Apr 28 (DM) The CID informed court that it had deployed special investigative groups to examine the facts obtained from individual informants regarding a few suspicious persons in connection with the murder of Wasim Thajudeen. The prosecution was of the view that based on the informants’ revelations, the investigations are being conducted more towards the suspicious phone conversations of those identified persons more..

Apr 28 (CT) No, not the kind which all the Joint Opposition lackey's concoct conspiracy theories to scare the mass populace with, but a rather practical and important stage which resembles a cross roads. One would lead to us becoming a failed State due to poor governing, while the other would lead to us being finally developed and a successful State. With the growing foreign influence, both economic and political of nature, in Sri Lanka in the form of China & India, we have come to this cross road, more..

Apr 28 (CT) Watching the black oily sand that is being pumped from the ocean bottom off Kerewalapitiya, is watching yet another tragedy unfolding due to the low level of sensitivity to environmental factors by those who prepared the SEIA. Perhaps they were too young to remember the Tsunami. The sludge that came up with the wave of the Tsunami prompted the following observation published in the press in 26/1/2005. “The tsunami also produced many nasty more..

Apr 28 (CT) President Sirisena has appointed a bunch of all male legal professionals as President’s Counsels. Out of the 25 male legal professionals elevated to President’s Counsel, two of them, TNA spokesperson M.A. Sumanthiran MP and Upul Jayasuriya, chairman of the BOI, had not applied through the formal channels. However, a number of senior female legal professionals – some of them with over thirty years of consecutive service in the bar – had also applied as per existing rules. more..

Apr 28 (NR) Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has encouraged all political parties, trade unions and other entities celebrating May Day, to refrain from misusing public property. TISL said large numbers of buses and public transportation including trains, are scheduled to be used to transport participants to the various May Day rallies. Any usage of public property should be in accordance with the relevant procedures outlined by the public authority from which such property more..

Apr 28 (AD) A decision has been made to conduct an island-wide one-day strike protesting SAITM, Malabe, GMOA states. GMOA announced that the strike would be conducted sometime between 3 and 5 of May. The decision for the strike was taken at the GMOA Central Council’s meeting held yesterday to discuss the SAITM issue. The GMOA stated that several trade unions had already signed up for the strike, and added that if govt failed more..

Apr 28 (DM) President Sirisena has never dreamt of offering Minister Sarath Fonseka the post of army commander or the responsibility of heading a committee on essential services in case of being disrupted because of TU action,” Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne said. He said that what Prez said as a joke had been given various interpretations. “When speaking about the non-ending strikes, President has jokingly asked whether Minister Fonseka could control such situations,” more..

Apr 28 (AM) UPFA MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage will tie the nuptial knot for the second time, today. His bride is Senani Jayaratne, daughter of former PM D.M. Jayaratne, sources close to the family said. Senani was previously married to SLFP General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake. She is also the sister of Deputy Minister Anuradha Jayaratne. Aluthgamage, a father of two, was previously married to Asha Vijayani, who later filed a divorce case against him. more..

Apr 28 (NR) JO MP Dinesh Gunawardena says the previous UPFA led govt had introduced a waste management project during its tenure. Speaking in Parliament today, MP levelled several charges at the govt. He said after they had to stop dumping garbage in Bloemendhal, they temporarily moved to Meethotamulla, adding the previous govt decided that transporting garbage to Puttalam was suitable and approved the proposal. more..

Apr 28 (Island) Social Empowerment and Welfare Minister S.B. Dissanayake said President Maithripala Sirisena recommended in a lighter vein that Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka be given the responsibility to deal with emergency situations. He said that President Sirisena’s recommendation was a mere joke. There was no reason for anyone to be concerned about the president’s comment at the weekly cabinet meeting, Minister Dissanayake said. Co-cabinet spokesman Rajitha Seneratne more..

Apr 28 (AD) MP Wijepala Hettiarachchi stated that the goal of the UNP is to create a cabinet occupied only by UNP party members by 2020, today.  He added that a plan has already been put in place so that the party will not just focus on the finance and investment sector, but all other sectors as well, and that the current govt, is in the process of building up the trust people have with the party. He concluded by saying that the people who will support an all-UNP cabinet, should join them more..

Apr 28 (Roar) Seven years after it was withdrawn citing concerns over the country’s human rights record, Sri Lanka is poised to once again be granted the GSP Plus trade concession, as a last minute motion opposing the bid was convincingly defeated at the European Parliament in Brussels yesterday. In a highly anticipated diplomatic win for the country, a motion for a resolution submitted by some 52 Members more..

Apr 28 (EN) Sri Lanka's consumer prices rose 6.9% in the 12 months to April 2017, slowing from 7.3% in March, but prices rose 0.5% in the month, data from the state statistics office show. Food prices rose 8.6% over the past 12 months, with a 1.7% jump in April, after a 0.7% fall in March. Non-foods rose 0.1%. Central Bank has generated one of the highest inflation in the region, and has been one of the poorest performing in the region in the wake of a currency collapse in 2015. more..

