June 2 (CT) The 2011 annual report of the trillion rupee superannuation fund, the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), was submitted to Parliament on 21 May, following many allegations of its monies being invested in unwise ventures incurring heavy losses affecting the stakeholders, the working people. The allegations centred on the investments made in loss making institutions in the stock market, with the delay in the submission of the annual reports confirming the speculation that more..

June 2 (DM) Mobitel has joined hands with the Central Environment Authority (CEA) for the launch of the e-Waste management project, under the slogan “An e-waste free Sri Lanka” to support the safe and environmentally friendly disposal of electronic waste products. As a leading corporate citizen of the country, Mobitel has always demonstrated its commitment to matters of national importance and thus has chosen to provide its fullest support to the CEA in an e-waste more..

June 2 (LR) First of its kind with a combination of a “Super Star” and a “State of the Art” indoor cricket facility in Canada. Arjuna Ranatunga has accepted an invitation by “Sorkkam Indoor Cricket Nets” to set up “Arjuna Ranatung Cricket Academy” right here in Scarborough. The academy will commence in Sept of 2014 with a team of dedicated resident coaches on full time basis. The facility at 2050, Ellesmere Road, has a more..

June 2 (LBO) Stocks closed up 0.46% on Monday with diversified conglomerate Carson Cumberbatch gaining amid strong foreign buying, brokers said. All Share Price Index closed 28.95 points higher at 6,292.41 up 0.46%. The S&P SL20 closed 15.58 points higher at 3,470.19, up 0.45%. Turnover was 781.96 million rupees, down from 1.08 billion rupees last Friday with 111 stocks closed positive against 71 negative. E-Channelling closed 20 cents higher at 14.00 rupees with more..

June 2 (CT) Many battles have been fought by the warring parties – won and lost – since the adoption of the 13th amendment in 1987, and the war too eventually ceased in May 2009 with the overwhelming power of the state and the international support. But the implementation of the infamous 13th amendment to the constitution has become a political football game even after the end of the war. The lethal cocktail of the UPFA alliance and the unwilling President who likes to more..

June 2 (SM) Examinations chief W.M.N.J. Pushpakumara has been accused of having given five questions to be included in the business studies paper at the GCE A/L exam in 2013. Dr. Jagath Bandaranayake of Sri J'pura University, who was a member of the board that prepared that question paper, has levelled the accusation. He said, however, he had refused to include the questions given by the exams chief. more..

June 2 (DN) Laksala the most renowned Shopping Destination in Sri Lanka has been awarded the Certificate of Excellence - 2014 based on customer reviews and ratings of shopping related malls across the Globe by Tripadvisor which is acclaimed as the world’s largest travel site, enabling, travellers to plan and have the perfect trip including shopping. Tripadvisor branded sites makeup the largest travel community in the world, reaching nearly 260 million unique monthly visitors, more..

June 2 (LBO) Over the course of five years since the end of the war, Sri Lanka has embarked on an ambitious physical infrastructure drive, with the aim of taking advantage of the country’s strategic geographical location. With its close proximity to major international shipping lanes and to the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka can be positioned as a leading trading hub in South Asia. The once backward agrarian region of Hambantota has been the leading beneficiary of this policy stance. more..

June 2 (CI) Mahela Jayawardene has said he will assess his Test future on a series by series basis and will continue as long as he is satisfied with the way he is contributing to the team. Jayawardene, 37, is currently on tour in England and he said this will probably be his last Test tour to the country. "I am taking it one tour at a time and assessing myself. Personally, I don't think I need to prove anything to anyone so it's about more..

June 2 (Island) Matara police are looking for a suspect who shot the Co-ordinating officer of Matara Disaster Management Unit, Major Saman Chandrasiri, on Saturday evening at Mawarala. According to police, the 42-year-old victim had been tending his cinnamon cultivation at Rotumba Settlement when the incident occurred. The assailant had fired at him by taking cover in an adjoining jungle patch, police said. Shot on his right arm, he was admitted to the Matara hospital. more..

