May 29 (NS) The entire nation is recovering from the colossal deluge that unleashed death and mayhem. Restoration takes planning, implementation, resources and evaluation. Moving logistics to areas still submerged in water remains a daunting challenge. Yet it is a task that has to be done. Disaster Management Centre (DMC) is a hype of activity, with reports coming in and phones buzzing. Pradeep Kodipilli, in his capacity as Deputy Director of DMC has been busy directing relief efforts. more..

May 29 (SO) “Even with all our technology and the inventions that make modern life so much easier than it once was, it takes just one big natural disaster to wipe all that away and remind us, here on Earth, that we’re still at the mercy of nature.” That was said by Neil de Grasse Tyson. Don’t ask me who he is or what claim he has to fame since I am clueless, but what he wrote resonates with me. Yes, we have absolutely no control over nature. This cat with a feline’s seventh sense, more..

May 29 (GV) In January last year, I visited Mullaitivu. Since it was after dusk, I decided to find lodging just for one night. During the day, I had the opportunity of listening to the horror stories of local Tamils who were caught in the final onslaught on Mullivaikkal and the alleged massacre of civilians in the govt’s bid to decimate the LTTE, and institute its writ over the whole country. The horrors of that war, conducted in secrecy without any witnesses, is now an open truth shouted out from the rooftops. more..

May 29 (CI) Powered by Moeen Ali's career-best 155 and three wickets on recall for Chris Woakes, England put themselves in position to push for another innings victory as Sri Lanka produced an insipid display on the second day at Chester-le-Street. The visiting batting subsided to 90 for 8 in reply to England's 498 for 9, the follow-on surely set to be enforced in the morning, although they at least avoided being sent back in during more..

May 29 (GV) The Navy high Command has taken one step too far, too quick. The Daily Mirror (DM), carried a statement made by the Navy media spokesman, Captain Alavi as saying the Navy Commander had given instructions to all navy officers and camps that Chief Minister of the Eastern Province, Nazeer Ahamed should not be allowed into any naval camp. Captain Alavi is on record saying, “We have also informed all Navy officers to refrain from attending his functions”. more..

May 29 (EAF) Sri Lanka’s balance of payments is in dire straits. The country’s mounting foreign and domestic public debt, a huge fiscal deficit and a severe foreign exchange shortfall have led to potentially calamitous economic circumstances. Sri Lanka has not yet secured the means to meet its upcoming foreign loan repayments — US$4.5 billion is due over the next year, to be followed by another US$4 billion in the subsequent year. Credit rating agencies Fitch and Standard and Poor’s more..

May 29 (CI) Just after lunch, when Moeen Ali was gunning for a double-ton, he made a waddling dartboard out of Rangana Herath. Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka's brick wall on the last tour, had begun to captain like one. Herath was one of seven fielders on the boundary, but it was him that Moeen picked on repeatedly. Moeen thumped the ball to Herath's left and ran an easy two. He sent it skidding to Herath's right and more..

May 29 (SO) Asanka Gurusinha is one of the most reliable top order batsmen that SL has ever produced. Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year title he won in 1985 as a star cricketer from Nalanda College, transformed his cricketing career to a new elevation, inspiring him to make his Sri Lanka debut a few months later. But the most memorable moment in Gurusinha's illustrious career was that marvelous half century he made in the 1996 World Cup final against Australia in Pakistan. more..

May 29 (CG) Govt announced another amnesty period to surrender illegal firearms. Ministry of Defence (MOD) declared a general amnesty period from May 30 to June 17 for the surrender of illegal firearms to the Govt. MOD said that persons in possession of any such firearms are requested to hand over them to the nearest Police Station, Divisional Secretariat or District Secretariat during the above-mentioned period. Similar amnesty period had been declare from 25th Apr to 5th May. more..

May 29 (PSL) President Maithripala Sirisena and the PM of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina held bilateral discussions yesterday at the Hilton Nagoya Hotel in Japan and during the meeting, both leaders agreed to further strengthen the trade relations between the two countries. The two countries came into an agreement to maintain the export and import of garments from both countries under a stable pricing method. more..

May 29 (CT) The FCID is planning to summon several politicians and nearly 300 officials of the previous regime early next week for questioning in relation to large scale frauds including misappropriation of State funds. The FCID last week questioned an equally large number of former State officials in this connection. Meanwhile, Johann Fernando, son of former Minister Johnston Fernando, was grilled Friday by the FCID on alleged involvement in an import of millions of rupees more..

May 29 (CT) When the three-year-old and five-year-old children posed for the photographs smiling, they probably did not know the gravity of the situation they are in. They have lost both their mother and father in two different situations. Godayagala Premaratne and Pushpa Ranjani of Belgala in Kegalle did not have anyone to give them marriange councelling or life lessons. Pushpa lost her first husband when he died. He was a diabetic. However, before long she fell in love with Premaratne. more..

