How should governments regulate technology in post-pandemic world?

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, a combination of technological breakthroughs had been rapidly reshaping the way we lived and worked.

India’s rising infections and falling economic growth

On 2 July 2020, India’s Ministry of Health announced 226,947 active cases of COVID-19, with 17,400 lives lost.

Kenneth De Zilwa to head Central Bank’s FSSCC

Senior economist Dr. Kenneth De Zilwa has been invited to take over the Chairmanship of the reconstituted Financial System Stability Consultative Committee (FSSCC) of the Central Bank (CB) by CB Governor Prof. W.D. Lakshman, with effect from this month.

New Parliament must comply with COVID-19 guidelines: Dr. Jasinghe

Parliament heads and Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe yesterday discussed measures to be taken when the Parliament sits post general elections where Dr. Jasinghe highlighted the need to adhere to the COVID-19 g

Group of SJB members will join UNP after polls: Akila

A group of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidates will join the UNP after the conclusion of the general elections, UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yester

PC polls before end of this year: GL

The Provincial Council (PC) Elections which has been delayed for several years will be held before the end of this year, Seni

Information of Lankan leopards now available in Yala Info Centre

Yala National Park has opened an information centre on leopards found in Sri Lanka and the 108 leopards living in the national park at present. Park Warde

Materials for elephant fence idle while people, cultivation are threatened by wild jumbos

Residents of the area expressed concern about abandoning a large stock of wire, concrete posts and other material for the proposed 12-km- electric fence from Sorabora to Serana to the mercy of elements at the Dehigolla Sri Purwara

Rape of Bambaragala Forest Reserve continues unabated

The illegal felling of trees in the Bambaragala Forest Reserve which forms a part of the Knuckles range, a highly sensitive environmental zo

Need two-thirds majority to amend Constitution: MR

A two-thirds majority in Parliament is needed at the forthcoming the General Elections to amend the Constitution in order to sort out issues in the country, Prime Minister and SLPP Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday. Speaking at an SLPP representatives’ meeting at Baddegama last morning, Mr. Rajapaksa said a good team was needed to execute the proposals made by Presid

Disclose true financial position: Ranil tells Govt.

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday urged the government to reveal the true situation of the national

Can hold poll if health authorities give green light: Tissa

There is no issue in holding the general election if health authorities give the green light and if the safety of voters can be guaranteed, former UNP General Secretary and SJB national list candidate Tissa Attanayake told a press confere

Will sue those who flout social distancing etiquette: DIG

Legal action will be taken against those who fail to maintain social distancing in public places, DIG Ajith Rohana said yesterday, adding that Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe issued a circular granting police the authority t

Rigid mechanism to ensure safety of schoolchildren: Alahapperuma

When schools reopen, a comprehensive and rigid mechanism will be in place to ensure the safety of 4.5 million students

Parliamentary election After SC verdict, need 70 days to finalise preparations: EC

The Elections Commission (EC) said it would require 70 days to hold the election from the date the Supreme Court (SC) de

We can fully control the pandemic before long: Army chief

Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander Lt. General Shavendra Silva said the efforts of health authorities, the armed forces and the Police had been able to restrict the spread of Covid-19 to one cluster and it was a positive sign that Sri L

Govt. spends colossal sum to underprivileged people: Bandula

The government has distributed a massive sum of Rs.3, 007 billion to the poorest of poor and Samurdhi families rendered helpless

Apparel companies, private sector enterprises unable to pay salaries: Harsha

Revealing that some 52 apparel companies and other private sector enterprises had stated that they cannot afford to pay salaries to their employees, former non-Cabinet Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday called for out of the box thinking to re

EC’s duty is to hold elections, not to postpone: Prasanna

The Election Commission was appointed to hold elections and not to postpone them and it is their responsibility to hold the General Election in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Health Sector, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga sai

Sri Lanka’s economic growth bound to go down to -3.5% - Ranil warns

Warning that Sri Lanka’s economic growth is bound to go down to -3.5 percent, former Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday urged the government to formulate a long term plan to revive the economy battered by C

Met. Dept. warns of cyclonic storm “AMPHAN”

The deep depression over south-east Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood, has intensified into a Cyclonic storm “AMPHAN” (pronounced as UM-PUN) and is expected to become more severe, Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

Train services resumed under social distancing norms

Train services resumed in Sri Lanka yesterday carrying those who are engaged in essential services in the state and private sector

SC fixes for support on May 18 and 19 AG says unable to appear for EC members

The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday deferred until May 18 and 19 the supporting for leave to proceed in respect of the fundame

COVID-19 patients cannot be reduced to zero

It is illogical to think a viral infection can be eradicated completely, Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe said yeste

Passports, NICs should be issued at district level: President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said yesterday a centralised data platform was needed to expedite the issuance of passport

At least another month to reopen schools: Minister

It will take at least another month to reopen schools and it will be done in four stages, Education Minister Dullas Alahapperuma told a meeting held recently at the Matara District Secretariat.

23-year-old soldier found dead at Dambulla Bus Terminal

A 23-year-old soldier from Pallepola was found dead outside the public toilet of the Dambulla Bus Terminal today, the Army said.

Kandy’s Sports Lovers Remember R. Premadasa

The sports lovers of Kandy remembered the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa on his 27th death anniversary yesterday May 1. He was also a sportsman and sports benefactor who did his best for the country. R. Premadasa’s name will go down in the annals of our sports history.

Detection of Covid-19 cases could go beyond Vesak: Dr. Jasinghe

The detection of Covid-19 cases could go beyond the Vesak festival (May 4 - 8) as the health authorities continue to find new inf

COVID-19 control and prevention President stresses need to strengthen control activities

A team of medical specialists who met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday had requested him to pay attention to the standard of the chemicals used for disinfection available in the market. Accordingly,