Apr 1 (TN) The Eastern University Students' Union (EUSU) in a press release issued on Monday publicly condemned the statements made by the TULF leader, Mr. V. Anandasangaree on March 25 that the TULF could not accept the LTTE as the sole representative of the Tamil people, sources said. more..

Apr 1 (Island) The SLMM has strongly recommended to the LTTE not to make armed Tiger movements in the night either in unauthorised places or high security zones, controlled by the Sri Lankan security forces and has strictly informed them not to possess fire-arms in such movements. more..

Apr 1 (TN) The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) raised strong objections to the construction of a new Sri Lanka Army (SLA) garrison on Jaffna Municipal Council grounds when it met Prime Minister Ranil Wicremesinghe at his office in Parliament Tuesday morning. more..

Apr 1 (TN) K.Velupillai (47) and his wife V. Nagaludchumi (36) in Thimilaithivu, Batticaloa district, were injured in a grenade attack by two unknown assailants at 10.15pm Saturday night and are admitted to the Batticaloa teaching hospital, sources in Batticaloa said. more..

Apr 1 (SLA) On information received by civilians, Police personnel have recovered 2970 rounds of GPMG ammunition (General Purpose Machine Gun), 94 rounds of MPMG ammunition, 07 rounds of sniper ammunition and 76 hand grenades from the general area of TRINCOMALEE town on 31 March 2003 around 3.30 p.m. more..

Apr 1 (SLA) Two bullock carts and four bulls retained by LTTE in the general area of MUTTUR about 13 kms. south of TRINCOMALEE had been released on 30 March 2003. According to the owners, LTTE had obtained a ransom of Rs. 2000 from each bullock cart in exchange of their release. more..

Apr 1 (LBO) The government has taken a firm and final decision to erect a coal power plant in Norachcholai, with the Bishop of Chilaw – the project’s staunchest critic, giving his blessing. The Bishop of Chilaw earlier abandoned the site in Puttalam after agitation that the project would be a security threat for the Catholic Church there. more..

Apr 1 (LBO) Six state bus companies were sold to a British consortium on Monday for a deal worth over Rs. 1.4 bn. Treasury Secretary Charitha Ratwatte and IBIS Managing Director, the investor who bought the bus entities last October, Ian Barrette signed off the deal more..

Apr 1 (LBO) The Urban Development Authority on Monday rolled out its ambitious plans to build low income housing in densely populated Colombo. Ten locations have been earmarked for development of 500sq feet to 1000sq feet apartments. more..

Apr 1 (IL) A committee has been appointed by the SLFP to decide on a course of action to be taken against MPs who do not attend Parliament regularly. The committee appointed by President Chandrika Kumaratunga is headed by Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse. more..

Apr 1 (IL) Colombo Fort Magistrate Macky Mohamed remanded a Russian until April 9. He had allegedly produced a fake international credit card to a gem and jewellery shop at Colpetty. The other suspect, a Sri Lankan is on bail. The Russian had allegedly produced the credit card to a gem and jewellery shop for the purchase of items. more..

Apr 1 (IL) The Hindu Religious Affairs Ministry on the initiative of Minister T.Maheswaran, is making elaborate arrangements to hold the second World Hindu Conference, in Colombo and Nuwara Eliya. A large number of religious dignitaries, delegates, observers and artistes from Sri Lanka and many foreign countries will participate. more..

Apr 1 (DOI) President Chandrika Kumaratunga yesterday told the Colombo based diplomatic community that as Head of State she would give them the assurance that whoever may be the government of the day, the peace process will proceed without a pause. more..

Apr 1 (DOI) So far, no cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) have been detected among incoming passengers at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Health authorities said yesterday. However, a Health official at the airport said they have put a tight alert on passengers arriving from affected countries. more..

Apr 1 (DOI) The Government and the LTTE will formulate a declaration on Human Rights and Humanitarian principles as agreed at the sixth round of peace talks in Hakone. more..

Apr 1 (DOI) Research is now under way to introduce two other fertilizer varieties to farmers as an alternative to fertilizer granules with the intention of reducing high fertilizer prices in the local market, Agriculture and Livestock Minister S.B.Dissanayake said yesterday. more..

