June 4 (Island) Minister Lakshman Kiriella has pacified the Kandy traders stating that the meeting of the representatives of traders organisations with President Maithripala Sirisena would bring favourable results regarding the VAT increase today. Kandy traders suspended their protest against VAT increase on June 29 following an assurance given by Minister Kiriella that he would arrange for a meeting with President Sirisena to place their grievances. more..

June 4 (DM) NFF Spokesman Mohammed Muzammil, was today ordered to be further remanded till July 7 by the Fort Magistrate over the inquiry conducted against him for allegedly misappropriating Rs. 6.1 million public funds by misusing a vehicle attached to the Presidential Secretariat between 2009-2014. The FCID filed charges under the section 5(1), ‘Dishonest Misappropriation, Criminal Breach more..

June 4 (CG) Tamil National Alliance (TNA) led by R Sampanthan, has rejected rumors that have been appearing in the public media stating that the TNA, Govt of Sri Lanka and the United States have come to an agreement with regard to the implementation of the UN resolution 30/1, especially with regard to the accountability processes. The TNA says it has always held the position that the resolution must be implemented both in letter and spirit and there has been no change in this position. more..

June 4 (AD) The All Ceylon Customs Union has decided to resort to trade union actions as discussions with the authorities were unsuccessful about a proposed new Customs Act. The general secretary of union J.A. Gunathilaka has stated that the implantation of the new act would only provide relief for the racketeers. Gunathilaka further stated that the customs act has become a headache for those who not pay the taxes through tricks, therefore if the new act is implemented, more..

June 4 (LT) Many individuals attempted to continue with former Governor of the Central Bank Arjun Mahendran in that position but he had to abandon the post due to pressure from the general public, civil organizations and political parties said JVP MP Vijitha Herath and added that they would not give a clean certificate to the Governor chosen by the govt either. He made these observations when journalists questioned him more..

June 4 (DM) George Master, who was the Translator for propaganda materials of the LTTE was today released by Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya from the magisterial inquiry conducted against him by the CID, acting under the advice of the Attorney General. The inquiry was initiated by the CID against the two suspects, Daya Master and George Master after they had surrendered in Omanthai Army Post in April 2009. Daya Master was the Media Spokesman of the LTTE. more..

June 4 (Reuters) Shares fell for a 10th session in 11 and posted their lowest close in nearly three months on Monday, due to worries about the imposition of a capital gains tax on equities and rising interest rates, brokers said. Colombo stock index ended 0.51% weaker at 6,254.77, its lowest close since April 7. It lost 1.3% last week, posting its third straight weekly loss. "There is a very little confidence in the economy. People are still waiting for positive news and not willing to buy, more..

June 4 (PTI) Following the arrest of five fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy on Sunday, TN chief minister J. Jayalalithaa wrote yet another letter to PM Narendra Modi demanding action. The fishermen, who were in a mechanized fishing boat and were from the Rameswaram fishing base of Ramanathapuram district, were caught by the Sri Lankan Navy in the early hours of Sunday and taken to Kankesanthurai. more..

June 4 (Island) Police are seeking the assistance of the general public to find the whereabouts of the following missing persons: Rajasingham Anushan, son of Manikkam Rajasingham of Santhar, Pallemadu in Adampan gone missing since May 28, 2016. He is 20 years of age and five feet and eight inches in height. Dark complexioned with a mustache he was wearing a pink short-sleeved shirt and denim trousers. Any information of his whereabouts can be conveyed to either more..

June 4 (DM) The NMSJ welcomed the appointment of Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy as Central Bank's new Governor and requested him to uphold the institution’s transparency which was lacking during the former governor’s tenure. NMSJ Convener Professor Sarath Wijesuriya said Dr. Coomaraswamy was a professional and it was a surprise to note the delay in his appointment. “We wonder why it took so long to appoint the new governor when we have credible intellectuals more..

June 4 (EN) President Sirisena is intervening directly in a recent VAT hike made without parliamentary debate and minimal public communication, following protests from traders as well as anger among sick people. President has called a meeting of Treasury and Inland Revenue officials for a meeting after earlier saying in public that some relief will be given for VAT, in a sign that he is getting directly involved in economic more..

June 4 (GDI) Sri Lanka's Cooperative sector will be introduced the first ever National Policy, and the Cooperative University, the third such university in South Asia before the end of 2018 with the govt's support measures. This was revealed by the Minister of Industry and Commerce of Rishad Bathiudeen at the International Coop Day celebration held on 2nd July in Colombo. The event was held under the patronage of the President Sirisena at Nelum Pokuna Theatre. more..

June 4 (LT) All UNP MPs who are members of the COPE have been urgently summoned to Temple Trees. They are expected to meet at Temple Trees today (4) at 5 p.m. Currently, an investigation is being carried out by COPE against former Governor of CB regarding a bond scam that has taken place. Chairman of COPE JVP MP Sunil Handunneththi said that COPE will be meeting tomorrow at 5.30 p.m. and former Governor of CB Arjun Mahendran has been asked to be present on the 7th. more..

