Apr 14 (EN) Sri Lanka is expecting a steep fall in crime during nation-wide lockdown style curfews imposed to stop the spread of Coronavirus, an official said though official statistics are not yet available for comparison. �I cannot tell you without comparing the statistics but we think there is a decrease in crime rates during the curfew period we have island wide,� Police spokesman Jaliya Senaratne said. SL started work-at-home holidays after stopping all incoming foreign arrivals more..

Apr 14 (EN) SL�s Muslim community is continuing to question the country�s insistence on cremating the remains of COVID 19 victims despite most countries in the world permitting burials. Muslims, Jews and Christians believe that their remains should not be cremated according to the dictates of their faith. This comes after the govt Gazetted regulations making it compulsory to cremate the remains of people who die from more..

Apr 14 (DM) The Twitter account of the Chinese Embassy in Colombo, @ChinaEmbSL, has been suspended by the social media platform. The account which was created not so long ago, notably tweeted about the donation of COVID-19 test kits to Sri Lanka by the Alibaba Foundation as well as the lighting of the Lotus Tower in tribute to COVID-19 frontline workers, among others. It was also reported that the embassy has responded to some criticisms made by twitterati on some of its posts and more..

Apr 14 (Island) The Chairman of the All Ceylon Peasants Federation, Namal Karunaratne, yesterday called on government to get the services of the Railway Department to distribute the agriculture produce of the farmers who had been struck by a double whammy � due to the decision to shut down economic centres and the inability to sell produce at a good price. The government closed down economic centres to prevent public gatherings and to curb the spread of COVID �19. more..

Apr 14 (TM) Many a time, we may have heard our parents and grandparents reminiscing about the past saying that just over 50 years ago in SL, a rupee was sufficient to buy a loaf of bread, milk, and eggs. Today, let alone a loaf of bread, a rupee cannot even buy you a toffee. In fact, Rs. 1 might soon become the new cent that is not used in financial transactions as it is rapidly losing its value. Last week, SL rupee fell to Rs. 200 more..

Apr 14 (FT) Financial services rich conglomerate LOLC Holdings announced the successful conclusion of the $ 603 million (over Rs. 120 b) sale of its Cambodian venture amidst turbulent global economic conditions owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. In January this year, the LOLC Group announced of its agreement to sell its 70% stake held in Cambodia�s largest Microfinance Company, PRASAC, to the world�s sixth largest Commercial Bank & Korea�s biggest Commercial Bank, more..

Apr 14 (EN) The IMF and the World Bank should give relief to debtor nations which can be channeled to funds into dedicated funds to revive businesses and help vulnerable persons, Sri Lanka�s ex Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal has said. Cabraal, who is also senior advisor to Finance Minister, last week called for meaningful relief for debtor nations from the IMF and the World Bank by permanently writing off all capital and interest on loans due in 2020 and 2021. more..

Apr 14 (NR) The govt has purchased around 900,000 kilograms of vegetables from farmers yesterday and the day before until economic centres reopen. The govt decided to purchase vegetables from farmers in view of the national programme initiated with the outbreak of the coronavirus. Rs.29 million was spent on 317,396 kilograms of vegetables purchased from the Nuwara-Eliya District. more..

Apr 14 (DM) A suspected COVID-19 seaman aboard a vessel owned by a Liberian company, was brought to the Colombo Harbour by Sri Lanka Navy this morning for treatment, the Navy said. The MSC Lanka (Private) Limited, the local agent of the container ship MSC Taranto, has made a request to the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 to get the seaman disembarked in Sri Lanka for treatment after he was found to be a suspected COVID-19 patient. more..

Apr 14 (SLN) Nine more individuals who completed their quarantine period at the quarantine centre established at Boossa Naval Base, left for their homes today (13). The group which left for their homes included 9 Sri Lankans whom were tested for COVID-19 through a PCR test before their departure from the quarantine centre. Quarantine Certificate that authenticates the successful completion of quarantine process was handed over to them by Commanding Officer of SLNS Nipuna. more..

Apr 14 (DM) Former UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake has been arrested for obstructing the duties of police officers. The former deputy minister was arrested, yesterday, on charges of obstructing police officers in the execution of their duties, Senior DIG of Western Province Deshabandu Tennakoon said. He said that the arrest was made by Mirihana Police at the Madiwela Housing Complex. more..

Apr 14 (SLN) Stepping in to provide some respite to the people confined at apartments under self-quarantine in Colombo district, Navy on 12th Apr conducted 2 musical programmes at Kingswood Park and Perera Avenue in residential area of Kiribathgoda. Augmenting the govt�s efforts to lift the spirits of people confined to their residences following the looming threat of novel coronavirus, this series of entertainment events organized by the Navy got underway on 5th of this month, more..

Apr 14 (TM) 81 Malaysians who were stranded in Sri Lanka are expected to return home today. Foreign Ministry said the agreement was reached during a telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and his SL counterpart, Dinesh Gunawardena, earlier this evening. �The Foreign Minister extends his gratitude to the govt of SL for giving permission to a Malindo Air rescue flight to land in Colombo to repatriate 81 stranded Malaysians from Sri Lanka, more..

