May 5 (Island) The approach of May Day is a good occasion to turn away from foul local politics to a different topic. The demand for classes in Marxism has grown fast and it is difficult to keep pace. Sumanasiri Liyanage and Mahinda Ratnayake overcame many obstacles to organise a Marx School in Colombo in February, to deliver a 100-hour, one-year course. Immediately there was a clamour from Kandy, the Free Trade Zone and Negombo. They have had to curtail expansion beyond these four, more..

May 5 (DM) On the Vesak full moon poya day 2601 years ago the last birth of Bodhisattva took place at Lumbini Royal park. His mother was Queen Maha Maya and King Suddhodhana of the kingdom of Kapilawasthu was his father. The queen was on her way to her parental place at Devdaha with a mass of followers to deliver her first child as was customary and when she was resting at the Royal Park, Lumbini holding a branch of a fully blossomed Sal tree more..

May 5 (Island) It’s been a week of the concepts/emotions mentioned in the title being uppermost in the disturbed mind, compounded with worry. Sad and disturbing to see and hear beautiful Hirunika Premachandra mentioning the fact she is fighting a lone battle to avenge her father’s murder with justice being meted out to the perpetrator/s of the crime. This should be in the course of events in a democratic country, but here we have her crying in public and more..

May 5 (Island) A Colombo-based UN official's claim that a foreign demining group chanced upon cluster bomb munitions in Sri Lanka's former war zone has received wide publicity in the global media. International human rights groups have used it to bolster their claim that war crimes were committed in Sri Lanka and a probe is needed. But, the Sri Lankan military says the UNDP has not yet furnished details of the alleged detection of cluster munitions such as the exact more..

May 5 (DM) The four Noble Truths are: 1. Dukkha; 2. Samudaya, the arising or origin of dukkha; 3. Nirodha, the cessation of dukkha and; 4. Magga, the way leading to the cessation of dukkha. The Noble Truth Dukkha or Dukkha Aiya Sacca has been translated into English as suffering or pain. Often words like sorrow and misery are used to mean the Pali word “dukkha”. This has resulted in the misunderstanding by ordinary people who have more..

May 5 (LBO) SriLankan Airlines on Friday extended wings to the northern tip of the island, opening a branch in the Jaffna Peninsula. The state-run airline said the office will facilitate travel arrangements for a large clientele in the Jaffna and Kilinochchi areas. Considering the increasing customer base for air travel to and from the northern region, the new operation will expand the size of the airline’s local market. “We are reaching out strategically to establish closer links with the communities in more..

May 5 (LT) Today is Wesak Poya Day, the day Buddhists all over the world accept as the day in which Lord Buddhas Birth, Enlightenment and Nirvana took place. This day is commemorated, venerated and honoured by all Buddhists. Lord Buddha’s teachings that help the society to progress include cooperation, working for reconciliation and righteousness. Undoubtedly, most of the virtuous qualities that exist in the Sri Lankan society have been nurtured by His teachings. more..

May 5 (CT) Colombo High Court Judge Sunil Rajapaksa yesterday put off the submission of the verdict regarding whether a counsel can appear on behalf of Duminda Silva or not to 8 May. The decision was made when the revision motion case filed by Duminda Silva’s father Premalal Silva was taken up for hearing at the Colombo High Court, yesterday. The revision motion was filed at the Colombo High Court by Premalal Silva on 5 April, requesting more..

May 5 (GDI) An awareness programme for Educational Sector officials on Divi Naguma programme was held at the Ministry of Economic Development on Thursday under the patronage of minister Basil Rajapaksha. The purpose of this discussion was to get the contribution of school children for Divi Naguma National Programme. At this discussion Minister Basil Rajapaksa pointed out that if the Ministry of Education would start a programme to provide liquid fresh milk more..

May 5 (DN) Australian Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Bowen met Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem to discuss matters pertaining to mutual cooperation relating to human smuggling and relevant issues on May 3. The ministers reviewed progress of action taken in this regard and discussed future legal, investigative and legislative matters combating human trafficking. Minister Hakeem explained that Sri Lanka has enacted strong legislation in keeping with more..

May 5 (DN) The govt has decided to formulate a national consumer welfare policy. "As an initiative to the formulation of the national policy, a meeting was held at the Senior Ministers' Secretariat with the participation of representatives from all ministries recently," Minister S B Nawinna said. "Our major objective is to strengthen the consumer movement in Sri Lanka under this programme," he said. He said President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed him to formulate a national policy more..

May 5 (CT) No reporters from state-funded television station ITN were assigned to cover the UNP’s May Day rally in Jaffna, Deputy Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said during the cabinet briefing today. He was responding to allegations made by the UNP that a plant by the ITN was waving a flag of the LTTE, at the united opposition’s rally in Jaffna. “If the person was, as reported, caught, then he should have been handed over to the police instead of being released,” more..

May 5 (Island) "If the dividends of ICT are to be taken to every village, every citizen…’ it had to be done in Sinhala and Tamil". This was stated by ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) Board Member and Local Language Initiative (LLI) Chairman Dr. R. B. Ekanayake. He said so while participating at a multi-pronged launch that took place at Jaic Hilton, Colombo recently. Participating in the occasion and presenting an overview of the LLI during more..

