June 27 (Island) Hospitals continue to overflow with dengue patients. Having let the grass grow under its feet, the govt is making a desperate attempt to bring the situation under control. Opposition politicians are apparently deriving some perverse pleasure from the govt’s predicament. They tear into the ruling coalition at every turn for its failure to battle dengue effectively and, true to form, try to gain some political mileage. Some govt leaders are seen visiting hospitals with television crews in tow more..

June 27 (NS) When floods swept through this small town in SL’s Southern Province, 12-year-old Radhika Dayarathne lost more than her home. The floodwaters that destroyed her family’s house and most of their possessions also swept away her and her older brother’s school books, school bags and uniforms, leaving them uncertain whether they can return to school. “What am I to do? My parents can’t afford new books, new clothes, new desks. We are ruined,” small girl said with tears in her eyes. more..

June 27 (ST) As attention turns to how ill-prepared SL was yet again, for the previously benign monsoon, curbing deforestation is often cited as a way in which we can prevent the escalation of impacts of increasingly common natural disasters. As we discuss reforestation efforts in order to combat carbon emissions and increase resilience to natural disasters, it is important that the complex range of benefits provided by forests are understood. more..

June 27 (DM) A British woman who has been left stranded in Sri Lanka after marrying a local before he was shot dead says he only wanted her money. Diane De Zoysa, 59, says she gave up everything to live with husband Priyanjana, 26, in Ahungalla, in the south west of the country - but believes he had a second wife that he kept secret from her. She first met the hotel worker when she was on holiday in Sri Lanka 6 years ago, more..

June 27 (FT) Sri Lanka’s first ever National Youth Summit on Cyber Security will be held tomorrow at the BMICH. More than 350 school children and teachers from advanced level classes representing schools nationwide will attend the youth summit. The youth summit is the latest addition to the series of annual events titled Cyber Security Summit, now on its fifth year. The summit and the youth summit are organised by CICRA Holdings – SL’s pioneering cyber security training, certification and more..

June 27 (EN) Air Force checks on export shipments introduced during Sri Lanka’s ethnic war, which ended in 2009, are still continuing despite other security measures being removed or reduced, imposing unnecessary difficulties on exporters, according to a study of export competitiveness. Physical inspection procedures at the BIA at Katunayake not only cause create delays but can also reduce the quality of exported products, said the study by think-tank Verité Research. more..

June 27 (Island) NUA leader Azath Salley has alleged that President Sirisena deprived Ravi Karunanayake of finance portfolio as a result of UNP Chairman Malik Samarawickrema’s intervention. Salley strongly regretted President giving into Minister Samarawickrema’s demand. Salley named Minister Samarawickrema in the wake of Minister Karunanayake blaming black sheep in the party for his removal more..

June 27 (Island) Yalpanaya govt has been in power for two years, but despite the efforts of two sincere and honest leaders, nothing much has happened – why is this? I'll attempt to explain this phenomenon and trace its causes, which go back six decades. How did the British rule an empire of 600 million people on which the sun literally never set and which spanned all five continents – especially in an age before the steam ship and telegraph when communications took months? more..

June 27 (DN) Sri Lanka needs to get into an economic policy capsule with participation from politicians, bureaucrats, academia, and civil society organizations, to map out strategy for developing the talent pool of the country needed by 2025, 2035 and 2045, former Central Bank Deputy Governor W.A. Wijewardena said. He was speaking at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation (CILT) Sri Lanka Logistics Leaders Evening, held recently, with a lecture titled more..

June 27 (Island) There could be possible supply-side shortages towards September and beyond, First Capital (FC) Research said recently. "Inflation would be under control over the next 2-3 months while there could be some upward pressure towards September and beyond with the May floods affecting the supply in the current growing season", they pointed out. Meanwhile, Spices and Allied Products Producers' Traders and Association (SAPPTA) says that rainfall has become more..

June 27 (ST) The Bank of Ceylon (BOC) is gearing to divest the Grand Oriental Hotel (GOH) in a move to augment its capital base and shed non-core activities but government’s indecisiveness is hampering this process, informed sources said. BOC has decided that it will not invest in any non-core banking activity, and will in particular not expand its exposure to real estate, whether through GOH, or through its subsidiary, Property Development PLC. more..

June 27 (PTI) Mahela Jayawardene is still short of experience to take over as head coach of SL national team after the exit of Graham Ford, SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala said. "Mahela is still short of experience as a senior coach, he may be good as a T20 batting or a fielding coach," he said. He said Mumbai Indians' coach and former SL captain has also some of his playing day contemporaries in the current national side. more..

