Mar 11 (CI) Kumar Sangakkara is retiring from one-day internationals at the end of this tournament. You have to wonder why. But regardless of how far Sri Lanka progress, Sangakkara will at least go out in personal glory. At Bellerive Oval, he became the first man in ODI history to score centuries in four consecutive innings, and the first to make four hundreds in one World Cup, and together with Dilshan he ensured a comfortable win more..

Mar 11 (EN) Shares sank for the eighth straight session Wednesday as the continuous rise in interest rates affected investor sentiment but foreigners remained net buyers. All Share Price Index lost 19.86 points (0.28%) to close at 7,110.19 while the S&P SL 20 index, which tracks the top 20 largest and most liquid stocks, dropped 16.93 points (0.41%) to close at 4,070.74. Turnover was 946 million rupees boosted by crossings or off-the-floor negotiated deals of 1.2 million shares in JKH more..

Mar 11 (CI) Kumar Sangakkara had hit the first five legitimate balls of the 36th over for a six and four fours, so when he shaped to scoop Alasdair Evans again off the last delivery, short fine leg Rob Taylor could be forgiven for expecting that one to go to the fence as well. As soon as Sangakkara made contact, Taylor turned and began running to the fine leg fence, almost as if he was expecting to retrieve the ball from beyond the rope. Only, Sangakkara had mishit this one, and instead of more..

Mar 11 (AFP) Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said that he has gone down on his knees to beg record-breaking batsman Kumar Sangakkara not to quit after the World Cup. Sangakkara, 37, will call time on his ODI career at the end of the tournament but he is still in a rich vein of form -- on Wednesday he became the first batsman to score four consecutive one-day centuries as SL thrashed Scotland by 148. more..

Mar 11 (Island) This is the big match season. Cricket fever is running high with fathers behaving like sons and vice versa. Nobody should grudge them the pleasure of enjoying themselves or even making a spectacle of themselves in the process. But, the problem is that most big matches end in violent clashes with several persons including children injured. It may be understandable why such unfortunate incidents occur during and after some games characterised by more pushing, more..

Mar 11 (PRN) UBM India today hosted The India-Sri Lanka Renewable Energy Growth Forum 2015 at the Galadari Hotel, Colombo. One-day conference aimed to accelerate the growth of renewables in the region through collaboration and technology and product share. Conference, bringing together key decision makers and leading professionals addressed policy, technology, finance and other important drivers for increased deployment of renewables, leading to energy security and more..

Mar 11 (Island) China said that the obligation to conduct a proper Environmental Impact Assessment for the Colombo Port City Project lay with the Sri Lankan govt and not the Chinese investor. The new Chinese Ambassador to SL Yi Xianliang during a media briefing in Colombo, said that they expected a positive outcome with the construction of the Colombo Port City Project (CPCP) re-commencing soon. more..

Mar 11 (CI) Sri Lanka have played down concerns about Angelo Mathews' Achilles pain, and said that Rangana Herath is likely to be fit for the quarter-final in Sydney on March 18. Mathews left the field early on in Scotland's innings in the match at Hobart, and was not seen again until the presentation. Vice-captain Lahiru Thirimanne said Mathews had not gone for a scan on Wednesday night, but suggested he may do so on Thursday. Mathews had felt the pain during his innings of 51. more..

Mar 11 (Island) The official vehicle in which Citizen’s Front leader and MP J. Sri Ranga was travelling caught fire in the Nalanda area at Naula on Jaffna-Kandy A 9 road in the early hours of yesterday. The MP, two of security personnel and his driver were in the vehicle at the time of mishap but they had escaped unhurt, police said. The accident occurred around 2.30 a.m. Police had rushed to the scene to douse the fire. The cause of fire had not been ascertained yet, the police said. more..

