Mar 3 (Island) PM Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR) has urged the public to vote the SLPP-led coalition into power, at the forthcoming general election, as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa needs a govt he can work with. The SLPP, whose impressive win, at the last prez election, is still fresh, is thought to have the edge over the UNP-led alliance, which is in disarray, but anything is possible in politics full of uncertainties. Most of the rogues who brought President MR�s govt into disrepute, more..

Mar 3 (Island) The trouble when the national cricket team starts winning is that you feel like the President of Sri Lanka Cricket! Does it not make sense? Okay, let�s put it plainly. There is no end to the calls you get from loved ones and friends asking whether you have got any spare tickets for the game. That is when you start feeling like President of the Cricket Board. When those calls start coming, it is a good indication that cricket is in safe hands (we mean the safe hands of Mickey Arthur). more..

Mar 3 (TM) Bucking the trend of annually increasing tax revenue targets, this year the Govt is likely to set the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) a target close to that of 2016�s total revenue collection. This reduction in the target is due to the various tax relief measures provided by the Govt over the past three months to stimulate consumer spending and economic growth. The target for 2020 is expected to be set before the end of this week. more..

Mar 3 (ST) Bank unions are vehemently protesting against an alleged attempt by the govt to remove the General Managers of two state-owned banks, the Bank of Ceylon and the People�s Bank without following the proper procedure. Senarath Bandara, General Manager and CEO of the Bank of Ceylon and Rasitha Gunawardana, CEO/General Manager at the People�s Bank are to be removed on a cabinet decision, General Secretary of Ceylon Bank Employees� Union, Ranjan Senanayake said. more..

Mar 3 (SLN) The Navy recovered approximately 281kg of Kerala Cannabis during a patrol conducted in the seas off Nagarkovil, Jaffna, today (2). During a patrol carried out in the seas off Nagarkovil, Jaffna as part of the Navy�s operations at sea and in coastal areas aimed to make a country free of drugs, few parcels floating on seas were recovered. By further search of these parcels approximately 281kg of Kerala cannabis contained there was found. As a result of Navy's continuous operations, more..

Mar 3 (FT) Govt said they would request support from other political parties, including the UNP, if they fail to obtain a two-third majority at the upcoming Parliamentary Elections hinting at the possibility of crossovers post-polls. Addressing the press yesterday, Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said: �We think that the UNP can win a minimum of 60 seats. Within the party, there are groups that want to make certain changes. more..

Mar 3 (FT) The German parliamentary delegation that visited Sri Lanka from 19-24 Feb, led by Dr Peter Ramsauer, held separate meetings with the Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena and Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya, among other representatives and stakeholders. The cross-party delegation held discussions with Minister Gunawardena on a wide range of topics of common interest, and ways to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries. more..

Mar 3 (AD) The Ministry of Education revealed that cabinet approval has been granted to proceed forth with regards to the In-Service Advisors Service which has been a concern unresolved for nearly 62 years. Accordingly, the Ministry of Education further mentioned that once the gazette notification has been published, applications are scheduled to be called. In light of the aforesaid, approximately 4971 teachers are said to join the service of in-service advisor service. more..

Mar 3 (TM) Smartphones have basically taken over the globe, with almost 45.12% of the world�s population owning smartphones. The current number of smartphone users in the world today is 3.5 billion; this figure is up considerably from 2016, when there were only 2.5 billion users, 33.58% of that year�s global population. The primary uses of smartphones are to bring convenience to people�s lives and ease communication. more..

Mar 3 (DN) A 3-member SL boxing team comprising South Asian Games gold medallist Rumesh Sandakelum (81kg) and silver medallists Dinesh Maduranga (75kg) and Krishmi Dharmathilaka (57kg) will be taking part in the Asian and Oceania boxing qualifying event for this year's Olympic Games in Tokyo to be held in Amman, Jordan from March 3 to 11. This tournament was originally scheduled for Wuhan, China, from Feb 3 until 14 but moved as response to coronavirus outbreak. more..

Mar 3 (Island) Sancharaka Udawa 2020 to be held May 15 and 16 under the aegis of the local tourism authorities is expected to attract some 10,000 visitors to the island. However, what is noteworthy is the increasing number of tourists to Sri Lanka preferring home stays, a press briefing held to announce the holding of Sancharaka Udawa was told. President, SL Inbound Tour Operators (SLITO) Mahen Kariyawasam in his opening remarks at the press conference said the main idea more..

Mar 3 (Island) Declaring that Parliament would be dissolved shortly to pave the way for early parliamentary polls, SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris, yesterday, expressed serious concern over the likelihood of the electoral process being sabotaged by a member of the Election Commission (EC). Addressing the media, the former External Affairs Minister warned of a deliberate attempt to cripple the electoral process. more..

Mar 3 (FT) The maximum borrowing limit on low-interest loans, introduced in an effort to relieve the burden on individuals adversely affected by microfinance loans, has been increased from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 60,000. This will require a fund allocation of Rs. 292 million to the Northern Province and Rs. 250 million to the North Central Province. A total of 14,000 people in North Central Prov are affected by microfinance loans but only 227 qualified for Rs40,000 low interest loan scheme. more..

