Apr 14 (AA) A total of 558 irregular migrants were held across Turkey on Friday, security sources said. Security personnel spotted groups of migrants in western Edirne province who were attempting to cross to Europe, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media. The migrants are from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Morocco, Tunisia, Iran, Iraq, Palestine, Egypt and Syria, the sources said. In southern Hatay province, more..

Apr 14 (EN) Sri Lanka will give expedited licenses for solar farms so that no light that falls on the island is wasted Power Minister Ravi Karunanayake said drawing a parallel with the words attributed to an ancient king in reference to rainwater. "King Maha Parakramabahu said 'Not a single drop of water that falls from the sky should be allowed to flow to the sea without being used," Karunanayake told parliament. more..

Apr 14 (AD) Two men have been found hacked to death inside a hut at a cultivation plot in Nugegalayaya, Sevanagala. Police said that two persons who were sleeping in the said hut had been hacked to death by unidentified individuals between 4.00 a.m. and 7.30 a.m. this morning in the Thunkamayay area. The victims have been identified as Shantha Kumara, 39, and Godawela Namapala, 54, while both are residents of Sevanagala. more..

Apr 14 (AD) Minister Arjuna Ranatunga says that cricket in SL was completely ruined under the incumbent govt and that he has decided to work with leaders who are willing to get rid of the gamblers and reform the sport’s governing body. “Unfortunately after we formed this govt in 2015, the sport of cricket was completely ruined,” he said, and charged that the existing Sri Lanka Cricket administration went in through the back door by deceiving the Prez and destroyed cricket. more..

Apr 14 (CT) In another tender bender, Govt Radiological Technologists Association (GRTA) appealed to the Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine to reconsider a tender awarded to purchase a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine for the District General Hospital, Hambantota for over Rs 50 million. In a letter addressed to Minister Rajitha Senaratne General Secretary of the GRTA, more..

Apr 14 (SCMP) Sunrises are overrated. At least, this is what I told myself as I completed yet another set of 50 wide steps, only to see yet another set above me. However, with twilight quickly fading, on the steep, narrow and winding steps above me, a few dozen people were about to witness a beautiful dawn from a mountaintop temple. I was exhausted and about to miss the big moment. Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka’s central highland region is a mountain 2,243 metres (7,360 feet) high more..

Apr 14 (TN) It’s not just Pakistan. China is reaching out to countries in South Asia and now, India is playing catch-up. High-level defence talks with Sri Lanka have got over and begins with Bangladesh very shortly. As part of the effort of building closer defence ties with Sri Lanka, India is likely to transfer a Dornier reconnaissance aircraft. A military exercise between the two countries in Sri Lanka has just ended, the next one is likely to be more sophisticated. more..

Apr 14 (AD) The dawn of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year will be celebrated in Sri Lanka today (14). The New Year which is known as Aluth Avurudha in Sinhala, and Puththandu in Tamil is celebrated by both communities through various rituals and customs. According to traditional astrological belief, the sun completes its movement across the twelve segments of the Zodiac in the course of a year taking one month to travel each constellation. more..

Apr 14 (CT) Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said he has not left the SLFP and will continue to remain a member. Referring to the power crisis in the country, Rajapaksa said one of the main reasons for the power crisis was the present regime’s abrupt cancellation of policies formulated by his govt. He said that through the purchase of electricity at a higher cost, those selling it also stand to gain. The Opposition Leader made these comments during the setting up of the Hambantota District more..

Apr 14 (DM) Some Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) members are urging Western Province Governor Asath Sally to rescind his letter transferring the Municipal Commissioner V.K. Anura. He is reported to have been issued the transfer letter over corruption charges. CMC member Mahinda Kahandagama said a person cannot be named guilty unless it is proven to be so. "The presidential commission appointed to look into the Meetotumulla tragedy had found the entire CMC guilty. more..

Apr 14 (ST) The first tweet, surprising enough, came from a power centre within the govt. It said that Ahimsa, the daughter of slain editor Lasantha Wickremetunge had filed civil action in a Los Angeles Court against Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Opposition presidential hopeful and former Defence Secretary. Lasantha’s brother Lal Wickremetunga, SL’s Consul General in Australia, told ST on the telephone from Sydney, more..

Apr 18 (CT) The cloud of accountability that has dogged Sri Lanka since the end of the war has begun to spread. There was warning of this reality when the UN Human Rights Commissioner in her March 2019 report on Sri Lanka made a recommendation that the international community should utilize the principle of universal jurisdiction to bring to book members of the Sri Lankan state who had allegations of serious human rights violations against them. The High Commissioner justified this recommendation on more..

Apr 18 (CT) Even though Research and practice have mostly focused on the bright side of social media, aiming to understand and help in leveraging the manifold opportunities afforded by this technology, it is increasingly observable that social media present enormous risks for individuals, communities, firms, and even the whole of society as per the above statement. Examples for this dark side of social media include cyberbullying, Cyber stalking, addictive use, trolling, online witch hunts, fake news, and privacy abuse. more..