June 27 (WB) While some may think the Sri Lanka’s cricket team did well in the recent Champion's Trophy, myself included, vigorous debates have been going on, on TV and social media and even here in our office which clearly suggests that not everyone agrees on their performance. Despite these differences in perspective, I witnessed the excitement of many of my colleagues and friends from different parts of the world as they cheered, supported opposing teams, analyzed games, more..

June 27 (CT) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has hired former Olympic Medalist and athletes Podiatrist from Australia, Dr. Nicholas Sprenger, as a consultant to specialize in the podiatric assessment and remedial assistance for the National Performance Squad. CEO Ashley Silva along with Simon Wills (High Performance Manager) officially revealed this yesterday. The project was initiated by the President of SLC Thilanga Sumathipala in order to assist contract players to manage their injury level. more..

June 27 (Island) Postal workers will launch a continuous strike from today as the govt has failed to redress their long standing grievances, Convener of the Joint Postal Workers Union Front Chinthaka Bandara says. Postal unionists had been protesting against a govt move to sell the post offices of historical value in the Galle Fort and Nuwara Eliya to foreigners and several administrative problems, Bandara said. more..

June 27 (AFP) Sri Lanka has suffered a record 200 deaths from dengue fever this year, the health minister said, blaming a garbage disposal crisis in Colombo. Rotting garbage has been piling up in many parts of the capital since the country's main rubbish tip collapsed in April, crushing dozens of homes and killing 32 people. With nowhere to take the trash, municipal collection has drastically slowed and led to huge piles on the streets which authorities say are encouraging mosquito-breeding. more..

June 27 (AFP) Sri Lanka's cricketers have been suffering from high levels of injuries because most players are flat footed and wearing ill-fitting shoes, an expert said Monday. Australian podiatrist Nicholas Sprenger was contracted by Sri Lankan Cricket to get to the bottom of the squad's injury problems, which last year saw nine out of 12 fast bowlers out of action. After examining more than two dozen cricketers from the national side, Sprenger detected a running theme. more..

June 27 (CT) SLC Vice President Jayantha Dharmadasa has followed head coach Graham Ford's footsteps as he said his final goodbyes to the present SLC administration. Dharmadasa, who was announced as the person in charge of International Cricket, was said to have been kept in dark when decisions regarding int'l cricket were made, which prompted him to take his belongings from his cabin and leave SLC last Friday. more..

June 27 (DN) In a drive to expand Sri Lanka’s tea exports to non-traditional markets, Sri Lanka is to come up with a major promotional campaign to expand its tea exports to the US and Latin America, says Minister Navin Dissanayake. Minister citing China as a potential tea market to be tapped noted that Sri Lanka’s tea exports to Iran have increased while Sri Lanka’s tea market in Russia has shrunk a bit. Moreover, the govt intends to develop coconut as a billion dollar industry. more..

June 27 (DM) PHU General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila rejected allegations made by JHU that he acted as a spy for ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa when he was a member of the JHU. However, he said there was another member of the JHU who turned out to be a spy. “An Intelligence Officer who joined the anti-terrorism movement in 1998 grew close to JHU Secretary Minister Champika Ranawaka. This person joined the JHU Central Committee and was appointed to more..

June 27 (FT) Continuation is key believes Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, who has backed the Govt to continue its fiscal consolidation process and aim for sustainable growth by keeping policy rates steady despite 2017 facing turbulence in reaching its growth targets after record natural disasters. He highlighted slowing private credit growth, flexible exchange rates, moderate inflation and better reserves more..

June 27 (DM) Four armed men are reported to have robbed Rs.7.8 million belonging to a leading clothing store this morning while the cash was being taken to one of its branches in Kadawatha from a branch in Wattala in a van. The robbers had parked the car across the road at a spot near the Basilica College on the Kadawatha-Ragama Road. They had shot at the tyres and threatened the employees with the weapons before snatching the cash and fleeing the scene of the crime. more..

June 27 (DM) A luxury Mercedes Benz driven by a 15-year-old boy who did not possess a driver’s license turned turtle on the Vajira Road yesterday afternoon causing no injuries to the driver or any pedestrian. The vehicle that had come in a high speed from Thunmulla Junction had taken a sharp right turn to the Vajira Road causing it to topple on the road and crashed into a lamp post, the police said. Bambalapitiya Police Traffic Branch officials who were conducting inquiries more..

June 27 (AD) Govt is eyeing to resolve the garbage issue of the country through the proposed garbage recycling plant in Aruwakkalu, Puttalam, a Minister said. Project will be initiated in September, Minister Patali Ranawaka said. He also invited the environmentalists and the other relevant authorities to stand with the govt to make the project a reality. “Those who oppose this project would be accountable for the garbage issue more..

