Apr 7 (DM) St. Paul who as Saul was one of the greatest persecutors of the Church going from city to city to bring Christians for execution on charges of blasphemy met the Risen Lord on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9). That meeting transformed him completely and the greatest persecutor of the church become the greatest and most powerful propagator of the gospel, writing as many as 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament. After several years of having a personal relationship with more..

Apr 7 (Island) Pieter Keuneman was a leader of the Ceylon Communist Party and a cabinet Minister in the 1970 coalition govt led by Sirimavo Bandaranaike. A clever journalist made fun of Keuneman’s spelling of his first name by referring to the pronunciation of his name as Pieter (‘ie’ as in Soviet) Keuneman. After the break-up of the Soviet Union, the Ceylon Communist Party probably does not toe the political line of the Communist Party of Russia. more..

Apr 7 (CI) Tillakaratne Dilshan remains convinced he did not edge the delivery to which he was given out on the fourth day against England at the P Sara Oval and has called for Hot Spot to be made mandatory in all Test and one-day cricket. Dilshan was adjudged caught at slip off Graeme Swann by Bruce Oxenford and immediately signalled for a review. The third umpire, Rod Tucker, took an age looking at the images but without the infra-red cameras he ruled there was no conclusive more..

Apr 7 (DN) Minister Douglas Devenanda participating as Chief Guest at the ceremony held to mark the opening of the Divi Neguma National Exhibition at Mahajana College, Batticaloa recently said that there was a considerable number of Small and Traditional Industries in the Eastern Province who had to be abandon their industrial ventures due to LTTE terrorism in this region. However, these industries have been re-established to strengthen the economy of the area. more..

Apr 7 (DN) Ruins of an ancient castle, a hospital, Sanghavasaya, prison, pond and several stone pillars dating back to the reign of king Mahanama were found in and around Manakanda in Kekirawa. Among the ruins of the castle situated at Niraviya are carvings on stone and stone inscriptions. The pond built on rock believed to be the largest of its kind in Asia covers an area of five acres. Its breakwater has been built of rock slabs about four feet long and three feet wide. more..

Apr 7 (Island) Some motor vehicle examiners had been caught red-handed accepting bribes from drivers during driving tests. Some had lost their jobs by committing such offences. By means of modern technology the bribe-takers could be detected now instantly, Minister Kumara Welgama said at a ceremony held to hand over letters of appointment to 52 new Motor vehicle examiners. In 1980 the number of registered vehicles was 200,000, but today vehicles registered had more..

Apr 7 (FT) News Butterfly, the unique TV programme from the US’ FOX news network, is now filming in Colombo for an exclusive segment on Sri Lanka’s new upswing. News Butterfly Market Place (NBMP) is described as a ‘unique women’s movement on TV’. According to NBMP, ‘the programme is a TV Channel venture for beautiful and talented women from across the globe, with a passion for TV journalism. They call themselves as ‘News Butterflies’ more..

Apr 7 (Island) The media beat-up has become a common event. A media beat-up involves the Western mainstream media picking on a particular foreign country – often a small one or a third world one but never a large member of the Western alliance – and portraying its govt in a bad light, says in a report by the Centre for the Study of Interventionism. "This has most recently been focused on Russia during its election campaign. The characteristics of this beat-up are more..

Apr 7 (Hindu) Ajit Nivard Cabraal is a man intimately associated with the economic development of Sri Lanka. Well before he became the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, in 2006, Mr Cabraal was the chief economic adviser to Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was then the country's Prime Minister. Mr Cabraal also helped formulating Mr Rajapaksa's election manifesto, the “Mahinda Chintana.” Business Line met the suave and articulate Mr Cabraal in his office in Colombo recently. more..

Apr 7 (Island) The recently concluded Expo 2012 has been a successful event coming after a lapse 15 years. "The Expo 2012 garnered confirmed orders to the value of US$ 66,090 and currently orders under negotiation are US$ 12,110,315. There were also sales leads to the value of US$ 14,830 and also inquiries valued US$ 2,566,442 which would turn into business in the near future once the required follow-up is done," said minister Rishad Bathiudeen, more..

Apr 7 (DN) Sri Lanka’s apparel industry is on an upward movement and the country is gaining momentum as a reputed garment supplier, British High Commissioner John Rankin said. “It was impressive to learn that for the Athens Olympics, the fast skin swimwear by UK owned Speedo was manufactured in Sri Lanka. It is understood that Nike’s track and field outfits for the London Olympics will be made in Sri Lanka, he said at the Sri Lanka Apparel Sourcing Association 19th more..

Apr 7 (Island) JVP–led Inter Company Employees Union (ICEU) yesterday accused the govt of allowing private sector employers to draft acts related to the labour force in Sri Lanka. ICEU President Wasantha Samarasinghe said that Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) presented a draft amendment to the Work Place Relation Act at the monthly meeting of the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) on Thursday. The meeting was presided over by the Labour Minister more..