Mar 11 (DM) Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) today informed Colombo Magistrate that no offence had been committed in the incident where a small airplane was found in the stores belonging to CSN TV Channel at Narahenpitiya and that the case would be withdrawn. Detectives said according to investigations the airplane was one built by Ray Wijewardene and not in flying condition and more..

Mar 11 (AD) Several top police officers including three SSPs, 21 ASPs and seven OICs have been transferred with immediate effect, Acting Police Spokesperson ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said. Transfers were made on service requirements. SSP Sisira Kumara, in charge of Tangalle police division, has been transferred to the Monaragala police division, while SSP C.E. Wedasinghe, in charge of Kelaniya police division, has been deployed to DIG office of Northern Province. more..

Mar 11 (Island) Ministry of Women’s Affairs is in the process of formulating a programme to assist war widows. A spokesman for the Ministry said that the programme which was still at a discussion level targeted widows in the Northern and Eastern provinces. Its been approved as a part of the govt’s 100 day programme. A majority of the war displaced widows were affected by poverty and required means of living. In cases of govt employees the spouses were given the pension more..

Mar 11 (CT) New Chinese Ambassador to SL, Yi Xianliang, said he was shocked to hear the issues that cropped up and the misleading media reports regarding the Chinese submarines that called on the Colombo Port two times last year and said he would discuss with his counterpart in India, if that was an issue for them. He said there are so many submarines and vessels calling on Colombo Port, whereas, when Chinese submarines come, more..

Mar 11 (AM) CID questioned the wives of Sajin de Vass Gunewardena and former Chairman of Ports Authority Priyath Bandu Wickrema earlier today. Acting Police Spokesperson said that they were questioned over complaints of financial irregularities against their husbands. Their statements were recorded under the money laundering act. Vass Gunewardena was elected to parliment in 2010 and was the monitoring MP of Ministry of External Affairs during the former govt. more..

Mar 11 (CG) The Immigration and Emigration Department has arrested 74 Indian nationals who were employed at a factory in Mattugama while in Sri Lanka on a tourist visa. According to the investigations unit of the Immigration and Emigration Department, the factory was managed by an Indian and it had the approval of the Board Of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka. The 74 Indians are to be deported while legal action is to be taken against the factory owner for employing the Indians. more..

Mar 11 (Island) Defeated President Rajapaksa’s personal astrologer, Sumanadasa Abeygunawardena, has offered his services to President Maithripala Sirisena. President Maithripala Sirisena has received a letter from Abeygunawardena explaining the circumstances leading to former President’s defeat while expressing a desire to serve the new leader, a senior presidential aide accompanying the more..

Mar 11 (DM) The light aircraft found abandoned at a warehouse in Narahenpita Economic Centre will be handed over to the Sri Lanka Air Force tomorrow at the Economic Centre. State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene had mediated to handover the light aircraft to the Air Force Museum. Minister is a close relative of novel inventor Vidya Jyothi Dr. Ray Wijewardene, who created the light aircraft. The family members of Dr.Wijewardene had agreed to the handing over of the aircraft. more..

Mar 11 (Island) Manohara de Silva, President’s Counsel, yesterday told the Court of Appeal that the former Governor of the Central Province, had acted in excess of his jurisdiction when he had written to the Chief Minister of the Province Sarath Ekanayake and demanded that Ekanayake prove that he had the majority support in the Council. When there was excessive use of power the matter should be reviewed by court. There was the likely danger of his client Ekanayake being removed from more..

Mar 11 (CG) US has called for meaningful action to support the positive statements by Govt of SL to bridge the gap between the North and the South. Colombo US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Andrew C. Mann visited leaders in the Northern Province to explore opportunities for further support and reiterate the United States’ strong friendship with the people of Sri Lanka and overall commitment to a peaceful and united country. more..

Mar 11 (Island) Actor turned politician Jayantha Ketagoda who entered Parliament following the incarceration of DP leader Sarath Fonseka now intends to contest the forthcoming parliamentary election on the SLFP ticket. "I have decided to join the SLFP and hope to contest under the SLFP banner in the next parliamentary election," he said. In the run-up to the last presidential election he severed his links with Gen. Fonseka and pledged his support to then President Rajapaksa. more..