May 5 (Island) Sri Lanka’s women pugilists will fight for a place in the London Olympics when they take part in the International Boxing Association conducted Women’s World Boxing Championships in Qinhuangdao, China from May 9-20. With women’s boxing making its Olympics debut this year the Women’s World Boxing Championships in China will serve as a qualifying tournament for the Olympics. London Olympics will see only three weight categories in boxing’s debut and more..

May 5 (Island) The three senior Arts Faculty undergraduates of the University of Peradeniya held in remand for allegedly sexually assaulting and causing grievous hurt to a fresher of the same faculty were allowed bail by the Kandy High Court Judge yesterday. The High Court Judge ordered Rs. 35,000 cash bail and two sureties worth Rs. 200,000 for each suspect. The above bail was granted to on Charith Lakmal, Ruchila Madusanka and Yohan Sandaruwan by more..

May 5 (DN) It is indeed a great privilege to once again commemorate the triple festival of events in the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, with great reverence and honour, and with full state patronage, states President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a Vesak message. The message: “We had great joy in seeing Sri Lankan Buddhists giving emphasis to the principles of Buddhism with the dawn of the more..

May 5 (FT) During the past two weeks, Ambassador of France Christine Robichon, visited Matara, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu districts, where she met with Govt Agents, representatives of civil society and local politicians. In Matara, she was received by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Ruhuna. She visited centers run by local NGOs providing support and training to vulnerable groups, particularly children and young people. She also attended the annual General Meeting of the Alliance Française in Matara and Galle. more..

May 5 (Island) The govt has issued a circular informing all Divisional Secretaries and Officers-in-Charge of police stations to take legal action against those who disrespect the Buddhist flag. Accordingly, police will take action against those who desecrate the Buddhist flag by using it disrespectfully at Danselas and Vesak celebrations. Even though the Buddhist flag could be displayed at Danselas, it should not be waved at vehicles to stop them. For this purpose the Dansela organizers more..

May 5 (FT) The 306-room luxury hotel to open doors in October 2013, making it the first major global brand to debut in post-war Sri Lanka. Architectural contract awarded to W.S. Atkins, designers and engineers of Dubai’s iconic Burj-Al-Arab among others. Lanka Hotels and Residencies and Starwood Group looking for other development opportunities in Sri Lanka identified as emerging market in the global hospitality and leisure industry. more..

May 5 (Island) The Land Reform Commission (LRC) had recently appointed a special committee to look into the unlawful occupation of state lands, as many such cases had been reported to the commission. The commission comprises six investigative officers headed by its Executive Director Hariguptha Rohanadeera. "After the appointment of the committee, the commission had acquired 1,600 acres of land in the Puttalam district, which had been unlawfully occupied by people, who more..

May 5 (DN) President Mahinda Rajapaksa will open the reconstructed section of the Udathenna to Mahiyanganaya road consisting of the 18 hair pin bends popularly known as the Dahata Wanguwa Para on the Kandy- Padiyathalawa via Mahiyanganaya main road at a ceremony at Udu Dumbara tomorrow at 10.30 am. The road stretch of 41 kms has been widened to 15 metres and carpeted from Udathenna to Mahiyanganaya at a cost of Rs. 5000 million. more..

May 5 (DM) The govt said today it was glad that the UNP and the TNA had held a joint May Day rally in Jaffna, and urged UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to persuade the TNA to resume talks with the govt. Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana said that the govt was extremely happy to see the two leaders carrying the lion flag together in Jaffna. He said it would auger well for political co-existence and racial harmony in Sri Lanka. more..

May 5 (DN) The foreign ship anchored for the past three years off the coast of Panadura pending the outcome of a court case, is to be moved to Trincomalee with immediate effect after making the urgent and essential renovation work to prevent it sinking. Accordingly, the urgent renovation work of the ship is being carried out and it will be moved from Panadura today or tomorrow. The ship has been handed over to a private company called Master Drivers to move it to a safer place during more..

May 5 (Island) President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday cancelled the controversial National Savings Bank and The Finance Company deal. The NSB had purchased over 7,863,362 shares of The Finance Company, gaining a stake of 13.2 percent for Rs 391 million recently. The deal drew serious attention with stock brokers and bank employees questioning it. Market analyst sources said that the NSB is a public bank and could only go ahead with such a transaction under more..

May 5 (Island) In spite of claiming to have found cluster ammunition in Puthukudiruppu late last month, the UNDP is yet to provide conclusive evidence to justify its claim. The army was ready to launch a de-mining operation if the UNDP revealed the specific area, where the detection of cluster ammunition was claimed to have been made by a private NGO engaged in de-mining operations, under the auspices of the UNDP. more..

May 5 (Island) There are four contenders for the post of the CMC’s opposition leader post which has fallen vacant due to the resignation of Milinda Moragoda. They are Mrs. Yamuna Ganeshalingam, wife of the former Mayor of Colombo K. Ganeshalingam, Kulatissa Geekiyanage, a close confidante of Minister A. H. M. Fowzie, Mrs. Rizan Amith and M. N. Shaeed, an attorney-at-law.All four of them lost at the last Local Government elections last year polling less than 4,000 votes. more..

