Nov 11 (AD) A hotline has been introduced for people seeking ambulance services in the event of a medical emergency. Police Media Spokesperson, DIG Ajith Rohana said the need for ambulance services is expected especially in locked-down areas. Authorities will be making arrangements for people in need of ambulance services in Colombo and suburbs as well as in other areas, he added. Hotline for ambulance services: 011 3422558 more..

Nov 11 (FT) The career of 50-year-old Mikael Svensson in the hospitality business can be described as a perfect case study for any aspirational intern in the industry. At the age of 18, he started as a restaurant and room service waiter at Strand Hotel, in his hometown, Stockholm, Sweden. In his 32-year career since, he has worked in almost every position within the industry, before excelling as a General Manager at several renowned more..

Nov 11 (CT) Navy Spokesman, Captain Indika De Silva said that between February and now, there was no illegal poaching or arrests of fishermen or fishing trawlers which encroached into Sri Lankan waters. He said this could be due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he pointed out that between January and February this year, they had arrested 30 Indian fishermen for illegal poaching and had also confiscated five of their fishing trawlers which have been handed over to Dept of Fisheries more..

Nov 11 (AD) The total number of coronavirus recoveries reported in the country crossed the 10,000 milestone today (11) as 646 individuals infected with Covid-19 were discharged from medical care upon returning to health. According to the situation report, the following hospitals have reported the latest recoveries: National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) - 13; Welikanda Base Hospital - 02; Iranawila Hospital � 19; Colombo East Base Hospital � 02; A'pura Hospital � 69; more..

Nov 11 (HG) Georgia, a cute, talented and confident 11 year old competing in the Junior MasterChef contest in Australia, was crowned the winner this week. The announcement saw millions of viewers who were captivated by the little contestants flood the internet with heartwarming messages of happiness and appreciation. Georgia has SL roots and is immensely proud of her heritage. In the final episode of the show, more..

Nov 11 (NR) The JVP claims the govt has politicized the repatriation program and the quarantine process. Former MP Sunil Handunnetti said politicians and their associates are involved in the sale of air tickets and the quarantine process. He said many Lankans looking forward to returning to the country are faced with a number of issues, due to the scandals. Sunil Handunnetti noted that students in a number of countries, parents who left SL to visit their children, persons who left for medical treatment and more..

Nov 11 (AD) National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 says that 309 new cases on novel coronavirus have been identified in the country. All new cases are close contacts of previously identified positive cases from the Peliyagoda cluster. Accordingly, this brings the total number of Covid-19 cases affiliated with the Minuwangoda-Peliyagoda cluster to 11,542. With these new cases, total number of coronavirus cases reported thus far has increased to 15,024. more..

Nov 11 (CT) The total number of COVID-19 deaths increased to 41 with five more deaths being reported yesterday, the Department of Govt Information, quoting the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) said. A communiqu� issued by the Dept said, among the dead were: A 51-year-old man residing in an Elders Home in Rajagiriya, who had been admitted to the National Hospital, Colombo, on 7 November, who had died of more..

Nov 11 (CT) SJB MP Rohini Kaviratne claimed that the present Govt has already displayed its ineptitude as vegetables which are sold at prices between Rs 20 to 40 a kilo in areas such as Dambulla, Keppetipola, Nuwara Eliya and Bandarawela are sold at Rs 240 per kilo in Colombo. She alleged, the vegetable stocks that are being brought down to Colombo from the far flung areas are being thwarted with the use of the Police. Over 1.4 million kilos of vegetables had already piled up in such more..

Nov 11 (NR) The Opposition claims the govt�s revenue has fallen below 10% of the GDP for the first time in history. MP Kabir Hashim attributed the weak economic management of govt for the reduction in revenue. MP Hashim pointed out how govt predicted revenues to increase to Rs.600 billion while the projection was revised down to Rs.450 billion later in the year. However, MP Hashim claimed experts have predicted how govt�s revenue may not rise above Rs.400 billion and more..

Nov 11 (AD) Lt Gen Shavendra Silva says that those in the Western Province are prohibited from travelling outside the province with immediate effect. This directive is effective until midnight on Sunday (15). Accordingly, no one will be allowed to leave the Western Province during this period. Earlier today, Prez Rajapaksa had instructed officials to take necessary steps to prevent movements from the Western Province, where the majority of more..

Nov 12 (CT) What would Secretary to the Ministry of Defense � and now, Prez�Gotabaya Rajapaksa done in wartime if he were confronted with the idea that the war effort should be led by a civilian and the Defense Ministry should have a civilian doctor who had served in the volunteers? He would have reacted to that absurd and dangerous suggestion with more than his usual good humor. Well, that�s exactly what he has done in the case of the war against COVID-19. Why? more..

Nov 12 (CT) They [i.e. Constitutions] create and empower the institutions of the State by which law is made, administered and enforced. They provide the legal framework for relations between the State and those whom it recognises as the people of the State. Constitutions can protect values, principles and practices deemed important for peaceful co-existence of communities within the State. They derive their legitimacy from factors bound by the State: typically the people as putative more..

