Apr 24 (Island) General Secretary, Bodu Bala Sena Organisation Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera calling on the prelate of Malwatte yesterday said that his organisation only listened and regarded the Most Venerable Mahanayaka Thera and not politicians like MPs and ministers. Ven. Gnanasara Thera said he would stop his activities in the organisation only if the Mahanayaka Thera advised him to do so. more..

Apr 24 (CG) Govt today told the diplomatic community that there is compelling evidence regarding the remittance of substantial sums of money from overseas for planned terrorist activity in SL. Minister G.L. Peiris said that as a result of extensive investigations in recent weeks, govt is aware of the sources of terrorist funding in several instances and the bank accounts into which the money had been paid. more..

Apr 24 (CT) When legislators are attacked by gun-toting (even toy gun-toting), stone-throwing petty thugs, even as an impotent police force, whose primary function is to protect the people and ensure the laws that are legislated are enforced, merely looks on, one does not have to look anywhere else for the protection and safety of oneself except in the mirror. The only person who can protect you is looking at you! What took place in Hambantota last week when five UNP MPs comprising more..

Apr 24 (Island) Governor of the Western Province Alavi Mowlana were to present the policy declaration for 2014, before the assembly of members of the Western Provincial Council (WPC) at the Committee Room (A) of the BMICH on Wednesday (30) Commencing from 9 a.m. said Secretary to The Governor Sunil Abeywardena yesterday. Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana initially swore in the newly elected members of the opposition of the Council on Tuesday (22) after which more..

Apr 24 (LBO) Sri Lanka's shares end 0.09% higher with telco and diversified stocks gaining amid strong foreign buying. All Share Price Index closed 5.36 points higher at 6,178.13 up 0.09%. The S&P SL20 closed 21.01 points higher at 3,394.56, up 0.62%. Turnover was 1.13 billion rupees, up from 670.86 million rupees a day earlier with 76 stocks close positive against 90 negative. George Steuart Finance closed 1.90 rupees lower at 155.10 rupees with an off market transaction of more..

Apr 24 (CT) Mihin Air is a metaphor for Rajapaksa economics. A budget airline was neither a national deed nor a popular demand. Mihin Air, the first state entity to be named after President Rajapaksa, never made a profit in its existence. It loses billions of rupees annually, and yet its continued existence is not in doubt. Mihin Air was the first of a kind, an economic project with a single raison d’être – pandering to Rajapaksa megalomania. Today development has become coeval more..

Apr 24 (DM) Soldiers attached to the Matara 3rd Gemunu Watch today rescued two little children who were thrown 30 feet down the crocodile-infested Nilwala River from the Mahanama Bridge by their father. A 4-year-old girl and her two-year-old sister were thrown into the Nilwala River by their father around 11 am today. The army personnel on duty at a nearby security post rushed to the scene after hearing people shouting. more..

Apr 24 (PTI) No-frill carrier IndiGo's Airbus A-320 fleet would now on undergo major maintenance checks in the hangars of SriLankan Airlines in the island nation. An agreement to this effect was signed between SriLankan and IndiGo's parent company, InterGlobe Aviation Limited, to enable the Indian carrier's fleet of 78 A-320s undergo 'C' checks by SriLankan's Engineering Division at the country's second international airport, MRIA in Hambantota, a SriLankan release said. more..

Apr 24 (Island) The govt has revived its proposal to grow commercially important but protected plants such as Wallapatta, Sandlewood and Kothala Himbutu in home gardens, Wildlife Minister Wijayamuni Zoysa said. He said that the required plants would be delivered to people under the Divi Neguma project implemented by the Economic Development Ministry. "We prepared a cabinet paper for the purpose under the guidance of Minister Basil Rajapaksa," Zoysa said, more..

Apr 24 (TRF) Warm April weather is nothing new in Sri Lanka. Over generations, Sri Lankans have become accustomed to temperatures of up to 34C during this month, when the sun moves directly overhead. They also know from experience that the baking heat will soon be eased by the arrival of the monsoon in May. But this once-predictable cycle is changing. Weather experts, govt officials, farmers and ordinary more..

Apr 24 (Island) The govt has launched an initiative to provide welfare facilities to the family members of 12,000 or more prisoners, Secretary to the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Sena Withanage said yesterday. He said that Minister of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Chandrasiri Gajadeera had advised that one officer be attached to each of the 336 Divisional Secretariats around the country to inquire into all details surrounding a prisoner and his family. more..

Apr 24 (CG) The Sri Lankan Govt has turned down a request to legalise gay marriages in Sri Lanka, a Govt Minister said today. Economic Affairs Minister Basil Rajapaksa said that the request had been put forward by the British Govt. Speaking to newspaper Editors in Colombo today, the Minister said that the request had been put forward in the form of a condition to obtain British aid. However he said the Govt is not prepared to entertain that request. The gay and lesbian community in Sri Lanka have more..

Apr 24 (DM) If the govt and its leadership continue to be corrupt and keep oppressing the people, the opposition will have to seek the assistance of the United Nations (UN) to change the leadership, DP Leader Sarath Fonseka said today. He said he had discussed this issue with UNP Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya on Wednesday. “There is no relief for the people of this country and there is no way out of the misery more..

