June 2 (FT) If SL implements the LTGEP, part of SL will be a desert by 2040: 100% guaranteed. This is not vicious imagination, but the obvious conclusion if the following 10 scientific statements are true. (a) In 2037, 23000GWhrs of electricity will be generated from coal. (b) So, the additional CO2 emission from coal power will vary between 5049 kt in 2018 and 19249 kt in 2037. (c) With a land area of 65,000km2, this corresponds to a increase of 250ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere. more..

Jun 2 (Island) How would Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera react to the current state of affairs under the yahapalana govt, which he helped form, if he were alive today? This is the question one must have asked oneself, on listening to President Maithripala Sirisena’s diatribe against the UNP, at a ceremony to mark the 76th birth anniversary of Sobitha Thera the other day. Sobitha Thera was utterly disappointed with the govt at the time of his untimely demise. more..

Jun 2 (Roar) For centuries, Sri Lanka has been famed for its high-quality gemstones, which are reputed to be some of the best in the world. In fact, there are records which show that merchants travelled from far and wide to trade goods for Sri Lankan jewels. Even in the present day and age, the island lives up to its reputation and exports various gems to different countries like Thailand, China, USA and Germany. more..

Jun 2 (Island) My attention has been drawn to an interview given by Dhanasiri Weerasinghe recently in the media, in regard to the aborted English tour in 1968. Since my name has been mentioned in a not too complimentary manner, I thought I would state the true story in order to set the record straight. Some time around 1964 or 65, a new set of selectors were appointed by the Board of Control for Cricket in SL. They were D.D. Jayasinghe (Chair), Bobby Schoorman, K.M.T. Perera & myself. more..

Jun 2 (Island) On April 29, 2018, Dr Lester James Peries, greatest film-maker on earth at that time, was going on his 100th year. Then he radically changed course and embarked upon the journey to the undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns as Shakespeare’s soliloquizing Hamlet memorably put it. We are assembled this evening in this church where Lester regularly worshipped, to pay homage to the memory of the great man whose cinematic art helped to more..

Jun 2 (Island) Are we now in a world where forgetfulness is the in thing, especially in politics and governance? The Freedom of Forgetfulness came to light some months ago at the unravelling of the Perpetual Scandal on the CB Bond Scams, when no less that a former Minister Ravi Karunanayake – admitted he could not remember getting paid millions for a Penthouse rent – from whom and how. more..

Jun 2 (DN) SL spinner Akila Dananjaya had CWI President’s XI in a spin when he capture three of the seven wickets to fall in their first innings on the second day of the 3-day practice match played at Brian Lara cricket ground here on Thursday. Dananjaya’s figures of 3 for 43 off 17 overs left CWI President’s XI trailing by 205 runs as they ended the second day on 223-7 in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings of 428. The home side was given a solid start by John Campbell and more..

Jun 2 (IPS) Geetha is an unskilled and uneducated female from rural Sri Lanka. As she was saddled with financial issues and could not find a suitable job in Sri Lanka, she decided to seek employment in Saudi Arabia as a Female Domestic Worker (FDW). However, Geetha was clueless about how to proceed, and thankfully Somadasa – a Sub Agent from her village, helped her through the entire process. Now Geetha has a job (for which she did not have to pay any recruitment fees) more..

Jun 2 (Island) The franchise-based Sri Lanka Super Sevens Rugby Tournament has been scrapped by Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) due to financial constraints and will focus only on the Club Sevens. SL Super Sevens series was a massive success where the best of local talent went head to head with some excellent overseas players. From 2011 to 2014, the Carlton Super Series was organised and then in 2016 was remodeled and re-branded as SL Super Sevens Series with 8 teams competing more..

Jun 2 (ST) The Sunday Times in a front-page story on May 6 headlined Kantale Sugar Factory Bribery scam: Top officials’ deals exposed, reported on the alleged corruption of two top public officials – President’s Chief of Staff and a Corporation Chairman cum ex-Presidential high official. A similar event was reported in the Sunday Times in September 2017 on a corrupt deal by officials’. It is sad to note that the offenders are top Civil Service officials who abused more..

Jun 2 (Island) Consultant, Medical Nutritionist, Medical Research Institute Dr. Renuka Jayatissa addressing a forum recently said the serious repercussions of low local milk consumption, compounded by low production resulting in insufficient quantum to meet demand, resulted in alarming health issues. Malnutrition, in pregnant women, as a result of not consuming sufficient milk during pregnancy was the primary cause of stunting. more..

Jun 2 (Island) For years, the British Council Colombo Library has challenged the traditional perception of a library. While being home to the best selection of books and learning resources in Colombo the venue is also well known as a gathering space for artists, thinkers and thought leaders. On June 3 the British Council Library will reopen as a space that embodies this role it plays as both a repository of knowledge and convener of people and ideas. more..

