June 19 (DM) On Sunday 8 June 2014 it was reported that the Ministry of Law and Order of Sri Lanka had begun the process of reviewing and revising the Police Ordinance No.16 of 1865 (As subsequently amended) due to the provisions being ‘no longer adequate for the proper maintenance of law and order in the country’. The Ministry of Law and Order was established by His Excellency the President on 16 August 2013 by the Gazette Notification (Extraordinary) No.1823/70. more..

June 19 (DM) As the govt tried to move a Parliamentary motion on non-co-operation on Tuesday with the investigation team appointed by the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Opposition was initially thought to be in a spot. The Opposition, barring the TNA, is naturally under political compulsion to say ‘yes’ to any international inquiry into the alleged human rights atrocities and accountability issues during more..

June 19 (SL) Another Sakvithi Ranasinghe is in the offing in Kandy duping a number of people to the tune of several millions of rupees. Although this has been brought to the notice of the Kandy Police and already a complaint has been lodged against this swindler, it is questionable as to why the police are turning a blind eye to the scandal. The Kandy Police are accused of not holding a proper inquiry in to the complaints lodged more..

June 19 (Island) The Sri Lankan govt had sent a large number of migrant workers to South Korea during the last four years, Minister Dilan Perera said. He noted that more than 26,318 Lankans had received jobs in South Korea since the South Korea-Sri Lanka job recruitment programme commenced in 2010. Around 4,884 Sri Lankans left Korea for jobs in 2013 besides 2,694 who went there during the first six months of this year. more..

June 19 (SMH) Leo Seemanpillai wrote in his journal about bad dreams. Some nights he could not sleep at all. His stomach lurched at the looming prospect of being sent back to Sri Lanka and tortured. "As I got to know Leo, he confided some of the horrors of his past and these came to haunt him," a friend said at his funeral on Wednesday. "He was frightened and increasingly anxious about being sent home to Sri Lanka more..

June 19 (ST) A vibrant debate has surfaced in Sri Lanka’s medical profession over whether a prescription should only contain the generic name of a drug or also include a brand name. “Look at the full picture without focusing on minor details,” a top doctor has urged explaining some of the controversial points in the draft National Medicinal Drug, Devices and Cosmetic Regulatory Authority Act. Taking up the contentious more..

June 19 (Island) The Ceylon Tobacco Company and five of its cigarette distributors have informed the Supreme Court that they need a reasonable period of time to comply with the Health Ministry gazette dated May 22, 2004 which stipulates that 60% of the display areas in cigarette packets should carry pictorial health warnings. The gazette published directions, according to a Court of Appeal order, made in respect of a Writ more..

June 19 (IANS) Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has expressed "serious concern" over attacks by Buddhist hardliners in Sri Lanka on Muslims. OIC secretary general Iyad Madani said the incidents of violence by extremists against Muslims had been reported in Aluthgama and Beruwala among others. He said the deaths of civilians as well as attacks on homes, businesses and mosques were "deeply regrettable". more..

June 19 (DM) The NFF today charged the UNP and JVP had indirectly supported the UNHRC probe on Sri Lanka. Speaking about the voting session held in the Parliament on Wednesday on the UNHRC probe on Sri Lanka, NFF Spokesman Mohammed Muzammil said the UNP and the JVP had avoided an opportunity to defend the country for petty political gains. However the resolution was passed in the Parliament more..

June 19 (SM) Leader of the JBS and Mahiyangana PS member - Ven. Watareka Vijitha Thero has been left near the Hirana bridge in Panadura with his limbs bound, reports say. The driver has informed the police after seeing the monk, who was turned over, move a leg. The Thero's hands and feet have been bound by strips of fabric torn off from a saffron robe, reports add. Police say that the Thero has been assaulted and more..

June 19 (AFP) Several hundred Muslim-owned businesses shut down in Colombo on Thursday to protest deadly riots by extremist Buddhists, defying President Rajapakse's plea to stay open. Shops and restaurants were shuttered following the riots in two coastal resorts popular with international tourists that left four people dead and Muslim homes and businesses razed. "The protest is against the BBS and the police failure to more..

June 19 (CT) The STF last week busted what's been described as the country's second largest drug racket in a raid carried out in Biyagama and seized 85 kilos of heroin, having a street value of over Rs 680 million. This comes a few months after the largest consignment of heroin ever found in South Asia, 260 kg to be precise, was seized by the Sri Lanka Customs at the container yard in Orugodawatte. Sri Lanka has in the past earned a dubious reputation of being a major exporter more..

June 19 (AHRC) It is to the credit of some Buddhist monks that they have taken active role in extending support and protection to the Muslims victim to vicious attacks across Sri Lanka. The attacks began after the Secretary of BBS, Reverend Galagoda-Atte Gnanasara Thera, spoke at a recent meeting at Aluthgama. Video footage of the June 16th meeting shows this monk using provocative words and gestures, inciting violence against the Muslim community. more..

