May 4 (Reuters) SL will sign agreements with French oil and gas major Total and a subsidiary of U.S. firm Schlumberger for a seismic study off its east coast to evaluate any prospective oil resources, a top official said on Friday. Vajira Dassanayake, the director general at Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat (PRDS), said a first deal signed with Total in 2016 to conduct a study off the eastern coast did not take place due to some issues. “We are hoping to sign a new agreement with more..

May 4 (AD) Chairman of the SLPP, Prof. G.L. Peiris, says the solution the country needs is not a fifth Cabinet reshuffle, but the quick dissolution of Parliament. “The solution we need is not a fifth Cabinet reshuffle.” He stated that Prez Sirisena is scheduled to make a policy statement in Parliament on the 8th of May and after that there will be a debate. “And the only solution is for a quick dissolution of Parliament thereafter to enable more..

May 5 (CT) The word on the street thanks to President Maithripala Sirisena is science. The cabinet reshuffle, Sirisena said, would be done scientifically this time. He went on to say that he had discussed (presumably scientifically) about it and made changes. He implies that PM Ranil Wickremesinghe submitted to the power of his (Sirisena’s) science or else the two, together, scientifically came up with the names and the relevant portfolios. more..

May 5 (CT) Sri Lanka underwent a Cabinet reshuffle. Without a doubt, this will lead to dynamic growth hitherto unseen since the peaceful revolution of 2015. By 2019 Sri Lanka will be in a position to offer aid to Singapore and India; the economy will grow at a fantastic rate from now onwards and corruption will be non-existent in the near future. For those who like contrasting numbers here are some factoids(only for those who like numbers) US population is 325.7 Million. more..

May 5 (SO) Mullaitivu, the war-ravaged Northern District that was reduced to extreme poverty and zero development for over three decades of its occupation and control by the LTTE is making rapid progress socially and economically, under the already implemented development projects and ongoing projects under huge fund allocations from the Unity Alliance Govt, Govt Agent Ms.Rupawaty Ketheeswaran said. more..

May 5 (CT) While the forces did their best to avoid civilian casualties, other branches of the Govt were working consistently and coherently to ensure that the people in the war-affected areas benefited from Govt services similar to other citizens of the country. Sadly, we did not do enough to make it quite clear that, despite the war, we continued to provide health and education services to all those in the LTTE-controlled areas. I suppose this seemed routine to us, so we did not ensure that more..

May 5 (GV) The implementation of a 25% quota for women’s representation in local councils at Sri Lanka’s 2018 LG Election was a welcome move, and the result of years of advocacy and activism by women’s rights groups. However, in the lead up to polling, election observers such as the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence recorded several instances of intimidation, harassment and slander leveled against female candidates. These ranged from attempting to deter possible candidates more..

May 5 (CT) The two national political parties − UNP and SLFP − ruled the country for the last seven decades either as individual parties or giving leadership to combined fronts or jointly as seen in the last three years, are faced with internal crisis of unprecedented nature today. The crisis in UNP began with the renewal of the demand, for a change of leadership. However, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe succeeded in defusing more..

May 5 (Island) CIABOC, which is often accused of steering clear of sharks, has harpooned two whales! It arrested Prez Sirisena’s Chief of Staff H. K. Mahanama and Chairman of State Timber Corporation P. Dissanayake for allegedly accepting a huge bribe to the tune of Rs. 100 mn, on Thursday. Even the ranks of Tuscany could scarce forebear to cheer! CIABOC deserves public plaudits for the successful operation, which must have sent a chill down the spines of other corrupt officials more..

May 5 (Island) One of the pressing questions before the nation is whether SL should be governed under an Executive Presidential system or a Parliamentary system of govt. SL was governed under a Parliamentary system from independence up to 1977. From 1978 until 2015 SL was governed under an Executive Presidential system. In 2015 the 19th Amendment reduced the powers of the President that had existed under the Executive Presidential system of 1978 and granted more power to more..

May 5 (CT) Attention, at long last I’ve moved to Yashodara, also known as Bimbasundari and Rahulamatha, among other names. Kumari listened with great interest to a sermon preached by a learned monk on Vesak Poya on Yashodara and then saw Prof Sunil Ariyaratne’s film titled Bimba Devi nohoth Yashodara. We Buddhists heard, read and thought much about other women who lived in the time of the Buddha and later too. Mahamaya Devi, wife of King Suddhodana more..

May 5 (GV) Groundviews was sent a copy of the Justice Saleem Marsoof (JSM) Committee report on the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA), leaked from a reliable source. Download it here. Marsoof Committee was appointed in 2009 by the then Justice Minister Milinda Moragoda, in recognition of the call for reform of Muslim personal law. After lengthy deliberations and many years later, a copy of the Committee’s report was finally handed over to the Minister Thalatha more..

May 5 (Island) There were many advance statements about the latest Cabinet re-shuffle being done in scientifically. That was a boast of the President, and not questioned by the PM. For once they seemed to be in agreement, apart from knowing how to be defeated in LG elections, which was the science of defeat. But what could be the principle of science, if any, applied to this re-shuffle of ministers? more..