June 2 (LBO) A credit to guarantee to encourage banks to lend more against gold may help reduce the build-up of bad loans, but pawning loans are not risk-free as currently categorized in Sri Lanka, Fitch Ratings said. Non-performing loans in Sri Lanka's banking system had risen to 5.6% of total loans by end 2013 from 3.7% from end 2012 with 75% of the increase coming from gold loans. Central Bank has announced a credit guarantee that will allow banks to loan up to 80% of gold value more..

June 2 (DM) The govt should reduce the price of milk powder as its price had dropped drastically in the global market, the NFF said. “Milk powder prices have been decreased in the global market from 5,000 to 3,700 US dollars an MT today. The govt should take action to reduce the milk powder prices just like it was so keen on increasing the prices locally when the prices were increased globally,” NFF Spokesman Muzammil said. more..

June 2 (Island) External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris has called for a global effort against terrorism at the recently concluded ministerial conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAMP in Algiers. Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris led Sri Lanka’s delegation to the XVII Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on the theme ‘Enhanced Solidarity for Peace and Prosperity’ in Algiers on 28–29 May. Addressing the Conference, the Minister recalled more..

June 2 (AD) Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) says that the power supply to flooded areas such as Matugama, Kitulgoda, Bulathsinhala and Kukuleganga in the Kalutara District has been disconnected for public safety. The death toll due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions has risen to 12 with 10 of them being reported from the Kalutara District. Five persons have died due to a landslide in the Agalawatta area while one persons is reported missing in Bulathsinhala. more..

June 2 (CI) Injured fast bowler Suranga Lakmal has been left out of Sri Lanka's Test squad to England, allowing the return of left-arm seamer Chanaka Welegedara Test squad, 18 months after he played his most recent Test. Nuwan Kulasekara, Shaminda Eranga, Nuwan Pradeep and Dhammika Prasad, who are already in England, form the remainder of the pace battery, with Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera more..

June 2 (LT) A press conference was convened by Tax payers’ Collective at Dehiwela – Mt. Lavinia today to oppose the inefficient administration of Dehiwela – Mt. Lavinia Municipality. The tax payers protested against the decision of the Municipality to increase taxes and its failure to take adequate measures to check the dengue hazard that is spreading throughout the area at present. The adviser of the Tax payers’ Collective Municipal Councilor Ms. Samanmalee Gunasinghe, more..

June 2 (LT) The JVP would not participate in the ‘common opposition’ broth the UNP is supposed to be building says the National Organizer of the JVP Bimal Ratnayaka. He said, “There is no talk about a common opposition now. There are instances where parties of the opposition could work together. However, the JVP would not participate in the broth of ‘common opposition’ the UNP is supposed to be building at present. We do not accept it. First, UNP should unite its leadership council. more..

June 2 (SM) A group of thugs of politicians who stormed into the University of Ruhuna at around 2.00 pm today have allegedly attacked a group of students and threatened lecturers. A group of nearly 300 of MP Sanath Jayasuriya, PC Minister D.V Upul and Aruna Gunaratne have thus been involved in the attack, reports say. As the thugs chased the students they have hidden in safe locations. more..

June 2 (Island) The Friday Forum is an informal group of concerned citizens pledged to uphold norms of democracy, good governance, the rule of law, human rights, media freedom and tolerance in our pluralist society. Friday Forum, since its inception in 2009, has been profoundly disquieted about the post war scene in the Northern Province. A delegation of the Friday Forum visited Jaffna and Kilinochchi recently and met some members of the clergy of all religions, political leaders, more..

June 2 (GDI) The Bangladeshi Govt will support to develop the North Central Province in many fields and is ready to develop Sri Lankan fishing indjustry as well as textile industry through technology. The High Commissioner of Bangladesh Mohamed Safeer Rahman at a discussion with the Chief Minister of the North Central Province S.M. Ranjith in Anuradhapura gave the assurance. Rahman said he was satisfied with the progress achieved by the indigenous medicinal system in more..

