Sunday, 02 Aug 2020

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Week of August 2, 2020

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News

SLPP releases National list

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), which...

Ten Sri Lankans injured in Beirut explosion

The number of Sri Lankans injured in the Beirut...

GE 2020 records lower election-related complaints

The Police had received 116 complaints from the...

US congratulates SL for holding peaceful election amid COVID-19 pandemic

The United States extends its wishes to Sri Lanka...

GE 2020 held under all health guidelines - DG

The General Election 2020 held in Sri Lanka will...

Indian PM congratulates MR, SLPP victory

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday...

SLPP sweeps the board SJB takes second place, UNP tumbles to fourth in most electorates, NPP retains third spot

The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has...

Meetings, parades banned for a week

Public meetings and parades are banned until a...

Showers expected in several provinces

Showers will occur at times in Sabaragamuwa,...

One positive case reported, COVID-19 : total infected 2839

One person had tested positive for the...

General Election 2020: Vote counting begins

The counting of votes has been started at 7.00 am...

Showers expected in several provinces

Windy condition over the island and the showery...

Massive fire breaks out at UAE’s Ajman market

A massive fire broke out in a fruits and...

Overall voter turnout is 70%

The voting of general election 2020 was...

Four positive cases reported, COVID-19 : total infected 2838

Four persons had tested positive for the...

Voter turnout at 2pm in several districts - UPDATE

Voter turnout as of 2pm has been reported as...

EC warns voters and social media page administrators

Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya...

Showers expected in several provinces

Showers will occur at times in Sabaragamuwa,...

Six more positive cases reported, COVID-19 : total infected 2834

Six persons had tested positive for the...

Hundreds wounded as huge blast rips through Lebanon's Beirut

Hundreds of people have been wounded in a huge...

SC and CA will not function on Aug 5,6

The Supreme Court (SC) will not function on 5th...

Seven COVID-19 patients recovered, COVID-19 recovered cases rise to 2524

Seven persons who had tested positive for the...

1,044 countrywide road accident deaths so far this year

About 1,044 persons have died in 944 road...

8,000 Health Officials deployed at polling centres

The Health Ministry has deployed around 8,000...

Kandy Esala Perahera ends today

The Kandy Esela festival will end today with the...

PAFFREL to deploy 3,045 observers at polling centres

The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections...

‘Purrfect’ escape

A cat nabbed at Welikada prison last...

New Parliament to meet on August 20

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has summoned the new...

Showers expected in several provinces

Showers will occur at times in Sabaragamuwa,...

IDs for NCE professionals

The Education Ministry will issue Identity Cards...

Devotees allowed to view Kataragama perahera

Basnayake Nilame of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama...

Turmeric imports halted

The Agriculture Ministry has decided to halt...

One more patient tests positive for COVID-19, Cases rise to 2824

One more person had tested positive for the...

Nasa SpaceX crew return: Dragon capsule splashes down

Two American astronauts have splashed down, as...

Three COVID-19 patients recovered, COVID-19 recovered cases rise to 2517

Three persons who had tested positive for the...

Showers expected in several provinces

Showers will occur at times in Sabaragamuwa,...

Total COVID-19 infected cases rise to 2823

One more person had tested positive for the...

COVID-19 cases rise to 2817 and recovered cases rise 2514

One more person had tested positive for the...

Coronavirus pandemic likely to be 'lengthy', WHO warns

The World Health Organization warned the COVID-19...

Showers expected in several provinces

Showers will occur at times in Sabaragamuwa,...

Collaborating with international observers : New technology for local election monitors

Local election monitors despite low funds will...

Eid-ul-Azha prayers at Galle Face

Eid-ul-Azha prayers organised by the Memon...

Kandy Esala perahera

The first Randoli Perahera took to the streets on...

Pradeep Chanaka Pic: Chinthaka Kumarasinghe

SLPP set for landslide victory – Research report

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) would...

EC renews ban on LTTE and other entities

The European Council on July 30 decided to renew...

Neglecting arrest of Anuruddha Sampayo: Police deny allegations

The Sri Lanka Police has denied that it was...

Final rallies, polls campaigns end tonight

The final rallies and election campaigns of all...

Counting of ballot papers will not take place the same day this time, due to the health guidelines of the Covid-19 pandemic. Here the Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya shows the Sunday Observer photojournalist where the ballot boxes will be sealed until they are opened for counting on August 6. Right: A woman member of the poll staff at the D.S. Senanayake College making the final preparations. Including health officials, almost 400,000 staff will be deployed on election duty this year.

