May 2 (GV) In the article Post-War Sri Lanka: Way Forward or More of the Same? published in May 2010, I concluded: “If peaceful coexistence through power sharing is not achievable, the probability of another conflict cannot be ruled out. Even though the Sri Lankan state has managed to militarily defeat the LTTE and physically eliminate its leadership, the lack of a just political solution could see the secessionist forces re-emerge. more..

May 2 (GV) Irrational exploitation of groundwater seems to be a reason for the Chronic Kidney Disease of Uncertain Origin (CKDu) in the dry zone and pollution of well water in Rathupaswala and Hanwella areas. When this writer sought the opinion of Dr. CR Panabokke-the foremost authority on groundwater behavior in our country-he agreed. “It seems so”, he said reflecting on my question. “Lack of understanding of the resource base is the main reason for our present predicament.” more..

May 2 (GV) Like many countries, Sri Lanka is a nation struggling with a lot of problems. The prevailing negative trends on the island are well-documented and irrefutable. People talk about national reconciliation, but one doesn’t see much of it. People talk about human rights, but one doesn’t see those being protected either. Perhaps the most unforgettable aspect of daily life, what I will never forget, is the climate of fear that permeates the country. more..

May 2 (ST) Bollywood super star Salman Khan is to open in Sri Lanka a unit of his ‘Being Human’ clothing chain apparently through a charity organization here he is involved in, official sources revealed. Preliminary plans have been made to set up this mega clothing store to sell clothing and apparel to cater to various age groups in collaboration with a key Sri Lankan player in the retail sector here, these sources said adding that a suitable location is yet to be finalised. more..

May 2 (Island) President Rajapaksa has, in his May Day message, warned that sinister moves are being made in some quarters to ‘disrupt the country’s workforce’. He, however, says he is confident that workers will rally round his govt to defeat them. Such moves are not of recent origin, though. They have been there for ages. On some occasions workers were effectively used to unsettle govts. The 1953 hartal is a case in point. In 1980, too, an abortive attempt was made to launch more..

May 2 (CT) JHU MP Athuraliye Rathana Thera said that the Casino Bill did not receive a clear majority of 113 votes in the 225 seat Parliament. Though the law was passed with a simple majority from those physically present in Parliament at the time of voting only, the majority of the MPs in the House opposed it. "That means the govt is ideologically lost in regard to this matter". Q: The first Gazette notification under the more..

May 2 (Island) The message in comments such as "to show concrete movement towards a meaningful devolution of power" and "to ensure that Provincial Councils are able to operate effectively", with the most recent being the need to "expeditiously implement the 13th Amendment", is that power has NOT been devolved from the Center to the Provinces. This is factually not correct. This misperception is due to the inability to appreciate that while power has constitutionally been more..

May 2 (ST) Had the five UNP MPs who made a scheduled visit to view the Hambantota Port last week remembered to have stashed a rash of bacon or a string of sausages in their pockets, it would have been the complete traditional English breakfast. But then, the morning repast was not on their agenda even though it was definitely on the planned menu of the Hambantota welcoming committee who had gathered to meet the honoured guests from Colombo, with eggs and more..

May 2 (Island) The national cricket team will leave the island today on a two month tour of the United Kingdom. The Sri Lankans will first travel to Dublin, where they will play two ODIs against Ireland before flying to London to prepare for their bilateral series against England. Sri Lanka will play three warm-up games in Chelmsford, Canterbury and Hove before taking on England in the only T-20 International at The Oval. more..

May 2 (ST) At a time when thuggery is rampant in Sri Lanka, when even elected officials such as Mayors and Provincial Councillors take the law into their own hands without a second thought, it is perhaps fitting that two Personal Safety applications (apps) took first and second place at Sri Lanka’s first ever Women’s Hackathon, which concluded recently. Organised by private-sector IT body SLASSCOM, this event saw Tuk Tuk Safe, from the Sri Lanka Institute of IT team, more..

May 2 (CT) Releasing an update on the financial sector consolidation process, the Central Bank Information Memoranda (IM), Due Diligence Reports (DDs) and valuation of non-bank financial institutions were expected to be completed by the appointed audit firms during the first week of May. The Central Bank issued the following update on the financial sector consolidation process: "Satisfactory progress was made in the consolidation process during the month of April 2014. more..

May 2 (Island) At least three overseas based Sri Lankans holding dual citizenship will feature at the Junior National Athletics Championships conducted by the Athletics Association of Sri Lanka, commencing at the Sugathadasa Stadium today. Pole vaulter Mudith Jayasekara from Australia and Vallathesar brothers from France are the overseas based athletes hoping to excel at Junior National Championships more..

May 2 (CT) Seylan Bank reported a net profit of Rs 514 million for the first quarter ended 31 March 2014, up 1.78% from Rs 505 million a year ago. Profits before income tax reached Rs 798 million, a 9% increase from the previous year. "Despite slower than expected credit growth and industry-wide pressure on interest margins, net interest income increased by 13.7% to Rs 2.45 billion for the 3 months ended 31 March 2014. Net fee and commission income increased by 11.67% more..

