May 24 (CT) While the nation commemorated the 9th anniversary of the eradication of terrorism from our soil, news reports revealed that an entity calling itself as the Tamil Eelam Cyber Force commemorated the occasion by hacking numerous Govt and corporate web portals on 18 May. Notable targets included the Embassy of Sri Lanka in China, Ministry of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs, and Batticaloa Municipal Council. In a nutshell, the message referred to more..

May 24 (CT) UNP MP Ranjith Aluwihare says that he is extremely frustrated with the leadership of the UNP. “No justice is being done. We cannot bear to see positions being given to newcomers and those who joined from other parties.” Q: Are you the newest rebel of the UNP? A: I am not a rebel, but I was silent for some time. People voted for me with the belief that some post will be given, some relief would be granted, more..

May 24 (GV) Donald Trump first became a household name in the US for a book he claimed as his own but didn’t write – The Art of the Deal. Recently he learned a real life lesson in the art of the deal from a consummate master of the art of the deal – the Chinese. Last month Mr. Trump’s administration imposed sanctions on the Chinese technology giant, the ZTE, banning it from using American technology in making its phones. Chinese govt responded by agreeing to loan more..

May 24 (DN) It is an understatement to say that the SLFP is in crisis. It is a peculiar predicament that the party finds itself in, given that it is in power and its leader, Maithripala Sirisena is Executive President and Head of State of the country. Ironically though, President Sirisena does not appear to have the same degree of control over the political party he heads. SLFP has seen and survived much political turmoil in its history, most notably in the ’80s when there was a leadership squabble between more..

May 24 (ST) Several British cannon stand imperially, at the entrance to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Maritime Museum on Chaithya Road, adjoining the Colombo Port. A lesser-known attraction of Colombo, now onto its 15th year, the museum, housed in an old Dutch warehouse is dedicated to the history and evolution of the ports of the island. Maintained by the SLPA, the museum opened during the war years (2003) and more..

May 24 (Island) The yahapalana govt is apparently labouring under the delusion that a sure-fire way of propping up the ailing economy is to ink FTAs with as many countries as possible. Its desperation seems to know no bounds. It came to power, promising to perform economic miracles and create a Utopia of sorts. But, it has become an economic cripple looking for free trade crutches to steady itself. The yahapalana govt’s latest attempt, to enter into an FTA with Singapore, has run into more..

May 24 (DN) The prevailing adverse weather in the island has claimed 11 lives and made thousands displaced in 12 districts. It is unavoidable for Sri Lanka to get affected by natural disasters especially by monsoonal rains due to its geographical location in the Indian Ocean. Sri Lankans have both wet and dry weather in line with climatic and monsoonal changes but the cost of these natural disasters are unbearable and indigestible because of our economic conditions of our country. more..

May 24 (CT) Daily Mirror of 16th May, carried the Report of the Annual Convention of the Viyath Maga, under the heading Sri Lanka should seize the opportunity, in the context of the shift of Global economic centre to Asia. One may think the title Intellectualism and Intellect paradoxical. Most truths appear paradoxical. I think an explanation is necessary, here. Intellectualism is accumulating and storing knowledge in the mind; Whereas, Intellect is a tool of the mind. more..

May 24 (FT) Two key events on 11 June will put a spotlight on ASEAN as the next big opportunity for a progressive Sri Lanka, with valuable insights from several international and local experts. The Daily FT, in association with the Colombo University MBA Alumni Association, and in strategic partnership with HSBC, will hold an invitees-only CEOs breakfast forum, followed by a public forum on 11 June (Monday) at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo. The twin events are aimed at highlighting more..

May 24 (Reuters) On the surface, Colombo looks like any other fast-growing South Asian city, with buildings stretching as far as the eye can see and skyscrapers rearing up along its coast. But beneath the concrete, Colombo hides a wilder and wetter past. Before it became the nerve center of SL politics and business, the city was a region dotted with wetlands and about 30 km of canals that helped absorb & disperse the massive rains more..

May 24 (Island) In a shocking turn of events, the Singer Schools Rugby League 2018 has been postponed indefinitely following instructions from Minister Faiszer Musthapa. Last weekend, Singer U-19 rugby games involving Wesley College versus Royal College, Maliyadeva College versus S. Thomas’ College and D. S.Senanayake versus Science College saw many unfortunate turn of events following the full-time whistle where the spectators invaded the ground; acted unruly. more..

May 24 (Island) Sydney is full of friends and dear friends who became close to my heart. Many of them had no false pretensions and were honest and we continue our friendships. While sipping a beer at the Bucket List in Bondi, I called Peter Kuruvita to say hello. To my surprise, he was in Sydney at the time doing an assignment for Dilmah tea as its Brand Ambassador. He had time to meet me. We met later at one of the most famous Chinese restaurants in Sydney, The Golden Century, more..

May 24 (CT) Ready availability of alternative modes of communication, decreasing use of international mail and parcel services and increasing operating costs are causing heavy losses to the Department of Posts (DOP). The DOP’s operating expenditure has increased by 2.6% to Rs 12.6 billion, resulting in an operating loss of Rs 5.6 billion during 2017, in comparison to the Rs 5.7 billion loss in 2016. more..

