May 25 (CT) It is a welcome sign that Muslim civil society went into action in full swing to help the victims of torrential rains, widespread floods, landslides and gale force winds wreaked havoc since 14 May 2016. Hundreds of thousands were turned overnight into homeless and penniless destitute. While wheeler dealer Muslim politicians disappeared from the scene, enterprising Muslim individuals, institutions and organisations, companies and many others rushed to more..

May 25 (CI) News that Ben Stokes will not appear in the second Test comes as the latest setback to Durham, a club struggling with fortune and finance. With ticket sales for the game modest - the most recent ECB sales report states that 25,373 have been pre-sold for the first four days, around 45% of those available - the club dearly needed Stokes, something of a local hero, to attract last-minute buyers. If they had any luck at all, it would be bad. If you judge Durham as a centre of more..

May 25 (Island) A priceless bronze Buddha statue belonging to the Anurdhapura era, taken to Temple Trees from the National Museum, had suffered damage due to carless handling. Siras patha (circle of light) of the ancient seated Buddha statue, unearthed from the Veheragala archaeological site, had been broken due to a fall. Some officials took the statue, belonging to the 9th Century AD) to Temple Trees, where it was displayed with Buddha relics brought from Pakistan on Saturday. more..

May 25 (DM) FSP Propaganda Secretary Pubudu Jagoda and Central Committee Member Sujith Kuruwita were arrested by the Maradana Police today. The arrests were made after they were summoned to the Maradana Police to record a statement on the tense situation that prevailed at the Immigration and Emigration Department in Borella on April 1. A heated argument between FSP members and the Police led more..

May 25 (Island) The Govt Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday said that the highest number of respiratory tract and skin infections as a result of the floods had been reported from the Kaduwela MOH area. GMOA Secretary Dr. Nalinda Herath said the Kaduwela MOH updating, the Disaster Management Coordinating Centre (DMCC) of the Union had said it had treated 580 skin infections and 500 respiratory tract infection (RTIs) with the onset of the floods till date. more..

May 25 (EN) Sri Lanka's uninsured flood and landslide victims can submit claims to the disaster management office to get compensation under an insurance policy recently bought by the govt, Minister Ravi Karunanayake said. He said State-run National Insurance Trust Fund (NITF) had obtained a cover which will pay up to 10 billion rupees to disaster victims, under budget proposal made this year. A 300 million rupee premium for the cover had been paid shortly before floods hit country, more..

May 25 (DM) The navy handed a report to the Defence Ministry requesting action be taken against Eastern Province Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed for allegedly rebuking a naval officer at an event at the Sampur Maha Vidyalaya on Friday. A video of CM rebuking a naval officer, who was the compere at an event at Sampur Maha Vidyalaya, went viral recently. Eastern Province Governor Austin Fernando more..

May 25 (CT) The Special Task Force (STF) and additional Police personnel have been deployed on a 24-hour daily operation to nab looters who have been on the rampage in flood affected areas. A spokesman said the STF would arrest anyone even found loitering suspiciously close to homes in these areas. The joint operation has been launched on directives from the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Karunasena Hettiarachchi and IGP Pujith Jayasundera. more..

May 25 (Island) The woman photographed by The Island while she was collecting relief items being distributed by hundreds of kind hearted donors, through her henchmen near the Kelani Bridge on Sunday has been identified as a resident of Wellampitiya. She is a drug peddler in the area. The Island on Sunday captured the images of a group exploiting the tragic situation. The woman used drug addicts among others to collect relief items meant for the people living in temporary huts on more..

May 25 (DM) The Govt Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) today decided to go on strike next Tuesday in all govt hospitals in the country except in disaster-hit districts, against the arbitrary action of the Medical Services Director (MSD) of the Health Ministry. Accordingly, floods and landslides hit districts including Colombo, Gampaha, Kegalle, Puttalam and Kilinochchi will not be affected by the island-wide strike of the govt doctors. more..

May 25 (AN) Alwaleed Philanthropies (AP), chaired by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, is donating $1 million to provide support to those affected by the recent floods and landslides that have caused devastation in Sri Lanka. The announcement comes as delegates from 175 countries gather in Istanbul today for the opening of the first ever World Humanitarian Summit. At the summit, global leaders are discussing how to effectively respond to major humanitarian challenges like the one in SL, more..

May 25 (EN) A group of angel investors supporting Sri Lankan entrepreneurs said start-up business plans were getting better with ideas for businesses across a wider range of sectors in their latest funding round. The entrepreneur empowerment platform, Venture Engine, has ended its Call for Entries having received an overwhelming response from an ever expanding pool of potential participants, a statement said. “Also noteworthy, the quality and variety of submissions more..

May 25 (Reuters) SL is in the process of borrowing up to $3.5 billion from foreign sources via syndicated loans, sovereign bonds, and sukuk, finance minister said. Borrowing plan comes as the South Asian nation seeks to fix its precarious balance of payments position after a sharp depletion of its foreign exchange reserves - a legacy of massive debt piled up under the previous govt. "A $500 million syndicated loan is almost done more..

