Mar 31 (Island) Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera has requested TNA leader R. Sampanthan not to vote against the no-confidence motion against UNP leader and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. It is speculated that the TNA has decided to stand by the PM when the vote on the motion of no confidence is taken on April 04. Thera has, in a letter to Sampanthan, said he expected the TNA will not back the PM. "You are the Leader of the Opposition, not the Opposition leader for N&E Provinces. more..

Mar 31 (FT) Crucial meeting between President Sirisena and PM Wickremesinghe on Thursday night at Minister Rajitha Senaratne’s official residence had aimed at ironing out some of the contentious issues that have put the unity Govt in crisis. Daily FT learns that to safeguard the coalition there was frank discussion between the two leaders on a host of issues including next week’s no confidence motion on PM. Sources said the issue of way forward post-no confidence motion also figured more..

Mar 31 (Island) The SLFP said it would, on April 4, vote for the no-confidence motion, moved by the JO against PM. SLFP called upon Wickremesinghe to resign as PM if he wanted to protect the coalition govt formed by the SLFP and the UNP. SLFP would officially announce its decision to vote for the no-faith motion after the party’s Central Committee meeting, scheduled to be held on April 2, with Prez Sirisena presiding, more..

Mar 31 (DM) Easter is the most important day for Christians. It is the one major event that Christians, who are otherwise divided over many things, agree upon. It is the day that celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from a gruesome death on the cross. People love Easter because it is an ideal story with a happy ending. The victim has turned victorious and there is much glory in the end. In the context of the modern world what is relevant for us from the Easter event? more..

Mar 31 (CT) Prior to the opening up of the economy in 1977 and even soon after, the concerns among the consumers, especially around this time of the year, was the availability of food commodities to celebrate Avurudu. Of secondary importance were prices. The primary source of food commodities and related ancillaries then were the State-owned and controlled Sathosa and cooperative outlets. Milk was supplied by another State agency, the Milk Board, petroleum fuels, CPC and State-owned more..

Mar 31 (DM) For these two the boxing ring would be large enough to spend time shadow boxing for at least another whole year. Mainstream politics in Sri Lanka is so bankrupt, none of the two main political leaders can ever face the next 2020 Presidential Election with grit and confidence. The third, Mahinda Rajapaksa is ruled out on 19A, as he had already completed two terms. President Sirisena, who was elected with more..

Mar 31 (Roar) Ah, rush hour. That time of the day when tempers run high, traffic laws disintegrate, and hapless commuters are subjected to the agonising grind of our madcap Sri Lankan traffic. Commuting in Sri Lanka is the stuff of nightmares. The exhaust fumes from Colombo alone can probably melt half the world’s polar ice caps. Rickety buses race each other like contenders in the Grand Prix. more..

Mar 31 (DM) Jaffna is the capital city of the predominantly Tamil speaking Northern Province. It was at the time of independence from Britain, the second largest city in the Island, next only to Colombo. Jaffna gradually declined in the post-independence years, dropping to fourth place at the 1981 census. Thereafter with the escalation of the ethnic conflict, Jaffna along with many other places in N&E Provinces got drastically more..

Mar 31 (FT) Sri Lanka suffers a staggering 850+ recorded deaths a year by drowning, falling short quite dismally in delivering on health and safety obligations in the water. In fact, the country has the 12th highest drowning rate out of 61 countries analysed in the 2014 World Health Organisation Global Report on Drowning and the 10th highest when compared with 35 Low and Middle Income Countries. more..

Mar 31 (ST) Reckless driving, callous disregard for road rules, failing to follow directives of the National or Provincial Transport authorities and lack of courtesy towards passengers are common complaints against private bus drivers. Most drivers engage in competing against other drivers, while others detour from the authorised routes, to gain more passengers or, to be the first to reach their destination, for the turnaround. more..

Mar 31 (ST) Empty campus classrooms, campus offices closed, exams postponed, university heads concerned over the daily maintenance of laboratories and farms, electricity and water facilities disrupted – the signs of a crippled university system are everywhere with the strike by non-academic staff reaching a 30-day milestone. Several rounds of negotiations have failed and more than 15,600 non-academic more..

Mar 31 (NR) The govt says the 5% withholding tax on interest income on foreign remittances that applies to export earnings and remittances will not affect migrant workers. Department of Inland Revenue said the new Act is being enforced from tomorrow. Department said the money if deposited in banks the 5% withholding tax will apply. However the Department said money transferred to relatives in Sri Lanka will not be subject to the tax. more..

Mar 31 (Island) Trade unions in SL have lost 60% of their members during the last decade as unions struggle to adapt to new realities brought about by labour law relaxation, Vidura Munasinghe, labour rights researcher at Law & Society Trust said. He said due to continuous policy deregulation by successive govts the informal sector of the govt has expanded to around 65-67% of total workforce and it would soon be increased to 90%. more..

