May 30 (ST) The welfare of working people is sine qua non for economic and social development of societies. More than a quarter century of civil war in Jaffna (1983-2009) has destroyed several institutions that are the lifeblood of economic and social well-being of democratic societies. The vanguard institutions of labour such as collective bargaining through labour associations/unions, labour departments (govt regulator), and indeed labour standards have been dissipated in more..

May 30 (SLN) During the recently concluded bilateral summit meeting held in Nagoya, Japan between the President Maithripala Sirisena and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, reconfirmed the importance of maintaining the freedom of the high seas and maritime order based on the rule of law. The joint media statement issued following the bilateral meeting between the two leaders stated that ‘as a part of strengthening maritime cooperation between the two countries, more..

May 30 (FT) Minister John Amaratunga on Friday revealed that Sri Lanka tourism is targeting $ 3.5 billion in earnings this year on the strength of 2.5 million visitors. In this the Golden Jubilee year we hope to achieve tourism revenue of $ 3.5 billion by welcoming 2.5 million visitors. Our target is to raise the per capita spend of each visitor from the present US$ 165 per night to US$ 250 per night,” Tourism Minister Amaratunga said more..

May 30 (CI) 3: Number of fifty-plus scores by Angelo Mathews in six innings while following-on in Tests - the most by a Sri Lanka batsman. Before this innings, Mathews had got 63 in Cape Town in 2011-12 and 66 in Christchurch in 2014-15. Mathews has made 234 runs at an average of 46.80 in these innings. 68: Sri Lanka's previous highest sixth-wicket stand while following on in Tests, which was by Mahela Jayawardene and T Dilshan at Lord's in 2006. That match had ended in a draw more..

May 30 (Reuters) Sri Lanka’s Islamic finance sector continues to grow steadily but lacks staff who are qualified and have technical knowledge, the recently launched Islamic Finance Country Report 2016 said. Since the amendment to the Banking Act in 2005, more than a dozen banks and financial institutions now offer Shariah compliant products. There are several large professional service firms that have specialist Islamic finance teams. Despite the growth in the number of players, more..

May 30 (DN) Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha, Chief Sanghanayake Thera of the Southern Province welcomed Northern Province Chief Minister Vigneswarian’s appreciation of the singing of the National Anthem in Tamil at the Independence Day celebrations with the remark “if the Sinhala people took one step towards us, we Tamil people are ready to take 10 steps towards the Sinhala people”. more..

May 30 (ST) The 109th Sri Lanka State Services Cricket Association’s Annual Awards Night 2016 was held at the Solis Hotel, Kotte. Due to unavoidable circumstances the Awards Nights of 2012/13 and 2013/14 were not held but the organisers had done a commendable job in inviting the previous winners along with the teams to receive their awards which they won earlier. The chief guest Thilanga Sumathipala addressing the house first congratulated the State Services Cricket more..

May 30 (Xinhua) "If the Colombo South Harbor Terminal did not exist, I would probably still be seeking employment overseas to earn money to support my 5-member family," said Yuri Kannangara, assistant general manager of the operations department of the Colombo South Harbor Terminal in Colombo. In front of the container yard, the 49-year-old said that before his employment with South Harbor, he had been employed in South Africa, far away from his family. more..

May 30 (Island) Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) entered into two employment agreements with Israel and Malaysia last week creating over 5000 job opportunities for Lankans in the two countries. The Sime Darby Plantation, one of the largest agriculture factories in Malaysia had agreed to offer 5000 job opportunities to Lankan workers and the MoU in this regard were signed by SL Foreign Employment Agency more..

May 30 (Island) A land area of about ten acres of Uduwelawatta Grama Niladari division has been declared susceptible to landslide. Many houses have also been identified as unfit for human habitation on the land as they are subjected to cracks and earth slips. The occupants of the houses have been warned to evacuate. Meanwhile, Kandy District Secretary H.M.T. Hitisekara, Patahewaheta Pradeshiay Secretary Ms. Madupani Piyasena and officials of Disaster Management Authority more..

May 30 (Island) A suspect who masqueraded as a security forces intelligence officer and abducted a 15-year-old schoolgirl in Galle on April 23 was identified by the victim at an identification parade and he was remanded by Galle Additional Magistrate Kesara Samaradivakara till June 8. Suspect Wasantha Pushpakumara (35) of Magalkanda, Maggona North is a father of two children. The police said the suspect was in remand custody in Matara prison for a similar offence more..

May 30 (CI) Barring extraordinary events, Sri Lanka are still going to lose the second Test - and potentially by an innings - but they were not, to borrow one of Angelo Mathews' words, humiliated on the third day as they made England work hard for their rewards in the follow-on. The captain himself played a large part in that, Mathews striking a bristling 80, while there were also half-centuries for Kaushal Silva and Chandimal more..

