Mar 21 (CT) Minuwangoda Police Station has taken all efforts to raise awareness on COVID-19 and precautionary measures are to be taken in this regard, Minuwangoda OIC, Chief Inspector R.A.D. Rohan Mahesh said. He said a centre had been set-up at the Office of the Medical Officer of Health in Minuwangoda to quarantine suspected persons. Minuwangoda Divisional Secretary, Minuwangoda Urban Council Chairman, Director of Health and Public Health Inspectors extended more..

Mar 21 (TM) According to statistics from Royal Statistical Society (RSS), in 2018, only 9.5% of plastics were recycled globally and the balance 90% comprised single-use plastics such as lunch sheets, carbon pens, and plastic straws. These single-use plastics later contributed towards the generation of microplastics that are polluting the environment. Sri Lanka is not shielded from this issue, and in our previous article headlined Increase in microplastics in seas: A growing concern for Sri Lanka more..

Mar 21 (FT) In my view Sri Lanka has never been as challenged, be it in war time with the LTTE, the Easter attack or the devastating tsunami, as what we are facing with COVID-19. The logic is that we are impacted on all revenue earning sectors � tourism, exports and foreign remittances. In the last week the currency has depreciated to 187/23 on the US Dollar and the stock market declined to 2009 levels. more..

Mar 21 (NR) All operations at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) have been declared essential services. The decision was reached to ensure all goods, healthcare related goods and other necessities can enter the country without any hindrance. Despite the announcement of curfew the Management of the SLPA has decided to summon employees of essential operations at the Ports Authority. Ports Authority said the SLPA identification card can be produced as a curfew pass. more..

Mar 21 (Island) The word quarantine is not new to us. However, during an epidemic or in the more dangerous situation of a pandemic the word quarantine becomes a household word. The term quarantine is believed to have originated in Venice. Vessels arriving in Venetian ports from plague stricken habours in Egypt were not permitted to enter, as a measure of prevention. At first the imposed isolation was for thirty days. It was extended to forty days, as the legend goes, more..

Mar 21 (EN) SL has made a three month mini-budget running from March to May 2020, using constitutional powers given to Prez after parliament was dissolved as the country remains gripped by Coronavirus. SL began 2020 with a 4-month mini-budget or vote-on-account running up to April passed by the last parliament. Current budget under Prez�s powers coming from section 150 of the constitution would run from more..

Mar 21 (SLAF) Given that Sri Lanka is at a decisive stage in the COVID-19 outbreak there is a growing need for isolation facilities at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases better known as IDH. On the directives given by the Commander of the Air force, Air Marshal Sumangala Dias, Directorate of Civil Engineering commenced construction of a pre-fabricated building as an isolation centre. It has been planned for this centre to consist of 16 isolation rooms. more..

Mar 21 (FT) The number of confirmed the new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in SL by Friday evening rose to 72 from 59 on Thursday, according to Health Promotion Bureau. Additionally, there are 218 persons suspected of infection in hospitals. There are 2,738 persons undergoing quarantine in dedicated 17 centres and 30 of them are foreigners. Several thousands who had returned from overseas are also engaged in self-quarantine in their homes as per the Govt directive. more..

Mar 21 (DN) It was revealed that 81% of the COVID-19 patients in SL are males. Total of 45.2% of COVID-19 patients are between the ages of 41 and 50 years. According to latest statistics yesterday (8:30pm) a total of 70 confirmed COVID-19 patients and 218 suspected patients are in 16 state hospitals. There are 88 suspected patients at National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), 12 at National Hospital (NHSL) & 16 at Ragama more..

Mar 21 (EN) SL has made an open appeal to any returnee who had entered the country through unofficial channels to come forward, promising that no legal action will be taken against them, as the country goes through its first full day of a lockdown-style curfew. �We are not interested in whether they went out of the country or came back illegally,� Army Chief Shavendra Silva said. �Please come forward and register. No action will be taken. This is not a time for us to worry about immigration laws,� more..

Mar 21 (EN) PM Mahinda Rajapaksa has advised officials to ensure that food and other essential commodities are released to the market without any shortage. PM has instructed Secretary Gamini Senarath, during a phone call to take the necessary steps to distribute essential commodities to the market. Accordingly, SATHOSA is currently taking measures to distribute essential food items from its main warehouses, while packaging and distribution activities continued today as well. more..

Mar 21 (DM) Hemas Holdings has offered its Club Hotel Dolphin in Negombo as a quarantine centre to the Govt if the need arises, as part of wider public-private sector efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Mr. Abbas Esufally, Chairman of HEMAS Leisure stated that, �we feel that as a SL company the private sector must stand up and rise to the occasion. This is a national crisis and we must come together to combat it. more..

Mar 21 (AD) The purpose of enforcing curfew is to prevent the general public from gathering and to make them stay indoors, says the GMOA. People staying indoors can help contain the deadly Covid-19 from spreading further, Deputy Secretary of the GMOA, Dr. Naveen De Zoysa said. Deputy Director of Health Services at the Ministry of Health Dr. Paba Palihawadana has noted that during curfew hours, people who are susceptible to Covid-19 infection will be able to self-quarantine. more..

