May 16 (ENS) The NIA has taken over the probe into the seizure of AK-47 rifles and ammunition along with Rs 3,000 crore worth of heroin from a SL vessel on March 25. The agency has registered an FIR against six Sri Lankan nationals. NIA sources said the agency will be probing the recovery of rifles and ammunition while the seizure of heroin will be probed by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). �After the seizure of 301kg of heroin from the boat, Ravihansi, NCB had started a probe. more..

May 16 (Island) Former captains Angelo Mathews, Suranga Lakmal and Dinesh Chandimal along with current Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne and a few regulars will not sign contracts offered by SLC after they were forced to undergo significant pay cuts, The Island learns. The biggest gainers in the new contracts that will be announced shortly will be wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella and Dhananjaya de Silva, more..

May 16 (Island) Executive Chef Mario Perera thrilled diners with a scrumptious serving of typical SL delicacies at a food fiesta at the Rooftop restaurant and bar of Dorchester Hotel, one of the best five-star properties in London. The grand culinary event, which opened on May 10, will continue till the 30th. The SL born veteran offered excited guests a fascinating array of mouth watering dishes, and topping the menu were egg hoppers, rice flour and coconut milk pancake, seeni sambol bread, more..

May 16 (TM) Considering the Covid-19 pandemic situation in the country, the final decision on whether or not to postpone this week�s parliamentary sessions, including the debate on the controversial Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill scheduled for 19 and 20 May, would be taken early this week, based on the situation at the time. This was informed by Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, who added that the aforementioned matter and current situation had previously more..

May 16 (TM) Sri Lanka has received a positive response from the UK to a request made to secure the required stock of Oxford-AstraZeneca (Covishield) Covid-19 vaccines for the administering of the second dose, according to Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. Covishield is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. Owing to the situation in India, the Institute has not been able to deliver the order placed by Sri Lanka, and therefore, more..

May 16 (Island) Police sniffer dog Rusi led sleuths to 35 grams of ice (crystal methamphetamine) hidden inside a flat at the Maligawatte Housing Scheme occupied by a suspect arrested earlier. Maligawatte police arrested a 32-year-old man with 150 grams of ice and on questioning him found that he was occupying a flat on rent at the housing scheme. The services of Rusi was sought from the Slave Island police as a search on the suspect�s flat was conducted. more..

May 16 (SLN) Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne today (15) made a visit to review the progress of amenity expansion in Intermediate Care Centre for COVID-19 in Gampaha as well as Wathupitiwala, Gampaha and Minuwangoda Hospitals. In support of the government�s effort to improve health care facilities for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, Sri Lanka Navy is currently working in full swing to complete these projects in the Gampaha district, more..

May 16 (EN) Sri Lanka will begin to keep infected asymptomatic Coronavirus confirmed patients at home, a State Minister for Covid-19 control Sudarshini Fernandopulle said as new confirmations outpace the rate at which treatment centres could be built. Patients developing respiratory difficulties will be hospitalized. The state information office said 20 new patients died, after reporting a record 29 on Friday, taking total deaths to 941. more..

May 17 (DM) Jerusalem, the city sacred to millions of Christians, Muslims and Jews has gone up in flames with hundreds of Palestinian (original citizens now living under Israeli occupation for over 50 years) wounded in clashes with Israeli police. Over a hundred people, including children have been killed in yet ongoing violence. The violence itself is an outgrowth of over a half century of Israeli military occupation of Palestine, its growing infringement of Palestinian rights and apartheid-like policies more..

May 17 (DM) Even as we remember the cataclysmic end of the war, with its immense destruction and loss of life in May 2009, SL is on the verge of drowning under the pandemic. What we remember is what we know most intimately from the past. And I remember my conversations with my late father, Silan Kadirgamar. Silan was the child of the Jaffna Youth Congress, where his father and their contemporaries initiated a movement against colonialism, brought leaders from all over more..

May 17 (DM) Startling revelations have surfaced as to how the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and the Consumer Affairs Authority-the apex govt institution with the mandate to protect consumer interest- have been ignorant or turned a blind eye to the price increase of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) by Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. Although these two authorities maintain that they cannot take action against Litro Gas applying more..

May 17 (CT) There are judgements of right and wrong, of good and evil, of morality and ethics which are universal. What then can you say of those who refuse to recognize these universal judgements? Such elements, such dispensations, have never been able to sustain themselves or to be sustained by outside powers. We are reminded of the most instantly recognizable question of good and evil by an article in the SL newspapers authored by Ambassador Yuri Materiy, more..

May 17 (ST) There�s little point any more in blaming the Govt for allowing the COVID-19 pandemic to slip into virtual free fall. Reports coming in from all parts of the country are distressing. The time for blame-games is over, it�s time for action. That the country as much as the world was taken by surprise last year when the virus broke out of China to infect the whole world through open borders and individual Govts that played it by ear permitting a certain degree of laxity and more..

