June 26 (Island) Muslims all over the world will celebrate the conclusion of their fasting in the month of Ramadhan. They have endured extreme hunger and thirst and foregone all those permitted luxuries enjoyed by them during other times while observing the fast. This has been a workshop where the fasting Muslim has undergone training in all those attributes that is supposed to make them pious – Muttaquoon for God says in the Qur’an to the believers that more..

June 26 (CT) A crisis of epic proportions has hit the historic Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, with the Chief Prelate, Ven. Godagama Sri Mangala Thera, demanding that officials of the Archaeology Department and the Central Cultural Fund (whose main concern was to restore the masterpieces in the caves), leave the premises right away, thus placing these paintings and murals that over time have shown signs of perishing, to further deteriorate and be lost to posterity. more..

June 26 (ST) Sri Lanka’s Olympic High Jumper Manjula Kumara Wijesekera has decided to quit after the next Asian Games in Indonesia, from Aug 18 to Sept 2, 2018. Prior to that, he will be the team leader at the 22nd Asian Athletics Championships in India, from July 6-9. He is the most senior athlete in the SL team, representing the country since 2001. He has won Asian Championship High Jump Gold Medal twice. more..

June 26 (LT) The first of a series of meetings to make the people aware of the Black Harthal movement to be held to demand the govt to give relief to people who have been affected due to the multi-destructive Uma-Oya project, halt any future destruction and restore the destructed environmental system was held at Purukdegama in Hali-Ela area yesterday (24th). JVP Provincial Councilor and convener of People’s Front against Uma Oya multi-destructive project more..

June 26 (CT) The suspect wanted in connection with the killing of a billionaire's daughter, in Kottawa, was arrested after he surrendered to the local Police yesterday. He was subsequently remanded until 7 July by the Homagama Acting Magistrate. He added that the suspect who surrendered to the Kottawa Police on Saturday evening had confessed to the killing. The victim was found hacked to death in her bedroom of her three-storey home on Friday afternoon. more..

June 26 (CT) The recent meeting ordered by President Sirisena which was attended by over 35 Cabinet Ministers, to look into the serious malpractices committed by the current management of SriLankan Airlines and especially the non-implementation of the Weliamuna Report, was fueled by an expose made by 4 Non Executive Board Directors Rajan Brito, Rakhita Jayawardena, R.C. De Silva & H.K. Balapatabendi. more..

June 26 (AD) It would be a timely decision to acquire excess supplies and money of the temples which have a high income and allocate it for the benefit of temples in rural areas, a senior monk said Sunday. Venerable Wanawasi Rahula Thero, founder of the Jathika Namal Uyana, made this remark while speaking at a press conference held in Anuradhapura. Rahula Thero pointed out according to reports, the money some temples receive as a donation per a day exceeds Rs.3.5 million. more..

June 26 (CT) The Govt has strongly denied reports in some Sinhala media that it plans to amend the Right to Information Act to ensure that Cabinet secrets are not subjected to RTI disclosure. Responding to reports that an amendment bringing about this change will be hurriedly brought to Sri Lanka’s RTI Act ranked internationally as the third best law in the world, Director General of Information Ranga Kalansooriya responded on social media, denying the same. more..

June 26 (BDC) With Graham Ford’s untimely and bizarre exit as the head coach of Sri Lankan cricket team raising a few eyebrows, SLC is now reportedly in discussions with former national cricketer Chandika Hathurusingha to replace head coach Graham Ford. Hathurusingha is currently the head coach of Bangladesh and during his tenure, Tigers have transcended from pushovers to a powerhouse in the ODI format. more..

June 26 (Island) Minister Thalatha Atukorale has regretted the failure on the part of the govt to have former President Rajapaksa investigated through the FCID for spending Rs 400 mn on a monument in memory of his parents put up in Tangalle. She said the former President had constructed the monument in a plot of land not belonging to him. She said that her cabinet colleagues were also concerned about the FCID not inquiring into public funds spent on a private matter. more..

June 26 (Hindu) SriLankan Airlines expects a spectacular increase in visitors from North Andhra and its neighbourhood with the launching of a direct flight from here to Colombo from July 8. Speaking to The Hindu on the sidelines of a roadshow organised by Bellagio Casino in association with the SriLankan Airlines and the Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts to showcase Sri Lanka as a destination for entertainment for tourists, SriLankan Airlines Manager Sanjeeva Jayatileke said more..

June 26 (Hindu) The return of Sri Lankans from Christmas Island to Colombo overnight on a govt charter jet has fuelled speculation that Australian Border Force has inter­cepted a suspected asylum vessel in the past week. A plane chartered by Department of Immigration and Border Protection has left the Australian territory in the early hours of this morning with about 20 people — some of them guards and interpreters — onboard. more..

June 26 (DN) The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has commenced real time evaluation of the performances of public institutions enabling the Committee to question and hold the relevant officials accountable on financial malpractices occurring in them. “The COPA has already commenced evaluating the audit reports of 2016. It will soon present to Parliament a report relating to 857 public institutions coming under its purview based on 2015 Audit Reports. more..