May 24 (NR) The overseas travel ban imposed on former UPFA MP Tiran Alles has been temporarily lifted. The ban was lifted following a request to travel to Singapore in a bid to seek medical attention. The travel ban has accordingly been lifted till the 20th of July. Colombo High Court Judge Vikum Kaluarachchi also lifted the order issued for Former MP Tiran Alles to visit the CID monthly for the next two months. The case will be taken up once again on the 24th of July. more..

May 24 (Island) Bank of Ceylon once again has proved its ability to reach its diversified clientele through unparalleled digital means by introducing Self-Service Kiosks with wide range of features that is tailor-made for next generation of banking, and Cheque Deposit Kiosks. The new Kiosk service was ceremonially opened by C Amarasinghe (Deputy General Manager, Sales & Channel Management) with the presence of Corporate and Executive Management, at BOC head office. more..

May 24 (FT) State Finance Minister Eran Wickramaratne in Parliament exposed some shady deals of the past of ETI Group whilst noting new investors will help depositors and revive the business. In response to questions from the JVP, Wickramaratne said Blue Summit Capital Management, a Singaporean-based company, is set to take over ETI and Swarnamahal Financial Services, which has been bogged down by more..

May 24 (FT) Cabinet yesterday approved a proposal by PM Ranil Wickremesinghe to call for private sector investors to construct public buildings under the Build, Own and Transfer (BOT) system. Wickremesinghe, presenting the Cabinet paper as the National Policies and Economic Affairs Minister, had pointed out that construction and maintenance of large public buildings including schools, universities, hospitals and vocational training centres required substantial public funds. more..

May 24 (DN) Several members of the academic staff of the Jaffna University who represented the Teachers’ Union of the Jaffna University, discussed with Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama, the international research seminar on dry zone agriculture to be conducted by the Agriculture Faculty of the Jaffna University. During the discussion the minister expressed the view that in order to develop the agriculture sector research should take place and through research more..

May 24 (Island) Heavy rains, and floods continue to wreak havoc as the South West monsoon continue to hit the south western part of the country today and tomorrow. Number of lives claimed by the adverse weather has reached 11 and approximately, 7,526 families have been evacuated into 194 welfare centres due to flood and landslide risks, according to DMC. More than 100,000 people have been affected by the rains, more..

May 24 (FT) Popular corporate personality Kishu Gomes has resigned from Chevron Lubricants Lanka Plc after a 22-year stint at the multinational giant. Kishu said he was taking a break from a highly-engaged corporate life and would explore new options in the coming months. However he confirmed that he was keen to spend more time in helping nurture young talent in the country and make them more dynamic. Kishu is likely to expand his social engagement as part of giving back more..

May 24 (DN) CIC Holdings PLC will be tying up with a South American company to grow hybrid agriculture seeds for exports and local use. CEO of CIC Holdings PLC, Samantha Ranatunga said that a team from the South American Company visited them last week and also visited some of the CIC sites. He said that they were also looking at growing sweet corn for which there is an increase in demand. Ranatunga said that in addition CIC was involved in growing high value vegetables more..

May 24 (Island) JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake told parliament that the govt was planning to build solar power plants by clearing forest preserves. Ratnayake, said: "Now this govt is planning to build solar power plants by clearing forest reserves. What sort of a stupid action is this? No one would build solar power plants by clearing remaining forest reserves in a country. What should we call the ones who take such decisions?" more..

May 24 (CT) The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) pointed out that courier and internet based services, which are currently being used as dealing mechanisms and methods of drug trafficking, in particular in relation to new psychoactive substances, posed the greatest challenge to detection. Assistant Director at the Board, Pradeep Kumara Koholanagedara said in view of the upcoming International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, more..

May 24 (DN) Ceylinco Life’s net profit for the year ending December 31, 2017 is Rs 9.47 billion, including a one-off surplus of Rs 3.46 billion generated by a change in the basis of the valuation of Life Funds under Section 96A of the Regulation of Insurance Industry Act No 43 of 2000. On the same basis, the Company’s profit before tax has been re-stated as Rs 9.81 billion, the company said. Consequently, Ceylinco Life’s earnings per share for the 12 months increases to Rs 189.35 more..

May 24 (Island) Alleging that civil society groups were a threat to the country, GMOA has declared war on Purawesi Balaya and National Movement for a Just Society (NMJS). They played a pivotal role in Jan 2015 campaign to oust Rajapaksa administration. GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge alleged that those groups interfered and obstructed legitimate trade unions such as the GMOA and were engaged in a project inimical to the country. more..

May 24 (FT) For the second time, German Buzz, a joint initiative of the German Embassy, the Goethe-Institut, the GIZ and TAFA toured Sri Lanka, this time in the Eastern Province. A group of 30 volunteers and professionals visited four schools to bring a day of joy and fun to over 1,200 children in and to donate equipment to the underprivileged communities. The group toured Batticaloa Province to visit schools in remote and underprivileged communities. The days were filled with: more..