May 5 (Island) A retired 75-year-old medical specialist was arrested and granted police bail yesterday, with instructions to be present before Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court next Thursday, when PHIs and an Environment OIC found Dengue mosquito breeding places in his garden in Colombo. A Cinnamon Gardens police officer said that the raid had been conducted on a tip-off and the doctor’s front garden was full of empty cups and cans though he had employed three domestic workers. more..

May 5 (DBS) The following article was written by Prof. Michael Roberts on July 10th 2007 and appeared in Cricinfo.com. under the heading “Rangiri Cricket Stadium &Its Tempestuous History.It is being reproduced here as it sheds some light on the commercial interests of Ven Inamaluwe Sumangala Thero who spearheaded the deplorable attack on the Mosque in Dambulla. I am inclined to wonder whether some sordid money making more..

May 5 (CT) The two types of the dengue mosquito present in Sri Lanka have changed their characteristic patterns in order to discover a more convenient time to feed on human blood, entomologists said. An entomologist speaking to Ceylon Today on grounds of anonymity said the dengue mosquito has been able to change its characteristics according to the ever changing behavioural pattern of man in order to suit their feeding requirements. more..

May 5 (KT) Airlines are facing a tough time because of rising fuel prices, but they remain resilient and continue to grow as tourism is also increasing, SriLankan Airlines chairman Nishanta Wickremasinghe said. Citing examples, Wickremasinghe said despite worries such as the Thailand floods, Japan tsunami, rising oil prices and unrest in the Middle East, people continue to travel, pulling the tourism industry up, and the airline sector is benefiting more..

May 5 (GDN) GLOBAL police agency Interpol could be brought in to search for the flatmate of a Sri Lankan woman found dead in her home in mysterious circumstances. Police are still investigating exactly what killed Achala Aracchchige, who it has been speculated could have had chemicals poured over her. The 42-year-old was found dead in her Manama flat on March 1 and the man who shared the apartment with her left more..

May 5 (SL) The Roman emperors walked a tightrope, pretending to be merely first among peers when dealing with the aristocracy, commander-in-chief when dealing with the army, and godlike when dealing with parts of the empire that expected their rulers to be numinous. They substituted a god-when- I’m-dead strategy for the old god –for-a-day compromise: emperors were merely outstanding men until they died, the theory held, whereupon they were clutched more..

May 5 (DN) All sections of the media in Sri Lanka should act responsibly and put the country first. Various fingers are being pointed at the government by NGOs etc since the government eradicated terrorism and gave freedom to the country and its people. Certain incidents that took place in the country in the recent past is part of those pressures, Acting Cabinet Spokesman Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said at yesterday’s Cabinet briefing. more..

May 5 (LBO) Japan’s Deputy Prime Minister Katsuya Okada, began his second day in Sri Lanka on Saturday touring the island’s last hydro power plant that is being built with Japanese assistance. Accompanied by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, Okada inspected the 150 megawatte Upper Kotmale hydro power project, that is scheduled to finish construction in June, Sri Lanka’s power ministry said in a statement. more..

May 5 (LT) The Rajapaksa regime acts now not as a govt that is responsible for the masses but as a despotic, vicious gang of marauders that act according to neo-liberalist policies on advice from imperialism and IMF states the JVP in a media statement. It states the rupee has been depreciated, masses are being burdened and it has been confirmed that nothing more could be expected from this govt. more..

May 5 (CT) No concrete steps have been taken by the Sri Lankan Govt since the report of the LLRC was released, Jean Lambert, Chair of the visiting European Parliament Delegation to South Asia, said yesterday, adding that the situation in the island on reconciliation and accountability have “changed little” since a year back. “So many unanswered question lie about the final stages of the war, about what happened from both sides: the Govt of Sri Lanka, and the LTTE,” more..

May 5 (DN) The entire country is enveloped in spiritual fervour as the nation prepares to celebrate yet another Vesak Full Moon Poya Day marking the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha. Religious activities, including meditation programmes, will take pride of place in Vesak Full Moon day celebrations at all temples and Buddhist monasteries islandwide during the Vesak Week which commenced on May 2. more..

May 5 (DM) Amid national and international crises ranging from the soaring cost of living that has hit the moon, to human rights and reconciliation issues, millions of Sri Lankans will today celebrate the thrice-blessed day of Vesak which marks the birth, enlightenment and parinibbana of the Buddha. Sri Lanka proudly proclaims itself as the home of Theravada Buddhism and we are often told that it is our right and duty to protect this highest and purest form of Buddhism. more..

May 5 (Island) A motorcyclist and his piilion rider were killed on the spot when an express train ran over then at an unprotected railway crossing in the Ratgama police area on Wednesday afternoon. The incident had taken place around 3.45 p.m., at Devinigoda, Bopagoda. He said that the train was bound for Kandy from Matara. The victims were Neragal Dammika (31), a resident of Bujamullawatta, Katudampe, Dodanduwa and Thirimadura Damith from Gammaddagoda, Ratgama. more..