May 2 (FT) Amaya Leisure Plc has expanded its footprint to the popular east coast, acquiring control and management of a former Centara-managed 125-room resort in Passikudah with an investment of Rs. 583 million. The strategic deal was struck with the owning company of the new five star property – Suntan Beach Resorts Ltd. (STBR), formerly controlled by entrepreneur Mohan Tissanayagam. Post acquisition by Amaya, Tissanayagam holds around a 30% stake. more..

May 2 (Economist) Known more for generating asylum-seekers than receiving them, Sri Lanka is providing shelter to growing numbers of would-be refugees from Pakistan. Twice a week the pews of the Holy Rosary church in Negombo, are filled with Pakistanis attending the country’s only Urdu mass, conducted by a Sri Lankan priest. More than 1,000 Christians flock there on festive occasions, says Father Eric Lakman, more..

May 2 (LT) The Red May demonstration of the JVP commenced its march from S.de.S Jayasinghe Grounds at Dehiwela and reached B.R.C. grounds at about 2.30 p.m. The public that lined the route the demonstration marched in large numbers expressed their appreciation and shouted encouragement in addition to treating demonstrators with refreshments and drinks. The rally chaired by the President of All Ceylon Trade Union Federation Lal Kantha and participated by the Leader of JVP more..

May 2 (LBO) SriLankan Airlines has inked code-share deals with Finland's Finnair and Siberia based S-7, with more deals in the offing, chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe said. Both airlines are members of Oneworld, a global airline alliance which SriLankan has just joined. "Code share talks are at an advanced stage with more oneworld partners," he said. "This will make it even easier for customers to reach more places." SriLankan already has a code-share deal with Malaysian, more..

May 2 (Island) 'The past few years have been a challenging period for SriLankan Airlines, but with the planned fuel-efficient fleet modernization and the potential to fly to more leisure destinations in the future, we will be able to achieve a loss-neutral position, Sri Lankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena told the media at the MRIA on Wednesday. He said this in reply to a question asked by an Indian journalist at the ceremony more..

May 2 (Island) A Group of Sri Lankan Businessmen will visit the Middle Eastern nation of Oman from 4th to 7th of May, to explore Trade, Tourism and Investment opportunities in that country. The upcoming visit organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce is backed by, Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development of Oman, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman. The mission to Oman, consists representatives from more..

May 2 (Island) Thihagoda police arrested a staff sergeant of the army recently after raiding a mini armoury at his home at Maddumagewatte. He had retired from the army on medical grounds after losing a limb during Operation Jaya Sikuru. Among the arms recovered from his house were an imported firearm, a galkatas (an improvised locally manufactured gun), live shotgun cartridges, hand grenades, launchers and 680 grammes of gun powder. The suspect has allegedly confessed more..

May 2 (FT) Post-domestic developments in post-conflict era and gradual recovery of the global economic situation have created conducive environment for growth of the ICT workforce. As a result, the overall workforce has grown from 50,159 in 2010 to 75,107 in 2013 – a rise of 50% at compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.4%. The projection figure of 82,854 for 2014 suggests that this momentum is more..

May 2 (CG) An explosion in Balangoda this morning caused by an improvised explosive device injured three people, the police said. SSP Ajith Rohana said that the explosion had been caused by a torch which was found outside a house in the area. A child who lives in the house had seen the torch and took it to his father who attempted to switch it on when it exploded injuring three people. The incident was believed to be linked to a private dispute and investigations are underway. more..

May 2 (ST) Walasmulla is a busy town in the Hambantota district. Around 5,000 persons converge on the town daily, yet it lacks a bus halt. As a result there is no definite spot for passengers to get off or get into buses as buses tend to halt in different places. One picture shows a student running to get into a bus and others show people standing outside shops awaiting the arrival of a bus. Since there is no fixed bus stop, the public are left helpless and are forced to run more..

May 2 (CT) TNA's Northern Provincial Councillor Ananthi Sasitharan has been warned by her Party not to call for an international probe on human rights issues during the last phase of the war. This was on the basis that alleged civilian deaths during that period would 'disturb' future prospects of a practical solution to the national problem.TNA leader R. Sampanthan had stressed that PC members should follow Party ethics more..

May 2 (Island) Colombo Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil compared present UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and former deputy leader Sajith Premadasa to the two wheels of a cart to bring the party back to power. He was addressing the 21th death commemoration of late President R Premadasa opposite the Premadasa statue at Halftsdorp yesterday. The Mayor said that when late President R Premadasa was Prime Minister the then President and UNP leader J.R. Jayewardene more..

May 2 (SM) A Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 luxury car collided with a three wheeler in front of Elwitigala Flats in Narahenpita. The three wheeler driver had broken his leg in the accident and was hospitalized, while the Shelby had one of its tyres got detached and its rear damaged. Soon after the mishap, STF commandos came and removed the luxury car from the scene. According to eyewitnesses, the car had no number plate. US price of a Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 is 55,110 dollars (Rs. 7,274,520). more..

