June 1 (Island) Minister D. M. Swaminathan has found fault with prison authorities for the escape of four inmates from the Negombo remand Prison on Tuesday. Four prison officials, a jailer, sergeant and two guards have been interdicted after the escape and an investigation has been initiated to ascertain whether the escapees had any assistance from the prison officials, ministry sources said. more..

June 1 (IL) Ceylon UK, the leading Sri Lankan community news paper in the UK requests all the Sri Lankan cricket fans to support Sri Lankan lions at the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in the UK. The ICC Champions Trophy 2017 is scheduled to start on June 1 (today) and ending on June 18 in England and Wales when the finalists face off at The KIA Oval on Sunday 18th in London. The top eight ODI sides in the world more..

June 1 (ST) The dealers of dengue bringing illness and death to many a man, woman and child are clever little insects. All this while, Sri Lankans were peering into flower vases, fridge trays, discarded yoghurt cups, rambutan peel, thambili shells, tyres and gutters et al having even a drop of clean water to check out the breeding of the dengue vectors. Over and over again, we heard that the dengue primary vector Aedes aegypti and more..

June 1 (DM) The European Union (EU) today emphasized the importance of the SL Govt and the Police to ensure that there is no impunity for hate crimes in the country. EU Ambassador Tung-Laï Margue said it was important that religious communities are at the forefront of efforts to promote understanding and oppose the spreading of hate. "Sri Lankans know all too well the consequences of religious and ethnic hatred. more..

June 1 (ST) Civil Society (CS) groups this week opposed a Cabinet decision to build 6,000 prefabricated (prefab) houses for war-affected families in the North and East, saying the people do not want them and that, the project will thrust the country further into debt. Last week, Cabinet approved a Resettlement Ministry proposal to build 6,000 prefab steel houses in the North and East, “subject to the allocation of houses more..

June 1 (Telegraph) Some 20 pilot whales were pushed back into the sea by sailors and locals after becoming stranded off the north-eastern coast of SL. Several members of SL navy and city residents rescued a pod of the sea mammals from the island's beach near Trincomalee on Wednesday. People joined together to push the whales back into deeper waters after they washed up on the Sampur coast near the port. more..

June 1 (LBO) National disaster management officials have reported that water levels are beginning to recede along the major river basins, the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator said in a flood situation update. However, access to remote villages remains a significant challenge. With forecast of more rains in the coming days, landslide risk advisories remain in effect in Rathnapura, Kegalle, Galle, Kalutara, Matara, Hambantota more..

June 1 (9news) A Sri Lankan national who allegedly threated to bomb a Malaysian Airlines flight from Melbourne has a history of psychiatric illness and fears for his safety in custody, his lawyer has told a court. Manodh Marks, 25, who is in Australia on student visa and is studying to be a chef, allegedly tried to force his way into the cockpit of Flight 128 shortly after 11.11pm from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur last night. more..

June 1 (CT) April was the Meethotamulla, Kolonnawa Avurudu garbage disaster which saw 31 deaths, and last month was the flood disaster which hit the South of the country and which thus far has seen 202 dead and 103 missing, according to latest reports. A few days prior to the flood disaster a building site in Colombo collapsed killing two and injuring 23. Meanwhile, dengue, thus far has claimed 61 lives this year. Meanwhile, traffic fatalities reported last year were 3,003, more..

June 1 (ATO) A Sri Lankan expatriate committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree in Ardiya area. When the Operations Room of Ministry of Interior received information about the incident, securitymen rushed to the location and found the man hanging from the tree with a rope noosed around his neck. The corpse was pulled down with the help of officers from the General Department of Criminal Evidences, and referred to the Forensics Department. more..

June 1 (Island) Health Ministry’s Epidemiology Unit (EU) said that the total number of dengue cases in the country had topped 54,807 by Tuesday. The whole of last year had only 55,150 dengue patients. The highest number of cases of 13,446 was recorded in March this year. April and May recorded 12,207 and 10186 respectively.  The highest number of cases was reported from Colombo (12,079), Gampaha (8,102), Trincomalee (4,248), Kalutara (3,190), Batticaloa (3,014), more..

June 1 (CT) You have recently demonstrated your commitment to deliver on the promises made in seeking office as the President of Sri Lanka. Many of the good governance commitments made as election promises, which are not yet effectively in place due to various reasons, can be brought in to force on an interim basis, pending formal review, reaching consensus and where necessary by the enactment of laws, regulations and adoption of appropriate codes of conduct and ethics. more..

June 1 (PSL) President Maithripala Sirisena says the people have to face disastrous situations like flooding and landslides because the politicians focus only on preferential vote base instead of development necessities. He further said that people have to face this situation because some politicians work only to get votes at the next election and they do not provide assistance to implement development projects initiated by the Govt. more..