May 30 (DN) The country now annually imports pulses exceeding $70 mn, the bulk of it being the well-known staple red lentils, Industry and Commerce Minister said. “Pulses and grains were introduced to Sri Lanka historically and today pulses have become a staple in Sri Lankan households as a result. Their imports rising fast,” said Minister Rishad Bathiudeen in Turkey. He was addressing the Global Pulse Convention 2016 (GPC16) held in Cesme, Izmir, Turkey from May 19 to 22. more..

May 30 (PTI) Pakistan is unlikely to host their home series against West Indies in Sri Lanka and they might revert back to playing in UAE itself. A top official of the board confirmed that they had tried to relocate the series against the West Indies to either Sri Lanka or Bangladesh but it was unlikely to happen this year. "We have been facing issues with having our home series in the UAE as the expenses are very high and there are other matters as well but for this year it appears we will more..

May 30 (Hindu) Amid continuing criticism of Sri Lanka’s approach to the implementation of the 2015 Geneva resolution, President Maithirpala Sirisena has defended his govt’s policy of returning land in the Northern Province to Tamils. Speaking to the SL diaspora in Japan, Mr. Sirisena pointed out that they had been longing for the return of their lands for 27 years. He also said that distrust persisted between people of the northern SL more..

May 30 (Island) Minister Harin Fernando, chief guest at the recent Smart Metro press conference said that the govt aims to train the 3.5 million students in schools in IT skills. "Progress in IT development and the switch to digital technology have produced an interest locally in the IT field. Sri Lanka is now poised to be a contributor to technological progress, minister said. "SONY and Fujitsu with technology introduced by Smart Metro marked a step in progress and this augured well for more..

May 30 (Island) An 11-year-old girl was seriously injured and admitted to Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital on Saturday when unidentified gunmen dressed in camouflages uniforms stormed a businessman’s Walaswewa residence in Galnewa and opened fire with T-56 assault rifles. When the gunmen entered the premises of 25-year-old- businessman Raja Jayaratne‘s house, he had locked the door to the entrance and moved into a bed room with his wife and the two children more..

May 30 (DN) The battle between Health Minister and GMOA heated up as Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne refused to be deterred by threats to strike and calls for his removal. However, the doctors’ appointments which have stirred much controversy will come to effect from next week, as planned, he said. “GMOA cannot decide my appointment, but I can decide their appointments,” Minister said highlighting that as an elected more..

May 30 (CT) A sluice gate was opened in the Lakshapana Reservoir for the duration of an hour yesterday owing to the inclement weather experienced in the area and residents around were requested to be vigilant. Assistant Director of the Disaster Management Centre Pradeep Kodippili said the rising waters of the Kalu Ganga (Dark River) have affected over 4,000 people in the Kalutara District. Furthermore, the landslide warning issued for several district has been further extended. more..

May 30 (DN) There is a strong probability of La Niña developing as the El Nino exits, but it would not adversely affect Sri Lanka, Met Department Director General Lalith Chandrapala said. He said the El Nino was at the tail end and it would come to a neutral level by June-July. “Then a La Niña may loom. This phenomenon has adverse effects similar to El Nino. However, it may not be a serious threat to Sri Lanka,” he said. Explaining on how the shift between El Nino and La Niña would occur, more..

May 30 (Island) In the wake of a spate of arrests of former senior members of LTTE, Human Rights Commission of SL has issued specific directives in respect of detaining persons under Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). HRCSL spokesman Saliya Peiris said that directives had been issued following concerns expressed by some persons. He said their intervention wasn’t in any way meant to impede ongoing investigations. more..

May 30 (DM) With the floods and landslides continuing into the third week yesterday, religious leaders have urged that we need to go beyond religious, racial, political or social and other differences in the mission for the provision of relief, rehabilitation and resettlement of more than half a million victims. Just as death is no respector of persons, so is a natural disaster. People of all races and religions were affected, though as usual the impoverished people were more vulnerable. more..

May 30 (DM) The transnational pharmamafia, some corrupt official in the Health Ministry and other vested interest are still trying to sabotage the implementation of the national medicinal drugs policy in line with Prof. Senaka Bibile’s essential medicines concept. After a delay of more than 10 years, President Maithripala Sirisena who was earlier the Health Minister, had personally ensured that legislation to implement the Senaka Bibile policy was approved by Parliament in May last year. more..

May 30 (DM) Eastern Province Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed should now be every chief minister’s envy. They hardly make news even when they try their personal best, perhaps except C.V. Wigneshwaran, the Northern CM for his own antics. CM Ahamed overnight broke ranks with that obscure lot to place himself at the centre of the news cycle. He is now by far the chief minister with most YouTube views in his name after a video more..

May 30 (EN) Victims of recent floods and landslides had been repeatedly affected by previous natural disasters and were now highly indebted with insecure livelihoods, a survey has found. The May 2016 floods and landslide have caused the highest displacements, wide spread damage to productive assets, and losses to livelihoods and agricultural and livestock production, it said in an assessment of Colombo, Gampaha, Kegalle, more..

May 30 (CG) Govt of Canada has provided CAD $310,000 (Rs 35 million) in support to humanitarian relief efforts in Sri Lanka in response to the May 2016 flooding and landslides, the Canadian High Commission in Colombo said. This funding was disbursed through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF) and the Emergency Disaster Assistance Fund (EDAF) of Global Affairs Canada and will support more..

