Jul 3 (CT) The war ended nine years ago but the country has still to address issues of healing and transition meaningfully or effectively. This may be disappointing but it is not too surprising. Dealing with the past is never easy. In Colombia, where a peace accord between the govt and rebels was signed in 2016, and ended a five decade long civil war which had led to more than 200,000 deaths, a presidential election was held last month. The govt candidate from the party of the president more..

Jul 3 (CT) A runaway national bestseller, The Ugly American was first published in 1958 by two American authors, Eugene Burdick and William Lederer. It was a slashing exposé of American arrogance, incompetence, and corruption in Southeast Asia. The multi-million copy bestseller coined the phrase for American foreign policy blunders and the conduct of its arrogant diplomatic officers. The New York Times reviewed the book thus; “Devastating. Authentic, infuriating, more..

Jul 3 (CT) MP and JO member Udaya Gammanpila says the President is pulling to one side while the PM is pulling to the other. Q: Today, instead of talking about issues in the country, Politicians are discussing only crises within their own parties. The Govt is also talking about its problems. Actually, what is this political storm? A: There is no crisis at all within the Flower Bud (SLPP). There are crises inside the Govt now. more..

Jul 3 (DN) Abuse of psychotropic substances is becoming a significant problem in Sri Lanka. People addicted to one or more of these substances, either after medical use, or to evade withdrawal symptoms of heroin addiction, when heroin is not available in the market. Although these substances are controlled medicines, they seem to be freely available on the black market. According to the data and incidents reported in 2016, Western province shows a higher tendency for use of more..

Jul 3 (ST) Monks, like others, are not all learned men. While all of them may know the dhamma (though not all of them practise the Buddha’s teaching), their knowledge of history and world affairs, among others, needs to be refreshed. That, of course, is if they had learnt and imbibed such worldly knowledge in their reading and discourse. To err, said Pope (Alexander that is), is human, to forgive divine. Not being divine and not seeking divine intervention those who sought to more..

Jul 3 (CT) She is a mother of two daughters. Her younger daughter is preparing for the Grade 5 Scholarship Exam this year. Last week, she and her husband along with the children’s grandmother had to visit a relative who had been hospitalized. So, the two sisters had a few hours alone at home. When the mother returned from hospital, she found four heartbreaking letters on their pillows, written by the younger daughter. more..

Jul 3 (Island) A recent New York Times (NYT) report that a Chinese company contributed USD 7.6 mn to the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second presidential election campaign, has gone down well with the govt and its allies but riled the JO. Rajapaksa has vehemently denied the report as baseless. So has China. The govt, which was on the defensive vis-ŕ-vis the devastating political fallout of the bond scams probe findings, has now got something to clutch at. more..

Jul 3 (ST) Jetwing Symphony will be commencing work on the construction of its upmarket property in Kandy next month with an investment of Rs.550 million. “We are planning on Jetwing Symphony starting construction on 22 suites on Jetwing Kandy Gallery in mid July and by end of 2019 it will be operational,” Jetwing Chairman Hiran Cooray said. The investment in the property would be Rs.550 million. He noted that the since Kandy does not have many high end properties more..

Jul 3 (DN) The essence of any democratic country is the healthy functioning of ethical political parties and free and fair elections. To conduct free and fair elections, a country should possess a solid legal framework and a transparent electoral process. And, to acquire a transparent electoral process a country needs an institutional structure regulating campaign finance. This is the only way to adequately ensure that governance caters to the welfare of general public and not for special interests. more..

Jul 3 (Island) A recent episode of Aluth Parlimentuwa (20 June 2018) broadcast in Derana TV included a discussion on the issues facing Sri Lanka’s university education. Those on the discussion panel included the Minister of Higher Education and Cultural affairs, former minister of higher education, former chairman of the University Grants Commission, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayawardenapura and JVP M.P. Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. more..

Jul 3 (SO) As SL attempts to take steps to introduce a new e-passport, the delays in its execution due to a legal battle over an alleged non-transparent procurement process has resulted in the Department of Immigration and Emigration running out of the currently used machine-readable passports (MRP) which it had hoped to phase out by this year. As a result, since June 1 the Department, making a special more..

Jul 3 (ST) While in our small paradise we were worried about the depreciating rupee-dollar exchange rate that surpassed Rs. 160 last week, world attention was grabbed by something more shocking – the opening gunshots of a trade war between US and China. Looking at this more closely, however, we saw that there are peculiar policy mixes too in the two countries. The US wants to see a cooling down of its aggregate spending through interest rate hikes. In contrast, more..

Jul 3 (ST) Today we enter the second half of this year with expectation of a better economic performance than in the first half. The first half of the year has been one of economic recovery, not of robust growth. Hopefully this year’s economic growth would be around 4.5%, in spite of the first quarter’s economic growth of only 3.2%. There are reasons to expect a higher economic growth during the rest of the year. The export growth of 7.7% in the first quarter with manufactured exports more..

