May 13 (TM) Dudley, his father�s name is his first name. And his next two names made him probably one of the most well known cricketers of SL of the eighties. Those two names are Marlon Vonhagt. �No. It�s Marlon Von � Hagt,� said Marlon Von Hagt from Australia, when he spoke to the Sunday Morning Sports recently. Born in low country Kalutara before schooling in up country Kandy, this fair and handsome cricketer is always remembered by the ardent SL cricket fans mostly for his flair and more..

May 13 (AD) Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramzan, will be celebrated on May 14 by Muslims across Sri Lanka as the Shawwal crescent has not been sighted today (12), the Colombo Grand Mosque said. Eid al-Fitr is a festival of breaking the fast and marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It is a religious holiday that is celebrated by Muslims from all over the world and involves a range of celebrations as friends, family & entire Muslim community comes together. more..

May 13 (FT) As COVID-19 numbers continued to climb the Govt yesterday initiated movement restrictions on all non-essential travel across the island from 11 p.m. today to 4 a.m. on Monday, after which movement restriction will be in place at the same time daily until 31 May. The multiple announcements that came in quick succession caused much public confusion before they were gradually clarified as day wore on. more..

May 13 (CI) SLC have announced that the second season of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) will be played from July 30 to Aug 22, with further details about the franchise tournament yet to be confirmed. The window falls immediately after SL's home series against India, which comprises three ODIs and three T20Is, finishing on July 27. It also means that the LPL will clash with the Hundred, the ECB's new 100-ball competition, which starts on July 21, but will be finished before the start of CPL on Aug 28. more..

May 13 (FT) UNP called on the Govt to provide a Rs. 25,000 high-risk allowance and a Rs. 5 million life insurance for frontline State sector employees engaged in COVID-19 related duties. UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena made the request at a press conference yesterday, adding that the Govt should have broad consultations with all parties regarding the management of the COVID-19 outbreak and to discuss how best to secure funds for the proposed allowances & insurance schemes. more..

May 13 (FT) Health officials yesterday stated vaccination is a mid-term strategy against COVID-19 and could not be used to immediately control the third wave of the pandemic the country is currently hit by as the effects of vaccination will only be seen in three months� time. Despite this, the Govt is taking necessary measures to reach its target of vaccinating 63% of the population. more..

May 13 (NF) Head of the Presidential Task Force, Basil Rajapaksa on Wednesday morning (May 12) left for the United States of America for medical treatment. Basil Rajapaksa left for the USA to receive treatment, Sagara Kariyawasam, the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) told News 1st. According to our airport correspondent, Basil Rajapaksa has departed Sri Lanka aboard flight EK649 at around 3:15 am, en route to Dubai. more..

May 13 (CT) A system for individuals to leave their homes, according to the last digit of the Passport, Driving Licence or National Identity Card (NIC) has been introduced from today. Apart from reporting for work purposes and essential services, DIG Rohana said all persons who wish to purchase goods are only able to do so based on the last digit of the Passport, Driving Licence or NIC number. Accordingly, those whose ID numbers end with 2,4,6,8,0 (even numbers) are permitted to more..

May 13 (EN) The Indian national in Sri Lanka who tested positive for the Indian B.1.617 strain of SARS-CoV-2, the island�s only case yet, has made a full recovery, but there is no way to know for certain if the deadly variant is present in the community without further genome sequencing. Chief Epidemiologist Dr Sudath Samaraweera said on May 12 that sequencing of community samples will continue at the Uni of Sri J'pura�s more..

May 13 (FT) Though his resolute speech at Lakshman Kadirgamar�s funeral was the clincher, Mahinda Rajapaksa pretty much swung the 2005 presidential candidacy, because he, even more than Prez Kumaratunga, successfully managed the aftermath of the tsunami. The management of the anti-COVID campaign has been decidedly less successful. Even though it has eroded his public support, Prez Gotabaya seems dogmatically determined to maintain a distorted, more..

May 13 (FT) The wider society�s response and collective behaviour during the COVID pandemic in SL, especially since the New Year period and in the last few weeks, has cast doubts on the values of our society and its lack of a social conscience as a society. The battle against COVID has been left almost entirely to the Govt and its many institutions, and hardly any civil society leaders, religious leaders, the media, and above all, political leaders outside of the govt have appealed to more..

May 13 (Island) SJB MP, Lakshman Kiriella on Tuesday, expressed opposition to what he called a government to rush through Parliament the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill without a proper debate. Addressing the media after meeting the Malwatte Maha Viharaya Anunayake Ven Niyamgoda Vijithasiri Thera and Maha Lekhkadhikari of the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya Ven Medgama Dhammananda Thera, MP said: �We learn that the Supreme Court decision on more..