May 5 (Island) He is gone; gone forever. This beautiful paradise isle of ours has lost one of its greatest sons, Dr. Lester James Peries, the man who could work absolute magic in the realm of the film world. He left us forever a few days ago. Much has been said and a lot written about the achievements of Dr. Lester James Peries. It is a superfluous exercise for a lesser mortal like this writer to even attempt to chronicle those in any kind of detail. more..

May 5 (EN) Distilleries Corporation of SL said profits for the March 2018 quarter rose 134% from a year earlier to 1.902 billion rupees after prices were increased to pass on all new taxes that were charged. The firm reported earnings of 41 cents per share for the quarter. The stock closed at 22.40 rupees, up 30 cents Friday. "The increase in profits for the quarter is a reflection of adjustments that have been made in Nov 2017 to recover all the taxes imposed in Nov 2016," more..

May 5 (FT) Stepping up its defence of economic policies, particularly liberalisation, Govt gave an update on trade agreements being negotiated with India and China, while also defending the recently-inked Singapore deal. Dismissing critics, Minister Malik Samarawickrama staunchly backed the SL-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, which was signed in January and came into effect at the beginning of this month. more..

May 5 (DN) Professor Arjuna de Silva who resigned with Dr Harindu Wijesinghe from the Sri Lanka Cricket medical panel said that the highlight of their four-year association with SLC was reducing the spate of injuries to cricketers down to zero. “Before we went for the Indian tour last year we had zero injuries which I believe was a good achievement,” said Prof de Silva. Speaking further Prof de Silva stated, “We streamlined the rehabilitation and injury management areas. more..

May 5 (DN) Royal College, Colombo will have a massive edge over Trinity College, Kandy when they scrum down for the second leg of the 74th Bradby Shield rugby encounter at Trinity College grounds in Pallekele, Kandy today commencing 4.00pm. The junior game for the C. E. Simitharachchi trophy will be played prior to the first XV encounter. Two teams look almost even but Royal has a massive edge due to having a 32 points lead winning the first leg (39-7) at Royal Complex, Colombo a fortnight back. more..

May 5 (Island) Records are set to fall in the face of a high octane dual between India and SL when the third edition of the South Asian Junior Athletics C'ship is conducted today and tomorrow at the Sugathadasa Stadium. Regional athletics stronghold, India, and the hosts are the favourites to lead the contest for medals and the two-day meet will also offer a chance to gauge how far the rest of the teams have improved during the past few years. more..

May 5 (Island) SL's 2015 ban on Glyphosate had created a 'serious crisis' with regard to the Japanese market, 'with imminent consequences of a total suspension of imports of Ceylon Tea to that country.' If the latter development occurred, 'it was inevitable that other countries which favour Ceylon Tea above all other producer nations would also have introduced regulatory measures, with catastrophic consequences', Ceylon Tea Traders' Association (CTTA) claims in a press release. more..

May 5 (LBO) Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera who is attending the 51st Annual meeting of the ADB in Manila had discussions with In-Chang Song, an Executive Director of ADB at their headquarters today. The ADB program in Sri Lanka has provided loans, grants and technical assistance to grow the country’s economy and improve the lives of people, particularly the poor, women, children and other vulnerable groups. ADB has worked closely with SL since 1966, more..

May 5 (CT) Minister Faiszer Musthapha said he will be taking the initiative to change the sports law that will see a reduction of the powers with the Sports Minister and the political interferences in sports. “One thing I saw is that the Sports Minister has a lot of powers. All the teams that will participate in an int'l competition should get the approval from Sports Minister but what knowledge does a minister have regarding that? more..

May 5 (NR) Ten university students including a Buddhist monk attached to Inter-University Bhikkhu Federation arrested and remanded on charges of behaving in an unruly manner opposite the University Grants Commission have been released on bail. The order was issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate when the case was taken up for hearing this afternoon. Magistrate ordered the release of the suspects on 10,000 rupee cash bails each and 500,000 rupee surety bails each. more..

May 5 (Island) Sri Lanka’s South Asian Junior Athletics Championship participants, including medal hopefuls, had to face a severe ordeal on the eve of the international event yesterday. The young athletes had to wait for hours without running water and electricity at the sports ministry hostel at Torrington, Colombo according to team officials. "We are struggling here without water and are calling for help from mid-day but our appeals have fallen on deaf ears," one of the officials said. more..

May 5 (DN) Minister Sarath Fonseka who took over the reins of the Ministry of Wildlife and Sustainable Development this week said he would not yield to political pressure when it came to wildlife policies. “This is not a ministry that is popular. You only hear of it when an elephant dies. But since I took it over, I have been getting numerous phone calls about it. Some say I will mess it up whilst others say I might shake things up”, Fonseka said more..

May 5 (DN) Colombo City Centre, Sri Lanka’s first world-class mixed-use development project, has topped out well ahead of schedule. The final slab of 185 metres, above the ground was cast amidst great fanfare and celebrations to mark this significant milestone in construction. “We are delighted,” said Anand Sundaram, CEO of Colombo City Centre. “This is an amazing way to ring in the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, and we hope to quickly follow up this milestone with the opening of more..

