Apr 6 (BBC) Journalists in eastern Sri Lanka expressed anger over lack of progress in investigations into attacks on journalists. Journalists and media workers gathered in front of north east University in Samanthurai to protest against the attack on local journalist, Mohammed Ibrahim Rahamathullah. Mr. Rahamathullah, the editor of the 'Vaara Uraikal' weekly was seriously assaulted by an unknown group on Wednesday. more..

Apr 6 (Goal) Brunei did not have the best of starts to their campaign in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers when they conceded a 5-1 defeat to Sri Lanka. In the match that was played at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Sri Lanka, the hosts had striker Kasun Jayasuriya to thank for their big win when the latter slammed four personal goals in front of their screaming fans. more..

Apr 6 (Hindu) “Sri Lanka will release all the 23 Indian fishermen along with their six boats in the next couple of days,” said P.M. Amza, Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner. The fishermen belonging to Rameswaram were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on Wednesday for entering into its territorial waters. They were lodged in a Mirihana camp in Sri Lanka. Mr. Amza said that he had taken up the matter with the “highest level” and impressed upon the need for their early release. more..

Apr 6 (TP) The Sri Lankan embassy has urged its citizen holding the passports, with their children’s photographs pasted on “N” series, to immediately apply for new passports. The Controller of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo has informed that such passports will be cancelled when they return to Sri Lanka. The Embassy requested Sri Lankan nationals holding the “N” series passports to apply for new one for the children along with more..

Apr 6 (BBC) A senior police officer was shot dead by unidentified assailants in eastern Sri Lanka, police said. Police spokesman, Senior Superintendant of Police (SSP) Ranjith Gunasekara told BBC Sandeshaya that Superintendant of Police (SP) HL Jamaldeen was shot dead in Kalmunai on Sunday evening. The officer was travelling with his son to the mosque as he was shot at in fron to f the mosque in Maradamunai, Mr. Gunasekara added. more..

Apr 6 (IANS) Indian fishermen inadvertently crossing over into Sri Lanka's territorial waters are sometimes subjected to harassment by the Sri Lankan Navy, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said here Sunday. He also said killing fishermen is not acceptable in any circumstances. 'I am aware of the problem of the fishermen,' Mukherjee told reporters here when his attention was drawn towards the increased incidents of harassment of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. more..

Apr 6 (IL) The Sri Lankan government's Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP), Secretary General Rajiva Wijesinha, has been spewing venom against the International Community (IC) for their responses relating to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in northern Sri Lanka in the recent past as the Sri Lankan military conduct their massive military overtures to take control of the traditional Tamils areas under the influence of the LTTE. more..

Apr 6 (LBO) Many have expressed their concern about the rising incidence of educated youth leaving the country for employment in developed countries. The protest against the practice, commonly known as 'brain drain', is based on both economic and non-economic reasons. Economic Reasons. The economic reasons adduced against the brain drain take the following form. The educated youth are the pillars of the country’s wealth creation. more..

Apr 6 (Hindu) The Sri Lankan Defence Ministry, which on Sunday claimed it had gained total control over Puthukkudiyirippu, said troops were now positioned to make tactical moves into the remaining territory to free civilians held hostage by LTTE. The Ministry said troops has located over 140 LTTE bodies scattered ahead of the battlefront east of Puthukkudiyirippu. more..

Apr 6 (LBO) Sri Lanka has lifted income tax on income and profits earned in foreign exchange by resident businesses and individuals for two years, as the country grapples with a severe balance of payments crisis. Advertisements place in weekend newspapers by the island's central bank and finance ministry said the tax waiver would start from April 01, 2009 and would be in effect till March 11, 2011. more..

Apr 6 (LG) The imminent conclusion of the ethnic war has revived hopes and need for a political solution. The Government seems inclined to adopt a four-stage process, where the APRC forms the last stage and the full implementation of the Thirteenth Amendment the penultimate – with rehabilitation of IDPs and restoration of democracy in the North preceding them. Coupled with the earlier promise to implement the Thirteenth Amendment in the East, the issue has assumed new relevance and more..

Apr 6 (LG) I am referring to your articles in The Times of India (30/3/2009) titled “The silent horror of the War in Sri Lanka and differently labeled article on the same issue to The Age (3/4/2009) in Australia titled “Sri Lanka's war on the Tamils is about racism, not terrorism”. Both these articles are nothing but a mirror of your sheer ignorance of the Sri Lankan situation unless your intention was to advocate LTTE terrorism. more..

Apr 6 (LeN) President's Counsel Wijedasa Rajapakse said in Colombo district court that the reports obtained from world renowned laboratories had proved that Nestle and Fonterra companies had removed 23% of milk fat and added palm oil and other animal fat in it. They import the milk powder sold under the brands Anchor and Raththi. The counsel made this representation on behalf of his clients Heladiva newspaper and Mawbima Lanka Foundation seeking more..

