May 26 (IANS) Vaiko, leader of the MDMK that is an ally of the incoming govt of Narendra Modi, and about 100 of his Tamil party supporters were detained here Monday while protesting against the visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Police rounded up the vocal protesters in the heart of the capital when they began marching from near the Jantar Mantar observatory towards parliament, waving black flags. more..

May 26 (LBO) Sri Lanka's exports surged 28.6% in March 2014 from a year earlier to US$ 1,069.9 million with apparel up 32.6% keeping the momentum seen from the last quarter as Western economies recovered. Agricultural products rose 22.4% to US$ 256.7 million in April with both prices and volumes up. Apparel exports rose 32.6% to US$ 456.7 million with textile imports also rising 40% to US$ 496.2 million. more..

May 26 (CG) An investigation has been launched into the debris of an Air Force helicopter found in the seas off Chalai in Mullaitivu in the North. Air Force spokesman, Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said that the debris had been salvaged by a diving team yesterday. Asked if the helicopter was shot down by the LTTE during the war, Warnakulasuriya said that there was no information on that as yet. more..

May 26 (GDI) President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in New Delhi, India, this morning to participate in the swearing- in ceremony of India's Prime Minister-elect Mr. Narendra Modi. The President was received at the New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in New Delhi Mr. Prasad Kariyawasam and India’s High Commissioner in Colombo Mr. Y.K. Sinha. more..

May 26 (CT) Incidence of child abuse in Sri Lanka has risen by tremendous proportions over the years despite the efforts of the authorities to stem this scourge, which on the one hand robs the future of our children while on the other helps portray the country in a negative manner in the eyes of the world. Though child abuse in its many forms takes place all over the world, the majority of these cases relate to sexual abuse of children especially underage girls. more..

May 26 (Island) This fascinating anthology of Tissa Devendra‘s writings consists of some fifty narratives and essays on diverse subjects and some hilarious themes presented in six parts namely, Memories, Chronicles, Red Tape, Reviews, Tributes and Poems. These felicitous writings largely based on intense observations and personal experiences are extremely illuminating while being a pleasure to read. It displays Tissa’s innate ability to transform facts to fiction and of course in the process more..

May 26 (CT) I share some rare photos of Modi a friend of mine sent me. As of now they have scarcity value. Soon they will be commonplace. The images of his saffron clad early years illustrate his search then after truth and reality. His mature image has now captured the minds of all India. From the present transit point he will perhaps go where destiny takes him. Modi is one among a few noteworthy personages who have left a mark in history. more..

May 26 (LBO) Stocks closed up with telco and other index heavy stocks gaining despite low foreign participation. All Share Price Index closed 12.71 points higher at 6,293.02 up 0.2%. The S&P SL20 closed 3.46 points higher at 3,462.89, up 0.1%. Turnover was 291.32 million rupees, down from 804.00 million rupees last Friday with 84 stocks closed positive against 100 negative. John Keells closed flat at 234.00 rupees with an off market transaction of 24.52 million rupees more..

May 26 (CT) Members of the medical fraternity are seemingly disconcerted by the silence of the authorities in relation to the National Medicinal Drugs, Devices and Cosmetics Regulatory Authority Bill (NMDDCRA) currently being studied by a consultative committee. Approximately 15,000 or more registered medicinal drugs are being distributed in Sri Lanka, of which a majority is imported into the country, according to more..

May 26 (Reuters) The Sri Lankan rupee ended a tad up on Monday as late dollar sales by a foreign bank offset importer demand for the greenback, while dealers expect the currency to face upward pressure due to steady inflows until demand for imports and credit pick up. The rupee ended at 130.38/42 per dollar, slightly firmer from Friday's close of 130.40/45. "There were some inflows which strengthened the rupee and a foreign bank was selling dollars," said a currency dealer. more..

May 26 (LBO) Sri Lanka's balance of payments surplus or the gap between international receipts and payments widened to US$ 828.8 million, as weak domestic credit dampened imports. Foreign reserves were estimated at US$ 8.1 billion, easing down from US$ 8.25 billion in February, amid repayments to the IMF. Sri Lanka earned US$ 2.8 billion from exports, US$ 1.66 billion from worker remittances (exports of labour), US$ 609 million from tourism, while more..

May 26 (DM) Narendra Modi has been sworn in as India's new PM in a ceremony attended by his counterpart from rival Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif joined other regional leaders at the inauguration in Delhi's presidential palace. It is the first time since the two countries won independence in 1947 that a PM from one state has attended such a ceremony in the other. Mr Modi led his BJP party to a landslide win in recent election. more..

May 26 (Island) The Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) said that a cardiographer attached to the Kilinochchi hospital arrested a few days back for LTTE links, had under interrogation admitted that he had planned to befriend the armed forces personnel and infiltrate the security establishment and provide information to the LTTE cells to be established. He had been arrested following the detection by the army of a file belonging to the LTTE, in which his name was found, TID officers said. more..