In keeping with health guidelines: Election Secretariat ready for smooth poll

With only three days more for the 2020...

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa greets crowds at an election rally

No room for destruction of heritage -President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has reiterated that...

Sri Lanka Parliamentary Election 2020

St Anne’s, Talawila feast today

The feast of St Anne’s Shrine, Thalawila will be...

As-sheikh F.M.A.Ansar Moulana conducting prayers at Maruthamunai Masjidhul Hudha in Maruthaminai. (Picture by M.A.Phakurdeen – Addalaichenai Group Correspondent)

Hadj celebrated in Ampara

Muslims in the Ampara district celebrated Eidul...

Fuel prices will be slashed within 24-hours SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader...

Sugath Hewapathirana

Conspiracy to scuttle MR’s preferential votes - PUNP

There is a conspiracy hatched by the fragmented...

If elected, we will be the first to clean up parliament - NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and...

A new constitution vital to address problems of Tamils-TNA Leader R. Sampanthan

A new constitution through a new parliament...

Parliamentary Election 2020 : How to vote

New crematorium in Panadura

Western Province Governor Marshal of the Air...

Sign board opened

The Kalmunai Reconciliation Forum (KRF) opened a...

Opening of election office

The United National Party (UNP) Pottuvil...

Soekarno Ousmand re-elected President, Sri Lanka Malay Association

The 98th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka...

Irrigation officer seeks kidney donor

Irrigation Department officer Subashana...

M. S. Sellasamy passes away

M. S. Sellasamy (95), a former Minister and...

Import levy on big onions up

The Government has decided to increase the import...

Wanted: O+ kidney

H. Dhanushka Cyril Nayar (36) of No. 79/7,...

Despite appeals to amend election laws Sixty bhikkhus in election fray

At least 60 bhikkhus are contesting at the...

Media scion James Murdoch quits News Corp board

NEW YORK (AFP) Aug 1 - Former 21st...

Mrs. D.K.K. de Silva of 233/5, Cotta Road,...

Health guidelines for new Parliament

Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil...

Feature

Eewose Ultimate Dance School

Of Hip Hop and House

In a spool back the popular dance moves then were...

Making a sincere attempt to bring an unimagined...

Pem Yuwalak

The State and Fate of Theatre

A feature series of Q&A interviews with Sri...

Features

Sinhala-Tamil translation

For over a half a century, the study of English...

A story that deserves recognition

‘Hatred does not ceasethrough hatredAnywhere at...

World literature can help develop Sinhala poetry – Sunil Sarath Perera

Sunil Sarath Perera is a veteran Sinhala lyricist...

Archaeological Buddhist sites on East coast

String of Archaeological sites on the East...

The man-made Kandy Lake and niched parapets

The Royal land To walk Kandy’s sacred land is to walk in the footsteps of a great civilisation

To the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the world over...

News Features

In retrospect of a great leadership

The great US five-star General Douglas MacArthur...

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the last chance for the country

Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Presidency is nine months...

PM assured of UNP votes due to rift between UNP and SJB

Government lawmakers are of the firm opinion that...

Social Entrepreneurship

“An entrepreneur is someone who jumps off a cliff...

Business

Capitol TwinPeaks apartment project set for completion

Capitol TwinPeaks, the flagship, 50-storey, twin...

EFC survey on the impact of Covid-19 on employment Thirty nine percent of firms had cash-flows only for three months Eighteen percent had cash-flows only for one month

Sri Lanka will continue to lose investors, the...

Formulate annual import plan - vehicle importers tell Govt.

The Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka is...

Malik Wickramanayake

Seylan Bank installs CDK machine in Ja-ela Further expands digital footprint

Seylan Bank expanded its island-wide fully...

Staying connected to each other was vital to ensure business continuity

Union Assurance adapts robust operating models in Covid-19

As the pandemic continues to change the way we do...

From left: Janaka Abeysinghe (Chief Enterprise & Wholesale Officer/SLT), Kiththi Perera (CEO/SLT), Gen. Daya Ratnayake (Chairman /SLPA), W.S. Weeraman (MD/SLPA).

SLT pact with SLPA to provide communication services

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), the National ICT...

Baby Cheramy Soap granted SLS certification

Baby Cheramy is a proud 100% Sri Lankan brand...

From left - Rajiv Gunawardena (Director), Rajitha Basnayake (Chairman) and Lahiru Wickramasinghe (CEO/Director)

Evoke celebrates 12 years of redefining digital services

Entertainment brand, Evoke International (Pvt)...

