May 28 (DN) Sports Minister Faiszer Mustapha has in a letter addressed to the secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket has directed the national body for the sport to promptly initiate an independent investigation into the alleged incidents of pitch fixing at Galle International Stadium as exposed by TV channel Al Jazeera yesterday and to impose strict punishment on those who are found guilty of such offence. more..

May 28 (Island) American economist and social theorist Thomas Sowell once said, "The big divide in this country is not between Democrats and Republicans, or men and women, but between talkers and doers". When a powerful minister of the government gets into a panic and issues a press statement criticizing a speech made by an ordinary citizen at a non political event there is some thing bizarre about it. That is exactly what minister Malik Samarawickrama did a few days ago. more..

May 28 (AD) A water bowser collided with an A320 Airbus of the SriLankan Airlines yesterday while causing an extensive loss around Rs. 15 million to the Airlines.The A320 which was bound to Lahore in Pakistan, was parked at the BIA when the accident took place. The bowser, which brought water to the plane accidentally crashed with the rear of the plane, according to officials. The driver of the bowser has been suspended and SriLankan Airlines has commenced investigations into the incident, more..

May 28 (SO) National Insurance Trust Fund Board (NITF) has released Rs. 40 million to provide immediate emergency relief to the flood affected and displaced people, NITF Chairman Manjula de Silva said. He said the NITF provides the funds while the relief measures are being carried out through DMC and Ministry of Home Affairs. “There is no specific allocation as such but all uninsured houses and small business premises are more..

May 28 (DM) Country’s top order batsman lost his beloved father as politicians took the support of the underworld leaders who were even evading the country in their political activities over the past three years, Leader of the NFF Wimal Weerawansa said. He made this remark while attending the funeral of SLPP Dehiwala – Mount Lavinia Municipal Councillor K Ranjan de Silva, father of SL Cricketer Dhananjaya de Silva. MP said during the past administration, then Defence Secretary more..

May 28 (Island) Ceylinco Insurance PLC, announced an incomparable dividend of Rs.31/50 per share to its shareholders for the year 2017, which constitutes a 315% dividend of the original share price. This is also an increase of 14.5% of the dividend declared for 2016. Ceylinco Insurance PLC said that the company was able to declare this dividend due to the exceptional results of its two wholly owned subsidiaries, Ceylinco General Insurance and Ceylinco Life Insurance. more..

May 28 (Reuters) Sri Lanka has accepted an eight-year China Development Bank $1 billion syndicated loan to repay loans maturing this year, two top Finance Ministry officials said. Bank was chosen from among four bidding for the loan, which the govt plans to use towards repaying other loans, one official said. “All three others had 3-year tenure and only China Dev. Bank had a bid for an 8-yr tenure. more..

May 28 (AD) A SriLankan Airlines plane with 228 people on board hit a runway light at the Cochin Airport during take-off. All passengers on board the SriLankan Airlines flight UL-167 are safe, the report said. The aircraft’s wheel was damaged and the flight was cancelled. The runway was closed for a while and is functioning now, according to officials. Issuing a statement on the incident, SriLankan Airlines said that UL flight 167 en route from Colombo to Cochin landed during an intense more..

May 28 (EN) Sri Lanka can fast-track growth, diversify exports and create new jobs by reforming immigration laws to permit know-how and skills to enter the country, an economist who has studied fast growing countries has said. Many advanced and fast-growing nations from Singapore to the US have open policies that allowed people to migrate easily bringing knowledge and skills creating thousands of new jobs, Ricardo Hausmann, from US-based University of Harvard said. more..

May 28 (AD) President Maithripala Sirisena Sunday visited the flood-hit Chilaw area in the northwest to observe the relief services provided to the people affected by the floods. President met with the political representatives and state officials in the area at the Mahawewa Divisional Secretariat office and inquired about the relief arrangements for the people. Prez Sirisena advising the officials to continue the welfare programs implemented more..

May 28 (FT) Minister Mano Ganesan slammed a private bank for suspending some of its employees over a war remembrance event. He said the move by HNB was deplorable and definitely a very bad corporate practice. The bank had reportedly suspended some employees for holding a war remembrance event in the bank premises without the approval of the top management. “HNB suspending employees for conducting event for remembering the dead & who perished in war more..

May 28 (Hindu) Discourse on fundamental issues concerning SL Tamils continues to revolve around political settlement, the two key components of which are greater devolution of powers to provinces and the merger of N&E provinces. These two aspects featured in the 1987 Indo-SL peace accord and continue to resonate with Tamil leaders of different political hues. R. Sampanthan, Leader of Opposition and TNA chief, and Suresh Preamachandran, leader of EPRLF, more..

May 28 (Island) Chairman of SLPP Prof. Peiris said that those members of the COPE who had been in touch with Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) owner Arjun Aloysius, now in remand over Treasury bond scams perpetrated in Feb 2015 and March 2016 should be removed from the watchdog committee. He urged the parliament to review its decision to reappoint those who had been identified by PCoI as associates of Arjun more..