June 27 (DM) Minister Sagala Ratnayake paid a surprise visit to the ten storey quarters building of the Cinnamon Gardens Police Station early yesterday and apparently appalled by its deplorable status, ordered immediate renovations to it. Minister who is said to have taken along IGP Pujith Jayasundara with him to the Cinnamon Gardens Police Station around 6.50 am had inspected the entire premises including the 10 storey living quarters of all junior police officers. more..

June 27 (Hindu) Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami has written to PM Narendra Modi in the wake of recent arrest of fishermen from the State by SL Navy and urged him to ensure their release along with their boats. Referring to recent arrest of 24 fishermen from Rameswaram, Mr. Palaniswami termed continuing incidents as mid-sea abductions by SL Navy and further recalled TN’s repeated requests to the Centre to use all diplomatic means to prevail upon SL and reverse this trend. more..

June 27 (EN) Sri Lanka’s govt doctors who called off a strike after a positive meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena announced Monday that they were bitter with his statement which offered no concessions on key demands. Tens of thousands of GMOA members ended their three-day strike on Saturday after securing a meeting the President who made no promises and only reconfirmed the govt’s stand on private medical education. more..

June 27 (DM) Yesterday was the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, with the United Nations in a statement saying its intention is to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.   Supported each year by individuals, communities and various organizations all over the world, this global observance aims to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society. This year’s theme is, more..

June 27 (DM) Yahapalana govt won the elections on a promise of democracy and prosperity. Now it seems to assume that its modest achievements in restoring democracy should serve as an excuse for not delivering on the economy. That is a dangerous misgiving which threatens the sustainability of on-going democratic reforms in the long run. That also makes people, especially the Sinhalese majority, feel nostalgic about the authoritarian but orderly past under its predecessor.    more..

June 27 (DM) Plantations Minister Navin Dissanayake, speaks about the current political status of the country, its future and challenges it is confronted with. Q: You are among the first to defect from the previous regime to join the present. How do you introspect? A: I am very satisfied with the achievements that have been made so far. We have been able to get rid of the 18th Amendment. We enacted the 19th Amendment guaranteeing more..

June 27 (CT) Former Administrative Secretary of Parliament, Lasil de Silva, said that failing to furnish the details sought by him, based on RTI Act, relating to the usage of vehicles by MPs and Parliament staff, was a direct violation of the said Act. He said these details had been sought from Secretary General of Parliament but he had been informed that the details cannot be furnished as it contravenes the rights of the legislature. more..

June 27 (DM) Joint Opposition MP Gamini Lokuge, speaks about the current political situation of the country and his group’s plan for the future. Q: How do you look at the current political situation? A: There is no redress for the country economically. People face untold difficulties in their day-to-day lives. The entire country has ground to a standstill. There is no solution in sight to problems confronting the country as a whole. more..

June 27 (SL) We will try our level best to bring the dengue epidemic under control — Give us three months to reduce the numbers affected by illness and those dying, as well as to put in a strong prevention programme. This is the pledge by Consultant Epidemiologist Dr. Hasitha Tissera who took up the leadership of the National Dengue Control Unit of the Health Ministry this week, becoming the technical head to run it more..

June 27 (CT) Correcting planning flaws of the Colombo- Katunayake Expressway will cost the government another whopping Rs 40 Billion. New Kelani Bridge has been formulated as the solution to the badly planned and implemented Colombo- Katunayake Expressway will cost another Rs 40 billion or more, Moratuwa University's Senior Professor of the Transport & Logistics Department, Prof. Amal Kumarage said. more..

June 27 (AD) Police recovered four bodies, including three children, hanging outside a house which had been torched in the Kamburupitiya area in Matara. The four bodied of a father and his three children were discovered hanging from nooses tied to a bamboo pole stuck between two trees. It is believed that the father had murdered his three children by hanging them before committing suicide himself. more..

June 27 (CT) Teachers' unions warned that they will launch an island-wide strike if the govt continues to arrest university students who participated in recent protests inside the Health Ministry. Representatives of five teachers' unions insisted that the govt must stop these arrests. Ceylon Teachers Union's Joseph Stalin said that they do not accept the notification issued by the govt on Sunday stating that President had directed more..

June 27 (CI) Fast bowler Lasith Malinga will face a disciplinary inquiry from Sri Lanka Cricket for repeated breach of the terms of his contract. The inquiry is reportedly because of certain comments Malinga made against sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekara. Fast bowler had twice acted in contravention of the terms of agreement, which bar him from making any statements to the media without the prior consent of the board's CEO. more..

June 27 (CT) Govt is to issue a fresh statement on issues regarding the SAITM following concerns raised by GMOA, a senior official said. Two GMOA executive committee members met officials of the Presidential Secretariat following a request by President Maithripala Sirisena, he said. "During the discussions it was determined that there were certain contradictions in latest statement made by Prez on Sunday. more..