Jun 2 (FT) Supreme Court yesterday overruled the preliminary objections raised by the Counsels for the Counsels Bribery Commission on the maintainability of the Writ petition filed by Justice Nawaz and fixed the hearing for 12 June. The Bench comprised Chief Justice Priyasath Dep, and Justices Vijith Malalgoda and Lalith Dehideniya. The Writ petition was filed against the decision of the Bribery Commission to institute proceedings. M.A. Sumanthiran PC and Viran Corea appearing for more..

Jun 2 (FT) Govt has made a decision to write off microfinance debt in regions affected by drought last year in an effort to provide relief to thousands of farmers struggling after poor harvests. Speaking at a Samurdhi Bank event, Minister Mangala Samaraweera said that that large numbers of people were indebted after being duped into taking loans from microfinance companies. “Even though poverty is at 1.9% in urban areas, more..

Jun 2 (Island) A container carrier that sustained damage in tropical storm Sagar in the Gulf of Aden, nearly 2,000 nautical miles from SL, has been turned around in just 36 hours by Colombo Int'l Container Terminals (CICT) when it arrived in the Port of Colombo. The 369-metre, 14,424 TEU MV Theseus, operated under Ocean Alliance’s Asia-Mediterranean service by Evergreen Line, was en-route to Colombo on its weekly scheduled call after Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, when the storm hit. more..

Jun 2 (EN) Minister John Amaratunga has held talks with Chinese tourism and airline officials to encourage more visitors to Sri Lanka from China. The talks were held during a visit to promote the island at the Shanghai World Travel Fair held at Shanghai Exhibition Centre in China. A series of promotional events and meetings were conducted across major cities in China during the course of the past week, a statement said. Amaratunga led the promotional drive that covered more..

Jun 2 (CT) Senior State Counsel Janaka Bandara yesterday, told Mount Lavinia Chief Magistrate Mohammad Mihal that since the CID had received information that an organized group had attempted to either misdirect investigations or destroy evidence connected to the murder of former Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, the inquiries were being carried out with that in mind. Two suspects who are currently in remand more..

Jun 2 (CT) The Aeronautical Information Service Officers Association of Sri Lanka (AISOASL) in a letter to the President says that despite vital issues that affect the employees being brought to the attention of its management, due consideration had not been given to such issues. The AISOASL has stated that they provide valuable details related to aeronautical information but that the management had preferred to ignore issues that affect its employees. more..

Jun 2 (DM) Workers of State-owned Lanka Sugar (Private) Limited flocked to President’s office on 31 on Thursday complaining that after the operation has been swapped to a different Ministry from its parent, it now risks falling back to a loss-making venture that it used to be. “Under the Commerce and Industry Ministry, Lanka Sugar turned around with Rs. 1 billion profits in less than a year,” noted Chairman of Lanka Sugar Progressive Workers Union (LSPWU) Lalith Sripal. more..

Jun 2 (Island) Minister Malik Samarawickrema has urged Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to release a list containing names of 118 recipients of funds from tainted primary dealer Perpetual Treasuries (PTL) or companies affiliated with it, if such a list existed. In a letter dated June 1, 2018 addressed to Jayasuriya, the former UNP Chairman explained that how he, too, was being vilified in the social media as one of the beneficiaries. more..

Jun 2 (DM) Health Education and Promotion Director, Epidemiologist Paba Palihawadana warned the public living in flood-affected areas to be vigilant of Leptospirosis that could possibly spread after floods recede. She instructed the people to receive doxycycline-- leptospirosis disease preventing treatment from the nearest Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office or the Public Health Inspector (PHI) free of charge before engaging in farming activities or where water exists. more..

Jun 2 (Island) Police have initiated an inquiry after the recovery of a body yesterday on the railway track a little distance away from the Ambepussa railway station. Services on the Rambukkana line were disrupted for about two and half hours. The victim had been killed and the body placed on the track off Ambepussa railway station. Driver of Moratuwa bound train from Rambukkana had seen a person across the railway track and managed to stop the engine before it went over it. more..

Jun 2 (FT) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe downplayed any disagreement within the coalition Govt, insisting that his focus remained on developing the country. Wickremesinghe, speaking at an event to handover appointment letters to 1650 Grama Niladaris, highlighted the efforts of the Govt to improve economic growth and insisted that in politics, disagreements are normal but that he and his party would not be distracted by them. more..

Jun 2 (DN) Golden Peacock honorary medal belonging to the late Dr. Lester James Peries, which was stolen from his home during his funeral and later recovered by the police, was returned to his wife Sumithra Peiris by the Police yesterday. The medal was officially handed over to Sumithra Peries at their residence on Lester James Peries Mawatha, Colombo 5 last morning. Medal was awarded to Dr. Lester James Peries along with the Golden Peacock Award in 1965 for his movie Gamperaliya. more..

Jun 2 (DN) Skillful and improved human resources are crucial in Govt’s economic vision but Sri Lanka is facing a supply crunch in such skilled personnel. “Reports show that low number of students are entering into our higher education system”, said Minister Rishad Bathiudeen on May 30, addressing a graduation ceremony of a private education institution called Amazon College at BMICH. Minister Bathiudeen stressed that more skilled personnel are essential to move forward more..

