May 24 (Island) Give it to the President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena, to do it right. His Cabinet spokesman, Dr Rajitha Senaratne, informed the public recently that May 19, the day Sri Lanka emerged victorious from the 28 year civil war defeating the LTTE once and for all, was to be known henceforth as Remembrance Day. It was named Victory Day from the first anniversary of the peace won - 19 May 2010 - with the approval of the then President, Mahinda Rajapaksa. more..

May 24 (ST) Pollution in the Greater Colombo area and the non-maintenance of newly created facilities have angered President Maithripala Sirisena. He summoned all those who are responsible — Mayors of Colombo, Kolonnawa, Moratuwa, Dehiwala, officials of UDA, Low Lying Areas Reclamation Board, and the Environment Police among others — to a conference. President first showed them a video clip. more..

May 24 (CT) The prospect of making appointments to the Constitutional Council which has been granted the authority through the 19th Amendment to establish Independent Commissions and appoint individuals to important positions in the country, has become chaotic. The appointments process has been staggered by the fact that the representative whom the Opposition Leader should name has not yet been more..

May 24 (ST) Govt will lose between Rs. 250 and Rs. 300 million annually, compared to its present income of Rs. 1,200 million, following its decision to slash by nearly half, registration fees charged from Lankan workers taking up employment overseas. From the start of this month, Lankan workers leaving through a licensed foreign employment agency or in a private capacity, will have to pay Rs. 5,800, down from Rs. 7,200 more..

May 24 (GDI) PM Ranil Wickremasinghe on Saturday called on the youth to elect public representatives, who are capable of solving their problems, at the forthcoming parliamentary elections. Addressing an event held to mark the National Youth Day, the PM said a National Govt would be formed after the forthcoming General Election. The event was jointly organized by the National Youth Services Council, more..

May 24 (AD) The UPFA will form a coalition govt after the forthcoming election, thus several political parties are expected to join hands with the party in near future, North Western Province Chief Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said. The observation was made at a meeting held in Kurunegala, last afternoon. “Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka’s Democratic Party is likely to back UPFA at the upcoming election,” he added. more..

May 24 (DM) Former Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella alleged that following the Presidential Election in January, MP Ranil Wickremesinghe had offered him a ministerial portfolio if he were to join the UNP. The MP said he was contacted by the PM who offered him a portfolio if he would leave with the 26 SLFPers who joined the govt. “During the three hour conversation the PM said the number would be increased to 30 members. more..

May 24 (GDI) The SAARC Film Festival 2015 will take place in Colombo, over a period of 6 days from the 26th – 31st of May. Festival will also include a workshop with well-known film directors. SAARC Film Festival held in Colombo, has over the last four years gained momentum for promoting some of the best films from the SAARC Region. SAARC Cultural Centre, in keeping with its mandate of promoting culture more..

May 24 (Island) Following Friday’s bombshell dropped  by PM Ranil Wickremesinghe that Treasury Bonds totalling Rs.2.7 trillion had been issued through private placements between 2012 and 2014, COPE is to commence its probe into the allegation. "We, will begin our inquiry into the accusations made by PM, the recent  Rs.10 billion Treasury Bills issue and  any other malpactices, by summoning Treasury Secretary on Tuesday. more..

May 24 (GDI) Presiding over the Monaragala District SLFP Convention held Saturday in Monaragala, the President declared that he is meticulously discharging his obligations on behalf of the country and the SLFP. He has said that the members of the SLFP are bound by duty to achieve victory for the country and the party and therefore hey should extend their support needed for the future activities of the govt. more..

May 24 (CG) MP and veteran left-wing politician Vasudeva Nanayakkara says the use of foul language by him in parliament last week was unintentional. Nanayakkara said that the word had come out during a heated exchange between him and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. Nanayakkara had called PM Ranil Wickremesinghe a pakaya during the heated exchange of words in Parliament. This was after PM attempted to prevent Vasudeva more..

May 24 (Island) Not only information technology but other technologies too are moving forward fast; solar electric generation has taken three steps; (a) prices of solar-electric panels have been coming down, (b) their use has increased and the experience gained has opened up new possibilities such as (c) new business models which are catching on in the US – particularly in the sunshine states. Solar electricity will not interest small domestic consumers who enjoy a large price subsidy in Lanka. more..

May 24 (NS) Law Faculty students of Colombo University ask the university management to allow all of them to study the course in English medium. While appreciating the introduction of the course in all three mediums, they say a majority, who wants to follow the course in English, but they are not fluent enough in English to follow the course successfully. “Those who did their A/L in English, study the course in English. We request the university management to initiate a program to teach students law more..

May 23 (SO) In a bid to expedite EPF payments and bill payments the Postal Department will launch a series of services . Post offices have been authorized to handle these payments. In addition loans given by the NSB will be expedited by the Postal Department. Minister M.H.A. Haleem said. The Postal Department held discussions with the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) with regard to the payment of water bills through post offices across the country. more..