Mar 3 (DM) Electoral Organisers of organisation for the protection of SLFP have decided to support Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) headed by Opposition Leader and Deputy Leader of UNP Sajith Premadasa at the upcoming Parliamentary election. A group from the organisation has had talks with Mr Premadasa at the Opposition Leaders' office in this regard recently. A number of former SLFP electorate and District organisers including M. Amjad (Beruwala), Bandara Athukorala (Kegalle), more..

Mar 3 (AFP) England captain Joe Root said his players will not be shaking hands on their tour of Sri Lanka in a bid to avoid the coronavirus. Root was quizzed on the coronavirus on Monday as England prepared to depart for their two-Test tour. Yorkshire batsman said instead of shaking hands, England players will greet each other with fist bumps. England were hit by a series of gastroenteritis and flu problems before and more..

Mar 3 (CT) The reps from Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sajith Premadasa factions had requested Speaker Karu Jayasuriya last evening to intervene and prevent the breakup of the Party ahead of the next General Election in the face of the ongoing dispute from within the Party. However, sources close to both factions stated that the Speaker had stressed that if both factions are not prepared to mount a united effort at the coming Poll, he will not support either faction. more..

Mar 3 (Island) Sanjaya Mohottala assumed duties as Director General of the Board of Investment of SL. In his address to the senior staff Mohottala shared his vision for BOI, and how Sri Lanka�s position can be enhanced as an attractive investment destination. He also spoke of the need to grow the ICT/knowledge sector of the economy. This is in line with the aspirations of the Prez. A key element was also to develop a modern workforce capable of meeting the requirements of global investor. more..

Mar 3 (Island) SLPP yesterday, sought to make light of the fact that former President and SLFP leader Maithripala Sirisena had not been invited to a political event attended by PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, in Polonnaruwa, over the weekend. Asked why SLFP leader Sirisena had been left out of that event, attended by PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, State Minister Abeywardena said it had been organised by UPFA MP Roshan Ranasinghe. more..

Mar 3 (Island) At a special event held at Homadola Estate, Udugama, Galle yesterday foundation stone for the Indian Housing Project in the estate consisting of 50 houses was laid jointly by Acting High Commissioner of India Vinod Jacob, Minister Arumugam Thondaman, Minister Ramesh Pathirana. These are part of the 14,000 houses committed by India in Plantation areas for Estate Workers. Indian Housing Project is the largest grant assistance programme of Govt of India abroad more..

Mar 3 (DN) Eighteen people are under observation for COVID-19, even though no Sri Lankan has been tested positive for the virus so far, latest statistics issued by the Epidemiology Unit as at yesterday (Monday) stated. Ten people are warded at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), three at the Negombo DGH, three at the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital,a child at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH), Colombo and one at the Ragama Teaching Hospital. more..

Mar 3 (DM) Weeks after the Health Ministry ordered all passengers arriving from China and South Korea to undergo a 14-day quarantine period following the outbreak of COVID-19, passengers arriving from Italy will also undergo 14-day isolation. Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said details of all passengers arriving from Italy would be sent to the Health Ministry which would share the information with more..

Mar 3 (SLN) Following the receipt of intelligence information to Police Narcotics Bureau the Navy deployed its Offshore Patrol Vessels and conducted a special operation in high seas. SL Navy's Offshore Patrol Vessels Samudura and Sindurala have been on a mission over a period of month as part of this mission. Accordingly, 2 SL fishing vessels with over 75 kg of substance believed to be heroin and 66 kg of substance believe to be ICE were intercepted in Southern seas along with 04 suspects. more..

Mar 3 (DN) Following the deleterious impact that the Coronavirus has had on SL�s apparel industry, it has now impacted the tea exports to all key markets as well. �The Coronavirus in China has impacted SL�s tea exports as well with most of the packing materials for our tea exports coming from China not coming through due to this malady, Chairman of the Colombo Tea Traders� Association Jayantha Karunaratne said. Karunaratne, who is also the immediate past Chairman of Tea Exporters more..

Mar 3 (FT) Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday dissolved the Parliament and fixed 25 April for the next General Election, fuelling concerns Sinhala-Tamil New Year month will be effectively unproductive. President also fixed the date for the new Parliament to meet for 14 May and the period between 12 and 19 March as the nomination period, during which nomination papers will be received by the Returning Officers for candidates more..

Mar 3 (DM) Quantifying happiness has often been seen as a futile task by psychologists given the elusive nature of the concept of happiness. Positive psychologists view happiness with two theoretical perspectives - hedonic and eudaimonic. Hedonic happiness is largely about pleasure and therefore is viewed as being subjective. The hedonic happiness theorists view that an increase in positive events and lowering of negative or painful events lead to happiness. more..

