Nov 16 (TM) During his speech presenting the Appropriations Bill for 2020, PM revealed that the govt will grant Sri Lankan Airlines a loan of $150million, i.e. bout SLR 27.7 billion. This same govt has not added a single new ICU bed, a single new ventilator to the existing stock since March this year. Prez�s explanation is as incomparable as the decision itself: �Our doctors and hospital staff were able to diagnose COVID infections in the first stage and treat them accordingly. more..

Nov 16 (TM) The youngest Rajapaksa in Parliament and the youngest Cabinet Minister of the present Govt has been under severe criticism by the well-seasoned politicians and the public who have been very vocal about the choices he has made in appointing certain individuals to committees and councils, be it the sports sector or the youth sector. This week, The Sunday Morning managed to sit for a full-length interview more..

Nov 16 (ST) On the day the Lankan Govt flung open the gates on a locked-up people and freed them to run the risk of the coronavirus gauntlet in a health guidelines bubble, thousands of miles away in Manhattan, New York, US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer was announcing the news the world would have gladly given an arm and a leg to hear. The drug maker declared that an early analysis of its coronavirus vaccine trial suggested the vaccine was robustly effective in preventing Covid-19. more..

Nov 16 (ST) The fearsome sight of armed motorcycle riders, clad in black, complete with sunglasses and masks completely obscuring their faces conducting covid-19 temperature checks on the public in Colombo and then roaring away in a concerted cloud of darkness as it were, raises an unfortunate analogy to mind. At the height of the terror-ridden years of Haiti�s Papa Doc Duvalier, his all-black masked Tonton Macoutes used to roam the capital city in much the same way, more..

Nov 16 (GV) A pandemic with no end in sight, an economy that is unravelling, a fiscal abyss, a debt pile-up, an overwhelmed public health system � and Gotabaya-Mahinda govt is planning to build a leisure park near the Peralanda wetland in Ragama. The cabinet paper was presented by PM last week and approved. The cost was not mentioned, but is likely to be stupendous; money that should have been used to increase our testing capacity, more..

Nov 16 (DM) A little over a month ago �4 Oct 2020� a new outbreak of the Coronavirus was detected at a Brandix factory in Minuwangoda. It was, at that time, referred to as the Brandix Cluster. At that time the country had a total 7,872 confirmed cases of the virus. A total 3,803 victims had recovered and 13 persons had succumbed to the disease. By yesterday (15) according to statistics of the Health Promotion Bureau, SL has 17,127 confirmed cases of coronavirus with 58 deaths. more..

Nov 16 (Island) Whoever would have thought, a few years ago, that a runaway virus would upend the modern world in this manner? Coronavirus has brought about an unprecedented situation where everyone, across the globe, feels just like Winston Smith in George Orwell�s dystopian novella, 1984. Winston is troubled by his omniscient party leader, Big Brother, watching him and monitoring even his thoughts. Surveillance as a pandemic control measure has become the order of the day. more..

Nov 16 (DM) A lot has been written on the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these portray the dangers of acquiring the infection. It is no secret that anxiety levels and the social stigma associated with this virus are more dangerous than the disease itself. We are witnessing a race against time in discovering an effective vaccine or cure. But have we put much thought into producing health care workers at a rapid pace? Has world news featured heads-of-states declaring they have doubled their investment more..

Nov 16 (Island) The COVID 19 pandemic caused by the SARS-COV-2 respiratory virus has been spreading worldwide at an alarming rate, claiming many lives and causing socioeconomic and psychological destruction along the way. The US and Europe appear to be facing the most devastating consequences so far. However, with the number of new patients rising rapidly, SL too may possibly be heading towards adversity. The first COVID 19 patient in SL was confirmed on more..

Nov 16 (TM) Once again, the public is being pushed to decipher the very confusing technical statements of Covid-19 prevention measures that the health authorities have issued for each institution to disseminate, explaining the restriction of service to the public. When the Western Province travel restriction was announced on Wednesday (11) evening, stating that no one was allowed to leave the Western Province starting from 10 p.m. more..

Nov 16 (CT) After the second wave of COVID-19 broke out early October, COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 related deaths have been on the rise. Health Ministry�s Epidemiology Unit data shows that as of 15 Nov, Sri Lanka had recorded 53 COVID-19 related deaths and a total of over 16,000 COVID-19 cases. Majority of these deaths and cases were from the second wave of COVID-19, and health authorities have cautioned that the second wave is more dangerous than the first one. more..

Nov 16 (DN) Nikoli Bandara, an outstanding Swimmer of Mahamaya Girls College, Kandy and a promising Long distance Runner who had to give up running as she had to concentrate on swimming. Nikoli started swimming in the year 2008 when she was 7 years old and studying in the Grade.2 class. She started Swimming competitions only in the year 2014 and then she won the 77th Annual two mile Sea swim at the Under 14 age group at Mt. Lavinia. Her Swimming Coach, U.H. Sugath more..

