Apr 25 (DN) The absence of a specialist off-spinner in the Sri Lanka squad of 15 named for the ICC Champions Trophy in England in June stood out like a sore thumb, but Sri Lanka Cricket and the national selection committee headed by Sanath Jayasuriya were confident that the two spinners they have named were good enough to deliver the goods. Lakshan Sandakan who bowls left-arm chinaman and Seekkuge Prasanna, right-arm leg-spin were the two specialist spinners more..

Apr 25 (DN) Organized by the Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association, this year’s edition of the country’s leading international Gem and Jewellery show, FACETS, scheduled to begin on August 31 and end on the September 3, 2017. FACETS showcases the best of the best of Sri Lanka’s topmost resource. This year FACETS promises something for everyone to suit every budget, from precious gems and exquisite jewelry to branded watches and fashionable costume jewelry. more..

Apr 25 (FT) District Court of Colombo dismissed the case filed by Dr. Chris Nonis and Lalith Fonseka against Agalawatte Plantations and its subsidiary on a preliminary objection made by the Counsel of Agalawatte Plantations and its Directors.  Case was filed by Nonis, the former SL High Commissioner to the UK, and Fonseka to obtain inter alia enjoining orders and injunctions against Agalawatte Plantations and its Directors acting in respect of its subsidiary Mackply Ltd.   more..

Apr 25 (DN) Sri Lanka’s match winning fast bowler Lasith Malinga is expected to return to One-Day International cricket after a lapse of two years after he was included in the squad of 15 for the ICC Champions Trophy in England in June. Malinga’s last ODI for his country was against West Indies at Pallekele on Nov 7, 2015 and since then he has been battling a troubled knee that has restricted his appearances for his country only to T20 Internationals. more..

Apr 25 (DN) Sri Lankan athletes won a gold, silver and a bronze medal at the first leg of the Asian Grand Prix continued at the Jinhua Sports Centre in East China yesterday. Indunil Herath took 1:50.69 minutes to win the men's 800m gold while India's Jinson Jhonson (1:50.71 minutes) and Kuwait's Al Sofari (1:51.23 minutes) secured the silver and bronze medals respectively. Himasha Eshan bagged the men's 100m silver medal with a timing of 10.43 seconds as China's Me Gong (10.37 seconds) more..

Apr 25 (FT) Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) workers called off their strike last night after the Govt gave an undertaking not to enter into any legally binding agreements with India without consulting the trade unions. However, the MoU giving an undertaking to jointly develop the Trinco Oil Tank Farm, which  the PMs of the two countries were to enter into, will be signed as planned, Minister Chandima Weerakkody confirmed. MoU is to be signed during PM’s visit to India. more..

Apr 25 (TOI) It was Mahinda Rajapakse who allowed China to build a strategic port in Hambantota, for which he left behind a massive $8 billion debt and the impression that SL had fallen into the Chinese embrace. When he lost the election in 2015, he made India the villain of the piece, accusing New Delhi of bringing the opposition together against him. However, it was significant PM Narendra Modi took time out for a separate meeting with Rajapakse when more..

Apr 25 (FT) Minister Susil Premajayantha, one-time Petroleum Resources Minister who was responsible for the 2003 Cabinet paper which resulted in gaining two-thirds control over the tank farm for the CPC and aborting a move by the then Govt to hand over one-third of share control to Barath Petroleum, an Indian company, last week was critical of the proposed joint venture with India to develop the Trincomalee Harbour and Oil Tank Farm. “We have given our opinion, the problem is they don’t listen,” more..

Apr 25 (CT) President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday appointed Marini de Livera, Attorney-at-Law, as the new Chairperson of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA). Livera was appointed to replace former NCPA Chairperson Natasha Balendra, who reportedly resigned from the post due to personal reasons. Marini de Livera is a member of the National Committee on Women and has served as a Human Rights Trainer for the Sri Lanka Army and the Police. more..

Apr 25 (Island) Security forces have so far released more than 70,000 acres held by them in the Northern Province, the Ministry of Prison Reforms, Resettlement, Rehabilitation and Hindu Religious Affairs says. Minister DM Sawaminathan has thanked the security forces for releasing the lands to resettle Northerners during a meeting held at the Ministry of Defence yesterday afternoon, according to a media statement released by the ministry. more..

Apr 25 (CT) A written invitation will be sent to all elected representatives of the SLFP to participate in the Party's May Day rally, State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said. He added that it is mandatory for the SLFP elected representatives to attend the rally and that this decision was taken during the SLFP Central Committee meeting on Sunday. "We will take steps to send invitations to all SLFP elected representatives and the Central Committee will decide on the action that more..

Apr 25 (FT) A breakaway group of the SL Mahajana Party, political party formed by the late Vijaya Kumaratunga and Chandrika Kumaratunga, has formed a new political party called the National People’s Party (Jathika Mahajana Pakshaya).  This breakaway group comprises many founder members of the SLMP including Vijaya Kumaratunga’s sister and other activists. The stated reason for the spilt is the alienation of the SLMP from the political activities of former President Rajapaksa. more..