May 17 (TM) Covid-19 virus has already mutated into different variants and experts say we can expect more. The Dept of Immunology and Molecular Science of Sri J'pura Uni is currently conducting extensive research and carefully monitoring some other new genetic types of the pandemic virus that may be able to spread easier or overpower vaccines. Understanding new variants of the Covid-19 virus could help the Govt more..

May 17 (ST) My dear Gota maamey, I thought I must write to you even if the current situation is such, you must be feeling that all about you are losing their heads and blaming it on you. To put it mildly, Paradise is facing an unprecedented situation and you need all the right help and advice. Unfortunately, you don�t seem to be getting that. They say a week is a long time in politics, so a year is like an era. You would have realised that now. Around this time last year, you closed our borders, ordered more..

May 17 (CT) Sri Lanka�s current sorry trail of natural disasters has seen four deaths, 11,796 families comprising 46,730 persons affected, 304 families comprising 1,247 persons housed in temporary shelters, 636 houses and nine small and medium enterprises damaged due to the present inclement weather at the time of writing according to the Disaster Management Centre. Those affected are from the Western and North-Western Provinces and Kegalle, Kandy, Galle & Matara Districts. more..

May 17 (Island) Anxieties about the present, psychologists and social scientists have long ascertained, lead to a fixation with the past. A nostalgic yearning for how things used to be is hence one way through which our minds, even our bodies, put up with what they are today: a defence mechanism, in its simplest sense, to cordon us from the past. When we channel the past, we prefer to black out what was considered bad then. This is so that we can procure from it a favourable more..

May 17 (SO) The authorities gave an opportunity to the people to enjoy full freedom of movement whilst adhering to the health guidelines for almost seven months despite the pandemic. True, Sri Lanka had managed the pandemic in much better way than most other countries even after the emergence of Peliyagoda and Minuwangoda clusters in September-October last year. Thus the Government did not go for any hard lockdowns or other tough measures that would have curbed more..

May 17 (ST) He is easily one of the flamboyant politicians in the Republic of Maldives. A believer in democracy and human rights, Mohamed Nasheed was once the elected President of the archipelago, a haven for tourists and rich in marine resources. Just days earlier, he was given up for good after an improvised explosive device exploded when he was returning from a meeting in the capital island of Male. His lung was damaged, more..

May 17 (ST) After Shammi Silva and his camp were cleared of legal impediments to contest the election through a backdated gazette that legalised their stay beyond Feb 20, Silva and Co are expected to regain control of SL�s richest sports body for another two years when the poll is held on Thursday virtually. It will be a one-horse race for the Silva camp as their opposing camp, led by K. Mathivanan and including Nishantha Ranatunga and Bandula Warnapura, are expected to withdraw more..

May 17 (Island) Much is being spoken about SL�s sovereignty and independence, these days, owing to the controversial Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill, scheduled to be taken up in Parliament shortly. We are not short of political leaders who never miss an opportunity to wrap themselves in the flag and declare their readiness even to lay down their dear lives for the sake of the country. While this kind display of patriotism is on, Attorney General�s Department last week more..

May 17 (ST) Several cricketers have threatened to retire prematurely if no clarity is offered on the new point system which grades the players and decides their annual pay pack, the Sunday Times can confirm. Players are up in arms over the scheme which has forced a significant cut on their annual earnings with some losing as much as US$ 50,000 compared to the previous year. more..

May 17 (FT) Export Development Board (EDB) said it has made arrangements to facilitate export-oriented industries based on the circulars issued by the Health Authorities to continue operations during the lockdown of specific areas and inter-provincial travel restrictions subject to stringent health regulations. Although travelling between provinces is restricted till 31 May, transport of cargo to/from the country�s port of entry/exit is allowed during this period (proof required). more..

May 17 (FT) Over 81,000 persons were vaccinated against COVID-19 on Saturday, with the 2nd dose of AstraZeneca administered to 12,558 persons and the first dose of Sinopharm administered to 68,992 persons. 265,465 persons have received both doses of AstraZeneca and 2,435 persons have received both doses of Sinopahrm to date. First dose of AstraZeneca has been administered to 925,242 persons and 348,619 persons have received the first dose of Sinopharm. more..

May 17 (FT) SL�s COVID-19 detections rose to 142,746 with 2,275 persons testing positive for the virus yesterday. 2,212 patients detected yesterday were linked to the New Year Cluster. Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, Prisons and New Year clusters have a total patient count of 136,463. The country�s local COVID-19 cases include 82,785 persons linked to the Peliyagoda cluster, 43,265 persons linked to the New Year cluster, more..

May 17 (ST) Sri Lanka�s director of cricket, Tom Moody will travel with the national white-ball team as a consultant coach to England. SL will play three T20Is and as many ODIs against England starting from June 23. SL hopes Moody�s presence in the dressing room could add value to the young team led by Kusal Janith Perera. Moody who oversaw Sri Lanka cricket through 2005-2007 was appointed on March 1 this year to oversee SL�s international programme and domestic tournaments. more..