Apr 14 (AD) Another positive case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Sri Lanka as of 11.30 on Monday. Seven other patients also tested positive for COVID-19 during the course of Monday and the total number of coronavirus cases in the island have now escalated to 218. Health Ministry says that 155 active cases are under medical care while 56 patients who recovered from the virus were discharged from the hospital. more..

Apr 14 (AD) Police have launched investigations into a case of two children killed by their father in Mavadichenai in Valachchenai. Reportedly, a man had pushed his two children into a well at around 3.45 am this morning. Residents in the area had rescued the two children and admitted them to the Valachchenai. However, the children had died on admission. A 10-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl have been killed in this manner. Their bodies are currently kept in mortuary of Batticaloa more..

Apr 14 (AD) Former MP Ranjan Ramanayake has been remanded until April 20 by the Gangodawila Magistrate�s Court. The former deputy minister was arrested last evening (13) on charges of violating curfew laws, abetting the violation of curfew laws and obstructing police officers in the execution of their duties. A person from Piliyandala had arrived at Madiwela Parliament Members� Housing Complex and informed the police officers on duty that he intends to meet former MP Ramanayake. more..

Apr 14 (AD) The Atalugama area in Bandaragama, which was previously declared an isolated area, has been reopened from today (14). On March 27, Atalugama was isolated after five members from the same family tested positive for the coronavirus. Subsequently, 20 individuals who have had associated with the first coronavirus infected person identified from the area were directed to the quarantine center established in more..

Apr 14 (NR) Public Health Inspectors have issued certificates to over 15,000 persons who have successfully completed self-quarantine procedures. Secretary to the Public Health Inspectors Association Mahendra Balasuriya said over 3,000 persons continue to be under self-quarantine orders. Balasuriya said the group includes persons who arrived in the country from overseas and persons directed to self-quarantine by health authorities. He noted persons suspected to have contracted more..

Apr 14 (AD) A fire had broken out today at the premises of the Department of Govt Printing located in Borella. Govt Printer Gangani Kalpana Liyanage stated that the fire had broken out at a facility allocated for the storage of discarded paper. The Fire Brigade had immediately dispatched several fire trucks to the location on being noticed regarding the fire. The fire has been completely extinguished presently while an inquiry has been launched into the incident. more..

Apr 14 (EN) Medical specialists in SL are divided about the efficacy of the testing being done in this country to detect patients infected with the COVID 19. The dispute is raging while the govt health sector ramps up testing particularly of patients entering some 38 hospitals around the country. In a recent TV interview, President of GMOA Dr Anuruddha Padeniya said only 70 out of 100 people who have the virus could be more..

Apr 14 (SLN) In view of the dawn of Sinhala and Tamil New Year, New Year at the Naval Quarantine Centre in Boossa on 13th Apr, organized a milk boiling ceremony and musical evening The inmates who are far and away from their near and dear ones, remaining at the Naval Quarantine Centre in Boossa, joined these occasions of milk boiling ceremony and musical evening organized by the Navy to celebrate the dawn of Sinhala & Tamil New Year in a simple manner. more..

Apr 14 (DM) Twitter handle of the Chinese Embassy in SL which was suspended on April 13, has been restored by the social media platform today. The official account of the Chinese Embassy in SL (@ChinaEmbSL) said Twitter apologized for the mistake and reopened the account. Meanwhile, an Embassy spokesperson said the account was suspended without informing any specific reason. "Embassy made solemn representation to Twitter twice, requesting the latter to clarify and more..

Apr 14 (AD) Another individual has tested positive for COVID-19 as of 3.00 pm today (14), the Ministry of Health has confirmed. Accordingly, the total count of coronavirus patients found in Sri Lanka now stands at 219. The latest coronavirus case is reportedly a resident of Beruwala area who was being quarantined at the facility in Punani. In the meantime, 7 of the coronavirus patients found yesterday had also been among more..

Apr 14 (EN) National Medical Regulatory Authority, a price control agency for drugs which has extensive powers to disrupt economic activity has lifted a ban on exports of masks, which has blocked the island�s apparel manufactures from moving to new businesses. �The Medical Devices (Availability within SL) Regulations, No. 2 of 2020 published in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2167/17 of March 20, 2020 are hereby rescinded,� the NMRA said. The agency on Mar 20 banned export of masks, more..

Apr 14 (NR) Former State Minister Dilum Amunugama says the present coronavirus crisis must be mitigated prior to conducting the General Election. He said while certain individuals are attempting to benefit from the coronavirus, govt is at present focused on mitigating the threat of COVID-19. Commenting on the postponed General Election, Amunugama said a decision over the matter will be reached within the next three months, adding that he is confident the threat of the coronavirus more..

Apr 14 (EN) Almost all confirmed Coronavirus patients in SL are linked to foreign returnees and investigations are underway in four cases where links to existing patients have not been confirmed, indicating major progress in being made against the spread of Covid-19. Sudath Samarawera, head of Epidemiological Unit said authorities were investigating four cases to confirm and locate the index case (F0) of the patients more..