Apr 6 (LG) Tiger Terror International has begun to flex its muscle in Australia. Tiger goons in acts of much provocation tried to attack participants of a peaceful demonstration Saturday March 7 in Melbourne, Down Under and turned it utterly disgusting and foul. They waylaid some of those returning from the demonstration, blocked their passage and heaped a great deal of vulgar verbal abuse and even dared to physically attack them. more..

Apr 6 (GDI) The 300 enterprises programme under the Nipaum Sri Lanka programme has achieved a remarkable progress, a spokesperson to the Ministry of Enterprise Development told www.news.lk. He pointed out that the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka received 306 applications seeking its approval to set up enterprises by the end of January this year. The BOI has approved 290 of them hoping to make investments worth more than 70 billion rupees. more..

Apr 6 (DM) The JVP vowed yesterday to take to streets with people if the government tries to fully implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution devolving police and land powers to the provincial councils. Party’s General Secretary Tilvin Silva said the government was going for power devolution at a time when the security forces were completing their military operations. more..

Apr 6 (GDI) The G.C.E. (O/L) results of new syllabus released yesterday. The results of old syllabus would be delayed. The results of the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu students will also been delayed a few days, a spokesperson to the examination department told www.news.lk today (06). Around 298,000 candidates sat for the examination under the new syllabus and 240,000 for old syllabus. more..

Apr 6 (GDI) The Ministry of Education join hands with the Education Publications Department has taken steps to distribute textbooks and uniforms to School children in Vavuniya District tomorrow (07) under the supervise of the Minister of Education Susil Premajayanth. The department scheduled to distribute textbooks and uniforms to School children from non liberated areas that are presently staying at 12 welfare camps in Vavuniya.

Apr 6 (LNP) The G20`s pledge of $ 1.1 trillion to help tackle the global financial crisis as well as its recognition of the human dimension of the economic downturn has lifted the spirits of the countries in despair. These funds are expected to be mainly channelled through the IMF. But, the problem with pledges or promises is that they are like the pie crust made to be broken. more..

Apr 6 (BOI) The Board of Investment granted investment approval to Aus Agri and Sheila Baxter Training Centre. Mr. Dhammika Perera, Chairman signed the agreements on behalf of the BOI and formally presented the BOI Certificate of Registration to the investors. The investment agreement signed with Aus Agri is for a pioneering project to manufacture animal feed using leaves and green stem of the Gliricidia plant, which will supplement the income of rural outgrowers. more..

Apr 6 (BOI) The Board of Investment granted investment approval to Lanmic Exports Limited, A M G International Limited and Color Roof Limited. Mr. Dhammika Perera, Chairman signed the agreement on behalf of the BOI and formally presented the BOI Certificate of Registration to the investors. The investment agreement signed with Lanmic Exports is for a project to manufacture value added calcium carbonate and coated calcium carbonates and related products. more..

Apr 6 (CI) Isuru Udana, the 21-year old left-arm fast bowler, was the toast of Wayamba after he bowled them to a five-wicket win over Basnahira South in the final of the Inter-Provincial Twenty20 tournament at the SSC. Udana, generating a lot of pace and movement off the pitch, accounted for four of the top five batsmen and was adjudged the Man of the Match and Series. The Basnahira South batting line-up had no answer to Udana's bowling and more..

Apr 6 (DM) Now that the security forces were engaged in ushering in peace to the North judicial officials must go to that area in order to establish the rule of law there. Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva said on Saturday. Speaking at a function after declaring open the new office of the Bar Association in Anuradhapura, Mr. Silva said that peace must be maintained in the North by enforcing the rule of law. more..

Apr 6 (LT) Minister Mahinda Wijesekera, who was critically injured in the suicide bomb attack at Godapitiya, Akuressa in Matara and is being treated at Colombo National Hospital will be taken to his residence in Colombo in a few days said a spokesman for the hospital. Minister’s treatment will be continued in his home and he is removed to his residence so that he would be comfortable in his home environment said the spokesman. more..

Apr 6 (LT) The media personnel who arrived at Temple trees to cover the ceremony to felicitate Dr. Lester James Peiris on his 90th birthday were chased out by the members of the Presidential media unit. After media personnel, who had come to cover the event had waited for more than two hours Wijayananda Herath, Coordinating Office of the Presidential Media unit and Anusha Palpita, government news editor have chased them away saying “your presence is not necessary here. more..

