Apr 17 (CT) The finger prints of the young man who murdered his mother on 5 April at Kotakethana in Kahawatte, arising out of a dispute over a love affair of his, have been found on currency notes taken from his mother's purse subsequent to the killing. A high ranking police officer, leading the probe into the killing, said the efforts of the Navy to recover the knife which was thrown into the Kotakethana canal after it had been used in the killing, have been unsuccessful so far. more..

Apr 17 (Island) The failure on the part of the new administration to secure parliamentary approval to increase the Treasury Bills Debt Ceiling by Rs. 400 billion, particularly in the wake of a simmering controversy over alleged insider dealing in bond market by a firm connected to Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran’s family could seriously damage the investor confidence, State Finance Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe warned. more..

Apr 17 (DM) It appears that the previous president’s shoes are too big to fill. Mahinda Rajapaksa had set some benchmarks -- some are blatantly bad -- which the incumbent President Maithripala Sirisena finds difficult to ignore. The best example of this is the Avurudu text message President Sirisena sent to all Sri Lankans using mobile telephone networks. Mahinda Rajapaksa started it when he was president by opening up a channel of direct communication between him and the people, more..

Apr 17 (Reuters) Sri Lanka's main stock index gained for a third straight session on Friday to a more-than-one-month closing high, on buying by local investors as lower interest rates dissuaded them from investing in risk-free govt bonds. Since the central bank cut the key policy rates by 50 basis points to record lows on Wednesday, yields on govt securities have fallen 30-50 basis points, dealers said. The main index gained 0.13% to 7,086.41, its highest close since March 16. more..

Apr 17 (DM) In an interview with, the Deputy Minister Dr. Harsha De Silva responded to former President Rajapaksa’s claim that even standard practice followed by the previous regime is portrayed as abuse now. The Deputy Minister also revealed that there was a mafia in both the stock market and the bond market which was by and large active even now while stressing that the Govt was acting to fight against the mafia. more..

Apr 17 (CT) In the article: “Genocide In Sri Lanka: It’s A Question That Certainly Needs To Be Litigated“, I identified two related issues currently of critical consequence to Tamils: •The deferment of the release of the OISL report (the OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka report) initially fixed for March 25, 2015 •and the question of whether or not it was Genocide and the Dire need for it to be litigated. On the subject of deferment, recent pronouncements coming from more..

Apr 17 (CT) Yesterday the lead story of this newspaper was about the IPKF's misadventure in Sri Lanka. The article quoted India's State External Affairs Union Minister General (rtd.) V.K. Singh in this connection. He admitted that this adventure was a mistake made by India. IPKF was part of a package "rammed down the throat of the old man" in the form of the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord (ILPA), as aptly described in a recent editorial here. The old man was a reference to J.R. Jayewardene, more..

Apr 17 (DM) The JVP Central Committee which met after yesterday’s resignation of its former leader Somawansa Amarasinghe, has decided to discuss matters with him in an effort to woo him back to the fold, propaganda secretary Vijitha Herath said. He said the CC had also decided to create awareness among the party rank and file on the latest development to assure them that there was no rift in the party. more..

Apr 17 (DM) The most talked about keywords within contemporary political circles are the Executive Presidency and the Premiership. Both these positions are the pinnacles of one’s political career but in the coming weeks their constitutional definitions would determine the destiny of a few politicians. Historians would explain that in the pre-1977 political scenario there was no dispute between these two positions. But, the 1977 Jayawardene constitution created the more..

Apr 17 (EN) Australian mineral sands miner Iluka Resources Ltd. has said it is seeking clarification from the new Sri Lankan govt on its proposed exploration and mining venture in north western Puttalam. The company has begun what it called a 'scoping study', a preliminary study done in early stage projects based on inferred resources, that precedes a full feasibility study. "In Sri Lanka, the focus remained on gaining clarity with the govt in relation to the legal and investment terms more..