Apr 1 (DOI) The Human Resources Development, Education and Cultural Affairs Ministry will set up 150 cultural centres countrywide by the end of this year under its `cultural centre program'. Arrangements will be made to develop human resources through improving creativity of the youth engaged in cultural activities in these centres, more..

Apr 1 (DM) The Education Ministry is to introduce Information Technology as an optional subject for the GCE (OL) examination effective from next year. "This decision has been taken to improve the computer literacy level of students. more..

Apr 1 (Gulf) A fresh row is brewing between Tamil politicians and Tamil guerrillas over plans by the military to build a new brigade headquarters close to a library in the northern Jaffna peninsula. more..

Apr 1 (Reuters) Stocks closed lower on Tuesday, taking a breather after a sharp rise in the run-up to the March 31st fiscal year-end, but were largely unmoved by news of a clash at sea between the Navy and unidentified combatants. more..

Apr 1 (DN) Court of Appeal Judge, Justice K. Sripavan yesterday reserved his order for today, in the petition filed by Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte Municipal Council Mayor B.U. Ranjith Cooray. more..

Apr 1 (AP) The world's main multilateral development and lending agencies explained Monday what will be needed to rebuild war-torn Sri Lanka. The government estimates the reconstruction bill will top US$500 million. more..

Apr 1 (IOL) Irish Nobel Peace Prize laureate John Hume arrived in Sri Lanka today to share his experiences with Sri Lankan officials and Tamil Tiger rebels. The Colombo government wants to draw on Northern Ireland’s experiences in creating a power-sharing administration as it tries to end a 19-year civil war more..

Apr 1 (PTI) Chairman of Selectors Guy de Alwis has tendered his resignation protesting against "persistent political interference" in team selection process. "The Minister of Sports has interfered in everything from the time I took over and there is no way that I can continue in such circumstances," said de Alwis, more..

Apr 1 (IL) The Ashraff Congress yesterday came out strongly against a recent statement made by LTTE theoretician Anton Balasingham where he rejected tripartite talks and thereby the Muslim plea for an independent delegation at the peace talks. more..

Apr 1 (AFP) Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels have denied attacking a troop carrier, raising fresh fears for the island's fragile Norwegian-arranged ceasefire, officials said Tuesday. more..

Apr 1 (IANS) For the first time in two decades, war-ravaged northern and eastern Sri Lanka will hold local polls next month in the backdrop of truce between the Tamil Tigers and Colombo. more..

Apr 1 (CI) World Cup flop Mahela Jayawardene believes that a break away from the game will help him recharge his batteries and rediscover his batting form. The 25-year-old right-hander has been dropped from the national squad after a disastrous World Cup campaign that saw him amass just 21 runs in seven innings. more..

Apr 1 (DJ) The Colombo Stock Exchange, or CSE, is expected to launch a debt trading system in mid-2003 and is considering entering an alliance with a regional counterpart, its chairman said in a review Tuesday. more..

Apr 1 (TN) Minister of Power and Energy, Karu Jeyasuriya, Sunday declared open electricity supply scheme to LTTE controlled areas of Karadiyanaru, Illupadichchenai and Pankudaveli in Batticaloa district, ministry officials said. more..

Apr 2 (Island) The Country Report on the Practice of Human Rights released by the US Department of State yesterday states that the LTTE has implemented its court system through threat of force and expanded the operations of its court system into areas previously under the government’s judicial system in the North and the East. more..

Apr 2 (TN) The political division of the LTTE submitted twenty-four project proposals for the development of Trincomalee district to the Secretariat for Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs in Northeast (SIHRN), sources said. The total cost of the projects is estimated to be 359 million rupees. more..

Apr 2 (TN) Sri Lanka’s President Chandrika Kumaratunga said Tuesday that the peace talks between Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government and the Liberation Tigers are like a travelling circus (Thaninthana natana circus kandayama). more..

Apr 2 (C365) The Sharjah Cup kicks off on 3 April 2003. Cricket365 brings you an analysis of each team's strengths, weaknesses, key players and possible results. Sri Lanka have played 72 ODIs in the United Arab Emirates and will therefore be very familiar with conditions. more..

Apr 2 (DM) The LTTE yesterday denied involvement in Monday night's attack on a Navy vessel, raising suspicions of unidentified armed groups operating in the Trincomalee area. "It is possible that armed groups not belonging to the LTTE are operating in the area. more..

