May 6 (FT) Govt has endangered the farming community by rushing to ban the import of chemical fertiliser without proper consultation and scaling up viable alternatives, SJB MP Hesha Withanage charged yesterday. He accused the Govt of acting in a short-sighted manner and endangering the livelihoods of over two million people engaged in agriculture by suddenly declaring a ban on the importation of chemical fertiliser. more..

May 6 (Island) Supporting the livelihoods of visually impaired women, Sri Lanka�s most customer friendly bank HNB PLC donated 300 white canes and dry ration packs to the members of the Sri Lanka Welfare Society of the Blind Women. The donations made utilizing voluntary contributions gathered by HNB employees, were handed over to members of the Society at a special event at HNB Towers under the patronage of HNB Managing Director and CEO Jonathan Alles. �HNB is proud to partner with more..

May 6 (FT) Minister Namal Rajapaksa accepted three documentary short films by Waste Action LK (WALK), on behalf of SL. He was joined by the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) Denis Chaibi. The films bring together 50+ voices from across the island, from all walks of life, speaking on the record and sharing their example of better waste practices. With a particular focus on the reduction of Single Use Plastic, films are presented under the collective title Walk the Talk, Sri Lanka. more..

May 6 (DM) Clinical tests have confirmed that the syrup introduced by Ayurvedic practitioner Dhammika Bandara is not a cure for the COVID-19 virus. Accordingly, the special committee appointed to review the syrup has suspended further investigations into it. The committee is of the opinion that it is extremely unlikely that the syrup would produce positive effects. The Health Ministry appointed a special committee to review more..

May 6 (CT) SL�s artistic gymnast Milka Gehani de Silva became the second Sri Lankan to secure 2021 Tokyo Olympic Qualification after show jumper Mathilda Karlsson, The Olympic Website states. Milka secured her slot as number one in Asian Continental Quota ahead of India�s Pranati Nayak, the Olympic official website, Olympics. Com states. �Nayak, thus, became the second reserve - behind Elpitiya Badalge Dona Milka Gehani of SL - to secure the quota from Asia after more..

May 6 (Island) Officers of the CID have allegedly conducted an investigation at the Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) headquarters in Maitland Place yesterday (4). One of the main reasons for the sudden inquiry is reported to be on a complaint made on a possible attempt to secretly move some important documents from SLC. �We are not sure as to what this investigation is about but the CID officers have spent almost six hours at the SLC investigating its IT, CCTV, and the VIP areas while more..

May 6 (FT) SL�s COVID-19 patient count yesterday rose to 117,529 with the detection of 1,939 COVID-19 cases. This is the ninth consecutive day where the daily COVID-19 detections have exceeded 1,000. Of the patients detected yesterday, 1,897 were from the New Year Cluster, from which a total of 20,875 patients have been detected. In addition to this, 82,785 patients linked to the Minuwangoda cluster, more..

May 6 (FT) The confirmation of 11 COVID-19 related deaths yesterday brought the country�s COVID-19 death toll to 720. A 74-year-old individual from Walgammulla died of COVID pneumonia at her place of residence on 4 May. The same day, a 69-year-old individual from Weyangoda died of COVID-19 while receiving treatment at the Watupitiwela Base Hospital. A 64-year-old individual from Kurunegala tested positive for COVID-19 while receiving treatment at Kurunegala Teaching more..

May 6 (Island) A large number of estate workers had been diagnosed with COVID-19, and given the generally congested living environment and lack of health facilities on plantations, the entire estate sector was a ticking time bomb, Moderator of the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR) Chinthaka Rajapakshe said. He said that the latest outbreak on the estates had occurred after the return of some persons from Colombo during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. more..

May 6 (Island) AG Dappula de Livera, says there is no legal impediment to Opposition MP Rishad Bathiudeen attending Parliament while being detained in terms of the PTA. CID arrested the leader of the ACMC in the early hours of April 24 for aiding and abetting the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombers. AG set the record straight in the wake of the CID failing to arrange for MP Bathiudeen to attend Parliament on May 4-5. more..

May 6 (Island) There was a risk of the deadly Indian COVID-19 variant spreading to SL as well, Chief Epidemiologist of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said. He said that Sri Lankan fishermen continued to interact with their Indian counterparts in mid-sea and therefore it was only a matter of time before the Indian variant entered SL. �We must be extremely vigilant. We have seen the devastation caused by this variant in India. These mid-sea interactions by fishing community more..

May 6 (Island) Rapid antigen testing can identify 79% of those with high viral loads, a study by V.R. Francis and M.A.R.V. Muthugala, published in the SL Journal of Infectious Diseases, states. However, the overall sensitivity of the test was 58.5%. �As it is a point-of-care test, it has several advantages over the real-time PCR assays in terms of earlier results, ease of use and in usability in field testing. Therefore, it can be used effectively to filter out the infectious individuals in high-risk communities more..

May 6 (CT) A heated debate erupted in Parliament yesterday morning over SJB MP Rishad Bathiudeen being allowed to attend yesterday�s Parliamentary sittings. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa requested Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to allow the MP to attend Parliament under the parliamentary privileges. At this juncture, Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara said, �I request the Speaker not to let Bathiudeen, more..

