was previously set to commence at midnight today (05). The trade union action was planned to object a statement made by more..

Mar 6 (AD) Both Ranil faction and Sajith faction of the UNP have appointed their own nomination parties for the upcoming general election. The Working Committee of UNP convened yesterday (4) under Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, where they appointed a nomination board. However, a group of UNP members including the Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa boycotted the meeting. more..

Mar 6 (Island) A group of residents of Hendala, yesterday, held a demonstration opposite the Hendala Leprosy Hospital protesting against a govt decision to quarantine travellers from Iran, South Korea and Italy, there. They claimed that Hendala was a highly populous area and that such a quarantine centre must be established in an isolated location, away from people. The protesters insisted that there was a school, a church, an eye hospital and a kovil near Hendala Leprosy Hospital. more..

Mar 6 (CT) Businessman Priyanga Pushpakumara alias Priyan Menik reported to the National Child Protection Authority yesterday, to give a statement regarding the allegation filed against him for molesting an underage girl. Deputy Chairman of NCPA, Sujatha Alahapperuma said the businessman had given a statement following a complaint lodged by a civil society group concerning the alleged incident. She added, the businessman was later sent to the Colombo JMO to get a report more..

Mar 6 (Island) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday, questioned the conduct of some members of the Election Commission (EC) during the last prez election in Nov 2019. Rajapaksa said he had recently raised the issue in the presence of the then Speaker Karu Jayasuriya at a meeting in Parliament. He said so at a meeting with representatives of print and electronic media at the Presidential Secretariat. more..

Mar 6 (DM) It�s intriguing to know that high ranked Buddhist priests themselves have called for the stoppage of saffron robed monks from getting involved in politics. Just the other day the spokesperson for SLFP Weerakumara Dissanayake told the media that the party had taken a decision not to give nominations to priests and monks for the upcoming General Elections. He was quoted in newspapers saying that voters believe that monks have a noble duty to perform in priesthood, more..

Mar 6 (DM) Two issues prevented media discourse on the proceedings of the 43rd regular session of the UNHRC where Sri Lanka, on February 26, withdrew its co-sponsorship for last year�s resolution on the country. One was the leadership crisis within the UNP and the other was dissolution of Parliament on March 2 by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. In a way, all three issues could be deemed interconnected. They could contribute to the early and easy elevation of the SLPP to power. more..

Mar 6 (DM) Addressing the ceremonial welcome in both Sinhala and English languages, newly-appointed SC Justice Yasantha Kodagoda PC said there was a compelling need to increase the number of judges in all courts along with the allocation of necessary resources to the justice sector as the insufficiency of judges and resources could result in delays in the administration of justice. While underscoring that the allocation of more..