Mirusuvil  Massacre: Accused pardoned; no reparations for victims’ families, say rights groups

Twenty two movements working on issues relating to civic rights, human rights, women’s rights, and a journalist activist organisation have jointly issued a statement expressing....

Is Sri Lanka ready for Covid-19 effect?

This analysis focuses not on the COVID-19, but on its effect, the author wishes to address a significant thinking gap that is emerging whilst policy makers locally and globally are battling the virus and its immediate aftereffects.

Coronavirus Diary: Don’t let the COVID-19 beast invade your mind

Like so many bad things, COVID-19 or Novel Coronavirus came across as something abstract, unreal, something which can’t happen to you.

PM’s Advisor proposes to release EPF to members

Prime Minister’s Senior Advisor on Economic Affairs Ajith Nivard Cabraal made a proposal to return approximately 20 percent of the balances amounting to around Rs.500 billion of the Employees Provident Fund, lying to the cr

Covid-19 : Clusters and Stages Explained

The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a major public health emergency in Sri Lanka. What’s next and how cautious should we be? We ask the experts.

Partly discipline, partly compulsion

Streets in Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara Districts were largely deserted yesterday as an indefinite curfew was in forc

Keep groceries open, provide vouchers for people: Former minister Dr.Harsha

Keeping the groceries open and providing vouchers for the people is a better option rather than providing packages of e

Sri Lankans should be extra vigilant to keep the deadly disease at bay: Cabinet Spokesman

Cabinet spokesman, Plantation Industries and Agricultural Exports Minister, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said the next few days woul

Curfew in 8 districts till Friday

The curfew that will be imposed at 12 noon today in eight districts - Colombo, Gampaha, Puttalam, Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu, will be lifted at 6.00 am on Friday and reimpose

Ample stocks for 20 days: Panic buying of fuel unnecessary

Power and Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday urged motorists not to resort to panic buying at fuel stations as the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminal Ltd (CPSTL) had sufficient stocks

COVID-19 threat Refrain from visiting Kandy - CP Governor

The Committee headed by the Governor of the Central Province Lalith U.Gamage has advised that people should not come to Kandy without any real purpose during this crisis period. Deputy Inspector General of Police N. Ranaweera said that there are 2,352 persons in self-quarantine in Kandy, Matale and Gampola and therefore in order to contain the virus, they are requesting p

How Will the TNA fare at Parliamentary Election?

The deadline for the 2020 Parliamentary Elections nominations scheduled for April 25 ended at noon on Thursday, March 19th

Dispose COVID-19 garbage properly: WP Solid Waste Management Authority

Western Province Solid Waste Management Authority Director Nalin Mannaperuma yesterday said that not to dispose the garbage including tissues, gloves and face masks which used in quarantine c

COVID-19 outbreak in Sri Lanka: Govt. expands quarantine facilities; prompt decisions vital

Amid 86 people being tested positive at the time this article was penned and 222 others currently undergoing treatment at designated hospitals...

Symptoms, treatment and FAQs: COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus

Dr Leong Hoe Nam, infectious disease specialist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, answers questions you may have on the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. Dr Leong Hoe Nam is an infectious disease specialist practising at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Singapore.

COVID-19 Greatest risk to elders

We are living in unheard-of times. According to updates, as of 10:18 am, Mar 18, the COVID-19 pandemic is escalating rapidly with 200,071 confirmed cases and 8,009 deaths in 152 countries.

SL caught between Attitudes and Virus

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa while addressing the nation on Tuesday in view of the current panic over the sudden upsurge in the number of COVID-19 patients in the country said that the Royal-Thomian Big Match organisers had gone ahead with the cricket....

General Elections postponed

The Elections Commission (EC) yesterday postponed the Parliamentary polls scheduled to be held on April 25th indefinitely considering the uncertain situation prevalent in the country with the spread o

COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on Sri Lanka

As a majority of Sri Lankans continue to stay indoors and observe the COVID 19 transmission within the country, discussions are underway to seek the possibility of closing down the Bandaranaike International Airport. With a mass influx of returnees from high risk countries and other foreign lands, officials at BIA, the Sri Lanka Army, Police and Health Ministry are working round the clock to ensure th

Covid 19 Outbreak Special Holidays, Drastic Impacts on Economy

As 43 cases have been tested positive for COVID 19 at the time this article was penned Sri Lanka’s health authorities and staff are keeping a close watch on returnees from high risk countries and any foreign countries during the past couple of days. While everybody has been advised to remain indoors and avoid public gatherings, employers and employees employed in

GOVT. DECLARES 3-DAY HOLIDAY TILL THURSDAY

The government last night announced a three-day holiday period upto Thursday, March 19 excluding essential services involving health, transport, food supplies, banks and district secretariats. It said this special holiday declared as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will apply to all state institutions, departments and corporations.

Virus and the ill-timed Parliamentary election

It does not take much persuasion to convince someone that holding a countrywide snap parliamentary polls on the eve of a global Coronavirus pandemic is a dangerous idea. More so when the local health officials advocate social distancing.

Parliamentary election Nominations close at noon on Thursday

Accepting nominations of candidates for the forthcoming parliamentary election will conclude at 12:00 noon on Thursday

How deadly is COVID 19?

Ranasinghe Premadasa’s “Citizen’s Front” revolt in UNP

“Gedara Hitiya Rosa Kekula Rosa, Rosa” was the opening line of a lilting Baila song in Sinhala that was hugely popular in the seventies of the last century.

Making Smart Homes in Sri Lanka

Chances are you love (or hate) getting to know your daily step count, the flights of stairs you’ve taken each day or even the distance you’ve walked or not walked during your day. Yes, it can get you a little distressed sometimes, but let’s face it; it does motivate you, without a visit to your doctor and an uncomfortable reminder of having to exercise more. All this and a nudge towards managing a more active lifestyle is possible with a smartpho

Academics appeal for peace and solidarity

A group of 72 academics from eight universities has urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and all national leaders to reject violence and division, and ensure everyone’s safety, as the country prepares to mourn the victims of the Easter bombings on 21 April.

My father’s killers being protected - Ahimsa Wickrematunge -

Slain journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge’s daughter Ahimsa Wickrematunge has been fighting a lone battle to seek justice over her father’s death, a battle which seems to be heading to a dead end. However Ahimsa Wickrematunge insists that she will continue her fight despite the many obstacles in her way.

High hopes for farmers despite looming threats to Wilpattu

Farmers in Rajanganaya Yaya 18 in Anuradhapura District are harbouring high expectations. They feel that all their hardships would soon end with a new aloe vera cultivation project which is expected to commence operations in the near future. But the project seems to be adding fuel to the existing fire with regard to environmental concerns since there is no Environmental Impact

Pasindu Hirushan in Critical Condition - University Ragging Intensifies

Dark days have returned to the local university system as Pasindu Hirushan lies beside a life-support system, struggling to win life over death. Although the student union vehemently denied it was a ragging episode, passing a tyre down a staircase and severely injuring another fellow student is no joke! Repeated incidents of ragging keep making headlines while authorities turn