May 5 (Island) Nakedness of Yahapalana regime is now discernible clearly as top political appointees have been caught red-handed while taking bribes, JO MP Sisira Jayakody said. "PM’s henchman Arjuna Mahendran robbed the Central Bank and Prez Sirisena’s top aide has been remanded on a bribery charge. "Those who talked of yahapalana have got exposed. Chief of Staff of Presidential Secretariat who appoints all other officials is now found taking bribes for a deal to sell off more..

May 5 (FT) Beleaguered Tourism Minister John Amaratunga tossed the ball back to the tourism industry yesterday on the Mirissa issue, contending that it is their duty to ensure tourists are protected and urging them to be soldiers battling unruly elements. He was speaking at the opening ceremony of Sancharaka Udawa 2018 at the BMICH, which showcased products and services offered by local hospitality brands. more..

May 5 (SLN) 29th International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) meeting between Sri Lanka and India was held onboard Indian Naval Ship ‘Sumithra’ at the Indo-SL IMBL off Kankasanthurai yesterday (3). The SL delegation consisted of Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard officials headed by Commander North Central Naval Area, Rear Admiral Muditha Gamage. Among the 11 officials represented Sri Lanka were Deputy Area Commander (North), Commodore Senarath more..

May 5 (Island) Minuwangoda Magistrate and District Judge Shilani Chaturnathi Perera on Thursday rejected a bail application by a man who had allegedly beaten his pregnant wife with a broomstick. The suspect was remanded till May 16. The man is alleged to have forced his 18-year-old wife swallow 15 painkiller tablets to terminate her pregnancy. Failing to carry out the abortion he had assaulted her with a broomstick till it was broken, the court was told. more..

May 5 (DM) President Sirisena ordered the Coast Conservation Department (CCD) to remove 18 unauthorized structures along the Mirissa beach. CCD Director General Prabath Chandrakeerthi said that the illegal constructions would be removed immediately. In the wake of some Dutch tourists including women being harassed and assaulted on April 8, CCD identified 18 unauthorized constructions along Mirissa beach, more..

May 5 (DM) The debate on the Judicature (Amendment) Bill will be taken up in Parliament on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Govt Whip Ajith Perera said yesterday. He said this at the opening of the new auditorium of the Divisional Secretariat Office in Milleneiya last morning. “We will enact the Judicature (Amendment) Bill which provides provisions to set up a trial-a-bar despite whatever the obstacles that might come our way. The legislation will make the judiciary efficient as more..

May 5 (CT) Contradicting the earlier media release by the Ministry of Sports, Faiszer Musthapha, new Sports Minister, said he did not appoint the present office bearers into the interim committee when postponing the SLC elections. He further said that the present office-bearers of SLC can hold on to their positions, until he takes necessary action to hold the elections on or before 31 May. Earlier, SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala said that SLC had requested from the Sports Ministry to more..

May 5 (Island) Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has rejected newly appointed Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaaweea’s claim that the Agriculture Ministry, situated at Rajamalwatte, was shifted to a building at Rajagiriya on a request by parliament. Speaker Jayasuriya’s Office said the decision had been taken by the govt and certainly not Parliament. Soon after succeeding Duminda Dissanayake as Agriculture Minister, more..

May 5 (CT) Executive Director of CaFFE, Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon, claimed the former Chairman of the Board of Investments, Upul Jayasuriya, had to resign from his post following the revelation made about the sale agreement of the Kantale Sugar Factory (KSF) property. Tennakoon claimed in 2017, Jayasuriya had announced to the media that the then Ministry of Lands had failed to clear the defunct machinery on the property and handover the buildings as well as release the lands to more..

May 5 (DM) Amidst widespread claims and media reports that the Golden Peacock Award of Dr. Lester James Peries had been stolen from his residence a few days ago, a senior member of his film team said the award that went missing was a Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Dr. Peries from India. “There is a misconception that the prestigious Golden Peacock award that Dr. Peries received for his celebrated film Gamperaliya had been stolen. In fact, Golden Peacock Award went missing more..

May 5 (Island) Two civil society organisations, said Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration owed an explanation to the general public as to why Dr. T.H.K. Mahanama had been appointed the Chief of Staff of President Sirisena, in spite of a serious allegation against him that he deliberately delayed a USD 100 mn project to establish a new sugar factory and interfered in the Cabinet approved sale of discarded more..

May 5 (DM) The yahapalana govt has often been widely criticised for going slow if not having back door deals in cases relating to large scale bribery, corruption or fraud by politicians and top officials. But the government got a major boost on Wednesday when two top officials were arrested by CIABOC. Dr. I.H.K. Mahanama, President’s Chief of staff and the State Timber Corporation (STC) Chairman P. Dissanayaka were arrested by CIABOC officers while they were accepting more..

May 5 (DM) This week saw another Cabinet reshuffle which was the fourth of the sort for the past three years after the present so-called Yahapalana govt assumed office and the third this year. Govt ministers told the media before the new ministers were sworn in that this would be a scientific Cabinet and President Sirisena also claimed on Monday that what he has appointed was a scientific Cabinet. However, this is not a scientific Cabinet as many subjects that should have come under more..