Apr 27 (LBO) South Asian regional markets need to interact with each other in order to tap in to global economic growth, Chief of the Securities Exchange Commission said. “There is a systematic surge in the region towards a greater degree of economic integration in the real sector through bilateral and multilateral trade due to geo political reasons and the wealth of the nation’s shifting from the West to Asia,” more..

Apr 27 (DM) Colombo Fort Magistrate today ordered the police to file charge sheets against BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera and several other Buddhist monks in connection with two cases filed against them. One case was allegedly trespassing in to Nippon Hotel in Colombo and obstructing a media briefing organised by Jathika Bala Sena (JBS) while the other case was filed for making defamatory remarks against Quran opposite the Slave Island police station. more..

Apr 27 (AM) TNA leader R. Sampanthan stated that the 19th Amendment will lead to restoration of democracy. Speaking at the debate on the 19 th Amendment, he stated further that the amendment will ensure that people will be true repository of executive, legislative and judicial powers. Sampanthan added that Sri Lanka now has a president who does not want to be president again. Furthermore, he wants to reduce his powers and it is a very healthy sign, TNA leader stated. more..

Apr 27 (PTI) In a stand that may not go down well in TN, Coast Guard on Monday told the Madras High Court that Indian fishermen allegedly indulge in various illegal acts such as smuggling and trawling in Sri Lankan waters resulting in action by the island nation's navy. ICG submitted that it cannot take responsibility for the security of the fishermen if they entered Sri Lankan waters and there was confrontation between them & Lankan Navy. more..

Apr 27 (DM) A protest march -- organsied by the civil society group Purawasi Balaya is currently underway near the parliament roundabout – to urge parliamentarians to enact the long-awaited 19th Amendment to the Constitution. Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, the Leader of the National Movement for Social Justice, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and several civil society groups including politicians and members of the clergy are participating in the protest march. more..

Apr 27 (CT) Govt's star probe teams have without fanfare gone abroad and begun top level joint operations to uncover loads of Sri Lanka's wealth illegally stashed overseas over the past several years in unprecedented cross-border crime operations. Deputy Minister Eran Wickremeratne said in positive tone that all crimes of the past regime would be unearthed and made public. Although the govt of Seychelles has said it would assist Lanka's probe efforts in connection more..

Apr 27 (HN) There is uncertainty again over the passing of the 19th Amendment, as the opposition demanded the govt to implement 8 of their proposals in reciprocal to their support. However, it is reported that the govt has not yet come to any conclusion with regard to certain proposals. Among one of the proposals by the opposition is that MPs should be appointed by the members of the Constitutional Board. more..

Apr 27 (PTI) Three wanted Taliban terrorists, including one militant involved in the attack on Sri Lankan Cricket team in Lahore, were killed today by security forces during an operation near here, officials said. Crime Investigation Agency chief Umer Virk said that on an intelligence tip off a police force comprising commandos raided terrorists’ hideout in Bhaghwanpura area, a thickly populated locality near Wagah Border in wee hours of today. “When the forces surrounded the house, more..

Apr 27 (CG) Sections related to the private media have been removed from the 19th Amendment to the constitution, Justice Minister Wijeydasa Rajapaksa told Parliament. He said the sections were removed after some private media institutions and civil society had raised some concerns. The sections on the media have been removed after discussions were held with the media institutions which had raised concerns. He urged the private media to act in an impartial manner more..

Apr 27 (SWI) A Tamil asylum seeker who was sent back to his home country in 2013 and subsequently arrested has been allowed to return to Switzerland. The man, who was applying for asylum in Switzerland, was sent back to Colombo two years ago after the State Secretariat for Migration concluded he would not be in danger if he went back home. However, he was arrested immediately on arrival at airport in Colombo more..

Apr 28 (CT) “The Rt Hon Sir Desmond de Silva QC is head of Argent’s International Law team and is one of this country’s leading criminal Queen’s Counsel. He has particular expertise in Fraud (both national and international), Business Crime, Extradition, Human Rights, Kidnap & Blackmail, Large Scale Importation of Drugs, Money Laundering, Murder, Tax & VAT Fraud and Terrorism. The high standing in which he is held as a lawyer has been underlined by the honour more..

Apr 28 (CT) Water shortage has become an escalating problem globally because of the increasing demands from agriculture, expanding population, energy production and climate change. It was estimated that in 2007 around 1.2 billion people, or almost one in five people on the planet lived in areas of water scarcity. It is further predicted that by 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity, and 2/3rds of the world population would live under more..

Apr 28 (SO) Though the Haj season is several months away, the clamour to make the pilgrimage affordable to all Muslims is reaching a crescendo, with CPC Member Azath Salley, demanding that the Govt set up a special committee to deal with the issue. Haj, a pilgrimage to Mecca during Dhu'l Hijja, considered obligatory for every Muslim who is capable of undertaking it at least once in his or her life, has become too expensive more..

