June 16 (FT) President, Maithreepala Sirisena says that the objective of any public representative should be to work for the wellbeing of the people despite differences in their political affiliations or ideologies. Speaking at a workshop held at the BMICH on Monday to enlighten the relevant public officials on enhancing the development programme on the provincial and national level, with proper coordination, he said it is also imperative to more..

June 16 (DM) Bribery, an age-old technique used by corrupt officials to hinder the public, has not been eliminated completely. As much as the malpractice of bribery; traffic congestion also has immensely contributed to time wasting, noise and air pollution. The biggest drawback is the failure to reduce the number of extensive traffic offences that are reported every day. In an effort to minimize the malpractices and lessen the number of traffic offences committed country-wide, more..

June 16 (DM) While wars and terrorism grip many parts of the world, attention from this week will be focused on what could be the greatest catastrophe in human-history what we have done and are doing to the ecology. Pope Francis will on Thursday issue his widely-awaited proclamation on ecology amid hopeful signs that world leaders at their climate summit later this year will take long-delayed steps to save the world from self-destruction. The issues range from air pollution and more..

June 16 (CT) Sports Minister Navin Dissanayake said he is prepared to amend the four-year rule and extend it to eight years in the event the Secretary or Vice President is elected to the post of President at the local sports Associations. Earlier the sports ministry decided not to give permission for re-election to any official who has served four years as a major office bearer (President, Vice President, Secretary, more..

June 16 (ST) As intermittent rains bring forth the spectre of dengue, and fear grips people, especially parents, in an office off Kitulwatte Road, adjoining Kanatte, steady and solid has been the research on this dreaded disease. This is the reason why on the night of the prestigious Science and Technology awards being presented by none other than President Maithripala Sirisena himself, there was a pause. more..

June 16 (AM) Veteran actor Tony Ranasinghe passed away this morning at a private hospital in Colombo. Ranasinghe Hettiarachchilage Ignatius Anthony Silva who later became popular as Tony Ranasinghe was born in July 31, 1937 in Modara. Educated at St. Anthony's College, Wattala and De LaSalle College, Modera, he broke into stage drama and films in the 1960s. Ranasinghe began his career in theatre with a role in more..

June 16 (SL) In a letter addressed to Chairman of the Presidential Commission to Investigate into Complaints Regarding Missing Persons Maxwell Paranagama, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Alternative Dr P. Saravanamuttu has raised several new concerns over the work and progress of the Commission. Saravanamutttu noted that the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has monitored and more..

June 16 (DM) In a shocking detection, the Police Special Task Force yesterday arrested a Police Constable attached to the Peliyagoda Crime Division for selling heroin, with 120 sachets. Amidst the Rs.30 million narcotics detection in Wattala on Sunday, a special STF team in a decoy apprehended the Constable on the road outside the Peliyagoda Police Headquarters yesterday while he had come to sell sachets, more..

June 16 (EN) Sri Lanka's unfunded public service pension liabilities may add as much as 25% to national debt, and the problem is aggravated by an ageing population and new pension schemes promised by politicians to all and sundry, an economists has said. Govt debt was officially 75.5% of GDP, not counting sovereign guaranteed debt to non-revenue agencies such as the RDA as well as some state enterprise bailout bonds. more..

June 16 (ENS) Quashing speculation that the UN is going soft on Sri Lanka after the electoral defeat of the country’s hawkish President Mahinda Rajapaksa in January, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, told the UNHRC on Monday, that he is very much engaged in pursuing grave issues pertaining to the island nation such as war-time accountability and post-war ethnic reconciliation. more..

June 16 (Island) The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome MERS-Co Virus having spread to twenty countries, Sri Lankan medical experts have taken steps to conduct medical checks on passengers arriving from MERS affected countries at the BIA from today. Health Ministry had set up special medical units at the BIA to test all passengers coming from South Korea and West Asian countries. more..

June 16 (LBO) Investors are waiting for the upcoming election to finish in order to bringing in new projects to SL, former President Chandrika Kumaratunge said. “We need to bring in investments and now the investors are ready to come,” she said at a recent media conference. “Because they know that the polls are impending they have come and had the necessary discussions and put everything in place but will come only post election.” more..

June 16 (LBO) Power Minister is currently paying almost double for the purchase of coal at current world prices, WPC member Udaya Gammanpila charged. Gammanpila, accuses his former ally Champika Ranawaka for intervening an alleged tender deal saying it is a mega deal. According to Gammanpila, eight companies have forwarded their prices for a tender called for the purchase of 675,000 metric tons of coal on more..

June 16 (DN) Sri Lanka's plantation community toiled hard to uplift the country's economy for nearly two centuries, yet they do not own an inch of land despite being provided with housing. Govt under President Maithripala Sirisena has identified this need as a priority, Plantation Industries Minister Karupiah Velayudam said. He said so addressing the 104th Session of the International Labour Conference at UN Headquarters, Geneva which was held from May 30 to June 14. more..