May 6 (DM) The University of Ruhuna, has dismissed allegations that it was forcefully keeping students in hostels despite the govt's decision to close all universities and said it would take legal action against those who had launched a mud slinging campaign against the University. The University has alleged that following social media claims and media reports that a sub cluster of COVID-19 was forming within the University after students continued to remain in hostels and more..

May 6 (CT) Ministry of Health has decided to absorb around 1,000 nurses, both male and female, to the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of hospitals countrywide, due to the sudden upsurge in the spread of COVID-19. Sources from the Ministry said this decision had been taken with the intention of maintaining an uninterrupted service of the ICUs of all Govt hospitals throughout the country. Ministry said all those who are absorbed into these units would be provided with in-house training. more..

May 6 (FT) Govt said it was working to distribute oxygen to key hospitals, with 28 already receiving oxygen tanks, and reiterated it was on track to fully vaccinate 60% of the population by the end of 2021, with 26.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines due to arrive by December. In response to questions raised about the COVID-19 immunisation program in Parliament, Minister Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi said more..

May 6 (FT) I never forgot my teenage immersion in Mao Zedong�s writings. Despite his enormous errors, Mao was the world�s most outstanding philosophical and strategic mind in my lifetime. Deliberating �Problems of Strategy in the Anti-Japanese War,� Mao penetratingly identified and argued that beneath the evident strength and superiority of Japan lay weakness, and beneath the apparent weakness of China lay strength. Time and the maturation of inherent contradictions more..

May 6 (FT) It is interesting and thought provoking when one witnesses backdrop offered during vaccine seminars hosted by Pfizer and their posters. The backdrop says �science will win�. I remember writing in March last year that science can deliver but it must be given the opportunity, its abilities respected, etc. To support there has to be the understanding of science as otherwise pseudo-science reign. �Would you prefer speaking to the astrologer to charter your way forward?� more..

May 6 (DM) 75 people have been taken into custody by the police during raids conducted yesterday at night clubs, gaming centres and spa centres in the Western Province for violating quarantine regulations issued by the Director-General of Health Services. As per the guidelines issued on May 1, 2021, by the DGHS, activities in clubs, gaming centres and Spas have been completely banned. During the raids, the police checked 47 clubs, 105 gaming centres and 137 Spas in the WP. more..

May 6 (AD) A security officer attached to a private bank has sustained injuries in a shooting incident that unfolded during an attempted robbery in Anuradhapura this morning. According to reports, the said security officer and a representative of the bank had been depositing cash into the ATM machine at around 6.45 am today when two unidentified men who came in a motorcycle made an attempt to rob the money. A fight has then ensued between the two parties and security officer more..

May 6 (NF) Attorney General Dappula de Livera has thanked Prez Rajapaksa for his appointment as High Commissioner to Canada. However, De Livera has conveyed to the Prez that he wishes to remain in Sri Lanka to serve the public, said State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne, the Coordinating Officer to the Attorney General on Thursday (06). AG Dappula De Livera has concluded action in 27,206 Criminal Cases more..

May 6 (FT) Seylan Bank PLC, the bank with a heart, reaffirmed its position as one of the strongest business entities in the country by securing the 20th place in the latest edition of the LMD 100 ranking of SL�s leading listed companies. Seylan Bank moved up three places from last year�s ranking of 23rd place, after a solid performance in 2019/2020. LMD�s Top 100 rankings of 2020 has been compiled following stringent evaluations of listed companies in Sri Lanka, based on information more..

May 6 (NR) A pilot project to regulate traffic using technology was initiated along the High-Level Road today. The process includes a mobile car which acts as a control room and drone technology. DIG Ajith Rohana said the programme was launched to avoid traffic congestion and to identify drivers who do not adhere to road rules. DIG Rohana said the programme was implemented upon the advice of the President, the support of the Police Special Task Force and the Sri Lanka Air Force. more..

May 6 (Island) Acting on the instructions of Prez Rajapaksa, the CEA has initiated a programme to eradicate Oil Palm (Katupol) cultivation in Sri Lanka and introduce alternative cultivations on those lands. Accordingly, all oil palms in SL would be removed, CEA Chairman S. Amarasinghe said. Oil palm cultivations, at present, covers some 12,000 hectares in SL. The project is expected to be completed within 5 years more..

May 6 (TM) Pregnant women are under threat of Covid after the first 28 weeks, says Dr. Sanath Lanerolle, a senior specialist at Castle Street Women�s Hospital. �About 80% of women who develop the disease at the first 28 weeks have no symptoms. If you do a PCR test, then you can detect it. During this time, complications in the baby are less. Complications can increase, and pregnant mothers should seek immediate medical attention if they have any suspicious symptoms,� more..

May 6 (FT) Luxasia SL Ltd. said this week Marc Jacobs� newest fragrance Perfect has been launched in SL. The playful and unexpected new scent from Marc Jacobs is a celebration of optimism, self-acceptance, and originality. Perfect is inspired by Marc Jacobs� mantra: �I am perfect as I am,� which is symbolised by a tattoo of the word �perfect� on his wrist. �I put it there to remind me, that when I�m looking at myself and wishing that i could be stronger in this way or better at that thing, more..