Apr 28 (DM) Police said that the individual hacked and murdered in front of a house on Madiwela Road in Thalawathugoda this morning, has been identified.  Ishara Sampath, 25, a resident of Oruwala in Athurugiriya, was found with critical injuries inflicted using a sharp object at around 5.30am, following information received by the police emergency hotline. He was rushed to Colombo National Hospital by a team of Police officers, however the victim succumbed to injuries more..

Apr 28 (AD) 15 rallies have been organized in and around Colombo for International Labour Day this year. The UNO will be conducting its public rally at Campbell Park in Borella. The 07 parties representing the Joint Opposition will be collectively hosting a rally at Galle Face Green. The rally of the JVP will be held at the BRC Grounds. Meanwhile, the USP will be conducting their rally at Kosgas Junction, SL Communist Party at more..

Apr 28 (DN) The proposal to set up a special force under Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka is an attempt to quell public protests and promote military rule, JVP MP Vijitha Herath said. MP was speaking at the adjournment debate in Parliament today. He questioned how President Sirisena, who came to power on the pledge of abolishing the Executive Presidency and reviving democracy, could come up with such an idea. “Govt is going to set up a special force to suppress public protests more..

Apr 28 (Island) A Committee appointed to investigate the recent Meethotamulla Garbage Dump disaster, has recommended that a sanitary waste site to manage 400 metric tonnes per day of refuse be established in Muthurajawela. Recommendation of the Provincial Councils and Local Govt Committee to build a dumping ground immediately on five-acre land at Muthurajawela in the Wattala Divisional Secretary’s Division had been approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday. more..

Apr 28 (Island) Minister Sajith Premadasa has accused his predecessor Wimal Weerawansa, MP, of utilizing funds meant for housing programmes to strengthen his political outfit, NFF during the Rajapaksa administration. Minister Premadasa was addressing a public gathering after vesting Dinujayagama model village, Sevenagala in the Moneragala district on April 25. He thanked President and PM for providing more..

Apr 28 (DM) Minister Champika Ranawaka said the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) did not have a scientific methodology for garbage recycling. He told parliament that the CMC had some 70 officials who were qualified enough to provide technical assistance on garbage recycling. He said the Meethotamulla catastrophe had occurred because of several reasons including the continuous dumping of garbage in the area without any scientific methodology and the instability of more..

Apr 28 (CB) Angelo Mathews has congratulated Pakistan batsman Younis Khan for becoming the first batsman from his country to score 10,000 Test runs. Younis, who will retire after the ongoing series in West Indies, scaled the milestone during the first Test against in Kingston earlier this week. Younis has been involved in some memorable battles against the Sri Lankans over the years. The most famous of them came in 2015 at Pallekele when he starred in Pakistan's highest-ever run chase. more..

Apr 28 (DM) The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said that it was not to the trade unions but to this govt that the people gave a mandate to administer the country. JHU General Secretary and Minister Champika Ranawaka said that a small group of people should not be allowed to disrupt the essential services of the country and added that it was the responsibility of the govt to ensure these services are supplied uninterrupted. more..

Apr 28 (wsws) Today the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) are holding a picket and a public meeting in Jaffna, Sri Lanka as part of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) campaign to demand the release of the framed-up Maruti Suzuki workers in India. The picket will be held at 3:30 p.m. in front of Jaffna central bus terminal and the meeting will start at 5 p.m. at Weerasingham Hall. more..

Apr 28 (HT) Sri Lanka has been a major transshipment point for Indian cargo. Trying to become a base for Chinese manufacturing and re-exporting as well could be seen as a geopolitical move by India. Sri Lanka stands to lose Indian shipping money by encouraging a large Chinese presence. India has reaffirmed its commitment to the development of Trincomalee port in Sri Lanka during Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent State visit. more..

Apr 28 (NR) The JO says all parties responsible for the collapse of the garbage dump at Meethotamulla must be promptly brought to book. Speaking in Parliament MP Jayantha Samaraweera said the govt's inefficiency was the cause of the tragedy. He urged the govt to find out who is responsible for the tragedy adding that Deputy Minister Dr Harsha De Silva said what must be done was the method proposed by more..

Apr 29 (NS) The week began with an unannounced sudden strike by petroleum workers resulting in long queues and traffic congestion around fuel stations. The rush was mainly due to the belief that the strike would get prolonged because of the nature of the demands made by the trade unions and the suddenness of the action. Striking CPC workers were demanding the reversal of a decision to lease the majority of the remaining unused tanks in the World War 11 oil storage facility more..

