May 3 (AFP) Sports minister ordered a police inquiry into match-fixing allegations levelled by former international captain Hashan Tillakaratne. Tillakaratne, who played 83 Tests and 200 one-dayers during a 15-year career, said last week that Sri Lankan players had been involved in match-fixing since 1992 adding that he was prepared to name some of them. "I have asked the inspector-general of police to investigate these claims and give a report to me," more..

May 3 (TC) Mr. Sampanthan on behalf of himself and the TNA welcomed the findings of the Ban-ki- Moon’s Panel Report as confirmation of what they had been saying in Parliament during the period of terrorism. Only a careful perusal of the Hanzard would establish the veracity of his statement. As the full text of the TNA statement does not single out any part or parts as acceptable and some other parts to be rejected, one presumes the whole report was acceptable to TNA, even more..

May 3 (TC) It was my sense after May 18, 2009 when the LTTE was defeated that Sri Lanka was missing an opportunity to redefine itself as part of a kinder, gentler, global community. Instead it heightened nationalist discourse, extended emergency rule, surveillance and militarization, and devised new forms of censorship. Sri Lanka missed the opportunity to become one of South Asia’s more enlightened nations by not reaching out to one of its more battered and more..

May 3 (TC) Sri Lanka was long famous for its rich social diversity and the harmonious co-existence of various communities. Since independence, however, there has been a failure to define and realize an inclusive national vision from the perspective of this distinctive heritage. Instead, divisive politics and policies have fostered deep social, cultural, political and economic schisms and engendered violent armed conflict. more..

May 3 (DM) Robert O Blake, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs and former United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka is due to visit Sri Lanka on May 3rd, a visit originally scheduled to occur in April but postponed to May. Bob Blake will be coming to Sri Lanka at a time when the government is facing a serious international situation with the publication in full of the UN experts report on accountability issues in Sri Lanka. more..

May 3 (DM) "A very British coup" is a TV film by Mick Jackson based on a novel by Chris Mullin. It is about what happens when Harry Perkins, a third-generation socialist from a working class and trade unionist background, referred to as a communist by his detractors, is elected Britain's Prime Minister. He argues for nuclear disarmament and open government. US interests combine with the old boys' network to try and defeat Perkins with spies, tabloids and tapes; more..

May 3 (TC) One of the things that we have to get clear is that this expert panel report cannot be called a UN report at all. It’s a report compiled on a private initiative by the Secretary General, and has no nexus with the UN. This report is also flawed in many respects. It is important that there should be a proper understanding of the gravity of the errors in this report. There are several reasons why we think the process more..

May 3 (Island) The United States of America has destroyed a dreadful monster it mistakenly created nearly three decades ago to fight the Russians in Afghanistan. President Barack Obama has declared that Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed in Pakistan on Sunday. America erupted in jubilation. Americans' relief is such that their celebrations are likely to last for days, if not weeks. The US military and intelligence agencies are to be complimented for more..

May 3 (DM) It really is a quite pertinent question as to why the US; which celebrates the death of Al Qaeda supreme Bin Laden moved to send a fleet of ships to rescue ruthless LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran in the last days of war against terrorism in Sri Lanka. When that failed and the LTTE was annihilated the Obama administration bemoaned the death of the LTTE leader and his organization and pushed UN Secretary General to prepare grounds for a possible intervention. more..

May 3 (SO) It is said that a picture speaks a thousand words. Paintings reflect one's thoughts. What do we expect to see from paintings of a segment of youth who have suffered horrific experiences in a war situation? Is it 'pain' 'violence' 'tears' or 'anger'? None... they all want life... smiles... unity...peace... and a better future for everyone. Hands, which held deadly T-56 or grenades or exploded a suicide bomb, more..

May 3 (LB) The US Senate has demanded the withdrawal of the Goldstein Report damning Israeli crimes in Gaza after Goldstein, under intense Zionist pressure, published a newspaper article recanting his position. The Government of Sri Lanka has rejected the UN Panel Report which accused the GoSL and the LTTE of war crimes. I believe that both reports must be upheld to the extent that there has to be systematic follow up of the prima facie findings. more..

May 3 (LB) The US Ambassador, Patricia Butenis is reported to have invited some people to discuss a report submitted to UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon by some personal advisors. Why Ki-moon has to make public a personal communication I do not know. It does seem odd that he treats the said notes as documents that have official and legal standing within the UN system. As odd is this meeting called by Butenis ‘to discuss’ we are told, the above personal communication, more..

May 3 (Cimic) The famous Gnanam Hotel on the Clock Tower road in the middle of Jaffna city recommenced its service for guests Sunday at auspicious time with attendance of some invitees. The hotel which was fully renovated and modified to cater the needs of guests is ready to provide many facilities to its customers in addition to food and lodging. According to the new management, the hotel has 30 comfortable rooms including some family rooms with more..

