June 2 (LG) He was an old man, surely over the age of 70. He wore a sarong and an old shirt. By looking at him one could tell that he was obviously a very strong person. He was tall and dark in complexion. One day he went to talk to two lawyers; both were much younger than he and physically lesser in stature and he had no particular reason to trust either of them. However, he had come in search of help and knew that he needed to talk to them. more..

June 2 (LG) These days a topic for public discussion is the takeover of the Attorney General's Department by the President of Sri Lanka. A discussion on this issue will benefit from reflections on the history and the functions of the Attorney General's Department. We reproduce below a speech made by the then Solicitor General, Mr. K.M.M.E Kaluntunga, who later became a Supreme Court judge on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of more..

June 2 (N360) Former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board Lalith Hettiarachchi cautions that the productivity of the local tea industry is in danger as replanting is not taking place in the tea Plantations. He said the productivity drop will be experienced in the not to distant future if the overall norms of replanting is not met. The Former Chairman alarmed about this situation in a “handing over note” he more..

June 2 (LG) It was in the late 1940s that I saw it or else I would not remember it. The bioscope, as films were known at the time, was screened at the Plaza Theatre at Wellawatte. I recall waiting in the long queue with my aunts to whom an evening watching the bioscope was a very special occasion. Their interest was keener because film was "Chintamani" – the South Indian block buster of that time, long before the term became common parlance in cinema lingo. more..

June 2 (TC) My title betrays my training in a British A level system that pounded John Donne and his metaphysical colleagues into the minds of those of us who were brave enough to chart the stormy seas of Literature and Classics. There are those who would say that the presence of the Poets in my mind, and the continued teaching of an A level system in Sri Lanka, betrays a colonial sensibility – some use the term ‘hangover’- more..

June 2 (Reuters) Recording artist M.I.A. takes aim at "journalists," "haters" and "racists" in a new song called "I'm a Singer," which she posted to her official website Sunday in response to a New York Times profile. "So you wanna hear about my politics? I can show you things that would make you sick," M.I.A. raps on the song. "And the story's always f***ed by the time it hits/And why the hell would more..

June 2 (TC) This paper looks at what happened to the people of the Vanni in 2009 as the Sri Lankan armed forces destroyed the Liberation Tigers, a designated terrorist organization. A population of 300,000 underwent multiple displacements, deaths, injuries, deprivation of water, food, medical care and other basic needs caught between the shelling and bombings of the state forces and the LTTE which forcefully recruited men, women and children to fight on the frontlines and held the rest hostage. more..

June 2 (TC) What is the ‘main contradiction’ in Sri Lanka today? It is that between the very broad national base of support and sacrifice for the war and the resultant peace on the one hand, and the increasingly narrow character of the beneficiaries of the dividends of that popular peace, on the other. The war was national but the peace dividend and its distribution appear limited. The regime itself appears manifestly national-popular at one moment and more..

June 2 (LBO) Korean electronics maker Samsung said it was eyeing a 30 percent share in Sri Lanka's growing flat panel television market with an intensified marketing drive as the overall domestic market is also set for higher growth. Samsung West Asia chief JungSoo Shin said his firm had market leadership status for flat panel TVs in 64 countries and was currently number two in Sri Lanka more..

June 2 (DN) My friend Shanthi Abeywickrama asks me, ‘was your mother proud of you?’ I think all parents are proud of their children, but parents don’t always say it out loud because parenting is a life-long vocation and as such no parent would pass out blank cheques to their children, who might very well cash them at inopportune moments. Maybe it’s a South Asian thing. There is affection. It is shown. A pat on the back. A word of encouragement. All this is there. more..

June 2 (TN) Residents in Jaffna peninsula were shocked by the deafening explosions heard Monday evening intermittently for nearly an hour from the outskirts of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) High Security Zone (HSZ) in Palaali. An official of a de-mining organization said that the explosion could not be due to the destroying of landmines as it was generally rumoured because SLA has not permitted any de-mining in or near its HSZ in Palaali in Valikaamam. more..

June 2 (MoD) UGC Chairman Professor Gamini Samaranayake said a decision had been taken to allow all students who had gained admission to the Jaffna University, based on their results at the recent GCE Advanced Level Examination, to follow their respective courses at the Jaffna University itself. He said such students followed their courses at other universities in the country under previous administrations. more..

June 2 (MoD) The Government of Japan recently decided to extend a financial contribution of 100 million Japanese Yen (approximately 1.1 million US dollars) through the Office of the UNHCR for humanitarian assistance to IDPs and returnees in Sri Lanka. Japan's overall assistance to Sri Lanka has covered a wide range of the areas to promote development and more..