Jul 3 (CB) As South Africa embark on their first tour to the subcontinent following their 3-0 hammering against India in 2016, skipper Faf du Plessis has affirmed that they will be banking on their pacers to get them the desired results in Sri Lanka. It will be South Africa's first Test series following Morne Morkel's retirement. But to make up for his experience, they have a fit Dale Steyn back in the mix. Steyn will line up alongside Kagiso more..

Jul 3 (SL) Minister of Wildlife Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka has raised concerns over the use of elephants at temple pageants (perahera). Fonseka says new ways must be looked at on using elephants for temple pageants without hurting them. “We see elephants moving from side to side at peraheras and are really happy to see that. We assume they are dancing as the dancers in the perahera are also dancing,” he said. However Fonseka says after visiting elephant more..

Jul 3 (ST) Since his retirement two years ago 50-metre Backstroke World Record holder Liam Tancock has been globetrotting doing what he loves most — preparing the next generation of swimmers for the challenge. Liam, 33, has travelled across the world conducting coaching camps and his latest destination was Sri Lanka, where the 6-foot Briton spent four days training local swimmers and coaches. From the four days he spent time with the locals, Liam was highly impressed with more..

Jul 3 (CT) A team of seven athletes (three boys and four girls), along with three officials, left for Bangkok, Thailand yesterday, to compete in Asia’s Youth Olympic Qualification trials to be held today and tomorrow. The performance levels of six athletes are equal to medal winning range of the last Asian Youth Athletics Championship. Sprinter Santhush Weerasinghe, who was a semi-finalist at last year’s IAAF World Youth Championship, more..

Jul 3 (CT) Govt of Republic of Korea has agreed to provide two concessional loans for USD 14 million (Rs 2,240 m) to supply 190 Garbage Collecting Compactors to the local authorities, in line with the Govt’s target of strengthening local authorities with necessary equipment and technology to introduce modern solid waste management practices. The increasing volume of solid waste generated in urban and sub-urban areas has become a nation-wide problem and the rapid growth of population more..

Jul 3 (Island) Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced the appointments of Sivakrishnarajah Renganathan and Sanath Manatunge, two career bankers who have served the Bank for 37 years and 29 years respectively, as Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer effective 27th July 2018. Renganathan, who has been Commercial Bank’s Chief Operating Officer/Executive Director for the past four years, succeeds Jegan Durairatnam as Managing Director on the latter’s retirement more..

Jul 3 (DM) Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) yesterday unveiled the country’s first Euro-spec fuel dispenser and launched European Emission Standard Euro 4 fuel, at a launch ceremony held at C.F. De Mel & Sons Filling Station, in Colombo 2. The launch event was graced by Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, CPC Managing Director Neil Jayasekara and CPC Chairman Dhammika Ranatunga. more..

Jul 3 (ST) While regretting what occurred on the field after the incident on the third day of the second Test between Sri Lanka and West Indies at St. Lucia, Minister of Sports, Faiszer Musthapha affirmed that the Lankan cricketers would be given a second life, but strongly stated that the future would be tough on such issues. “We are disturbed by the decision made by the team for delaying play for two hours,” he said. “It was a mistake, which we certainly would not accept. more..

Jul 3 (FT) Sri Lanka Army Chief of Staff Major General W. B. D. P. Fernando, speaking at the first ever United Nations High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter Terrorism Agencies of Member States at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 29 June, noted that as a country that had experienced first-hand the suffering of its people due to terrorism, Sri Lanka understands that a key pillar of counter-terrorism is prevention and addressing the root causes of conflict. more..

Jul 3 (EN) ADB and China were the biggest lenders to Sri Lanka's in the first four months of 2018 followed by China and Japan, and China also made most of the new commitments. Out of 512.12 million dollars of bilateral and multilateral financing used in public investment in the first four months of the year, ADB disbursed US$ 228.85 million in loans and 0.74 million in grants. China disbursed US$ 90.83 million, Japan US$ 54.9 million and more..

Jul 3 (FT) When the Revision Application filed by former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa came up yesterday, President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva, appearing on behalf of the same, raised legal issue on the prosecution of the bribery case against his client. He contended that in terms of the Bribery Act, there is a barrier, and that the Magistrate’s Court cannot entertain the prosecution, except by the Written Sanction of the Bribery Commission. He asserted that the High Court Judge had more..

Jul 3 (DN) Fairway Holding will be investing a further Rs. 4 billion to build apartments, hotels and to develop the domestic aviation sector, Chairman Managing Director of the Group, Hemaka De Alwis said. He added that the company has already invested Rs. 1.8 billion for three projects namely Fairway Hotel Colombo Fort (which is now in operation), Fairway Galle Apartments and Fairway Hotel in Galle (20 apartment style rooms). The projects in Galle are scheduled to be opened more..

Jul 3 (Hindu) Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh has said India will ask Sri Lanka for the release of more than 140 mechanised boats, confiscated and impounded by the SL govt after their navy arrested fishermen on charges of trespassing. He said the Joint Working Group (JWG), followed by Ministerial meeting, scheduled to be held later this month would take up the issue. He said the JWG and Ministerial level meetings more..