May 13 (FT) Am�na Bank continued to showcase strong resilience amidst economic challenges in Q1 2021, achieving a 20% year-on-year (YOY) growth in profit-before-tax (PBT). The 20% growth is achieved in comparison to a robust pre-COVID performance made in Q1 2020. Accordingly, PBT in Q1 2021 reached Rs. 217.1 million compared to the Rs. 180.2 million recorded in the corresponding period. This quarter also saw the bank recording its best-ever quarterly achievement in more..

May 13 (DM) There was a threat of the variant entering SL through those arriving from India and from other countries where the variant has spread. It is for this reason that all arrivals are placed in quarantine and tested T he dreaded B.1.617, the Indian variant of the coronavirus, could be spreading in the community, health officials warned. Chief Epidemiologist of the Ministry of Health Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said that there could be people who have gone undetected with the variant. more..

May 13 (Island) GMOA has called for a countrywide quarantine curfew to bring the raging Covid-19 pandemic under control. The GMOA yesterday released a copy of a letter it addressed to Prez Rajapaksa: �First and foremost, as GMOA we would like to appreciate the leadership offered by your Excellency in mitigating the current COVID19 pandemic within our country. GMOA as a responsible organization, has continuously rendered our fullest support for authorities in controlling the pandemic situation in SL. more..

May 13 (CT) 3 commemorative stamps, issued on the occasion of the National Vesak Festival, First Day Covers and Souvenir Leaflet, were presented to PM Rajapaksa by Minister Keheliya Rambukwella at Temple Trees. This year�s National Vesak Festival was to be held at the historic Nagadeepa Raja Maha Viharaya in the Northern Province. Accordingly, paintings of Buddhist religious places in Northern and Eastern Provinces have been used for this yr�s National Vesak commemorative stamps. more..

May 13 (TM) Regardless of a year-on-year increase in unemployment recorded in the year 2020 driven by the local first and second waves of the virus, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva noted that the prevailing third wave has not led to any further increases in the unemployment rate of the country. He said that he is unable to predict the fluctuations of the rate of unemployment in SL during this period, but said that there was no increase more..

May 13 (EN) Visas of tourists and foreigners resident in Sri Lanka will be extended for 60 days without penalty, the immigration office, which is cutting down services as part of efforts to contain Coronavirus surge said. The validity of all categories of visas issued to foreigners are automatically extended from May 11 to July 09, the Controller General of SL�s Department of Immigration and Emigration said. Holders of tourist visa can go to the link https://eservices.immigration.gov.lk/vs more..

May 13 (EN) Sri Lanka will operate several office trains across districts and provinces to take essential workers, the state railway service said though long distance travel was restricted as part of anti-Coronavirus movement controls slapped from May 13. Railway department said in order to provide transportation facilities from province to province, for the essential workers in both govt and private sector, a limited number of trains will be operating between main stations avoiding all sub stations. more..

May 13 (TM) It was decided today (at the Committee on Parliamentary Business chaired by the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to hold next week�s Parliament sittings on May 18th, 19th & 20th. Secretary General of Parliament stated that it was decided to convene Parliament adhering by the Health Guidelines pertaining to COVID-19. Furthermore, the Secretary General stated that the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill more..

May 13 (CT) Govt Medical Officers Forum (GMOF) stated that unless the health sector is strengthened, Sri Lanka will not be able to face the supposed surge in the number of COVID-19 deaths expected in September as warned by reports. President of GMOF, Dr. Rukshan Bellana stated the Ministry of Health should avoid calling on trade unions for technical advice as there are several experts in the field who can provide recommendations. He added that services of several qualified individuals more..

May 13 (Island) Eight-year-old Elissa Deddi is one of those who survived the Easter Sunday attack on the Zion Church in Batticaloa, in 2019, but lost her eyesight. On that fateful day, little Elissa visited the church with her parents for the morning Mass. Both her mother and father died in the terror attack. Elissa, a student of St. Mary�s College, Batticaloa, is looked after by one of her aunts. When The Island contacted her foster mother, through the Parish Priest of Zion Church, more..

May 13 (TM) Executive Committee of the Bar Association of SL (BASL) today stated that it strongly condemns the recent killing of two suspects in police custody, namely Melon Mabula alias Uru Juwa and Tharaka Wijesekera alias Kosgoda Tharaka which has occurred on two consecutive days. �These deaths have all the hallmarks of extra-judicial killings and we call upon the State to ensure the safety and security more..

May 13 (DM) All shops should be closed from 11 p.m tonight till 4 a.m Monday, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said. He said only essential services would be allowed when the island-wide travel restriction was in force. The Spokesman said that online delivery service for medicine will be allowed to operate. He said last digit ID system introduced for non-essential movements will be implemented from Monday. An island-wide travel restriction will be imposed from 11 pm today to 4 am till Mon more..

May 13 (FT) The SL Association of Software and Services Companies� (SLASSCOM) Women Technopreneurs (WTECH) Forum, which was initiated in 2020 to support, promote and grow women-led start-ups; together with IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, are set to launch an island-wide survey to better understand the landscape of SL technopreneurs. This initiative is in line with SLASSCOM�s vision of developing knowledge and innovation in the IT and more..

