Jun 1 (EN) Singapore based PetroChina Int'l has won contracts to supply diesel and petrol to state-run SL Petroleum Corporation (CPC) for eight months from June 01, 2021. Cabinet had cleared a recommendation by a special standing procurement committee to award the contracts to PetroChina International from June 01, 2021, to Jan 31, 2022. PetroChina Int'l will supply 1.12 million barrels of Diesel which will be unloaded at Muthurajawel Single Point buoy Mooring system. more..

Jun 1 (DM) Prez Rajapaksa has instructed his principal advisor Lalith Weeratunga to expedite the search for the AstraZeneca vaccines as 600,000 people await their second jabs. As time is soon running out, Prez has instructed Weeratunga to secure the stocks as soon as possible and to purchase the doses at any price. Inquiries have been made by SL to several countries holding the stocks and even private companies who have more..

Jun 1 (TM) SLPP MP S. B. Dissanayake stated that through the implementation of the Colombo Port City Development Project (CPCP), the govt is hoping to attract at least three or four Fortune 500 companies into the country. Addressing the media, Dissanayake said 91.7% of the development of the country was due to the work of entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, MP Ajith Nivard Cabraal stated on Friday (28) that all investors of all countries are allowed to invest in the Port City. more..

Jun 1 (AD) CID has completed the initial inquiries and the recording of statements regarding the complaint filed on the fire on the container ship X-Press Pearl. CID yesterday recorded statements from the Captain, Chief Engineer, and the Deputy Chief Engineer of the ship. Reportedly, the Captain of the vessel was interrogated for nearly 14 hours while the Chief Engineer and the Deputy Chief Engineer were grilled for 13 and 12 hours respectively. CID has recorded statements more..

Jun 1 (DM) Following heated debates and discussions on whether people should receive a single dose or both doses of the Sputnik-V vaccine, a team at the J'pura Uni has commenced research on the Russian vaccine's efficacy, Dr Chandima Jeewandara, the Director at Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit of the University said. He said they extended their research to investigate the immune responses more..

Jun 1 (AD) A special discussion on manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines in SL has taken place at the Justice Ministry this morning. Chaired by Minister Ali Sabry, the meeting was attended by State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana and several other officials. Reportedly, the focus of the meeting has fallen on the legal aspects of manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines in the country. The Justice Ministry says producing these vaccines locally can be a money-saving move for SL due to high demand more..

Jun 1 (AD) SL Navy spokesman says that salvor team members have boarded the MV X-Press Pearl after dousing the fire onboard the ship. He added that a team of SL navy divers are inspecting the submerged parts of the ship for any external damage. Salvage operations are being led by the Dutch company SMIT, which had sent specialist fire-fighting tugs. Nine SL ships and three Indian vessels have been working with international salvage experts to douse the inferno on more..

Jun 1 (EN) Urban Development Authority (UDA) has suspended a controversial development project that was to include a multi-storey car park on land acquired from the D S Senanayake College, a state-run boys� highschool in Colombo, UDA Director General Prasad Ranaweera said. Media reports had claimed the project was a forceful land grab by the UDA as past pupils took to social media to voice their protest. more..

Jun 1 (CT) 48th Attorney General of SL, Sanjay Rajaratnam visited PM Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday. PM congratulated the newly appointed Attorney General and their discussions focused on the future legal actions that should be taken in connection with the environmental damage caused by the fire that broke out in the MV X-Press Pearl in SL waters. Rajaratnam, while stating that prompt legal action in this regard will be initiated, added that action will also be taken against more..

Jun 1 (CT) Inginiyagala Police arrested 48 persons travelling by bus on 30 May, for violating COVID-19 health regulations, DIG Ajith Rohana said. The arrest was made in Namal Oya at 11 p.m. for a serious violation of COVID-19 restrictions. The conductor and the driver of the bus were also taken into custody by Police and were produced before the Ampara Magistrate yesterday. According to travel restrictions, public transport has been halted and that this incident represents a grave violation more..

Jun 1 (CNN) A huge cleanup operation was underway for a sixth day in Sri Lanka Tuesday after a container ship laden with chemicals caught fire 12 days ago, inundating the country's western coastline with microplastic pollution and potentially hazardous waste. SL environmentalists said it is one of the worst ecological disasters in the country's history and have warned of a potential threat to marine life & fishing industry. more..

Jun 1 (DM) Two Maulavis who have been arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), have informed court through their lawyer that they are under pressure to frame human rights lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah. Attorney-at-law Erick Balasooriya had filed a Fundamental Rights petition alleging that the two Maulavis are being coerced to frame Hizbullah. Meanwhile, President�s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran who appeared before the Fort Magistrate on behalf of the two Maulavis today (Tuesday) more..

Jun 1 (DM) All arriving passengers into Sri Lanka will be subject to a compulsory 14-day quarantine period as per the instructions of the health authorities, State Minister D.V. Chanaka said. He said the passengers would have to come with a negative PCR test and added they would also be subject to another PCR test upon arrival at the BIA and the Mattala Airport. �Then they will be directed for 14-day quarantine. We will also be conducting another PCR test in about 10 days. more..

