Apr 22 (Island) The PCoI on Easter Sunday Attack had the difficult and challenging task of going through a vast amount of evidence, both oral and documentary, of several hundred witnesses, identifying the persons and organizations involved in the attack and the circumstances that brought about the situation culminating in the attack, and the political leaders and state officials whose dereliction of duty and responsibility resulting in the failure to take necessary action to prevent more..

Apr 22 (CI) It is often said that a Test pitch should not be judged until Sri Lanka have had the chance to collapse on it. But unless the surface changes substantially over the next day, this pitch seems collapse-proof even for this SL, who unveil a new monument to batting incompetence once every Test (in their last 12 innings, they have been all out for less than 200 five times). Early on day one, the ball at its hardest, the pitch at its freshest, more..

Apr 22 (Island) While the Test series involving Sri Lanka and Bangladesh is on at Pallekele in a bio-secure bubble, the media has been allowed to cover the series in what is called the outer bubble. The press can file their stories from the press box and carry on with their day today activities. The only thing that we can not do is to come face to face with players and support staff. Sri Lanka Cricket is at the moment run by a respected doctor � Professor Arjuna de Silva. more..

Apr 22 (CI) Many would've been surprised at seeing Najmul Hossain Shanto's name in the Bangladesh team sheet in Pallekele. He had averaged 11.14 in seven innings against West Indies after the coach and captain publicly backed him to be their No. 3. In fact, the insistence on Shanto over Shakib Al Hasan at No. 3 in the ODIs raised many eyebrows. Then he didn't perform against West Indies, and his only innings in NZ saw him bowled off a half-tracker. Team that has lost their last 8 matches more..

Apr 22 (DM) The organizers of Mrs. Sri Lanka pageant broke the trust of contestants, fellow participants of the pageant said. They expressed these views while addressing a media briefing recently. �We were told by the organizers that there should be an active marriage in order to participate in the competition. Accordingly, they asked us to submit the marriage certificate and to bring along the husband to prove a marriage. more..

Apr 22 (DN) Survey data showed that the Sri Lankan apparel sector aimed to cut costs mainly by reducing the level of centre operations. The sector was impacted due to lockdown measures and a disruption in supply chains. The industry is looking to build supply chain resilience. Institute of Policy Studies Economist Kithmina Hewage noted that during the downturn some leeway was given to firms with regards to labour law. The leeway has since been tightened. more..

Apr 22 (SLA) SL Army�s newest contingent of 243 professionally-trained Army personnel in the Combat Convoy Company (CCC), well-prepared to serve in the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), amid best wishes of the General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army and Head of the National Operations Centre for Prevention of Covid-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) left the country for Mali early this morning (21). more..

Apr 22 (CT) The appeal made by Sri Lankan show jumper Mathilda Karlsson and Sri Lanka Equestrian Association to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland against the FEI, has been given in favour of Mathilda, who has once again been restored to second position in the ranking from the South East Asia Oceania region, and thus secured one of the 15 Olympic slots for show jumping. more..

Apr 22 (TM) National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Chairman Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa condemned MP Diana Gamage�s proposal to extend the hours during which bars and liquor outlets remain open, saying �it is revolting that such a proposal was made by a woman�. NATA opined: �At the moment, we want to close all the bars, not to extend the opening hours.� According to Dr. Rajapaksa, it is disgraceful even to say that Sri Lanka should earn money from alcohol. more..

Apr 22 (FT) SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva rebutted State Minister Nivard Cabraal over the latter�s assertion that the former had mixed up exchange rates. State Minister Nivard Cabraal alleged that de Silva had confused forward rates to spot rates when the latter raised concerns of steep depreciation of the Rupee. However Dr. de Silva alleged yesterday that it was Cabraal who was unaware as spot rates were higher as opposed to forward rates which were lower. more..

Apr 22 (CT) The JVP will celebrate May Day, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. He said the Govt has made the decision to cancel May Day Rallies based on political issues rather than health reasons. For now, Dissanayake said the JVP has decided to celebrate May Day, despite the Army Commander�s statement that all May Day rallies will be cancelled. He added that the idea that all party leaders agreed to cancel more..

Apr 22 (TM) Ven. Dr. Omalpe Sobitha Thera lodged a complaint with the CID yesterday, requesting an investigation into a $ 5 billion donation that was given by the Islamic Muslim Organisation to the Government of Sri Lanka in 2019 following the Easter Sunday terror attacks. �In July 2019, the International Muslim Organisation donated $ 5 million to the then-United National Front-led Govt. That means that they donated an amount of Rs. 1 billion,� said Dr. Sobitha Thera, more..

Apr 22 (ST) Powerlifting is a sport where athletes require a lot of mental strength and stamina. In the recent past this wonderful sport has given the SL public a reason to be proud of their country. It is heartening to see that youngsters are being attracted to the sport and they have the luxury of growing under the shades of acclaimed fitness trainer Mothilal Jayathilake and champion powerlifter Ransilu Jayathilake. Among those youngsters Shenuki Dishalya Wijesiri has been one of more..