Apr 28 (NS) Then Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena arrived in New Town Hall, Colombo flanked by former President Chandrika Kumaranathunga, MPs Rajiva Wijesinha, Arjuna Ranathunga, MDKS Gunawardene and Duminda Dissanayake on December pledged that he is ready to take the challenge of being the common candidate of the Opposition at the Presidential Election against then President Rajapaksa. The campaign began and main highlight was the Good Governance. more..

Apr 28 (NS) The new regime which planned a 100 day program had penned down 100 tasks in its agenda. It also had a 100 Day Diary for certain identified events. The 100 Day Diary or the 100 Day Calendar has around 25 events; 9 events for the months of January, seven for February, six for March and two for April. Most were eying only these events which the govt promised under this plan. The program began with the promise of “appointing a Cabinet of Ministers not exceeding 25. more..

Apr 28 (CT) The first Chief Minister of the then merged North and East Province, Varatharaja Perumal met the Northern Province's first Chief Minister C.V.Wigneswaran in Jaffna, last week, and discussed various issues with regard to the successful function of the Northern Provincial Council. Regretting that the situation didn't allow him to form a constructive Provincial Council Administration in the North and East, more..

Apr 28 (ST) Despite high economic growth, the country’s export performance has been inadequate in recent decades. Although the structure of exports changed from one of exporting primary agricultural commodities to a more diversified one in which manufactured exports are significant, manufactured exports are highly concentrated on garments. The country’s export performance and export structure are discussed today as a backdrop to next week’s discussion on needed policies to more..

Apr 28 (ST) If it was the closest Ranil Wickremesinghe would get to be President all but in name, it was the nearest Mahinda Rajapaksa could have reached to enjoy executive powers again in a new role as prime minister and act as de facto president. But with the Supreme Court dictated dilution that redefined the 19th Amendment, both men’s hopes to ascend higher ground lie dashed in the dust; and both men’s executive ambitions remain the stuff of vain political pipe dreams. more..

Apr 28 (CT) This week's Trade Union Talk focuses on a very current topic which is electoral reforms. The Head of Research and Executive Director of Verite Research Dr. Nishan de Mel in an interview with Ceylon Today spoke about the electoral reforms. During the interview Dr. de Mel stressed that electoral reforms are not needed at this time and all the arguments put forward by those who support electoral reforms are misconceptions. more..

Apr 28 (Island) Sri Lanka has, for millennia, earned notoriety for political clashes. History is full of instances of patricidal, fratricidal, amicicidal and filicidal violence many ambitious elements unflinchingly resorted to capture and/or retain power. It was, in some cases, their internecine warfare that facilitated foreign invasions which inflicted untold suffering on the natives. Not even the Buddha had peace of mind because of some kings in this country. more..

Apr 28 (IR) Jagruti Godhaniya, of Ingleby Road, Ilford, will offer her services as an optometrist in hospitals across Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital. She will travel to the sub-continent on May 23. She said: “I have never been to Sri Lanka before, so I am excited – it is something different. “I will be helping out in hospitals, doing what I can. “The locals are not as privileged as we in terms of having eye tests so there are probably more people who have more serious eye conditions.” more..

Apr 28 (EN) If there were independent commissions overseeing the public sector, PM Ranil Wickremasinghe would not be able act as he has done over an inquiry into an alleged Treasury bond scam, a senior opposition politician taunted in parliament. Parliament is debating a 19th amendment to make the public service independent again through a series of independent commissions. Legislator Susil Premajayantha, who is also more..

Apr 28 (Island) With the debate over the 19th Amendment to the constitution entering its final phase this week, the country is entering a decisive phase. The passage of this constitutional amendment will set in motion a process whereby Sri Lanka will become subject to the Rule of Law and not the rule of men as was advocated by the LLRC in its report after having consulted a wide swath of the country’s intellectuals, decision makers and community leaders. more..

Apr 28 (CT) SL Netball Federation has selected 30 members to the pool for the Netball World Championships to be held later this year in Sydney, Australia. The trials were preceded by talent identification programmes held during the course of last month or so in Kandy, Galle, Jaffna, Polonnaruwa and Badulla. Colombo District camp was concluded on 25-26 April. Interim Committee of SLNF Secretary, Jayanthi de Silva stated that the National Selection Committee comprising of more..

Apr 28 (Island) To accelerate economic integration within the South Asia region, we need to look for ways to establish strong cross border Capital Market linkages, keeping pace with rapid changes in global financial markets, Tilak Karunaratne, chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said. He made this observation during the South Asian Investment Conference (SAIC) hosted by Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) more..

Apr 28 (EN) Sri Lanka will soon have legally enforceable quality standards for petroleum products enabling consumers take action against being sold substandard products, Minister Champika Ranawaka said. A new energy policy is being prepared covering supply, quality, pricing and regulatory issues in the petroleum industry. Lack of proper standards and corruption had meant high costs for both the petroleum utility, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and consumers, more..

Apr 28 (EN) Sri Lanka’s sole oil refinery operated by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) is forced to incur high demurrage charges on imported shipments owing to leaking pipelines which reduce unloading rates. “Some of the existing pipeline systems are over 80 years old and maintenance of these has been neglected leading to frequent leaks during operation causing large losses to the state,” Minister of Power and Energy Champika Ranawaka said. more..