Apr 6 (LT) A member of the JVP who was shot by a group of UPFA members at Gampaha today morning has died. Another member who was seriously injured in the shooting has been admitted to hospital. After decorating a JVP election office at Weyangoida a group of JVP members had gone to leave the Member for Attanagalle Pradeshiya Sabha to his residence. While they were on their way two UPFA candidates and several thugs, who had arrived in a double cab more..

Apr 6 (DN) Two people were killed when they were struck by lightning and more than 100 houses damaged in several areas following heavy rains and winds during the past several days. An 18-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy were reported killed after being struck by lightning in Nallatarankattuwa, Chilaw on Saturday. More than 30 houses too were damaged in the area, mainly due to heavy winds. more..

Apr 6 (DN) The Uma Oya reservoir project will be completed in another 4 years. Plans are also afoot to divert excess water from the Nilwala and Gin Ganga to Hambantota district to boost agriculture said Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa. The Minister was addressing the gathering at a ceremony held at the Hungama Vijayaba Maha Vidyalaya to mark the distribution of 7500 land permits among landless peasants in the Hambantota district under the national program of providing 100,000 land permits. more..

Apr 6 (DN) The 42nd National Aluth Sahal Mangalyaya was celebrated on a grand scale amidst religious rituals and observations at the Sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises yesterday. Thousands of farmers carrying bowls of new rice harvested from the Maha season arrived in a procession which began yesterday morning at the 'Lion Pillar' at the border of Anuradhapura up to Sri Maha Bodhi. more..

Apr 6 (LBO) Sri Lanka's economic growth is forecast to slow sharply to 2.5 percent this year, from six percent last year and then recover to five percent in 2010, the central bank said. "The Sri Lankan economy is projected to grow at a lower rate in 2009 and then recover its growth momentum in 2010 with expected recovery in the global economy," the bank said in its annual report for 2008. more..

Apr 6 (Island) Contrary to expectations, the Sri Lankan government wouldn’t put a stop to the involvement of foreign embassies in the Department of Immigration and Emigration operations at the Bandaranaike International Airport. Authoritative sources said that diplomatic representatives of several countries, including the UK, Germany, Canada and Italy would continue to check passengers leaving the airport. more..

Apr 6 (Island) This may be somewhat far-fetched, but it does catch a sense of the bruised nature of this country’s media. It is something like the boom and bust character of economic activity. The media, as one observes, is going through a pattern similar to this boom and bust thinking. The media is beaten. Death stalks media men. Violence and kidnapping are part of this menace. An editor is murdered and the media goes hysterical. It shocks the people. more..

Apr 6 (Island) K.A.S. Jayatissa, Deputy Chairman of the troubled Ceylinco Sussex Educational Services Ltd., yesterday said that he wouldn’t allow the school network to collapse. After meeting with principals of all Sussex Colleges in Colombo on his return from Singapore, Jayatissa told The Island that he left the country to find suitable investors. He acknowledged that he had to leave suddenly as some investors of other Ceylinco ventures pursued him. more..

Apr 6 (DM) As if a cell in the biological world starts to function improperly due to its small organic failure and this then leads to a knock on effect, in the wake of the collapse of the Golden Key Credit Card Company, similar domino effects on Ceylinco subsidiaries seem to have occurred. Deputy Chairman Hiran De Silva of the Ceylinco Corporate Finance Group said that the Ceylinco Group’s cellular structure operates in such a way that there is one company titled Ceylinco Consolidated Private Limited which comprises of more..

Apr 6 (BBC) The Pakistani coach driver praised for his actions in last month's attack on Sri Lanka's cricket team in Lahore has been honoured at a ceremony in Colombo. Meher Mohammad Khalil sped away from the attack as bullets rained down and reached the safety of the stadium. New Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara said: "We will always have a special place for you in our hearts." more..

Apr 6 (LBO) The Sri Lankan government is considering relaxing criteria for bad loan provisioning to help the corporate sector cope with the effects an economic downturn, a senior finance ministry official said. S R Attygalle, director-general of fiscal policy of the finance ministry, said the Treasury had asked the Central Bank to consider extending the period for non-performing loans (NPLs) by banks. more..

Apr 6 (LBO) Sri Lanka should go slow on big projects because of funds shortages in order to be able to better cope with the economic slowdown this year, the central bank said."Financial flows to the government and the private sectors are likely to decline in 2009 and recover gradually thereafter," the bank said in its annual report for 2008. The foreign financial flows to emerging and developing countries declined drastically in 2008 due to more..

Apr 6 (BBC) Civilians fleeing the area in north-east Sri Lanka where Tamil Tiger rebels and government forces are in fierce conflict have been telling the BBC of the ordeal of life under almost constant gunfire. Added to the intense shelling there is an acute shortage of water, food and medicine. The civilians also confirmed the long-levelled accusations by human rights groups that the Tigers are forcefully recruiting young children and are stopping people from moving out to government-controlled areas. more..