Mar 31 (NR) Puravesi Balaya organisation says the No-Confidence Motion filed against PM Ranil Wickremesinghe is an attempt by the Joint Opposition to achieve petty political objectives. Senior representative Dr. Gamini Viyangoda said the JO is attempting to reign in power that was lost at the Presidential Election. He said the Puravesi Balaya Organisation cannot accept that the JO’s objective with this more..

Mar 31 (DN) SL battalion attached to the UN Peace Keeping Force in Mali deployed only two weeks ago in the African nation, uncovered and diffused a 35 kg remotely controlled mine, while en-route to Mopti, averting a disaster. Army sources who contacted personnel in Mali confirmed, that the contingent was tipped off to search a suspected area while they were on their way to Mopti. “It was here that they found this 35 kg remotely more..

Mar 31 (NR) Minister Kabir Hashim has informed all protesting non-academic employees to attend a round of discussions. Convenor of Non-Academic Trade Union Collective Edward Malwatte said the talks will take place on Sunday. Malwatte said he hopes favourable solutions will be provided to their demands during the discussion. He noted that there is still no solution and the Non-Academic Trade Union will continue it’s fight until a suitable solution is provided. more..

Mar 31 (FT) On our social media or even mainstream, it is not uncommon to find somewhat astounding statements and claims, grossly exaggerating happenings in the country and the doings of our countrymen both of the present and past. This penchant for embellishment is also reflected in common social discourse, even among persons who one may consider better informed and could be expected to be more sceptical. Some things being said by these people are so far more..

Mar 31 (Island) Former STF Commandant C. Ranawana who was seriously wounded during the Welikada Prison Riot, said those who spoke about prisoners’ rights had chosen to ignore the wounded policemen. Ranawana said that he still received treatment for the gunshot wounds he sustained at the hands of rioting criminals in the prison and that he would have to undergo surgery again soon. "When prisoners raided the prison armoury and got on top of the roof, we commenced more..

Mar 31 (DM) Prisons Commissioner Emil Ranjan Lamahewa, arrested by the CID on Thursday in connection with the Welikada Prisons riot, has been sent on compulsory leave, Prisons Dept media spokesman said. He said the future course of action would be decided after the case against him was concluded. “According to the Establishments Code, any government servant, who was remanded in connection with a misdeed, should be sent on compulsory leave. more..

Mar 31 (CT) President Sirisena, angered by a interpretation offered by Jayampathy Wickramaratne (MP) on Rupavahini has called on the Chairman of the TV station Ravi Jayawardana and asked him if he was running the station on behalf of the UNP. Wickramaratne, speaking to Rupavahini, stated that the No-Confidence motion against the PM in fact targeted the whole Govt. Argument is based on the last paragraph of more..

Mar 31 (CT) Seventy Years after Independence, Governed by Democratically Elected Governments of Various Colours, Parliamentary and Presidential Systems of Governance, Following Economic Policies based on Capitalism, Market, Socialism, Mixed, Middle Path and now Social Market, Devolved Governance and Administration, Appealing Visions and Policy Pronouncements of Political Leaders with Charisma and Purported Commitment, A Capable Executives more..

Mar 31 (Island) Leopards were invading tea plantations due to the rapid growth of weeds due to a lack of herbicide, minister Navin Dissanayake claimed in Galle on Thursday addressing tea small holders. "It is the large tea plantation companies which are demanding the govt to lift the ban on herbicide, glyphosate. The lack of an herbicide has affected these large companies who have over 1,000 acres each. They complain they do not have the necessary man power for weeding," more..

Mar 31 (DM) SL Army yesterday said it has agreed on a process to screen all army personnel being deployed on UN assignments in order to maintain the highest standards of discipline and conduct at home and abroad. In a statement on media reports regarding delays in the deployment of peacekeepers, the Army said it had agreed on a process to be followed for screening of all personnel being deployed on such assignments more..

Mar 31 (AD) Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western, North-Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and Uva provinces and in Vavuniya and Mannar districts after 2 p.m., Met Department announced. Showers can be expected in the Western and Southern coastal areas in the morning too. Misty conditions can be expected at some places in the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces during the morning. Temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers more..

Mar 31 (Island) The Ministry of Education has transferred 3,766 teachers attached to the national schools throughout the country. These transfers are a part of the Ministry’s initiative to transfer teachers who have served in their respective schools for nearly one decade. This is the third phase of such transfers. Although 4,473 teachers were to be transferred during the third phase, the Teacher Transfer Board decided to reduce the number of transfers due to several reasons. more..

Mar 31 (ST) As in the United states, Sri Lanka may not have Second Amendment or a powerful National Rifle Association, which has most politicians under its barrel, but small arms are freely available with unauthorised people and is the reason for the spree of Chicago style incidents in recent months. Police said there had been 12 shooting incidents, resulting in 6 deaths and 7 persons injured since January to date. more..

