June 2 (DM) Another Victory Day is over. Work in the capital city ground to a halt for one day. People tolerated the endless traffic jams with the familiar pinch of bitterness. School children got a bonus holiday! Apart from that, the rain sodden Galle Face Green saw another state function, graced by many dignitaries. The President’s address to the nation carried its usual tone of triumph, and the assurance that life in the isle would get better day by day. more..

June 2 (DM) As customary there is much hue and cry over the grand initiative to provide a phased out 3-week leadership training for 22,000 undergraduates with food, lodging (separate for males and females) and attire that will include 171 periods of learning. So when a Government in a country that has been enslaved by numerous aid packages given often with agreement to structurally adjust state services continues to provide free education upto tertiary level and more..

June 2 (TC) Vanakkam! It is a great privilege to be with all of you tonight. I know that many of you were carrying on the vigil during the weeks and days of April and May 2009. And I know that many of you have lost your loved ones, family members and friends, not only during those terrible months, but also during the many years that preceded. I think Canadians have become increasingly aware and the world has become increasingly aware, more..

June 2 (DM) A recent news item stated that India would soon insist that a proper political solution should be found for the East and the North. In fact the article said that a time limit of six months had been given , in the same news paper it was also recorded that the Diaspora would try to influence Russia and China to also be influenced to take a stand in support of the recent much talked of Darusman report. Given that often news reporting tends to be sensational more..

June 2 (DM) The statement released by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of External Affairs on the recent meeting of Sri Lanka and India in New Delhi unfortunately re-establishes the fact that India persists with its one dimensional and unethical policy platform on Sri Lanka in spite of the shattered, short sighted, destructively emotional legacy of many Indian prescriptive initiatives. India being a major player in Asia and the giant neighbour of sovereign Sri Lanka, more..

June 2 (LG) The final session in the first day of the international seminar, “Defeating Terrorism-The Sri Lankan Experience” now underway at Colombo, Galadari Hotel was addressed by the globally-acclaimed expert on terrorism, Prof Rohan Gunaratna who presented an overview of the LTTE modus operandi across continent. The seminar first of its kind in Sri Lanka, meant to share Sri Lanka’s experience on the road to military defeat of the LTTE, more..

June 2 (Island) IGP Mahinda Balasuriya has resigned over Monday's shooting incident in Katunayake taking the full responsibility for it. The police personnel deployed to maintain law and order there, the government says, acted on their own when they opened fire on a group of protesters, some of whom were injured seriously. One of the victims is reported to be battling death. Have the IGP and the government taken the discerning public for suckers? more..

June 2 (DM) Our post independence history is rife with instances of its interests being held to ransom at the hands of trade unionists; often acting with vested interests. Increasingly corruption has been the ‘real interest’ blocking many an ambitious programme for development. The plight of State institutions and consumers playing fodder to such corrupt practices are too numerous to mention. Yet, its effects have always been at heavy cost to the national coffers and more..

June 2 (ST) Sri Lanka has been put on the map of successful snakebite treatment with major research findings that will make anti-venom safer for patients by reducing the risk of severe allergic reactions commonly set off by this treatment. The findings by a top clinical research team, headed by Prof. Asita de Silva from the Kelaniya Faculty of Medicine, which will have a far-reaching impact not only in this country but across the world have been published in more..

June 2 (ST) Welcoming the efforts made by Sri Lanka in education, science, technology and culture, UNESCO Director General, Irina Bokova said the organisation could contribute in fostering national reconciliation, promoting human rights and civic citizenship attitudes in Sri Lanka. Ms Bokova made these comments when she met Education Minister and Sri Lanka’s representative on the Executive Board of UNESCO, Bandula Gunawardhena at the 186th sessions of more..

June 2 (LG) How does one address the electorate except by a manifesto?. Two of our Prime Ministers (no less), the incumbent and his immediate predecessor, have gone on record to declare that manifestos are not to be regarded as serious declarations of intent, but merely as concoctions of lies designed to deceive the voters to make the "right" choice! Anyway, truthful or otherwise, they are a very fancy wish list, impossible to accomplish. more..

June 2 (DBS) British channel 4 TV film “Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields” will have its world premiere in Geneva on June 3rd at an Amnesty International event. The film will be screened on the side of the UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva at an event organized by the Amnesty International. The 60 minute film will be shown at 11:00 am in Room XXII (22) of the Palais des Nations on June 3rd. It will air on Channel 4 TV on June 14. more..

June 2 (TC) Charles Devasagayam: How do you feel being the first elected Tamil Member of Parliament in Canada? Rathika Sitsabeisan: I am very, very excited, humbled and proud. I am excited that I have been elected by the majority of population here in Scarborough Rouge-River riding. I am very proud that we as the Tamil community, have reached this level of development as a community. Internationally, now that we have a Tamil Member of Parliament in Canada, more..

June 2 (LB) It is more than a little noteworthy that the government is contemplating lifting of emergency regulations which would fully legalize any kind of street protests etc., at a time when street uprisings against the government seemed to be on the rise — take for instance the protests by Katunayake FTZ workers this week against the contemplated private sector pension. The govt however, conscious of international image in the face of the Advisory report more..

