Apr 18 (CT) Somawansa Amarasinghe, a founding member of the JVP, has quit the party. He is one of two of the last surviving members of the original JVP politburo. The other is Lionel Bopage who is in 'self exile' in Australia. The rest of the founding members of the JVP, including its former founding leader Rohana Wijeweera was decimated by the then Deputy Defence Minister Ranjan Wijeratne in November 1989. Amarasinghe escaped death due to the fact that his brother-in-law more..

Apr 18 (CT) Deputy Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva said yesterday that “we are willing to go to the polls and tell the people that though we came through, certain factions in the SLFP did not want change to happen and prevented it. The deputy minister’s comment came in response to being asked to comment on electoral consequences against the UNP if the promised reforms were not passed in Parliament as expected at the end of the ‘100-day’ programme next week. more..

Apr 18 (Island) Former JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe, who quit the party on Thursday said yesterday that he would launch a new political party next month. Amarasinghe said that he would form a party and a national convention would be held soon. He said that he had been a member of the JVP until 3.00 pm Thursday and would not be responsible for anything the party did thereafter. He had joined the party in 1969. more..

Apr 18 (LT) Former minister Wimal Weerawansa, roused by certain media reports that former Minister Basil Rajapaksa who hurriedly left the country while the results of the presidential election were being released, has started publishing various fabrications in his website. The website, notorious for publishing slanders and fabrications published yesterday that the Chief Minister for Western Provincial Council Prasanna Ranatunga would welcome Mr. Basil Rajapaksa at the Airport on more..

Apr 18 (DN) The owner of the winner of the Governor's Cup of the Nuwara Eliya Horse Races Deepthika Jayakody has not been given her prize by the Sri Lanka Turf Club, it is reliably understood. She alleges that it was due to the fact that the horse owned by the son of the president of the Turf Club had lost the race. She fielded three horses for the Governor's Cup with the horse named Charleton emerging victorious. The other two horses, Rosworld and Alzagaba too won their more..

Apr 18 (Island) Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, has told President Maithripala Sirisena that his relationship with the UNP shouldn’t be at the expense of the SLFP. "We expect President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the leader of the SLFP to spearhead the party’s campaign at the forthcoming parliamentary election," MP said. President recently announced that Parliament would be dissolved in May. more..

Apr 18 (Island) Veteran politician A.H.M. Azwer said that a Speaker under any circumstance couldn’t delegate his powers or authority to a member of parliament. Former MP Azwer asserted that the parliamentary system would suffer an irreparable damage if Speaker was allowed to shun his responsibilities regardless of the issues involved. He was commenting on Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, MP, instructions to UPFA General Secretary Susil Premjayantha to speak with all members in more..

Apr 18 (Island) CID after an extensive probe had arrested alleged mastermind (52) and four others who had sold land across the country using forged deeds to unsuspecting people, including drug dealers and taken vehicles on lease from leasing companies and sold those vehicles too on forged vehicle registration books, Police Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said yesterday. Five suspects arrested by the CID on April 09 had been remanded till April 20 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate. more..

Apr 18 (CT) Ruckus at Nuwara Eliya horse racing continued even after the races, when organizers stopped SLADA conducting doping tests last 15th during the races held at the Race Course Nuwara Eliya. DG of the SLADA Seevali Jayawickrama, Dr. Shiromi Pilapitiya and the crew who were present at the Race Course for the doping test, had been deprived of carrying out their duties by two lawyers who are said to have tried to more..

Apr 18 (Island) The govt’s efforts to introduce committee stage amendments to the proposed 19th Amendment to the Constitution ran into stiff resistance at yesterday’s party leaders’ meeting with Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody presiding. The SLFP representatives described the methods the govt was using to introduce changes to the amendment as being against the Constitution. They pointed out that petitions had been presented to the Supreme Court as regards more..