Mar 21 (AD) Eight persons have been arrested in Bandarawela for having a party while the island-wide curfew is in force, says DIG Ajith Rohana. In the meantime, another individual has been taken into custody for opening a shop in Haputale during the curfew hours. The govt yesterday (20) imposed an island-wide curfew from 6 pm until 6 am on Monday (23). The curfew was enforced as a means to minimize public gatherings in order to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus within SL. more..

Mar 21 (EN) Sri Lanka is extending a curfew in the Colombo, Gamapaha and Puttalam districts Tuesday but rest of the areas will get break on Monday from 6 am till 2pm the president�s office said as the Coronavirus count went up to 77 on Saturday. On Saturday 5 new patients had been found. SL has made an open appeal to any returnee who had entered the country through unofficial channels to come forward, more..

Mar 21 (AD) A total of 130 persons who had violated curfew have been arrested during operations across 31 police divisions, says DIG of Police Ajith Rohana. Ten motorcycles and a three-wheeler have been seized during the operations. Some of these arrests were made in Dambulla, Bandarawela, Haputale, Tangalle, Katunayake, Walasmulla, Nallathanniya and Ampara areas. Nine persons who had been travelling in 2 three-wheelers and 3 motorcycles were taken into custody in Dambulla. more..

Mar 21 (EN) Election Commission will set a date after May 14 to hold the upcoming parliamentary election, the Commission said in a gazette notification. The election, that was previously scheduled to be held on April 25, was postponed indefinitely owing to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. �The Election Commission will appoint a day coming after fourteen days coming after the 30th day of April 2020 as they day for the taking of the poll,� the Commission said, more..

Mar 21 (EN) Authorities in the northern city of Jaffna have asked all those who participated in a service in the Philadelphia Church in Ariyalai on March 15 to self-quarantine as they believe the attendees may have been exposed to COVID19. Governor of the Northern Province P S M Charles said that around 150 people are believed to have attended the service. She said that after the Pastor returned to his home in Switzerland his wife more..

Mar 21 (SLN) As a measure of controlling the spreading of new coronavirus in the country, SL Navy conducted sterilization programmes at several public places frequently surrounded by people in Galle area on 18th, 19th and 20th March. In view of empowering the govt's integrated mechanism to stop the spreading the new coronavirus, number of sterilization programmes are being carried out by the Navy. Accordingly, under the guidance of Commander Southern Naval Area Rear more..

Mar 21 (NR) PM Mahinda Rajapaksa has issued directives to take necessary steps to ensure all food and other essential commodities are released to the market without any shortage. The directives were issued to the Secretary to the PM Gamini Senarath via a phone call. A statement issued by the Media Secretary of the PM Wijayananda Herath said, steps have been taken to distribute essential commodities to the market. Sathosa is currently taking measures to distribute essential food items from more..

Mar 21 (EN) The Opposition is calling on the govt to grant the poorest of the poor in the country Rs. 10,000 per family so that they can get through the COVID19 crisis. Curfews and curtailment of economic activity have hit these people, who are nearly half of the population, hard former Minister and one of the leaders of the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Champika Ranawaka said. more..

Mar 21 (AD) The govt has ordered that all liquor shops island-wide must remain closed whenever curfew is lifted, says the Prez�s Media Division. This decision comes as people had been queuing outside liquor stores before the curfew went into effect despite the advisories issued to maintain social distance due to coronavirus threats in the country. The govt yesterday (20) imposed an island-wide curfew from 6 pm until 6 am on Monday (23). The curfew was enforced as a means to minimize more..

Mar 21 (DM) Former MPs Rajitha Senaratne and Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka yesterday said the focus should be made on preventing the spread of COVID-19 instead of cracking down on people for the statements they make. "The disease is spreading fast and the number of cases are increasingly daily. Therefore, one should think of saving the people from the crisis," Dr Senaratne said. "Also Sri Lankan authorities should take the warnings given by WHO seriously," he added. more..

Mar 21 (AD) One detained has been reported dead in a shooting incident during a tense situation that occurred at Anuradhapura Prison. Three more inmates have been injured and hospitalized in the incident, stated the A'pura Hospital. A tense situation has occurred at A'pura Prisons this evening. The situation had led to a shooting incident within prison premises. Previously, an inmate suspected with an infection of more..

Mar 21 (DM) Hotels Association of SL (THASL) today said that the Association is willing to work with the membership to offer selected hotel facilities in the battle against preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the country. THASL President Sanath Ukwatte said the members of the association have been following with deep appreciation the strenuous efforts made by the Govt to contain COVID-19 crisis. "Our members are willing to house those who are subject to two weeks of quarantine at more..

