Mar 13 (EN) SL Nidahas Podujana Sandhanaya (SLNPS) is facing a tussle over who should lead their campaign in the upcoming Parliamentary General elections in the key Polonnaruwa district. Former Prez Sirisena who is the Chairman of the alliance is the leading politician in the area but the SLPP supporters in the area want Roshan Ranasinghe to be the leader. Local party organisation voted unanimously that Ranasinghe should lead the alliance and informed more..

Mar 13 (FT) As nominations for the April 25 Parliamentary election opened yesterday, Amith Weerasinghe of Mahason Balakaya was among the first to hand in nominations to contest from an independent group in Kandy. Weerasinghe, who is on bail and facing charges for allegedly posting content promoting racial and religious hatred on social media, will contest from Independent Group One in the Kandy District. 86 independent groups have so far placed their cash deposits more..

Mar 13 (FT) The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday charged that the Govt has failed to maintain adequate stocks of medicine at public hospitals, and this could further hamper health services that are already challenged with COVID-19. Former Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne alleged that medicine needed for critical care and illnesses such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease was running low. more..

Mar 13 (CT) Former Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan was granted permission yesterday, to contest in the General Election, while in remand custody. Civil Appellate Court Judge D.S. Susaithas ordered Batticaloa Prison Officers to grant permission and make all arrangements to Chandrakanthan to submit nomination at the Prison. Five persons including the Leader of TMVP Chandrakanthan were remanded on 11 Oct 2015 in connection with more..

Mar 13 (FT) Hit by dwindling bookings, hotels are setting in motion contingency measures to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial measures include paid leave for non-essential staff, to progress to no-pay leave in the event of no support from Govt and aggravation of the situation. �Occupancy is definitely dropping. Around 60% of travellers coming to Sri Lanka are Europeans, but with major source markets such as Germany, Italy, France and few Scandinavian countries now contemplating more..

Mar 13 (FT) As the number of Sri Lankans diagnosed with COVID-19 rose to two yesterday, Govt stepped up its prevention and mitigation measures, including early closure of public schools from today, introducing information hotlines, and calling on the public to remain calm as well as refrain from engaging in panic buying of essential goods. Second Sri Lankan testing positive for COVID-19 was reported yesterday. more..

Mar 13 (AD) Commander of Army Lt General Shavendra Silva, issuing a special statement, urges the public not to panic over misleading rumors regarding the coronavirus. It has been observed that the public is currently attempting to buy large quantities of food and other goods from supermarkets and shops, he said. However, as shops only stock items needed for a day or two, buying large amounts of goods in one day might lead to shops running out of goods, more..

Mar 13 (DM) The Health Ministry yesterday said that there was a rise in the number of people who had sought treatment for flu-like symptoms at the designated hospitals within the past 48 hours, out of which many were released within a few hours. However, 30 suspected patients had been warded and are currently under observation. The second patient who tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday is among the 30 who was under observation, an official from the Health Ministry said. more..

Mar 13 (Island) Election Commission (EC) yesterday (12) said that in spite of the detection of the first Sri Lankan, who had contracted the Coronavirus, it was premature to discuss the likelihood of the postponement of the next parliamentary poll scheduled for Apr 25. Prez Rajapaksa called early general election on Apr 25 having dissolved parliament on March 2. Sources said that possible postponement could be discussed if more..

Mar 13 (DM) The month of April is one of the most important months in the calender year for Sri Lankans, but concerns regarding Coronavirus have the potential to spoil the fun and also drive the nation into panic mode. Already there is talk from the opposition parties about the regime trying to postpone the upcoming General Elections; also scheduled for April. And sadly, but slowly SL, one of the least effected countries by this virus, is forced to put up its guard, with or without face masks. more..

Mar 13 (DM) Although the fatality rate of COVID-19 (initially coronavirus or 2019-nCoV) is far less than that of Ebola which spread in some African countries, the pace in which panic spread about the new disease is far ahead than the virus itself. This is because the pace in which COVID- 19 spread is drastically higher than that of Ebola. Against this backdrop, the new disease has drawn the concerns of all countries affecting their economy and even socio-cultural activities. more..

Mar 13 (ST) Twenty of SL�s biggest construction companies are still owed Rs 26bn by the Govt, with some payments pending since October last year. The continued absence of a national budget for 2020 has slowed down implementation of State contracts. Hardest hit are the highways, water supply, health, education and higher education sectors. Earlier this year, the Govt said it would put on hold all major projects, more..

Mar 13 (DM) When a video of Quaden Bayles, a child with achondroplasia (informally known as dwarfism) did its rounds on social media, it received many heart, sad and angry reactions. But in reality, those born with this condition are still being laughed at, humiliated and not given due recognition in society. SL too has a considerable percentage of them who are reluctant to come out in public due to harsh experiences. more..