Apr 22 (Island) Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has summoned the Inland Revenue Dept tomorrow for an inquiry regarding the inordinate delay in collecting taxes amounting to billions of rupees and extraordinary payments made to the officers of the Customs Dept out of fines imposed on both public and private sector enterprises. Besides, a COPA sub-committee is inquiring into revenue losses suffered over the years as a result more..

Apr 22 (DM) The govt is considering regulating Sri Lanka beauty pageants following the recent incident at the Mrs. Sri Lanka for Mrs. World finals held in Colombo. State Minister of Women and Child Development Piyal Nishantha said that any event using the Sri Lanka name must be monitored in future. He said that discussions have already commenced to formulate guidelines in order to regulate private events related to women and children. He said that even beauty pageants more..

Apr 22 (TM) Ministry of Justice is currently considering introducing new amendments to the Obscene Publications Ordinance to address child pornography, particularly in the online sphere. Justice Ministry sources said that the amendments have been drafted and that the constitutionality of the drafted laws is currently under review. The Bill would focus on child pornography in the cyber space as the current Obscene Publications Ordinance was originally drafted in 1927 and last amended more..

Apr 22 (DM) President�s Counsel Romesh de Silva, appearing on behalf of Prez�s Secretary P.B. Jayasundara in the intervening petition on the Port City Economic Commission Bill, told the SC that the acts of the Colombo Port City Commission could be also subjected to judicial review and the aggrieved parties could file FR petitions or take legal measures if there is any matter occurred within the Commission. more..

Apr 22 (ST) Square pegs in round holes cannot decide for an industry run predominantly by the private sector by calling for a change of the legislation that governs tourism by appointing bureaucrats to the helm of its governing bodies but need to focus on overcoming the challenges of a global pandemic. Former SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman and industry veteran Udaya Nanayakkara in an interview on Thursday, �I can�t see any reason for a new Tourism Act.� more..

Apr 22 (Island) Leading Aircraftman Roshan Abeysundera, who recently set a record by swimming across the Palk Strait, has been appointed an environmental brand ambassador in recognition of his outstanding contribution. The SLAF officer received a commemorative gift and the letter of appointment as the brand ambassador from Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera. Abeysundera, speaking at the event, said that he would like to express his gratitude to more..

Apr 22 (FT) The country�s total COVID-19 patient count has risen to 98,050 with health authorities stating that 578 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday. The patients detected yesterday include 516 associates of the Peliyagoda cluster, expanding the Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons clusters to 92,495 patients. In addition to the triple cluster, 3,309 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel more..

Apr 22 (DT) Pakistan Prez Dr Arif Alvi has said that people to people contacts and religious tourism provide excellent platforms to further expand bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and SL. The president made these remarks while talking to a delegation of SL Buddhist monks on Wednesday. He said that Pakistan is home to the Gandhara Buddhist heritage and proud custodian of some of the most sacred relics of Buddha, offering great potential for promoting religious tourism from SL to Pak. more..

Apr 22 (TM) State Ministry of Livestock, Farm Promotion, and Dairy and Egg Related Industries has appointed a special technical committee to analyse and determine the production cost of chicken meat. The said committee would be categorising the industry into small, medium, and large-scale categories, and respectively determining the cost for each. Accordingly, the costs for water, electricity, food, and medicine would be accounted for in ascertaining the exact cost of producing more..

Apr 22 (CT) SJB Lawmaker Harin Fernando and his party colleagues created a stir in Parliament on Tuesday when they revealed that Sonic-Sonic was a code name used in communications between the Easter Sunday bombers on the messaging app Threema. US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) managed to intercept communications between the attackers on the obscure messaging app when more..

Apr 22 (FT) Five COVID-19-related deaths confirmed by health authorities yesterday brought the country�s COVID-19 death toll to 630. A 39-year-old individual from Gampaha tested positive for COVID-19 while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo. He was then transferred to the IDH, where he died of trauma of blood poisoning due to COVID pneumonia on 20 April. A 57-year-old individual from Kelaniya also died on 20 April while receiving treatment at the Colombo North more..

Apr 22 (DN) Prez Rajapaksa insisted that the efficiency of the public institutions must be enhanced to put an end to the frequent public complaint that those do not cater to their needs. Speaking at a meeting with State Ministers, Prez asked them to directly intervene to enhance efficiency in public service by introducing modern technology to those institutions. President pointed out that the public is not happy over inefficiency, corruption and frequent delays in public institutions. more..

Apr 22 (DM) Sri Lankan Airlines is likely to plan a VVIP flight to Nairobi on April 29 which will see several VIP�S being taken for one week fully sponsored stay in Kenya. At a time when the airline has dismissed several staff amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and is suffering financial strains, the Daily Mirror learns this flight is to mark the launch of the Colombo, Nairobi sector weekly flights by Sri Lankan Airlines. An official, who was going to be a part of the trip more..