Apr 7 (Hindu) As Sri Lanka mulls over last month's UNHRC resolution, it may look back with nostalgia at its 2009 triumph at Geneva. Then, barely a week after its victory over the LTTE, a group of western countries wanted a resolution passed against Sri Lanka for the civilian deaths and other alleged rights violations by the army during the last stages of the operation. With the blood on the battlefield not still dry, Sri Lanka managed to snatch victory from the jaws of diplomatic defeat, more..

Apr 7 (DN) The Indian govt yesterday released nine fishermen along with their trawlers following Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne's intervention. They will be handed over to the Navy at Kankesanthurai tomorrow. The fishermen from Matara and Trincomalee crossed the Indian Maritime Border and were arrested by Indian authorities last month. Ministry sources said that the number of fishermen in Indian custody now is five with the release the nine fishermen. more..

Apr 7 (DN) There is a good public response to the Police Emergency Service 1-1-9, the Police said. The Police Emergency Service receives around 3,450 phone calls, of which 1,600 are public complaints. Last year, the Emergency Service received over 400,000 phone calls. These included public complaints, inquiries, stressful calls and re-inquiries. The Police emergency service 1-1-9 was established in Sri Lanka at IG’s Command and Information Division, Mirihana on November 8, 2004. more..

Apr 7 (Telegraph) Tillakaratne Dilshan had been judged caught at slip by James Anderson off Graeme Swann. Without hesitation, he had requested a review. Such immediacy always indicates the certainty of the defence: Dilshan did not think he had hit it. But could as much be proved? Due to financial constraints, there is, of course, no HotSpot technology in use in this series. So the replays began. Angle after angle was explored. more..

Apr 7 (FE) The UNHRC resolution last month censuring Sri Lanka for violation of human rights during the civil war with LTTE has brought no change in the country nor has the sky fallen on the nation. But the role of India has been exposed to the people of Sri Lanka. India is the lone Asian country which voted for the resolution along with US-Norway group. "New Delhi's siding with the West against a close neighbour and ally (Colombo) which stands by India in every platform is more..

Apr 7 (BBC) Sri Lanka has registered its highest growth of economic development since independence says the Department of Census and Statistics. The economy of 2011 grew at the rate of 8.3 present while in the previous year a growth of 8.0 present was achieved. Per capita Income has also increased to 2836 US dollars from 2400 US dollars the previous year. He expressed hopes that high economic growth could be sustained as growth has been seen in several sub sectors. more..

Apr 7 (Island) Arrangements are being made to ready Nuwara Eliya town for the Spring Festival which attracts thousands of fun seekers and holiday crowds fleeing the April heat of Colombo. Various organizations and the Nuwara Eliya municipal council are preparing the city for the month of festivity. The season will officially commence tomorrow and will continue up to April 25. Marking the launch of the season a band display and a parade by 1000 schoolchildren more..

Apr 7 (Island) The JVP yesterday charged that the LLRC and its recommendations were unacceptable. JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the Commission had not been appointed with the sincere intention of probing war crimes, but at the behest of western powers. He also pointed out that the govt had been making contradictory statements since its defeat at the UNHRC sessions in Geneva and asked the govt to clarify its stand was on the LLRC report. "The govt said that it was going to implement more..

Apr 7 (Island) A silent work-to-rule campaign by Sri Lankan pilots for nearly three weeks, which was adding to confusion and mismanagement at the national carrier, was expected to be settled with the bringing back of former Flight Operations Manager Capt. Milinda Ratnayake to tackle pilot rosters from this week, informed aviation sources said yesterday. They said Ratnayake who was the longest serving Flight Operations Manager of more..

Apr 7 (DN) Christians in Sri Lanka join those of their faith the world over to celebrate the festival of Easter that marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion and death at Calvary, states President Mahinda Rajapaksa in an Easter message. The message adds: "Jesus Christ, born among humans as the son of God, devoted his years in preaching the message of love to all beings, in a mission considered as one to save mankind from the burden of sin; a burden he took upon himself. more..

Apr 7 (Island) The Health Ministry has decided to purchase surgical and laboratory items from local manufacturers from this year after getting the cabinet approval for the proposal. Minister Maithripala Sirisena said that it was included in the recommendations made by the cabinet sub committee which was appointed to prepare a new drug purchasing procedure. "At present two local companies produce surgical and laboratory items in Sri Lanka," he said adding that more..

Apr 7 (Island) The LSSP, a constituent member of the UPFA govt says that a time frame should be fixed for implementing the LLRC recommendations. LSSP leader Tissa Vitharana said that the Govt should not appear to be under pressure from the US or the UNHRC, in complying with its very own recommendations. Asked if the govt was serious about implementing the LLRC Report, he said: "Yes. We must implement it. It’s our duty. more..

Apr 7 (Island) The TNA yesterday rejected the recent claim made by the govt that it (the TNA) instigated the United States Govt to bring in the resolution against Sri Lanka on war crimes and other human rights violations at the just concluded UNHRC deliberations last month."It is foolish on the part of the govt to make frivolous allegations against the TNA that we instigated the US govt to bring in the resolution against Sri Lanka for alleged human rights violations when more..