Apr 17 (GDI) Sri Lanka will participate for the 25th session of Governing Council of the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in Kenya, Nairobi on April 17, National Housing Development Authority said. The 25th Session will be held in Nairobi, Kenya from April 17th-23rd. Sri Lanka is one of the pioneers of setting up of the UN Habitat designated for the Housing and Human Settlement activities of UN member countries. more..

Apr 17 (EN) Sri Lanka's bond market yields were unchanged Friday from the close a day earlier when the state debt office unexpectedly rejected a bond auction, after accepting bids at high rates, over several weeks, dealers said. Bond yields fell between 40 to 80 basis points on Wednesday after a surprise 50 basis rate cut from the Central Bank as a private credit cycle was beginning to turn positive and state spending was going up with high spending on salaries and subsidies. more..

Apr 17 (Island) Seventeen Deacons will be ordained priests at a special service presided over by Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotahena tomorrow (18) at 9.00 a.m. New Deacons ordained will be Bro. H.D. Jude Asitha Madusanka of Pamunugama, Bro. Amila Wickrema of Ratmalana, Bro. Sebastian Sudarsan of Munnakkara, Bro. Kumara Pieris Pulle of Kandawala, Bro. Darsana Fernando of Maggona, Bro. Ranga Gehan of Kalamulla, more..

Apr 17 (ENS) India is structurally unsuited to be mediator or facilitator in the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict because it is subject to the “emotional and electoral power” of one of its constituent states, namely, Tamil Nadu, argues former Lankan envoy at the UN in Geneva, Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka. “The emotional and electoral power of TN is an axiomatic factor in Indian decision making. This was so even during the IPKF operations more..

Apr 17 (Island) Supported by the European Union, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently launched a fisheries and livelihood development project with the introduction of sea bass cage culture activity in the Batticaloa Lagoon. Following significant preparatory work to impart know-how and training, the project was ceremonially launched Wednesday with the stocking of fingerlings in cages. Sea bass cage culture is an effective and innovative technique introduced as more..

Apr 17 (GDI) The University Grants Commission (UGC) said that applications for University admissions will be issued on May. It is mulling over admitting students to Universities during the months of August and September. Vice Chairman of the UGC Prof. P.S.M. Gunaratne said that the issue of applications for admissions to Universities for those who had passed the last G.C.E. A/L Exam will be released in early next month, along with the handbook. more..

Apr 17 (AM) Former JVP stalwart Nandana Gunathilake stated that the JVP has now become a 'company' geared towards providing livelihoods for some of its leaders, rather than a political party. Speaking to Asian Mirror on the resignation of Somawansa Amarasinghe from the party, Gunathilake said that it could be the result of a long running dispute which the JVP has not been able to resolve. more..

Apr 17 (AD) Around 24 persons were admitted to the Putalam Base Hospital following a collision involving two passenger transport buses in the Mampuriya area on the Puttalam-Kalpitiya road this morning. Police said 12 women and 3 children are among the wounded passengers. A private bus traveling from Kalpitiya to Colombo had collided with an SLTB bus also arriving from Kalpitiya and bound for Eravur. Both bus drivers had reportedly been speeding and competing ever since more..

Apr 17 (ZN) One of the major reasons why Mumbai Indians have started their IPL campaign on a poor note is due to Lasith Malinga's steep decline in form. In 2014, Mumbai lost five matches on the trot and this year is no different for them as they have lost three consecutive matches against Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals respectively. Malinga, who is the highest wicket taker in the IPL, has picked just three wickets so far. In the previous match against Rajasthan more..

Apr 17 (NZH) A man who allegedly hit a woman in the rental car he was driving then fled the scene, has lost his battle for name suppression. Sri Lankan national Viraj Goonasekera, 25, who is in New Zealand on a work permit, is charged with careless driving causing injury, making a false statement to police claiming a car had been wilfully damaged and failing to stop and help after an accident. more..