Vallibel Finance records Rs. 2.4 b PBT Total assets - Rs. 51 billion, Income - Rs. 9.6 b

Vallibel Finance reported yet another year of...

Managing Director and CEO, A. Baur & Co., Rolf Blaser (left) greets Country Manager, Sanofi Lanka, Mario Alphael.

Sanofi teams up with Baurs

Sanofi India Limited (SIL), Sanofi-Aventis...

Janashakthi Life hosts first virtual AGM

Janashakthi Insurance PLC held its 27th Annual...

The SLAVO committee: From left - Ms. Asmara Hamin, Saliya Senanayake, Stuart Zhu, Capt. Mohit Chaturvedi, Shamal Perera (President, SLAVO), Arjuna Hettiarachchi, Mevan Peiris and Marius Gomez.

Shipping Vessel Operators felicitate key stakeholders in industry

The Sri Lanka Association of Vessel Operators (...

Hayleys Plantations’ field officers obtain NVQ skills passport

The Hayleys Plantations Sector set a new...

SLASSCOM launches OIW Accelerate 2020 program

The Sri Lanka Association for Software Services...

Selling, a noble profession

Good selling is a noble profession, honourably...

DIMO elevates the customer experience

DIMO accelerates to digital age

DIMO recently implemented several projects to...

Whoever commands ports, attracts connectivity - Shippers Academy CEO

Fifty-five percent of containerised cargo is...

Prof. Ruwanpura receives International Achievement Award

Prof. Janaka Ruwanpura of the University of...

DFCC Bank CEO Lakshman Silva

DFCC stimulus package to help revive economy

Moving with the Central Bank’s initiative to help...

Medical staff and front-line workers displayed immense courage throughout the pandemic.

NCDs should be at the core of Covid-19 response

The past few months has seen a whirlwind scenario...

People’s Leasing Group records Rs. 3.5 b PAT

People’s Leasing Group completed one of its most...

Dentsu Sri Lanka official on judging panel

Director of Isobar & Response at Dentsu Aegis...

First normative dictionary on Quantity Surveying

A dictionary is a symbol of classiness to any...

Thoughts on time theft: Relevance to Sri Lanka

Time theft may be a relatively new management...

Everyone knows HR

Delegation is the assignment of any...

MiHCM unveils facial recognition

MiHCM, a technology company specialising in human...

SLIM invites brands to share sucess stories

The 19th SLIM Brand Excellence Awards, which...

Reshad Mohideen

Newton Lanka helps Domino’s with Safe Shoppers program

Newton Lanka, an extension of Newton TAC Malaysia...

NCE launches Export Awards 2020

The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (...

Voters elect those fielded by political parties. (File pic)

Can business acumen lead to political prowess?

Everyone blames politicians for the state the...

Vendor keeps hopes high

Business prospects across the spectrum, globally...

Tourism SME issues not yet resolved successfully - ASMET President

Relief packages provided by the Government are...

First quarter GDP figures out soon - DCS Speculation that delay was to cover up negative growth

The first quarter performance of the GDP (Gross...

Saubagya scheme CBSL approves Rs.11,829 m in loans

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has approved...

Exchange Rates (Week ended July 31, 2020)

In the Forex market, USD/LKR rate on spot...

Tea Market Report

Non-compliance with financial regulations FIU imposes penalties on several financial institutions

Imposition of penalties to enforce...

The Bourse Weekly Performance (Week Ended 31st July 2020)

Local contractors to be encouraged to bid for mega projects

The new government that will be formed this week...

SME consulting practice launched

EFFEXPO is a Sri Lankan consulting practice that...

Sports

Carl Lewis emulated Jesse Owens’ historical feat of four Olympic Golds-

King Carl Lewis: Unconquerable and Greatest Olympic Athlete on Earth

Crowned Sportsman of the 20th Century by the IOC...

Observer-Mobitel Most Popular School Cricketer of the year

Flashback: Muttiaih Muralidaran of St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota receiving the glittering Observer Schoolboy Cricketer Trophy 1991 title from the chief guest, the late Minister of Housing Sirisena Cooray while the then Chief Editor of the Sunday Observer Mahindapala looks on

Unmatched Murali cricket’s all-time prototype

None thought or expected some three decades ago...

FERNANDO made RATNAM Great

The revival of football from a forgotten past is...

Lalith Priyantha

Table tennis goes back to the future

Veteran table tennis player Lalith Priyantha...

