June 7 (CT) President Sirisena has directed all authorities to take whatever swift action deemed necessary for the safety of residents of the area Salawa, Kosgama following the fire at the armoury of the Salawa Army Camp. Furthermore, President expressed his condolences via a twitter post to the loved ones of the soldier who succumbed to injuries on Sunday night's fire at the Kosgama camp. The tweet read: "My condolences to the loved ones of the brave soldier who succumbed to injuries more..

June 7 (Island) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe pledged that govt would rebuild the houses that had been damaged as a result of a fire at the Salawa Army camp in Kosgama. The assurance came following a high level meeting Wickremesinghe chaired at Pahathgama Divisional Secretariat. He had earlier visited the affected areas. The army said one soldier had been killed in the fire and eight others injured. Around 40 civilians living in the vicinity of the camp had sought medical treatment more..

June 7 (Island) The cause of the fire which triggered a series of explosions in its ammunition dumps at the Salawa Army Camp on Sunday had not been ascertained so far, Commander, Western Province Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe said. He said that it was too early to come to a conclusion and the damage was being assessed. Two investigations had been ordered by the Army and the CID. more..

June 7 (DM) Ministers of this Govt also have started to insult the intelligence of the people as happened during all other regimes in the past. The latest slur on the people was the remark made by Minister John Amaratunga about the price increase of the vehicles, especially the cars. He, while speaking to the media recently said that the Govt had increased the prices of cars through increasing the VAT on them in order to prevent the unwanted people from buying cars. more..

June 7 (DM) Huh, they are on to another one, said Shelton Perera who was reading that day’s Daily Dodger. What’s that about, Shelley? asked Joy, Shelton’s missus and silent partner in managing the popular Wallside Restaurant and Bar. The couple was spending some time together in their living room as there was plenty of time yet for Wallside to open its doors for another phase of business in satisfying habitual thirst. Tommo a pussycat and Ooty an owl, who were practically their more..

June 7 (SL) It has now been revealed how during the Rajapaksa regime an unsolicited contract to supply high quality radiotherapy with high energy radiation for cancer patients had been given to a local agent of a Swedish company for a higher price which has cost the country nearly Rs. 7.7 billion. It has been revealed how the former regime had given this contract to Elekta which is the UK branch of a Swedish company. more..

June 7 (Island) PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila said the President and the PM were competing against each other in going on foreign jaunts. He said, "They say that they are attending key international meeting beneficial to the country, but the country hasn’t gained anything from thier jaunts." The govt boasts that world leaders were visiting here and the President had visited the G 7 summit, but in fact the country had gained nothing. more..

June 7 (ST) It is a bug which is a great mimic that can very easily lead doctors up the garden path to a different diagnosis ultimately ending in death. Hiding under the guise of Leptospirosis or Rat Fever, it rises rapidly from muddy and watery soil not only during the monsoons but also disasters such as the floods and landslides Sri Lanka has been experiencing in recent times. It can also mimic tuberculosis (TB) and pneumonia. more..

June 7 (CI) Graham Ford, the team's coach, wants the island's special brand of cricket firing through his young team again. Q: What drew you back to Sri Lanka? A: I've talked about how I'd thoroughly approached the first stint. I enjoy the players' attitude and a lot of their approach to the game. Though I moved away from Sri Lanka, they were pretty much my team as far as the international competition went. more..

June 7 (DM) An explosion at the Salawa Army Camp has raised concerns among those with vested interests. According to residents, the fire which broke out at around 5.30 p.m. on Sunday has continued till yesterday morning. Daily Mirror reporters who visited a few villages situated within a one kilometre radius from the army camp, saw that many of the houses were damaged with shrapnel piercing the roofs. more..

June 7 (Xinhua) China's Xinhua news agency is willing to expand cooperation with Sri Lankan media, Vice President of Xinhua Long Xinnan said. When meeting with Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka on Monday, Long introduced the cooperation and exchanges between Xinhua and the Sri Lankan media since the Xinhua bureau was launched in Colombo in 1958. As the official news agency of China, Xinhua hopes more..

June 7 (Island) Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said the Commander of the Army should accept the full responsibility for the mishap that took place at the Salawa Army Camp in Kosgama where an ammunition dump exploded on Sunday resulting in the evacuation of thousands of people. "The Commander should accept the responsibility and resign immediately," Rajapaksa said. more..

June 7 (ENS) Bringing to the notice of PM Narendra Modi the third incident of arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Lankan Navy within a week’s time, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday urged the PM to “mount a strong diplomatic initiative to uphold the rights and interests of our Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu.” “In spite of my repeated appeals to ensure the safety and security of our innocent fishermen and to devise more..

June 7 (AD) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says that several incidents since January last year have had the effect of seriously undermining the self esteem and morale of the armed forces to an extent unseen even during the years of the 2002 ceasefire. “Any inquiry into the causes of the Kosgama disaster should also look into the general state of morale in the armed forces at present,” he said, in a statement today. more..