May 28 (EN) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Sunday initiated a criminal investigation and suspended two men who allegedly agreed to tamper with the pitch to alter the result of the upcoming Test against England. Officials said Tharanga Indika, the curator of the Galle Int'l Stadium who was featured in the Al Jazeera sting on corruption in cricket and broadcast Sunday was suspended along with a club player Tharindu Mendis. "SLC decided to suspend with immediate effect the alleged individuals more..

May 28 (Island) Leader of Mahason Balakaya, Amith Weerasinghe, who is being detained at the Anuradhapura Prison over his alleged involvement in the Digana clashes, had been admitted to Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital after being assaulted by a pharmacist. Weerasinghe had been assaulted on May 24 by the pharmacist attached to the prison hospital. Earlier it was reported that when Weerasinghe’s wife arrived at the prison on May 25, she discovered that her husband had been more..

May 28 (DN) The SLFP is against the 20th Amendment (20A) to abolish the Executive Presidency brought by the JVP as a private member’s bill, Western Province CM Isura Devapriya said. He said that there is no need to abolish the executive presidency or prunuing down more executive powers. He said that it is his personal opinion just as much as it is of the SLFP. Devapriya pointed out that Prez Sirisena has removed more..

May 28 (Island) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said in Kandy that the govt is scared of the Rajapaksas and they were harassed due to that fear. He said that the home of Rajapaksa family were searched for valuables, Rajapaksas were taken to courts and questioned by police and all that was owing to the fear that the govt had. When asked for his comments on a recent statement by PM saying that journalists would have to put the noose round their neck if Rajapaksas came to more..

May 28 (DN) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe will visit the Killinochchi and Jaffna districts today to review the progress of development projects launched in the Northern Province. The govt after coming to power has launched a large number of projects centered on the Northern Province covering re-settlement, housing construction, release of land, and employment and infrastructure development and the PM’s visit is aimed at reviewing the progress of work and shortcomings in there projects, more..

May 28 (DM) Floods in most of the areas are receding but the risks brought on by the adverse weather conditions still remain. DMC Deputy Director Pradeep Kodiplly said landslide risks in several districts still remains. The red alert issued in Districts of Kalutara, Galle, Ratnapura, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya still remain and the people living in these areas should not return to their homes until clearance is given. more..

May 28 (DM) Pre-monsoonal rains by May 26 have resulted in 16 deaths and 138,292 persons from 35,129 families being displaced. The monsoon proper has not even commenced, but the number of deaths and displaced continue to rise According to the Disaster Management Centre, in May 2016, 301,602 people were affected by the floods and landslides. 104 people died and 99 people went missing. An estimated 623 houses were destroyed and 4,414 damaged. more..

May 28 (DM) The critical comments made by the Attorney-at-Law Suganthika Fernando on the conduct of a judicial officer and the happenings at Marawila Magistrate’s Court should prompt us to take a realistic and dispassionate look at the whole judicial process of this country. Her allegations which are of serious nature would have tremendous negative impact on the image of the whole judicial system. Therefore in fairness to all those who are involved in the judicial process more..

May 28 (Roar) A few decades from now, people recalling the magical tastes of childhood would probably talk about Ferrero Rocher, Oreos or the Ambrosial chocolate-covered crepe suzette from that posh cafe in Colombo 07. But way back then, when black and white televisions still existed and bell-bottoms were the in-thing, taste buds were much less demanding, and people reveled in simple, uncomplicated confections to get their sugar more..

May 28 (DN) The first of the island-wide public forums titled Hurdha Sakshiye Nidahasa (Freedom of Conscience) organised by the 16 SLFP members of parliament who quit the national govt and opted to sit in the Opposition on May 8, was held at Uyanwatta in Matara, last Saturday (26). “We hope to form a new progressive leftist alliance and nominate someone acceptable by all as its candidate for the next Presidential election,” more..

May 28 (DN) The yahapalana govt has already granted more than 5,000 houses to people living in urban and rural areas, while there are hundreds of thousands of houses to be granted before 2020, under several projects. Megapolis and Western Development Ministry and Housing and Construction Ministry are constructing 20,000 housing units for the people living in urban areas and 62,500 housing units for those in the rural areas before 2020, more..

May 28 (DN) The govt was able to earn Rs. 300 million from recycling garbage during the last six months, Minister Champika Ranawaka said. He said that compost fertiliser had been produced out of the garbage in Colombo city which had been a menace to the city. The Minister added that the compost and recycled garbage in the Colombo city would be used to fill the park area in Colombo Port City. more..

May 28 (LBO) Strengthening of the Dollar in SL has combined with domestic political uncertainty, weighing on the rupee, Moody’s Investors Service said. Moody’s said country-specific factors like in Sri Lanka have played a role in tightening financing conditions. Tightening financing conditions reflect various factors, including the appreciation of the US dollar. Moody’s, however, said nearly all economies in the APAC region more..