Nov 12 (CT) On a doorstep in a Colombo suburb a mother of three screamed with tears in her eyes urging health authorities to take her husband to a care centre for treatment. The family of five was left neglected and forgotten for about five days after the father was diagnosed with COVID-19. The mother was weeping about the risk they are currently facing. She told that the father, who is a fisherman, had undergone PCR test 5 days more..

Nov 12 (GV) The result of the US prez election of 2020 has far reaching consequences not only for the US but also globally. Within the US, the outcome will surely benefit African American people, Muslim population and recent & prospective immigrants from Latin America and other developing countries. These segments of the population will have greater social and economic security than under Prez Donald Trump. Even the poor among the white population, although they mostly voted for more..

Nov 12 (CT) European Union�s (EU�s) Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP), including GSP+, the latter scheme which aids duty free exports from developing countries such as SL to the EU, will also be applicable when countries such as SL continue to export to the UK despite the UK�s exit from the EU, the UK�s Foreign Office said on Tuesday. Reliable local sources told this newspaper that the UK�s equivalent of GSP+, allowing duty free access to the UK market will continue till 31 Dec 2023, more..

Nov 12 (ST) In the first in our new series Notes on Resilience on life in the midst of the pandemic, Adilah Ismail speaks to sociology lecturer cum MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. Q: How do you embrace hope in the midst of global uncertainty? What does resilience look like? What are the post-pandemic futures we need to collectively work towards? A: Zora Neale Hurston wrote that There are yrs that ask questions & yrs that answer. more..

Nov 12 (Island) We will take trade union action in 48 hours, if our demands are not met was the rallying cry of a trade union leader, in the midst of a grave national health emergency, which shocked me for more reason than one. Although the initial grasp in controlling the Covid-19 epidemic seems to have been lost, for whatever reason, and the problem in SL is nothing compared to what is happening in the rest of the world around 300 dying daily of the deadly virus in UK, still we are facing more..

Nov 12 (DM) Draconian. Dictatorial. Authoritarian. Hitler-like. These are the words that were used when Gotabaya Rajapaksa first announced the decision to contest, throughout the election campaign and even now, as he approaches one year in office. Interestingly, the Colombo Twitterati understandably disappointed by the fact that their outcome preferences did not materialize, are the chief purveyors of this characterization. They were dead silent when 19th Amendment was proposed, more..

Nov 12 (DM) It is no secret that this incarnation of the COVID-19 pandemic is spreading even more rapidly across the country and according to the research carried out by scientists at the Uni of Sri J'pura, this strain is more virulent than the one that invaded the country in early March. In the wake of the Chinese woman, the first to be tested positive for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka being sent back to China in January with plenty of fanfare, including hugs from Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, more..

Nov 12 (Island) The US finds itself in a bind. For the first time in its history, roadblocks have been slapped in the path of a Prez-elect and his transition officials. Joe Biden has sought to make light of the situation by claiming that transition is happening, and the Republicans will come to terms with their defeat with the passage of time, but the GOP seems to be having some other plans. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (Republican) has said President Donald Trump has time till 14 Dec, more..

Nov 12 (DN) �LPL is a very good initiative by the SLC and one that I think will bear fruit in the future by fast-tracking young players� development,� says Sri Lanka Cricket head coach Mickey Arthur. Following is a Q & A session held with him. Q: what are your views on the LPL? A: I think the LPL is a very good initiative by the SLC and one that I think will bear fruit in the future by fast-tracking young players� development. more..

Nov 12 (CT) M.A. Sumanthiran, PC, MP, who battles to win and restore the lost rights of the Tamil people, has formed an advocacy group of enthusiastic lawyers all out to challenge the lawless steamrolling of Tamil rights by the govt and its agencies. The group won an initial victory in their landmark case yesterday (10). The group of lawyers vowed to challenge the govt with lawsuits to claw back what Tamils have lost. As govt institutions acquire many state lands which are then made inaccessible more..

Nov 12 (DM) The 20th Amendment that was incorporated into the constitution is now operational. Parliamentary Council which replaced the previous Constitutional Council is now in place. Now, the experts� committee appointed to work out a totally new constitution has gotten down to business. The evolution of a new electoral system in place of the present proportional representation system as part of the new constitution is being discussed. Govt also said a new electoral system would be more..

Nov 12 (CT) Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene finally had a smile on his face after his team clinched a record-extending 5th IPL title by beating Delhi Capitals in the final in Dubai on Tuesday. Jayawardene is a man of few words and doesn�t believe in over-the-top celebrations even though his team has been the most dominant side throughout the 53-day tournament in the UAE this season. Even after MI�s 5-wicket win more..

Nov 12 (ST) Shooting has been an Olympic sport since the first modern games in 1896. It has a history of providing intrigue and drama. Shooting is a tense sport that requires immense reserves of skill, concentration and nerve. Oldest Olympic champion was Sweden�s Oscar Swahn, who won gold in Stockholm, 1912, aged 64! SL has a history of producing great marksmen including women sharpshooters such as Olympian Pushpamalie Ramanayake and Ruwani Abeymanne. more..