Apr 17 (PTI) India is ranked below Bhutan and Sri Lanka in terms of broadband penetration and the multi-layered structure involved in the decision making for the sector needs to be overhauled, telecom regulator Trai said today. "India ranks 125th in the world for fixed broadband penetration. Some of our neighbours like Bhutan and Sri Lanka are ahead of us. We need to seriously think about it," Trai Chairman Rahul Khullar said while sharing details of recommendations on more..

Apr 17 (WSJ) Primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall remembers flying over Gombe National Park back in 1960, when she began her landmark study of chimpanzees in Tanganyika, which later became Tanzania. Back then, the national park was part of a large forest that went all around Lake Tanganyika and curled down into Congo. “When I flew over 30 years later, I was shocked to see outside the little island forest of Gombe—it was an island because it was more..

Apr 17 (Island) Amidst battles among privately owned companies to get the lion’s share of the USD 750 million worth of wind power plant’s 375MW potential in Mannar, the CEB is keen to monopolise it. A section of the engineers strongly endorse the private sector involvement, stressing CEB would end up spending a colossal amount due to its massive bureaucracy, whereas the private owned firms are much more disciplined as more..

Apr 17 (DN) Several Turkish companies are keen to invest in Sri Lanka and a business delegation will be visiting Sri Lanka soon to explore business opportunities, Turkish Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Iskender Okyay said. He said they are keen on the manufacturing sector, tourism, power generation and several other areas at a reception hosted for the media last week. Okyay said Turkey is looking at increased of trade volumes between the two countries and are also looking at more..

Apr 17 (ECB) England women’s vice-captain, Heather Knight, will lead a 12-strong group of players from across the England women’s cricket pathway in three one-day matches against a Sri Lanka Women’s A team on April 23, 26 and 29, as part of an intensive 12-day batting and spin bowling development camp in Colombo. Injuries to Jodie Dibble (left shoulder), Amy Jones (right hamstring) and Laura Marsh (left hamstring) have ruled them out of taking part in the camp, which more..

Apr 17 (CI) The future editions of the Asia Cup, beginning in 2016, will be conducted by the Asian Cricket Council, despite the downsizing of the regional body and the takeover of its development activities by the ICC. In a press release on Friday, the ICC formally announced its plan for the takeover of the ACC and said that its decision to manage the ACC's development initiatives was in line with a desire to integrate cricket's global development. more..

Apr 17 (AM) New Left Front leader Wickramabahu Karunaratne said that several minor parties are against the proposed electoral reforms and vowed to stop its implementation. Addressing a press briefing Karunaratne stated that a special meeting was scheduled to be held on April 19 with the participation of all minor parties to discuss on further moves they could take. “We have to consider what we can do in order to protect proportional representation system” he stressed. more..

Apr 17 (PTI) A five-member Sri Lankan family, who went back to their country from a refugee camp here after completing legal formalities in March 2010, arrived at Arichalmunai off Dhanushkodi Coast near here today, citing poor living conditions there, police said. The refugees, Sathyaseelam, his wife Parameswari, their daughters Viduthalaiselvi, Mary and Anajalidevi, belonged to a village in Trincomalle and stayed in a refugee camp here from 1999 to 2010, police said. more..

Apr 17 (AM) Nimal Mendis, well known as the lyricist and composer of the classic masterpiece Master Sir passed away earlier today. Born on March 29, 1934, Mendis was involved with music from his early childhood. Nimal Mendis shaped his work by using Sri Lankan folk idiom. He used folk music and mixed them with western overtones. He lived many years in London but often traveled to Sri Lanka. He had also lived in France. more..

Apr 17 (MoD) Under the patronage of the Sri Lanka Army, Former LTTE combatant, Mr. Balasundaram Sudarshan received a newly constructed house in Nedunkarni area yesterday (16). Several Philanthropists funded the noble cause and in the meantime Sri Lanka Army extended the Civil Engineering expertise with its labour to erect the house. Mr. Sudarshan who was initially residing in a squatter with his children was immensely benefited with the initiative. more..