May 26 (NF) A group engaged in a protest opposite the head office of The Capital Maharaja Organisation in Colombo Monday morning. This was following another demonstration that took place Sunday night. The protesters were demanding the reinstatement of a participant who was voted out of last weekend’s Sirasa Super Star Season 6 reality show episode. The protesters met with senior officials of MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd and voiced their demands. Thereafter, the crowd dispersed. more..

May 26 (CI) Sri Lanka's premier Twenty20 tournament will be played over six days, between June 27 and July 2 at the SSC. The Super Fours tournament will follow a similar format to last year's event, with four sides representing provinces contesting passage to the Champions League T20 in September. Super Fours takes the place of the Sri Lanka Premier League, which was cancelled for the third time in four years. more..

May 26 (E24|7) A 23-year-old Sri Lankan man drowned while swimming at Al Khan Beach on Sunday evening, Sharjah Police said. The police operations room received a call about the incident at about 7.30pm. Police attended the scene along with an ambulance crew, rescue team and patrols, but the man was already dead. His body was moved to Kuwaiti Hospital. Sharjah Police appealed to the public to avoid swimming in areas where warning signs are displayed.

May 26 (SM) President Rajapaksa has received a confidential report which contains details of meetings between former president Chandrika Kumaratunga and several govt ministers, reports Wimal Weerawansa’s lankacnews website. President has paid serious attention to this report given him by the national intelligence services. According to the report, two ministers and a deputy minister had met Mrs. Kumaratunga recently. One of the ministers in question is a vice president of more..

May 26 (AD) The UNP today alleged that the election of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of India “frightened” the Sri Lankan Govt and that is the reason for inviting him for a visit even before being sworn in. “The govt is afraid of (Narendra) Modi to that extent,” UNP WPC member Mujibur Rahman told reporters in Colombo. He also charged that the govt is more afraid of Minister Wimal Weerawansa than Modi. more..

May 26 (LT) The members of minor staffs of hospitals throughout the island reported sick duty and engaged in trade union action today demanding authorities to pay salary arrears. A protest march was held from Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital to the Ministry of Health. The President of All Ceylon Health Services Union T. Jayalal and its General Secretary Somaratna Edirisinghe also participated. All Ceylon Health Services Union states the Ministry of Health has taken steps to more..

May 26 (Island) Health Secretary Dr. Nihal Jayathilaka said that around 3000 midwifery vacancies existed in the country. To solve the problem the Ministry had called applications to recruit 1500 midwifery trainees as a first step and the other 1500 trainees would be recruited later. He pointed out that it was a good sign that the tussle between the nurses and the midwives had ended. But the Ministry had decided to fill all the midwifery vacancies as soon as possible to more..

May 26 (LT) A serious situation has developed with the removal of Prof. Darney Atapattu from the panel preparing the Economics paper for the GCE A/L exam. Prof. Atapattu is the head of the panel. A petition with signatures of 39 members of university academic staffs has been handed over to the Commissioner of Exams, the President and other responsible persons protesting against the appointment of more..

May 26 (Island) North Central Province Chronic Kidney Disease Control Unit head Dr. Asanga Ranasinghe said that a majority of kidney patients detected in the province had suffered 30 to 40% kidney damage by the time treatment began. The kidney disease had now spread to other provinces, he added. To date no specific cause of CKD in Sri Lanka had been identified, but a multitude of potential toxic pollutants had been suggested, including heavy metals, fluoride and more..

May 26 (MoD) The renovated lake at the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) was declared open today (22). The lake, a part of the Kandawela Estate which houses the prestigious KDU was given a facelift under the Kandawela Lake Restoration Project. Chief of Defence Staff General Jagath Jayasuriya graced the event as the chief gust. Lake was left in long neglect and the water was getting polluted by the flow of affluent water and other industrial wastes flowing from the surrounding factories. more..

May 26 (IANS) Praising new Indian PM Narendra Modi's "inspirational qualities of leadership", Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa said Monday that Colombo was one with New Delhi against terrorism. In a message to Modi after he took oath as India's 14th PM, Rajapaksa said: "Your victory rewards your tireless commitment to serving the people of India. It recognizes your inspirational qualities of leadership and represents more..

May 26 (Xinhua) Earnings from Sri Lanka's booming tourism industry jumped 26.2 percent in March and April to US$ 192.2 million. Releasing its external performance report the Central Bank noted earnings had increasing an impressive 49.8% from the same period last year. Tourist arrivals grew at a rate of 39.5%, year-on-year to 112,631 in April 2014. Top five sources of tourist arrivals in March 2014 were India, UK, Germany, China and Russia, accounting for about 44% of total tourist arrivals more..

