Mar 6 (DM) Sri Lankans are used to the tropical heat, but definitely not when thermometers hit 40c! Lately, islanders have been experiencing unusual weather patterns and the usual blame is on deforestation and similar human activities that increase global warming. Apart from the usual reasons, researchers also claim that rapid urbanisation especially in the Colombo Metropolitan Area could be an indicator of high temp.s. more..

Mar 6 (ST) Another firearms amnesty has ended with about 200 unlicensed firearms being surrendered, but despite repeated amnesties armed crime is rising, reinforcing the need to move more decisively in controlling the menace. �The amnesty, though only a week long, was effective, and the police received guns that are in service and in good condition,� (Crimes) Prashantha Jayakody, said, pointing out that more..

Mar 6 (ST) Although the Jaffna Int'l Airport was declared open in October to connect the northern region with South Indian cities, unreasonable airfares, smaller baggage allowance and a lack of airport facilities are forcing locals to travel some 300 kilometres to BIA in Katunayake instead. On Wednesday, pensioner Suntharam (not the real name), visited a leading airline ticket booking centre in Jaffna to reserve tickets more..

Mar 6 (AD) A new political party led by former minister Kumara Welgama was launched today under the name of Nawa Lanka Nidahas Pakshaya (New Lanka Freedom Party). The ceremony launching the new party was held today at Pita Kotte under the patronage of the leader of the party, Kumara Welgama. The event was organized under the theme New Lanka Freedom Party for the pure Bandaranaike policy while policy statement more..

Mar 6 (FT) The Supreme Court yesterday re-fixed for support on 16 Sept for granting of leave to proceed with the Fundamental Rights petition filed in a bid to re-open the portion of the A 26 road (part of which passes along the Kandy Dalada Maligawa). The matter came up before the Bench comprising Justices Priyantha Jayawardane, Pathman Surasena and Yashantha Kodagoda. Pulasthi Hewamanna appeared for more..

Mar 6 (MoD) Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) together with the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) have busted, the biggest ever haul of drugs at sea, stocked in three foreign fishing trawlers with 400 kilograms of heroin and 100 kilograms of the ICE (crystal methamphetamine) during a 25 day long joint operation, yesterday. The two fishing boats with over 16 foreign drug smugglers have been taken into custody 600 nautical miles away off more..

Mar 6 (AD) Huawei Sri Lanka and Uni of Moratuwa (UOM) entered into a MoU to enable the educated and talented youth in Sri Lanka to further enhance their skills in the ICT domain and to be competitive in the ever growing ICT industry, as part of Huawei�s long-term digital inclusion initiative � TECH4ALL, to support Sri Lanka to fulfil the Smart Nation vision of the country. Minister Bandula Gunawardena, Secretary to Ministry more..

Mar 6 (AD) Heavy traffic is reported near the Leprosy Hospital in Hendala due to a protest staged by the residents of the area. These residents had been engaged in this protest since 6 am this morning. The protest has affected the traffic on Hekitta-Wattala road and Hekitta-Hendala road. Health Ministry on Wednesday announced that the Leprosy Hospital in Hendala will be converted into a quarantine facility for passengers arriving in more..

Mar 6 (AD) Students and other individuals involved in educational activities, who are returning from the countries affected by the COVID-19 will be subjected to 14-day quarantine, says the Ministry of Education. Accordingly, the Ministry has instructed the all the heads of schools and other educational institutions to inform relevant students, academics and non-academic staff, who are arriving in Sri Lanka from the countries, more..

Mar 6 (FT) It is evident that the Podu Peramuna Govt led by Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the new Prez, wants desperately to withdraw the cases filed during the Yahapalana regime against corruption and criminal acts alleged to have committed during the previous regime of Mahinda Rajapaksa. However, in the absence of the support of the Judiciary, it appears clearly that a cold war situation has arisen between the Govt and the Judiciary. Some of them involved in those lawsuits publicly supported more..

Mar 6 (CT) The two mistakes that Prez J.R. Jayewardene made in chronological order were introducing his nephew Ranil Wickremesinghe (70) from Sedawatte to politics and the other, the eruption of the Tamil or National Question during his Presidency, respectively. On the eve of the 1977 Parliamentary Poll, which Jayewardene's UNP won by a record five-sixths majority, Wickremesinghe's father Esmond, sought an electorate, from Jayewardene to contest forthcoming more..

Mar 6 (AD) The body of a man who died under mysterious circumstances has been found early this morning on Chilaw-Kurunegala main road in Munneswaram area. The officers of Chilaw Police discovered the body, acting on information received regarding the dead body. The deceased was identified as a resident of Kanjukkuliya area in Chilaw, named Suranga Sagara Jayasinghe. It was revealed that he had been employed in Italy for more than 20 years. more..

Mar 6 (DM) As many as 3,000 pilgrims from India are scheduled to attend the annual Katchatheevu feast, a special quarantine team of the Health Ministry has been sent as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the Navy said. Navy Spokesman Isuru Sooriyabandara said that all the arrangements had been made to hold the Katchatheevu feast on Saturday (7). �We believe as many as 3,000 pilgrims from India and 7,000 pilgrims from Sri Lanka will attend the feast. more..