May 25 (AJ) In Siripura, one of three Sri Lankan villages completely buried by a massive landslide a week ago, a grieving Priyanthi Sudeepani, 42, continues to hold on to hope for her son's return. Yet, most here are aware that no survivors will be found after mudslides ploughed into their villages, killing 101 people and leaving 107 others missing on May 18. Nearly 290,000 Sri Lankans have been affected by floods and landslides since last week. "A plane crashed into the mountain, more..

May 25 (Rediff) Sherine Xavier, a Sri Lankan Tamil filmmaker from Canada, is happy. After months of struggle with the Indian censor board, she has finally obtained approval to screen her film Muttrupullia? (Is it a full stop?), which deals with the post-war situation in the Tamil areas of Sri Lanka. Xavier, image, left, who was in Chennai, speaks about the movie and her struggle with the censor board, in a conversation with R Ramasubramanian. Q: Why did you make this film? The ground situation more..

May 25 (CG) Cabinet has approved establishing an office on missing persons, the Govt information department said today. The Govt said there have been strong requests for providing true information on disappeared or missing persons to their relatives to know their actual fate. “It will enable such families to reunited, closure with regard to such disappearance, or granted with reparations and other relief and support,” the govt said. more..

May 25 (Reuters) Sri Lankan shares snapped three straight sessions of losses on Wednesday to edge up from a 3-week closing low despite foreign investor outflows, as investors picked up telecom and diversified shares. The benchmark stock index rose 0.2%, or 12.91 points, to 6,583.49, edging up from its lowest close since May 4 hit on Tuesday. It fell 1.12% last week, its first weekly fall in seven weeks. "Market ended in the green zone, but the foreign selling is worrying," more..

May 25 (AM) Colombo Additional Magistrate ordered the General Managers of 72 commercial banks and financial companies to submit a report to the CID regarding three security officers of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Three security officials investigated are Captain Tissa Wimalasena, Damith Ranasinghe and Wanniarachchi Neville. The reports are to inform the CID if the three individuals have deposited money in their institutions or acquired property through them. more..

May 25 (PSL) The World Bank responded positively to a request made by President Maithripala Sirisena for further financial provision to Sri Lanka during the next four years as the country is marching towards the development by boosting the livelihood of the people. The President made this request when 12 executive officers of the World Bank met President Sirisena yesterday at his official residence. more..

May 25 (DN) The Export Development Board discussed B2B arrangements for the Polish trade delegation to Sri Lanka attending the World Export Development Forum in October 2016. The discussion centered on the Polish participation at the World Export Forum to be held in Colombo in October this year. The Ambassador said that he is very keen on bringing down a large delegation for the event and to organise an objective driven B2B meeting programme for the delegation. more..

May 25 (PSL) President Maithripala Sirisena left for Japan today (May 25) to participate in the G–7 Summit to be held on the 26th and 27 in Ise-Shima in Japan. President and the delegation left the country from BIA, Katunayake at 2.25 pm by Emirates normal passenger plane. The President is participating in this summit on an official invitation made by the Japanese PM Shinzô Abe as an Outreach Partner. This is the first time a Sri Lankan leader has been invited to this summit. more..

May 25 (DN) A proposal has been made to build a statue of Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera in the vicinity of Parliament, depicting religious, social and political aspects of his life, Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera Commemoration Foundation chief organiser Saman Rathnapriya said. He made these comments at a media briefing. “It is Sobitha Thera who pioneered in building a strong public view in January 8 revolution. more..

May 25 (DT) Pakistan’s High Commissioner Maj Gen. Syed Hussain has handed over the second consignment of relief assistance for the flood victims to the Sri Lankan authorities. The consignment was received on behalf of the SL govt by Ministry of Disaster Management Additional Secretary Wasantha Samaraweera at BIA. A cargo plane from Pakistan brought relief items containing shelters and tents which were specified by the SL authorities as immediate requirements for the flood victims. more..

May 25 (DM) Cabinet approved a paper to give vehicle permits for public servants in the executive category. The Finance Ministry submitted the paper that was taken up for discussion yesterday at the Cabinet meeting chaired by the President. Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara and President Sirisena had submitted the recommendations. Now, public servants in the executive category with a service period of six years or more are entitled to purchase vehicles under tax concession. more..

May 25 (AFP) Sri Lanka appealed on Wednesday for foreign aid to recover from massive floods that caused an estimated $2 billion worth of damage and claimed more than 100 lives. Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said 35,000 homes were damaged in last week's floods triggered by the heaviest rain for early 25 years, with the capital Colombo the hardest hit. "We are looking at the maximum possible support," minister said. more..

May 26 (NS) Tamil Nadu once again elected Jayalalithaa Jayaram popularly known as Amma as its Chief Minister yet again. The polls were conducted on May 16, two days prior to the seventh year commemoration of the end of Sri Lanka’s war. Several decades ago, Jayalalithaa was a star in Indian cinema who had appeared in several blockbuster films alongside superstars such as MGR (who also was a former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister) and Sivaji Ganesan. more..

