Apr 30 (FT) The Govt has ordered Litro Gas Ltd. to convey true facts besides the changing of the colour of the recently-launched hybrid cylinder. State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna told the media if Litro Gas intended to reintroduce its 18-litre hybrid premium gas cylinders to the market it could only be done after properly informing the consumer. He said the firm was bound to inform the consumer on the efficiency of the new product and that the cylinder should specify the quantity of gas & its price, more..

Apr 30 (FT) Businesses and dealers are concerned over the alleged shortage of US Dollars in the market as the CB stepped up curbs against select forward contracts this week. Sources said that the Central Bank had stopped selling dollars for SL Rupees, meaning one could only do Telegraphic Transfer if you have dollar credit. �Some banks don�t have dollars,� they claimed. However, banking sources clarified that it was business as usual more..

Apr 30 (Island) Former TNA MP Mavai Senathirajah said that he will be the party�s next chief ministerial candidate for the Northern Provincial Council. He made this declaration addressing the media at the ITAK office in Jaffna. �There are several names, but they have been proposed by some people who live in Colombo and come here occasionally. People in the North are not supportive of any of them.� Senathirajah said that former Northern chief minister C.V. Wigneswaran was campaigning for more..

Apr 30 (DN) Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa said that there are no obstructions to conduct any sports events or tournaments under the bio-bubble system and with the proper Health Ministry guidelines. He made these observations during a special media briefing held at the Sports Ministry outdoor premises under the Nuga Tree for the first time while keeping in line with the health regulations of the Sports Ministry. �There are no obstructions to conduct matches especially under bio-bubble system, more..

Apr 30 (FT) Given the current COVID-19 spike, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said the future decisions regarding the closure of the airport or the restriction of tourist arrivals will be made in accordance with health authorities� recommendation. �We cannot restrict the arrival of tourists at once and close the airport. No decision has been made so far to restrict travellers or to close the airport. Any such significant decision will be made after more..

Apr 30 (AD) More areas in Matale, Kurunegala and Monaragala districts have been placed under isolation orders with immediate effect, the Commander of Army General Shavendra Silva announced. Thereby, the following areas will be isolated under further notice: Matale District: � Dambulla police area � Galewela police area � Matale police area � Naula police area. Kurunegala District: � Pannala police area � Udubaddawa Grama Niladhari Division � Galamuna GN Division more..

Apr 30 (CT) Prez Rajapaksa expressed deep empathy and concern at the ongoing COVID-19 situation in India in his letter of solidarity to Indian PM Narendra Modi on 28 April. Rajapaksa, in his letter, said concerted efforts of humanity have succeeded in overcoming such pandemics since time immemorial. He also expressed confidence that India will tackle the crisis effectively under the leadership of Modi with the support of dedicated experts and professionals, more..

Apr 30 (Island) CCTV cameras have been installed in Kilinochchi to identify those who do not follow health guidelines. Chairman of the Kilinochchi Pradeshiya Sabha, Arunachalam Welamakithan said that Covid-19 was becoming a serious problem there as people were not adhering to health guidelines. With the support of the CCTV evidence, those who violated the health guidelines could be arrested, he said. more..

Apr 30 (FT) Italy yesterday banned the entry of Sri Lankans on account of the sharp rise in the number of COVID infections. Italy on Thursday extended for 15 days COVID-19 restrictions already in place on travellers from other European countries, the Health Ministry said, adding that it had also imposed a ban on people coming from Sri Lanka. People entering Italy from other European countries face five days of quarantine and mandatory testing both before arrival and at the end of their isolation period. more..

Apr 30 (FT) Country�s COVID-19 fatalities yesterday rose to 667 with health authorities confirming six more COVID-19 deaths. A 37-year-old individual from Wattala died while receiving treatment at the Homagama Base Hospital on Wednesday. The cause of death is cited as chronic kidney disease with COVID-pneumonia. A 72-year-old individual from Welimada tested positive for COVID-19 at the Welimada Base Hospital and was transferred to the Homagama Base Hospital. more..

Apr 30 (CT) Public Health Inspectors urged the Govt to implement a lockdown, to prevent a complete breakdown of ground level health services in the country, in view of the continuing rise in COVID-19 cases. �If people pay attention to the number of cases that have been recorded during the past two days (27, 28) topping 1,000, they would realise that the numbers were higher than what has been revealed, Treasurer of the PHIUSL, more..

Apr 30 (FT) The type of disease afflicting SL is not one that will, over time, cure itself, but one that can only be healed with a complex surgery. The functioning of the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary is in a state of total collapse while that of all other institutions is also in a similar state. There is no integration and cohesion in the social system and it is in a fragmented state. The economy is also on the verge of bankruptcy. When the State finds itself in such a dire situation, more..

Apr 30 (FT) One of my friends from Mannar reminded me of an adage in Tamil, araciyalvaathikku aiyo pavam illai, which implies, never feel sorry for a politician. What follows is not to feel sorry for Bathiudeen the politician, although one should have sympathy for him as a fellow human being, but to feel surprised at how easily the leader of the Catholic community, Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, after being so publicly vocal and accusatory at Prez NGR�s nonchalance over PCoI report, more..