Nov 12 (FT) For the third successful time, Daraz.lk is bringing back Daraz 11.11, the world�s biggest sale, on SL�s largest online marketplace from 11 to 17 Nov. Daraz 11.11 sports mega deals on electronics, fashion, lifestyle and groceries with the lowest prices in town. With up to 85% off on selected products, discount vouchers worth 3 million, bank deals and 0% easy monthly installments, Daraz has recognized the need to go easy on your wallet. 11.11 has proven to be the largest online sale more..

Nov 12 (FT) As the global logistics and supply chain industry struggles to cope with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Colombo Int'l Container Terminals (CICT) has brought honour to the Port of Colombo by being adjudged the Best Container Terminal in Asia in the Under 4 million TEUs category for a record fourth consecutive year. The winner of this coveted award was announced on Monday 9 November at more..

Nov 12 (CT) Proceedings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the 21 April 2019, Easter Sunday bombings, which were suspended in the wake of the present situation, owing to the spread of COVID-19, will resume from today. The Commission proceedings were temporarily postponed on 27 Oct, considering the prevailing situation and due to the fact that an officer of the Colombo Crimes Division, who was attached to the Investigation Unit of the Commission, being infected with COVID-19. more..

Nov 12 (Island) Twenty Sri Lankan cricketers and support staff of the national cricket team had gone through PCR tests yesterday. The results of the tests will be known today. If all players and support staff received negative reports, they will be heading for Pallekele next week to start training ahead of the tour of South Africa. Sources said that Sri Lanka will take 20 players to South Africa as net bowlers are not allowed during their stay there due to health restrictions. more..

Nov 12 (FT) Seamless running of the Colombo Port could be running into a squall, the shipping industry warned yesterday, as operations slowed due to the impact of dozens of State-run Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) employees testing COVID-19 positive, at least 200 others ordered to self-quarantine, and about 35 ships prevented from unloading cargo. Shipping industry officials, who requested anonymity due to sensitiveness more..

Nov 12 (DN) The pace of population ageing and COVID related opportunities would create a massive degitization of healthcare sector. �This is a massive opportunity that Sri Lankan IT companies need to tap into. We�ve the capacity to do it. But the point is to get those initial contracts as these contracts are difficult to get due to the high level of compliance that goes into health documentation,� said Imran Furkan ,CEO -Tresync Australia IT/BPO Expertise. He made these views addressing a Webinar more..

Nov 12 (SO) Stressing the need for a more credible budget Verite Research through its budgetpromises.org platform calls on policy makers to develop and document supporting information and analysis for each proposal prior to including it in the budget. The proposals include providing timely and consistent disclosure on budget implementation on Ministry websites, provide better oversight through the executive and legislature (e.g. Parliamentary Committees and structures), more..

Nov 12 (SO) Around 30-40% of all fruits and vegetables harvested in Sri Lanka are thrown away each year�a chronic problem that�s been the subject of at least 82 largely neglected research studies conducted between 2013 and 2018. The studies were done by five public institutions connected with the agriculture sector at a total cost of around Rs 145mn, says a national audit report recently presented to Parliament. more..

Nov 12 (FT) The Army will raise a new drone regiment today, drawing on experiences gained during the 30 years of conflict. The new regiment, equipped with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) � commonly known as drones � is expected to be affiliated with the Regiment of Artillery and will be an evolutionarily step towards being a more technologically proficient force. Regiment of Artillery began training personnel for the new unit in June this yr, using commercially available drones more..

Nov 12 (CT) The Manning Market in Pettah will be moved to the New Manning Market Complex at Peliyagoda on 16 Nov, as a temporary measure, due to the spike in number of COVID-19 infected patients recorded at the Manning Market in Pettah. DIG Ajith Rohana said every vendor and labourer should undergo a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test and that after being identified as COVID-19 negative, they can come to the Manning Market in Peliyagoda to resume business. more..

Nov 12 (DM) Replying to the statements constantly made by health authorities that there is no community spread in the country, the Public Health Inspectors� Union said several areas in the country have almost reached the community transmission stage. Secretary M. Balasooriya said random cases were reported from areas like Mattakkuliya, Modara, Bloemendhal, Grandpass, Borella where the positive cases were reported having no connection more..

Nov 12 (CT) Wildlife safari live-streaming concept, introduced by Sri Lanka Tourism, has gathered tremendous interest and enthusiasm not only with domestic travellers but also by potential overseas travellers. First episodes covering Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks have created over 100,000 impressions on social media and close to 800 comments. �We have had a great response from viewers, and the engagement is very high. There is such a latent demand for wildlife on the island more..

Nov 12 (FT) Dialog Axiata said it has managed to consolidate their year-to-date (YTD) performance with a stable third quarter whilst investing further to grow its business. The Group concluded 3Q 2020 with stable performance across Mobile, Fixed Line and Int'l businesses despite multiple challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Group Revenue recorded a growth of 5% on a year-on-year basis to reach Rs. 30.5 billion for 3Q 2020 mainly due to recovery in Mobile Revenue. more..