May 30 (SL) The deadly flood that ravaged almost all districts in the country including Colombo, Gampaha, Kilinochchi, Kalutara, Uva, Awissawella and the up-country, will go down in the history as one of the worst natural disasters this country has faced after the 1989 floods and the 2004 tsunami. After the devastation that affected both rich and poor alike, realisation dawned that there is no proper mechanism in place for more..

May 30 (DM) Court of Appeal fixed to be mentioned on July 25 the Writ petition filed by JVP seeking an order from the Court to arrest and institute legal proceedings against Kumaran Pathmanathan. The matter was taken up before Justices Vijith K. Malalgoda and Padman Surasena. The Court has directed the Petitioner to decide as to whether he has to continue the proceedings or terminate it. more..

May 30 (ST) Dumping debris in an adhoc manner from houses in the aftermath of the flood, could contribute to a rise in dengue cases, health officials warned. The warning came as the people in and around Colombo began cleaning their houses affected by the flood. Mattresses, pillows, electrical items and other household goods that cannot be used are being piled up on road sides along with garbage. more..

May 30 (Island) Minister Lakshman Kiriella has vowed to provide an immediate solution to the Malabe private medical college students with the support of government university community. He was addressing a ceremony held to award laptops to university students on an interest free loan facility at BMICH. He lashed out at the previous govt for creating the SAITM issue and assured that the present govt would not abandon its students. more..

May 30 (DC) Hundreds of people gathered in Chennai on Sunday to pay homage to late Balachandran, son of the late founder of LTTE, who died during the final phase of the Sri Lankan civil war in May 2009. Late LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and his 10-year-old son Balachandran were reportedly killed in the armed conflict that started in 1983, when the LTTE launched insurgent attacks against the govt aiming to establish more..

May 30 (CG) The ban imposed on Eastern Province Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed from entering military camps has been lifted, military said today. The ban was imposed following an altercation the Chief Minister had with a Navy officer in Sampur recently. Eastern Province Chief Minister had verbally abused the Navy officer in public during the opening ceremony of a science lab and computer unit at Sampur Maha Vidyalayam. more..

May 30 (CG) The opposition today questioned the failure by the Attorney General‘s (AG) department to look into over 8000 files piled up at the department. Former Minister D.E.W. Gunasekera said the failure to look into over 8000 files means the complaints of the public are not being investigated. He said that some files have been at the AG’s department for years and yet there is no one to raise a voice over this issue. more..

May 30 (Reuters) Shares fell to a near one-month low on Monday as investors sold large cap stocks on sentiment dented by a lack of catalysts for buying risky assets, amid concerns over foreign outflows and rising interest rates. Stock index ended 0.28%, or 18.36 points, weaker at 6,552.85, its lowest close since April 29. It fell 0.94% during last week. "The sentiment is very weak. All are waiting for some catalysts like a big foreign direct investment or IMF loan inflow or a big IPO," more..

May 30 (Island) Residents living in the vicinity of the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) at Gothatuwa are up in arms against the health ministry move to dump refuse from the National Hospital in vacant lands in the area transported in ministry vehicles. They demanded Minister Rajitha Senaratne to hold an immediate inquiry into the incident. A number of residents said, they ran the risk of facing a serious health hazard if the ministry continued to dump refuse in the area and added that more..

May 30 (CT) President Maithripala Sirisena urged the world's top industrialized countries to invest in Sri Lanka and to help the country to prosper economically at the G7 Outreach Summit held in Japan on Friday. Following the President's fervent appeal to the affluent G7 countries Japan has come forward to grant Rs 50 billion as loans to promote socio-economic development in Sri Lanka. As the country's resources have been neglected due to three decades of civil war and more..

May 30 (CT) Did any of you readers see the video of Deputy Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe going in a boat in a flood affected area in Colombo and distributing donations? Did you see the video of Minister Dayasiri engaged in cleaning up muck in a residential block somewhere? Both these gentlemen are well dressed with the cameras turned on them. Serasinghe,in shorts, looks like a Walawwe Hamumahattaya or like Loku Baby Mahattaya. Shifting to a serious note, aren’t you shaken more..

May 30 (DM) me Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardena today denied having any hand in the appointment of TRC's former director general Anusha Palpita as an additional secretary to his ministry. He said Mr. Palpita was appointed by the Public Services Commission (PSC) and was transferred by the Public Administration and Management Ministry to the Home Affairs Ministry during the recent floods. more..

May 30 (Island) Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate ordered to remand till June 02 a 22-year-old suspect alleged to have been absconding after killing his 20-year-old wife. The suspect Romesh Asiri (22), a resident of Akkara Wissa in Galenbindunuwewa was married to Malshani Sanjeewani (20), daughter of OIC of Horowpathana Police. Following the murder of Sanjeewani the suspect had gone missing. He was found fallen unconscious near a water tank at Dolaha Division of Dutuwewa more..