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The Election Commission together with health authorities may impose a string of preventive measures during the parliamentary elections campaign that will begin at noon on Thursday. The move is aimed at minimising any possible spread of the deadly coronavirus. Though no specific steps are yet to be taken, the EC will hold a meeting [...]
Coronavirus victims now ten; Govt. calls for public support
With ten Sri Lankans being affected by the new coronavirus up to last evening, many measures were implemented to meet the threat and mass gatherings were discouraged. Health Services Director-General Dr. Anil Jasinghe gave details of those affected by the disease, as Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi sought public support at a media briefing last afternoon, [...]
Jaffna water project cost swells by 580 percent; engineers cry foul
The Irrigation Department has floated a proposal to implement a water supply project for Jaffna at a cost of Rs 13.6bn despite the project already having been approved by the Cabinet at Rs 2bn in 2018. The new price quoted by the Department is nearly 580 percent higher than what was proposed by the Department [...]
Virus pushes SAARC leaders to hold video conference
Acting on a proposal made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, SAARC leaders will hold a video conference this evening to discuss a roadmap to fight the challenge posed by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Admiral Jayanath Colombage, Additional Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations, told the Sunday Times last night that arrangements were being [...]
Travel ban may be extended to more countries
Contingency plans have been drawn up to restrict the issue of visas to foreign visitors from more countries, and they will be implemented if the coronavirus pandemic worsens, a senior official said. He said the decision was taken at a meeting presided over by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and attended by top officials, including those from [...]
Sri Lanka and India fail to reach agreement on Mattala airport
The Government has halted plans for a management deal with India for the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), official sources said. Aviation Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has told the relevant authorities that his administration was no longer interested. India, too, has not responded to a draft agreement Sri Lanka floated proposing a share division of 49 [...]
Ravi’s appeal against arrest warrant: CA to resume hearings on Tuesday
The three-judge Court of Appeal Special Divisional Bench will resume hearings on Tuesday to decide whether to give an interim order staying the arrest warrant issued against former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and six others by the Colombo Fort Magistrate over the Treasury bond scam. The bench comprised Justices A.H.M.D. Nawaz (President/CA), Shiran Gooneratne and [...]
Pujith’s term ends; way clear to appoint new IGP
The term of Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara — who was under interdiction over the failure to take steps to prevent the Easter Sunday bombings — ended yesterday, paving the way for the the appointment of a new Inspector General. Accordingly, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will now be empowered to nominate candidates for the post and the [...]
How to extract COVID-19 patient from ship: Drill conducted at harbour
The Navy, in collaboration with the Suwaseriya Ambulance Service, the Colombo Harbour Firefighting Unit, the Harbour Health Service and doctors from the National Quarantine Unit conducted a drill at the harbour on Friday. This was done to rehearse standard operational procedure which could be adopted in the event of transferring a suspected COVID-19 contracted patient [...]
Kandakadu quarantine centre fully operational
The quarantine centre in Kandakadu, in Welikanda was fully operational by yesterday with more than 400 Sri Lankan returnees occupying the centre. An army guard has been placed while all health precautions have been taken. At least four persons at the centre who were identified to be positively infected with the coronavirus were transfered to [...]
Kivul Oya Project: EIA report claims positives will outweigh negatives
The remains of an ancient monastery will be dismantled and restored inside an elephant corridor under plans to dam the Kivul Oya and irrigate 2,400 hectares of land in the Vavuniya and Mullaitivu districts. The Mahaweli Ministry project proposes creating a reservoir by damming Kivul Oya, the main tributary of Ma Oya, which originates in [...]
Drill conducted at Colombo Harbour to rehearse COVID-19 patient extraction
The Navy, in collaboration with the Suwaseriya Ambulance Service, the Colombo Harbour Firefighting Unit, the Harbour Health Service and doctors from the National Quarantine Unit conducted a drill at the harbour on Friday. This was done to rehearse standard operational procedure which could be adopted in the event of transferring a suspected COVID-19 contracted patient [...]
Sri Lankan fishermen arrested in Indian waters, but not detained
At least fifteen Sri Lankan fishermen who were taken into custody by the Indian Coast Guard on Wednesday for fishing in Indian waters were handed over to the Sri Lanka Navy hours later. Indian Health authorities refused to allow them into the country to take legal action against them, due to the ongoing novel coronavirus [...]
RPCs insist on linking wage hike to productivity; Planters promote revenue-share model
Regional plantation companies (RPCs) are insisting that the Government’s proposal to increase the monthly wage of workers should be linked to a rise in productivity. On January 14, the Government directed the RPCs to enter into negotiations with estate trade unions for a stipulated daily wage of Rs 1,000–or Rs 25,000 a month–for workers. The [...]
COVID-19 is here, but don’t panic
Multiple crucial events occurred simultaneously in Sri Lanka and across the world as the new coronavirus continued its rampage, spreading mass fear and panic, which officials in the country said were unwarranted. As Sri Lanka detected its first confirmed local case infected with COVID-19 this week (on Tuesday, March 10), followed by nine more (at [...]