Mar 13 (DM) Given the present Coronavirus outbreak in some parts of the world we thought it was apt to update readers about the present health concerns associated with the Pandemic. These are some of the most asked questions regarding Coronavirus. Q: The Coronavirus is spreading rapidly throughout the world. A global health emergency has been declared by WHO. What are the latest statistics about disease? more..

Mar 13 (EN) Former Leader of the Opposition is calling on the country�s president to reconvene the recently dissolved parliament to deal with the COVID19 issue. Sajith Premadasa who now heads an alliance vying for parliamentary power with Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa�s own formation said he was willing to meet with Rajapaksa to come to an agreement to deal with what could become a crisis. �We will meet with prez and we can discuss more..

Mar 13 (FT) Former MP Athuraliye Rathana Thero laid down several conditions, which he said should be followed if the Thero is to support SLPP at the upcoming General Election. Rathana Thero also called on the SLPP to announce their stance on countering measures of Islamist extremist groups, abolishing madrasa schools, and taking over the controversial Batticaloa Campus. Thero said if the SLPP failed to more..

Mar 13 (EN) Sri Lanka�s pharmaceuticals firms said there is no shortage of drugs in the country and urged the public not to engage in panic buying after two domestically transmitted cases of Coronavirus was discovered. �There is currently enough stock to meet three months of normal demand and we will make sure that the supply chain is not disrupted,� Kasturi Chellaraja, Chairperson of SLCPI said in a statement. more..

Mar 13 (TM) Central Bank yesterday launched a campaign to make 2020 the year of cashless transactions in Sri Lanka, aimed at raising awareness about the possibilities and benefits of digital transactions. The promotional campaign of 2020 � Year of Digital Transactions was launched by Deshamanya Prof. W D Lakshman, Governor of the CB on 11 March at the CBSL with the attendance of senior bankers, officials of non-banking more..

Mar 13 (DM) The Principal in Haliela Vidya Vidyalaya was removed from the post on compulsory retirement, and five teachers including the deputy principal were interdicted on the findings of the preliminary inquiry into the neglect of their responsibility that resulted in the death of four students who drowned in the Medawachchiya tank in Gomarankadawala in Trincomalee during an education tour. more..

Mar 13 (SLA) Giving one more stimulant to the govt�s efforts of containing the spread of COVID-19 virus, the SL Army, consequent upon quick improvisations, made on the directions of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army enabled two more new Quarantine Centers operational at Kahagolla and inside the Diyatalawa Army Base Hospital beginning this afternoon (12). more..

Mar 13 (AD) China will donate 1,000 coronavirus test kits and 50,000 medical face masks to Sri Lanka, says the Embassy of China in SL. A meeting between the Deputy Chief of Mission & Political Counsellor of China, Mr. Hu Wei and Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi was held at the Chinese Embassy yesterday. During the meeting, Mr. Hu Wei has reiterated the full support of China to SL to defeat the threat of coronavirus. more..

Mar 13 (FT) The forthcoming Parliamentary Election has become the main concern nowadays of not only educated people but also the whole of society. Yet it is rather unfortunate that they do not see the streaks of dark shadows of anarchy splash beneath the carnival of a Parliamentary Election. The country is going through a major crisis day by day, causing a great destruction to the whole country in general. The sociopolitical system and the economy of the country are gripped in a massive crisis more..

Mar 13 (CT) President's Media Division (PMD) on Wednesday reported that Prez Rajapaksa sought the cooperation of all sections of society to stop the spread of the coronavirus in Sri Lanka. Following is the unedited statement, further made by the PMD in this connection, The country will have to face disastrous consequences if we behave in an irresponsible manner, the Prez emphasises. Many countries in the world have been affected by the deadly virus. Prez highlighted the importance more..

Mar 13 (AD) The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has decided not to permit any Sri Lankans to travel overseas for employment until the Coronavirus risk eases. It said the decision has been taken as a precautionary measure against the virus which has currently spread across the globe. Sri Lankans are restricted for leaving for Foreign Employment until Covid � 19 is brought under control considerably and this decision is valid until further notice, the SLBFE said. more..

Mar 13 (DM) The Sri Lankan female, who was infected with Coronavirus in Italy, has now recovered and discharged from the hospital, the Sri Lankan Consulate General Office in Milan said. It said the woman, who was identified as a 46- year old from Horana, has been discharged from Hospital and has returned to her residence in Brescia, Italy. The female was tested positive to the coronavirus infection on March 4 and admitted to a hospital in Brescia. more..

Mar 13 (AD) Former minister Ravi Karunanayake, PTL owner Arjun Aloysius and five others who appeared before the Colombo Fort Magistrate�s Court, left the court premises a short while ago. Former minister Ravi Karunanayake, against whom an arrest warrant had been issued, has appeared before the Colombo Fort Magistrate�s Court, a short while ago. Meanwhile the owner of PTL Arjun Alysius also arrived more..