Apr 17 (AM) A motion of no-confidence was handed over this morning against the Chief Minister of the Central Provincial Council (CPC) Sarath Ekanayake. The motion was signed by 19 CPC members. The CPC Opposition Leader Ranjith Aluwihare said that the no-confidence motion was submitted to the Assistant Secretary of the provincial council. Meanwhile, UNP Councilor Chanaka Ailapperuma told local media that the no-confidence motion was presented since no action had been taken more..

Apr 17 (SLN) Upgrading the ship maintenance facilities, the Sri Lanka Navy commenced the expansion of the existing slip way at SLNS Dakshina in Galle by adding a side-slip way on 13th March 2014 to cater to the long line-up of under-water maintenance of the Sri Lanka naval ships and craft. Commander of the Navy, Jayantha Perera, ceremonially opened the project today by shifting SLNS Ranavijaya on to the new side-slip. more..

Apr 17 (CG) Govt says measures are being taken to strengthen civilian administration in the Northern and the Eastern Provinces of the country. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ajith P Perera who is currently in The Netherlands, briefed the Dutch Parliament on those meaures as well as resettlement, review of high-security zones, release of land to the people and the reconciliation and constitutional reform processes. The meeting at the Parliament was chaired by more..

Apr 17 (AD) A woman carrying her infant son committed suicide this morning by jumping in front of a speeding train in the Pilimathalawa area. Police said that the both the mother and son were killed instantly. The incident had occurred at around 8.45am today when the when the woman jumped in front of a train traveling from Colombo to Kandy. Police are yet to identify the deceased while the remains have been currently placed at the Kandy Base Hospital. more..

Apr 17 (AD) The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) today called on all political parties in the country to set aside their political differences to act in the best interests of the nation and enact the ‘crucial’ measures proposed in the 19th Amendment. “The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has been consistently committed to upholding and preserving the Rule of Law in Sri Lanka,” BASL Secretary Ajith Pathirana said in a statement. more..

Apr 17 (AD) Commission to Investigate Allegations on Bribery or Corruption has reportedly prohibited Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran from travelling overseas. Mahendran was summoned and questioned by the Commission yesterday for over six hours over allegations of irregularities in the recent Treasury Bond issue and his statement recorded, said his lawyers. Arjuna Mahendran who holds citizenship in Singapore as well has been the Managing Director of HSBC in Asian region. more..

Apr 17 (KT) Deceased Keangnam Enterprises Chairman Sung Woan-jong claimed that he contributed considerably to the election of Ban Ki-moon as United Nations secretary general, Sung's associates were quoted as saying by a vernacular newspaper. Sung claimed that he had close ties with then Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa, whom he urged to persuade his country's candidate, Jayantha Dhanapala, to withdraw his candidacy and support Ban in the 2006 election for the post. more..

Apr 17 (AFP) Sports minister Navin Dissanayake on Friday defended his decision to appoint an interim committee to oversee cricket, saying it was his "sovereign right". The comments came after the ICC said the move may amount to govt interference, and that it would withhold payments to Sri Lanka unless the matter was resolved. Dissanayake had last month sacked elected members of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) more..

Apr 18 (CT) Transitional Provision (Section 54) in the proposed 19th Amendment provides that every person holding office on the day preceding the date on which it becomes law, as the Chairman or a member of the (a) Parliamentary Council (b) Public Services Commission (c) National Police Commission (d) Human Rights Commission (e) Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption; or (f) Finance Commission, shall cease to hold such office with effect from more..

Apr 18 (CT) Gen. V.K. Singh's forthright critique of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) experience and his shocking revelation that Prabhakaran was let off the hook on orders from above on more than one occasion when the IPKF had information on his whereabouts, prompts a reconsideration of those years. The line that the IPKF could have finished and was indeed finishing the job of defeating the LTTE when President Premadasa peremptorily got it to leave – a view shared by many more..