Nov 16 (CT) Weight lifting has been Sri Lanka�s most successful sport recently. Especially in the Commonwealth Games, it has been the only sport which produced medals in the last four editions. Even though Lifters are ranked among the top three in the Commonwealth,(even in the latest ranking updates), yet their funding has been cut-off since last April, and slow progress in setting up new funding guidelines have left them frustrated. more..

Nov 16 (SO) With around 25,000 traditional medicine practitioners and thousands of other Ayurveda doctors, why have we not incorporated a policy to use the expertise of each of these physicians/doctors in the country, towards our battle against Covid-19? Yes, there is no medicine for Covid-19 in the Western medical system just as there is no cure for Dengue. The only closest alternative is the immunity boosters and diverse methods for respiratory ailment curative more..

Nov 16 (Island) 12th AIA Insurance�s Higher Education Scholarships Programme, now in its 26th consecutive year, rewards the top performers from each district at the Grade 5 scholarship examination, by giving them a monthly bursary from Advanced Level (A/L) class right up to the completion of their University degree. Started in 1994, the programme was initiated to lend a hand to Sri Lanka�s brightest and most promising students, as they are the future of our nation. more..

Nov 16 (Island) The GMOA said that SL didn�t need international mediation to decide whether to allow the burial of those who died from COVID-19, GMOA official Dr. Haritha Aluthge said. He said that UN Resident Coordinator in Colombo Hanaa Singer had written to PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, raising concerns over the Health Ministry guidelines according to which the creamation of those who die of COVID-19 is mandatory. more..

Nov 16 (FT) Aitken Spence Plc�s non-tourism sectors have reported a Profit-Before-Tax (PBT) of Rs. 1.13 billion in 2Q, a growth of 33% compared to the previous year in the midst of challenging economic conditions. These sectors also reported an EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest Expense, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation) of Rs. 1.59 billion prior to the impact of forex compared to 2Q of previous year. The Group�s non-tourism sectors continued their positive performance more..

Nov 16 (Island) Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake said that there could be as many as 30,000 undetected COVID-19 cases in the Colombo Municipal Council area. She said that the population density, lifestyle and public behaviour in Municipal areas were contributing factors to the high number of COVID-19 patients detected in the city. On Saturday 275 infected persons were detected during random PCR tests conducted across the city, she said. �Irrespective of warnings people in flats more..

Nov 16 (TM) Operations at the Colombo Port are slowly returning back to normal, SLPA said yesterday, assuring a full recovery within the week with the additional staff called on for work. SLPA Chairman Daya Ratnayake said the SLPA had already called the retired employees, expecting to resume operations within the next week at a normal pace. �We hope that the operations will return back to normal by next week as more..

Nov 16 (FT) A luxury Land Cruiser vehicle ran off the road and rammed in to the Nanda Motors car showroom on the corner of Albert Crescent and Independence Avenue on Colombo-7, damaging a number of vehicles last afternoon. According to the Police, the vehicle had lost control while taking the bend and rammed into the showroom. Several vehicles that were displayed at the showroom have been damaged. No one was hurt in the incident and public property was not damaged, more..

Nov 16 (FT) Softlogic Group last week opened its brand-new hypermarket in Mount Lavinia offering a massive total retail space of 25,105 square feet. Three of its celebrated retail brands, Softlogic Glomark, Odel and Softlogic Max have come together to create a spellbinding retail revolution. Staying true to its vision of providing customers unparalleled product offerings and superior service excellence, the all new Softlogic hyper-market combines the best of int'l & local brands more..

Nov 16 (FT) Vehicle importers said COVID-19 and import restrictions have put several vehicle traders out of business, prompting the industry to call for help. �There are a number of small and medium scale car sales island-wide that have gone bankrupt. Most of them were unable to maintain their business with no stocks to sell, pay rents and salaries,� Vehicle Importers Association of SL (VIASL) Immediate Past Prez Ranjan Peiris said. more..

Nov 16 (Island) Obtaining the service of a qualified law enforcement officer and joining hands with the Director General of Health Services and the Public Health Inspectors are among strategies that the SL Anti Doping Agency is going to employ to fight the use of prohibited drugs in the sports field. Dr. Seevali Jayawickreme, Director General SLADA expressed these views, as his agency marked its seventh anniversary on Sunday. There is wide belief that sportsmen both professional and more..

Nov 16 (NIA) The project E-mprovise is a three months course on Embedded Systems Development and Engineering organized by the Leo Club of the Uni of Sri J'pura which provides a precious opportunity for the SL community to learn about the world trending and highly demanded Arduino technology. Lions Clubs International is the world's largest organization with 1.4 million members. Today, there are approx 46000 Lions clubs in over 200 countries & geographic areas. more..

Nov 16 (DN) Expenditures over COVID-19 related affairs in SL from March 31 to Nov 13 exceeded Rs.68 billion, the Govt said. Govt has spent Rs.68.64 billion of public funds so far on COVID-19 measures and of that the highest amount has been allocated to provide the families with the Rs. 5,000 allowance during the lockdown period. 12.7 million families have received this concessionary allowance during this period. more..