May 29 (CT) Following successful renegotiations with the Alwaleed Philanthropies, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, the richest person in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ranked number 41 in the Forbes' list of world's richest people in 2016 will soon visit Sri Lanka. Ceylon Today in its 22 May 2016 edition exclusively reported that Prince Alwaleed put off his planned visit to Sri Lanka as a result of a communication blunder by officials. more..

May 29 (SO) Regional Plantations Companies (RPCs) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are discussing the raising of funds by selling US dollar-denominated tea bonds to foreign investors. The ADB has come forward to assist the industry hit hard by the long slump in tea prices and heavy debts. Govt has asked the ADB to support the modernisation of the plantation sector by issuing tea bonds to help fund the capital expenditure needed to modernise RPC tea and rubber production. more..

May 29 (CI) 155*: Moeen Ali's first-innings hundred is the third-highest individual score at Chester-le-Street in Tests. Ian Bell's unbeaten 162 against Bangladesh, in the was his third Test of his career in 2005, remains the benchmark. This is also the fifth-highest individual score batting at No.7 or lower for England in Tests and the highest for England at No.7 since Derek Randall's 164 against New Zealand in Wellington in 1983-84. 2: Number of centuries for Moeen in Tests, more..

May 29 (ST) Vehicle importers have urged the Govt to reconsider the increase in the Unit Rate Tax on the basis that calculations were irrational, resulting in prices of some vehicles soaring by as much as 60 percent. Two of the leading vehicle importers associations said the move to increase the tax would have a severe impact on the vehicle industry and those planning to buy vehicles. more..

May 29 (ST) The Central Bank (CB) has requested permission from China to issue Chinese Yuan denominated bonds or Panda bonds in a bid to attract Chinese investors, officials said. A Panda bond is a Chinese renminbi-denominated bond from a non-Chinese issuer, sold in China. The first two Panda bonds were issued in October 2005 on the same day by the International Finance Corporation and the Asian Development Bank. Officials said the CB has written to the People’s Bank of China, more..

May 29 (PTI) Sri Lanka has reduced import duties on 800 and 1000 cc cars while increasing duty on higher engine capacity cars, a move likely to benefit India-made smaller vehicles. Prices of vehicles above 1000 cubic centimeter engine capacity will increase following the increase of the minimum unit tax from May 27. According to a gazette notification released on May 27 by the Ministry of Finance, the 800 and 1000 cc cars would have a lower import tax band. more..

May 29 (PTI) TN Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa said her govt would continue to persuade the Centre for establishing the rights of Sri Lankan Tamils and she would meet NP Chief Minister C.V. Vigneswaran at a mutually convenient time. In a reply to a recent letter of Mr. Vigneswaran, who congratulated her on winning the State Assembly polls, she said, “As a Chief Minister of the State, I have taken steps to establish more..

May 29 (ST) In the quest to find a strategic partner for SriLankan Airlines which has become a heavy financial burden to the country, the government has selected audit firm KMPG to expedite the re-orientation process, officials said. KMPG will assist the National Savings Bank (NSB) the lead manager appointed by the cabinet, in finding an international investment bank to handle the restructure exercise. The audit firm will decide on recruiting necessary experts to obtain professional support more..

May 29 (SO) Minister Sajith Premadasa pledged to construct 1000 houses for landslide victims and for those living in landslide threatened areas in Aranayaka, Hakurugammana and Athgampala in the Kegalle district. He said these houses will be constructed in three zones for those affected by landslides. Minister who visited landslide affected areas in Aranayake and participating at a meeting with relevant govt agencies said, Ministry will allocate Rs.2 million to construct each house. more..

May 29 (ST) Several multimillion dollar development projects in the Polonnaruwa district are set to be doled out on single-bid basis to Chinese companies in a departure from the new govt’s proclaimed policy of calling for open, competitive tenders. Exim Bank of China is lending necessary funds on concessional terms. Two such companies have already started gratis feasibility studies in water & transport sectors. more..

May 29 (ENS) North Provincial Council (NPC) has unanimously passed a resolution congratulating AIADMK leader J. Jayalalithaa for winning the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections convincingly. Denying a news agency’s report that the Council thwarted Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswran’s bid to introduce a resolution congratulating the Tamil Nadu leader, the Council’s chairman, CVK. Sivagnanam said that the resolution was moved by the CM and passed unanimously on May 26, more..

May 29 (SO) Flood warnings have been issued to people living near the Gin Ganga, Kalu and Nilvala Rivers and Aththanagalu Oya as water levels were rising, DMC said. A flood alert has been issued for people to evacuate if the water level continues to rise. “District offices of the DMC have been informed and precautions will be taken if the situation continues.” Deputy Director Operations of Met Department Anusha Warnasiriya said more rain could be expected as monsoon continues. more..