Apr 25 (DN) American Chamber of Commerce (ANCHAM) agreed to further expand investment in SL due to the country’s economic transparency, Minister Ravi Karunanayake said. At the same time, minister said that it was proposed to take necessary measures swiftly towards it. The minister also points out that the American Chamber of Commerce has hailed the financial disciplines maintained by the country. An opportunity to address ANCHAM is a privilege for Sri Lanka more..

Apr 25 (PTI) SL Navy sailor died while undergoing diving training at Naval base here today. The Navy said that the 39-year-old Petty Officer (Diving) YPNR Weerasinghe, while carrying out a practise dive in the Ernakulam Channel as part of routine training procedure, failed to surface. The sailor was located after an immediate search was carried out by the attendant supervisory training staff. "The sailor was administered prompt first aid, and evacuated to the Naval Hospital. more..

Apr 25 (PTI) Complimenting Bhuvneshwar Kumar for his ability to stop run flow during slog overs, spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan has hailed the Indian paceman as the one of the best bowlers in IPL history. “Over the last four, five years that I have been seeing him, he is the best bowler in IPL history. He bowls two overs in the Power Play and two at the death and his economy rate is so low,” he said. “Unfortunately he has not played much T20 cricket for India. more..

Apr 25 (DN) Govt will sign an agreement with India to form a joint venture company to operate and manage oil storage tanks in Trinco, Minister Kabir Hashim said. He said that does not mean that we are giving away of any of country’s ports to India or any other country. He also said “we are not going to assign full control of the totality of our oil tanks in Trinco to LIOC,” He said, ”claims and speculations that have spread all around that all of our false.” more..

Apr 25 (TS) Sex predator Bhaskar Muniyappa boasted that he was an “international, famous astrologer (and) powerful spiritualist who could erase black magic and fix love problems.” Muniyappa coaxed his victims to strip so that he could rub lime slices on their bodies and molest them during these sessions, Crown attorney Paul Zambonini said while reading an agreed statement of facts. Muniyappa, 32, pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of sexual assault involving two women in 2014. more..

Apr 25 (Island) Former COPE Chairman D.E.W. Gunasekera said though the special COPE sub committee of the seventh parliament was scheduled to submit a full report on the Bond Issue of Feb 27, 2015, it had not been able to fulfil the task due to the dissolution of Parliament. In answer to queries raised by Deputy Solicitor General Dappula de Livera, assisting the Commission, Gunasekera said the sub committee had completed its report with the participation of the Auditor General. more..

Apr 25 (Island) CPC trade unionists last night decided to call off their strike which had crippled fuel distribution throughout the country. Their decision to abandon trade union action came following an assurance given by PM Ranil Wickremesinghe that he would not enter into an agreement with India on the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm. Saman Ekanayake, Secretary to the PM, issued a letter that the PM had agreed to grant the three demands put forward by the warring unions. more..

Apr 25 (DM) If Marine Le Pen feared something worrisome in a run off, it could not have been any worse than this. A dashing 39-year-old centralist, a la Bill Clinton with a proven track record is the last thing the far right wing Le Pen would have wanted as her rival at the second round of the French presidential elections on May 7.  The run off no doubt will sharply polarize the nation as never before. The suave, sophisticated third way politician Emmanuel Macron is everything that Le Pen, more..

Apr 25 (DM) The govt is reportedly considering bringing garbage disposal under a centralized authority and to legislate a law on garbage recycling. In the meantime, untended rubbish is piling up by the road side. Garbage is not funny business. A year or so back when rubbish piles heaped up in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon in the midst of a grinding power struggle that left the govt rudderless, it was viewed as the most conspicuous sign of the state failure. more..

Apr 25 (SL) The govt is to set up  a high powered committee to take the CEB, the state owned electricity utility into track as it has failed to generate the power supply the country demands. Cabinet of Ministers has already been informed about the need of such a committee to ensure the continuous supply of electricity. The new committee will be appointed for a two year period, which consists of 12 members, including a chairperson more..

Apr 25 (AD) The SLFP has appointed new organisers for several districts and electorates. Seventeen new Electoral Organisers and District Organisers received their appointment letters from President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat today. General Secretary of the SLFP, Duminda Dissanayake, UPFA General Secretary, Mahinda Amaraweera, Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, more..

Apr 25 (Island) Sri Lanka Police Spokesman DIG Priyantha Jayakody said yesterday that suggestions and comments were being collected from police officers of all ranks and the general public of different layers, on the matter of changing the uniform currently worn by Lankan police officers. The process had neared its end now, the Spokesman said, but a certain date or time of implementing the changes were not certain. more..

Apr 25 (CT) Last week, it was reported that the Health Ministry will soon take steps to regulate private hospitals and pharmacies in the country. Addressing a function held at Ampara Hospital, Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said the report on the charges of private hospitals was compiled by an independent international company, KPMG after visiting the hospitals and observing the way such functions and the fees are charged. more..

Apr 25 (DM) Fishing activities at the Oluvil harbour in Ampara is to be halted as the govt is unable to bear the cost of maintenance, Fisheries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said. Minister Amaraweera and ministry officials had discussed the function of the harbour after it was revealed that it did not make sufficient funds to cover its expenses. “The harbour is a white elephant that we cannot take care of it,” minister said. more..

