11 June 2021: Bouquets and brickbats from China- Sri Lanka’s biggest investor

Minister Udaya Gammanpila slams SLPP General Secretary for demanding his resignation over fuel price hikes. Samagi Jana Balawegaya says it is ready to support the Government to reform the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Ranil Wikeremesinghe says Government’s duty is to retain the European Union’s GSP+ trade concessions. 

Bouquets and brickbats from China- Sri Lanka’s biggest investor. New guidelines to be introduced after lifting the travel restrictions. Both the Alpha and Delta variants of the Covid-19 virus have been found in Sri Lanka. 

.27,000 arrested for violating quarantine restrictions. State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal invites global firms to be part of Sri Lanka’s growth story. Prime Minister instructs to recall retired nurses to service to augment the Covid fight.  Prisoners rights group the Committee for Protecting the Rights of Prisoners makes an urgent appeal to the United Nations. 67 COVID-19 related deaths reported yesterday. 

.Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa invites global companies to select Sri Lanka as their “investment destination of choice. President has urged officials to implement the decision to use organic fertilizer despite the challenges. GMOA says the dependency on oxygen by Covid-19 patients has gone up by 441%. Government plans to vaccinate the entire population for Covid-19 by the end of 2021 to early 2022.

.President Gotabaya Rajapaksa invites the world to invest in Sri Lanka. Government stakeholders to plan legal action on MV X-Press Pearl disaster. UNP has decided to send the party leader to Parliament as he is a mature politician, says the UNP's Deputy Leader. Sri Lanka to start      manufacturing Sinovax vaccine next month. Move to co-produce Sputnik V in Sri Lanka. 

750 French naval personnel arrive in Sri Lanka under the bio bubble system. UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe calls for a Parliamentary Select Committee to be appointed to look into the MV XPress Pearl incident.

President says the economy should not collapse despite the spread of COVID-19. Government denies fault over the X-Press Pearl. Sri Lankan foreign ministers responds to the US House of Representatives Resolution H. RES 413.

Trace restrictions within the country extended till June 14. MV X Press Pearl starts to sink raising fears about a potential oil leak.

A team at the Sri Jayawardenepura University commences research on the Sputnik V vaccine's efficacy. President directs the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) to tow the MV X-Press Pearl into the deep seas off the coast of Colombo. Multiple properties in Colombo are to be opened up for investments under a Private Public Partnership model. 

President appoints members to the Port City Commission. Former Prime Minister to enter the parliament on the sole UNP seat. Russia informs Sri Lanka that Sputnik V vaccine can be used as a single shot.