June 2 (MoD) The first phase of resettling the 200 Sinhalese families living in the vicinity of the Madhu Shrine, Mannar District began Monday on Resettlement Minister Milroy Fernando's direction. These families were ordered out of their homes and the area by the LTTE in 1985. They were not allowed to take their possessions from their homes by the terrorists and were compelled to live with their relations, more..

June 2 (MoD) One hundred ex-combatants out of the 529 rehabilitated youth in Jaffna will be trained in driving and jobs provided at CTB. Northern Province Governor Major General G.A. Chandrasiri said Minister Douglas Devananda and the Rehabilitation Commissioner had handed over the 529 ex-combatants to their parents in Jaffna. "All these boys and girls have undergone vocational training at the rehabilitation centre in Jaffna," more..

June 2 (MoD) International Crisis Group (ICG) is preparing an expert report calling for an international inquiry into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka. To give credibility to itself, there will also be a vague finding against the LTTE. With the LTTE ceasing to exist - such an adverse finding would cause no impact on a defunct LTTE. ICG naming them too as a guilty party- will be a mere eyewash. more..

June 2 (MoD) The reports of attacks during the Israeli military operation on boats carrying supplies for Palestinian people in international waters off the coast of Gaza have caused grave distress to the Government and the people of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries resulting from this operation. Indiscriminate use of force to prevent the carriage of supplies for people under occupation is condemned. more..

June 2 (LP) The European Union (EU) together with its implementing partner the International Organization for Migration handed over a rehabilitated canal to the farmers of Koknahara, in Ampara district, East of Sri Lanka. The majority of the community of Koknahara is engaged in farming or other agro related livelihoods. Before the canal renovation project the farmers relied on rain water for cultivation during the wet season. more..

June 2 (GDI) Minister of Education, Bandula Gunawardana said that the application forms for admitting students for grade one next year would be published tomorrow in newspapers along with the new circular. He said that few amendments were made in the previous circular but the significant change was that neither an officer of Education Ministry nor Ministry of Local Government would not be heading the committee of more..

June 2 (GDI) Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa said that the Government is prepared to amend any existing legislation which hinders the public. The Minister chaired a special discussion was held at the Kandy District Secretariat yesterday to prepare plans needed for the immediate implementation of the “Kandurata Udana” mega development program, enunciated in the “Mahinda Chintana – Extended Version”. more..

June 2 (CT) A report has been requested from the Vice Chancellor of Sri Jayewardenepura University over an honorary doctorate conferred by the university to a German national, Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Professor Gamini Samaranayake says. He says that an investigation will be conducted and necessary measures taken once the UGC receives the report. The matter came to light after Germany's Foreign Ministry inquired more..

June 2 (GDI) The Ministry of Power and Energy has taken steps under the "Electricity for all by 2012" program to commission 4,593 new rural electrification schemes to provide electricity to all rural households within the next two years, the Ministry revealed. Under this program transmission and distribution network will be expanded to cover the entire country by 2010 and more..

June 2 (GDI) The Railways Department has planned to manufacture railway carriages locally at the Dematagoda workshop. The President instructed Department officials that the private sector should also be involved in the manufacture of railway carriages. He was of the opinion that the talents of the students who pass out from technical colleges should be properly made use of, for manufacturing of railway carriages locally. more..

June 2 (TN) Jaffna Bishop House sent an appeal to the Holy See in Vatican to urge Sri Lanka government to renovate and restore the churches in Vanni destroyed or badly damaged during the war on Vanni. No one except Jaffna Bishop had been permitted by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Vanni to see the churches in Vanni after the war and Jaffna Bishop, Rt. Rev. Thomas Saundranayagam, had been greatly shocked and distressed to more..

June 2 (DN) The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) is planning to increase the country’s total ADSL lines to 3 million within the next five years. There are 300,000 ADSL lines in the country and it needs to be increased upto 3 million in next five years. For this relevant agencies need to work together to enable countrywide coverage which will benefit internet users, more..

June 2 (LNP) When western colonial powers descended on the Global South centuries ago brandishing as they did sabres and flintlocks, they were accompanied by phalanxes of `priests`, who justified their brutal conquests and the attendant savagery as well as ruthless exploitation of human and physical resources. But, today, neocolonialists are employing far more sophisticated methods to achieve the same results. more..

June 2 (CT) The leftist parties affiliated to the governing UPFA have arrived at a common consensus on a set of alternative proposals for constitutional reforms and are to discuss further on the matter before holding final discussions with the government. The Communist Party (CP), Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) and Democratic Left Front (DLF) yesterday (May 31) decided on the alternative amendments to those proposed by the government. more..

June 2 (CT) Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga has chaired a panel discussion on "Rebuild in Depth - Human Rights and Protection" and on "Redesign Values Framework" at the World Economic Forum Global Redesign Summit in Qatar. Business, political and civil society leaders from around 90 countries attended the two-day conference in Doha, a statement issued by Mrs. Kumaratunga's office said. more..