June 26 (Hindu) A day after arresting 8 fishermen from Nagapattinam, SL Navy on Saturday arrested 14 fishermen from TN, along with their trawlers, in two separate incidents, on charges of fishing in Sri Lankan waters. SL patrol craft attached to the north central and north naval command are reported to have arrested the fishermen on the high seas late in the evening and confiscated their boats. Hours after naval personnel attached to the north central naval command arrested six Rameswaram more..

June 26 (DN) Minister Mangala Samaraweera paying a courtesy call on Malwatte Mahanayake Thera, said indirect taxes account for 80% of the govt’s tax income. This will be brought down to 60% within next 2 years bringing tangible relief and benefits to the innocent and poor people, minister said. He said when indirect taxes levied on people’s daily essentials are reduced, prices of goods will come down sharply. more..

June 26 (DM) An elevated road dubbed as sky way would be constructed to connect Sethsiripaya 1, Sethsiripaya 2 and Isurupaya in Battaramulla, which house many Govt Ministries and Departments, Minister Champika Ranawaka said. Construction work on three more buildings would also begin before the end of the year in lands belonging to the Urban Development Authority and the Samurdhi Scheme to provide office accommodation to Govt Sector, he said. more..

June 26 (Hindu) Developments unfolding in Sri Lanka over the last few weeks look ominously similar to those in 2013-14, when a surge in targeted attacks against minority Muslims and Christians went unchecked by the Rajapaksa administration. Muslim Council of SL, an umbrella organisation for civil society groups, has recorded 25 attacks on mosques and Muslim-owned establishments since April, and National Christian Evangelical Alliance of SL has reported over 40 incidents in 2017. more..

June 26 (DM) Several SL Missions abroad including some of those in Europe would be closed down soon, Minister Ravi Karunanayake sai. He was explaining Govt's plans to make changes in its diplomatic mechanism. He said it would be done after assessing the performance and looking at the rationale behind keeping these missions. Some SL diplomatic missions in Europe would have to be closed down in the future. more..

June 26 (DM) SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of the country, ranked 81st among the Top 100 airlines of the world in 2017. The Top 100 airlines of this year were selected by the Skytrax based on the votes of airline customers around the world and the list was announced at the World Airline Awards held at Paris Air Show on June 20. Awards, described as the Oscars of the aviation industry, are most popular quality accolades for the world airline industry, and a global benchmark of airline excellence, more..

June 26 (Island) Kandy District M.P. Dilum Amunugama (JO) told a media conference that there was a plan to move out the Sinha Regiment Army Camp at Yatinuwara Veediya, Kandy and sell the premises to a private company. He said that the govt should not implement the proposal as the army camp at Yatinuwara Veediya was an asset to the citizens of Kandy with the Sri Dalada Maligawa and many other important institutions belonging to people of different communities. more..

June 26 (Island) GMOA allege that a statement issued by P.B. Abeykoon, Secretary to President Sirisena, has violated the agreement they reached with the President. Senior GMOA official Nalinda Herath said that their executive committee would meet tomorrow to discuss the latest developments. "We’ll probably resume trade union action," he said, adding that GMOA expected govt to respect agreement. more..

June 26 (DM) Study of the first general strike in SL agitating for recognition of Trade Union rights seventy years ago is an opportunity for present govts, politicians, trade unionists and state officials to learn. Under British rule the public servants did not enjoy political rights or recognition of Trade Unions. By Jan, 1947, agitation of public servants for trade union rights had assumed such urgency that Chief Secretary found it necessary to table a Statement in State Council on Jan 21. more..

June 26 (CT) Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr today, after a month-long fast observed to purify the mind and body. During the month-long fast, Ifthar events were held throughout the world as well when fasting ended with the sun set. Islam being one of the major religions in the world, Prophet Muhammed's preaching echoed in mosques in every nook and corner globally, during this month. It is important to note that Ifthars were held with the participation of people of other faiths during Ramazan fasting more..

June 26 (ST) A fresh amendment was passed unanimously in Parliament this week to remove clauses that enable the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) to enter into agreements with foreign entities, 10 months after Parliament passed the OMP Act. Opening the debate on the amendment, PM noted that, with the implementation of this office, he wanted closure of trauma presently experienced islandwide, more..

June 26 (SL) Chairman and Board of Directors of Sri Lankan Airline’s failure to  take decisions with the concurrence of its subject Minister and working on their own accord has led to the sad situation the national carrier is now facing; it has now come to light. Meanwhile questions have been raised as to why the Board of Directors failed to initiate inquiries into the findings of the Weliamuna Report and not taking disciplinary action more..

June 26 (CT) Public Interest Rights Activist, Nagananda Kodituwakku demands the CIABOC to tender an unqualified apology to the Chief Justice for deceiving the Supreme Court by making a manifestly falsified submission to the Court that the CIABOC has already commenced a credible investigation into the activist’s complaint made in August 2016 on MP permit abuse. When the matter was taken up for support on 15th June 2017, more..