Mar 3 (DM) When you purchase a Treasury Bond you are in fact lending money to the Govt. Conversely, Section 2 (1) (d) of the Registered Stock and Securities Ordinance No. 7 of 1937 authorises the Govt to issue Securities in the form of Treasury Bonds, for the purpose of raising Public Debt. T- Bonds are issued on the Primary Market, which is where the CB sells the T- Bonds. The issue of Treasury Bonds on the Primary Market was done either at Auctions of Treasury Bonds or more..

Mar 3 (DM) The govt last week announced that it would not be signing the Millennium Challenge Cooperation (MCC) Agreement, a US $ 480 million development grant from America that was negotiated by its predecessors of Yahapalanaya. The govt�s decision might make a cynical political logic as electoral calculations loom over everything else and the country is set to go for an all- important parliamentary election in latter part of April. more..

Mar 3 (DM) In October last year, twelve Malaysian nationals of Tamil origin were arrested by the Malaysian Police over suspected links to the LTTE and alleged involvement in terrorist activity. Head of Malaysian Police Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division, Deputy Commissioner Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay went to town with claims of a huge terrorist conspiracy and network being uncovered. more..

Mar 3 (ST) An alleged racket at the Peradeniya Madya Maha Vidyalaya, where senior students are distributing narcotic toffees to Grade 6, 7 & 8 students, is being investigated by the Police. Both police and the school disciplinary committee are investigating reports that outsiders were giving these toffees to senior students to distribute to younger students. Their apparent motive is to get them addicted. more..

Mar 3 (TM) Sri Lanka has rejected Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ahmed Shaheed�s report follwing his visit to Sri Lanka from 15 to 26 August 2019. Shaheed�s report was presented to the UNHRC yesterday (2). The full statement provided by Acting Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka in Geneva, Dayani Mendis on the Special Rapporteur�s report during 43rd Session of HRC is reproduced below; more..

Mar 3 (CT) The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) replying to remarks made by MP, Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe that BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera had attempted to mislead Buddhists here with extremist viewpoints after having received money from Norway to do so, has vehemently denied the charge. The BBS issuing a media release has alleged that the controversial remarks made by MP concerned before PCoI more..

Mar 3 (CT) To prevent the birth of children with defects and to have a healthy life expectancy, we should be re-accustomed to the traditional food culture, instead of food containing various pesticides and chemicals, said Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya. He added that glyphosate, as well as poisonous foods nowadays, are linked to birth defects and various non-communicable diseases. He also said that although these diseases had been more..

Mar 3 (Island) The European Union and the Sri Lankan innovation and start-up community are organising a series of interactive sessions as part of an EU-funded pilot project kicking off this week. This project, named Support to the Sri Lankan Innovation and Start-up Ecosystem�SLISE, will bring a team of 10 specialists from the EU, with extensive experience in developing research and innovation networks and infrastructures, more..

Mar 3 (AD) Permission to disembark for those who arrive in Sri Lanka on passenger ships has been halted with immediate effect due to the risks posed by the rapid spread of COVID-19, says the Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe. This decision was taken as per the powers vested on the Director of Quarantine Unit at the Ministry of Health, he said further. more..

Mar 3 (AD) A 46-year-old Sri Lankan female in Italy has been tested positive for COVID-19, says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She is hospitalized in Brescia, located in the northern Italian region of Lombardy, and is reportedly in a stable condition. Over 104,000 Sri Lankans reside in Italy of which approximately 60 percent are in the Lombardy region. The Foreign Ministry in coordination with the SL Embassy in Rome more..

Mar 3 (DM) Taking a dramatic twist, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal of the United States on Friday Feb 28 allowed the Appeal Petition filed by Ahimsa Wickrematunge, daughter of the slain Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, to vacate the Lower Court�s ruling which was delivered on Oct 22, 2019. In April 2019, attorneys from the San Francisco-based Centre for Justice and Accountability (CJA), more..

Mar 3 (BN) SriLankan Airlines, National Carrier of Sri Lanka and a member of the prestigious oneworld alliance, revolutionizing its brand building endeavors launched its latest brand video Ode to Paradise at PVR Cinemas, One Galle Face recently. The production titled Ode to Paradise revisits the fond memories of Blue Waters melody through a modern take, featuring a lineup of SL�s well-loved icons such as Jacqueline Fernandez, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, Peter Kuruvita more..

Mar 3 (AD) Colombo Magistrate�s Court today temporarily lifted the overseas travel ban issued on former Chairman of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) Rumy Mohamed, who was arrested in connection with the white van press conference. When the case was taken up recently, the defence attorney representing the former SPC chairman sought the court to temporarily lift the overseas travel ban on their client from April 10th to 25th as he is scheduled to attend more..

Mar 3 (FT) The nations, cities and global centres which are usually the catalysts and drivers of investments, trade, services, financial flows, technological advancements, commodity and energy supplies, global logistics, etc., are mostly in the midst of a significant crisis and battling internal, external and environmental risks of one type or another. Australia has been battered by bush fires, heat waves and floods, and associated with it are negative impacts on commodity trading more..