May 17 (SO) In a bid to entice new followers and bring back adoring followers, the under-fire and beleaguered Sri Lanka Cricket administration has named a new captain in the basher Kusal Perera whom many see as a replica of Sanath Jayasuriya on a facelift tour of Bangladesh. Most Sri Lankans know of Kusal Perera as a natural boundary and six hitter in the limited overs arena who was for the first time publicly showcased as the new captain of a team that has sunk to the depths more..

May 17 (ST) The Govt, through state-distributor Litro Gas PLC, is importing urgent stocks of empty LPG cylinders ahead of a possible artificial shortage while at the same time reducing taxes to ward off a price hike. Litro Gas PLC will be purchasing 22,000, 105,056 and 1,260 LPG cylinders under the categories of 2.3 kg, 12.5 kg and 37.5 kg costing US$ 2.18 million from Thai-based M/s. Metal Mate Co Ltd to meet any more..

May 17 (DM) Despite an assurance by the Mayor of Colombo, Rosy Senanayake yesterday of receiving the Astra Zeneca doses in less than two weeks, to vaccinate over 600,000 people with the second doses, Daily Mirror learns that the govt is yet to make a breakthrough in securing the jabs as no official confirmation had been received by the negotiating parties. There had been no confirmation of receiving the doses but the govt was trying hard to purchase the remaining 600,000 doses more..

May 17 (Island) Sri Lanka have arrived in Dhaka for a short three match ODI series that will get underway next week after the players complete mandatory quarantine. The series is important for both sides as the winners will gain significant progress in the ICC World Cup Super League, the event that will select the seven automatic qualifiers for the sport�s showpiece event in 2023. SL would be keen on a series win no doubt but more importantly, they would be looking to build the nucleus of more..

May 17 (FT) In a fresh bid to stimulate socioeconomic growth, notwithstanding the COVID-19 third wave and resultant restrictions, Prez Rajapaksa last week urged officials to fast-track development initiatives announced in the Govt�s 2021 Budget. Via a new circular, Prez Rajapaksa, through Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, has solicited the commitment of all Secretaries to implement Govt development programs by more..

May 17 (FT) Prez Rajapaksa has extended by three months the term of the 18-member Deregulation Commission. The 3-month term of the Commission appointed in January ended on 7 April, following which a 3-month extension has been granted for it to conclude its work. Commission is Co-Chaired by Advisor to the Prez Lalith Weeratunga and John Keells Group Chairman Krishan Balendra and consists of public sector veterans, private sector leaders, entrepreneurs, law experts and more..

May 17 (Island) SLPP MP Dr. Suren Raghavan, on behalf of the SL-Palestinian Parliament Friendship Association has urged the govt and the Opposition to join the international community in calling for an immediate cessation of violence in the latest conflict involving Israel and Hamas. The recently formed Association in a statement issued on May 13 called for cessation of hostilities in Gaza, West Bank and East Jerusalem. Association represents both the govt and the Opposition. more..

May 17 (Island) Minister Rear Admiral (retd) Sarath Weerasekera said that he had called for a comprehensive report from the CID on a recent statement made by Attorney General Dappula de Livera that the investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks were not complete. He said that he wanted to know on what grounds the AG had made such a statement. �As far as I know, the CID has submitted eight completed files to indict more..

May 17 (ST) Before the pandemic caused a postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by a year, US-based long-distance runner Hiruni Wijayaratne was the only athlete who seemed close to achieving the qualifying standard in the women�s marathon from SL and perhaps even deserved a wild card entry. But injury has dashed SL�s hopes of Hiruni creating history in Tokyo this year. �I am not going to qualify for the Olympics this time. I tried my very best but the extremely difficult standards more..

May 17 (FT) The Immigration and Emigration Controller General has taken a decision to extend the validity period of all types of visas of foreigners who are currently in SL, taking into consideration the spread of COVID-19 in the country. It said the periods of validity of visas of all categories obtained by the foreigners who have already visited SL have been extended by 60 days with effect from 11 May to 9 July 2021. Only visa fees applicable for that period will be charged for the visas more..

May 17 (CT) The adverse weather conditions that prevailed from 13 May to date have affected a total of 61 Divisional Secretariat divisions in seven districts. Disaster Management Centre (DMC) stated that four persons had been killed and two others injured due to inclement weather as of yesterday. A total of 42,252 persons belonging to 11,074 families were affected due to inclement weather. more..

May 17 (Island) Chief Govt Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando called on people not to fall prey to the Opposition scare-mongering tactics. Addressing the media, after an inspection visit to check the progress of the 10,000-beds-in-10 days project in Kurunegala, the Minister said the govt had decided to continue with all its development projects, as scheduled, without allowing the pandemic to scuttle them. �We do not retreat or surrender in the face of this virus threat more..

May 17 (AD) A person with symptoms of the COVID-19 infections should not receive the COVID-19 vaccine, said Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera. He said that a person with COVID-19 symptoms receiving the jab is futile. He said, �If someone is infected [with COVID-19], there is no point in receiving the vaccine because they already have the virus in their body. Therefore, we are delaying the vaccination of those who are currently quarantined and those who are suspected more..