May 6 (Island) SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva has praised State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle for proposing to strengthen the 1990 Suwasariya ambulance service, gifted by India, during Ranil Wickremesinghe tenure as the PM. Dr. de Silva, who spearheaded the Suwaseriya project, said that Dr. Fernandopulle couldn�t have made her move at a better time as the country battled the increased threat posed by raging Covid-19 more..

May 6 (DM) Police today denied a message being circulated on WhatsApp saying a higher number of Covid-19 cases had been reported from the Kirulapone and Wellawatte Police areas in recent days. According to the message which was rapidly circulated, it claimed that 140 and 106 Covid-19 cases were reported in Wellawatte and Kirulapone areas respectively and PCR tests would be conducted in several areas belonging to those Police areas in the coming days. more..

May 6 (TM) PM instructed several govt agencies under the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing to expedite the provision of infrastructure facilities including buildings required to increase the treatment capacity of patients. Under this directive, State Minister Indika Anuruddha supervised the inspection of the construction work of the 10 storey building complex to be constructed at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital (Kalubowila Hospital). He has also urged for the construction to be more..

May 6 (EN) Sri Lanka�s participation in UN peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations must not be weakened, the UNP said. In a statement, the party said 2015-2019 UNP-led Yahapalana govt decided to participate in these missions as part of a higher profile foreign policy. �An army battalion, with MI-17 helicopters, was dispatched to Mali as part of the UN contingent facing Al-Qaeda affiliated terrorists,� more..

May 6 (EN) Sri Lanka will not permit any inbound passengers from India to disembark in the country with immediate effect, an official said, as a devastating second wave of COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc in that country. Update: Any passenger who had travelled to India within 14 days prior to arrival in SL will also not be permitted to disembark, the official said. As per a CAA directive, no inbound passenger from India will be allowed to disembark at either of SL�s two international airports, more..

May 6 (FT) The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) said that total market turnover in April demonstrated a growth of 29.43% compared to the previous month. It said market turnover was recorded at Rs. 53 billion, while domestic turnover has seen a growth of 64%, indicating the sustained interest among Sri Lankan investors. Further highlights of the month included the growth in the benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) closing at 7,208.20, S&P SL20 index closing at 2,869.25, more..

May 6 (FT) WHO Officer-in-Charge Dr. Olivia Nieveras warned SL the current COVID-19 wave may be the most challenging chapter yet of the pandemic and called for the public to practice social distancing guidelines stringently. In a video post on twitter, Dr. Nieveras encouraged Sri Lankans to be more vigilant of practicing COVID-19 guidelines, pointing out that while vaccines were important, recent surges around the world have shown more..

May 6 (DM) Legal action would be taken against Heads of Department (HoD) of State and private sector institutions if any gatherings were organised within their office premises and found guilty of violating COVID safety regulations, Public Health Inspectors' (PHI) Union President Upul Rohana said. He said cases will be filed in courts against those department heads in accordance with the quarantine Act. "Many complaints have been received about organising such gatherings. more..

May 6 (FT) Prime Lands Residencies Ltd., the leader in the real estate industry, is heading for a new chapter as it seeks a listing on the Colombo Stock Exchange with its initial public offering (IPO). In this interview Amani Ranaweera, who is Vice President Corporate Finance at Acuity Partners � the firm that will be the managers and financial advisors to the Issue � shares key insights into Prime Lands Residencies as well as the IPO. She said that Prime Lands Residencies signifies more..

May 6 (EN) SL has financed a 13.9% of GDP budget gap in 2020 including at least 3.4% of GDP in central bank credit, data show though the number was lowered to 11.7% by reclassifying a part of the financing back to the past. The central govt debt also went up by around 14% to 101% of GDP. Finance ministry in early 2020 forecasted the budget deficit at 7.9% of GDP in 2020 after slashing taxes in a so-called fiscal stimulus. more..

May 6 (CT) Cabinet has approved the appointing of PM Rajapaksa's Coordinating Secretary, Geethanath Kassilingam as the Govt's special Rehabilitation Facilitation Officer for the North and East. He will work to strengthen the rehabilitation programmes in the two provinces and highlight issues related to war affected people and solve them with the Govt�s intervention. Kassilingam said that his appointment would focus on issues faced by the people in the North and East, more..

May 6 (FT) Formed to increase the flow of IT products and platforms from Sri Lanka to international markets, Product and Platform Council (PPC) of SL Association of Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM) is on an accelerated drive to increase IT exports and IT revenue of the nation. �With SLASSCOM�s vision of growing the IT and BPO industry to generate revenue of $ 5 billion in exports, 200,000 highly skilled workforce and 1,000 startups by 2025, it is crucial to give due more..

May 6 (DN) High Commission of India on behalf of the Govt and people of India, expresses his sincere gratitude to the clergy and people of SL for their continuing prayers and well wishes for their brethren in India as a pandemic of epic proportions is being valiantly fought. High Commissioner Gopal Baglay and officials serving at the HC of India are overwhelmed by numerous calls and messages they have received, more..