Mar 4 (DM) Transferring police powers to provincial councils will create thousands of people like Samayan and violent groups like Jaffna-based Aava, Minister Champika Ranawaka said yesterday. He said Sri Lanka was a country that had undergone a series of violent riots, where 2 to 3 per cent of the population was assassinated by unidentified gunmen and people were killed on roads in bomb attacks. more..

Mar 4 (ATO) A Sri Lankan man was arrested for murdering a compatriot woman by setting her on fire while she was sleeping inside an apartment shared by them. when the Operations Room of Ministry of Interior received information about a flat on fire, securitymen rushed to the location with paramedics and firefighters. A woman who was inside the burning flat was rescued and referred to Babtain Hospital due to the serious burns she sustained. However, she eventually died. more..

Mar 4 (GDI) Citing the historic and revolutionary 2015 Jan 8th Presidential Election which brought about a new era in Sri Lanka with the general public unprecedentedly embracing the principles of good governance as a decisive electoral issue, Advisor to the Foreign Minister and Sri Lanka’s Point of Contact for Open Govt Partnership (OGP) Harim Peiris told the New Delhi based envoys of the member States of the OPG, that Sri Lanka’s own domestic agenda aligns with more..

Mar 4 (DN) Minister Wijayadasa Rajapakshe took on GMOA highlighting that its conduct does not qualify it to be a professional body. Minister addressing the ceremonial inauguration of National Law Week 2017 at the Bar Association of SL (BASL) auditorium drew a comparison between BASL and GMOA. “At a time like this, when some of the professional bodies are holding patients who seek hospital treatment to ransom for their more..

Mar 4 (DM) A group of 30 students and another 20 past pupils of a leading school in Panadura were arrested yesterday on charges of assaulting another group of students of a school in Padukka, Police said. It was reported that the students of the Padukka School were engaged in their sports practices when they were interrupted by the students of Panadura School. The arrested students had arrived in a Defender vehicle and a small lorry. Police investigation has revealed that more..

Mar 4 (FNA) Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iranian firms and companies are ready to widen presence in Sri Lankan market and invest in its technical and engineering sectors. "The Iranian private companies are interested in boosting their trade exchanges with Sri Lanka and Iranian firms are ready to made investment in that country's technical and engineering sectors," Zarif said in a meeting with Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya in Tehran on Saturday. more..

Mar 4 (CI) For Danushka Gunathilaka, there was the grand satisfaction of a dashing hundred to bring delight to a run-of-the-mill Dambulla day. A day that was not particularly humid, nor particularly hot. Sort of day that he has woken up on without a second thought for most of his 25 years. What intensity there was, was felt only in his strokeplay as he inflicted a 65-ball hundred upon an England side that was ill-equipped to resist. more..

Mar 4 (PTI) Eight fishermen from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu were held by Sri Lankan Navy on charges of fishing in the island waters. The fishermen had gone into the sea on March 1 in a mechanised boat, Nagapattinam Joint Director of Fisheries, Amala Xavier, said. The fishermen were arrested by SL Navy around midnight yesterday, he said. One of the arrested fishermen, 35-year-old Sarath, allegedly attempted suicide today by swallowing shards of a broken glass botlle more..

Mar 4 (Island) Doctors Movement for Freedom of Education yesterday said there was a dearth of doctors in Sri Lanka and more private medical colleges should be established and regulate by the State. Addressing journalists at the Foundation Institute at Colombo-07, Consultant Neurologist Deepal Attanayake said that if there were any shortcomings with SAITM the solution was not to close it down but to help it overcome its shortcomings, if any. more..

Mar 4 (ENS) Sri Lanka believes that the UNHRC’s resolution on it, to be passed at the end of this month, will not force it to accept adjudication by foreigners in war crimes cases. It is true that in its latest report to the UNHRC, the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights  had demanded a hybrid court comprising SL and foreign judges to try war crimes cases pertaining to the 2006-2009 war to annihilate the Tamil Tiger rebels. more..

Mar 4 (Island) Govt doctors’ strike in the Western Province against the SAITM affected a large number of patients seeking treatment at state-run hospitals. Branch union of the GMOA decided to extend the four-hour strike, which was to end at 12 noon to 24 hours as, it said, the government was doing precious little to solve the problem. The Castle Street Hospital and De Soysa Maternity Hospitals, Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH), Apeksha, Hospital for Cancer patients and the renal care units more..

Mar 4 (EN) More than 114,000 hectares of cultivate land in Sri Lanka is facing destruction from an ongoing drought and 344,839 metric tonnes of paddy (rough rice) could be lost in the current season. Sri Lanka's entered the main Maha cultivation season saw only about third of the possible 800,000 hectare area under paddy being cultivated. A good Maha season can product about three million tonnes of paddy with last year bringing about 2.9 million tonnes. more..

Mar 4 (PTI) A group of former LTTE members in SL has announced formation of a new party, saying people are getting frustrated by mainstream political parties as they have failed to address issues faced by the minority Tamils. Rehabilitated United Liberation Tigers Front was formed in the eastern port district of Trincomalee's Sampur yesterday. "People are getting frustrated by main political parties. They have failed to more..