June 2 (C365) Retired Sri Lanka great Muttiah Muralitharan has said there isn't much he can do for his compatriots as they struggle to come to terms with their dramatic first Test defeat in Cardiff. The tourists were dismissed for just 82 in under two hours on Monday as England grabbed an unlikely innings and 14-run win to go 1-0 up in the three-match series. Spin star Muralitharan bowed out of Test cricket with a record 800 wickets before retiring more..

June 2 (CI) Sri Lanka's interim coach, Stuart Law, says that the time for talking is over, as Sri Lanka seek to atone for their dreadful final-day display in Cardiff by bouncing back to form in Friday's second Test at Lord's. Despite being renowned as one of the best batting line-ups in world cricket, Sri Lanka proved powerless to resist as England rolled them aside for 82 to win the match by an innings and 14 runs, and Law admitted that embarrassment had been more..

June 2 (LB) All ‘freshers’ will be cordially received on entering the military camps. The officers, soldiers and civilians including the cooks and labourers have been briefed as to the scope and value of the project which is unique to SL. The ‘freshers’ may notice that the camps are environmentally pleasing, of a high standard and clean and tidy to a degree they have not seen anywhere before. The cleanliness includes cook houses, the rations and the cooks who under go periodic more..

June 2 (LG) 1. The war victory was achieved mainly due to the success of the military on the ground campaign supported by the other services. Although the politicians are trying to claim the credit, they did not do anything extra than what was done by the previous heads of state or defense officials. All successive heads of state gave equal support to the forces and had given clear orders to finish the war. However, due to the failure in the part of more..

June 2 (DN) A study conducted on 2,581 places in Colombo and Gampaha districts by the Medical Research Institute (MRI) found 1,274 places as high risk dengue breeding grounds. The study found 237 places with mosquito larvae while of the areas checked in Kaduwela, 65 percent were identified as high risk places. A Health Ministry spokesman said the study revealed that 50 percent of the places examined had the possibility of dengue mosquitoe breeding and warned the public of a more..

June 2 (Island) The United Nations World Food Programmme recently played host to a senior representative from the Embassy of Japan who travelled to Nedenkeny, in Vavuniya north to assess the humanitarian needs in the district. During her trip Ms, Kayo Imamura, Second Secretary within the Economic Cooperation Section of the Japanese Embassy, observed WFP food distribution to beneficiaries and visited a recently re-opened school, where the WFP’s School Meals Programme is in operation. more..

June 2 (DM) The Mahanayake of the Malwatte Chapter the Most Venerable Tibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala thera yesterday said, in reference to the trade union action taken by the university academics, that the promises given to learned professionals should be honoured and university lecturers and professors should not be suppressed like university students are. He further said that the problems concerning learned people should be dealt more..

June 2 (GDI) "The responsibility of selecting well trained, talented sports personnel for both national and international tournaments in the future lies with the National Sports Selection Committee," said the Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage. The Minister of Sports appointed a 5 member Committee headed by Air Vice Marshall Kolitha Gunathilake to the National Sports Selection Committee. The Members are former DIG Nimal Mediwaka, former Director of Sports more..

June 2 (GDI) The mobile sales services have been expanded to provide essential food items and services to the consumers expeditiously and at their doorsteps. The Minister of Economic Development. Basil Rajapakse said that under this scheme Dimo Batta Trucks will be provided to self employed personnel under easy payment Terms. This service launched a few months ago with the handover of 50 Dimo Trucks for self employed personnel in Colombo at a function held at more..

June 2 (TC) The joint press statement that was issued on the 17th May following Minister Prof G.L.Peris’s visit to India has come in for much criticism. The Island took up with Prof Peris, some of the more controversial points in that joint statement. Q: If this visit to India was to canvass support for Sri Lanka vis a vis the Ban Ki Moon expert panel report, there is the criticism that it yielded no results. more..

June 2 (Island) The IUSF, affiliated to the JVP, on Wednesday (1) launched protests in the Galle town and at Galaha junction, Peradeniya to pressure the government to rectify salary anomalies of University teachers without further delay and protect free education in the country. IUSF spokesman B.T. Liyanage, of the Engineering faculty of Ruhana, alleged that due to short-sighted policies of the Rajapaksa government the entire university system had come to a halt. more..

June 2 (DM) A 16-year-old boy, who had allegedly cheated several customers after posing as an officer attached to a mobile phone service provider, was ordered to be kept in the custody of the Makola probation centre till June 7 by a Colombo Court yesterday. Fraud Bureau Sergeant (42156) Pathirana told Court that the suspect had cheated a resident of Ambalangoda of Rs.3500 by giving a call to the user and urging him to send a reload for Rs.3500 and saying that by more..

June 2 (DM) Around 550 university lecturers have violated their bond agreement by not returning to the country after going abroad to obtain their Masters degrees and Doctorates, UGC Chairman Gamini Samaranayake said yesterday. University lecturers go abroad on sabbatical leave from their respective universities after entering into a bond agreement, which stipulates that they return to the country on the completion of their studies. more..