Apr 22 (DM) The Public Security Ministry has decided to purchase modern types of equipment that are being used globally to spot drivers who drive vehicles after consuming or puffing drugs, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said. He said this at a special meeting held recently at the Ministry in order to discuss the issues and operations concerning the drivers who drive the vehicles after having taken drugs. Minister Weerasekera graced the meeting and all stakeholders, namely more..

Apr 22 (AD) Reopening of universities has been postponed by two weeks, Minister G.L. Peiris announced today. Education Minister stated that the decision was reached taking into account the directives of the Director-General of Health Services. All universities across the island were scheduled to resume academic activities on the 27th April (Monday). However, vice chancellors have been instructed to reopen universities two weeks following April 27, due to the COVID-19 situation more..

Apr 22 (FT) We were flattening the curve. Since nobody knows how long this so-called novel coronavirus has been around, but we have evidence of it as early as September 2019 and certainly December 2019, which curve were we flattening? In other words, we were likely several curves in by the time our panic fiesta began in March 2020. And that means we should have already known or certainly knew relatively soon thereafter in hindsight that the planet wasn�t going to be engulfed in more..

Apr 22 (FT) Given the mounting domestic political contradictions of his own creation, and the diplomatic crises which he could have attenuated but has exacerbated, Prez Gotabaya appears to be plugging the gap by cultivating an unprecedented systemic affinity, if not affiliation, with China�s Leader, Govt and ruling Communist Party. This is confirmed in a thought-provoking piece in these pages by China�s Ambassador in Colombo: �In their recent phone conversation, more..

Apr 22 (EN) Sri Lanka has decided to add more intensive care unit (ICU) beds to its state healthcare system and increase the country�s lagging PCR testing to 15,000 tests a day as fears of an uncontrollable surge in COVID-19 cases abound. These and other decisions were taken at an emergency meeting between health officials chaired by Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi yesterday. It has been decided at the meeting more..

Apr 22 (AD) A committee of 07 senior MPs will be appointed to look into the disorderly situation that ensued in the House on Wednesday (21), says Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena. The House was in uproar on Wednesday afternoon following a heated exchange of words between Chief Opposition Whip MP Lakshman Kiriella and the Leader of the House Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. The argument broke out over the debate on final report of the PCoI on political victimization more..

Apr 22 (TM) Minister of Education Prof. GL Peiris stated in Parliament today (22) that there are two options among the decisions that the govt intends to take regarding the Batticaloa campus. Accordingly, the first option is to maintain it as a campus of the Kotelawala Defense University, he said. The other option is to run the institute as a State University, he said. Minister said that he was optimistic that 100 medical students would be admitted to the Kotelawala Defense University and more..

Apr 22 (CI) Bad light ate away the last 90-odd minutes of play on the second day, leaving Bangladesh very much in control with 474 on 4 on the board, even though they hardly moved the run-rate needle with their 172 runs in 65 overs on the day. On a pitch where bowlers have found almost no joy, the Bangladesh batters haven't shown any interest in forcing the pace, or get to a position where they can declare. SL wouldn't mind putting their feet up more..

Apr 22 (Island) SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament that all 90 cases mentioned in the PCoI report on political victimisation could not be considered instances of political victimisation because all those cases had been filed by the incumbent Chief Justice when he was the Attorney General. �The govt and Leader of the House consider them instances of political victimisation. Those are cases filed by the then Attorney General. Such legal action cannot be counted as more..

Apr 22 (EN) Attempts are under way to arrest SJB MP Harin Fernando, SJB MP Champika Ranawaka said. Ranawaka told parliament today that Fernando has been asked to appear before the CID. �What for? To arrest him, to oppress him. Not for anything else,� Ranawaka said. On Tuesday, Fernando made a startling revelation in parliament of an alleged omission by the investigators of the 2019 Easter bombings. Throughout much of his speech, backbencher MPs of the govt kept trying to more..

Apr 22 (Hindu) China�s Minister of Defence Wei Fenghe will visit SL next week, in the second high-level visit from Beijing to Colombo in the last six months. �Minister will arrive on Apr 27 and leave on Apr 29,� Mohan Samaranayake, Director-General of Dept of Govt Information said. Chinese Defence Minister and People�s Liberation Army (PLA) General�s visit follows that of a high-powered delegation, led by senior Chinese leader and more..

Apr 22 (DN) Special operations carried out by the Navy in the Munnakkarai lagoon area, Negombo as well as in seas off Kudiyiruppu and Pesalai, Mannar from April 17 to 21 made way for the seizure of over 1263kg of dried turmeric attempted to be smuggled into the country and apprehension of 05 suspects involved in the rackets. The Navy is constantly on the lookout for sea areas around the island to curb illegal activities. In a similar operation in seas off Kudiyiruppu on 19th April, more..

Apr 22 (DM) While denouncing the unparliamentary language used by some MPs in the House, Minister Namal Rajapaksa today requested the Speaker to prevent MPs from telecasting incidents in the House live on social media platforms. He told parliament that members of parliament whether they are senior or junior should maintain self-discipline. �What matters is the conduct and language used in the House. Seniority of the MP does not matter if he or she uses unparliamentary language,� more..