June 19 (LBO) Stocks closed 0.07% lower with John Keells losing ground despite net foreign buying. All Share Price Index closed 4.41 points lower at 6,313.20, down 0.07%. S&P SL20 closed 8.82 points lower at 3,490.67, down 0.25%. Turnover was 683.59 million rupees, down from 713.88 million rupees a day earlier with 67 stocks closed positive against 106 negative. Foreign investors bought 248.45 million rupees worth shares while selling 142.52 million rupees worth shares. more..

June 19 (CT) In Aluthgama and Beruwala, violence has petered out and fires have died. But it will be a long while before normalcy returns to these afflicted localities, if at all. The memories and the fears will survive, and for the Muslim people of the area, life will have to be lived under an ominous cloud of dread and foreboding. The President has promised to rebuild the houses and shops with govt funds. Hopefully, the promise will be honoured. Even more hopefully, the UDA will not decide to more..

June 19 (CT) Namal Rajapaksa, eldest son of President Rajapaksa, MP, and heir apparent has registered and commenced work for his PhD with Sri J'pura University, without required academic qualifications, the CT learns. He is conducting his doctoral research on a subject based on politics and criminology, university sources confirmed. Namal Rajapaksa has sat for a specially arranged MAQ exam to qualify for the PhD, more..

June 19 (Reuters) The rupee fell for a second straight session on Thursday on dollar demand from importers, dealers said. The rupee was at 130.29/30 per dollar at 0727 GMT, compared with Wednesday's close of 130.26/30. "There is importer demand. But the moral suasion does not allow any trade above 130.30. So, the spot next is active," said a currency dealer asking not to be named. Dealers said the three-day forward or spot next was traded at 130.33/40 per dollar. more..

June 19 (Island) More than 300 govt doctors serving in Nuwara Eliya District would launch an indefinite strike at 8 a.m. today. They claim Minister Arumugam Thondaman has interfered with the work of Medical Officers of Health (MOHs) and even threatened one of them. Dr. Lasantha Gunadasa said that GMOA had waited, until yesterday evening, for a positive response from Minister Thondaman who had been urged by Minister Maithripala Sirisena to desist from such actions. more..

June 19 (DM) The UNP said today that it was the responsibility of the govt to look into the wellbeing of not only human beings but also the animals in zoos. UNP MP Ajith P. Perera told media while participating in a fact finding mission in the Dehiwala Zoo today that they decided to make their third fact finding mission in the Dehiwala Zoo after they were informed by experts that several issues concerning with the wellbeing of the animals in the zoo. more..

June 19 (AA) An Indian woman employee of Sri Lankan Airlines filed a petition in the Delhi high court on Wednesday asking for an action against the air carrier for not implementing of the Vishaka guidelines for dealing with the sexual harassment related cases at workplaces. The court has agreed to hear the matter on June 20. The woman who filed the petition is a sales executive in the airline. The petition claimed that her complaint of sexual harassment against a senior colleague, more..

June 19 (Island) The Court of Appeal directed the petitioner, Indika Koralage, to submit to the court a copy of the Supreme Court order pertaining to the fundamental rights violation application filed by the former chairman of the Pradeshiya Sabha of Homagama, A.D. Kumarasiri. The petitioner Koralage has said that consequent to the defeat of the budget for 2014 twice, Kumarasiri was removed from the post of Chairman. The petitioner Koralage, who secured the highest number of more..

June 19 (AD) The DNA testing on blood samples found at the crime scene in the Tangalle tourist resort where British Red Cross worker Khuram Shaikh was murdered and his girlfriend gang raped on the Christmas Eve 2011, tallied with three leading suspects including Sampath Vidanapathirana, the former chairman of the UPFA led Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha, the report submitted to court said. more..

June 19 (GDI) The Japanese visiting delegation consisting of members of Japanese Electronics Components Industry (JEITA) were hosted by the BOI for a briefing on investment opportunities in Sri Lanka. The Japanese side included representatives from many leading Japanese manufacturers of electronics components which is a major industry of Japan. Currently Japan maintains 40% market share of the world electronic components productions and manufactures a high percentage of more..

June 19 (AM) Police sources confirmed that the group who abducted Watareka Vijitha Thera, a rival monk of Bodu Bala Sena, had attempted to circumcise him! A senior Police officer who is involved in the investigations said wounds on his private parts were suggestive of an attempted circumcision. He also stated that the group had attempted to cut him with blade. Hospital sources also confirmed that there were a few injuries on his head which were suggestive of an assault. more..

June 19 (IANS) Urging the centre to secure the release of 46 Indian fishermen from Sri Lankan jails, TN Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said the IMBL with Sri Lanka should not be taken as settled. In a letter to PM Narendra Modi, the text of which was released to the media here, Jayalalithaa urged him "to take immediate action through diplomatic channels to secure the release of all 46 Indian fishermen" from Sri Lankan jails. more..

June 19 (MoD) Stolen or lost passports should be immediately reported to the nearest Police Station. and a copy be forwarded to the Controller General of Immigration & Emigration. Once the Department is informed of a stolen or lost passport through the police or a Sri Lankan Diplomatic Mission steps are immediately taken to cancel that passport, said Assistant Controller of the Department of Immigration & Emigration Jayaweera Fernando during the weekly press briefing more..