June 2 (DM) Some 16 Sri Lankan fishermen and three fishing trawlers, which had strayed into Indian territorial waters, were taken into custody by the Indian Coastguard, Fisheries Ministry said. “Eleven of the fishermen had set sail from the Trincomalee Fishing Harbour while the others had set sail from the Devundara Fishing Harbour on May 24,” a ministry official said. He said 26 local fishermen and six fishing trawlers were being held in Tamil Nadu on charges of poaching. more..

June 2 (DN) The second day of three day international seminar Defeating Terrorism Sri Lankan Experience organized by the Sri Lanka Army was held successfully yesterday at the Galadari Hotel. The second day consisted of three sessions and Major Generals Nandana Udawatta (Chairperson), Prasanna de Silva, Chagy Gallage, Jagath Dias, Shavendra Silva addressed the representatives of the 41 countries during the first session making them aware of how more..

June 2 (Island) The JVP trade unionists yesterday said that the UNP, which had made a despicable attempt to do away with the public servants’ pension rights was now shedding crocodile tears over a controversial move by the Rajapaksa govt to introduce a Private Sector Pension (PSP) scheme. President of the ICEU Wasantha Samarasinghe said that the UNP had introduced a contributory pension scheme for public sector employees more..

June 2 (DM) A protest would take place at the spot a brutal police attack on unarmed workers of the Katunayake Free Trade Zone left many of them injured last Tuesday, it was announced. Leaders of many organizations, both civil and religious, would be joined by several trade unions to denounce the attack in a protest that would begin at 3 pm today (2). The protest at Liyanagemulla, Katunayake has been organized by an alliance in support of FTZ workers headed by more..

June 2 (DM) Unrest at the Katunayake Free Trade Zone had resulted in losses at many factories running into millions of rupees, Inter Company Workers Union President Wasantha Samarasinghe said. He blamed the police for the losses and said that in one of the companies losses were high as Rs 50 million. He said five factories had suffered extensive damage and it would take about three months for them to return to normalcy. He said more than 15 vehicles had also been damaged in more..

June 2 (DM) Hundreds of Katunayake Free Trade Zone employees are stuck within the Zone unable to leave the area due to conflicting orders given by the government and the army, several trade unions said yesterday. The Free Trade Zone Workers Union (FTZWU) said according to a Board of Investment (BoI) directive, the Katunayake FTZ would be re-opened today, but the Army in a public announcement said the Zone would be closed till further notice. more..

June 2 (DM) Sports Ministry has decided to subject school children to testing for banned substances with immediate effect, the Ministry announced today. The Ministry media release which said that a special flying squad would be assigned for the task of making surprise visits to schools around the country to carry out the tests. The Ministry has decided on the measure, considering the dangerous situation created in the local sports spheres by the banned performance-enhancing drugs, more..

June 2 (DPA) Opposition parties and trade unions staged protests Thursday in Sri Lanka's capital and its outskirts over a police attack on workers at the country's premier foreign investment zone, which left one employee dead and more than 250 injured, officials said. The protests came after the free-trade zone located in Katunayke, 30 kilometres north of Colombo, resumed production after a two-day shutdown following Monday's shooting by the police. more..

June 2 (Island) General Fonseka can appeal to the convening authority, who is also the confirming authority against the decision of the Court Martial. The President who is the convening authority in this case, can pardon him, said the Deputy Solicitor General, Bimba J. Tilakaratne, in the Court of Appeal yesterday. She appeared for the Attorney General, who is a respondent in the writ filed by Sarath Fonseka, more..

June 2 (GDI) The Ministry of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms has taken steps to release 800 Tamil youth upon completion of their rehabilitation program at the Pompamadu and Punethottam rehabilitation camps in Vavuniya. According to the Ministry sources, a ceremony will take place at the Vavuniya Urban Council grounds on June 5 and arrangements have been made to have a cricket match on June 4 to coincide with this event. more..

June 2 (GDI) 1. An "Engineering Council" is to be set up: • Cabinet on a proposal made by Minister of Power and Energy, Patali Champika Ranawaka, granted approval for the establishment of Engineering Council by an Act of Parliament. • This will enable to regulate the Professional Practice of Engineering in Sri Lanka by registering Engineering Practitioners, similar to those in the existing medical and legal professions. more..

June 2 (Island) Justice Minister, Attorney-at-Law, Rauff Hakeem says the country can benefit from a US project designed to assist ongoing efforts to improve the overall management and effectiveness of the legal system. The SLMC leader asserts the proposed project can help tackle inordinate delays in case management, both civil and criminal, thereby bringing relief to people. In spite of assurances given by more..

June 2 (LBO) SriLankan Airlines said it has satisfied a key environmental requirement of the European Union (EU) on monitoring of aircraft emissions and was in talks to get carbon credits to ensure full compliance. SriLankan Airlines’ Aircraft Emissions Monitoring System, developed by the airline itself, was approved by the EU on April 27 after the island's national carrier collected emissions data from more..