May 23 (ST) A candidate for the position of Vice Chancellor (VC) at Peradeniya University, had not stated his date of birth, resulting in the rejection of the application, by the Council which decides on the appointment, to take effect when the present VC, Prof Athula Senaratne’s term expires in August this year. University Dons are of the opinion that it is not necessary to specify the date of birth. However, the rejection of the application has sent ripples around the Campus. more..

May 24 (CG) The Govt has reiterated that it will engage with the diaspora and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to take the lead in organizing a diaspora festival where persons of Sri Lankan origin from around the world in all possible fields could participate and explore means to work closely with Sri Lanka including in reconciliation and development efforts. This was stated by Minister Mangala Samaraweera who just concluded more..

May 24 (EN) Lanka Harness Company, which makes impact sensors for automobile airbags and seat belts, is to set up a factory in Mexico. The move will help the company, which supplies most of the multinational car manufacturers, to get closer to buyers as orders grow. The company, which has annual sales of 38 million US dollars, is already expanding production at its facility in Biyagama, north of Colombo, where a second plant is under construction. more..

May 24 (AD) Police on Sunday used water cannons to disperse a group of protesters near Meethotamulla area in Kolonnawa. The protesters demanded the authorities should give them with a written assurance that disposal of waste at Meethotamulla will be halted. Residents in the area held the demonstration in front of the land used for the dumping of waste collected from the city of Colombo. Around 700 metric tons of waste is disposed daily at 16-acre garbage dump site more..

May 24 (Island) Former Ceylinco Chairman, Lalith Kotelawala filed a motion in the Supreme Court seeking the release of all his personal assets seized on judicial directives since 2010 in connection with the Golden Key (GK) debacle. Motion, running into some 140 pages, lists all the assets seized on the orders of the SC from time to time, but have still not been disposed of to raise funds to reimburse GK investors, more..

May 24 (Island) Director General of Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), M.M. Zuhair, urged decision-makers in telecommunications sector to exercise the responsibility and trust placed on them with the greatest care, as their decisions impact on the lives of every citizen of the country. He advised them to be innovative and take correct decisions without fear or favour, particularly if they felt convinced their actions will benefit the people and the state more..

May 24 (CT) President Maithripala Sirisena continues to experience tremendous pressure within his SLFP, with the pro-Mahinda Rajapaksa faction challenging his authority at regular intervals. Sirisena a moderate leader so far has not planned disciplinary action against those who have violated party discipline and his directive. The lenient attitude displayed by Sirisena seems to have given the upper hand to many within the party and they seem to act the way they want. more..

May 24 (ST) Several senior officials identified in the report of the board of inquiry on SriLankan Airlines will see their “duties reassigned” next week. The management will also seek govt consent to an internally drafted restructuring plan. SriLankan has bled an estimated US$ 850 million within the past four years and needs urgent reform. The airline has 7,000 employees. There will be a reorganisation of the internal charts within the next few days, more..

May 24 (ST) Meteorology Department has predicted that showers during the south-west monsoon period are set to get more intense with climate changes taking place due to variability of rainfall in the upcoming weeks. Moderate showers and thundershowers were reported this week from Kalatuwawa, Labugama, Neboda, Canyon, Kukuleganga, Hiniduma and Avissawella, the Met. Department said. The highest rainfall this week was 45.2 mm. at Padukka Estate while more..

May 24 (NS) Young Sri Lankan Photojournalist, Tharaka Basnayaka won a Gold Medal at the 2015 International Salon of Reporter Photography (LifePressPhoto) Ukraine, organized by the Ukrainian Center for Photographic Art and Ostrog Academy of Ukraine National University. Tharaka also won a Diploma under the Sports Section. The opening and the awarding ceremony of the exhibition will be held in National University Ostrog Academy on June 11, 2015. more..

May 24 (CG) UPFA warned that it will stage street protests if the Colombo – Matara highway is not extended to Beliatta. UPFA MP Dallas Alahapperuma said that the new Govt had promised it will complete the highway projects for 20% less than the originally estimated costs. He however said that while the land for the extension of the Colombo – Matara highway to Beliatta had been acquired, construction work was at standstill. more..

May 24 (CT) Electoral reforms envisaged for inclusion in the 2oth Amendment to the Constitution are not likely to be passed into law during the tenure of the current Parliament, sources close to President Sirisena revealed. Source said that to date no political party had shown signs of agreement to ideas floated around relating to electoral reforms. "Even if the President wants to place the Electoral Reforms Amendment Bill for passage into law before dissolving Parliament, more..