May 13 (EN) SL Air Force Engineering Corp has produced a high flow oxygen therapy unit to be used on Coronavirus patients with breathing difficulties with ventilators in short supply. Ranil De Silva, Thilanka Ratnapala and a team of medical experts advised by Bandula Wijay, a professor at Kotelawala Defence University who has international experience at medical device companies had put together the unit. A Heated Humidified Oxygen Therapy Unit, which can deliver high flow oxygen to more..

May 13 (DM) Telecom Regulatory Commission of SL (TRCSL) warned the public to be vigilant when they receive scam messages claiming they have won prizes both in cash and in gifts and there is an alarming increase in such activities. They said it has been observed that multiple scam messages are being received by mobile phone users. Therefore, the people are advised not to make any payments or share personal information with these ghost elements to claim these fake prizes & gifts. more..

May 13 (FT) Despite the adverse impact on business, the tourism industry yesterday supported the decision taken by the Govt to impose stricter travel guidelines considering the current spike in COVID-19 cases. The leading tourism organisations � The Hotels Association of SL (THASL) and SL Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) � assured that they would abide by the protocols in place to support more..

May 13 (AD) Prevailing showery condition in the South- western parts of the country (particularly in Southern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-Central and Central provinces) is expected to continue further, says the Dept of Meteorology. Issuing an advisory for adverse weather, the Met. Department said downpours above 200 mm will occur at some places tonight. In the meantime, the Disaster Management Centre warned that water levels of three rivers have observed minor flood level more..

May 13 (Island) Minister Rear Admiral (Retd.) Sarath Weerasekera yesterday called on the public to remain vigilant of any suspicious moves by possible local agents of ISIS in the coming days. Rear Admiral Weerasekera, during a brief interview with The Island, said that there were intelligence reports on certain activities of Islamic extremists in the country and law enforcing agencies were working round the clock to prevent any catastrophic incident, similar to the Easter Sunday carnage. more..

May 13 (AS) Family members of a SL woman who died at an immigration detention facility in March have arrived in Japan and want answers. They plan to meet with immigration officials and ask them a tough question: �Why did the Japanese immigration authorities kill her?� The death of Wishma Sandamali, 33, who was detained at a facility operated by the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau in August 2020 more..

May 13 (DM) The decision to impose strict travel restrictions for three whole days shows the govt�s discrimination towards a section of the minority, SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahaman said. He told a press conference that the travel restrictions were not imposed as per health experts' advise, but were a result of the govt's racial based attitude. �Health experts were stressing for travel restrictions and lockdown since April this year, but the govt turned a deaf ear to their advice. more..

May 13 (Island) Environment Ministry Secretary, Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that due to the influx of a large volume of plastic and polythene waste from India into the Kalpitiya and Mannar seas, a formal research would be carried out with the support of the British Govt focusing on the micro plastics contained in the seawater in the affected areas. In that regard, he said that the British High Commissioner Sarah Hulton had assured that the British Govt would also provide assistance to carry out more..

May 13 (EN) A family suspected to be from Rameshwaran, India was arrested in Jaffna peninsula for illegal entry, police said, amid calls for tighter border control to keep out deadlier strains of SARS-Cov-2. DIG Ajith Rohana said the family, comprising a 61-year-old woman, her 34-year-old daughter and the daughter�s two sons aged nine and five, were taken into custody today. Initial investigations have revealed they had come more..

May 14 (DM) �We make a living by what we get. But we make a life by what we give� said Winston Churchill many years ago. And this undoubtedly has been a belief of the Rotaract Club of the Uni of Colombo, Faculty of Management & Finance, well known as RACUOCFMF. Ever since its humble beginnings in 2010, the club�s 11-year long journey has been adorned with many heartwarming milestones that have served the community in a true spirit of fellowship. more..

May 14 (CT) Fragments of China�s biggest rocket landed in the Indian Ocean on 9 May, just west of Maldives. Most of the components were destroyed upon re-entry into the atmosphere, ending suspense over where the debris would hit. The Long March rocket was the second deployment of the 5B variant since its maiden flight in May 2020. Last year, pieces from the first Long March 5B fell on Ivory Coast, damaging several buildings. But no injuries were reported. more..

May 14 (TM) A video of a man allegedly instigating motorists to honk in protest of a convoy carrying the visiting Chinese Defence Minister after it had temporarily held up traffic in Colombo, made the rounds on social media recently. The authorities seemed to have spared no effort in apprehending the man who had allegedly encouraged people to honk in protest, with him later being charged with obstruction of police duty. more..

May 14 (TM) The world is slowly and hesitantly coming to terms with the fact that ending the Covid-19 pandemic will require more effort and resources, and that the world has to adapt to the evolving pandemic. SL is also taking steps to manage the pandemic with the available resources, and it was recently reported that the Govt is considering permitting home quarantine for asymptomatic Covid-19-infected persons who do not show severe symptoms/complications. more..