June 11 (Island) Everyone likes the wind. Everyone, at some point, likes the winds of change, something new and different in any arena. A breath of fresh air! That is exactly what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has done with the appointment of a new and a competent Spokesperson, Mahishini Colonne and the weekly press briefings held every Wednesday. She is also the first female Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, that, too, without holding the position of Director General of more..

June 11 (IANS) Golfer Anura Rohana, who is representing the Navratna Ahmedabad team in the fourth Louis Philippe Cup commencing here on Thursday at the Karnataka Golf Association, finds India just the right place for Sri Lankan golfers. Winning the only prestigious tournament in his country, the Sri Lankan Open, four times as a junior, Rohana joined the Professional Golf Tour of India in 2003 after taking a loan more..

June 11 (Forbes) There is nothing more annoying than the ugly Indian traveller. He is loud, obnoxious and hugely obstreperous. Add to that, incessant photography with a blinding flash, off-key piano playing by a certifiably tone-deaf musician and loud peels of laughter, and you get a gaggle of excited people in the gorgeous heritage property of Tintagel in Colombo 7. Please note, I am not referring to the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. I suspect that during CHOGM 2013, Charles more..

June 11 (Island) Sri Lanka’s cricket selectors yesterday sprung a massive surprise by recalling batsman Jehan Mubarak to the Test squad to face Pakistan for the upcoming three match series. The 34-year-old last played a Test Match eight years ago. Although there were several indications that he may be recalled, many doubted that the selectors will give serious thought to the proposition. With most international teams rebuilding after the World Cup, many would have expected a promising, more..

June 11 (CT) National female athlete Achala Dias has tested positive for taking a banned substance during the national selection trials held recently at Diyagama. 100m runner was placed second in the race was found to be positive for taking Anabolic Steroid which is a banned drug by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Chairman of SL Anti-Doping Agency Professor Arjuna De Silva said, she had been found positive for a drug that more..

June 11 (TP) Zahira College Colombo Old Boys Association Qatar held its inaugural workshop Skills for the Future for professionals on June 6, at Hotel Plaza Inn. The workshop was aimed at Sri Lankan professionals. Nearly hundred participated in the workshop. Training programmes have been in high demand in Qatar among many Sri Lankans to enhance their skills and knowledge. The workshop was conducted by well-known corporate trainer in Sri Lanka Munshif Hussain- CEO of more..

June 11 (Hindu) The ruling UNP has strongly defended the scheme of electoral reforms approved by the Cabinet a few days ago as part of the 20th constitutional amendment. Answering questions on the scheme, Minister Kabir Hashim told The Hindu that if the proportion of seats under the First Past The Post (FPTP) and proportional representation (PR) had to be changed in favour of FPTP, this would only reduce the opportunities for minorities to get accommodated under PR. more..

June 11 (LBO) British High Commissioner to SL James Dauris says that he is optimistic about future economic ties with the Island. “Relations in the past few years have been a bit difficult but it’s now a good time for Sri Lanka and Briton to be doing business together as we are both Island nations and this makes us all outward looking,” Dauris said. “There are lots of opportunities for British companies here; more..

June 11 (CT) In the backdrop of visitor arrivals touching 79,098 from China in the first five months of 2015 with cumulative growth at 80.2% against last year, Sri Lanka Tourism met with the key hierarchy of China's largest news agency- Xinhua News Agency to strengthen the information sharing process based, which can be mutually beneficial. The discussions centered around how to build brand Sri Lanka in the key nation brand building pillars on the content channeled through 180 countries more..

June 11 (AAP) Legendary batsman Javed Miandad on Wednesday advised the players to not repeat the mistakes they did in the Bangladesh series against Sri Lanka saying the Lions are in good form and will play brilliantly in front of their home crowd. Pakistan will play 3 Tests, 5 ODIs and 2 twenty-20 games against the hosts. The three Test series will get underway on June 17 at Galle and will conclude on July 7. The remaining two Tests will be in Colombo from June 25 to 29 and more..

June 11 (Island) Sri Lanka aims beyond the USD 20 billion export target by 2020 in keeping with the economic vision of President Maithripala Sirisena, said Minister Rishard Bathiudeen. Bathiudeen who was the chief guest at the Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB) celebration of World Accreditation Day –June 9- stressed that with agencies such as SLAB, Sri Lanka could continue to win at competitive global markets.  more..

June 11 (DN) The high quality lab certifications accredited by the Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB) will help to attract competitive global markets. This will also help to contribute to go beyond the US$ 20 billion export revenue target by 2020, Minister Rishad Bathiudeen said. "Under, the economic vision of President Maithripala Sirisena, US$ 20 billion export revenue target is possible if we concentrate on these type of avenues like laboratory testing for export markets. more..

June 11 (EN) A top SL scientist has urged businesses and individuals to do their bit to mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt without waiting for political leaders to act. “Climate change is the ultimate threat multiplier. It will make all other threats (such as inequality) worse,” said Mohan Munasinghe, senior researcher and former Vice Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). “We need integrated solutions. We’re overusing our planetary resources,” more..