Apr 25 (DM) Former Cricket Captain Thilakaratne Dilshan, who was under arrest warrant for not appearing in court over a maintenance case filed against him, surrendered to court today. Subsequently, Colombo Chief Magistrate recalled the arrest warrant. The counsel, who appeared for the respondent told the Magistrate that he had mistakenly noted the next calling date therefore could not appear in court today. more..

Apr 25 (PHC) An 18-member high-powered delegation from the National Defense University (NDU) of Pakistan, led by Commodore Shahid Sohail, is currently visiting Sri Lanka on a week-long foreign study tour from April 23 to 28. Delegation comprises of senior officers from Pakistan’s Armed Forces, Civil Services and Officers from Germany and Nepal, who are undergoing National Security and War Course at NDU. more..

Apr 25 (ST) 8,900 students (3.11%), who sat the 2016 GCE O/L exam in six or more subjects, failed in all subjects. In the previous year too, almost the same number of students failed in all subjects. Highest failure rates are from the Districts affected by the 30-year-old civil war, with Kilinochchi the worst, with a failure rate of over 8%, while the other Districts with over 4% failing in all subjects are Jaffna, Batticaloa, Mullaitivu & Trinco. more..

Apr 25 (Island) Minister Rajitha Senaratne said that the govt had the power to dump garbage at any location found suitable for the purpose and none could oppose that action. Commenting on Colombo Bishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith’s warning to the govt not to use police and security forces against the people protesting against govt dumping garbage at their residential areas, the Minister said: more..

Apr 25 (PSL) President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Saber Chowdhury said President Maithripala Sirisena has given an inspiration to all those who work to strengthen parliamentary democracies in the world. The step taken by President Sirisena to dilute executive powers of the SL Executive Presidency and vest them with the parliamentary is an important step towards strengthening democracy. more..

Apr 25 (CT) Dealing with the Meethotamulla waste dump has now become a major national problem for SL. At least 30 persons have lost their lives due to the collapse of the waste dump. Many others might have died or suffered serious diseases due to the existence of this waste dump polluting the entire environment over a long period of time. The problem now, is where to dump this mountain of waste. It was not long ago that people in the Ja-Ela Negombo area organised protests to prevent more..

Apr 25 (CT) Last Saturday the world celebrated and commemorated Earth Day – a day set apart for celebrating and demonstrating support for environmental protection. It is also a day we completely forgot about ironically even in the wake of the Meethotamulla garbage disaster. Of course, we cannot be held responsible for forgetting Earth Day, where we usually celebrate the need of environmental protection, by turning off our lights for ten minutes or so (a rather useless gesture more..

Apr 25 (EN) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said it is compiling a directory of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Northern Province which will be published in June. The Ceylon Chamber officials have already collected firsthand information of the SMEs operating in the Northern Province by visiting the region. Businesses who wish to be included should email inshaf@chamber.lk or call 115588854, Chamber said. "The main objective of the Chamber’s exercise is to assist SMEs more..

Apr 25 (Island) SLFP General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake said that SLFP MPs who boycotted the party’s May Day celebrations at Getambe in Kandy would be expelled. The action would be taken irrespective of rank of personality of the MPs, Minister Dissanayake said. The SLFP did not hold two May Day rallies but only one and that would take place at Getambe, Kandy, Minister said, adding that it was the duty of all members of the party to attend that event. more..

Apr 25 (DM) Foreign Exchange Bill which presented in Parliament by the govt is similar to what former Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim envisaged, the joint opposition said today. It said the Bill would enable the Tamil Diaspora which was a repository of LTTE funds to invest in SL without any control or monitoring by the Central Bank (CB). “Solheim mentioned this at an interview with The Hindu soon after election victory more..

Apr 25 (DM) A former minister and SLFP senior vice president Janaka Bandara Tennakoon and MP Lohan Ratwatte have been sacked from their posts of electoral organizers. Mr. Tennakoon was the electoral organiser of Dambulla while Mr. Ratwatte was electoral organiser of Pathadumbara. Provincial councillor W.M. Yasamanna and Dambulla Trade Union president U.R. Dayanandasiri were appointed co-organisers for the Dambulla electorate by President Maithripala Sirisena today. more..

Apr 25 (CT) The present govt has been spending colossal sums of money to attend to the irrigation problems in the Ampara District in order to encourage the farming community, who are the backbone of Sri Lanka's economy, Minister Vijith Vijayamuni Zoysa told farmers at the Akkaraipattu Athaullah Arangam. Minister Zoysa, who was in the Ampara District on Saturday and Sunday, to see for himself the shortcomings faced by the farmers and look into their problems, paid a visit to more..

Apr 25 (CT) Sunday Island news story: Key suspect in Lasantha killing given diplomatic post by Gotabhaya is fake news, misleading the public, says the former secretary to the ministry of defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He has tweeted “Fake news misleading public #sundayIsland” with a link to a criticism written by one Sanjaya Amarathunga which was posted on Viyath Maga Facebook page. more..