June 2 (AD) The death toll from landslides and flooding due to the prevailing adverse weather condition affecting parts of the country has risen to 15 while one person has been reported missing. 12 of the 15 deaths have taken place in the Kalutara District, the worse affected from flooding after heavy rainfall, while other 3 have been reported from Colombo and Matara districts. 7 deaths have been reported from Mathugama, more..

June 2 (KUNA) A parliamentary delegation headed for Sri Lanka on an official visit within a framework of a tour, which includes Brunei, starting on Monday until June 8th. Prior to their departure to Sri Lanka, Head of the delegation, Deputy Speaker Mubarak Al-Khurainej said that their visit comes at the invitation of Sri Lankan Deputy Parliament Speaker Chandima Weerakkody, aiming to increase bilateral parliamentary cooperation, as well as to coordinate on overall issues of joint interest on more..

June 2 (GE) A gang of men have been jailed after conspiring to attack cash points across Gloucestershire to steal bank cards and money from members of the public. The Sri Lankans targeted 13 ATMs in Cheltenham and Gloucester, fitting them with card trapping devices, which would see bank cards lost and personal details stolen. Basheer Ebrahim, Ashok Balasubramanian and Thanfavel Vilvanadham all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal, conspiracy to defraud and more..

June 2 (CG) Uganda’s Minister of State for International Affairs Okello Oryem called on President Rajapaksa at Temple Trees today. Minister who has had an opportunity to visit Northern Province described to the President his impressions of the development that is taking place. “In a short period, what you have done is a remarkable thing,” Oryem told President, describing how Uganda has faced similar challenges. more..

June 2 (CG) The Sri Lanka navy says it rescued an Indian fishing trawler in distress in the Sri Lankan waters 11 nautical miles north-west of Thalai-mannar. The trawler had developed an engine defect and also begun to take in water due to a crack in the bottom of the hull yesterday, putting the lives of the 04-member Indian fishing crew in peril. Naval craft attached to the North Central Naval Command on routine patrol sighting the trawler in distress rendered prompt assistance. more..

June 2 (SM) The SriLankan Airlines incurs a loss of nearly Rs. 60 million a day, reports by the Central Bank point out. The airlines’ losses are increasing by the year and the increase of losses stood at 31% in 2012. SriLankan cites increased prices of aviation fuel, economic downturn in Europe and delay in expanding and modernizing its fleet of aircraft as the reasons for its continued losses. However, other international airlines earn huge profits, with Emirates recording a 43% increase in its profit more..

June 2 (CI) Sachithra Senanayake, the Sri Lanka offspinner, has been reported for a suspected illegal bowling action during the fourth one-day international against England at Lord's which Sri Lanka won by seven runs. Senanayake was reported at the end of the match by on-field umpires Marais Erasmus and Ian Gould, TV umpire Chris Gaffaney, and match referee Jeff Crowe who handed over the copy of the report to more..

June 3 (NS) President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to India to attend the inauguration of Indian PM Narendra Modi attracted much attention this week as both countries made a conscious attempt to mend relations which had been under strain under the previous Congress administration. There were many welcoming gestures - the President telephoning Modi after his victory, Modi’s invitation for the inauguration and the President ordering the release of Indians detained by more..

June 3 (CT) It was a scene that has been played out many times since the brutal end to the civil war in the Tamil homeland. Last year the Sri Lankan defence secretary and accused war criminal, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, stood alongside one of Sri Lanka’s richest men, Merrill Fernando, cutting a ribbon to open a new war memorial that purports to be about peace and reconciliation but, in reality, glorifies the murderers of at least 70,000 innocent civilians in 2009 and enhances more..

June 3 (CT) Just hours in to his new job, Narendra Modi, India's new PM, placed his cards firmly on the table, during his first bilateral discussion with Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa, in New Delhi. On 27 May, it was succinctly conveyed to the island's President Rajapaksa, that when it came to Sri Lanka, the new Indian administration was committed to three things: expeditious full implementation of the 13th Amendment more..