Tyre let loose from stairs onto undergrad not definitively identified
As 21-year-old Pasindu Hirushan lies in intensive care at the National Hospital after a bizarre incident left him with head injuries at a “social” at the Sri Jayawardenapura University, questions emerged whether the police had found the tyre, which had caused injuries. Police who visited the pavilion had found a used bus tyre that had [...]
Udayanga MiG deal investigators called to court
Lawyers appearing for Sri Lanka’s former ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga, told the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court this week that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officer who had previously investigated the MiG aircraft deal had provided false information to court regarding their client. The lawyers told Magistrate, Ranga Dissanayake, that current investigation reports confirm that [...]
Fine & jail term can be imposed
Under the Quarantine & Prevention of Diseases Ordinance, if any person does not follow provided instructions or hinders the performance of the duties of the authorities, the police can impose a fine ranging between Rs. 2,000 to 10,000 and also jail that person for six months, said Police Spokesperson, SP Jaliya Senaratne.
Heated argument over CoI’s power to summon AG
The judicial powers of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) investigating acts of political victimisation were the topic of a heated exchange of words this week between the commission and the Attorney General’s representative. The heated argument took place during a commission hearing after the Attorney General was issued notice to appear before the commission. Appearing [...]
Promoting judicial diversity should be a State policy: Judge Rajakaruna
Promoting judicial diversity by developing guidelines and the implementation of strategies should be a policy of the State, newly appointed Court of Appeal Judge Sobitha Rajakaruna said. Speaking during the ceremonial welcome accorded to him by the Bar on Tuesday, Justice Rajakaruna stated that the 1947 Constitution and both the Republican Constitutions of Sri Lanka [...]
Paralysed system betrays sexually abused youth
A careless and lethargic bureaucracy and delays in resolving investigations are causing soaring rates of rape and sexual abuse among youth, according to past and current heads of the National Child Protection Agency. UNP MP Hesha Withanage recently shocked parliament by quoting police figures showing that in the first 15 days of this year alone there [...]
Selection of students for university based on school rankings – a welcome move
Education policy and its implementation has a long term impact on the future of any country. Therefore every change that is to be made in regard to education has to be done after a thorough study and careful thought. Otherwise however laudable the objectives of such changes are, they can end up being self defeating [...]
Copyrights clarity sought before royalties are paid
The government has decided to make it obligatory for all radio and TV channels to pay royalties to artists in a Gazette notice effective March 2020, but implementation is complicated. The Minister of Information and Mass Media and Minister of Higher Education Technology and Innovation, Dr. Bandula Gunawardana announced that all radio stations should pay [...]
Heat index glows red at ‘extreme’ level
The Department of Meteorology says the heat index is expected to reach the “Extreme Caution” level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces and in the Galle, Matara and Moneragala districts. The heat index calculates the temperature felt by the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature. The department’s Director-General, Athula [...]
The perils of bottled drinks
The present heatwave has seen the sale of bottled water increase rapidly. But today health authorities are warning the public to make sure the bottled water they purchase from shops along the street are not exposed to direct sunlight. Colombo’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO) -Dr. Ruwan Wijeyamuni- said “PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles once exposed to [...]
Precautionary measures in place at Dalada Maligawa
The Sri Dalada Maligawa has taken a number of precautionary methods to counter the COVID-19 virus, by installing wash basins at the entrance for visitors to wash their face and hands. Santisers too are in place for the use of devotees and visitors. In addition the entire complex is being fumigated (both inside and outside) [...]
Wanton destruction of Kumbuk trees
The Kumbuk trees scientifically known as Terminallia Arjun is a medicinal plant that has been known for its medicinal properties since ancient times. During the present unusually hot weather we see the importance of planting the shady Kumbuk tree. In addition to the shade it provides, the Kumbuk tree helps reduce cadium concentration in water, [...]
Coral dance of death: Glowing, glowing, gone
Sri Lanka’s foremost coral expert, Arjan Rajasuriya, recently received a call from an excited diver friend. “I’ve just gone diving and found varieties of corals that I had never seen, glowing with fluorescent colours. They looked really beautiful,” the friend said. But the news held no excitement for Mr. Rajasuriya, only sadness. “Look, those are [...]
Cable car system for Kadugannawa could boost tourism
Central Province Governor Lalith B Gamage had requested the Survey Department to conduct a survey on certain areas in Kadugannawa. The request was given after a recent suggestion to provide a cable car system that could boost tourism in these areas. A preliminary discussion for this plan was held at the Governor’s office, with a [...]
Trishaw driver suffers fatal injuries after backhoe crashes into vehicle
A 46-year-old trishaw driver was crushed to death following an accident with a backhoe, Colombo Coroner’s Courts reported last week. The incident took place on March 8, when a backhoe crashed on to the three-wheeler which was parked near a road. The three-wheeler driver was seated at the driver’s seat when this happened and was [...]