May 24 (Island) Speaker Karu Jayasuriya told Parliament that PM Ranil Wickremesinghe would consult the SLFP and arrive at a decision on Provincial Council Elections this week. Responding to JO MP Dullas Allahapperuma, Speaker said the topic had been discussed several times at the Party Leaders’ Meetings and that the PM requested time to discuss it with the SLFP. Allahapperuma questioned over the delay in moving the Delimitation Committee Report on PCs for debate more..

May 24 (TG) Britain’s Foreign Office destroyed almost 200 files on Sri Lanka dating from the start of a Tamil Tiger uprising during which MI5 and the SAS secretly advised the country’s security forces, it has emerged. Loss of the files means that there is almost no record of the British govt’s work with the SL authorities at the start of a famously brutal civil war. Destruction of the files raises fresh concerns about more..

May 24 (DM) Railway Trade Unions Alliance (RTUA) said it would launch a 48-hour strike from June 6 midnight, urging the relevant authorities to resolve six of its issues. RTUA Co-convener S.P. Vithanage said Railway Administrative Board proposal made by the Cabinet subcommittee headed by Minister Sarath Amunugama should be withdrawn forthwith, and that the structure of the Railways Department not be changed when the service improves. “Employee recruitment procedures to more..

May 24 (CT) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has joined hands with LiCC (Long Island Clothing Company) as the organization’s Official Casual Clothing Partner. With this timely sponsorship, two giants in their respective fields have come together and now form a partnership that will put Sri Lanka’s cricketers ahead in style and comfort and add sartorial value to an already iconic team. Under the Official Casual Clothing Partnership with SLC, LiCC will provide stylish casual apparel more..

May 24 (FT) China expressed stronger commitment to help Sri Lanka realise its goal to become a prosperous country, allaying fears over growing engagement and stating it has to do with gratitude and cooperation, and not ulterior motives. “China and Sri Lanka have strong complementarities, and the potential for cooperation is still waiting to be explored. With concrete efforts and under the guidance of our leaders, more..

May 24 (Island) CEB Engineers deployed in flood affected areas were not taking part in their work-to- rule campaign to ensure the well-being of the flood affected people, a spokesperson for the CEB Engineers Union said. "CEB Engineers in flood affected areas are not in the TU action. They are doing their best for those affected people," he said. Meanwhile the Katunayaka, Bolawatta, Pannala, Puttalam, Maho, New Chillaw and Old-A'pura Grid Substations have been adversely affected more..

May 24 (FT) UNP National List MP MHM Navavi yesterday resigned from his MP post. He had handed over his letter of resignation to Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dassanayake, according to Parliament sources. Navavi was appointed to the National List MP post of the UNP by the All Ceylon Makkal Congress, which is headed by Minister Rishad Bathiudeen. A new member is expected to be appointed as a national list MP from the same party. more..

May 24 (CT) As weather conditions predictably worsened, NBRO, yesterday, issued new red notices to four Districts, warning of potential landslides in those areas and urging the public to evacuate to safe locations. The red notices were issued to Ratnapura, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya, Kalutara and Galle, warning the public of landslides. The red notice will be valid as long as the rain continues in those districts. more..

May 24 (DM) Bio- Diversity may be a strange or uncommon word for those concerned mainly about their selfish interests but it is a crisis of life or death for Planet Earth. May 22 was the International Day for Biological Diversity and the United Nations in a statement says while there is a growing recognition that biological diversity is a global asset of tremendous value to present and future generations, the number of species is being significantly reduced by certain human activities. more..

May 24 (DM) Minister Mangala Samaraweera, speaking to the media on Tuesday, stated that knowing well the crimes committed by Gotabaya Rajapaksa, he is in fact frightened of the former defence secretary. That’s political-speak, obviously. Mangala, after all, was never scared of the LTTE, was never scared of Chandrika Kumaratunga and certainly not of Ranil Wickremesinghe, even though the names of these individuals were directly or indirectly mentioned along with certain more..

May 24 (ST) There is more pain to come from the sudden, sharp increase in oil and gas prices by the Govt in such a brief period, although crude oil prices in global markets have been rising gradually over several months. Crude oil prices in London and New York climbed to new record highs this week as of Friday. Prices of daily necessities, already heavily taxed by a fiscally irresponsible Govt, will rise further. more..

May 24 (DM) Uduwatuwage Janath Priya Thilanga Sumathipala tendered his resignation as the Deputy Speaker of Parliament last month after voting in favour of the no-confidence motion against PM. Sumathipala, who is also the Incumbent President of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), is contesting the upcoming SLC Elections seeking re-election. Sumathipala aired his views on the dramatic political scenarios and crossovers, his thoughts on more..

May 24 (DM) Come June this year it will mark the completion of two years after the Right to Information Act was passed in Parliament. Act came into force on 3rd of Feb last year. An international seminar on this subject organized by the SL Press Institute is being held these days to coincide with the passing of this piece of legislation. Under the heading Gamata Nogiya Thorathuru Panatha (Information Act which did not reach village) more..