Apr 24 (ET) Sri Lankan High Commissioner Air Chief Marshall (r) Jayalath Weerakkody called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday. Matters of mutual interest and bilateral relations were discussed during the meeting. The chief minister said Pakistan and Sri Lanka had strong friendly relations. He said Pakistan attached a lot of importance to its relationship with Sri Lanka. He said that there was a need to strengthen economic ties between the two countries, and more..

Apr 24 (DT) A parliamentary delegation of the Balochistan Assembly, headed by Speaker Mir Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali, reached here in the Sri Lankan capital on Thursday on a four-day official visit to strengthen bilateral parliamentary relations. During his visit, Speaker Jamali along with his delegation is scheduled to call on Lankan President Rajapaksa. He will also meet Parliament Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa and will also observe the proceedings of the Lankan parliament. more..

Apr 24 (CG) Police say they are ready to assist India to investigate an alleged kidney racket said to involve Sri Lanka but so far a formal request for assistance has not been made. SSP Ajith Rohana said that while there are reports that the Indian police are considering sending a team to Sri Lanka to investigate the alleged racket, the SL police have not been approached for assistance. “Sri Lankan police is ready to more..

Apr 24 (Island) The initiative by the Faculty of Management and Finance of the University of Colombo is an exemplary response by the tertiary education system to current needs and priorities in the country, minister G.L. Peiris, declared in his address at the inaugural ceremony of the Master of Business Administration (International business) degree, held at BMICH. Professor Peiris, a former Vice-Chancellor of the Uni of Colombo, was the chief guest at the event. more..

Apr 24 (GDI) Govt of Japan will award scholarships to Sri Lankan Students under the Monbukagakusho (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology: MEXT) Scholarship scheme 2015, in the categories of Postgraduate Research, Undergraduate and College of Technology. The closing date for applications to the Ministry of Higher Education is on 23rd May 2014. Selection of candidates will be done through an examination conducted jointly by Japanese Embassy more..

Apr 24 (Island) Former Army Commander Gen. Sarath Fonseka claimed that the govt’s rehabilitation programme for LTTE cadres was not carried out properly and as a result some of them were back on their Ealam mission. He said that overseas funds received for the rehabilitation programme were misused and abused by the top men of the Rajapaksa govt. About 280,000 civilians reported to welfare centres in Wanni during more..

Apr 24 (Reuters) Rupee traded weaker on Thursday in thin trade due to light importer dollar demand, while dealers expected the currency to remain stable until imports pick up sharply with remittances slowing down. The spot rupee was traded at 130.63/66 per dollar at 0617 GMT, a tad weaker from Wednesday's close of 130.60/61. "We see importer dollar demand coming in with inflows drying," said a currency dealer, adding that the market was waiting to see if the central bank more..

Apr 24 (SM) Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa told parliament today that he was very sorry that a group of UNP MPs were attacked in Hambantota recently. He stressed that any MP should have the opportunity to make such visits, and that no one should be allowed to prevent them from such opportunities. Mr. Rajapaksa said that even he had inquired into govt projects when he was in the opposition, and that all should accept the right to everyone in that regard. more..

Apr 24 (AD) General Secretary of BBS Ven. Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thero today stated that they have decided to end the “Watareka drama,” referring to the hardline Buddhist group’s continues verbal attacks and intimidation of Ven. Watareka Vijitha Thero. BBS’s clash with Vijitha Thero had ignited when the group led by Gnanasara Thero had stormed a recent press conference organised by the Mahiyangana more..

Apr 24 (DN) Over 70 camps belonging to the Sri Lankan army have been dismantled in the North, what remains are the ones that are absolutely necessary, President Rajapaksa reiterated at a meeting with media heads this morning. Speaking further on the LTTE resurgence as well as demilitarization in the North, he pointed out that the existing camps will not be removed regardless of the LTTE resurgence. He pointed out that the LTTE, in its infancy, was doing just what more..

Apr 24 (SCMP) It's big and bumpy with a gooey interior and a powerful smell of decay, but it could help keep millions of people from hunger. Researchers say the jackfruit - a large ungainly fruit grown across southern and southeast Asia - could substitute for wheat, corn and other staple crops under threat from climate change. The World Bank and UN warned recently that rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall already had reduced yields of wheat and corn, and could lead to more..

Apr 24 (CG) Norwegian Govt is to discuss the INTERPOL warrant issued for the arrest of Perinpanayagam Sivaparan known by his nom de guerre Nediyawan, a former LTTE member who the Govt says is involved in attempts to revive the LTTE in Sri Lanka. State Secretary in Norway’s Foreign Ministry Morten Høglund had said Norway will discuss the issue with Sri Lankan officials. He said the Norwegian Foreign Ministry is more..

Apr 24 (SM) The Police have reportedly identified several thugs who attacked the United National Party (UNP) parliamentarians on April 17 at Mattala Airport and Hambantota Port premises. The dark complected thug in Black, who was seen in the photographs published in media pulling the hand of parliamentarian Ajith P Perera has been identified as a one "Kahawatte Sudda" from Beliatta area. He is said to be one of the closest supporters of MP Namal Rajapaksa. more..