Mar 6 (EN) Red tape is hindering the registration of small businesses at Divisional Secretariats in SL, oppressing the poor and holding back entrepreneurship, Advocata Institute, a Colombo-based think tank said. Overly complicated steps, which require would-be business owners to visit govt offices multiple times, are presenting challenges to business registration, the think tank said, based on a survey. more..

Mar 6 (AD) Former MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka says that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya does not have any intention to be in the Opposition again. He said that they created the new alliance to form a govt. Fonseka added that he does not believe the claims that the govt of Rajapaksas could not be defeated as the previous administration led by Rajapaksas also suffered a defeat in 2015. Commenting further he stated that Prez Rajapaksa has forgotten the pledges he gave during more..

Mar 6 (EN) SriLankan Airlines may suspend flights to China for a time amid a Coronavirus outbreak, as passenger volumes nose dive and operations to Jeddah may also be stopped amid tighter restrictions, industry sources said. In February SriLankan slashed flights to China as Chinese arrivals fell with Beijing cut to twice week from four and Canton cut to three from seven as the epidemic unfolded. Flights to Jeddah are also likely to be suspended due to tighter entry requirements more..

Mar 6 (AD) Colombo Fort Magistrate�s Court today issued warrants for the arrest of former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and 9 others over the CB bond auctions of March 2016. The Attorney General on Tuesday directed the Acting IGP to obtain arrest warrants against several suspects in the CB bond scam case including the former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, former Governor of the CB Arjuna Mahendran, more..

Mar 6 (DM) Several senior SLFP leaders who met at the official residence of a Cabinet minister at Mahagamasekara Mawatha in Colombo have decided to request former prez Sirisena not to contest the general election but enter Parliament through the SLPP national list. They had decided to make the request through SLPP leader, PM Mahinda Rajapaksa. A senior SLFPer who took part in the discussions said that many party stalwarts and supporters were not happy about some of more..

Mar 6 (AD) The people have rejected the current leadership of UNP, says former MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka. Admitting that there is a conflict within the party, the former parliamentarian said its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is attempting to go on a different path by himself. He stated that they established the new alliance, Samagi Jana Balawegaya, with Sajith Premadasa and the majority members of the UNP. Fonseka also mentioned that the symbol of the new alliance is telephone. more..

Mar 6 (AD) Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar in Colombo today issued arrest warrant on Pearl Weerasinghe, Secretary of the Presidential Commission appointed to investigate alleged incidents of political victimization. The judge-bench comprising Justices Vikum Kaluarachchi, Dhammika Ganepola and Aditya Patabendige issued the warrant for police to immediately arrest and produce her before the court, for ignoring more..

Mar 6 (CT) The Mahinda Sulangin Gotabhishekayata book written by PHU Leader and former MP Udaya Gammanpila was launched yesterday (5), in Colombo. The ceremony was attended by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Addressing the ceremony, Gammanpila claimed that 16 Nov 2019 was not merely a day when one Govt changed to another, but a decisive moment of defeat in the case of Western imperialism. "However, what should receive more attention is not that, more..

Mar 6 (EN) NGOs must be allowed to provide soft skills to Sri Lankans unhindered the National Peace Council said in a statement issued Friday. The statement follows a set of guidelines issued by the Mullaitivu District Secretariat to all NGOs working in the district which EconomyNext has seen saying their work should be focused on infrastructure development and not on soft skill training. The letter signed by K Kanakeswarwan Additional District Secretary says that more..

Mar 6 (TM) Former Minister Kabir Hashim today denied a media report claiming that he was connected to businesses operated by a Turkish terror organisation. He claimed that the particular Sinhala newspaper was closely associated with the govt and that the report was carried to tarnish his reputation. �The newspaper did not contact me to get my side of the story.� The former minister said he will take legal action against more..

Mar 6 (TM) Bank of Ceylon (BOC) branches are reportedly closed as employees have started a protest against the govt�s decision to appoint a new Acting General Manager (GM). The Ministry of Finance appointed Sudath Gunasekara as the Act. GM. of BOC, replacing veteran banker Senarath Bandara. Gunasekara was previously the Senior Deputy GM (International, Treasury and Investment) and Deputy GM (Retail banking) and has a 40-year career at the bank. more..

Mar 6 (EN) Sri Lanka�s Treasury would have to decide whether to make use of unusually low interest rates to borrow from international markets, an official said, as US 10-year Treasuries fell to a 150-year low due to the spread of the coronavirus. Senior Deputy Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said the Treasury would have to take a decision on moving the borrowing schedule forward. Sri Lanka last sold 2 billion US dollars in five and ten year sovereign bonds in June 2019. more..

Mar 6 (Reuters) Rangana Herath has urged SL�s cricket administrators to be patient with the current crop of spinners as they struggle to fill the void left after his retirement in 2018, the left-arm wizard told Reuters. Sri Lanka boast two spinners in the top 10 in the list of the most successful bowlers in test cricket, with Muttiah Muralitharan leading the tally with 800 wickets and Herath placed 10th. more..