Apr 30 (AD) Serjeant-at-Arms CID has been informed to make necessary arrangements for MP Rishad Bathiudeen, who is currently under arrest, to attend parliamentary proceedings in requested. A letter has been directed to the Director of the CID by Serjeant-at-Arms Narendra Fernando, on the instructions of Speaker of Parliament. Accordingly, the CID has been instructed to escort MP Rishad Bathiudeen to the Parliament premises at 9.30 am on May 4 and 5 if he makes a request to more..

Apr 30 (DM) Decisions have been made to indefinitely suspend the route permits of the buses which are found carrying passengers over and above the seating capacity, which is contrary to the quarantine regulations, State Minister Dilum Amunigama said. The Police and the Provincial Passenger Transport Authorities have been informed about this and authorised to take stringent action against the violators and ensure the bus operators carry passengers to seating capacity. more..

Apr 30 (CI) Losing the middle order cheaply, before bad light and rain took 24 overs out of the day, set SL back in the match. This was according to No. 3 batsman Oshada Fernando, who hit 81 in the first innings and was involved in a 104-run second-wicket stand with Lahiru Thirimanne. On a Pallekele surface that began to exhibit signs of life on day two. The hosts began the day on 291 for 1, but lost five wickets for 69 runs through more..

Apr 30 (AD) Committee on Parliamentary Business chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today decided to limit next week�s parliamentary sittings to 4th and 5th of May. Accordingly, the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill will be taken up for debate on May 05 from 10 am to 8 pm without adjournment for lunch. An adjournment debate on the current COVID-19 situation in the country is expected to be held on May 04 from 11.00 am to 5.30 pm. more..

Apr 30 (DM) A passenger and an airport maintenance worker were arrested by the Customs Narcotic Control unit at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with 26 kg of Gold Biscuits and Jewellery valued at over Rs. 317 million, Customs Dept said. Customs Deputy Director Sudattha Silva said the raid was conducted as a result of the surveillance operations by the airport staff who were able to unfold a tactic adopted by the elements to smuggle gold into the country. more..

Apr 30 (HRW) Sri Lanka�s parliament should reject a resolution to exonerate officials implicated in human rights abuses and to prosecute police and prosecutors investigating them, Human Rights Watch said today. Adopting the resolution, brought before parliament on April 9, 2021, would further undermine the independence of the judiciary and rule of law, which have been severely weakened under the administration more..

Apr 30 (TM) Ministry of Health has taken steps to strengthen the intensive care unit of the John Kotelawala Defense Uni Hospital (KDU) to provide emergency care to patients suffering from Covid infections due to the third wave of Covid-19 which is currently spreading across the country. Accordingly, three intensive care units at KDU will be set aside for the intensive care of Covid patients, 24 ICU beds and 12 High Dependency Beds (HDU beds) will be set up in these units and all will include more..

Apr 30 (CT) Stern action will be taken against those who encroach on lands within the Mahaweli Zones, Director General of the Mahaweli Authority Keerthi B. Kotagama has informed the Residential Enterprise Managers of the ten Mahaweli Zones, in a written advisory. In the advisory, the Director General informed the Managers to take swift action under the existing provisions of the State Land Act No.07 of 1979 to prevent further land encroachment within the Mahaweli Zones. more..

Apr 30 (MB) He may have had short tusks, but at nearly 3 meters (10 feet) tall, Revatha was the dominant bull in his home range of Kalawewa in SL�s North Central province. Other bull elephants that challenged him for dominance found themselves no match for his might; some even died in their ground-rumbling jousts with Revatha. On March 9, Revatha, aged 45, was killed. But it wasn�t another elephant that dealt the fatal blow. more..

Apr 30 (EN) Sri Lanka has successfully rolled over US$ 693 million of maturing forex denominated SL Development Bonds helped by post-auction subscription for 9 month bonds, data from the state debt office showed. In tough market conditions, the debt office which is a unit of the central bank said a total of US$ 694.52 million of bonds were sold against a maturing tranche of US$ 693.89 million. Banks and investors initially bid 652 million dollars for a US$ 750 million auction of SLDB. more..

Apr 30 (NR) All long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with recent travel history to SL, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan will not be allowed entry to, or transit through, Singapore. Education Minister Lawrence Wong said the new rule will take effect from 11.59pm tomorrow and will also affect those who have previously obtained approval from the authorities to enter the country. In addition, all travellers with recent travel history to the four countries who have yet to complete their more..

Apr 30 (ENS) Intelligence Bureau and Kerala Police have started to dig into Kerala connections of ACMC leader and MP Rishad Bathiudeen after he was arrested by SL Police on April 24 in connection with April 2019 Easter Sunday attacks that killed 279 people and injured hundreds. While the specifics of the links which Bathiudeen had in Kerala are yet to be revealed, the agencies will be looking into the inputs on his visit more..