Akila Upamal (third from left) his coach Priyantha Kumara (left) and master in charge Priyadharshana Cooray (right) pose for a picture at the Sri Lanka Schools Taekwondo Championship held in Ratnapura

Another Peterite hits it big on the martial arts stage

Akila Upamal, a product of St. Peter’s College...

Jude Pillai

New rugby secretary Jude Pillai to showcase Sri Lanka differently

Former Sri Lanka centre Jude Pillai will be...

This is what is called ballroom dancing that was registered as a sport in Sri Lanka in 2016

Bogus sports body dismissed Warning shot fired at other rogue sports associations equated to drug mafia :

Sports Minister Dallas Alahapperuma has produced...

Deshantha elected as the big Cat

Deshantha Silva was unanimously elected president...

Let’s not forget Kandy SC’s backstage team

Kandy SC finished a highly successful inter club...

Zhao Liang and Daluwatte win Pin and Pam Fernando golf trophies

Zhao Liang emerged winner of the Pin Fernando...

Kandy hockey promoter no more

Hema Kumari Wijetunga who introduced hockey to...

Editorial

The voters’ duty

The Wednesday General Election will be a...

Opinion

SB envisages much development for Nuwara Eliya

My aim is to introduce at least three more...

NPP, the alternative - Wimal Ketipearachchi

National People’s Power (NPP) Colombo district...

Parliamentary Elections Women can handle any issue - Shanthini Kongahage

Sri Lanka needs more women representatives in...

Parliamentary Elections Two-thirds majority, crucial to take country forward - Udaya Gammanpila

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader, former MP Udaya...

Parliamentary Elections People-friendly court system, the need of the hour - Chrishmal Warnasuriya

UNP Colombo District candidate Chrishmal...

True UNPers with SJB - Mayantha Dissanayake

The real UNP and its support-base are with the...

SLPP eschews vindictive politics - Johnston Fernando

Roads and Highways, Ports and Shipping Minister...

Green politics and system change, the aim – Dr. Pathum Sankalpana Kerner

At present there is a trend in global politics to...

Parliamentary Elections SLPP will ensure secure future - Ajith Nivard Cabraal

Having the right Government in place will ensure...

Parliamentary Elections Golden opportunity to defeat traitors - Prof. Induragare Dhammarathana Thera

Intelligent and patriotic voters should consider...

Fraught with fraud, waste and corruption: Only SLPP can change social system - Minister Gunawardana

Co-Cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Information...

Parliamentary Elections People’s representatives need a vision - Nipuna Ranawaka

People’s representatives need to have a vision,...

Parliamentary Elections Use vote as informed consent - Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando

People should use their vote as an informed...

Parliamentary Elections No racist slogans to gain votes - Kanishka Senanayake

Kanishka Senanayake, the son of Colombo’s Mayor...

Pohottuwa vote will put country back on track - Prime Minister

The 2020 General Election will be held at a...

CARTOON OF THE WEEK

Between change and continuity, a choice was already made

The campaign season now having drawn to a close,...

Youth Observer

SRK’s Daughter, Suhana, on the Vogue India Cover

Has Nepotism in Bollywood Gone Too Far?

Suhana Khan, daughter of the 'Badshah of...

10 Top Field Hockey Skills To Master

1. First Touch (Trapping)Your first touch...

Hockey is happiness - Nalantha de Silva

“In his day he was a good team leader, a positive...

Vertigo Still Spinning

Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo is an artistic triumph...

Teresa Giudice I Love my daughter’s new nose and lover

Gia Giudice has a new look and a new man.........

Little People, Big World, Huge milestone

On Sunday, July 26, Tori Roloff and Zach Roloff...

Britney Spears’ brother She’s too immature to take care of herself

Britney Spears has been in the news a lot these...

Letters to Milena by Franz Kafka

As Vladimir Nabokov says of Franz Kafka, “...

Reading a timeless skill Sulochana Dissanayake

Sulochana Dissanayake is a children’s artist and...

Hrithik Roshan finds Alia Bhatt’s adorable childhood picture ‘too sweet’

Alia Bhatt is currently one of the most gorgeous...

Swastika Mukherjee slams people for watching Detective Byomkesh Bakshy

Sushant Singh Rajput was one of the most loved...

A celebrity couple With their feet firmly on the ground

Dushyanth Weeraman and Stephanie Siriwardhana are...

Growing older: Six Growing older: gracefully

We all grow older. It’s the one thing that every...

Grow old gracefully! Food for thought

Most young people are unaware of the fact that...