Apr 24 (AD) The controversial gazette tabled under the Strategic Development Project Act was passed in Parliament today with a majority of 71 votes. A total of 113 members voted in favour while only 42, including UPFA MP, voted against the bill. Incidentally MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thero of the JHU, a coalition party of the ruling UPFA govt, has voted against the gazette notification, providing for a mixed development project in D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha. more..

Apr 24 (Guardian) The arrest and pending deportation of a 37-year-old British nurse, Naomi Coleman, from Sri Lanka for sporting a tattoo of a meditating Buddha on her right arm has once again raised the issue of tourists being woefully unaware of religious and cultural sensitivities in places they visit. Coleman was still being held a day after her arrest and deportation order. She told the media that she had visited the country twice more..

Apr 25 (CT) I refer to Mr. Kalana Senaratne’s analysis and explanation of the radicalization of Buddhist monks and the emergence of extremist organizations such as the Bodu Bala Sena. I have a different explanation of this social phenomenon. This is a sociological explanation and not a passing of judgment. The Buddhist monks had traditionally occupied a place of honor and prestige in society. With such prestige also went power – soft power but nevertheless power. more..

Apr 25 (CT) A nation as a concept is grounded on the basis of denoting people who foremost share a common language, a common and contiguous territory, historical processes, an overarching ethnic identity and distinct collective socio-cultural traits. This is not to deny the forms of differentiation within a nation based on caste, class, locality and gender which can generate internal oppression and intersection in experience and identities. Despite the internal differentiation the nation is, more..

Apr 25 (SO) "Gifted I wouldn't call myself. It is all a matter of hard work," Eugenie de Silva would refute if you try to equate her achievements thus far to her 'cross-genes'. But how can you not do so, when she had accomplished so much, even almost a Masters Degree from Harvard University. Her batchmates were in their twenties and thirties. She will be completing her Masters at Harvard by the end of Aug, 2 months after she turns 16. more..

Apr 25 (CT) In the wake of the Western and Southern Provincial Council elections, Ranil Wickremesinghe, National Leader of the UNP, made an appeal to all Opposition Parties to forge a common front to topple the incumbent govt. But then the first wedi muraya (gunfire) was fired by the JVP. Instead of issuing an unqualified or at least a qualified acceptance of the invitation, it came in the form of a ‘spoke in the wheel’, causing at least a temporary halt to the turning of the wheel. more..

Apr 25 (FT) The Washington DC based World Justice Project or WJP – a multidisciplinary private initiative to promote Rule of Law globally – has just released its Index on Global Rule of Law for 2014. The index made up of 9 – but quantified only for 8 – important parameters relating to the Rule of Law has covered 99 countries in both the rich and the poor worlds. This is the second year Sri Lanka has been included in WJP Index, the first being with respect to 2012-13. more..

Apr 25 (DM) In 2009, Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals were a mere 447 thousand. By 2010 the arrivals increased almost 50 percent to 654 thousand. That number is estimated to have almost doubled by 2013 to almost 1.3 million. The current plans are for this number to double again by 2016 to 2.5 million. But what got Sri Lanka here (doubling tourist arrivals from 2010 to 2013) will not get it there (doubling again from 2013 to 2016). more..

Apr 25 (SL) If people and nations had hoped that the pre-war past, including mutually-aggressive ethnic politics in moderation if not moderate doses, would return to Sri Lanka, it’s not to be. Or, so it seems. The shooting down of three alleged LTTE cadres in the North may have revived past suspicions, claims and hostility, between the Sri Lankan State and the Tamil community in more than moderate ways, for starters. If left unreversed, this trend has the equal potential to revive the ethnic chasm, more..

Apr 25 (FT) According to the 2012 statistics of the Sanitation Bureau, only 2.4% of the Sri Lankan population has access to collective sanitation while 84% of the population uses individual sanitation which consists of a septic tank that then discharges into a combined (wastewater and rainwater) sewer network without further treatment. The rest of the population uses latrines. As drinking water coverage is almost 100%, sanitation is now becoming one of the main priorities in terms of public more..

Apr 25 (FT) In response to the Daily FT article titled ‘Harsha’s talk at Ceylon Chamber Forum politically axed?’ the organisers Sri Lanka-Italy Business Council President Daya Ratnayake issued the following clarification: SL-Italy Business Council would like to announce that the Breakfast meeting on “Post War Dividends,” with Dr. Harsha De Silva, UNP MP, which was scheduled to be held this morning (24), was postponed due to the non registration of adequate participants. more..

Apr 25 (CT) An opportunistic protest campaign against an equally murky bill to set up three casinos has brought together strange bedfellows. Rubble rousing Buddhist monks of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), Ravana Balaya and Jathika Sanga Sammelanaya on Wednesday met with the Maha Nayakas of the Asgiriya and Malwatta Chapters, the foremost Buddhist power centres of the country, to lobby for high priests' support to a campaign against the proposed casinos. JHU, a govt constituent more..