May 24 (ST) Undergraduate Bhikkus vowed to continue their week-long satyagraha over allegations that State universities intend to limit the intake of student monks. Inside a makeshift tent in front of Fort railway station, student monks lie in protest, waiting for authorities to give a solution to the problem they consider a serious threat to student monks who wish to pursue higher studies. The Inter University Bhikku Federation (IUBF) said Higher Education authorities have more..

May 23 (CT) Gruesome gang rape of Vithya in Pungudutivu (Kayts) last week and the youth going on a rampage attacking the police and the courts, claiming that the justice system would fail the girl, is a serious wake-up call for the authorities which should take immediate steps to ensure protection for the young. It also highlights the need for a practical solution to involve the youth in useful activities & to resolve crisis of unemployment more..

May 23 (Island) The Foreign Affairs Ministry, together with the ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), has fast-tracked Sri Lanka’s entry into the Council of Europe (CoE) Cybercrime Convention, aka the Budapest Convention. This is a significant policy breakthrough for Sri Lanka because the country was invited to join the Convention in February and the domestic process towards Sri Lanka’s Accession was completed in less than three months. As a result, Sri Lanka has overtaken more..

May 23 (Island) British School in Colombo joined hands with the Health Ministry in supporting the ‘Vision 2020’, a joint program by the World Health Organization and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness to eliminate avoidable blindness among citizens. The program headed by the Health Ministry aims to reduce avoidable blindness among the citizens by providing them with free eye care. Since its inception in 2007, Health Ministry has made significant progress more..

May 23 (CG) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe says former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has no chance of returning to power. Speaking at an event in Kurunegala, Wickremesinghe said that some members of the SLFP have begun to work against President Maithripala Sirisena with the hope that Rajapaksa will return to power. However Wickremesinghe said that Rajapaksa has no chance to win the next more..

May 23 (Island) A Sri Lankan company specializing in building fast track naval craft has supplied 40 boats to the Indian Navy. More new orders are in the pipeline due to the manufacturer’s high technical standards accepted worldwide. General Manager, Solas Marine Lanka, S.D. Premathilaka said that the Indian Navy had placed an order for 80 craft, 40 has already been supplied. "The Indian government has also signed an annual maintenance contract with the company". more..

May 23 (ST) The Education Ministry is to call for fresh Tenders for the supply of school uniform material, following revelations that some samples provided were not in keeping with the required standards, said Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam. The decision came after the Education Ministry called for a report from the Sri Lanka Institute of Textile & Apparels on the samples provided. According to the report, some 18 suppliers had deviated from the required standards, more..

May 24 (CT) Chair-Rapporteur of the UN's Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID), Ariel Dulitzky and his team will arrive in SL on 4 Aug at the invitation of govt to assist in the local probe mechanism intended to deal with alleged human rights violations during the war. Team will be in Colombo until 12 Aug. Dulitszky, an Argentinean, was appointed Chair-Rapporteur in 2010 by the UN. more..

May 24 (Island) The name change from Victory Day to Remembrance Day to commemorate the same event reflects a change in approach to May 19, 2009 - to the end of the three decade war. Remembrance Day evokes a sense of pathos and perhaps a desire to reflect even as Emperor Asoka did at Kalinga. His victory gave him no joy; he could only see the disarray on the battlefield; the dead and the mangled. It made him reflect; it changed him and made him look up to the Buddha’s teachings more..

May 24 (NS) Officials at the Food and Drug Administration in the Northern State of Uttar Pradesh are testing batches of Nestle’s Maggie Noodles, after scathing reports emerged stating that the product contained dangerously high levels of lead and the controversial ingredient monosodium glutamate (MSG). On April 30, officials in Lucknow, ordered Nestle to recall a batch of Maggie Noodles after their tests proved that random batches of the product contained both lead and MSG. more..

May 23 (MoD) Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces President Maithripala Sirisena during a visit to the East addressed the security forces at a ceremony held at the Mahaweli Grounds in Welikanda today. This is the first formal visit to the security forces personnel in the East undertaken by President Sirisena since assuming office. A Guard of Honour was presented to the President by the Sri Lanka Engineers troops of the SFHQ-E. more..

May 25 (CT) Schools need to play a major role in developing and creating better humans than merely producing students. We need to question the norm of “Getting excellent results Vs. Being an Excellent human being”. There needs to be a balance in terms of both gaining knowledge and being an excellent human being are equally important. As adults, we should help and direct the children, the future generation towards developing themselves as humans with humanity. more..

May 25 (CT) Criminal politicians should go to jail, lose their seats and be disqualified from contesting for a substantial period of time. SL’s wheels of justice grind slowly, common man lays the blame squarely on politicians and laments that goondas are winnable candidates. But how did criminals come to dominate in the first place? Are there fundamental flaws in our political system that makes it favour the tainted over the sainted? Have civil society’s movements in courts only attacked the symptoms? more..