June 1 (DM) Rejecting rumours that some schools in the City of Colombo would re-open today (1), Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam confirmed that all schools in flood affected districts, including Colombo, would remain closed till Friday (2). A rumour spread yesterday afternoon that several schools in Colombo and Gampaha Districts would be reopened. However, Minister said that none of the schools in districts affected by the adverse weather would re-open today as claimed. more..

June 1 (FT) The Republic of Korea has extended its deepest condolences and sympathy to the Govt and people of Sri Lanka on the devastating loss of lives and properties caused by the recent floods and landslides. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and everyone else affected by this disaster. We hope that the ongoing rescue efforts are successful and those who were injured make a full recovery,” it said in a statement. In this regard, President of the Republic of Korea more..

June 1 (NR) The govt has decided to appoint several specialist monitoring Ministers to oversee relief efforts in areas affected by the adverse weather. State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said the Ministers will be vested with the responsibilities of providing relief to those affected and attending to the needs of displaced persons. He said the president instructed the appointment of additional public representatives to every more..

June 1 (PSL) President Sirisena pointed out the need of a common program to properly operate the laws to prevent religious conflicts in the country and to explain the facts to those parties who create disharmony. He said all religious leaders should come to a single stage for this purpose. He emphasized that there should not be any room for national and religious conflicts which spread disunity in the country. President made these remarks at a meeting with Inter Religious Council more..

June 1 (Island) The govt yesterday claimed that casualties and loss of property due to floods and landslides over the last one week could have been minimised if people had strictly followed weather warnings given by the authorities. Disaster Management Minister Anura Priyadharashana Yapa, addressing the weekly cabinet press briefing, said that disregarding official reports on impending bad weather, could lead to serious consequences as had been witnessed. more..

June 1 (SLN) Three ships of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy) arrived at the port of Colombo today (31) in order to assist the ongoing relief operations, following the adverse weather that wreaked havoc in the island nation. The ships which were initially on a goodwill, subsequently focused their intentions on relief efforts to help the general public battered by inclement weather. Incidentally, 5 teams of medical more..

June 1 (SLN) The urgent flood aid and relief boats provided by the Australian Govt for the community affected by floods and mudslides, were handed over to the SL Navy at the naval base SLNS Rangalla, Colombo today. Initially, the flood aid was handed over to the Minister Ravi Karunanayake by the Australian High Commissioner Bryce Hutchesson. Subsequently, Minister officially handed over the consignment of relief which included high-grade inflatable boats and outboard motors more..

June 1 (AFP) Three people drowned Thursday when their makeshift raft capsized in Sri Lanka, which has been hit by its worst flooding in 14 years. Police said the victims, who included a mother and her 14-year-old son, had ignored official warnings not to venture outdoors because they had a funeral to attend. The drownings in Nagoda in the country's south follow the deaths of 203 people from Friday's heavy rains, most of them buried under landslides. "We have appealed to the people not to go out to more..

June 1 (EN) Sri Lanka will immediately begin demolishing tens of  thousands of unauthorised constructions which are largely blamed for the high casualties from the latest monsoon deluge that triggered landslides and floods. Cabinet decided to take immediate action against illegally put up structures, including homes, two ministers said. Cabinet spokesman Dayasiri Jayasekera said President Sirisena wanted more..

June 1 (DN) The ruling party MPs are to donate their month’s salary for the disaster relief programme launched by the govt, Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday. Minister Vajira Abeywardena said the govt will deploy Grama Niladharis, Development Officers and other officers for community services in affected areas. They are to attend to all aspects of post disaster community development activities such as re-establishing schools and public institutes, he said. more..

June 1 (PSL) President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed several Ministers from the areas not affected by floods as the organizers for the flood relief works  in affected electorates. They will coordinate the relief measures for the victims. The newly appointed organizers have the responsibility to carry out the coordination works of the programmes launched to provide relief measures for the people in the affected areas and to rebuild their livelihood.   more..

June 1 (DM) The Court of Appeal dismissed with costs the writ petition filed by Perpetual Treasuries Ltd seeking the cancellation of the Monetary Board directive limiting the transactions carried out by the company and its two subsidiaries. The Court of Appeal Bench comprising Rohini Walgama and S. Thurairaja decided to uphold the preliminary objection raised by the Attorney General on maintainability of the petition on the basis more..

June 1 (BP) The Thai govt is donating 2 million baht to help Sri Lanka recover from its worst flooding and landslides in 14 years. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Busadee Santipitaks said the govt approved the sum for Sri Lanka as the Sri Lankan embassy in Bangkok was receiving donations from the public. The flooding and mudslides began on May 25. Miss Busadee said that according to a UN report, 630,000 people have been affected, 203 have died and 96 are missing. more..