June 2 (LT) A world famous liquor company is planning to provide free liquor for all special guests invited for the ‘IIFA’ cricket match to be held concurrent with the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) festival to be held in Colombo. ‘Bacardi,’ the world famous liquor company is a co-sponsor of the cricket match. ‘Bacardi’ which has its headquarters in Hamilton in Bermuda more..

June 2 (LP) The reduction of duties on motor vehicle imports has pushed the law makers of Sri Lanka to exhaustion, sources say. The axe came as most of them were preparing to import cars for reduced taxes. Earlier the MPs could import a car once in five years totally duty free but now the government has planned to impose a tax of around 15%. It is open secret that most of the MPs sell their vehicle permits to a handsome easy income more..

June 2 (DN) Sleuths raided a 25 acre cannabis cultivation inside the jungles of Yala National Park and destroyed 93,800 plants with an estimated street value of nearly Rs. 100 million. They also took into custody 22 suspects in this connection. The detection is considered as one of the largest of its kinds in recent times. An Excise officer who participated in the raid said the cultivation had been divided into 22 plots. more..

June 2 (DN) Students of eight more schools will have the opportunity to pursue their education in English Medium for the Advanced Level Examination, 2012. English medium classes will commence in the following schools from next month onwards: Seetawaka MV, Avissawella, Hanwella Rajasinghe MV, Homagama M.V., Maharagama MV. in Colombo; Ratnavali BMV, Bandaranaike MV in Gampaha and Tissa MV in Kalutara. more..

June 2 (GDI) The Bangladesh High Commissioner for Sri Lanka Mr.Mahbubuzzamam met Hon. Prime Minister D. M. Jayratne at the Prime Minister’s Office. They discussed matters pertaining to mutual relations between the two countries. During the discussion Bangladeshi High Commissioner Mr. Mahbubuzzamam said that Sri Lanka is the third largest source of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) for Bangladesh following USA and South Korea. more..

June 2 (Island) The Colombo Crime Division has launched a special operation to arrest a gang that kidnapped a 15-year-old girl on May 18 on her way back home from a leading private school and demanded a ransom of Rs. 20 million. She was released on the same day. The kidnappers contacted the girl’s father, a businessman and demanded that he pay Rs. 20 million immediately if he wanted his child back. Later, the kidnappers agreed to Rs. 2 million. more..

June 2 (DM) The Court of Appeal yesterday listed to be taken up on June 4 at 2.00 p.m. the writ application filed by retired Gen. Sarath Fonseka challenging the appointment of the second Court Martial set up against him. The Bench comprising Justices Sathya Hettige (President) and Anil Gooneratne listed the matter to be taken before a special Bench comprising Justices Sathya Hettige (President), Rohini Marasinghe and Sarath Abrew. more..

June 2 (LeN) The Govt. itself has commenced a news dissemination project to divert the attention of the people from the burning problems they are facing including the cost of living spiral, the Govt.’s dishonored election promises., and the International pressure brought to bear on basic disciplinary and human rights issues. This project is to highlight through discussions the past misdeeds of the Ministers via short messages over five phone numbers. more..

June 2 (DM) When the One Great Scorer comes to write against your name, He writes not whether you won or not but how you played the game. Though the terminology appears to relate mainly to cricket this hallowed principle or precept applies to the great drama of life also and the values we learn in sports need to be applied for our life or lifestyle to be sincere, sacrificial and selfless. If what we get makes a livelihood, it is what we give that makes a life. more..

June 2 (Island) Music can be applied as medicine to treat or prevent mental disorders and psychosomatic diseases, says a Jaffna-based university researcher. "I have scientific proof that music can help in treating or preventing mental disorders," Dr S Darshanan, senior lecturer in music at the University of Jaffna, told The Island yesterday. He is also serving as a music therapist at the Teaching Hospital in Jaffna. more..

June 2 (IANS) Sri Lanka is in a new era of peace after winning its long fought war against the Tamil Tigers, says actress Jacqueline Fernandez, elated that the IIFA Awards are being held in her home country this year and looking forward to playing the perfect host to her Bollywood colleagues. "It's one of the biggest events Sri Lanka has seen to date. I have quite a few roles to play at the IIFA this year," more..

June 2 (DM) Sri Lanka has many positives and assets, along with the passion to take the country to the next level, said Dr. Ram Charan, addressing the media during a whirlwind 24 hour visit to the island on an invitation from Brandix Lanka on Monday. Dr. Charan - who is a highly-sought after business advisor and speaker famous for his uncanny ability to solve the toughest business problems - asserted that more..