Apr 28 (DM) Minister Navin Dissanayake felt confident that Sri Lanka’s present issues with ICC could easily be resolved through dialogue and reiterated that ICC must understand and accept the real situation in Sri Lanka. “The devil is not as much black as some people try to portray. Sri Lanka is a senior member of the ICC and have been a top member for 35 years. We are not an ordinary member. It is our right to be there and I hope more..

Apr 28 (FT) For the first time in the recent history of Sri Lanka top four Chairman of the public sector driving brand Sri Lanka in the global arena met in unison to power the country at World Expo 2015. The overall objective set by the team was to identify a monthly focus sector wise and send a powerful message to the world so that it supports the overall proposition of brand Sri Lanka, which is currently valued at $ 61 billion and targeting $ 80 billion within the next two years. more..

Apr 28 (Island) An Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) was formed at its AGM held in the Narahenpita Blood Centre on April 26. AMS spokesman Consultant Anaesthetist Dr. Asoka Gunawardena said that AMS had been established many years back in Sri Lanka and registered in 2007 as a trade union. Since then it had not been functioning properly, he added. Dr. Gunawardena pointed out that many Consultants who were affiliated to the GMOA had joined the AMS. more..

Apr 28 (FT) Minister Champika Ranawaka confirmed that Ministry expects to implement a refinery upgrading and modernisation project at an estimated cost of $ 1,300 million. The Sapugaskanda refinery upgrading and modernisation project is estimated to be completed within 4 years and once the project is completed, refinery would be able to produce country’s total requirement of refined products. more..

Apr 28 (EN) Sri Lanka's bank credit to the central govt and state enterprises topped 100 billion rupees for the second month in a row in Feb 2015, while private credit also grew 24.5 billion rupees. The Central govt borrowed 87.90 billion rupees from the banking system, including 4.9 billion rupees in central bank credit. In January govt borrowings from the banking system rose to a historic high of 121.6 billion rupees, as foreign reserves were appropriated to repay a US$ 500 million bond. more..

Apr 28 (CT) National Marathon sensation Anuradha Indrajith Cooray lamented about the omission from the list of athletes who get aid from IOC for their training towards next year's RIO Olympics. "Last year they (NOC) asked me to fill some forms to apply for this scholarship of monthly 1,000 USD till the Olympics, but later I saw that they have decided to give it to sprinter Chandrika Rasnayake, who hasn't even achieved Olympic qualification" said a disappointed Cooray over the phone more..

Apr 28 (CT) ICC has agreed to release USD 300,000 to SLC, which was payment due to the national players for their participation in the World Cup, Minister Navin Dissanayake revealed. "After my reply to ICC they sent me a letter last Thursday, where they have written in a very friendly manner. After they said they suspended the World Cup payment for SLC, they have agreed to release the amount, which should be paid for players, more..

Apr 28 (HP) Nadeesha Godamunne is a full time in-house fashion illustrator/colorist from New Zealand now residing in Brooklyn, New York. Her voice needs to be heard. The creativity of her hands need to be seen. Say hello to Nadeesha. 1. Tell Me Your Story! My name is Nadeesha Godamunne, I'm a 27 year old illustrator originally from Sri Lanka. I grew up in New Zealand, and ever since I could remember, was surrounded by art supplies. My mother was a preschool teacher and more..

Apr 28 (DN) In an effort aimed at developing the accounting profession further in the South Asian region, President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka), Arjuna Herath, in his capacity as the President of the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA), the apex accounting body of SAARC, along with a team of experts from CA Sri Lanka visited Bhutan recently to facilitate the setting up of a professional accountancy body and to also introduce more..

Apr 28 (FT) An eleventh-hour bid to get consensus on the 19th Amendment ended in deadlock last night, with the SLFP demanding changes to two major provisions of the draft legislation that Presidential advocates say would completely negate the purpose of the reforms – to curb the powers of the presidency and depoliticise key State institutions. Negotiations came down to the wire last night, but ended in a stalemate, more..

Apr 28 (DN) The prima factor for laws delays in the past was the delay in the submission of relevant govt analyst reports to court. Analyst Department faced this problem due to the lack of new technological facilities in keeping with international standards. But now the department has technological facilities in keeping with ISO 17025 quality specification which has contributed towards the acceleration of court procedures, Justice Minister Dr. Wijayadasa Rajapakshe said. more..

Apr 28 (Island) Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Nepal, W.M. Seneviratne said that Sri Lankan aid workers had erected a large tent and converted it to a temporary hospital close to Kathmandu to treat the earthquake victims. Among the Sri Lankan aid workers who arrived in the Nepali capital Kathmandu were doctors, paramedics, and military personnel and they worked round the clock to assist in relief operations. Sri Lanka govt also sent bottled water, medicine for the use of the distressed. more..

Apr 28 (Reuters) U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Sri Lanka on Saturday to meet with its new president, Maithripala Sirisena, following years of strained relations between Washington and the country's previous govt. Sirisena took power in January after defeating President Rajapaksa, Asia's longest-serving leader, at the polls. New president pledged to launch a 100-day plan to roll back a decade of increasingly more..