June 19 (Rediff) Sri Lankan Navy has arrested another 11 Tamil Nadu fishermen late on Wednesday night, hours after they apprehended 36 fishermen hailing from a village in Pudukottai district while fishing near Neduntheevu and Katchatheevu islet, a fisheries department official said. While the 11 fishermen were arrested at midnight, 36 fishermen were apprehended on Wednesday morning on charges of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), more..

June 19 (CG) Outspoken Buddhist monk, Maduluwawe Sobitha thero, today offered to contest for President if all the opposition political parties reach a consensus. The monk said that the main purpose of contesting for the post would be with the intention of abolishing the Executive Presidency. “If the President is not going to do this then we call upon all political parties to join hands devoid of party policies, race or religion,” he said. more..

June 19 (CG) Muslim Council of Sri Lanka has urged President Rajapaksa to immediately investigate the actions of all extremist groups and ban those who have been carryout a campaign of hate, intimidation and violence against Muslims, Christians and other religious minorities. In a letter to the President, the Muslim Council said that recent incidents have heightened fears that violence will spread and that Muslims will come under attack, resulting in deaths and injuries, more..

June 19 (DM) An elderly woman who set out on an overseas holiday to visit family in Sri Lanka ended up with a broken leg before she even made it to her home country. On April 4, Vineetha Warnakulasuriya, 72, was travelling with her son, daughter-in-law, and her two grandchildren on an Malaysia Airlines flight from Melbourne Airport when she had a fall on the travellator about an hour before departure. Paramedics assisted her and Ms Warnakulasuriya was cleared to more..

June 19 (MoD) Just hours after his return to island from G-77 Meeting, President Rajapaksa, together with the President's Secretary, Ministers, IGP and several other officials, this afternoon (18) made a bee line to meet a section Buddhist and Islamic clergy and senior citizens in Beruwala-Aluthgama areas who had by then assembled at the Beruwala Divisional Secretariat for a mutual exchange of views and assessment of more..

June 19 (AM) The Bar Association of Sri Lanka today alleged that the Attorney General had failed to take necessary measures against the certain acts committed by the BBS. Bar Association also said that the inaction on the part of the Attorney General Department could make a disastrous impact on ethnic and religious disharmony in the country. The BASL made these observations in the wake of the recent clashes that took place in Beruwala, Aluthgama and Dharga Town. more..

June 19 (LR) Sri Lankan-born Canadian MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan urged the Sri Lankan govt to uphold its constitution by protecting its citizens in the wake of deadly ethnic violence in southern Sri Lanka. “I strongly condemn the attacks in Sri Lanka. Three Muslims have already been killed during mob attacks while many others have been severely injured. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, NDP MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan for Scarborough–Rouge River said. more..

June 19 (LT) Let’s hold high the banner of national unity against communalist tendencies states the Leader of the JVP Anura Dissanayaka in a communiqué. The communiqué to explain mudslinging by the govt carried out concurrent with the prevailing situation in the country further states, “Today flames of communalism have engulfed our country. It is this situation that was displayed at Aluthgama and Beruwela. more..

June 19 (Xinhua) Sri Lanka's police will tighten security around the country in anticipation of Muslim protests after communal clashes left three dead and resulted in the arrest of 55 people in southern towns, the police chief told media on Thursday. A special security operation will be put into effect on Friday as most Muslims gather at mosques to pray, Police Chief K. Illangakoon told reporters. Over the past few days protests over the clashes have spread and Opposition politicians more..

June 19 (SM) Govt affiliate JHU says Muslim groups should take responsibility if clashes resume due to the hartals being called by them. In a statement, JHU leader Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera says the Muslims who were linked to violent incidents in the past few days are still at large. The statement asks the police to arrest them and enforce the law equally. It says Muslim parties and religious and civil organizations are planning to raise black flags, close shops and hold hartals tomorrow as more..

June 19 (DM) Sri Lanka was ranked 105 among the 162 countries in the Global Peace Index, 2014 put out by the Institute for Economics and Peace. Sri Lanka was ranked 110 last year. SL was ranked 4th in South Asia whereas India was ranked 5. India was ranked 143 in the global ranking. SL is the only country to go against the trend, mainly because of its improvement due to the cessation of the civil war, more..

June 20 (CT) Mr. Deputy Chairman of Committees, before I conclude, you will permit me, Sir – that is also a matter concerning human rights – to refer to the incidents that occurred in Aluthgama, Beruwala and Dharga Town recently. Something happened on Thursday. The persons concerned were arrested and they were remanded. With that the matter ended. I have seen the video of a speech made by a Venerable Monk. It was a very vitriolic speech, a very violent speech; more..

June 20 (ST) There is a lot to learn from Lanka’s first citizens, the Veddahs. Though the Sinhalese decry the discriminations practised and the deprivations inflicted upon the aborigines of Australia, Canada and the US and hold it as prime examples of human rights violations in those countries, they conveniently look askance when it comes to the aborigines of their own land, recognising their presence only to make them objects of ridicule. Some do not even bother to spare them a gift when asking more..