May 3 (SO) After being grilled at the Wanduraba police station for several hours it became apparent to the policemen that the suspect taken in for questioning in connection with the slaying of 76-year-old Gunadasa who led a reclusive life at Thalawa in the Wanduraba area was not even remotely connected to the killing. While being interrogated the suspect told police that on the day of the incident he had taken two bottles of liquor along with him and delivered to Gunadasa at his home. more..

May 3 (ST) Unemployment has been a serious economic and social problem for decades. The incidence of unemployment has reduced owing to several reasons though some of the features and character of unemployment are of concern. The Governor of the Central Bank Ajit Nivard Cabral recently observed that while the overall rate of unemployment has decreased, unemployment among graduates is high. The inability of university graduates to obtain employment has been a more..

May 3 (Island) The Central Bank says Sri Lanka needs a proper poverty mapping exercise in order to improve targeting of poverty alleviation programmes. Over the years, poor targeting of social welfare has led to fiscal slippages with the Samurdhi (poverty benefits) subsidy covering many who do not fall within the official poverty line while energy subsidies also covered the entire economy. With global commodity prices on the increase more..

May 3 (LB) If the president told the Cabinet that there was no need to be perturbed about the Advisory Report, was he putting on a brave face? For, it is known that the government diluted the report’s import by christening it the Darrusman report this week. To call it that, was the decision, and that nomenclature was to be disseminated in this way in the state media. The Advisory report has had the effect of the government’s detractors saying in many quarters ‘we told you so.’ more..

May 3 (Island) The Sri Lanka Ports Authority, in a bid to rid the port of employees who could be made redundant (excess baggage) with the introduction of the Automated Delivery System (ADS), has commenced processing applications from stevedores eligible for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS), Port Trade Union sources said yesterday. SLPA Additional Managing Director Norman Weeraratne said that with the introduction of the Automated Delivery System, more..

May 3 (ST) Sudden thunderclaps are not only terrifying but also deadly; especially with bolts of lightning that precede them, which have claimed 21 lives between March and April this year. According to the Meteorology Department’s meteorologist-in-charge D.A. Jayasinghearachchi, thunderstorms are the main characteristic of the prevailing inter-monsoon period. “Thunderstorms produce lightning that is life-endangering. more..

May 3 (DN) The Jathika Hela Urumaya yesterday hailed the elimination of Osama Bin Laden adding that his death was a victory for all those of the world community who are against terrorism and value peace. Issuing a statement, the JHU also praised the action of the USA in taking another step in its on going efforts to wipe out terrorism from the face of the earth and said that this was a time for all to forget all differences and thank and praise the USA for this deed. more..

May 3 (DN) Sri Lankans angered over the Darusman report took to the streets of downtown Los Angeles Sunday adding their voices to the thousands marching in the traditional May Day parade. Displaying a colourful giant banner that said "UN's Ban Ki Moon, Imperialist Puppet, Hands Off Sri Lanka" and carrying posters that called on the UN Chief to stop harassing Sri Lanka, the contingent joined dozens of other groups, including trade unions, immigration advocates, and more..

May 3 (Island) A spokesperson for the Indian High Commission says applications are invited from the children of estate workers for award of scholarships by the Ceylon Estate Workers Education Trust (CEWET). The official said: The scholarships are available for G.C.E. Advance Level, undergraduate courses and for students undergoing vocational technical education in any of the Government Technical colleges. more..

May 3 (DN) The world’s first Buddhist Museum set up at Kandy’s Sri Dalada Maligawa complex will be opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on May 20 to coincide with the 2,600 th Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi celebration. The museum comprises artifacts and other objects depicting the civilization and culture of 17 countries to which Buddhism has spread. The museum has been created on a concept of Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara at the Colonial Courts complex more..

May 3 (BBC) The Supreme Courts in Sri Lanka has ordered the Attorney General (AG) to amend the Pensions Bill for private sector workers. AG has agreed in courts to amend the Bill to include provisions for spouses to be paid following the death of any worker. Courts delivered the ruling on Monday when a petition filed by Lanka Bank Union (LBU) was taken for hearing. The union has petitioned the Supreme Courts to rule the Bill unconstitutional. more..

May 3 (FT) The price of imported milk powder has been increased from midnight yesterday (2 May), with the price of a 400 g packet being increased by Rs. 20 and a one kilo packet being increased by Rs. 49, the Ministry of Internal Trade and Cooperatives said. All the leading companies importing powderd milk had made this request from the Consumer Affairs Authority last week and discussions were held yesterday in this regard. more..

May 3 (DN) A batch of 300 Sri Lankan workers sent to Israel as seasonal agricultural workers returned to the country last week after successfully completing the agreement signed between Sri Lanka and Israel. They were sent by the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency (SLFEA) last October for a period of six months under a pilot project.Israel is world renowned for its use of modern and environmental friendly technology in agriculture. more..