June 3 (NS) Just last week my mother shouted me down when I told her that the god “Sakra” of the Buddhist canon was the same as the Aryan god Indra. Indra, the most vividly realized Vedic god, embodies the powerful Aryan warrior…the continuing popularity of Indra, which is reflected in a large number of tales told about the heroic deeds, and even more so about his ability to change his shape at will, his trickery and his sexual adventures. His fame is still well reflected more..

June 3 (CT) May 2014 marked the 5th year of the brutal end of the armed conflict in the island of Sri Lanka. The foremost stakeholders of the final phase of the war, the Tamil nation, the Sinhala nation and the international community seem to have different interpretations of the disturbing developments, unfolding since the last phase of the war. In its narrative, the Govt of Sri Lanka (GoSL) keeps obstinately insisting that they liberated the Tamil people from the grip of terror. more..

June 3 (SO) Presidential spokesman Mohan Samaranayake who is an expert on UN affairs and international relations said SL's diplomatic skills will be put to the test under new Indian Govt which seems to have embarked on a cordial bi-lateral journey with Sri Lanka. He said with TN politicians and pro-LTTE diaspora hell-bent on rocking the boat, retaining the new PM's goodwill will prove to be our toughest job in the months to come. more..

June 3 (GV) Caste is observed by the overwhelming majority of Sinhalese and Tamils but the subject remains virtually taboo in public discussions. If it is mentioned in public, it is often either to hurl abuse or to negotiate a marriage. The latter is because for many of us caste is the most important factor in marriage. The former is because caste is yet widely accepted as a measure of social status; the latter because for many caste is the most important factor in marriage, even more important than more..

June 3 (Island) Albert Einstein has grabbed international headlines once again posthumously. A new research has drawn media attention to the most important part of his anatomy—the brain which has been preserved since 1955, when the great scientist went the way of all flesh. He continues to fascinate the world and no one has been able to prove him wrong to date. A group of European scientists, it may be recalled, made quite a stir in 2012, when they claimed subatomic particles travelled more..

June 3 (NS) ‘Pivithuru Hetak’ movement led by JHU MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera will launch a national policy statement at a ceremony today at the BMICH. Among the suggestions of this document is a national council above all administrative setups, keeping a future vision for the country in mind. The Organization which was set up several years ago with the name tag of ‘cleaner tomorrow’ is worried over the short-sighted more..

June 3 (ST) In no uncertain terms and without a blush for seeming impudent, India laid claim to the region’s sole superpower status this Monday by rolling out the red carpet and striking the high note of pomp and importance to accord Narendra Damodardas Modi not a swearing in ceremony for a prime minister but a coronation fit for a Yuvraj. It was a charged symbolical scene reminiscent of the ancient days when the emperor was crowned in the presence of invited kings from vassal states, more..

June 3 (Island) Duraiswamy Kumaran Thangarajah is a Lankan Tamil professional who has returned to Sri Lanka having left the country in the aftermath of the July ’83 riots and after nearly 30 years abroad during which he has rendered service to the world, especially during a stint with the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation. Kumaran is no ordinary person either as he is hailing from a political stock dating prior to the country’s independence. His father and grandfather had easily more..

June 3 (CT) Chief Minister of the North-Western Provincial Council (NWPC) Dayasiri Jayasekara, who was elected on the UPFA ticket, soon after resigned his seat in Parliamentary and quit the UNP, has come under attack by govt. critics during the last few months over the alleged failure to address problems that beset the education sector of the Province. In an interview, Jayasekara admitted that he was not as popular as he once was. more..

June 3 (CT) Odel has posted sales of Rs 4.6 billion for 2013-14,a marginal 1.5% growth over 2012-13. Filing its income statements with the CSE, Sri Lanka's premier fashion and lifestyle retailer reported operating profit of Rs 332 million for the 12 months ending March 31, an increase of 7.6%, with Other Income of Rs 225 million, principally from the investment of proceeds of the company's December 2012 Rights Issue. The Group said finance costs reduced by 25% to Rs 120 million, more..