Mar 11 (NS) Another network which engage in importing and distributing drugs in Sri Lanka has been uncovered by Police yesterday. Police Narcotics Bureau arrested a suspect at Ragama with 14grams of heroin in his possession. The information received from him had driven the police for another to arrest with 200 grams of heroin. The suspect identified as Mohamed Simnaz, has revealed mush details of the network which was running in Colombo, Negombo and Chilaw more..

Mar 11 (CG) Chinese company involved in the Colombo Port City Project says it is losing USD 380,000 per day as a result of the work on the Project being suspended. China Construction Communication Company (CCCC) said that all construction work on the Colombo Port City had stopped following the Sri Lankan Govt’s official communication on 6th of March issued by the Secretary to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping more..

Mar 11 (CG) The ruling UNP today insisted that Parliament elections must be held after April 23 when the Govt’s 100 day program ends. UNP spokesman and Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said that the party announced the stand on the polls at the UNP Working Committee meeting today. Kariyawasam said that while the party wants the electoral system to change it felt that Parliament must however be dissolved after April 23rd in line with its Presidential election promise. more..

Mar 11 (ANI) Defence expert Qamar Agha on Wednesday said that PM Narendra Modi will take up the matter of growing Chinese influence in the region with the Sri Lankan govt during his upcoming visit to that island nation. Agha also expressed concern over China's plans to 'encircle' India by building its defence bases in the region. "India is not alone, even Sri Lankans don't want their country to be used by the Chinese military. The new govt in Sri Lanka doesn't want all these things. more..

~Mar 11 (DM) Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva said today the SLFP would oppose any form of urgent parliament Bill to curtail powers of the executive presidency and said the amendments to the executive presidency and electoral reforms should introduced simultaneously. “This is the most appropriate time to introduce electoral reforms and amendments to the executive presidency and we will support them if more..

Mar 12 (CT) Inaccuracy and irrelevance should not be dismissed as minor irritants in any public discussion. Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka couples this erudite disdain to an assertion that my rejoinder to his redefinition of national identity was a misplaced personalized critique. Dr. Jayatilleka is a politician and a political scientist. His indignation at my labeling him as Mark Antony of Nugegoda is understandable. It was a grievous error on my part. Mark Antony eulogized the Conqueror more..

Mar 12 (CT) The Ministers Karu Jayasuriya and Wijedasa Rajapakshe deserve our gratitude for spearheading the Freedom of Information Act. It will be an important step forward for liberal democracy in our country. But there is another barrier to freedom of information (FOI) with respect to the publication of news and information regarding what happens in the courts of our country. Our courts are not functioning efficiently despite the number of courts being increased. more..

Mar 12 (CT) The SLFP, at this juncture, is caught between the past of former President Rajapaksa and uncertain future of President Maithripala Sirisena. As this tug-of-war between the two leaders continues, former Minister of Transport and SLFP organizer for Agalawatte, Kumara Welgama, says fielding Mahinda Rajapaksa as the UPFA PM candidate at an general election was an option still on the table in SLFP circles. more..

Mar 12 (GV) The International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) is presently facilitating a stimulating online debate titled ‘Is the International Community Abandoning the Fight Against Impunity?’ The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, argues that the international community is not abandoning the fight against impunity, highlighting successes in national and international courts including the trial of former Chadian dictator Hissene Habré in Senegal more..

Mar 12 (GV) It is heartening to see our Government standing up for the rule of law and the protection of our rights and health in the face of corrupt deals made my shadowy individuals with no concern or love for this nation. The Port City project has nothing to do with bi-lateral projects involving the govt of China and the govt of Sri Lanka. It is a deal struck with a corporation and we should always be conscious of that fact. Fortune 500 or 600 or whatever, a corrupt deal that more..