June 26 (Island) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his recently concluded visit to Islamabad has pointed out how those who had come to the rescue of the LTTE on the verge of collapse on the Vanni east front in 2009 were today seeking tough measures against terrorism. The former President was referring to Western leaders resorting to unprecedented security measures in the wake of a spate of high profile attacks. more..

June 26 (CT) Ven. Medagama Dhammananda Thera, Chief Secretary of Asgiriya Chapter slammed the statement of MP Mujibur Rahman that referred to MP Wimal Weerawansa as the son of King Suddhodhana at a press conference. King Suddhodhana is the father of Lord Buddha and many Buddhists raised concerns over the blaspheming statement issued by MP Mujibur Rahman on how son of King Suddhodhana, more..

June 26 (DM) Within hours after the official announcement of Graham Ford’s resignation, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is talking with three different coaches to finalise any one of  them to be the Head Coach. This was revealed by the President of SLC Thilanga Sumathipala yesterday. The post is now vacant following Graham Ford stepping down 15 months working with the team, though his contract was till the 2019 World Cup. more..

June 26 (Island) Asgiriya Maha Vihara of the Siyam Mahanikaya strongly opposes a move by Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam to bring the ancient Dambulla Raja Maha Vihare under the Cultural Department. Dambulla Raja Maha Vihara has been an ancient place of worship administered by the Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya or by a senior member of Asgiriya Vihara appointed by Mahanayake Thera. more..

June 26 (DM) In contravention of the circulars pertaining to the politicians visiting foreign countries, the Foreign Ministry had given instruction to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Japan to accord protocol assistance and courtesies to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his recent private visit to Japan, it is learnt. SL Ambassador in Japan Dhammika Ganganath Dissanayake in a reply to a query by President Sirisena had stated that more..

June 26 (IT) If reports are to be believed then Mahela Jayawardene is throwing in the hat into the ring for the role of head coach of the Indian team after the deadline for applying got extended to July 9. Jayawardene has worked as a batting consultant of the England team before he took Mumbai Indians to Indian Premier League (IPL) 10 title glory earlier this year. This was his first season as a coach of the IPL franchise. more..

June 26 (CT) The Medical Faculties Students' Action Committee (MFSAC) claimed that they are not satisfied with the solution provided by the President regarding the SAITM and stressed that they will continue the struggle against the SAITM. Medical students will continue to boycott lectures despite the request from the Presidential Secretariat to attend lectures. MFSAC Convener Ryan Jayalath said that more..

June 27 (CT) Unanimous passage through Parliament of the amendment to the law that establishes the Office of Missing Persons has revived the hope that govt will give priority to inter-ethnic reconciliation. Formation of the Govt of National Unity has provided an unique opportunity to obtain a bipartisan political consensus that encompasses the two main political parties in the country, and indeed the larger polity, to deal with the country’s longest standing unresolved more..

June 27 (ST) Despite uncertainty in the global economy, Asia is expected to be the fastest growing region in the world. In fact Asia’s dynamic economies are continuing to lead global economic growth. Asian economic growth is likely to be around 6% this year. Sri Lanka’s economic growth is expected to dip to about 4.5% this year and will be one of the slowest growing economies in Asia. It is certainly not one of Asia’s dynamic economies. There are lessons to be learnt from more..

June 27 (SO) Peter and his family are not alone, 25 other families living within the vicinity of the Lakvijaya Power Plant or Norochchcolai are contemplating to leave their homes. “We don’t have a place to go and we’re afraid that if we go, we might not be able to come back.” He explained that the monsoonal winds which swept over much of Sri Lanka last week have brought on a severe gust of fly ash and charcoal than ever before. more..

June 27 (CT) This is a topic that consumes most minds in the corporate and govt sectors in contemporary times. It is because of the way contemporary world is shaped by the global and regional economic and political forces. In order to understand who benefits from this arrangement and who aren’t, we have to understand the nature of different spheres operating simultaneously in a hierarchical fashion in the global order connecting a multitude of large and small nations. more..

June 27 (ST) At last! Whoever it is that finally decided enough was enough and brought the national carrier and some of those who run it (mostly to the ground) back to terra firma before an incensed public crash-landed it on those inflated heads at the top of SriLankan Airlines, deserves an attar of roses. For two years or more SriLankan Airlines has been run by a hand-picked team of master craftsmen who were mandated to turn it around. In which direction we are still to learn. more..

June 27 (CT) Recently, railway guards and drivers threatened to go on strike over several issues. Ceylon Today interviewed the convener of the Joint Trade Union Alliance (JTUA) of railway employees, Janaka Fernando. He stressed that despite the good governance, there exists politicization within the Railway Department. Fernando said, even the current minister intervenes in recruiting and in many other activities. more..

June 27 (NS) The Western Province and District of Colombo will be saddled with the garbage problem or more broadly the issue of waste management for the coming two and a half years until such time, the mass scale waste management projects in Karadiyana and Muthurajawela will be up and running, the embattled authorities admitted. Waste Management Authority (Western Province) admitted that although all the garbage generated in the Western Province was not being collected, more..