May 26 (NS) The month of May is somewhat synonymous now with celebrating victory. A celebration that is now being politically tarnished. A victory that seems to be gradually losing its deeper essence by a nation and her ungrateful citizens, who have now gotten used to seeing the 30 years of bloody conflict like a 20/20 match, where one side is bound to win anyway. To many it is another day, as life rapidly overshadows the tremendous sacrifices made by Sri Lanka’s gallant sons. more..

May 26 (SO) The pro-Eelam lobby in Tamil Nadu, which gets significant media attention both in Tamil Nadu and in the Tamil media in Sri Lanka, suffered an ignominious defeat in the May 16 Tamil Nadu State Assembly elections. Although the manifesto of the winning party, the AIADMK, had promised to help establish a separate Tamil Eelam for the Tamils of Sri Lanka, the AIADMK is by no means a pro-Eelam party. more..

May 26 (SL) Under the instructions of the Power and Renewable Energy Ministry, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is looking for funds to the tune of Rs. 24 billion to build a 100MW wind power plant in the Mannar Island. When contacted, CEB Chairman Anura Wijayapala told The Sunday Leader that they would first go with a project to generate 100MW of the potential 375MW of wind power in Mannar Island which is said to be one of the top-most sites for wind power potential in the island nation. more..

May 26 (SL) With the United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG) adopting a three-pronged policy improve its fiscal position in particular and the Sri Lanka’s economy in general, strives firmly to reduce borrowings both domestic and foreign, increase govt revenue and rationalise borrowings. “It was easy to obtain commercial loans from China. During the former regime, Sri Lanka could only obtain commercial loans at higher interest rates from countries such as China. more..

May 26 (CT) Minister T.B. Ekanayake says that not only Rajapaksas, whoever it is, if they are truly wrong they should be punished. Q: Is the story that you went and met the former President when he was in Kurunegala true? A: That I went to Kurunegala is incorrect. When he left the meeting at Hiriyala, and was on his way to a meeting in Galgamuwa, he stayed at a place in the Yapahuwa Electorate which I represent. more..

May 26 (Island) We did not take kindly to the Sun God’s stare. We cursed it. We lost our temper when power outages occurred. No doubt politicians were to be blamed for the power cuts and they had generators to give them light. We were angry. We prayed for rain and asked the Rain Gods to save us from the Sun God’s cruelty.Rain Gods did answer our prayers, but they wreaked havoc and chaos. They destroyed our lives, our loved and dear ones, our crops & our cattle, man’s best friend dog. more..

May 26 (Island) Eastern Province (EP) Chief Minister Ahamed Nazeer has behaved like a typical Sri Lankan politician. At a recent school function in Sampur, he blew a gasket and launched into a tirade against a senior navy officer in the presence of EP Governor Austin Fernando and US Ambassador Atul Keshap and a group of schoolchildren. All gubernatorial efforts to pacify the incensed CM were in vain. CM Nazeer has told the media that he lost his temper as he felt slighted; his presence more..

May 26 (ST) In A Long Watch Commodore Ajith Boyagoda reflects on how the story of the Sagarawardene, the ship of which he was captain, was a story he had read, long before it was one he told. Commodore Boyagoda was the highest ranking prisoner detained by the Tamil Tigers during the civil war. He spent eight years in captivity before his release in 2002. When Commodore Boyagoda finally decided to speak about his experience in detail, it was to Sunila Galappatti. more..

May 26 (ST) Plans to write about the recently concluded Anti-Corruption Summit that British PM David Cameron laid out at Lancaster House as his personal contribution to ridding the world of this cancer as he called it, went astray. If Mr. Cameron thought that in one day he and US Secretary of State John Kerry who had similar thoughts on corruption, could persuade a scattering of foreign leaders and others gathered there to end the scourge to which their own countries had more..

May 26 (CI) Sri Lanka fast bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake has described the tour-ending injury to Dushmantha Chameera as a big blow, but said the attack's experience would nevertheless pose a substantial threat to England when the second Test gets underway in Chester-le-Street. Suranga Lakmal, who has played 26 Tests - including three in England - will likely replace Chameera in the XI. more..

May 26 (Island) Transparency and accountability are key to good governance of social protection systems. Broadly, transparency is about information disclosure, while accountability is about processes that enable the public to raise concerns about how social protection is implemented. From a human rights perspective, it is about seeking, receiving and imparting information on social security entitlements. From a good governance perspective, it is about a set of incentives and relationships that more..

May 26 (DN) John Keells Group posted a Profit Before Tax of Rs.19.20 billion for the financial year 2015/16. This is an increase of 3%. Recurring profit before tax increased by 10% to Rs.18.94 billion while Group revenue increased by 2% to Rs.93.28 billion. Profit attributable to equity holders of the parent decreased 2% to Rs.14.07 billion. Recurring profit attributable to equity holders of the parent increased by 5% to Rs.13.85 billion. Net cash flow from operating activities was Rs.20.51 billion more..