May 28 (Island) Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) might decide not to attend to any breakdowns after office hours and on holidays under any circumstances after a Special General Meeting convened this week, Joint Secretary of the Union said. All Members of the CEBEU would meet this week to decide on future trade union action, he said. "Our Executive Committee met on May 25 and decided to call a Special General Meeting more..

May 28 (Island) Health Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne has reiterated the govt’s commitment to continue with providing the long-standing free health care delivery system last week at the 71st World Health Assembly in Geneva. Address by the Minister: At the outset, on behalf of the govt of SL, I wish to thank the Director General for having identified Sri Lanka to host the Global celebration of the World Health Day this year. more..

May 28 (CT) Students’ Action Committee of SAITM has demanded the Govt to implement the recent Cabinet Paper which was approved by the cabinet two weeks ago in regard to recruiting of SAITM students to the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU). Convener of the committee, Shanaka De Seram said that they were highly appreciative of the Govt’s decision to recruit all qualified SAITM students to KDU more..

May 28 (ST) Resettlement Ministry which, since 2015, promoted an unpopular project to build 65,000 prefabricated steel houses for the war-affected in the N&E this week secured Cabinet approval for a new Chinese initiative to construct 40,000 concrete houses for the same people. ArcelorMittal, int'l steel giant behind the Resettlement Ministry’s original proposal to erect prefabricated steel houses, has pulled out. more..

May 28 (DM) Doctors of the Karapitiya Hospital said yesterday warned that influenza that had blighted much of the the Southern Province could spread to other parts of the country unless steps are taken to contain it. Dr. Janith Liyanage head of the GMOA Karapitiya Hospital branch said that this would lead to a lack of specialists, medical equipment and bed space at Intensive Care Units across the country, more..

May 28 (CT) Two shocking revelations were made at the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Women and Gender and Children’s Caucus meeting which was held at a Committee Room in Parliament last week. The revelations were made on the malnourished state of the schoolgoers and on the dropout rate of students before they face the GCE O/L Exam. A significant gathering of distinguished individuals from various fields had participated at the meeting in Parliament more..

May 28 (EN) Sri Lanka has sold 90 billion rupees of 5 and 10-year bonds at an auction Monday. The debt office sold 50 billion rupees of 4-year, 9-month bonds at a weighted average yield of 10.51%, after offering the same amount. Similar bonds were quoted at 10.42/50 levels are the auction and at 10.40/48 percent levels before the auction, dealers said, indicating that the auction was conducted close to the market. The debt office also sold 40 billion rupees of 9-year 9-month bonds more..

May 28 (CT) Public interest litigator Nagananda Kodituwakku has written to the Commonwealth Secretariat in London alleging that contempt procedures are being deliberately abused in order to silence him. Kodituwakku refers to an ongoing contempt case (SC/Rule/2016) initiated against him and alleges that the action is aimed at subverting his activism on behalf of the citizens by preventing him practice his legal profession. He claims that these moves have been prompted by the fact that more..

May 28 (AD) Hearing of the Bribery Commission’s case against MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena, was postponed to 6th July, by the order of the Colombo High Court. The non-declaration of assets case was taken up today, before the Colombo HC Judge A.A.R. Heiyanthuduwa. The hearing was postponed due to the absence of Colombo HC Judge Sampath Wijeratne who takes up the case daily. MP Gunawardena was not present when the case was taken up today, and his attorney produced more..

May 28 (DM) The JHU said today it was opposed to the 20th Amendment to the Constitution presented by the JVP and pointed out that such a move would unstabilise the country and be a threat to democracy. JHU General Secretary and Minister Champika Ranawaka said that they were opposed to Constitutional Amendments in a piecemeal manner. “The PM is proposed to be the Head of State in the 20th more..

May 28 (FT) Channa de Silva, CEO of LankaClear, SL’s official clearing and payment services provider, declares convincingly: I firmly believe that technology should be for improving people’s convenience. Channa is correct. For millennia, mankind has invented new technology to ease its life. Oxford-trained historian Noah Yuval Harari, documenting the history of mankind in a book titled Sapiens, has provided proof of this. He has noted that from the time the hunter-gatherer more..

May 28 (AD) Actress Deepani Silva, who was arrested by Bandaragama Police this morning in connection with a traffic accident, has been granted bail by the Panadura Additional Magistrate. Additional Magistrate ordered to release her on a personal bond of Rs 200,000 while also instructing to suspend her driver’s license. The actress had provided a sum of Rs 25,000 to the child’s father for medical expenses and also premised to the court that she would bear the cost of repairs to more..

May 28 (NR) Former Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga has filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal calling for a stay order against Sumathipala contesting the SLC Election scheduled to get underway on Thursday. Accordingly, petition claims that the nomination submitted by the incumbent SLC President Sumathipala to contest the upcoming election violates multiple clauses of the Sports Act. more..