June 11 (FT) Former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal issued the following responses to allegations levelled against him by PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and others in the recent past. Allegation 1: The PM has stated that as the former Central Bank Governor, you were responsible for the sale of a staggering Rs. 2.7 trillion worth of Treasury Bonds in 2012, 2013 and 2014 to accomplices or cronies of the previous regime more..

June 11 (CG) The Sri Lankan Govt has gathered information related to a group of refugees who have been detained in Indonesia. The information related to the 54 Sri Lankans has been gathered from the Sri Lankan Missions in Australia, New Zealand, Jakarta, UNHCR and the Sri Lanka navy. Australian media reported last week that the Sri Lankans were part of 65 asylum seekers on a boat which was stopped by Australian authorities at mid-sea and turned back to Indonesia. more..

June 11 (LBO) Power and Energy Minister says will stop using fuel based power plants and convert to natural gas in future to reduce the Island’s carbon foot print. “We have recently retired; high pollution and high cost fuel based power stations totaling 220MW,” “In the process of switching another 655 MW of existing plants will be converted into gas and reduce our carbon foot print.” Minister Champika Ranawaka said. “We’re in the process of scaling down our prospects on coal power beyond more..

June 11 (Island) Archbishop of Colombo cum, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith denounced the takeover of schools in the 1960s. He said that had helped politics enter educational institutions and caused religion to be thrown out of them. Head of the Catholic Church in SL, who is an old boy of De La Sall College, Mutwal, made these comments during the Jubilee Mass sermon to celebrate 110 anniversary of the school. more..

June 11 (ST) Sri Lanka’s advocate of good governance and transparency in the Colombo stock market has reiterated calls for naming and shaming crooked directors, controlling interests, auditors and errant regulators “who act against the interests of the investing public, the independent minority shareholders (IMS), and the national interest”. While the SEC pores over previously-closed files in alleged market frauds but is yet to file a case against any offender, K.C. Vignarajah has sent a letter to more..

June 11 (DM) Sri Lanka Customs thwarted an attempt to smuggle a stock of hashish worth over Rs.1.3 million into the country this evening in the form of a packet of chocolates. Customs officers at the Colombo Cargo Office in Seeduwa, on suspicion, opened and examined a package that had been sent by a Sri Lankan male in Italy addressed to a 59 year old woman in Hikkaduwa. The couriered parcel had been described as containing 20 slabs of chocolate; but owing to more..

June 11 (CT) South Africa's Transformation Initiative convened a meeting in London, with the participation of TNA, GTF and SL Govt, on solving humanitarian problems in the North and East. The need for constructive engagement by the Sri Lankan Diaspora was discussed, including the needs of displaced people in the North and East according to a joint statement released by the TNA and GTF after a special meeting more..

June 11 (Island) Customs at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday arrested a 31-year-old accountant at the Arrival Lounge with 100 gold biscuits weighing 10 kilos worth Rs. 50 million concealed in her bag. She was returning from Dubai and arrived at the BIA around 1.10 a.m. Customs Media Spokesman Leslie Gamini said that the officers had detected her after a long investigation launched on a tip-off. According to her passport, she was an accountant, Gamini said. more..

June 11 (CG) Sri Lankans in South Korea will not be evacuated at this moment as an outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) spread, lifting the total number of patients to 108 as of today. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maheshini Colonne said that the Sri Lankans in South Korea are safe and the South Korean Govt has also not imposed travel restrictions to the country. A Reuters report said that the outbreak has fueled public anxiety, with thousands in quarantine and more..

June 11 (CT) Parliament was told that casinos currently operating in the island are functioning without licences. Many questions were raised over the legality and the taxes imposed by the govt on such casinos. This was revealed when Minister Ravi Karunanayake responded to a question posed by DNA MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake. MP asked how many casino licences had been approved since 2012. more..

June 11 (FT) EAP Broadcasting Company yesterday clarified its position regarding the deferment of the opening of its Rs. 3 billion listed and rated debenture issue. In a statement, the company said it had received a fax yesterday from the CSE at 11 30 a.m. requesting all of its directors to be present at a SEC Board meeting at 3.15 p.m. Given the short notice, only two of the directors were able to meet with the SEC, whilst three other directors sent communiqués indicating their inability to attend due to more..

June 11 (DN) Sri Lanka will once again speak to the Indian govt in a bid to renew the Colombo, Tuticorin (India) ferry service, Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister, Arjuna Ranatunge said. Speaking at the Ceylon Shipping Corporation's 44th anniversary, he said the shipping service could offer numerous benefits to passengers and traders of both countries. He said that this proposal will once again be discussed with the new Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha Jeyaram. more..

June 11 (FT) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe urged the Opposition to select between a no confidence motion or general election rather than pursuing both and constantly criticising the Govt for exceeding its 100-day mandate. Responding to a privilege issue raised by opposition, PM said: “When a no confidence motion is presented there are two options. First option is to table it in Parliament & then debate it. more..