June 4 (DM) Some ministers are pressuring President Maithripala Sirisena to refrain from taking over the Malabe South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM), GMOA claimed today. GMOA Media Secretary Dr. Samantha Ananda said that though the President has the authority to nationalize the medical degree shop, he was being urged not to do so by some ministers with vested interested in SAITM. more..

June 4 (DN) A foster father who had allegedly sexually abused his wife's 15-year-old daughter for one year and two months by keeping a firearm and a sword to frighten her to subjugation while the mother was employed abroad, was arrested by Puttalam Police along with the firearm and the sword. The girl's mother had left for employment abroad after leaving the girl and her three other siblings in the care of the suspect who was her husband by the second marriage. more..

June 4 (MFA) H.E. Bulat Sarasenbayev, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan resident in New Delhi met with Mrs. Chitranganee Wagiswara, Secretary of Foreign Affairs on 4th July, to discuss matters of bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan. Following the meeting, Ambassador Sarasenbayev signed an Agreement on Exemption of Visas for holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports with Foreign Secretary Wagiswara, at the Foreign Ministry. more..

June 4 (DC) Kusal Perera will be compensated for being wrongly suspended for the doping charges, it is reliably learnt here. According to the highly placed sources in Edinburgh, where ICC's Annual Conference is taking place, the ICC Board Members have unanimously agreed in principle to compensate the player. In May this year, ICC withdrew the disciplinary proceedings against Kusal Perera under ICC Anti-Doping Code more..

June 4 (CI) England return to the format that provided heartbreak earlier this year when Carlos Brathwaite grabbed the World T20 from under their noses. But the game moves on and judging by the way they played in the one-day series against Sri Lanka, their belief with the white-ball remains undimmed. A one-off T20 at the end of a tour feels a lonely fixture but there is added spice to this game with England on the verge of unleashing Tymal Mills, the Sussex left-arm quick, more..

June 4 (BBC) Captain Angelo Mathews has apologised for his team's disappointing tour of England. The visitors lost the Test series 2-0 and the one-day international series 3-0 with only Tuesday's Twenty20 left. The closest they have come to a win was in the opening ODI at Trent Bridge where England secured a tie by hitting the last ball of the match for six. "There will be some who will hate us, some will still love us. Sorry for letting you down," Mathews tweeted. more..

July 4 (DN) The newly appointed Governor of the CB, Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, at his inaugural speech delivered this morning, said the primary responsibility of the Governor is to uphold the reputation and credibility of the CB. “I can assure you, I will do my utmost to do so, at all times,” he said. Thanking President, PM and FM for the trust placed him, he recalled President’s instructions to him on appointment: more..

July 5 (CT) Auditor General’s report is an opinion: Kiriella – News report 2nd July 2015. Opinions are tentative conclusions open to dispute. It is my opinion that the Auditor General reports his findings, detections and discoveries to parliament. It is therefore my opinion that the honorable Minister is in grave error. That said here are some informed opinions. When University Dons prominently associated with the Movement for a Just Society pass by, it has become routine more..

July 5 (CT) UNHRC sessions in Geneva no longer dominate the media headlines the way they used to. During the time of the previous govt the UNHRC sessions in Geneva were utilized to rally popular support on the grounds that it was needed to counter the hostile intent of the Western-led component of the international community. The former government used to give the most detrimental interpretations to the intentions of the international community and gave the work of more..

July 5 (CT) NPC member Ananthy Sasitharan who participated at the recent UNHCR Sessions in Geneva said, that the Commissioner in his Report in 2015 said that international judges shall participate in the war crimes inquiry; but, until today no action has been taken in this regard by the Sri Lankan Govt. "I feel that some judges should be appointed from the affected party as well. Judges must be appointed from our side too more..

July 5 (ST) Will the British exit from the European Union (Brexit) have a recessionary impact on global economy and affect SL economy adversely? Most economists have viewed Brexit as unfavourable to global economy. Recessionary conditions, volatility in capital markets, higher interest rates and unfavourable trading conditions could be impediments to the SL economy. Brexit has given rise to a surfeit of uncertainty, speculation, exaggerated reactions and volatility in more..

July 5 (SO) There they were, members of the Joint Opposition (or, followers of Mahinda Rajapaksa, without him of course or his brethren), in a public protest on a boulevard in the heart of the city of Colombo. Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Namal, led the protest march. Discarding their kapati suits, designer shirts and exclusive trousers, they clad themselves in black T-Shirts and dark pants and for that crowning glory sported black bands across their foreheads. more..

July 5 (SL) Former TNA MP Suresh Premachandran stated that despite the govt’s promises to the Tamil people, there are many who are still in camps and are unable to go back to their own lands. Although the govt promised to expedite the resettlement process, only a very few were resettled and the majority of them are still in the same predicament. Most of the people want to go back to their own lands as only then they can more..