Mar 13 (AD) The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs has announced that all pre-schools in the country will remain closed until further notice. This decision comes as two cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) were confirmed in Sri Lanka, raising concerns on public health. In the meantime, the first term holidays of all schools, including all private and international Catholic schools under the purview of the Archbishop, commenced starting from today due to coronavirus threat in the country. more..

Mar 13 (AD) National educational institutes and teacher training colleges across the island will be closed from march 16 until Mar 29, due to the prevailing concerns over the spread of coronavirus, says the Ministry of Education. Accordingly these institutions will reopen for studies on Mar 30, the ministry said. Meanwhile all technical colleges and vocational training institutes in the country will also be closed for two weeks from tomorrow (14). The decision has been taken by the Secretary to more..

Mar 13 (CI) England's Test tour of SL has been called off at the request of the ECB, due to the growing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, but on the understanding that it will be rescheduled at a later date. The news came while England were playing their final four-day warm-up match, ahead of the two-Test series which had been scheduled to get underway in Galle on Mar 19. Play continued for a few minutes after more..

Mar 13 (EN) Sri Lanka has extended a debt moratorium introduced at the request of the current administration first given to bank customers experiencing difficulties to borrowers of finance and leasing companies. Central Bank said it had been extended to non-bank financial institutions considering the importance of extending the benefits of the borrowers of the sector. Defaulted customers would have to apply before Mar 31, 2020 to get relief. However contracts that have been more..

Mar 13 (FT) A new Board of Directors has been appointed for National Savings Bank (NSB) recently. The new Board consists of the Chairperson, Keasila Jayawardane, who also has been appointed recently, the Post Master General, Ranjith Ariyaratne, Dr. Kapila Senanayake, Brigadier (Dr.) Thiran De Silva, Manohari Abeyesekera and Eranga Jayawardane. Keasila Jayawardane has been appointed as the Chairperson and a member of the Board of Directors of NSB on 26 Dec 2019. more..

Mar 13 (AD) Sri Lanka has extended the travel ban to a total of 11 countries, adding eight more countries to the list. The CAA has announced that all travel beginning from France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden and Austria will be banned for two weeks with effect from March 15. The travel ban will commence on all flights arriving after 2359hrs on March 15 and it will come to an end on 2400hrs on March 29, more..

Mar 13 (CT) The Nawa Lanka Nidahas Pakshaya (NLNP) led by former Minister Kumara Welgama, yesterday (12), joined hands with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) by signing an agreement. SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara and NLNP General Secretary, Thilak Waragoda signed the agreement on behalf of the two parties. The signing of the agreement took place at Waters Edge Hotel, Battaramulla at an event organized to introduce Telephone as the SJB's symbol. more..

Mar 13 (AD) Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) and STF yesterday seized a haul of heroin weighing 99kg 478g, in Negombo. The stock of heroin was disguised as potatoes inside a container from Pakistan. Acting on a tip-off, officers of PNB and STF had given chase to a container, a lorry and a car in Lunuwila area in Wennappuwa. Upon inspecting the container, the officers had uncovered the heroin haul disguised as potatoes. Seven suspects including a Pakistani national more..

Mar 13 (SH) Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen and his wife Anne are celebrating the birth of twin girls - less than a year after they tragically lost three of their four children in the Sri Lankan bomb tragedy. The twins - described by the couple as two little miracles - arrived safely in Denmark earlier today. A statement from their private secretary, Kristine M�nster said: "On Wednesday 11th of March 2020, Anne and Anders Holch more..

Mar 13 (DN) In an analytical study on Socio Economic Costs and Benefits of Food Safety Reform in SL, undertaken by Dr. Ian Goulding, an international expert on food safety systems, suggests that an investment in improvement food safety risk management by govt of USD 30 million and an annual net budgetary commitment of USD 9 million will lead to a significant increase in annual export values over 10 years by 24% and reduction in annual food borne illnesses by 934,000 more..

Mar 13 (EN) Manila-base ADB has given a US$ 600,000 grant (109 million rupees) to a network of hospital designated to treat Coronavirus patients in the island. The grant will be used for disease surveillance and to get medical supplies at equipment for the IDH in Mulleriyawa and 17 other hospitals around the country where suspected cases are taken to. �ADB has a track record of providing rapid and targeted support to the country in times of emergencies,� more..

Mar 13 (DN) The Election Commission will impose stringent regulation for the media during the forthcoming General Election than was done during previous elections, National Election Commission (NEC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said. Speaking at the March 12 Movement revisiting the nominations criteria held at the BMICH yesterday, he highlighted the fact that the media must be monitored and regulated in election season more..

Mar 13 (DN) 16 students of Sri J'pura Uni have been suspended over the incident where a first year student sustained severe injuries at a night party allegedly as a result of ragging, acting VC Senior Prof Sudantha Liyanage said. He said that the six students, who have been remanded in connection with the incident, are also among the suspended students. He said the temporary class suspension would stand till the end of a proper disciplinary inquiry by a three-member committee. more..