Mar 4 (DN) Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said the goal of the national govt is to make Sri Lanka an aviation hub in the Asian region. He was addressing the SL Air Force 66th anniversary celebrations at the Ratmalana Airport yesterday. “We are very proud of the dedicated service rendered by the SL Air Force for the country’s development,” Minister de Silva said. He thanked the Sri Lanka Air Force for its support to develop technology that creates new opportunities and challenges. more..

Mar 4 (ST) Uncontrolled, illegal removal of sand from the base of the Katunakayake Expressway access road could endanger the structure, maintenance officials have warned. They are seeking public and police support to stop the illegal activity that has been going on for two months. Expressway Operations Maintenance and Management, director, S Opanayake appealed for police intervention. He said pits have been dug near the retaining wall of the access to more..

Mar 4 (Tasnim) SL’s Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya voiced his country’s determination to pay off its debts to Iran, unpaid since the time of anti-Iran Western sanctions. Speaking at a joint press conference with Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani in Tehran, Jayasuriya said they discussed a range of issues in a meeting today, including ways to clear SL’s debts to Iran, which have remained unpaid since sanctions era. more..

Mar 4 (CT) Cases which are to be heard at Magistrates Courts related to underworld gangsters will henceforth be heard by a Court that will conduct hearings at the Welikada Prison premises. This decision has been made in a sequel to recent gangland killings of rival gangsters en route to or returning from Court after hearings. This decision has been taken due to logistical security problems which crop up when gangsters are being taken to and back from Court to Prisons in many parts more..

Mar 4 (DN) SriLankan Airlines Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya (SLNSS) branch said that they would resort to Trade Union action if they are not updated as to the latest developments on the sale of SriLankan Airlines and that they be given an appointment to meet President Sirisena. SLNSS president Janaka Wijayapathiratne said that they want this meeting with President because conflicting messages are being given by Ministers and top decision makers of SriLankan Airlines. more..

Mar 4 (AD) President Maithripala Sirisena says present govt will not bow down to the whims and fancies of NGOs operating according to foreign influence. Speaking at a function at the Palali Air Force Camp today the President dismissed the proposal by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights calling for a hybrid court. President added he will protect and respect the security forces. He also stated that the country’s sovereignty and more..

Mar 5 (SO) Even as Sri Lanka’s human rights condition is being assessed at the annual UNHRC sessions in Geneva, Switzerland, the President and the PM have made public statements rejecting the formal role of foreign judges on the benches of Sri Lankan courts. Both, the timing of the statements vis-à-vis Geneva and, the fact that both top national leaders have simultaneously made such a pronouncement is of great significance. President’s statement has a nationalist element that, more..

Mar 5 (SL) SL society is periodically woken up by the shocking and barbaric behaviour of its students who are often patronizingly referred to as our children (ape daruwo). Latest shock was administered by students of Agriculture Faculty of the Peradeniya University. Eight freshers were found by the police locked up in a house near the campus, stripped naked and being tortured by 15 of their seniors. This senseless barbarism was being perpetrated under the name of ragging. more..

Mar 5 (SO) Online university registration and application system implemented in 2014 by the UCG has caused much trouble especially for students in rural areas. The application forms for university admissions can be accessed by logging onto the website www.ugc.ac.lk. The handbooks for this purpose have been issued and students can approach the nearest Nenasala centre to submit their applications online, more..

Mar 5 (Island) The advantages of a policy of non-confrontational foreign relations favored by the incumbent rulers against the bang-bang- bang approach of its predecessors was evident at the ongoing UNHRC proceedings in Geneva where Sri Lanka did not face canon fire. Minister Mangala Samaraweera and his delegation left Geneva having seemingly won more time for the govt to get its reconciliation act into proper order even as both President and PM went on record on Friday more..

Mar 5 (CT) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe Friday said in his opening address at the ceremonial inauguration of the National Law Week – 2017 at the auditorium of SL Bar Association that establishing a Hybrid Court to deal with allegations of war crimes in Sri Lanka was politically not feasible. Mooting the appointment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission as an effective and feasible alternative, the Premier said the idea of a Hybrid Court would run into impediments such as a referendum. more..

Mar 5 (SL) As the UNHRC meets in Geneva, Minister Mano Ganeshan said that the govt must strengthen its political will, defeat extremists, establish the much talked Office on Missing Persons (OMP) without further delay and begin the reparation and accountability process. Ganeshan also said that there are certain unresolved humanitarian issues and these issues are eating up time and hindrances to the journey more..

Mar 5 (ST) A delegation of the IMF was in Colombo this week ahead of a planned but now postponed visit by its head Christine Lagarde, to discuss Sri Lanka’s worsening economic situation. With the country in dire straits with an acute foreign exchange and debt crisis, the IMF’s reform menu for stabilising the economy, one can be certain, will be the standard road map the institution has for developing countries. Markets must be allowed to work properly, it will say, meaning increasing interest rates, more..