June 11 (DM) We have been warned that anyone who abuses a child should be thrown into the deepest ocean with a millstone tied around his or her neck. The legendary Nelson Mandela has told us that there can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children. In the mid 1990s, a bright young youth in Lahore made a global impact on child slavery. Iqbal Masih’s life was cut short just before he reached the age of 13 but his powerful and eloquent more..

June 11 (DM) Edward Gough Whitlam’s Labour Govt in Australia was elected in 1972 with a tiny majority. As in the case of other Westminster Model Parliaments, in Australia too a govt is formed by the party enjoying the confidence of the Lower House of Parliament, the House of Representatives. Whitlam, having led his party to victory for the first time in 23 years, ran the country as the 21st PM during the period from 1972 to 1975. It is believed that Gough Whitlam goes into history, more..

June 11 (ST) Department of National Archives has declassified a significant number of reports of inquiry commissions, presidential commissions and committees– chief among them being the Bracegirdle report of 1937 and two Criminal Justice Commission reports, one on the 1971 insurgency and the other on foreign exchange offences. National Archives Director, Dr Saroja Wettasinghe said reports were declassified more..

June 11 (SL) Concerns have been raised as to why a section of Buddhist monks including the newly-appointed Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter Most Ven. Galagama Aththadassi Thera expressed their regrets over questioning the chief lay custodian of the Dalada Maligawa -Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela on alleged financial frauds by the FCID recently, with some claiming the cover up to be a disgrace to Buddhism. more..

June 11 (Xinhua) A national unity walk, which traveled across Sri Lanka beginning last month ended on Tuesday once it reached its final destination of Colombo, with President Maithripala Sirisena attending the event to mark the closing ceremony. Ranbhumi National Rally which began from the war torn North of the island nation and successfully visited over 1,500 villages in 34 cities across the island with the aim to inspire unity more..

June 11 (CT) Cabinet has approved the recommencement of construction of the US $529 million Uma Oya Multi-Purpose Project which had been suspended for more than six months due to a large water leak in the Karandagolla main tunnel in December 2014. The Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment said yesterday that the Finance Ministry had promised to grant the monthly finances required to re-commence more..

June 11 (Island) Minister and UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa has stepped-up a major project meant to consolidate UNP’s grip on the Rajapaksa stronghold, the Hambantota district in the run-up to the next parliamentary election. Addressing a gathering after the recent inauguration of a Rs.4 mn project to build a science laboratory for Mahanaga Maha Vidyalaya in Lunuganwehera DS, Minister condemned the squandering of more..

June 11 (CG) UN has clarified the delay in releasing a statement on a telephone conversation UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon had with President Sirisena last week. President’s office had issued a statement the day the telephone call was made but there was no statement from the UN resulting in speculation being spread over the reasons behind the UN not releasing a statement. The delay was as a result of a failure on more..

June 11 (Island) Jaffna Security Forces Commander Maj. Gen. Nandana Uawatte said that nearly 20,000 acres of land in the High Security Zones (HSZ) of the Jaffna Peninsula had been released to their first owners since 2009 following the conclusion of the humanitarian operation. Maj. Gen. Udawatte said the army had released 19,159. 38 acres of land in six steps during the last five years. more..

June 11 (AD) Former Prime Ministers D.M. Jayaratne and Ratnasiri Wickramanayake have been appointed as senior advisors to President Maithripala Sirisena on political affairs. The two veteran politicians received their letters of appointment from the President at the Presidential Secretariat last evening. Meanwhile the four new Deputy Ministers also were sworn in before the President yesterday. more..

June 11 (Island) JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that there was a drug cartel behind Kotakethana killing spree and accused had the blessings of a powerful politician. He said that investigations on the Kotakethana killings were influenced by politicians and there had been no proper probe into the killings. Residents of the area still believed that the investigations had not been done in a proper manner. more..

June 11 (DN) Both, the Govt and Opposition seemed afraid of a dissolution of Parliament, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa observed. He made this observation when members on both sides challenged each other to take measures to dissolve Parliament. The members on both sides inquired from their opponents if they were afraid of dissolving Parliament. Both sides were inquiring from their opponents, each saying they were more..

June 11 (CT) Politicians are creatures of habit. They are at their best when they propose changes for the worst and oppose changes for the better. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the draft of the 20th Amendment concerning electoral reforms, which seeks to have a MP per constituency or electorate, to which the Cabinet has recently given its approval. It is the handy work of the UNP. The SLFP led UPFA has stated that it principally agrees to its basic framework. more..

June 11 (Island) NFF Leader Wimal Weerawansa accusing the govt of obstructing the UPFA rally to be held in Matara tomorrow, asked whether the law of the country was not applicable to Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera. He said the govt was only applying its laws against Opposition political rallies. The government had got the police to prevent the use of loudspeakers at the Matara rally. "The leader of the Kurundu Polu battalion is trying to sabotage our Matara rally. more..