Jun 2 (DM) Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has written to Secretary to Prez Austin Fernando to send him the list of names mentioned in the PCoI Report as those who had allegedly received financial gratuities from Perpetual Treasuries Ltd. boss Arjun Aloysius. Mr Jayasuriya has made the request several times to Mr Fernando but there has been no positive response up to now. An official of the Speaker’s Office said that a third request more..

Jun 2 (DM) Some weeks ago, a group of Mannar based activists petitioned the Right to Information (RTI) Commission asking for details of the government’s transitional justice package of reforms following promises made to the Geneva based Human Rights Council when this government came into power. Following the hearing of the appeal, the Prime Minister’s Office released the proposed Reparations Bill to the RTI Commission. That was how the Bill came to be in the public domain. more..

Jun 2 (DM) A decision by a local bank to suspend two of its employees for commemorating the war dead of the final phase of the Eelam war has now caused a fresh wave of controversy. The disciplinary action was purportedly taken after Sinhala nationalist social media highlighted the incident. The bank said in a media statement, “HNB takes very seriously any sentiment or act that is in violation of, or poses a threat to the morale of citizens of SL. As a Bank that stands for all Sri Lankans, more..

Jun 2 (DM) In the Third World people go into govt to enrich themselves. When patriotism and service have been sacrificed for bottomless appetite for personal avarice and indulgences, loyalty within the power bubble counts immeasurably. The Rajapaksa govt managed to elevate that loyalty to a new level; a level that was beyond the average wage earner and self-employed vendor, the gram seller or coconut plucker. more..

Jun 2 (ST) Nearly 1.5 million families or, about a third of the country’s population, were affected by natural and man-made disasters in 2017, majority were victims of drought, landslides and floods. The largest number of people, close to 4 million persons in 24 districts, were affected by the drought in most parts of the country last year. In 2017, Govt released Rs 5,515.04 million to District Secretariats for provision of drinking water more..

Jun 2 (ST) Angered and frustrated by repeated ejection from their homes, the disruption to their lives and personal property damage due to annual flooding in May, residents who live on the Kelaniya river banks say the government should seek permanent solutions to this devastation. For three days now, the residents of Biyagama and Kaduwela have sought refuge in schools and temples as usual, abandoning their homes. more..

Jun 2 (Island) Maria Malini Dias, 26, arrested on Wednesday (30) afternoon soon after reaching Sri Lanka, illegally, and produced before Mannar Magistrate Alex Raja on the following day, has been remanded till June 8 pending investigations. On the instructions of the Magistrate, Malini’s little sons have been handed over to govt-run child welfare home at Thiruketheeswaram. Three other young men arrested along with more..

Jun 2 (CT) Environmentalists and wildlife enthusiasts are blaming senior wildlife officers for the death of a sloth bear last week. A sloth bear that escaped from the Wildlife Training Centre in Giritale was shot dead by wildlife officers, after the animal attacked a fisherman on the Bakamuna Road in Giritale on 24 May at around 5 a.m. A veterinary surgeon, a wildlife ranger, and two field assistants who went to sedate and more..

Jun 2 (CT) Banks’ bad loans (Non-Performing Loans {NPLs}) rose by 13% last year (2017), reversing from back-to-back contractions in the last three years, and continued to rise in the first quarter (1Q) of this year (2018). Some recoveries and/or write-offs in the fourth quarter of 2017 (4Q17) helped the year-end sector NPL ratio improve marginally to 2.5% before ticking up to 3% at end 1Q18, it said. ‘We expect the NPLs to rise this year on more..

Jun 2 (CT) The Right to Information Commission (RTIC) expressed concern regarding Clause 9(1)(b) of the proposed Audit Bill, which stipulates that Members of the Audit Service Commission, any person appointed to any office under the Audit Act, any other person assisting any such person for the purpose of carrying out the provisions under this Act or a qualified auditor engaged by the Auditor General, shall not more..

Jun 2 (DM) The UNP would reveal the truth and would respond to the statement made by President Maithripala Sirisena on the Hundred-Day Programme from next week, its newly appointed Spokesman Harin Fernando said. “We will speak about the programme and other things from next Monday when we launch out Sathya (Truth) Campaign", Minister Fernando said in response to a question raised by journalists as to how more..

Jun 2 (DM) SriLankan Airlines advised its passengers that the departure and arrival timings of several flights at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) tomorrow (3) have been changed due to the launch of an experimental flight over the Indian Ocean by a country in the region on this day. The airlines said that it regrets any inconvenience caused to our valued customers, due to a factor that is beyond the airline’s control. more..

Jun 2 (EN) The IMF has approved the disbursement of a US$ 252 million tranche under its program and asked for continued reforms to boost growth as the country recovers from a balance of payments crisis. The IMF said Sri Lanka was making gains in improving state finances and monetary policy, and structural reforms would boost growth. "Sustaining the reform momentum is critical to strengthen country’s resilience to shocks, more..