Nov 16 (FT) Junior Bar Committee 2020 Chairman Kuvera De Zoysa P.C. has written to the President of the Bar Association of SL (BASL) requesting him to initiate a dialogue in order to allocate suitable hospitals for Attorneys-at-Law affected by COVID-19. In the letter sent on Friday, De Zoysa said that due to the professional duties of lawyers, there exists a greater risk for this virus spreading and they and their family members getting infected. �I humbly request that consideration is given to more..

Nov 16 (TM) Ministry of Youth and Sports is under discussion with the Central Bank to provide low-interest business loans through state banks to youth planning to start small enterprises. Minister Namal Rajapaksa, said: �During my recent visit to the Northern Province, I came across youth groups who informed me of the difficulties they face when applying for business loans. Ministry, through its Small Enterprise Development (SED) Division, has initiated discussions with CBSL to design more..

Nov 16 (FT) Health authorities yesterday confirmed five COVID-19-related deaths, which brings the total COVID-19 death toll to 58. All individuals were residents of the Colombo municipal area, including two from Colombo-13. A 54-year-old man from Colombo-13 passed away at the National Hospital of SL (NHSL) when the lung cancer he suffered from for a lengthy period worsened due to COVID-19. The other resident of Col-13 more..

Nov 16 (EN) Factories linked to the Board of Investment, Export Development Board, courts, essential govt and private companies can continue to operate in areas of Sri Lanka�s capital Colombo that will be isolated from Monday, the information office said. The companies and offices have to follow health regulations and operate under the directions of the health authorities. From Monday, Maradana, Fort, Slave Island, Pettah and Dam Street police areas are being named as isolated areas more..

Nov 16 (FT) Tomorrow�s Budget must provide reasonable concessions to the burdened public and these proposals must not be restricted to paper and instead be practically applicable and accessible to the people, asserts the National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection (NMCRP). The organisation also stated that special attentional must be focused on reducing call charges and data rates given the public�s high dependence during pandemic times. more..

Nov 16 (FT) Govt has imposed lockdown from today in Fort, Pettah, Maradana, Slave Island, and Dam Street, bringing the total number of isolated Police jurisdictions in the Colombo District to 17. While lockdown was imposed on these areas at 5 a.m. today, Modara, Mattakkuliya, Grandpass, Dematagoda, Bluemendal, Foreshore, and Kotahena in Colombo North, Borella in Colombo South, Aduruppu Street, Maligawatte, more..

Nov 16 (TM) The World Cup-winning Coach Dav Whatmore will not join the Lanka Premier League (LPL). He was scheduled to be in SL for the tournament starting on 26 November at least by Sunday so as to undergo required quarantine here, but it is understood that the world-renowned coach has not been informed of his travel arrangements in time by the LPL organisers resulting in him not being available for the tournament. Whatmore, now staying in Australia, confirmed to us more..

Nov 16 (AD) The results of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination of 2020 have been released online, the Department of Examinations said in a media statement. The results can be accessed via the official website of the Examinations Dept. The exam was held on the 11th of October amidst the new wave of Covid-19 pandemic sweeping across the country. The Ministry of Education had made necessary arrangements to conduct the examination under the health and safety protocols. more..

Nov 16 (FT) The total number of COVID-19 patients identified in the island exceeded 17,000 with 704 persons testing positive for the virus yesterday. All infected persons identified yesterday are associates of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster. The dual cluster that emerged from Divulapitiya and Peliyagoda has thus expanded to 13,788 cases. This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases identified in the island to 17,287, more..

Nov 16 (FT) COVID-19 has triggered the deepest global recession in decades. While the ultimate outcome is still uncertain, the pandemic will result in economic contractions across the vast majority of emerging markets and developing economies. It will also do lasting damage to Human Resource productivity and potential manufacturing output. The immediate policy priorities are to alleviate human suffering and reduce the near-term economic losses. Once the crisis becomes less intense, more..

Nov 16 (FT) As citizens, why do we need to pay taxes? The simple answer is, taxation is the means of collecting revenue for Govt spending for the goods and services we need as a populace. However, developing tax policies that are both fair and efficient are far from simple. The difficulties are especially multiplied, being a developing country like Sri Lanka, and having to compete in the world economy. Taxation should raise essential revenue for the Govt to function, without more..

Nov 16 (DN) Highways Minister Johnston Fernando while expressing regret over the virulent social media campaign against the Neluwa - Lankagama road project said that this stretch of road is being built on par with industry standards. Minister Fernando, after having seen social media posts that a section of road had been washed away, rushed to Lankagama with MP Sampath Athukorala and inspected the project. �We regret what has been posted on social media. more..

Nov 16 (EN) Opposition MP Lakshman Kiriella is charging that said that the Prison turned quarantine centre in Bogambara Prison is posing a threat to the city of Kandy and the whole district. Kiriella said that the new quarantine centre established in the former Bogambara Prison with 800 prison inmates is a threat to Kandy as it is situated in the centre of the city and its staff are interacting with the city daily. The Kandy Prison has been moved to Pallekelle and Bogambara is being described by more..