Mar 31 (DN) A total of 14,000 dengue cases and around 15 dengue deaths had been reported up to March 28. According to epidemiologists, the highest number of dengue cases, 2,165 had been reported from the Colombo district while the second highest number, 1,471 had been reported from Batticaloa district. Third highest number of dengue cases, 1,304 had been reported from the Gampaha district. Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) reported a total of 596 dengue cases during the same period. more..

Mar 31 (CT) UNF MPs have decided to walk out of the Chamber of the House on 4 April, if Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala takes the Chair when the no-confidence motion against PM Ranil Wickremesinghe is taken up for debate and vote. Leader of the House, Minister Lakshman Kiriella said, UNF MPs had informed him that they would stage a walkout as a show of opposition to Sumathipala, who they claim was conducting himself in a manner unbefitting of someone holding more..

Mar 31 (IL) Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to UN in Geneva, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha has said "Sri Lanka makes its best contributions to the international community when it leads from the centre", rather than positioning itself in a manner "either to be taken for granted, or to remain isolated". Ambassador who relinquishes his tour of duty as SL's Permanent Representative to UN in Geneva this week, more..

Mar 31 (DM) Legal action has been taken on four eateries operating at Olcott Mawatha in Fort after a raid carried out by officials of the Colombo Municipality’s Health Department. They have charged with violating food safety regulations. Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Subash Mendis of the Municipality’s Food Hygiene and Safety Unit said 12 hotels were inspected during the raid carried out on Wednesday. “Owners of 10 eateries selling food in a unhygienic condition, were reprimanded more..

Mar 31 (DM) A thief who had entered a poultry run in a Tea estate in Dumbara braving the rains to steal some fully grown fowls had to make a hasty retreat leaving his sarong behind, in the face of a severe attack by a swarm of bees which got disturbed. The poultry run had been located in the back compound of a house, and the fowls which used to roam about from the early hours in the morning in search of food, normally return back at nightfall. A thief who had entered the poultry run breaking the door more..

Mar 31 (Island) Army Commander, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake has offered to provide assistance for Northern schools with their cadetting programmes and to resolve issues pertaining to fishing community during a meeting with Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Vigneswaran. This offer was made during a meeting between the two men at Chief Minister’s Office in Nallur, Jaffna on Thursday. more..

Mar 31 (CB) Javeria Khan's run-a-ball 38 and a fine all-round show with the ball helped Pakistan Women overcome SL Women by 38 runs in the third and final T20I played in Colombo, as they clinched the series 2-1. The home side could muster only 75 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs while chasing a target of 114. Pakistan, who were inserted in to bat, made a steady start with Sidra Ameen (23) and Nahida Khan (19) sharing a stand of 33. However, the visiting team soon lost wickets at regular intervals more..

Mar 31 (NR) Leader of the UNFF Maithri Gunaratne has been arrested by Police for the possession of two illegal firearms in Kadugannawa. SP Ruwan Gunasekara said the arrest was made after Police searched a jeep that was parked in Pilimathalawa. Police Media Spokesman said Maithri Gunaratne failed to produce the licenses for the two firearms. The suspect is scheduled to be produced before the Kandy Magistrate’s Court today. Police has launched further investigations into incident. more..

Mar 31 (SLN) The wreck of one of the famous ships of Her Majesty’s Naval Service - SS Sagaing which sank at the Trincomalee harbour during the World War II, is refloated after 75 years stay underwater by a team of divers of SL Navy making a landmark turning point in the field of Diving and Salvage. This 138 m long Passenger cum Cargo Ship launched in 24th December 1924 was hit by Japanese carrier air craft bomber more..

Mar 31 (NR) JVP has questioned whether the No-Confidence Motion against PM Ranil Wickremesinghe is a scheme by a particular faction. JVP MP Nalinda Jayatissa said the content cited in the Motion were justifiable. MP meanwhile claimed the JVP will vote in favour of the No Confidence Motion. He noted the JVP revealed the controversial CB Treasury Bond transactions from the beginning and through the COPE adding therefore the party does not have any concerns over the content more..

Mar 31 (ST) Safari jeep drivers transporting pilgrims to Kabiliththa/Siyambalawe Devalya are calling on authorities to permit them to use the route via Galge off the Buttala-Kataragama Road to transport pilgrims to the Kabaliththa Devalaya where it is believed God Kataragama had taken abode. Recently there has been an increase in the number of pilgrims visiting the Kabiliththa Devalaya in the Yala National Park to pay homage to God Kataragama who is believed to be living more..

Mar 31 (Roar) Sri Lanka is now recognised as a middle-income country. According to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), this should ideally indicate a downward trend in violence. However, studies have proven otherwise—the number one cause for hospitalisation is physical trauma. In this article, Roar Media will break down a study published by UNFPA about unnatural deaths among women & girls in SL, more..