Jun 1 (TM) Opposition MP Harsha De Silva stated today that despite the SL Govt�s claims that Bangladesh did not purchase the Sinopharm vaccine at US$10 per dose, a national Bangladeshi newspaper says otherwise. The MP expressed these statements in a tweet from his official account today. The newspaper concerned is the Daily Prothom Alo, the largest circulated newspaper in Bangladesh. De Silva stated more..

Jun 1 (EN) Cabinet of ministers has approved a proposal to shift the Police Headquarters from a century-old complex in York Street, Colombo Fort, to a soon-to-be-constructed complex in Pepiliyana at a cost of Rs 10 billion. Minister Udaya Gammanpila told reporters that due to a lack of space in the York Street building, the govt has had to fork out Rs 25 million every month in rent to other buildings. The police HQ is currently maintained in three buildings that are over 100 years old more..

Jun 1 (AD) Another six individuals who attended the birthday party hosted by Chandimal Jayasinghe and Piumi Hansimali have been arrested, DIG Ajith Rohana said. Event organizer Chandimal Jayasinghe and model Piumi Hansimali were arrested yesterday for violation of quarantine regulations. The duo had had reportedly organized a birthday party at a 5-star hotel in Colombo on May 30 with around 25-30 people in attendance. They produced before the Aluthkade Magistrate�s more..

Jun 1 (AD) Colombo Magistrate�s Court today issued an order preventing the Captain, Chief Engineer and Deputy Chief Engineer of the MV X-Press Pearl from leaving SL. CID is conducting further investigations in relation to the fire onboard the Singapore-registered container ship, DIG Ajith Rohana said. Three statements were recorded yesterday with regard to the incident while another four statements were recorded today. more..

Jun 1 (DM) There has been no decision taken as yet to extend the ongoing island-wide travel restrictions beyond June 7 but the situation is being reviewed daily, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said. "As of now, there is no change in the decision taken to extend the travel restrictions beyond June 7. It is too early to take the decision on weather the restrictions will be lifted or extended after next Monday (7). However, the COVID-19 task force is reviewing the situation daily and more..

Jun 1 (EN) Cabinet of ministers has approved a proposal to purchase the Denosumab injection, a drug used for cancer treatments from Medmart Pharma (Pvt.) Ltd Some 32,000 vials of 100mg/4ml of Denosumab are to be purchased at a cost of Rs 220.8 million, the cabinet office said in a statement. Denosumab is a monoclonal antibody that works as a RANK ligand (RANKL) inhibitor. This medication is classified as a bone-modifying agent. Prolia or Xgeva is the trade name of Denosumab. more..

Jun 2 (CT) Moratuwa�s Mayor, Samanlal Fernando, is seen in video clowning before a desperate and bewildered public during a vaccination delivery occasion at Moratuwa. Such a low IQ character, Samanlal would have not have realized that this was not the place and time and the occasion to politicise a health event. I dare say, this guy must be hardpressed to advertise himself as the author of all good things for the people in his area. It was in his area all right; but not within his jurisdiction more..

Jun 2 (DM) This is the time of our collective hallucinations. Terrified friends last week were talking about how non-existent triple ticks on WhatsApp messages were a give-away of Government snooping. Never mind that the whole endeavour of monitoring private messages is made meaningless if there are set patterns that would indicate that they were not only monitored but clearly categorised. Colour coded of all things. A ship was burning off the coast. more..

Jun 2 (DM) Environmental scientist and crusader for protecting the environment and a country free from garbage Dr. Ajantha Perera recently expressed strong statements against the destruction caused by the X-Press Pearl vessel and blunders made by the political and administration of the Sri Lanka Port and marine sector when dealing with the disaster. Shocked and dismayed by the irreparable damage caused to the SL sea, more..

Jun 2 (CT) Victims and rights activists including the daughter of slain Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge are dismayed by Prez Rajapaksa�s decision to name former IGP Jayantha Wickramaratne as Commissioner to the Office of Missing Persons. This is the second highly problematic appointment to the Office mandated to investigate the truth about thousands of persons missing and disappeared in SL. On May 20, the Parliamentary Council, which ratifies more..

Jun 2 (DM) Clashes between Israel and Hamas -the ruling party in Gaza (Part of Israeli occupied Palestine) began on May 6 this year, when Palestinians commenced protests after evening prayers in the vicinity of the al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, over an expected decision of the Israeli Supreme Court on the eviction of six Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah. The protests were violently countered by Israeli Police. On May 7, Palestinians threw stones at the Israeli police force, more..

Jun 2 (DM) It was quite a spectacle! Young women dressed in full military gear, a black coloured balaclava covering their face, probably a substitute for a facemask, probably a part of military paraphernalia, stood by a line of motorcycles, at attention to their commanding officer. After a quick brief, they climbed on their motorcycles, Type-56 assault rifles dangling from their shoulders and cruised past the scenic more..

