May 10 (Island) We are gathered here today to remember and honour the life of a gentleman in every sense of the word, who gave of himself to his country and his profession more than most of us. It was indeed a privilege to know such a person to have associated with him. Few have the fortune to be called to serve one’s country. Others choose to serve their country voluntarily because of their abiding interest and commitment to their country. H.L. had the rare good fortune on both counts. more..

May 10 (CT) The economic consequences of the decisions made by Mahinda regime, to satisfy the international money lenders, are becoming intolerable. Apart from those who contribute to the Sinhala Buddhist ideology of the regime and those who are profiting by the regime’s excesses, the rest fight on a daily basis without much coordination, to cope with the rising cost of living. It is usual to see people buying one egg, half a loaf of bread, and 100gms of sugar; more..

May 10 (SO) The Jaffna district is gradually returning to its former glory with the implementation of mega development projects such as infrastructure, agriculture, fisheries, industries, education and health, Jaffna GA Ms. Imelda Sukumar told the Sunday Observer. She said that after an unfortunate era of nearly three decades the people, a large majority of whom have returned to their own former places, look cheerful and full of life now. more..

May 10 (TC) Speech made by Dharmasiri Lankapeli, member of the Politbureau of the Nava Sama Samaja Party (NSSP – Sri Lanka section of the Fourth International) at the joint opposition demonstration and rally on International Workers Day in Jaffna. Firstly, at this historic rally I apologise to the people in the North for not being able to address them in the Tamil language, as well as for the inability to provide them my speech in Tamil translation. more..

May 10 (Island) Presumably ‘national integration’ is our most discussed topic since the end of the LTTE insurrection. But the discussion has failed to produce any tangible result so far. That is not surprising in terrain where there are many roads to the destination. A logical approach to this problem calls for an objective appraisal of the roadmap to ascertain the most passable and least hazardous route to the peak. One obvious track is through direct participation of the parties concerned. more..

May 10 (SO) Veddah chief UruwarigeWannielaththo said he is doing all he can to preserve the Veddah heritage and identity - although it is a struggle. In addition he is struggling to protect the dwindling forest cover to maintain the traditional way of living of the veddahs. The Veddah population has faith that the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government would not mete out step motherly treatment to the Veddah folk in Dambane, said the Veddah chief. more..

May 10 (Island) Hardly a day passes without a protest by government workers somewhere against the nonpayment of their dues. Doctors are threatening trade union action as some of their allowances have not been paid. Several other categories of State employees are demanding that their salary anomalies be rectified. University teachers have vowed to stage a strike unless they are given a pay hike. The government's stock excuse for not meeting these demands is lack of more..

May 10 (TOI) A day after TOI first reported on the alleged attempts by a section of bookies in Delhi and Mumbai to try and "fix" matches in the T20 World Championship to be held in Sri Lanka in September, officials from the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) of International Cricket Council (ICC) asked the Delhi Police's crime branch to share details about the flight bookings allegedly made on behalf of the bookies. According to police sources, 170 people, including bookies and prostitutes, were booked to more..

May 10 (DN) Around 800 women prisoners were united with their offspring at a function at Magazine Prison yesterday in an event to mark International Mothers’ Day. The ceremony was held to strengthen family unity and bonds and highlight the unique role of the mother. The mothers were felicitated under the theme Maathru Wandana. Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera was present along with ministry officials. The event was emotional since this was the first time mothers more..

May 10 (FT) Sri Lankan apparel giant MAS Holdings will begin its foray into the north as two major divisions formalise plans to build manufacturing facilities, MAS Intimates Vidiyal and MAS Active Vaanavil, in Kilinochchi. The names of the facilities themselves, Vidiyal, meaning “dawn” and Vaanavil signifying “rainbows,” aptly symbolise MAS Holdings’ thinking behind this venture, the company said in a statement. Like the “rainbow,” which is a collaboration of colours, MAS’s passion is to unite more..

May 10 (Island) Close on the heels of the govt appointing a committee, headed by presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga to implement LLRC recommendations, Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara has proposed the formation of an interim committee to provide immediate relief to affected communities. The MP is of the opinion that people couldn’t wait till the full implementation of the LLRC recommendations after the conclusion of more..

May 10 (DN) The govt will commence the proposed lower Malwathu Oya reservoir project close to Thantirimale at the Anuradhapura-Mannar district boundary soon. Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva will visit Thantirimale for an inspection on May 13. The minister will meet the Thantirimale temple Nayaka Thera. He will meet farmer organization representatives in the Mannar district at the Adampan Maha Vidyalaya and visit the Japan funded Akhatimuruppa rehabilitation tank. more..

May 10 (DN) A workshop on Using Digital Media for Sustainability was held at Royal College to mark World Earth Day 2012 which fell on April 22. Earth Day was declared in 1970 to appreciate the value of mother nature. It also caters towards a collective responsibility as called for in the Rio Declaration to promote harmony with nature and the Earth to achieve a just balance among the economic, social and environmental needs of the present and future generations of humanity. more..