May 3 (DM) The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) that had earlier announced that it had concluded its public sittings is to conduct public sittings once again. LLRC spokesman Lakshman Wickremasinghe told Tamil Mirror Online yesterday that Dr. Chatura De Silva, Senior Lecturer of the Moratuwa University’s Department of Computer Science, would testify before the commission tomorrow. He said that Dr. Chatura De Silva would provide expert opinion to more..

May 3 (DM) The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) hotline 1929 for public complaints on child abuse has received 21,507 complaints up until April 30 this year. The hotline which was introduced in June 2010 was set up for the public to report incidents of any form of child abuse. A ministry official said that although there have been thousands of reported cases only 4323 of them have been genuine. more..

May 3 (DM) Robert O. Blake, the United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, who arrived in Colombo yesterday, held talks with the leaders of the TNA on the current political situation in the country. The TNA National List parliamentarian M.A.Sumanthiran said that the discussions took place at the US Ambassador’s residence immediately after Mr. Blake’s arrival from the Maldives and went on for nearly 1 1/2 hours (from about 8.00 pm to 9.30 pm). more..

May 3 (DM) Health Ministry today stated that a spot fine of up to Rs. 2000 will be introduced as penalty for individuals who facilitate mosquito breeding, through amendments that would be made to the Prevention of Mosquito Breeding Act No 11. of 2007 within the next few weeks. Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has instructed several changes to be made in the Prevention of Mosquito Breeding Act as it more ‘mosquito friendly, than people friendly’. more..

Mar 3 (TOI) The people of Sri Lanka love everything spicy. Though they use almost the same spices as Indians, their cooking is set apart by their methods. The combination of clay pots and charcoal fire gives each dish a unique and smoky flavour. "There are different clay pots for different styles of cooking — deep ones for rice and longer, shallower ones for curries," says Chef Palihawadana Arachilage Lalith, visiting chef at the Lake View Cafe, Renaissance Hotel in Powai. more..

Mar 3 (NN) The relatives of people reported missing during the war submitted a name list to the Welikada Prison and the police seeking assistance to obtain information on the whereabouts of their family members. According to a spokesman for the families'We are Sri Lankans' organisation, the relatives of 82 missing people submitted the name lists of their family members to the Welikada prison today. The people reported missing are from Jaffna, Killinochchi and Trincomalee, more..

Mar 3 (DM) Teacher unions yesterday said they too would refrain from partaking in the A/L answer script evaluation process if the academics decide to proceed with their union action of abstaining from this year's A/L evaluation process. Commenting on a statement made by the Higher Education Ministry Secretary Dr. Sunil Nawaratne's plan to appoint teachers to positions that would be vacant due to the absence of academics as suggested by Education Minister more..

Mar 3 (DM) UNP MP and head of the party’s propaganda unit, Mangala Samaraweera, who hailed the killing of Al Quaeda Leader Osama bin Laden, said that this was a momentous milestone in the global fight against terror and extremism. Mr. Samaraweera who issued a statement on the killing of bin Laden, said that he hoped that the international community would be further strengthened in its resolve to build a common future for all based on peace, democracy and moderation, while more..

Mar 3 (Island) Senior Minister Dew Gunasekera says those who had decried Sri Lanka for celebrating war victory over the LTTE couldn’t have missed Americans rejoicing Sunday’s killing of Osama bin Laden. Minister Gunasekera told The Island, in a brief interview yesterday, that those alleging war crimes against Sri Lanka’s political and military leaders went to the extent of criticizing the Rajapaksa administration for what they called triumphalism. more..

Mar 3 (Island) Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama says the Ruhunu Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa port (aka) Hambantota port, can easily accommodate large container ships currently calling at the Colombo port. In a brief interview with The Island yesterday, the SLPA chief said that the Hambantota harbour could accommodate ships capable of carrying 10,000 containers. more..

May 3 (DM) The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption is unable to begin any new investigation into complaints that had been filed as the three-member commission had not been appointed, Director General Luckshmi Jayawickrama said. She said the term of office of the three-member panel of the Bribery Commission ended in March. “We are unable to handle new investigations but we are continuing with the investigations that had begun before the Commission’s term ended,” more..

May 3 (Island) The singing of the national anthem in Sinhala, at official functions in the North, is agitating the public, concerned civilians say. Sources say in the past the practice was to sing the national anthem in Tamil in the North whether at school or official functions as that is the language of the vast majority of people. However, a few months ago, there were reports that the government had decided to send a circular to all government institutions instructing more..

May 3 (Island) A crucial meeting of the UNP working Committee is to be held today, with the bone of contention being the appointment of a National Organiser. While the Sajith Premadasa faction was pushing for Ranjith Madduma Bandara to be appointed National Organiser, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe favoured the more senior Ravi Karunanayake. If a consensus cannot be reached and more..