June 16 (EN) Eastern Sri Lanka’s tourist attractions have been highlighted in an online interactive Geotourism MapGuide launched Tuesday by National Geographic Society in partnership with International Finance Corporation (IFC). A community-based nomination process was used to select the attractions in the districts of Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara that have been incorporated in the map and website. Adam Sack, country manager for Sri Lanka of the IFC, more..

June 16 (Reuters) Sri Lanka's stock index slipped on Tuesday from a more-than-one-week high hit in the previous session, with many foreign investors exiting risky assets on speculation over a U.S. rate hike while local investors were cautious ahead of a parliamentary election. The main stock index ended down 0.49% at 7,044.60, slipping from its highest close since June 5 hit on Monday. "Big-caps dragged the market down. Not many locals are on the buying side. more..

June 16 (CT) Today is the first anniversary of the Sinhala-Muslim riots at Altuthgama which left at least two Muslims dead, over 80 injured and a number of business establishments and houses looted, damaged and destroyed. The destruction caused to properties was estimated at Rs 400 million. This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Sinhala-Muslim riots that took place during the colonial era. Unlike the May 1915 Sinhala-Muslim riots which spread virtually island-wide, more..

June 16 (Xinhua) Sri Lanka said that it had formed a task force to combat cyber harassment. SL National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) said it has appointed the task force to combat the growing threat to children and young persons posed by bullying and sexual harassment via social media sites like Facebook and Instagram and other mobile and web based applications like snapshot, Viber and WhatsApp. more..

Jun 16 (CT) Colombo High Court Judge Devika Livera de Tennakoon yesterday (15) decided to hear the case concerning the infamous Millennium City military scandal, from 13 July onwards, after the hearing of the case was shifted from the Kandy High Court to Colombo. Respondent Assistant Superintendent of Police Kulasiri Udugampala who has presently been released on bail appeared before the Court when the case was taken up at the Colombo High Court for the first time. more..

June 16 (CT) Watch him closely and with circumspection. Our former President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, never goes and comes; he appears and disappears. It is the sorcerer’s or magician’s skill that he employs to good effect.Like the sorcerer, he concentrates on effect. Hirunika Premachandra, promising young female MP, in a recent Satana TV program perceptively characterised Mahinda Rajapaksa as an actor par excellence. She is dead right. Throughout his rule Mahinda exhibited more..

June 16 (Xinhua) Chinese tourists visiting Sri Lanka since January this year has seen a mediocre increase compared to last year and this may be having a negative impact on the island's lucrative tourism industry. According to statistics from the SLTDA, Chinese tourists increased sharply in September last year and till December has recorded a triple digit growth percentage when compared to the previous year. more..

June 16 (Island) Public Health Department of the Colombo Municipal Council said it would have to recommence inspections on star class hotels after last Friday’s food poisoning incident at a star class hotel. Spokesman for the Public Health Department said that local and foreign guests had been present on the occasion which had also been attended by a foreign dignitary. He said over eight of the victims with nausea, breathing difficulties had been admitted to private hospitals. more..

June 16 (CG) Northern Provincial Council (NPC) has written to President Maithripala Sirisena requesting the urgent transfer of the Govt Agent of Vavuniya, out of the District. C.V.K. Sivagnanam, the Chairman of the NPC, in a letter to the President, notes that all of five Members of the Provincial Council from the Vavuniya District presented a copy of a letter addressed to the President signed by them and three MPs from the Vavuniya District at the sittings held in March and more..

Jun 16 (DM) All Sri Lankans including migrant workers in South Korea were safe from MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) virus that had an outbreak in that country, Bureau of Foreign Employment said. Sri Lankan workers in South Korea and relatives of them are advised by the Bureau of Foreign Employment not to have unnecessary fear because S. Korean govt had taken every step to prevent the spread of the virus. more..

Jun 16 (EN) Sri Lanka is aiming to penetrate the pepper market in China whose demand is expected to grow as it shifts from a producer to consumer, the export promotion agency said. Three top export firms of the island’s second most important spice will represent the country at an international pepper forum next week, the Export development Board said. The participating companies are Saboor Chatoor (Pvt) Ltd, one of the top three spice exporters, Sindbad Ltd, more..

June 16 (AD) A committee comprising of six members has been appointed to coordinate between President Maithripala Sirisena and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, with regard to the future affairs of the UPFA including its main coalition partner – SLFP. The committee was appointed today during a meeting held today to discuss the prevailing political situation in the country and the future political course of the SLFP chaired by President Sirisena, who is also the SLFP’s leader. more..

June 16 (CG) Former President Rajapaksa has denied allegations that the original estimate for the first phase of the Norochcholai coal power project had been bumped up to USD 455 million from USD 300 million to pocket the extra money. Rajapaksa’s office noted that former president Chandrika Kumaratunga alleged that members of Rajapaksa govt had earned a commission of Rs. 15 billion from Norochcholai power project. more..