May 29 (ENS) Chief Minister of Eastern Province, Naseer Ahamed, has dubbed the Tri-Forces’ decision to boycott him and prevent him from entering their establishments, as a political one, and warned that it has broader implications. In an open letter to President and PM, on last Friday’s fracas at a public function in Sampoor in the Eastern Province, which had led to the decision of the Navy, Army and Air Force to boycott him, more..

May 29 (ST) Helitours, the Sri Lanka Air Force’s domestic air service, is to acquire two civilian passenger aircraft on full payment/lease basis for a regular, profitable and reliable operation of a domestic commercial air travel business, officials said. Approval was granted by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) to establish a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with a private party to obtain two aircraft on lease basis for the operation of this domestic air service. more..

May 29 (ST) Central Bank (CB)’s handling of failing finance companies came in for heavy criticism at the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) recently. This matter was raised during the discussion on ways and means to establish the Finance Institution Restructuring Agency (FIRA) in accordance with the 2016 budget proposal. The CB has been blamed for delaying investigations into failing finance institutions, a senior official said adding that more..

May 29 (ST) UNF Govt’s final position on the UN mandated probe on allegations of war crimes in Sri Lanka was spelt out on Thursday by PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. He told senior Army officers that the judicial mechanism would be made up entirely of Sri Lankan judges, putting to rest months of speculation if foreign judges were to be part of the tribunal. He met some hundred officers including senior Colonels, Brigadiers more..

May 29 (Island) Both President Maithripala Sirisena and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe would be acutely aware that many of those who strived to topple that Rajapaksa regime and install its successor are greatly disappointed by what yahapalanaya has and has not delivered. Nevertheless, it must be said in fairness that things are not as bad as they were; but it must be forcefully said in the same breath that things are nowhere as good as they ought to be. There is the rub which must be more..

May 29 (Island) My friend was entrapped and housebound first because of the incessant rain on Monday May 15 and the next day, and then from Tuesday night onwards till Sunday May 22 by the flood waters of the Kelani Ganga. She lives in Buthgamuwa in her very gracious ancestral home with its portico in front, open veranda at the back, bedrooms on either side of the very spacious sitting and dining rooms, all under a high wood-ceilinged roof. more..

May 29 (CT) It is often said that Sri Lankans have short memories. No matter how devastating a disaster turns out to be, whether natural or man-made, we forget about the incident within two weeks and move on. In the last couple of weeks, a number of areas in the country were steeped in tragedy due to torrential rains and the resulting floods and landslides. In one of the most devastating episodes in the recent history of the country, more..

May 29 (CT) The Auditor General's Department has called for written explanation from the SLPA Chairman as to how a whopping Rs 79 million has been busted on the opening ceremony of the Hambantota oil tanks by the previous regime, which was merely for media coverages, stage decorations, dance troupes and five star hotel accommodation for govt officials. Questions have also been raised as to why more..

May 29 (SL) Funds had flowed into the Carlton Sports Network (CSN) from accounts in Seychelles, Govt sources said based on ongoing investigations. A company had been formed in Seychelles to transfer the funds to CSN when former President Rajapaksa was President. Investigations have also revealed that funds had been transferred to the company in Seychelles from other countries as well. more..

May 29 (SO) Importers of second hand vehicles are daggers drawn over the latest tax reforms imposed by the govt, triggering tax and duty components on high-demand vehicle categories to shoot up by staggering amounts. The notice giving effect to the Treasury's 2015 tax reforms, calling for the minimum tax unit on most vehicle imports including three-wheelers, to increase by several fold was issued by Minister Ravi more..

May 29 (ST) The heavy rains and floods have destroyed crops and land, causing the price of vegetables to skyrocket, and vendors say that until new crops are harvested there will be no reduction in prices. At the Dambulla Economic Centre, one of the country’s main vegetable wholesale hubs, produce was coming in slower than usual, Manning Market’s welfare society Secretary Gamini Handunge said. more..

May 29 (CT) People's attention has been drawn to the Eastern Province Chief Minister Hafeez Naseer Ahamed and his outburst at the Naval officer who was the compere at a school function organized at the Sampur Maha Vidyalaya by the Navy during the latter part of last week. When the video of the Eastern CM reprimanding Naval compere telling him to get out, you idiot was released, it raised many more..

May 29 (CG) The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has issued directives to be followed by designated officials arresting persons under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The directives are being issued to ensure the fundamental rights of persons arrested or detained are respected and protected, and such persons are treated humanely. The directives are based on the directives on arrest and detention issued by more..

May 29 (ST) Child victims of the flood and landslide disasters – some homeless, some separated from their families amid the chaos of displacement in temporary shelters – are being looked after by a network of state agencies. As children are often in danger of abduction and physical and sexual abuse the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) is coordinating with police to provide round-the-clock protection more..

May 29 (ST) President Sirisena and PM Wickremesinghe will have a one-on-one meeting next week, when both are in the country, to discuss a Ministry of Defence directive that has caused embarrassment to the UNF Govt. The directive for the first time since independence, issued by Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiaratchchi, had debarred military personnel from taking part in any event where more..