Jun 2 (TM) The Morning on 31 May in our editorial underscored the importance of focusing on the influential and powerful people, or the big fish, that impede the country�s Covid-19 management efforts, as they impact these efforts on a much larger scale than the general public and also provide a far more influential example to the public by trivialising Covid-19 safety regulations through ignorance or insolence. If everyone is at risk of contracting the virus alike, and if everyone�s contribution more..

Jun 2 (CT) I recently had a conversation with a friend, in which she said that while she and her family are ok for food supplies during current travel restrictions, she feels anxious about those who are more vulnerable, and less prepared: the daily wage workers who cannot go to work, the people who spend every rupee of their salary on rent and rates and cannot save money, or cannot afford to buy in bulk to stock up their store cupboards. My friend said: �I can�t focus on anything else when more..

Jun 2 (ST) Not a day passes without a local TV news channel highlighting the problems of paddy and vegetable farmers largely due to the human-elephant conflict. These days the focus, however, is on farmers unable to get their supply of fertiliser, as a result of which their crops are under-nourished. The same issue confronted the trio when they met for their weekly gossip under the margosa tree. Despite the lockdown, the three � all living down the same lane � had gathered to enjoy a cup of more..

Jun 2 (Island) Colombo Port City Economic Commission members have been appointed. They are from diverse backgrounds and considered capable, but to expect them to be free to act according to their conscience is to be overoptimistic. Freedom is a luxury that even judiciaries lack in this part of the world. Most committees and commissions have become mere rubber stamps here. Resistance continues to mount against the Port City project, with the US leading the charge. more..

Jun 2 (TM) A brand of butter from a multinational dairy company which is known for its full cream milk powder brand, has been released to the SL market omitting the Tamil language in the product label but having the product details in Chinese, English, and Sinhala. Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Executive Director Thushan Gunawardena said that this was a matter related to the Food Act, which is not under their (CAA�s) purview, more..

Jun 2 (TM) Moving learning from classrooms to homes is a massive challenge that the country is currently facing due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Even after one year, the country�s education authorities are still struggling to formulate a viable plan to conduct distance education. The pandemic impacted underprivileged students in a worse manner in terms of connecting with the e-learning platforms and seeking opportunities. Entire situation has increased the dropout rates due to more..

Jun 2 (DN) Former SL cricketer Hashan Tillakaratne has been appointed as the Head Coach of the SL Women�s Cricket Team. His appointment was confirmed to the Daily News by a senior official of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The 53-year-old will play a pivotal role as Head Coach and is likely to serve in this capacity for a couple years from immediate effect. He was earlier appointed as the Head Coach of the SL Under-19 Cricket Team and later he was attached to High-Performance Unit of SLC. more..

Jun 2 (TM) Mickey Arthur, SL�s national cricket Head Coach, is legitimately the sole authority of SL team�s on-field performance. He is reportedly paid over five million rupees per month and has a batting coach, spin bowling coach, fast bowling coach, and a fielding coach to assist him. If SL wins against Australia, he can take away the major chunk of the credit. If SL is to lose to Bangladesh, the case shouldn�t have been any different. more..

Jun 2 (FT) Central Bank brought back the rule of mandatory conversion of 10% of workers remittances to rupees by banks on a weekly basis. The fresh directive to banks was issued last week (28 May). Previously, via a directive on 17 March, the Central Bank suspended the mandatory conversion for worker remittances until further notice. The original move to make 10% conversion mandatory (when such conversion amounts to $ 1 million) was made in January this year and/or more..

Jun 2 (Island) Recently, the Committee on Public Accounts discussed a report prepared by the audit office, entitled Propensity to tend education under the Arts stream and the unemployment of Arts Graduates. The somewhat awkwardly titled report attempts to connect graduate unemployment to Arts Education at secondary and tertiary levels. The report is useful in that it locates some of the problems of tertiary education in a failing secondary educational system. more..

Jun 2 (FT) Following up on moves for a green agriculture policy, the Govt yesterday announced firm plans to import non-hazardous fertiliser for 1.1 million hectares of paddy cultivation for the upcoming Maha season, as well as non-food non-soil farming. Despite scepticism and reservations from some agriculturalists and experts, Govt insisted that its zeal towards organic farming was urgent to avoid the ill-effects of chemical fertilisers. more..

Jun 2 (CT) SL rugby sevens captain and Kandy SC player Dansha Dayan releasing a video on social media yesterday, sought help from the respective authorities to take rugby forward, since the game came to a halt from March last year due to the pandemic. All other sports have started training except rugby, and no one seems to have taken any steps to revive the game. SL is scheduled to participate at the Commonwealth and Asian Sevens next year, and Dayan believes we are more..

Jun 2 (CT) SL�s existing multilateral or bilateral funding sources will not be sufficient to cover all external financing needs over the next 12 months, S&P Global Ratings stated on Monday while affirming its long-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on SL at �CCC+�. It also affirmed the country�s short-term foreign and local currency credit ratings at �C�. The transfer and convertibility assessment is �CCC+�. The outlook remains stable, said S&P, reflecting that risks more..