Apr 18 (CG) DPF leader and National Executive Council member Mano Ganesan says the minorities and minor parties in Sri Lanka feel betrayed over moves to introduce electoral reforms before the next Parliament elections. He recalled that parties representing Tamil and Muslim people in SL were against abolishing the Executive Presidency. However they changed their stand in order to work with other political parties and civil groups who wanted the Executive Presidency abolished. more..

Apr 18 (DM) The much-awaited passage of the 19th Amendment in Parliament next Tuesday hung in the balance with the opposition expressing fears of new amendments being introduced at the committee stage of the debate and insisting that the 19th Amendment and electoral reforms should be approved simultaneously. The SLFP reiterated its position yesterday that both constitutional and electoral reforms should be more..

Apr 18 (DN) An event providing assistance for the livelihood development of the northern people, was held recently at the Jaffna Vembadi High School. Chief Minister Justice C.V. Wigneswaran participated as the Chief Guest. Northern Provincial Council Chairman C V K Sivagnanam, Provincial Councilors Vinthan Kanagaratnam, Chief Secretary, Northern Province A. Paththinathan, Secretary to the Chief Minister S.Thiruvakaran, Trustee, Colombo Mayoorapathi Temple, more..

Apr 18 (Island) Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that the expenditure on education in India and Pakistan was four per cent of their national income, but the New Democratic Front govt had increased the expenditure on education up to six per cent of the Gross National Product. The successive govts had been allocating only two per cent to education from the national income. Education was fundamental to the development of any nation as it supplied required trained more..

Apr 18 (AD) A Police Constable (PC) who allegedly attempted to open fire at the Venerable Wanawasi Rahula Thero, founder of the Jathika Namal Uyana, has been arrested by Galkiriyagama Police. The police officer in question had attempted to shoot the Buddhist monk using a T56 rifle at around 7pm last night. Rahula Thero says that the police officer, who has been assigned to duty at the Namal Uyana, was scheduled to report to work at 6 pm, more..

Apr 18 (Island) Dengue cases have jumped by more than 3000 so far this year compared to the corresponding period last year. The number of dengue patients recorded in the country from January to the second week of April was 12,060. There were over 289 cases reported in the country during the first two weeks of April. In comparison, the unit said that 8,951 suspect dengue cases had been reported from the beginning of January till end of April last year. more..

Apr 18 (AM) Former President’s Coordination Secretary on Religious Affairs Watinapaha Somananda Thera was summoned to the Financial Crimes Investigation Division this morning over the distribution of ‘sil-redi’ (religious attire for observers of sil) during the recently concluded presidential election campaign. Police spokesperson ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said that the distribution of sil-redi has been carried out at the expense of Rs 600 million. The money was spent through TRC, more..

Apr 18 (DM) Following a meeting held with officials of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), the Urban Development Authority (UDA) had agreed to resolve the issue of the acquisition of land for the Lotus Tower within three months. Earlier, Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said that the land at D. R. Wijewardena Mawatha in Colombo 10 on which more..

Apr 18 (EN) Sri Lanka vehicle registrations hit a historic new high of 66,664 up 147% from a year earlier, with 2 and 3 wheeler registrations doubling from a year earlier, analysis of vehicle registry data shows. JB Securities, said that motor cycle registration hit 42,221 in March, up from 163% from 15,997 and also sharply up from the 25,155 levels seen earlier. Three wheelers which are mostly used as taxis were up 104% from a year earlier to 12,347. In Feb 2015 7,994 vehicles were registered. more..

Apr 18 (SL) During last couple of weeks several groups of Sri Lankan expatriates who were stranded in strife-torn Yemen returned to Sri Lanka safe and sound. Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau said that last Friday another group of 16 Sri Lankans returned home from Yemen while a group of 8 Sri Lankans returned on the 16th, a group of 29 on the 8th and 1 person returned on the 9th of this month. The son of Mr and Mrs Nazim who was waiting at the BIA for his parents to return home from more..