Mar 6 (DM) Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Maduma Bandara invited the UNP to sign an MoU with the alliance and to contest the general elections in uniformity. Mr. Maduma Bandara who made this request at a media conference said any party including the UNP were welcome to contest with the SJB. �The UNP working committee had approved a resolution to sign an MoU with us. Therefore we invite them to come to an agreement and sign an MoU,� more..

Mar 6 (CT) Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) Organisation stated that as soon as the 25 April General Election was announced and the day after the dissolution of the Parliament, a poster campaign targeting different ethnicities had kicked off in the Jaffna District. They said that this poster campaign had been noticed in Jaffna, Chavakachcheri, Kodikamam and Kaithady. The election watchdog has alleged that the poster campaign had been initiated by more..

Mar 6 (PMD) Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed the Secretary to the Prez, Dr. P.B. Jayasundara to make preparations for all possible eventualities of COVID-19 in SL. Dr. Jayasundara in a letter sent today to all District Secretaries and Divisional Secretaries says, �Our desire is to make maximum possible effort to make SL Corona free and get business as usual�. Ministry of Health, with the support of the all relevant more..

Mar 6 (TM) Australia has assisted SL in its fight to prevent an outbreak of the coronavirus. Australian Govt in partnership with UNICEF Sri Lanka delivered four laptops to the Disaster Preparedness and Response Division (DPRD) of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services to support SL�s ongoing monitoring of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The equipment will be used by the DPRD officials and volunteers to input data from international passenger arrival cards to be shared with more..

Mar 6 (FT) China has dropped out from the top ten tourist generating markets of SL for the first time since 2012 following the outbreak of novel coronavirus COVID-19. According to data released by SLTDA, tourist arrivals from China plunged by 92.5% to 28,039 in February, compared to the corresponding period of 2019. A year ago, there were 69,064 Chinese tourists. In 2019, China was among the top 3 source markets for tourists for SL, with 167,863 visitors, 9% of total, holidaying. more..

Mar 6 (TRF) Chandraleela Jasinthan was a school teacher in a northern SL village when, in the last days of the civil war, she and her neighbours were forced to flee their homes by the army. More than a decade later, their land is still held by the military. Jasinthan and dozens of other women in Keppapilavu have been staging a protest for more than 3 years at the entrance to the army camp which they say sits on their ancestral land, more..

Mar 7 (DN) The Navy ventured into the deep blue seas off the Northern coast to capture rogue LTTE floating armoury vessels more than 10 years ago, becoming a Blue Water Navy for the first time. Times have changed and so has the enemy. The LTTE is gone and in their place, in the Navy�s crosshairs, are the global narcotics smuggling rings. Given that SL�s sea area is 23 times larger than its lands area, keeping them at bay is no easy task. Just this week, Navy once again found itself far from home more..

Mar 7 (DM) The tragedy with the UNP isn�t that it is divided; the tragedy is that it seems to be in denial of the fact that it is divided. With the same breath with which he sends dispatches and holds press conferences consoling the minds of UNP voters and reassuring them of unity, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam refers to the Sajith Premadasa faction�s Samagi Jana Balawegaya as a constitutionally separate party. The irony of Akila reflecting on Gamini Dissanayake�s exit from the UNP � more..

Mar 7 (CT) Former UNP Colombo District MP Ravi Karunanayake, says a jealousy has spread in the UNP. You waited until the election was announced to select your Presidential Candidate. You are doing the same thing now also? A: Even though the outside world is aware of it, we have already decided internally what will happen. Political parties are using other formulas without fear. It is good to show that we are not prepared, and more..

Mar 7 (DN) The Central Bank bond issue, which resulted in a major clash between the two leaders of the last government, has surfaced once again with Attorney General directing the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) to obtain arrest warrants against several suspects in the Central Bank bond scam case including former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, former Governor of the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) Arjuna Mahendran and Perpetual Treasuries Ltd (PTL) owner Arjun Aloysius. more..

Mar 7 (CT) In terms of the section 16 (1) of the Fiscal Management (Responsibility) Act No. 2 of 2003 as amended, �The Secretary to the Ministry of the Minister, shall within three weeks of the publication our Proclamation or Order requiring the holding of a general election for the election of MPs, cause to be released to the public a Pre-election Budgetary Position Report containing information on the fiscal position of the country�. The citizens eagerly await such release; more..

Mar 7 (CT) A recent application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act unravelled controversy surrounding Apeksha Hospital Director's comments about the Fight Cancer founder M.S.H. Mohammad and the money collected to buy essential equipment for the hospital. Based on data collated by the Registrar General's Department, of all deaths reported in Sri Lanka, cancer takes second place. more..

Mar 7 (Island) International Criminal Court (ICC) has given Uncle Sam a right royal wedgie. It has ruled that alleged war crimes by the US and others, in Afghanistan, be probed. Trump administration has seen red. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who condemns other countries that are not US allies for alleged human rights violations, lost no time in rejecting the ICC ruling and vowing to protect the US citizens. He minced no words when he called the ICC a renegade, unlawful, so-called court. more..