Mar 12 (CT) All Japanese funded projects in Sri Lanka are formulated in a transparent and accountable manner and tailored to fit genuine social and economic needs of the Sri Lankan people, and I am sure the govt understands this," says Ambassador of Japan, Nobuhito Hobo. He adds that a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is not the only way to strengthen economic relationship. "Measures such as creating a more conducive more..

Mar 12 (CT) There is much discussion about the size of the Cabinet. Should it be 20, 30, 40 or even more? Are there any objective criteria to decide on this issue? It is helpful to ask what the role of a minister is. A minister according to the British-American tradition of governance is to involve himself in policy making in the ministry he is in charge of. The detailed supervision of the department is the function of the Head of the Department under the general supervision of more..

Mar 12 (NS) I have my doubts over the authenticity of the constitutional reforms document of the Maithripala Sirisena govt. It has not been published yet in a govt website. It can be portrayed as the weakest and most regressive document in the constitutional discourse in Sri Lanka in the last three decades or so. It is regressive when it is compared with the 2000 constitutional draft and the majority position of the all-party conference. No use of comparing it with some of the writings of more..

Mar 12 (NS) Floating armory discovered in the Galle Harbor made headlines since several allegations were made regarding its legality. However, Leader of the House, Lakshman Kiriella cleared the air stating that setting up of the companies, Rakna Lanka and Avant Garde Maritime Services and also that the recruitment of personnel and the payment of taxes and other dues had been done properly and therefore there is no issue more..

Mar 12 (Island) The new govt is in an unenviable position. It made battling corruption out to be its raison d’etre before the Jan. 08 presidential election, but a little over two months into office, it stands accused of a scandal besides being flayed for its failure to expose any of the crooks of the previous govt. Some govt bigwigs vowed to set up a special commission to investigate what they called mega corrupt deals under the previous regime. But, nothing of the sort has happened so far more..

Mar 12 (Island) The draft Amendment to the Constitution is now available on the Web. The politicians, who sought support of the people, told them that all ills which engulfed the country were due to the obnoxious provisions of the JRJ Constitution, which concentrated too much of power on one man, like a dying supernova. Too much power, so much so that it crashed into a black-hole, which does not emanate a single ray of light. Protagonists proclaimed that the situation more..

Mar 12 (CI) On beaches, on town roads, in coconut estates and paddy fields across Sri Lanka, there is almost always the neighbourhood legend who rules the cricket. Sometimes he is a batsman of frightening power - the kid who sends balls on to the school roof, the man who launches quicks into the brush next door. He hits the ball and stands upright, admiring his shot, while the beleaguered fielding side go scrambling more..

Mar 12 (Island) Leading cables manufacturer, Sierra Cables urged the authorities to devise a system that strikes a balance between the two extremes of attracting investment from foreign developers and reasonable protection of local construction industry stakeholders. Shamendra Panditha, Managing Director, Sierra Cables. He said when MoUs are signed with foreign developers who make a profit from building on Sri Lanka land, they should be made contractually obligatory to more..

Mar 12 (DM) Former SriLankan Airlines CEO Manoj Gunawardena is tipped to make a comeback with Kapila Chandrasena tendering resignation. Manoj, who was with the airline for over 30 years when it was Air Lanka under the management of Emirates, was appointed as CEO in 2008. But Chandrasena, who was heading Mihin Air at the time, was appointed SriLankan CEO in 2011. Subsequently, Gunawardena was made Director Promotions, Europe and was stationed in London. more..

Mar 12 (ST) Sri Lanka is unlikely to insist international airlines to fly some of its frequencies to Mattala as the new Sirisena-led administration mulls the southern airport’s future plans. In the past the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) was part of the air services agreements and the relevant authorities had had to insist that international carriers do fly some of their frequencies from Mattala as well, CAA Chairman more..