Apr 7 (Island) The Ministry of Urban Development is constructing new housing projects under the guidance of the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Under the first phase of this massive project, the construction of 9,800 houses has commenced at Wanathamulla, Maligawatta, Mayura Place, Dematagoda, Henamulla, Sri Panngananda Rd., Cyril C. Perera Mawatha, Sirimavo Bandaranaike Mawatha, Salamulla and Kolonnawa areas. more..

Apr 7 (Island) The UNP yesterday said if the govt was planning to partially implement to the LLRC recommendations, it would have to face the consequences both locally and internationally. UNP Deputy Leader and Hambantota District MP Sajith Premadasa said that the govt had a moral, ethical and legal obligation to ensure the full implementation of the LLRC recommendations. more..

Apr 7 (GDI) Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told the 126th session of the Inter Parliamentary Union that Sri Lankan govt is taking unique and durable measures to expedite the reconciliation process at the end of a three decades ruthless war. The minister who is heading the govt delegation explained in detail to the participating parliamentary members about the efforts made by the govt under the leadership of President more..

Apr 7 (LB) In late 2010, Minister Rishard Bathiutheen attempted to resettle 1000 Muslim families inside Wilpattu North in Marichchukkaddi and Paalakkuliya. Environmentalists protested this outrage stating that it is illegal, it would destroy the environment and lead to human elephant conflict. As they had predicted most of the families left within weeks after constant attacks from elephants. One would expect that this episode would have convinced the authorities that more..

Apr 7 (LBO) Sri Lanka has had single digit inflation for the past 38-months and no crisis in the banking system, despite a short-term weakening of the currency, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said. "During the past 38 months inflation had been in the single digit level," Cabraal told the LBR-LBO Ceo forum, a gathering of senior executives in Colombo. This is the longest ever period (since the liberalization of the economy in 1977) more..

Apr 7 (Xinhua) The Sri Lankan govt has ordered an investigation into an incident in eastern Sri Lanka where several statues including that of Indian independence icon Mahatma Gandhi had been vandalized, a statement by the Sri Lankan External Affairs Ministry said Saturday. "It has been brought to the notice of the Ministry of External Affairs that several important statues in the Batticaloa town had been vandalized. more..

Apr 7 (SM) Leader of the Frontline Socialist Party, Kumara Gunaratnam alias ‘Kumara Mahattaya’, has been arrested, according to the party. He had arrived in Sri Lanka to organize the FSP’s inaugural convention on April 09, said the party. ‘Kumara Mahattaya’ had discussed the organizing of the event at a house in Kiribathgoda and spent the night there. As he had been returning from there, he was kidnapped this morning. more..

Apr 7 (Island) The Joint Trade Union Coalition of CEB comprising nearly 15,000 employees is threatening strike action after a final decision on April 16. The Union’s General Secretary, Ranjan Jayalal said that prior to the strike they would launch a sick note campaign on April 11. He said: "We are demanding a 20 per cent pay hike because we were given only 25 per cent when we requested a 45 per cent hike. more..

Apr 7 (CI) In the end it was a breeze. Whatever doubts England might have had about chasing 94 to win the second Test at the end of a tormented Asian winter did not manifest themselves as they gambolled to a victory that, for the moment at least, preserves their status as the No. 1 ranked side in the world. Lurking memories of their collapse to 72 all out, in pursuit of 145, in Abu Dhabi barely two months ago were banished as Alastair Cook proceeded from the outset at a one-day rate more..

Apr 7 (DM) University academics said yesterday they would go ahead with their countrywide token strike and protest campaign in Colombo on April 26 because they had lost faith in the govt. They said the discussions with the Higher Education Ministry ended with little or nothing happening and also because the formulation of a public policy on education was devoid of transparency. FUTA called off discussions with the Ministry but said it was prepared to resume discussions if more..

Apr 7 (DM) JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti yesterday asked Treasury Secretary P.B. Jayasundera to clarify the situation with regard to the recent tax increase on the import of vehicles because of the confusion over how the taxes are to be applied. Mr. Handunnetti asked how it would affect those who had already paid their taxes, opened letters of credit or on vehicles already on board and on their way to Sri Lanka or awaiting clearance at the Colombo Port. more..

Apr 7 (CI) Angelo Mathews hasn’t convinced me he’s a Test No. 6 batsman. He probably doesn’t have to as Mahela Jayawardene and Graham Ford haven’t yet come up to me for advice on the batting line-up. But while he has the skill to bat at five or six in Test cricket, he doesn’t structure his innings well. Lots of young allrounders have his problem. They can bat, but because of being a bowler as well it’s as if they just haven’t learned how to pace and build a proper Test match innings. more..

Apr 7 (LT) It is revealed that an enigmatic plan to influence Government officers is being activated by the Government to influence state employees calling them to ‘Temple Trees’ occasionally. It is also revealed that the President, Secretary to Defence and the Secretary to the President are intimidating the Government officers. The newest of these attempts is to announce that all mobile phones of Government Officers have been tapped by the Intelligence Unit. more..