June 1 (NST) MERCY Malaysia will deploy its team to Sri Lanka tomorrow, following the devastating floods which have struck the South Asian nation in recent days. The humanitarian relief organisation in a statement today also appealed for support for its Sri Lanka Flood Relief Fund to help further its aid to reach civilians affected by the floods. Sri Lanka’s worst flooding in years has resulted a death toll of 169 people and 521,384 people affected in 15 different districts more..

June 1 (PTI) President Maithripala Sirisena today blamed lack of prevention measures for the recent floods that claimed over 200 lives in the country's worst torrential rains since 2003. Speaking in the southern town of Galle, Sirisena lamented that flood prevention plans laid had not been implemented in the country. "People who oppose prevention plans are the ones who cry hoarse when the floods occur," he said. more..

June 1 (DM) Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has offered prayers for the victims of floods in Sri Lanka and financial assistance for the relief and rescue work, the IANS today said quoting a statement. In a letter to PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Dalai Lama had expressed sympathy for the loss of life and damage to the property. “I offer my condolences and prayers for all the families who have lost loved ones or have been affected by this devastating natural disaster. more..

June 1 (APP) In order to mitigate the post flood and mudslides situation in Sri Lanka, Pakistan Navy continued its activity by actively participating in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in Sri Lanka through deployment of Pakistan Navy Ship Zulfiquar with embarked Allouete helicopter since May 30, on the directive of the PM Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Pakistani relief team established three medical camps on May 31 across severely flood hit districts of Horana, more..

June 1 (DN) The Supreme Court fixed the Appeal filed by Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) for support on June 22, challenging the judgment of Court of Appeal to register a student of SAITM in Malabe provisionally as a medical practitioner in terms of section 29(2) of the Medical Ordinance. When the appeal was taken up before three-judge-bench headed by CJ Priyasath Dep, the matter was fixed for support. more..

June 2 (CT) Why so much of flooding and natural disasters? Already one answer is given by Galagoda Atte Gnanasara of the BBS. He has said disasters occur in a country when the rulers are unrighteous and wicked, clearly aiming at the Yahapalana govt. Even Karu Jayasuriya said a similar thing in June 2014 during the landslides in Ratnapura and Matara areas. Gnanasara is undoubtedly irked by the orders given to the police to arrest him for anti-Muslim provocations, whether those orders more..

June 2 (GV) It gives me great pleasure to join you – young women and men writers – as you launch your work in the anthology Testimonies of Silent Pain. I will be speaking in English. As Professor in the Department of English, I am a firm believer in the potential of Sri Lankan English as a link language that could build bridges among the different speech communities in the country. Allow me to begin my speech by thanking The Social Architects, for inviting me to be present on the occasion. more..

June 2 (CT) Convener of the JO, MP Prasanna Ranatunge, says as a member of SLFP, he sent a letter to President regarding how he should prepare himself to strengthen the SLFP. Q: Is it true that you sent a letter to the President? What did you expect to accomplish? A: It has to do with what is happening in the country today. As a member of SLFP I wanted to inform President about the situation prevailing in the country. more..

June 2 (CT) I am writing this to the public as a judge who has presided over the affairs of the public for 16 years as a Magistrate and as a District Court Judge. For all those 16 years, my record has been impeccable. I want to bring to the notice of the public that, due to a certain judgment I gave as a District Court Judge in a civil dispute, which I did to the best of my ability and purely on the basis of the principles of law and justice, all of which I was appointed to uphold, I have come to a serious difficulty. more..

June 2 (Island) Shakespeare continues to fascinate the world even four and a half centuries after his demise and his influence on people across the globe remains undiminished. This is a feat only a few literary figures have achieved. It is believed that Shakespeare is still the best-selling author of fiction in the world. One wonders whether there is any language or any culture which Shakespeare’s fabulous works haven’t influenced and enriched. There is hardly any true lover who more..

June 2 (Roar) With the floods finally showing signs of receding, some attention must be paid to managing the disaster past the immediate relief efforts. The spread of disease is a significant threat after any flood crisis, and it’s important to be informed on what’s at high risk of spreading. Mahieash Johnney of the Sri Lanka Red Cross said that they had not released any specific health warnings yet, but that people needed to be more..

June 2 (CT) With every passing day, people of this country seem to be getting more and more disenchanted with the yahapalana govt, as it continues to renege on the promises made to the public on campaign stages. The culmination of the disappointment was the tragedy at Meethotamulla where a garbage mountain that had been growing continuously for the past 20 years, collapsed burying 30 people alive. The people also question what measures the govt has taken to ease more..

June 2 (CT) The 13th Amendment to the Constitution has had profound implications on the way we conduct Govt in Sri Lanka. Yet, it would come as a surprise to many if I said that LTTE's deepest darkest aspirations could have easily been achieved politically and through provisions in the Constitution itself. LTTE's aspirations almost saw fruition in 1990, and this provision continues to be the last hope for separatists even today. Even after the demise of Leader of the LTTE, more..