May 2 (Xinhua) Millions of Sri Lankans took to the streets in the capital to celebrate May Day on Thursday with President Rajapaksa telling the nation to back his policies and stand against international intervention. An estimated 1.5 million people flocked to Colombo, mostly ferried by state-owned busses, which began their slow stroll in the afternoon to make their way to the Campbell Park and hear the president's speech. more..

May 2 (SM) No court cases have been filed against suspects of several massive drug hauls nabbed by authorities in the recent past, reports say. These drug raids include the raid conducted on Aug.30, 2012 which is considered as the largest haul of drugs nabbed in South Asia itself. The others are the 10kg drug raid conducted in Hikkaduwa on Dec. 31, 2013 as well as the 36kg Heroin raid conducted on March 18, 2014. The discovery of 261kgs of Heroin was considered the largest haul of drugs more..

May 2 (DN) Runway Super Model Sri Lanka 2014 is not just another super model contest but a stepping stone to the 9th Asian Super Model contest that is held annually in China. Sole purpose of the Sri Lankan competition is to select the best two models to represent SL in the Asian Super model contest. Thus this year with the collaboration of many organizations Imagine Works Model Agency has taken the initiative to organize a local competition to select the best among the best. more..

May 2 (Island) President Rajapaksa said that a section of the SLFP-led ruling coalition was also functioning as the Opposition in the absence of an effective Opposition. In fact, the Opposition within the administration was playing an important role, President said, adding that he didn’t expect govt members to praise everything undertaken by the govt. The President was addressing the UPFA May Day rally at the Campbell Park yesterday. more..

May 2 (DM) One aspect of the bloody mess and the blood-sucking frauds in the private health sector was exposed on Wednesday in a Daily Mirror report which revealed that some private hospitals which obtain blood virtually free from the National Blood Transfusion Unit (NBTU) charge as much as Rs. 50,000 for a pint of blood given to a patient. NBTU Director Dr. Anil Dissanayaka said blood was given free to private hospitals but they had to pay only between Rs.750 and Rs.1,500 for more..

May 2 (DM) The early morning Rajarata Regina on its way to Colombo had halted at the Pothuhera station yesterday around 08.15 a.m. for boarding and alighting of the commuters. It had been delayed for about 15 minutes at the station and quite unexpectedly, the intercity express train arriving from Colombo and heading towards Vavuniya moving on the same track had crashed head-on with the stationary Rajarata Regina train. I. Chandrakanthie (53) a passenger who more..

May 2 (ST) The two children who were plucked from a watery grave, after their father threw them into the Nilwala Ganga in Matara on Thursday, are being held under police guard in a special enclosure at Matara Hospital, owing to the rush of people eager to have a glimpse of the toddlers, police and hospital officials said. They said the police guard was in compliance with a request from the hospital authorities who said that more..

May 2 (SL) The Police in Sri Lanka say they are ready to assist India investigate an alleged kidney racket which the Indian Police says involves Sri Lanka. However, so far a formal request for assistance has not been made by their counterparts in Hyderabad. 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, more..

May 2 (Island) Former deputy leader of the UNP and its Hambantota District MP Sajith Premadasa said yesterday that Sri Lanka did not require foreign advice to its solve problems, though the country had been facing many serious issues since the end of the conflict. He was addressing the 21st death commemoration of late President Ranasinghe Premadasa, who was assassinated by the LTTE in 1993. more..

May 2 (Island) The UNP said yesterday that a Common Opposition Front was in the making to face a presidential or parliamentary polls next year despite denials by President Rajapaksa that he would not seek re-election one year ahead of his scheduled second term was to end. Chairman of the UNP Leadership Council (LC) Karu Jayasuriya, addressing the party’s May Day rally in Ampara town, attended by a large crowd, more..

May 2 (Island) UNP MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC, yesterday said that the May Day was meant to strengthen the workers’ cause and to remind the working class world over of past heroic struggles to secure their legitimate rights. But the SLFP-led govt had given a new meaning to the May Day by turning it to yet another mega political project to strengthen its power base. The MP accused trade union leaders affiliated to the ruling coalition more..

May 2 (Hindu) The Palk Strait witnessed its first kayak crossing since 1935 and Sandra Helen Robson, an Australian sea kayaker became the first woman to paddle across. The 46-year-old Robson, who was kayaking from Germany to Australia, became the first woman kayaker to paddle across the Palk Strait on Thursday evening after circumnavigating Sri Lanka as part of her expedition, which began in 2011. more..

May 2 (DM) BBS General Secretary Gnanasara Thera claimed they had done nothing to destroy religious harmony and whatever they did was in the open and exposed to the media. “We do not act in secret. Whatever we do is known to the media. We have done nothing to disrupt religious harmony. Whatever we reveal is done with much care. There will be a blood bath in the country if we really reveal all what we know,” more..