June 7 (CG) Head of the British Diplomatic Service Sir Simon McDonald and Secretary at the UK Department for International Development Mark Lowcock have welcomed the Sri Lankan Govt’s commitments to strengthen democracy in the country, British HC in Colombo said. The two officials visited Sri Lanka yesterday to meet with high-level Govt officials and discuss Sri Lanka’s progress on reconciliation. more..

June 7 (CT) The country seemed to be enthusiastic over the reception that President Sirisena received in Japan as media reports started to emerge. There is nothing more exciting for an International Relations person like myself than seeing Sri Lanka gain positive global spotlight. However, given the kind of strategic interests of different powers at play over Sri Lanka, it is important to provide a comprehensive yet easy to understand explanation to the public. more..

June 7 (CT) It was reported, recently, that the govt is mulling the possibility of banning women from seeking employment as housemaids overseas in the future. According to the sources, President Sirisena has appointed a committee to look into ways and means of imposing such a ban in the not too distant future. Migration of Sri Lankan women as housemaids appeared to be a concern for many. It becomes a hot topic in political circles, from time to time, when a major incident is reported. more..

June 7 (Island) Five police stations, Kosgama, Hanwella, Dompe, Pugoda and Avissawella, have been ordered by the Police Department to receive complaints from the persons affected by the devastating explosions at the Salawa Army Camp on Sunday evening. Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said that many houses in the area had suffered considerable damage. Police request the public not to touch any objects which landed in their houses, gardens or on roads. more..

June 7 (CT) Representing Sri Lanka Sambo Association a six-member national squad took part in the inaugural Asian Sambo Championship which recently concluded at Ashgabat in Turkmenistan. Sambo acronym for SAMozashchita Bez Oruzhiya is a form of Russian Martial art and combat sport. Despite being pretty inexperienced, the Sri Lankans were able to seal six bronze medals and finished eighth in the tournament where 17 teams competed. SL team consisted of 2 men and 4 women more..

June 7 (DM) The govt today sought parliamentary approval for a supplementary estimate to cover expenses made for various requirements of the govt including the construction of a building attached to the official residence of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga. Of these expenses, the government seeks approval for Rs.17 million for the construction of a building attached to the official residence of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga. more..

June 7 (Reuters) Shares ended slightly firmer on Tuesday, rising for the first time in seven sessions on positive sentiment after an IMF loan approval, but concerns over rising interest rates and foreign outflows dented sentiment. Turnover was low at 596.6 million rupees, well below this year's daily average of around 786.3 million rupees. The IMF executive board approved a three-year $1.5 billion loan to support Sri Lanka's economic reform agenda, the global lender said on Saturday. more..

June 7 (Island) The Health Ministry yesterday said that the explosion at the Salawa Army Camp had caused severe damages to the Kosgama Rural Hospital. Health Ministry spokesman Nipun Ekanayake said patients from Kosgama had been transferred from that hospital to Avissawella Base Hospital. Sunday’s explosion killed one soldier. However, 39 injured persons were being treated, he said. One patient with head injuries had been transferred to the Kandy Teaching Hospital. more..

June 7 (DM) Joint opposition said they would have discussions with ministers, deputy ministers and state ministers of the SLFP to garner their support for the no-confidence motion against Minister Ravi Karunanayake to be taken up in Parliament tomorrow. MP Bandula Gunawardane said the SLFP ministers, deputy ministers and state ministers who promised to safeguard rights of the people before the election, should support more..

June 7 (AD) Five suspects including the former Vice Chairman of the Musali Pradeshiya Sabha has been arrested for illegal sand dredging across the banks of the Malmathu River in the Murunkan area in Mannar. Murunkan Police said that the suspects were arrested this morning following a raid carried out by the Vavuniya Police dangerous drugs unit, based on information received by the DIG in charge of Vanni District T.M.W. Deshabandu. Various equipment used by the suspects to engage more..

June 7 (AD) A Fundamental Rights (FR) petition has been filed with the Supreme Court against the Chief Minister of the Easter Province, Naseer Ahamed. The application was presented by attorney-at-law P. Liyanarachchi accusing the Chief Minister of violation of fundamental rights by acting in a disgraceful manner towards a navy officer and a school student. The Chief Minister had verbally abused a Navy officer in public at an event held last week during the opening ceremony of more..

June 7 (EN) Sri Lanka’s export earnings fell 1.7% in Feb 2016 to US$ 888 million from a year ago. Expenditure on imports fell by 5.9%, year-on-year, to US$ 1,439 million in Feb 2016, continuing the declining trend observed in the preceding 7 months. Trade deficit contracted by 11.9% in Feb 2016, year-on-year, to US$ 552 million, owing to the sharp decline in imports which significantly outpaced the fall in exports, more..