Travel Blogging with Naamini Jayaratne

Travelling, at its core, is a very personal...

Know your political and social responsibility

With the General Election just a few days from...

Dushyanth Weeraman and Stephanie Siriwardhana

Dushyanth Weeraman and Stephanie Siriwardhana

A film by Alfred Hitchcock

Dismissed when first released, later heralded as...

TOURISM, AFTER REOPENING IN SRI LANKA

Health

Mother’s milk increases IQ, promotes immunity against disease, reduces allergy, diarrhoaea Breast milk is baby’s complete food

As paediatricians gather this week to share their...

Sri Lanka verified as Rubella free – WHOSri Lanka...

Junior

Musaeus College Founder's Day

Musaeus College, Colombo 7 held its 94th death...

Let's build personality

Personality differs from person to person. It is...

My favourite book series

My favourite book series is the Diary of the...

My pet

My pet is a fish. It is very colourful. I keep it...

The National Zoo of Sri Lanka is at Dehiwela. I...

My best friend is Azka. She is six years old. She...

My hobby

My hobby is reading. It is an interesting hobby....

International Nelson Mandela Day

Who is Nelson Mandela? Nelson Mandela is a...

My favourite author

My favourite author is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He...

This is the most important time of the day. It is...

Mahatma Gandhi was a political leader who led a...

Sinhala and Hindu New Year

The Sinhala and Hindu New Year is an...

The Boy who Lassoed the Earth

James looked up at the dark star-covered sky and...

Cinnamon sticks and powder

Cinnamon and Cloves Spices which add flavour to food

CinnamonCinnamon is a spice. We all love food...

Do bats benefit from wild fires?

Do bats benefit from wildfires? Did you know that...

Wow, they are beautiful !

Wow, they are beautiful !

Making the best of the Covid–19 lockdown

As the country went into lockdown, children found...

Marriage Proposals

Able B/G Colombo Lawyer parents seek...

BRIDES

Absolutely beautiful Lecturer daughter MSc. IT...

Obituaries

ABEYNAYAKE - JOHN ERNEST ROHAN MENDIS (Rohan Aiya...

World

Hong Kong ‘seeking arrest’ of fleeing activists

HONG KONG, Aug. 1 – (BBC) - Police in Hong Kong...

Mexico’s death toll becomes world’s third highest

MEXICO CITY, Aug. 1 – (BBC) - Mexico has become...

Lockdown easing on hold as shielding ends

LONDON, Aug. 1 (BBC) - People shielding against...

South Korean Shincheonji sect leader arrested

SEOUL, Aug. 1 (BBC) - South Korea has...

Trump says he will ban Chinese video app TikTok in the US

NEW YORK, Aug. 1 (BBC) - President Donald Trump...

Hong Kong ‘seeking arrest’ of fleeing activists

Cheng and Nathan Law are among those reportedly...

A street protest in Bangkok

Why a new generation of Thais are protesting against the government?

Thailand’s youth were among thousands on the...

Dr. Anthony Fauci in conversation with US President Donald Trump

Variety of responses by US states hampers ability to contain pandemic -Fauci

(CNN) The “diversity of response” by US states...

UAE starts Arab world’s first nuclear plant

DUBAI, Aug. 1 - The United Arab Emirates has...

Montage

Big Bad Wolf book sale online for the first time

Looks like it’s time for Sri Lanka to howl along...

Paangshu to hit the screen soon

Visakesa Chandrasekaram’s second cinematic...

Annesley Malawana A musical gem from the City of Gems

Annesley Malawana is an iconic musician in Sri...

Spectrum

Smell – the fallen angel of senses

The sense of smell is especially effective in...

Ingenuity turns weeds into finished products

In Ehetuwewa, a village in Galgamuwa, nearly 150...

Impact

MCC Why fuss over it?

We feature below an interview with former...

Pandemics, climate change and food security South Asian agrarian heritage for sustainability

Every country has a unique heritage. A country’s...

Opinion: Leadership in the right hands is the only way out

Two news items published in the prestigious New...

Classifieds

ESTATES WANTEDWanted - Looking for a 15P to 120P...

GENERAL

SEEDS & PLANTS FOR SALEWell grown red...

HOUSE & PROPERTY

BUSINESS PREMISES FOR SALEColombo 10 - 3.20...

EMPLOYMENT & SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANCY SERVICES We...

VEHICLES

VANS FOR SALENissan Clipper Minivan registered...

Week of August 2, 2020