Author: TELO Admin

Govt. websites under attack on victory day: CERT/CC

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Three websites including that belonging to the Health Ministry, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Embassy in Beijing were reportedly hacked this morning by an organisation calling itself the ‘Tamil Eelam Cyber Force’, The Computer Emergency Readiness Team/Co-ordination Centre (CERT/CC) said.

CERT/CC Information Security Engineer, Ravindu Meegasmulla told the Daily Mirror that the attack may have been launched considering the victory Day of May 18, 2009.

Following the cyber attacks, the Tamil Eelam Cyber ​​Force had hoisted the LTTE flag on the websites.

Mr Meegasmulla said the Health Ministry website had been restored and the restoration process of the remaining websites was underway.

“CERT/CC had observed an increase in the number of website defacements during this particular period in the past years as well. Therefore, the CERT/CC had published an announcement requesting to be vigilant of the potential risk of Government Websites being intruded during this period,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Air Force Spokesperson Group Captain Dushan Wijesinghe said the cyberattack was launched in the early hours by LTTE related extremist activist groups.

The Information Technology Society of Sri Lanka (ITSSL), pointed out that the Tamil Eelam Cyber ​​Force (TECF) group that carried out this morning’s cyber attack, had the potential to carry out cyberattacks in the coming days as well.

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Sri Lanka confirms 2,275 Coronavirus cases, 21 Covid-19 deaths

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Sri Lanka has confirmed 2,275 Coronavirus cases, continuing to put pressure on the health system while 21 deaths were reported, and the public was urged to work from home wherever possible.

The total under medical care rose to 21,208 on the morning of May 16 from 19,944 with 1,102 discharged during the day and 2,386 confirmed on May 15.

By the end of the day 23,483 were under medical care.

The 2,275 confirmed of which 2,212 were domestic, came with 27,183 tests being done.

Health authorities have said home management of asymptomatic patients would begin, with the patients asked to go to hospital if they developed pneumonia.

Breathing difficulties were a key indicator of the onset of pneumonia, doctors said.

With the latest deaths, the total went up to 962. Among the dead was a 37 year old man from Bandarawela.

The public urged to stay at home from Monday except for going to the workplace for work which cannot be done from home, with curfew like restrictions in place eleven 2300 hours to 0400 hours.

Public transport and taxis could operate till 2300 hours. Taxis and three wheelers could take two passengers only.

“State and private offices were asked to operate with minimum staff under health regulations,” Deputy Inspector General Ajith Rohana told reporters.

“Workshops, meetings and conference are completely banned. Spas, massage parlours, clubs, parties, reception, beach parties or other night events are halted. Action will be taken against them.

“Yesterday in Welikada police arrested six persons who had been having a party using drugs. We also took into custody the manager of the guest house.”

The public has to go for shopping or other needs based on the last digit of the national identity card. Even if the driving license is used, the ID card number listed is the basis, Rohana said.

Those with a odd last numeral could go out on odd days and those with an even digit or zero could go on even dates.

Mullaitivu, Pudukuduirippu and Mulliyawalai isolated

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Mullaitivu, Pudukuduirippu and Mulliyawalai in the Mullaitivu District have been isolated.

Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said the isolation status in these areas will take effect from 11pm tonight (Monday).

Residents will not be permitted to travel outside the respective areas.

The Government said that the isolation status has been enforced in these areas to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Port City Bill is a disaster : Sajith Premadasa

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The Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill is a major disaster, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has said.

“I hope that the government has a good sense to listen to the constructive proposals and arguments we have put forth,” Premadasa noted.

He insisted that the bill must be amended so that it protects the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

The opposition leader added that the Port City must be transformed into the world’s famous hub.

Meanwhile, Premadasa insisted that Sri Lanka must have a “smart” foreign policy that protects the country’s interests.

“We shouldn’t get involved in a power struggle,” he said.

Island-wide travel restrictions from Friday

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Island-wide travel restrictions will be imposed from 11 pm on Friday (21) to 4 am on May 25 continuously, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

Then, travel restrictions will be imposed again from 11 pm on May 25 to 4 am on May 28, he said.