May 10 (Island) A five-judge Bench of the Supreme Court yesterday unanimously declared that General Sarath Fonseka could continue to seek treatment at the Nawaloka Hospital until the Consultant Chest Specialist, Dr. Vajira Tennekoon, decided that he was fit enough to leave the hospital and return to prison. The Court said that the authority on the medical condition of the appellant, Gen. Fonseka, should be the medical consultant who is treating him. more..

May 10 (Island) Over 100 Children from 18 conflict affected schools in the East displayed their talents through dance, drama and song at the Sri Shanpaha Maha Vidyalaya last week. Located in the Eechilampattu DS Division, the school was damaged during the war and reconstructed with financial support from the European Union(EU) and UNICEF. A delegation of three EU parliamentarians, headed by Jean Lambert joined in the cultural event as guests of honour, held to mark more..

May 10 (Island) Registrar of Pesticides Dr G.A.W. Wijesekera yesterday ordered a leading pesticide/ chemical importer to withdraw an anti-mosquito pesticide marketed under the name VACTOR from public sale with immediate effect. When The Island attempted to get some information from the chemical division of the company concerned a female, who answered the phone, abruptly cut the line after stating that its distribution had been stopped. The Island learns that a licence more..

May 10 (AFP) Sri Lanka, one of the world's largest tea exporters, is considering blending a pricey tea with cheaper imported varieties for the first time to boost revenues, a top official said Wednesday. Sri Lanka Tea Board chief Janaki Kuruppu said they were studying proposals to allow imported teas to be mixed with the more expensive Sri Lankan tea, better known by the country's former British colonial-era name "Ceylon". more..

May 10 (CT) “Today is one of the happiest days in my life,” said Anoma Fonseka to the journalists in front of the Supreme Court. The happy occasion for Anoma Fonseka was when Supreme Court granted permission to continue medical treatment for former army General Sarath Fonseka at the Nawaloka Private Hospital. She further said, “I was worried that his regular doctor would be changed and he would be transferred to another hospital. I was very anxious thinking of such unbearable situations. more..

May 10 (DN) Thefts of artifacts and pillaging of Sri Lanka’s historical and cultural sites have recorded a steep rise, prompting the Archaeology Department to take additional security measures to protect the country’s archaeological treasures, Archaeology Department Director General Dr Senarath Dissanayake said. He said 93 artifact thefts and treasure hunts were reported during the first four months of this year. The National Heritage Ministry in coordination more..

May 10 (CT) The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh have agreed to work closely in expediting the Sri Lankan peace process. Hillary Clinton who was on a three day visit to India met the Indian Premier at his residence in New Delhi on Tuesday. During the discussion while taking a common stance on expediting the Lankan peace process the US State Secretary and Dr. Manmohan Singh also agreed to take steps more..

May 10 (Island) A Dutch trade delegation has pulled out of a scheduled visit to Colombo at the eleventh hour fueling speculation that some of the delegates weren’t happy with the situation here, informed sources said. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce yesterday confirmed the cancellation, while asserting the possibility of re-scheduling the visit later this year. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was involved in the project organized by the Netherlands Embassy. more..

May 10 (CT) Replacing Sri Lanka’s permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva yet again illustrates the current govt’s instability, the JVP said. The JVP made this statement with reference to ambassador Tamara Kunanayakam being replaced by Ravinatha Aryasinha as Sri Lanka’s representative to the UN last Tuesday. JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake pointed out the fact that most countries have just one representative for a term of approximately three years. more..

May 10 (FT) In the wake of the controversial National Savings Bank (NSB) deal, the UNP yesterday renewed calls for a thorough investigation into that transaction as well as previous allegations of insider trading in the Bourse but stopped short of wanting it cancelled. UNP MP Dr. Harsha de Silva insisted to media that the Rs. 390 million deal between NSB and The Finance Company (TFC) had unveiled the “tip of the iceberg” on insider trading more..

May 10 (FT) The Govt has made its strongest statement yet to prevent local tea exports from being contaminated by imported low quality teas to protect its highest foreign exchange earning crop, a top official said yesterday. Speaking to over 200 foreign delegates at the biennial Dilmah Tea global distributor conference in Colombo, Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera outlined the way forward for the Sri Lankan tea industry. Emphatically rebutting arguments made by by the Tea Industry Association (TEA) that more..

May 10 (FT) Dealing a fresh blow to the contentious deal legal, experts say NSB’s decision to buy a 13% stake in The Finance Co. Plc (TFC) last month had contravened the National Savings Bank Act. They said as per Section 39 of the NSB Act No. 30 of 1971, the savings giant before investing in a particular stock (other than those in which Government has controlling 50% stake) must obtain approval from Minister (of Finance) in consultation with the Monetary Board. more..

May 10 (Island) A leading chamber and the UNP have called on the govt to conduct an impartial inquiry into the controversial purchase of The Finance Company (TFC) shares at a price inflated by more than 65 percent by National Savings Bank. The Board of Directors of NSB yesterday issued a statement giving a long overdue explanation behind its decision to invest in TFC. more..