Apr 18 (Hindu) PM Ranil Wickramasinghe visited the Guruvayur Sreekrishna Temple on Saturday. His wife Maitree Wickramasinghe and Minister D.M. Swaminathan accompanied him. The Prime Minister and his team arrived at the Sreevalsam Guest House of the Guruvayur Devaswom around 11-15 a.m. He changed into a traditional Veshti and Mundu, and proceeded to the temple. more..

Apr 18 (FT) As a token of solidarity with the people of Vanuatu, the Sri Lankan Govt sanctioned a cash contribution of $ 50,000 to victims of Cyclone Pam, which ravaged Vanuatu last month. The Acting High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Australia P. Selvaraj called on Vanuatu High Commissioner Kalfau Kaloris at the Vanuatu Mission in Canberra on 17 April 2014 to hand over the cheque. The High Commissioner of Vanuatu conveyed his gratitude for the contribution, saying that Vanuatu more..

Apr 18 (Island) In a bid to provide better medical services for the private sector hospitals, the GMOA has urged the govt to release doctors attached to the public sector to work before 4.00 p.m. on sabbatical leave basis. GMOA President Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya said that most patients seeking treatment from private hospitals had been unable to get timely medical attention from Consultants because most Consultants were employed in the public sector. more..

Apr 18 (CW) Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara has picked up an Outstanding Contribution to Sport award at the fifth annual Asian Awards in London. Sangakkara was presented with his award by former England footballer Gary Lineker at the global celebration of Pan-Asian excellence at London's Grosvenor House Hotel. The left-hander, who will make London his home this summer while playing for Surrey, more..

Apr 18 (SLA) Ambassador of China in Sri Lanka, Yi Xianliang on Friday paid a courtesy call on the Commander of the Army, Crishanthe De Silva at the Army Headquarters. Cordial meeting that exchanged views on several bilateral aspects in relation to both People’s Liberation Army of China and Sri Lanka Army was largely focused on ongoing cooperation for training programmes. Exchange of mementos culminated the cordial meeting between the diplomat and the Army Chief. more..

Apr 18 (AM) Advisor on Constitutional Affairs to the President Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne slammed critics who claim that the 19th Amendment was drafted to satisfy the agenda of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. He further stated that as a leftist, he would prefer to see a Prime Minister from SLFP. Wickramaratne stated that constitutions cannot be drafted aiming the welfare of one person. The current PM may be the opposition leader in the next parliament if a SLFP member becomes PM. more..

Apr 18 (AM) Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith P Perera participated at the Global Conference on Cyberspace, from 16-17 April in the Netherlands. He stressed that Information and Communication Technology was the tool and enabler that would push the boundaries of socio-economic development in SL. He also stressed that e-Govt led reforms would be a catalyst in bringing greater transparency, efficiency & accountability. more..

Apr 18 (DN) The white washing of the Swarnamali Chetiya will begin on April 20, Ruwanweli Chethiyaramadipathi Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera said. He said the white washing of the dagaba will cost Rs. 6.5 million or more. Galduwa hermitage chief incumbent Ven. Kahagolle Somawansa Nayaka Thera, the Maha Sangha and the Dayaka Sabha headed by SL residing in Australia, Arjuna Wijeratne will contribute funds for the white washing of the dagaba which is 338 feet in height. more..

Apr 18 (Island) With President Maithripala Sirisena stating that Parliament would be dissolved after the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, a crucial SLFP parliamentary group has been scheduled for Sunday. Senior SLFP sources said that the people had given a mandate to serve them for six years and they did not want an election any time soon. "We will not support piecemeal constitutional amendments. There is no problem with shedding the draconian powers vested in Executive Presidency, but more..

Apr 18 (Reuters) Sri Lanka has imposed a three-month ban on overseas travel by its central bank governor, Arjuna Mahendran, who faces an investigation over alleged insider dealing, an official said on Saturday. PM Ranil Wickremesinghe set up a three-member panel to investigate the alleged insider dealing at a Feb 27 bond auction after opposition accused Mahendran of involvement and demanded an independent inquiry. more..