Apr 14 (AD) Police have seized a large quantity of liquor bottles being transported in a van belonging to the Polonnaruwa Regional Health Services Office, during routine check today at Kalingaela in Hingurakgoda. The van, which is used for staff transport, the driver and the individuals who had handed over the bottles of liquor for transport have also been taken into custody by Polonnaruwa Police. Police officers had discovered 125 small bottles of liquor (180ml) more..

Apr 14 (TM) Riyad Bathiudeen, the brother of former Minister and Leader of All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) Rishad Bathiudeen, has been arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). The arrest was made over alleged links to the Easter Sunday attacks that took place on the 21st of April last year. Riyad had reportedly been arrested by the CID in Puttalum. more..

Apr 14 (IPS) As the deadly COVID-19 pandemic threatens the entire world, claiming thousands of lives and disrupting economic activities, it would be wise to look at the role smoking cessation could play in the response. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and GMOA, smokers are at a higher risk during this outbreak, and there is growing evidence that confirms COVID-19 and smoking is a noxious combination. more..

Apr 15 (CT) It may be wishful thinking to hope Sri Lanka will get away lightly on the deadly onward march of Covid-19. Many will be hit by the virus, in milder or serious form. Hopefully the majority will recover naturally as is due to happen, just as with the common cold or flu. But a percentage are slated to die, a higher percentage than that of the annual flu. The country has a high proportion of aged people, a segment most fated to die, particularly those with compromised physical health. more..

Apr 15 (ST) These are unprecedented times. For most nations around the world they are testing times in more senses than one. Frontline workers such as doctors, nurses and care workers fighting to contain the spread of this dreaded disease and save lives, too have fallen victim. Last week a doctor from Sri Lanka Dr Anton Sebastianpillai died after several days in intensive care at Kingston Hospital where he worked. As these workers including bus drivers still dutifully at work fall victim more..

Apr 15 (roar) For Osanda Samarasinghe (45), the highlight of April has been celebrating the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. He and his family would observe traditional nekath at the appropriate auspicious times, and before the New Year dawned, would shop for clothes and prepare and plan their finances for the upcoming year. �We would renovate and repaint the house, make kavum, kokis, and aluwa. more..

Apr 15 (ST) When people greet each other today with the traditional greeting �ubhaaluthavuruddak it is more in hope that the New Year will be a happy one, more than the expectation of a bright and prosperous year ahead. This New Year dawns at an inauspicious and difficult time for people, especially the poor and those losing their employment and income. A large number of people have to live in the midst of the fear of the coronavirus, shortages of food and other essentials, more..

Apr 15 (CT) While Sri Lankan govt remains adamant on cremating bodies of Muslim coronavirus victims, despite an earlier decision to allow burials, doctors worldwide have come out with scientific facts to prove that burials, now taking place in more than 180 countries worldwide, do not cause any harm to anyone. Burial for Muslim corona virus dead victims, according to World Health Organization guidelines and local funeral laws, was agreed all over the world. more..

Apr 15 (CT) The irresponsible behaviour of some COVID-19 infected persons is a severe problem. At a time when the media and the officials are relentlessly making people aware of the spread of the pandemic, the actions of some people, who have been exposed to COVID-19 infected persons, going into hiding and spreading the virus to others, must be considered a crime. The 7th victim who died of COVID-19 can be considered one such more..

Apr 15 (DM) Coronavirus or the COVID-19 virus travelled across the globe much faster and more conveniently than both capital and labour in this global neo liberal economy. Since it was first announced in late December as fast spreading in Hubei, Wuhan, COVID-19 took its foothold in 14 countries across the globe in less than 30 days from Asia to Europe, North America, Middle East and Australia. Now, 187 countries are listed as COVID-19 affected. more..

Apr 15 (ST) It was a long wait � for days, mind you. Then on Wednesday I heard it � the distinctive and shrill cry of the koha or Asian koel heralding the Sinhala and Hindu New Year. This year, however, it�s different as most people working in Colombo are unable to travel to their villages due to the curfew. For the second time in a year (after the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks), the country is in a crisis � this time joined by the world. The call of the koha is perhaps happier than before because the air is clean, more..

Apr 15 (DM) The number of deaths in Sri Lanka due to coronary artery/ heart disease back in 2017 was 28,554. More than 118,000 of our patients died in 2016 due to non-communicable diseases. It was 83 per cent out of all documented deaths in Sri Lanka. The fact that non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide is no secret. COVID-19 has completely disrupted the excellent Health seeking behavior we had a few weeks ago. The number of deaths due to more..

Apr 15 (DM) How many times should one say and how loud should it be said that the coronavirus does not discriminate on the grounds of ethnicity, social status and political power? It is a great leveller and the message it gives to the world at a huge human cost is that humanity is one. But in certain parts of the world, racism is shamelessly being flaunted as though it is a virtue. It is disheartening to note that racist prejudices have got the better of some of us, even as the pandemic rubs more..