May 10 (DM) Minister Mervyn Silva’s son Malaka Silva says that he has not decided to enter active politics at the moment, but if there is any request from the public he will seriously consider it. “I have not decided to enter politics right now as I am busy with business and social service activities,” he said. He also said that if there is a request from the people he will seriously consider it and enter politics with the full blessings of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his father. more..

May 10 (DN) The govt has allocated Rs 100 million for early childhood development activities which guides the younger generation to healthy and knowledgeable life, fulfilling a 2012 budget proposal. The ministry on the advice of Minister Tissa Karalliyadda, has planned to provide several basic requirements with immediate effect by utilizing the budgetary allocations. The ministry has sought the ideas and proposals of officials in the child development sector at regional level more..

May 10 (LB) Not long ago, one of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s little geniuses suggested that Sri Lanka imports camels from the Middle East so that Sri Lankans could drink camel milk. President Rajapaksa, you see, has a lot of veritable geniuses in his government to whom he delegates important work. Reports that only a few brothers get the good jobs are unequivocally false. These are the delirious ravings of envious UNP MPs who have no jobs. more..

May 10 (SL) Lately there have been many reports of Crocodile sightings, attacks on humans, in areas which have not been hitherto, known to be frequented by Crocodiles. There have been attacks on humans on a level which have not been heard of before. Children and adults had Crocodiles before. Reports have come in from places like Bolgoda, Diyawanna Oya and many parts of Kelani River. Especially Ragama, where people had to change their bathing and more..

May 10 (Island) Foreign Employment Promotions Minister Dilan Perera yesterday told Parliament that the government would take a final decision on sending housemaids to Jordan depending on the outcome of his fact finding mission next week. Minister Perera, while admitting there were issues concerning housemaids in Jordan, said he intended to discuss the issue with Jordanian authorities during his visit. more..

May 10 (CT) DNA MP Anura Dissanayake raised serious concerns as to whether the govt is involved in treasure hunting in order to make money by selling artifacts to overcome economic burdens. Making a special statement under Standing Orders 23-2 in parliament, he said the increase in the number of robberies of archeological artifacts and digging up of such sites leaves impression there is patronage for these acts by those connected to the Govt. more..

May 10 (Island) The Auditor General said that Rs. 800 million worth of Mahapola transactions were unacceptable in the absence of documentary evidence. He had made these observations in the Audit report of the Fund for 2010. He had also said that there had been over Rs. 760 million which has been claimed to have been disbursed on Mahapola Scholarships but he had not received the lists of the beneficiaries. more..

May 10 (Island) The Government Medical Officers’ Association will decide today on what stronger trade union action to take over the non-payment of the Disturbance, Availability and Transport Allowance (DAT). The GMO Executive Committee will meet at 12.00 noon. The GMOA plans to launch a strike which will cripple the entire health care service of the country, GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr. Nalin Ariyaratne said. He said that the GMOA would meet more..

May 10 (CG) The European Union (EU) says it is monitoring the case of Sri Lankan maid, Rizana Nafeek, who is on death row in Saudi Arabia. In a written response to a question posed to the European Parliament on Rizana, EU High Representative and Vice President Catherine Ashton said that discussions about human rights issues and individual cases between the EU and local authorities take place regularly using all suitable more..

May 10 (Island) No country could boast of a rapid post war recovery than Sri Lanka, a top UN official said yesterday. The UNDP, Country Director, Douglas Kay said that he was fortunate to witness a positive process in social, economic and political changes during the past year in Sri Lanka. Speaking at a regional workshop titled `Decentralization and Climate Change’ in Colombo on Monday, he said when he visited the country in 2007, at a time there more..

May 10 (DM) Setting an appalling precedent, putting the country’s equity market’s credibility on the line, National Savings Bank (NSB) in a newspaper advertisement has said that the bank’s director board has decided not to pay the moneys due on the The Finance-NSB transaction. It also said that the decision was conveyed to the Treasury Secretary P.B. Jayasundara and the other parties involved in the deal. According to the advertisement published in leading daily newspapers more..

May 10 (TN) Sri Lanka Govt Agent in Jaffna, Mrs. Imelda Sugumar has been ordered to hand over her responsibilities in Jaffna and take up an unspecified post at the SL President’s Office in Colombo, news sources in Jaffna said. From the beginning, Imelda’s tenure in Jaffna was blighting the interests of SL minister and EPDP leader Douglas Devananda. She was a pawn in the power struggle between Basil faction and Gotabhaya faction in the Rajapaksa regime, more..

May 10 (DM) If those who caused the explosion at the Dalada Maligawa were called terrorists, the label should not change when it comes to those who continue to plunder temples with lesser known names. Breaking into places of worship and spiriting away the relics is nothing short of treachery. The massive robbery at the Colombo National Museum proved beyond doubt that even the heart of the capital city was not safe enough for the priceless artifacts. To this date, more..