Apr 30 (DN) It is no secret that Sri Lanka lacks coherent national policies in most socio-economic fields. In fact the present govt was formed as a coalition or a consensus govt to formulate among others national policies in education, culture, economy etc. The need for such policies and the disadvantage of their absence are felt in many spheres. For example, the SAITM issue has raised several fundamental issues pertaining to a national policy on education. more..

Apr 30 (ST) Entrance is innocuous though located in the very heart of posh Cinnamon Gardens, down Horton Place, Colombo 7. Four rooms accessed through this humble entry-point are airy but small with three comfortable chairs – a cozy little space for a chat. Worried, stressed & unable to cope. Anyone can walk-in, talk, open up their hearts & minds, weep, unburden themselves of a load they think is unbearable & leave relieved. more..

Apr 30 (CT) Balancing between India and China is the correct thing to do both in trade/economic relations and foreign policy matters, without aligning with one against the other. This is undoubtedly easier said than done given both the local and (less visible) international pressures. The policy must be formulated within a broader framework of Non-Alignment without any semblance of aligning with any of the global powers, the US or Russia, while Sri Lanka could take a prominent role/stand more..

Apr 30 (DN) One of the burning issues that Sri Lanka has encountered during the recent past is the disposal of garbage, particularly in urban areas such as Colombo and its suburbs. However, unfortunately until the collapse of the garbage mountain at Meethotamulla on the Sinhala and Hindu New Year Festival day in 2017 the authorities do not seem to have realized the need to prevent such a disaster. This unfortunate incident resulted in the death and injury of a large number of more..

Apr 29 (NS) Minister of Petroleum Resources Development, Chandima Weerakkody spoke to the Nation regarding allegations levelled against the govt in relation to the farm complex containing oil storage tanks in China Bay, Trincomalee, the recent strike by affiliated trade unions at the Petroleum Corporation, the need to balance the geopolitical interests of China and India with the national interests of Sri Lanka, more..

Apr 30 (CT) As usual politicians in this country are accusing each other on what happened at Meethotamulla. People hooted at the politicians who went to sympathize with them. Political heroes of Meethotamulla will never be able to go back to this area and talk big again. All the politicians in this area, irrespective of their parties, are responsible for tragedy. People have openly accused politicians of taking bribes for dumping garbage. They went to the extent of naming them without fear. more..

Apr 29 (Island) The main difference between Sri Lanka and the rest of the world is that the latter is manically focused on economic development and the former is still grappling with basic issues which should have been sorted out decades ago such as mountains of garbage. It was only the other day that a visiting Japanese disaster management team said in Colombo that Japan had solved the waste problem way back in the 1960s in response to public protests. more..

Apr 30 (CT) The Ramayana is one of the great works of world literature. In no other work of great literature has the island of Lanka, a character from it, and events taking place on it, have been immortalized. While we are obviously in the realm of myth and legend, there is no way in which the Ramayana would make such an abiding impact on the psyche of India if it did not have some foundation in experience, i.e. in actual fact. As in the case of the Iliad and the Odyssey, more..

Apr 29 (CT) It is for the first time all Tamil and Muslim political parties joined hands with several non political organizations and staged a non violent hartal on Thursday in the Northern and Eastern provinces in support of the families of involuntarily disappeared persons. Despite their political differences, TNA Leader R. Sampanthan, SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem, ACMC Leader Rishad Bathiudeen had participated in the Thursday's harthal crippling the North & East. more..

Apr 29 (Island) Saadukin Pelenavun was the opening line of the anthem of the LSSP, and was also very much the theme song of May Day in the past, when the left parties and trade union movement at that time celebrated Int'l Day of the working people. May Day is now taken away from the working people, to be the most significant demonstration of rivalry among political parties, with the Red Flag and Hammer & Sickle of the working class more..

Apr 29 (NS) In this day and age where life is a race, everyone has been compelled to work hard to survive. Almost everyone labours and hence a labourer. But there are those who work day and night not only for their families, but also to keep the economy on the move. Thousands of labourers work elsewhere in the country and do not see their families for months. Then there are those who have gone abroad as skilled workers to bring in foreign revenue. The problems and trials they face more..

Apr 29 (CT) Lack of proper travel arrangements resulted in javelin thrower Waruna Dayarathne missing the flight when travelling from China to Chinese Taipei for the third leg of Asian Grand Prix as authorities had not allowed his javelins as luggage in the flight. The team had flown off yesterday morning from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport of China to Taipei without Waruna who was forced to stay back as he could not afford to lose his javelins since those are invaluable to them; more..

Apr 30 (Roar) We tend to take the internet for granted. We’re always connected, whether it be on our computers, our tablets, or our mobile phones. And in a couple of years, everything from our fridges to our light bulbs to our shoes is going to be connected over the internet. We also depend on the internet for everything, from our work to our entertainment, to keeping in touch with friends and family, to education, to spending hours more..