July 5 (GV) A university professor named Carmen Wickramagamage has written a long article to The Island claiming that Asoka Handagama’s latest film Age Esa Aga (Let Her Cry) is a Profoundly and disappointingly male fantasy on women’s sexual desires, their sexed lives and their very raison d’être. She further says that this extremely patriarchal movie is just to please men. The title of that article which appeared in the newspaper in two parts on two consecutive days was more..

July 5 (DN) Recently there were reports saying that the price of medicinal drugs have gone up by nearly 40% in spite of the much boasted new drug policy. Therefore it is well understood that just having some drug policy using a sacred name - in this instance, Prof Senaka Bibile – is not going to benefit common people of the country. I doubt most of the people who voted for this so-called Senaka Bibile drug policy understood the contents of the policy which they voted for. more..

July 5 (FT) President Maithripala Sirisena declared open the newly built National Sports Complex in Matara district today (4). It was constructed at a cost of 279 million rupees. The Sports Complex built with state-of-the-art facilities where international sporting events can be conducted. The President also declared open the new swimming pool, indoor stadium and running track at the National Sports Complex. Ministers, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Mangala Samaraweera, Sagala Rathnayake more..

July 5 (Island) It would take months and years for the world to absorb the aftershocks of the stunning decision taken by the People of Great Britain to leave the European Union (EU). The consequences of this decision would be felt globally and would affect the lives and livelihoods of millions in Britain and around the world, not only in the near term but also in the long term as well. The decision to exit the EU has been described by some as the end of history, perhaps because more..

July 5 (SO) Auditor General Gamini Wijesinghe who has become the cynosure of all eyes after the COPE sought his opinion over the Central Bank Bond issue, recently stirred up a hornet's nest by saying the Govt had exceeded the Parliament-set ceiling on State borrowings. Observers said he seemed to be on the war path with the good governance govt. However, he refuted this claim saying that he was enjoying more..

July 5 (Island) Last Friday’s state drama festival award ceremony reminded us of the climax of the rib-tickling celluloid comedy, Mr. Bean’s holiday. Antics of Mr. Bean and a little boy, and the former’s hilarious video diary plugged into a projector secretively, jazz up an otherwise boring flick being premiered at Cannes so much so that it receives a standing ovation from a distinguished audience. What happened on Friday was no comedy. It may be called a protest drama. more..

July 5 (CT) The Sri Lanka tour of England is almost at its end, and sadly, the visitors have nothing to show at the time of writing other than a few glimpses which were visible. Reading through the reports and the social media, it's clear that we hear plenty of rumblings in the background and also the blame game has commenced. For the Test debacle quite a few players were personally targeted, and now the pendulum seems to have stopped with skipper Mathews. more..

July 5 (DM) Police Headquarters released sketches of two suspects in connection with the murder of former Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickremetunga. This was the second time that the police released sketches of the suspects over the murder and sought public help to nab the suspects. One suspect was a stockily-built man of about 35 years, 5.8' tall with wide brown eyes. Second suspect was about 45 years old, more..

July 5 (Island) In countries like UK, public health care looks quite efficient, but getting an appointment with your doctor is a nightmare. Unless you make an appointment at least one week before, you will not see the doctor .If your health has reached fatal level, you call 911 and get an ambulance to come and take you to Emergency Care Unit and they will attend to you quite fast. I had a terrible asthmatic attack on a Friday night and as it was during the weekend, there were no doctors in Govt run more..

July 5 (LBO) Consumer Affairs Authority has conducted more than 10,000 raids in the first half of this year. As per the data submitted by Ministry of Industry and Commerce for July 2016, the authority has conducted 10,146 raids from January to June this year showing a marginal decline from 2015’s first half total of 10,162. Highest monthly raids are reported in the pre-new year season; in March at 1,874 while the lowest raids took place in June with 1,468 raids. more..

July 5 (FT) Minister Lakshman Kiriella has assured that Central Expressway construction will be completed within three years. He gave this assurance after an observation tour to inspect the progress on the first phase of Central Expressway from Kadawatha to Meerigama on Saturday. Among the projects begun by present Govt, construction of Central Expressway commenced from Meerigama to Ganegoda. more..

July 5 (CI) Offspinning allrounder Ramith Rambukwella has been called up to Sri Lanka's squad for the T20 against England on Tuesday, team management has confirmed. Batsman Upul Tharanga leaves the side, but the remainder of Sri Lanka's ODI squad will stay for the T20. Rambukwella, who was in the UK with the Sri Lanka A team, had played one T20I against NZ in 2013, taking 1 for 19 from four overs in that match. He has since been out of SL's T20 squads, more..

July 5 (DN) The total export value was Rs. Rs.71.6 billion which is the lowest in six years. Exports in May 2016 alone fell to 21.2 million kilos which is a 23% drop against the previous year. Shipments for the five months ending May have declined 5% to 117.8 million kilos. “The approximate US dollar value of exports for the period is $496 million compared with $560 million in 2015, $650 million in 2014 and $587 million in 2013,” Asia Siyaka Brokers said. more..