June 7 (AD) Former Additional Magistrate Thilina Gamage is currently at the CID giving a statement over the alleged possession of an elephant calf without a permit. Gamage surrendered to the Court last Thursday (2) over the allegation and was subsequently granted bail by the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court. He was released on a cash bail of Rs 500,000 and four personal bails of Rs 2.5 million each and also ordered to appear before the CID today (7). more..

June 7 (ITN) Manpower workers who have the required qualifications would be made permanent. The other group will be given an opportunity to fulfil their requirements and thereafter ensure their job security. These references have been made by Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya. The Minister was addressing a news conference held at the Ministry of Power and Energy. The Minister said that a group of about 1400 metre readers was recruited on a piece rate basis through companies. more..

June 7 (DM) NFF Leader and MP Wimal Weerawansa today claimed that the govt was attempting to hide the cause of the fire in the armory of the Salawa Army Camp. He said the fire and the resultant destruction of a large stock of weapons which were to be used by the Army for the next 20 years might have been a govt attempt to fulfil the requirements of foreign countries. “We should not consider this as an isolated incident. more..

June 7 (Island) The no confidence motion to be moved against Minister Ravi Karunanayake had been put on hold for the last five months, Joint Opposition MP Dullas Alahapperuma said. He said the Joint Opposition consisted of politicians who represented the UPFA at the last general election. They had together polled 4.8 million votes. Alahapperuma said the basis of the no confidence motion was that the Finance Minister had distorted economic and political policies of UPFA govt. more..

June 7 (Lords) Over 100,000 cricket fans are expected at Lord’s over the first four days of the third England v Sri Lanka Investec Test Match, which starts on Thursday. The first three days of the match are very close to selling out, with only 1500 tickets remaining for day four. The Home of Cricket, which traditionally hosts the first Test match of the summer, was allocated the third match of the Sri Lanka series in light of the ongoing redevelopment of the Warner Stand. more..

June 7 (MoD) Ministry of Defence has declared a General Amnesty period with a view to release tri forces deserters from the service with effect from 13th June to 13th July. Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Karunasena Hettiarachchi chaired the media briefing. Secretary Hettiarachchi noted that, since deserters are issued with warrants they are unable to leave the country or to return back from foreign countries. more..

June 7 (ITN) The Police said they have apprehended a leader of a robber gang who had been involved in many robberies in the Piliyandala and Panadura areas. They said he is known as Army Manju. Police have also arrested three other members of this gang. This robber gang including Army Manju was taken into custody during a raid carried out by the Unresolved Crimes Unit of the Mount Lavinia Police. Police also succeeded in recovering stolen goods worth Rs. 3 million. more..

June 7 (DN) The troubled Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport at Mattala has received another blow with the complete closure of the duty free shops located within its premises since June 1. Airport sources said that shops have remained closed since 1 June and the owners have already removed the goods from their stores. The air traffic to Mattala has now dwindled to a trickle and only two charter flights use the MRIA at present. However, these two airlines have flights to MRIA, more..

June 7 (DM) The fire that erupted at the Salawa Army Camp may have occurred while a fire drill was being carried out in the camp and that may have been the reason for the minimal number of casualties, Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi said. “A Court of Inquiry has been set up to inquire into the causes. Therefore, I can’t say anything more. Let’s wait till the investigations are over,” he said more..

June 7 (AD) Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, has refused to accept the letter of resignation tendered by the Director General of SL’s Department of Wildlife Conservation, Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya. It was reported yesterday that the Director General had decided to resign, however when he handed over the letter of resignation to the minister in charge it was turned down by Gamini Jayawickrama Perera. Minister has said that he would discuss more..

June 7 (DN) The setting up of an ammunition dump in a densely populated area is highly questionable and a wrong move, JVP MP Vijitha Herath said. He said the Army Camp was established in Kosgama in 1994 despite protests against the decision taken by the then govt. “This area was not suitable for an Army camp since it is a congested civilian area. We also submitted petitions against this decision to a minister of the then govt Indika Gunawardane. Without considering the protests, more..

June 7 (AFP) Sri Lanka on Tuesday announced a landmark law to recognise as dead an estimated 65,000 people still missing seven years after the end of a bitter civil war, allowing relatives to claim inheritances. Ministers approved a draft bill to issue certificates of absence to the families of those who went missing during a 37-year war with Tamil separatists and a Marxist uprising. “This measure will help tens of thousands of more..

June 8 (CT) Twelve years after the devastating tsunami another tragedy strikes Sri Lanka. The resplendent island is sent reeling. An attack from something as innocuous as water takes a calamitous toll. The nation is grief-stricken as human life and property takes a huge toll. Receding waters unveil the sheer magnitude. International press confirmed the destruction as being considerable with over 4000 homes fully or partly damaged and just over 100 lives lost. more..