Mar 21 (SKY) Sky Sports statistician Benedict Bermange is using a cricket simulation to play out a Virtual Test Match of the postponed series between Sri Lanka and England. England's lower order did them proud and they will be confident of pressing home their advantage after an excellent third day of the Virtual Test against SL in Galle. Joe Root (95) and Jos Buttler (86no) may have missed out on centuries, but there was still a lot to be positive about after a solid batting performance more..

Mar 22 (SO) Even as the number of new coronavirus cases in China has recorded a decline, other countries are experiencing a spike. Italy, South Korea and Iran are the worst affected, though nearly 120 countries including SL have recorded COVID-19 cases. Taking into consideration the rapid spread of the viral infection, the World Health Organisation is now officially calling it a Pandemic after avoiding that usage for nearly two months. Countries have reacted to the virus in different ways. more..

Mar 22 (CT) Moody's, a US-based credit rating agency, on Monday cut down Sri Lanka's growth forecast from its previous estimate of 3.3% to 2.5%, a 24.24% (0.80% point) cut, because of the COVID19 or coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the economy. (See also Wednesday's (18). A 2.5% growth rate will be the lowest in two decades and the eighth lowest since Central Bank of SL began compiling such data 69 years ago in 1951. The lowest ever growth the island experienced in more..

Mar 22 (ST) High above the city, I contemplate the sea, the mountains and the evening sky. I can see planes coming into land in the airport and as the sun sets over the range, the hills turn gold, and the sky is hot with colour. Here in Cairns, Australia, we seem to be in our usual state of contentment. But the sense of unease, of anxiety as the nation faces this uncertain foe lies just beneath the surface. We look with alarm at more..

Mar 22 (ST) With the entire country under a blanket curfew over the weekend and a virtual lockdown till the next weekend, one of the wisest decisions taken was to postpone Parliamentary elections scheduled for April 25. There�s a local saying that refers to just such a situation. It points to a bullock cart in the midst of a traffic jam. If the situation is bad enough, the cart makes it worse. That cart was the holding of an election in the midst of the crisis that is the global coronavirus pandemic more..

Mar 22 (DM) We are living in unheard-of times. According to updates, as of 10:18 am, Mar 18, the COVID-19 pandemic is escalating rapidly with 200,071 confirmed cases and 8,009 deaths in 152 countries. The majority of cases and deaths are among people aged 60 years and older living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Sri Lanka, where healthcare resources to treat people and control the epidemic are limited. In most of these countries, it had been found out, more..

Mar 22 (CT) Technology can easily be a weapon. Before genetic engineering allows for biological weapons that cause outbreaks more severe than the current COVID 19, bio-safety measures should be adopted worldwide, with the aim of preventing large-scale loss of biological integrity focusing both on ecology and human health. In a status quo where countries such as Russia, Bhutan, Germany, France and more..

Mar 22 (SO) The elections, Covid 19 and the economy are not issues that operate or are operable in separate compartments, though people pretend that they are. However, in a strange way, the rampaging coronavirus is imparting all of us a lesson that we could take and learn from, or reject and suffer consequences thereof � That one big takeaway is that politically we need to unite and that we must learn that art of real unity in the face of a common enemy. more..

Mar 22 (DM) Somewhere between Sisila Gini Gani in 1992 and Ira Madiyama in 2005, I grew up. The Premadasa govt fell, Chandrika Kumaratunga was sworn in as the new president, and the war, which she had made an integral part of her manifesto, was soon to accelerate. It was an unpredictable decade, certainly less gruesome than the 1980s, but no less uncertain. People were in no mood to go out to the movies, as evidenced by the rapid fall in audience numbers, and the eventual privatisation of more..

Mar 22 (CC) Cricket Australia will have an opportunity to lobby for the inclusion of semi-final reserve days in the men's T20 World Cup scheduled later this year, but currently there exists no formal provision to avoid a repeat of the wet weather problem that dogged the recent women's event. The women's World Cup, won by Australia at the MCG earlier this month, was thrown into chaos when heavy rain in Sydney forced the abandonment of the first scheduled semi-final between India more..

Mar 22 (NR) Acting Director of the Embilipitiya District General Hospital Dr. Samantha Ramachandra has requested any persons who are willing to donate blood to call and register themselves accordingly. The Acting Director said as blood donation drives cannot be carried out at present, due to the prevailing situation in the country, an initiative for people to call and register themselves as blood donors has been launched via social media. more..

Mar 22 (ST) Former SL prop forward Hafeez Marso threw the World Rugby rule book at Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) after their 3-member Disciplinary Committee let off CR&FC lightly following their unprecedented act of walking out in protest during their Dialog Rugby Club League Championship second round clash against Police SC. The incident occurred on March 1 when CR&FC decided to walk away from the game more..

Mar 22 (ST) Some SL�s hotels are likely to close by the end of the month or until tourists leave the country while some others opt to remain open. �We are currently staying open and we and most others too are open till the end of the month, (after that) we might be shutting down, a decision we are still debating,� SL Hotels Association President Sanath Ukwatte said on Friday. He noted that there would be no point of having hotels open; some staff will be sent on paid and unpaid leave as weddings more..