June 16 (CT) TNA Batticaloa District MP, C.Yogeswaran categorically said that the TNA was not greedy of ministerial portfolios in the present govt or even in the next govt to be formed following the next parliamentary polls until the political aspirations of the Tamils were fulfilled. "We should respect the immense sacrifices made by our people during the three decades of civil war. Therefore, we cannot accept the portfolios for prestige reasons," Yogeswaran said, more..

Jun 16 (CT) Three 2015 presidential candidates, Nawa Sihala Urumaya Leader Sarath Manamendra, Jayantha Kulathunga and former JVP Gampaha District Leader Victor Ahangama yesterday filed three plaints at the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) against the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID). The plaintiffs stated that the FCID had been arbitrarily and illegally established by PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and that FCID had resorted to harassing Opposition more..

June 16 (CI) Patience will be vital to Sri Lanka's successful transition, captain Angelo Mathews has said ahead of the busy home season, which begins with the Test against Pakistan in Galle on Wednesday. The series is Sri Lanka's first at home since the retirement of Mahela Jayawardene, and with Kumar Sangakkara also set to depart, the hosts are expected to blood talent in the six coming Tests against Pakistan and India. more..

June 16 (CI) If familiarity breeds contempt, no one told Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The teams now embark on their seventh bilateral series in as many years, and as Ahmer Naqvi says, this relationship has the hallmarks of an arranged marriage and there is genuine warmth there too. Perhaps no two boards back each other quite as unequivocally at the ICC table. SLC chairman Sidath Wettimuny has made two trips to Pakistan in the last month alone. Yet for all the mutual back-scratching, more..

Jun 16 (TG) Human Rights Watch (HRW) called for an international accountability process to address international humanitarian law violations in Sri Lanka, at a statement delivered to the UNHRC. “This session marks a midway point in the time given to the SL govt to demonstrate its willingness to cooperate on human rights issues,” said HRW. “In establishing a credible and transparent justice and accountability process, the new govt in Sri Lanka should ensure genuine consultations more..

June 16 (DM) JHU MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera, today called for a formation of new govt before Parliamentary elections to pass the 20th Amendment. Rathana Thera said the UNP kept urging the dissolution of Parliament and it appeared the UNP led govt was not willing to further function as the govt or keen on passing the 20A. “UNP’s calls for house dissolution mean that they can’t retain in power. more..

June 16 (AM) Colombo High Court today issued an order to the OIC of CID Interpol Unit to file a report regarding the progress of the red notice previously issued for the arrest of Sicille Kotelawala, wife of businessman Lalith Kotelawala. High Court Judge Devika de Livera Tennakoon made this order in connection with the Golden Key case. OIC was ordered to submit the report in court on August 12. The Attorney General had earlier indicted Sicille Kotelawala bust she had absconded more..

Jun 16 (DT) Konasreman Navaratnam and Kalarathy Konasreman have loved each other from the moment they locked eyes as children in Sri Lanka. Their love story was not so smooth when brutal civil war, armed troops, suicide bombers and a distance of nearly 7000km kept them apart for more than five years. With tensions between the  Tamil people and the  Sinhalese, the pair were sent to separate different camps. They married in 2008 at a registry before Mrs Konasreman fled to more..

Jun 16 (CI) Pakistan were undone by Rangana Herath last year when the left-arm spinner took 23 wickets in only two Tests, as the visitors crumbled to lose both the matches. Statistically, Pakistan are the second team, among the top eight teams, with the worst batting average against left-arm spinners in the last ten years. Their captain Misbah-ul-Haq said his side won't capitulate against Herath this time. more..

June 16 (AD) Colombo High Court granted bail to former DIG Vass Gunawardena and four other accused in the murder case of businessman Mohamed Shyam. However, Gunawardena will have to remain in the remand custody since he has also been charged in another case for alleged possession of firearms. The body of the businessman with gunshot injuries was found in Dompe on 2013, May 26. Later, the police had identified the deceased as 35-year-old, more..

June 16 (CG) The no-confidence motion on Minister Ravi Karunanayake will be debated in Parliament on July 6. Party leaders who met in Parliament today agreed on the date on when to hold the debate on the no-confidence motion. The no-confidence motion, which was handed over to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa last month, was singed by over 100 MPs. The no-confidence motion notes concerns over the state of the economy and other issues related to Minister Ravi Karunannayake. more..

June 16 (DM) US President Barak Obama had assured that he would visit Sri Lanka at the end of this year, Minister Lakshman Kiriella said. He said the govt had invited Mr. Obama to visit the country. He came out with this information, while countering one allegation stated in the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister, that Sri Lanka had been isolated internationally after he assumed duties as premier. more..