May 26 (GDI) President Rajapaksa has expressed shock and sadness over the untimely demise of the Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Defence, Minister of Public Security, and other high level officials of the Govt of Laos, in a tragic military plane crash on 17 May. In a message to his Laos counterpart, Choummaly Sayasone, President Rajapaksa, extended deepest condolences on the tragic accident. Full text: It is with deep shock and sadness that I learnt of the untimely more..

May 26 (CG) Maldivian officials worked actively on behalf of Sri Lanka at the UNHRC in Geneva during the recent Human Rights Council session, President Rajapaksa said today. He said this after meeting Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom held bilateral discussions in New Delhi this evening. Two leaders discussed a number of matters of mutual interest, including the joint economic commission. more..

May 26 (SM) By removing P.B. Jayasundara from the post of Economic Development ministry secretary, President has given minister Wimal Weerawansa a small 'bait', a senior minister says. Minister has said that by this action, President has also attempted to console the dejected SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena, felling two birds with a single stone. In order to settle the prevailing crisis between Minister Sirisena and Health ministry secretary Nihal Jayatillake, more..

May 26 (DM) MP Namal Rajapaksa who went to declare open an electrification project in Bogaswewa, Padaviya had a narrow escape from a wasp attack yesterday. But ten army personnel and twenty villagers were stung. The wasps had been disturbed before Mr. Rajapaksa began to address the meeting after declaring open the electrification project, villagers said. His security detail had escorted him to his vehicle. An army captain, a lieutenant, eight privates and more..

May 26 (SM) The National Movement for Social Justice, led by Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera, and the JHU held a very successful round of talks this morning, and the two sides agreed to have further discussions, said JHU media spokesman Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe. He said that the talks at the official residence of JHU secretary, minister Champika Ranawaka, lasted for more than two hours. more..

May 26 (CT) The Central Bank’s Public Debt Department in a recent press release had informed the public that Sri Lanka had continued to improve its external debt sustainability indicators. These indicators, according to the Central Bank, had been computed “in accordance with the Manual of (sic) Effective Debt Management of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)”. Apparently, the objective of the Central Bank would have been to more..

May 26 (ST) IF Ranil Wickremesinghe can still dream the elusive dream of becoming the president of this country then he and his party must first shed the fatalism they don now and stop projecting the spectre of defeat on their green sleeves as if it were some minted medal of honour in the muddled belief that realism demands such a negative countenance and candour calls for a right royal grovel in the dust. True, on the electoral canvas the position looks bleak, downright hopeless; and more..

May 26 (SO) Production and consumption of more electronic and electrical equipment have significantly increased around the world. Much advertised ‘stock clearance’ and ‘seasonal sales’ entice us to buy new electrical and electronic items, to replace the old or outmoded ones. Have we ever thought as to how we are going to dump the old ones? Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) or e-waste, more..

May 26 (CT) Minister Wimal Weerawansa has been levelling scathing attacks on Treasury Secretary, Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, for quite some time now. He called Jayasundera, an economic killer and vowed to take tough action unless he is removed from the post. But govt sources say PB will remain in office, despite the venom filled charges. Now what will Wimal do? All eyes are eagerly waiting to see. A ceremony will be held in Moneragala next Friday to felicitate MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara more..

May 26 (ST) It would be a fair guess to say that not even the most perceptive amongst us could have predicted the extreme degeneration of the police service and most unfortunately, the country’s judicial institution, in post-war Sri Lanka. This week, Ranjith Abeysuriya, a President’s Counsel well worth that honorific title quite unlike the politically compromised nitwits of the present day, passed away. An oft-heard joke in the legal profession is that a criminal lawyer could be identified with many of more..

May 26 (ST) Very much has been said about the very little information which has slowly seeped out of one of the most eagerly awaited releases from India for this year. Bombay Velvet is Director Anurag Kashyap’s most hyped and talked about film to date and is a nine-year dream finally in the making. With a lot of excitement built for its release date (Nov 28), Bombay Velvet features familiar names such as Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka more..

May 26 (NS) Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage asked the Police whether the use of minimum force amounts to beating university students until their eyes pop out! It was also reported that Fort Magistrate was shocked after seeing the University student whose eye had been injured due to the Police assault. It is now apparent that the Department of Police, as w whole, is perplexed as to when and how they should use “minimum force”. more..

May 26 (GV) In the beginning was politics. Marx’s favourite figure in literature was Prometheus. The better known version of the legend is that Prometheus was punished by the Gods for stealing the secret of fire and giving it to humanity, but Plato tells us that the original version of the tale as told by Protagoras (who lived 2,500 years ago) was that Prometheus originally intended to steal the secret of politics for the benefit of humanity but failed to do so because it was the most ferociously more..