Jul 3 (Island) History will be made in Galle during the first Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka as the tourists’ premier fast bowler Dale Steyn is expected to become the highest wicket taker for his country. Steyn, who turned 35 last month, has taken 419 wickets in 86 Tests and trails former captain Shaun Pollock, who took 421 wickets in 108 Test matches. The greatest fast bowler of this generation needs only three more wickets to overtake Pollock and given his Strike Rate of 41.5, more..

Jul 3 (CT) The newly elected Executive Committee of the GMOA yesterday pledged to work towards making Sri Lanka the country with the best set of medical specialists in the region. GMOA Secretary, Dr. Haritha Aluthge, speaking to the media following his re-election to the post on 30 June, said that the Executive Committee of the Union had set its sights on paving the way towards the further progress of the country’s health service by streamlining and widening post-graduate degree programmes more..

Jul 3 (FT) If the private sector is serious about stamping out bribery, it must step up and cooperate with the CIABOC, its top official said yesterday, calling on companies to work with its officials, insisting it would be faithful to its task. CIABOC Director General Sarath Jayamanne PC, addressing a forum of media and civil society to gather recommendations for the National Policy on bribery and corruption, noted that more..

Jul 3 (CT) The Court of Appeal deferred to 26 July the writ petition challenging the election of non-residents to the Maharagama Urban Council. The bench comprised justices P. Padman Surasena (CA President) and Arjuna Obeysekera. The Court on 16 May issued notices on 23 members of the Maharagama Urban Council who had been elected on the Independent Group No. 2. One of the registered voters Chandrasena Perera of Maharagama filed the writ petition more..

Jul 3 (DN) Approval of the Audit Bill designed to prevent financial misuse in the country is a timely need, The Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatte and Asigiriya Chapters said. Malwatte Mahanayake Thera Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala and Asigiriya Mahanayake Thera Most. Ven. Warakagoda Gnanarathana said “Only people who engaged in fraud and corruption can oppose an Act of this nature which would help ensure transparency in Govts’ financial transactions. more..

Jul 3 (Island) Former CEO of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena had instructed the finance department to change the terms of agreement with Phoenix Duty Free Lanka Limited, the former concessionaire for inflight duty free services for SriLankan, causing losses of over USD 4 million, Upekha Abeysekera, Senior Manager, Revenue Accounting at the Airline told the PCoI probing irregularities at SriLankan Airlines, more..

Jul 3 (FT) Finance Ministry has recommended awarding the Build Operate Own and Transfer (BOOT) tender for the second LNG plant in Kerawalapitiya to Chinese consortium GCL, Winforce and Renewgen. Minister Mangala Samaraweera has recommended GCL to set up the 300MW plant, outlining a number of reasons for disqualifying the lowest bidder Lakdhanavi Ltd., a fully owned subsidiary of CEB. Bid was $ 175 million, which half of engineers estimate to be more..

Jul 3 (Island) Captain Ashok Rao, Defence Advisor to the Indian High Commission in Colombo visited Talaimannar recently to study the ground situation while steps were being taken to recommence the ferry service between India and Sri Lanka. The Defence Advisor also met navy officers stationed in Talaimannar. India has been trying to link Rameswaram and Talaimannar by ferry services. When External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met her then SL counterpart Mangala more..

Jul 3 (DM) It is seen that there is a huge need of reorganization of the LTTE in the North and East, State Minister of Child Affairs Vijayakala Maheswaran claimed today addressing the Janapathi Nila Mehewara event at the Weerasingham Hall in Jaffna. She said that reports relating to traces of LTTE reorganizing are heard regularly as a result of the people in the North and the East not willing to discard the LTTE from their hearts. more..

Jul 3 (DM) This essay is an effort to unravel the whispers about an American military team’s secret mission to Sri Lanka at the height of the SL armed forces successful squeeze on the LTTE in 2009. The political significance of such a mission is profound and there are numerous tangential issues that are also significant. The opening to this inquiry in 2018 was provided by Chandre Dharmawardana’s welcome initiative in making an ethnographic notation about information mentioned by more..

Jul 3 (DM) There was a boy once. He loved to read. He also loved to write. He loved languages and the study of languages, right down to music, literature, indeed the arts in general. But he had chosen Science for A/Levels. Not a problem, until you consider that time spent reading and writing had to be devoted to studying the human body, nuclear science, and those particles that make us the humans we are. Naturally, he struggled. None of this made sense. more..

Jul 3 (DM) TNA MP Dharmalingam Siddharthan speaks about politics in the North and the presidential elections. Mr. Siddharthan, who is the leader PLOTE, says people in the North will not vote en bloc to a particular candidate at the next election. Q: As far as the TNA is concerned, how do you assess the political situation of the country? A: I do not know what does TNA leader R. Sampanthan feels. From the TNA’s point of view, more..

Jul 3 (CB) SL's head coach Chandika Hathurusingha has been left stranded in the Caribbean, awaiting a visa to travel to the UK. Hathurusingha was scheduled to travel to the UK on his way from the Caribbean to inspect practice facilities in England ahead of next year's World Cup challenge. But his plans have gone awry. SL are expected to leave for England 3 weeks prior to their World Cup campaign. more..