The restriction will prohibit people from leaving their homes and only those involved in essential services will be allowed to be on the roads.

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Mullivaikkal commemoration permitted under strict guidelines

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The Mullaitivu Court has permitted the commemoration of those who were killed in Mullivaikkal in the Mullaitivu District during the last phase of the civil war in Sri Lanka.

TELO Leader and TNA Vannei district Parliamentarian Selvam Adaikalanathan told Colombo Gazette that earlier several Police stations in the Mullaitivu District had obtained a court order preventing the commemoration.

He said, however, the Court issued a new order today permitting the commemoration of those killed in Mullivaikkal, to be held tomorrow (18).

MP Adaikalanathan said people have been permitted to only light lamps at the Mullivaikkal war memorial, adding that they will have to strictly adhere to the guidelines issued on COVID-19 when visiting the monument.

The TNA MP further said that the public will not be allowed to organize any other commemoration events and it is anticipated that not many people will visit the Mullivaikkal war memorial due to the prevalent coronavirus situation in the country.

MP Selvam Adaikalanathan added that almost all the Tamil Parliamentarians will not be participating in any commemoration activities as they will be in Parliament tomorrow.

The court order comes at a time when the Mullivaikkal war memorial had been destroyed by unidentified individuals last Thursday (13).

Tamil politicians in the North claimed that in May 2009 hundreds of Tamils were killed in a tiny strip of land in Mullivaikkal, Mullaitivu.

The memorial was later constructed in commemoration of the “Mullivaikkal massacre” and every year on 18th May families and Tamil politicians gather at the site to remember the dead.

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Public opinion sought on reforms to elections and electoral structure

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It has been decided to obtain the opinions of the general public on reforms needed to be made with regard to elections, electoral structures, and election laws.

The Parliamentary Select Committee Reforms of Election Laws and the Electoral System has decided to allocate one month for the public to submit their comments on the matter.
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The decision was taken when the Parliamentary Select Committee to identify appropriate reforms of the election laws and the electoral system and to recommend necessary amendments met in Parliament for the first time today (17).

The Committee is chaired by the Leader of the House, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

China expects key announcement on vaccines for Sri Lanka

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China expects a key announcement on vaccines for Sri Lanka during the next few days.

The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka tweeted saying Ambassador Qi Zhenhong has assured both President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa that China attaches great importance to Sri Lanka’s urgent need for vaccines.

“Some crucial progress might be announced in coming days,” the Embassy tweeted.

President Rajapaksa’s office had said recently that Sri Lanka is to receive another 3 million doses of Sinopharm vaccines from China.

President’s Spokesman Kingsly Rathnayaka had said that negotiations held with the Chinese authorities to obtain three million doses of the Sinopharm vaccines had been successful.

As a result, he said, the Government has made plans to commence the vaccination programmes in other provinces as soon as the Sinopharm vaccines are received.

Sri Lanka has so far received a donation of 600,000 doses of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine.

Of the 600,000 doses, just over 2400 Chinese nationals in Sri Lanka were vaccinated while the rest is being used on Sri Lankans.

Foreign tourists allowed to travel under ‘bio bubble’ system

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Foreign tourists who are currently visiting or planning to visit Sri Lanka will be allowed to travel under the ‘bio bubble’ system while strictly adhering to the health guidelines, the Sri LankaTourist Development Authority (SLTDA) said.

Its Director-General Dhammika Wijesinghe stated that the Director-General of Health Services and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) have been informed in this regard.

The relevant institutions and stakeholders have been instructed to follow the health guidelines when transporting tourists under the ‘bio bubble’ system, the Director-General said.

She also pointed out that stern action will be taken against individuals and institutions that do not follow these regulations.

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No legal barrier inhibiting Bathiudeen from attending parliamentary sittings: Speaker

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The Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene stated today (16) that MP Rishad Bathiudeen may attend parliamentary sittings next week if he seeks to do so.

“There is no legal barrier which will inhibit this from taking place,” the Speaker told The Morning.

Sergeant-at-Arms Narendra Fernando also confirmed to The Morning that he has requested the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to facilitate the arrival of MP Rishad Bathiudeen at the Parliament next week.