Apr 2 (LBO) A strategy to diversify its business interests will see Asian Hotels Corporation developing its Galle Road front property into Creascat City – a self sufficient accommodation, entertainment, recreation and lifestyle complex. more..

Apr 2 (LBO) The government on Monday signed up for US$ 60 mn worth of aid from the Kingdom of Denmark to finance key development projects. Around 35 percent of the aid comes as grant money, while the rest is interest free with a 10-year repayment period after commissioning the project, more..

Apr 2 (TN) An unidentified gunman shot dead the leader of a paramilitary group working with the Sri Lanka army (SLA) and the Special Task Force (STF), Wednesday around 11.15 a.m. in Aariyampathi, 8 kilometres south of Batticaloa, Police said. more..

Apr 2 (SLA) A Tamil civilian, who received his release from LTTE detention after a period of one year on 14 March 2003 has lodged a formal complaint at VAVUNIYA Police station on 1 April 2003, saying that he was arrested and detained by LTTE men at an LTTE camp on suspicion that he is a CID - Police officer. more..

Apr 2 (SLA) Three Army personnel in civil clothes have been threatened on 31 March 2003 around 5.40 p.m. by a group of six LTTE cadres while they were in the general area of KODIKAMAM, about 22 km. east of JAFFNA town. more..

Apr 2 (SLA) The round-the clock alertness and great valour of soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army and members of the Security Forces who became the target of an enemy fire, aboard the Merchant Vessel Lanka Muditha on that fateful day (31 March 2003), has once again re-affirmed their dedication and preparedness for any eventuality even in the seas. more..

Apr 2 (PSL) A series of felicitation programmes were held at President’s House yesterday to inaugurate the ‘Ranaviru Kusuma’ under the patronage of the President. Around 50 children of soldiers recieved scholarships at the ceremony. The programme an initiative of the Ranaviru Seva Authority (RVSA) will continue till June 7. more..

Apr 2 (PSL) President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe today honoured the Most Ven. Dr. Welamitiyawe Dharmakeerti Sri Kusaladhamma Nayaka Thera, at a ceremony at the Presidential Secretariat. more..

Apr 2 (Reuters) The World Bank said on Wednesday it would back Sri Lanka's peace process with grants and loans worth $800 million to help rebuild the shattered country. The economy of the Indian Ocean island slid and development aid almost stopped during 19 years of civil war. more..

Apr 2 (CO) On the pitch, Sri Lanka can move into third place in the ICC ODI Championship table if it wins the Sharjah Cup from 3rd – 10th April. Sri Lanka goes into the four-team tournament with a rating of 108, just two behind third-placed Pakistan. more..

Apr 2 (CI) The Cricket Board has short-listed three candidates as they seek a replacement for current national team coach Dav Whatmore whose contract will not be renewed. Former Australian wicket-keeper Steve Rixon, New Zealand all-rounder John Bracewell and England batsman Bob Woolmer have all been approached, more..

Apr 2 (IL) The JVP yesterday condemned the attack allegedly carried out by the LTTE on the Navy vessel 'Lanka Muditha' on Monday night. The JVP politburo in a statement said, "despite so many setbacks in this so-called peace process including this latest incident, within the next few days Cabinet spokesman, G. L. Peiris would make an announcement saying that despite this incident, it would not pose a threat to the current peace process." more..

Apr 2 (IL) The prices of three brands of beer produced by Lion Brewery have been increased by Rs.5.00 from yesterday. The price of a bottle of Carlsberg had been increased from Rs. 60 to Rs. 65, a Lion Stout from Rs. 60 to Rs. 65 and a Strong from Rs. 70 to Rs. 75. more..

Apr 2 (IL) The EPDP yesterday expressed its great disappointment at the way the SLMM had handled the Chinese fishing trawler incident, adding that the conclusion arrived at by the SLMM and the speculative remarks would further embolden and encourage the LTTE to engage in many more terrorist acts in the future with impunity. more..

Apr 2 (WB) As Sri Lanka stands at a critical juncture of its history the World Bank’s Board of Directors today discussed a new strategy to support the government’s development objectives as outlined in its Poverty Reduction Strategy, “Regaining Sri Lanka: Vision and Strategy for Accelerated Development.” more..