Apr 19 (SO) The Citizens' Movement for Good Governance (CIMOGG), which made a name for itself through sheer consistency and painstaking - if low key - campaigning for good governance in the country for over a decade, must be in transports now. A decade and more of steadily worsening bad governance was scrupulously criticised by CIMOGG even as its members refused to be disheartened by the persistent popularity of those in bad govt. Their hope for change may have come - on Jan 8, more..

Apr 19 (SL) Statements made by British political leaders on Sri Lanka are necessarily directed at the British electorate though it will indirectly impact on the Sri Lankan political situation too. Britain is now going through a hectic election campaign and the Sri Lankan diaspora of Tamils have cleverly organised themselves in a number of electorates where they could influence the numbers of seats won by contending parties. Thus, statements made by British leaders such as Ed Miliband of more..

Apr 19 (SO) April 20 and 21 have been set for the much-awaited Parliamentary debate on the 19th Amendment. Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that the Govt is confident of obtaining a two-thirds majority in Parliament to pass the landmark legislation. It's coalition partner, the JHU which earlier opposed the amendment has also confirmed that it will vote for it after the Govt decided to remove sections in 19th Amendment draft more..

Apr 19 (NS) ‘SLC’ stands for Sri Lanka Cricket. That’s not what the headline refers to. The headline refers to Sri Lanka cricket (note the lower case ‘c’) or cricket in Sri Lanka. Our cricketers, individually and collectively, have brought more glory to the country than most politicians and officials, including, and especially those who run Sri Lanka Cricket (note the upper case ‘C’). They secured two World Cups (ODI and T-20) and made it to the finals of several top international championships more..

Apr 19 (CT) The then Presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena made a host of promises to the electorate which he said he would implement in the event he was elected to power at 8 Jan 2015 poll. His subsequent victory is now history. Let us examine in a nutshell what his win and the promises he made to the masses by way of doling handouts has cost the taxpayer in the little over three months (100 days) that have had lapsed thus far. Among two of his plethora of election promises more..

Apr 19 (SL) With the debate continuing on who should be the opposition leader in Parliament, the TNA, which had recently told the Speaker that the post should go to its leader R. Sampanthan, insisted that there is no reason why the Tamil party should not get the post. TNA MP, M.A. Sumanthiran said that the TNA had not run after Ministerial posts and had declined positions even when they were offered, and that they will always stand up for more..

Apr 19 (ST) On Tuesday, the new Govt is optimistic that those parts of the 19th Amendment (19A) — cleared by the SC — would be passed by a two-thirds majority in Parliament, notwithstanding undercurrents of a spoiler by lawmakers unhappy with the outcome of the Jan 8 Presidential election. While there is general acceptance to whittling down the powers of the Executive Presidency, the contentious issue is that electoral reforms must also be passed at the same time. more..

Apr 19 (ST) My dear Somawansa sahodaraya, I thought I must write to you when I heard you announcing that you were resigning from the party of the rathu sahodarayas. Having not heard from you for many months and believing that you had retired when Anura sahodaraya took over the leadership of your party, this came as quite a shock! While we were at first taken by surprise by your sudden decision, sahodaraya, we are now confused. You say you have no disputes with the rathu more..

Apr 19 (SL) He was considered a powerful Defence Secretary during his term in office but Gotabhaya Rajapaksa says the media portrayed the wrong image about him. In an interview to an independent organization, Rajapaksa said that when he was in office he did everything in good faith. He also said that allegations raised against him, particularly by people like former Minister Mervyn Silva, should not be taken seriously. more..

Apr 19 (Island) Immediately after the New Year holidays, events are once again moving faster than they can be written about. The Avurudu festivities would have shown the entire country which way the cookie is crumbling. The only public appearance that President Maithripala Sirisena made during the festivities was at the oil anointing ceremony. He was accompanied on that occasion by ministers, Rajitha Senaratne, Duminda Dissanayake and M.K.D.S. Gunawardene. more..