Mar 5 (ST) My dear Omalpe Sobhitha hamuduruwane, I thought I must write to you when I heard that you wanted big matches banned because they promoted alcohol consumption and led to unruly behaviour and disruption of traffic. You were even planning to go to courts, planning to get an order from them, so that all big matches could be banned immediately! That is such a novel idea, hamuduruwane, and you must be congratulated for thinking of such a brilliant plan. more..

Feb 5 (Island) Sri Lanka took part in the 8th Asian Winter Games in Sapporo, Japan which was staged from Feb. 19-26. The Sri Lanka team for the event comprised one girl and four boys; Fathima Azquiya, Hafza Usuph, Seshaan Nikhil, Cyril Gardiner, Lukas Hettiaratchi, Mahamadaachchi Sajeev de Silva and Madhura Muthugala with Gihan Dalpethado being the Chefs de Mission. The Lankan team was approved and funded by the Ministry of Sports who were magnanimous in their gesture. more..

Feb 5 (SO) In the statement made at the 34th session of the UNHRC, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera made it clear that his govt needed more time to fully implement the resolution adopted in Oct, 2015. Samaraweera revealed that the draft legislation on the Truth-Seeking Commission would be presented to the Cabinet of Ministers within the next two months. Foreign Minister reiterated that the govt was committed to bring justice to the victims of human rights violations. more..

Feb 5 (CT) Executive Committee meeting of SLFP which met last week was not an ordinary meeting as it was convened under the auspices of President Sirisena, at a time unity govt is facing mounting pressure from local and int'l fronts for completely different reasons. While the govt faces int'l pressure once again over delayed justice to war affected people, pressure mounts on President over corruption misdeeds committed by several more..

Feb 5 (ST) Ananda are sitting pretty at the close of the first day’s play in the 88th Ananda-Nalanda Battle of the Maroons cricket encounter commenced at the SSC Grounds yesterday. In reply to Nalanda’s total of 144 Ananda were 160 for five with Shammu Ashan unbeaten on 60. Ananda after losing two quick wickets for 22 settled into build up a respectable score with Shammu Ashan playing the sheet anchor role. Ashan normally an attacking batsman played a very calm and quiet game more..

Feb 5 (Island) One of the most famed karting experts in the region, Richard Lim from RL Karting, Malaysia, is to provide his expertise to the upcoming int'l-level karting track at Bandaragama. David Pieris Group will have their already existing carting track at Bandaragama expanded in near future to meet international standards, it was revealed at a recent media briefing. Lim expects the best karting will be held at the venue owing to the upgrading of the facility. more..

Feb 5 (Island) Should Sri Lanka fear Bangladesh really? On paper the hosts are a far better side. In their top seven, Bangladesh have just two players who average over 40 in Test cricket – Shakib Al Hasan (40) and Mominul Haque (49) and in bowling, they lack the variety or the experience of Sri Lankans. Yet, many fear that this two match series, that gets underway on Tuesday, as the one where the tourists could turn the tables. more..

Feb 5 (Island) Not holding the local govt elections has become a major part of the survival strategy of this govt. While LG elections have been put off due to complications in the delimitation of wards, elections for Eastern, North Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces will be due at the end of the third quarter of this year. According to Article 154E of the Constitution, Provincial Councils will unless sooner dissolved, continue for a period of five years from the date of its first meeting more..

Feb 5 (SO) Given an impossible target of 181 to win in 15 overs, St. Peter’s College openers Santhush Gunathilake and Anishka Perera gave it all they got to get to 99 for no loss before the 83rd Battle of the Blues against St Joseph’s College ended in a draw yesterday. Gunathilake hit a brilliant unbeaten 52 off 44 balls with six fours and Anishka Perera a superb 41 not out but it was a herculean task to scale and when play ended the Peterites were still 82 runs short of victory. more..

Feb 5 (NS) Onetime discarded coach, Chandika Hathurusingha has returned to the land that evicted him from a possible coaching job this time fully armed with a rising band of cricketers and waiting to settle an old score. The 48-year-old former Sri Lanka opening batsman would not say that he has come seeking vengeance but he made it clear he’ll mean business against a team he once harboured prideful thoughts of grooming. more..

Feb 5 (SO) Owners of businesses catering to tourists got together to form the Mirissa Tourist Business Owners Welfare Association (MTBOWA) to serve better the thousands of tourists who visit the area. “Mirissa is probably the only beach in the southern coast where touts, beach boys, pan handlers or vendors are not permitted to bother tourists. We pledge to make Mirissa an eco-friendly Tourist Zone,” said patron of the association Edwin Silva at a simple ceremony held to mark more..

Feb 5 (SO) The reorganization of the contemporary workplace is occurring at a pace that is challenging our higher educational institutions, to educate the growing number of students and to re-define the nature of education needed. The Department of Finance, University of Kelaniya proposed three major degree programs in the areas of banking, insurance and financial engineering to meet this need and it has been approved by UGC. Dept of Finance will double its annual student intake more..

Feb 5 (ST) Concerned about public discontent over the delivery of services, Govt is undertaking an immediate review of public sector staff in govt offices. The focus of the study is to see how public delivery services could be improved under the current staff strength which, according to govt data, has a ratio of one officer per 15 persons in the total population. Total approved cadre for the entire public sector including public enterprises is more..