Apr 6 (AFP) Sri Lanka's military readied Monday for a final assault on Tamil Tigers boxed into a strip of jungle with thousands of trapped civilians, after urging the rebels to surrender or face annihilation. Security forces were moving ahead after killing at least 480 Tiger rebels in four days of fighting in the northeast of the island that ended on Sunday, military officials said. more..

Apr 6 (IANS) Sri Lankan troops Monday launched a 'decisive tactical manoeuvre' to free thousands of civilians trapped in the Mullaitivu war-zone, a day after dealing a major military blow to the Tamil Tigers by capturing their last military bastion. 'Sri Lankan security forces have launched a decisive tactical manoeuvre to free hundreds of civilians held hostage by LTTE in the thin 17 sq km coastal land strip at Mullaitivu,' more..

Apr 6 (BG) It started 30 years ago with a Somerville post office box registered to a grandiose name: the Embassy of Eelam. Three brothers from Sri Lanka who lived on Mount Vernon Street turned their dining room into an international headquarters for the struggle to create a homeland for the ethnic Tamil minority. It would be called Eelam. They lobbied state and local officials about the abuse of Tamils at the hands of the Sri Lankan government, prompting a Massachusetts boycott. more..

Apr 6 (AP) President appealed to the cornered Tamil Tiger rebels to lay down their arms and surrender to save their lives and ensure the safety of tens of thousands of civilians trapped with them in a "no-fire" zone. The appeal from President Mahinda Rajapaksa came as the military increased the rebel death toll Monday to at least 453 dead from three days of battles that pushed the LTTE into the narrow "no-fire" zone. more..

Apr 7 (LT) The JVP states it salutes all members of heroic Security Forces who liberated the North from tiger terrorists and achieved victories for the Nation. The Political Bureau of the JVP in a statement issued yesterday (5th) states: Security Forces have been able to bring under its control the whole of Puthukudyirippu area. As such, except for the no-war-zone, security forces control the whole of the northern territory. more..

Apr 7 (LBO) Central Bank governor Nivard Cabraal said there was greater space for markets to determine the exchange rate, as the country heads for an International Monetary Fund bailout. The Central Bank lost more than two thirds of its reserve trying to defend a peg with the US dollar from last September as short term capital fled the country. Authorities have maintained that they intervened in the forex markets to maintain stability in the face of volatile global markets. more..

Apr 7 (GV) Nationalism, a decisive force of the modern and international politics is one of the most ambiguous terms existing due to lack of and difficulty in forming a proper definition. This difficulty is mostly rendered by the general acceptance of nationalism being a political movement. As a political movement with its known flexibility, it has embraced a variety of positions, from claims on democracy to the defense of most extreme forms of authoritarianism. more..

Apr 7 (GV) The question posed by Groundviews, “What is the most important issue facing the peoples of Sri Lanka in a ‘post-LTTE’ context and how can the State address it?” is very complex. It is hard to answer it succinctly as requested. Besides ‘post LTTE’ is a debatable presumption and limiting the focus of addressing it to the State, appears to exclude the principal actors, the People, from the dramatis personae. more..

Apr 7 (IRIN) Thousands of pregnant women caught up in the fighting between government forces and the LTTE are in urgent need of healthcare, according to aid workers. “I was scared. I didn’t know if we were going to make it,” 23-year-old Thanusiya told IRIN. At eight months pregnant and after weeks of shelling, she and her husband escaped to the northern, government-controlled town of Vavuniya last month. more..

Apr 7 (Reuters) Sri Lanka said on Monday more than 2,100 people fled a no-fire zone where the military expects to destroy the Tamil Tiger separatists, the first sign of an exodus that will make the job of ending the 25-year war easier. The Sri Lankan military said it had killed at least 453 rebel fighters during a three-day battle that on Sunday took the final scrap of rebel-held land outside a coastal strip the army declared as a no-fire zone for civilians. more..

Apr 7 (GDI) “Conservation of natural resources and economic development are two sides of the same coin and we must pay equal attention to both. It’s the only way to make the environment conducive to our social needs. However, increasing population and irregular domestic waste disposal systems contribute much towards environmental pollution now,” Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said. more..

Apr 7 (GDI) US AMBASSADOR for Sri Lanka Mr. Robert O’Blake Monday (6) morning met Commander of the Army Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka at the Army Headquarters and received an update on the status quo, related to the near completion of military offensives in the deep north and east of Puthukkudiyiruppu in Vanni. Lt. Gen Sarath Fonseka, giving a brief outline of the latest military achievements, loss of so many LTTE terrorist leaders in offensives, more..