Apr 18 (SO) Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) in a landmark ruling earlier this month recommended that “preventing teachers from wearing the Abaya while performing their duties is a violation of Articles 10, 12 (1), 12 (2) and 14 (e)” of the SL Constitution. The HRCSL in its recommendation stated that national schools are bound by the Constitution and cannot violate the absolute right to religious freedom under Article 10, and reiterated the need for respect for more..

Apr 18 (ST) In our youth we looked forward to the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Schools closed for the New Year holidays. Our homes were busy being readied for the joyous days that lasted a week or more when our parents bought us new clothes and relatives turned up often from distant towns or villages, bringing with them varieties of sweets and what were known as avurudu kavili. In distant days, relatives and friends from remote areas or villages visited close families in other distant villages, more..

Apr 18 (ST) Today is a day of celebration. It is a day when presents are exchanged, sweetmeats are prepared and games are played while raban playing captures the joyful mood of the people. It is a time to rejoice as a bountiful harvest is reaped after three consecutive years. It is a time when economic difficulties are forgotten. The national New Year is essentially the celebration of the harvest and a rural-centric festival. People from the cities flock to their rural roots to celebrate reunion with their families. more..

Apr 18 (Roar) Avurudu is just around the corner, and you know what that means; lots of festive joy around, happy smiles, family, friends, feasts, and even gifts. It’s almost the same every year, and yet that’s what makes us happiest. Most of us will be able to celebrate with our loved ones, eat great food, and have loads of fun while playing games, but there are segments within our society who don’t have that privilege. more..

Apr 18 (Island) Chairman of National Election Commission (NEC) Mahinda Deshapriya seems to be aiming at the impossible. He has asked the govt to help him conduct the much-delayed Provincial Council (PC) polls. His optimism seems to know no bounds! (Hope springs eternal.) He is reported to have urged Prez Maithripala Sirisena to call for a report from PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, who heads the committee appointed by Parliament to review the National Delimitation Committee recommendations, more..

Apr 18 (Island) The TNA, on April 05, 2019, ahead of the final vote on the 2019 budget, estimated that the number of Tamil civilians killed on the Vanni east front during the final phase of the offensive against the LTTE, in January 2009, could be as many as 60,000 to 110,000. This claim was made by TNA leader attorney-at-law Rajavarothiam Sampanthan, MP. Declaring that everything couldn’t be swept under the carpet, Sampanthan explained how he made his assertion. more..

Apr 18 (FT) Sri Lanka and the World Bank last week signed two new agreements worth $150 million to improve climate resilience and agriculture productivity for small farmers and support priority infrastructure through public-private partnerships. World Bank Vice President for the South Asia Region Hartwig Schafer and Ministry of Finance Secretary Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga signed the agreements on behalf of the World Bank and the Government of Sri Lanka respectively. more..

Apr 18 (FT) The country’s manufacturing and services sectors have expanded considerably in March in comparison to the previous month, as per the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI). The CB said yesterday that the manufacturing activities accelerated in March compared to February this year. Manufacturing PMI reached a 46-month high and signalled a surge in manufacturing activities. The increase of PMI in March was largely attributable to increase in New Orders in line with the seasonal demand, more..

Apr 18 (FT) Hambantota International Port (HIP) has recently awarded a tender to Sinopec Fuel Oil Sales Co. Ltd. for oil trading works and the operation and maintenance of their oil tank terminal along with associated facilities. Bunkering being an important part of the marine services portfolio offered by HIP, the oil tank terminal in partnership with Sinopec Fuel Oil Sales Co. Ltd., will provide high grades of marine fuels compliant with the IMO 2020 Low Sulphur Rule more..

Apr 18 (USE) U.S. experts joined four SL film professionals in a panel discussion about how effective film distribution benefits Sri Lanka’s movie industry, artists, and audiences on March 30 at Hatch, a workplace for entrepreneurs. Speaking at the event, U.S. Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz said. “One of our core beliefs is freedom of speech, and movies are one of the most powerful ways that we can share our stories with each other. Strong and transparent laws that protect film distribution will ensure that more..

Apr 18 (FT) The country’s manufacturing and services sectors have expanded considerably in March in comparison to the previous month, as per the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI). The Central Bank said yesterday that the manufacturing activities accelerated in March compared to February this year. Manufacturing PMI reached a 46-month high and signalled a surge in manufacturing activities. The increase of PMI in March was largely attributable to increase in New Orders more..

Apr 18 (EN) SL will get a concessionary loan of US$ 50 million (8.7 billion rupees) from Saudi Arabia to set up a fully-equipped medical faculty at state-sponsored Sabaragamuwa University Ratnapura, the finance ministry said. The loan for 187.5 million Saudi riyals (US$ 50 million) will be used to construct infrastructure facilities for a medical school at the university. "This Program will contribute to the govt policy of augmenting the opportunities for higher education more..

Apr 18 (Island) International Criminal Court (ICC) is a dead man walking. It has lost what remained of its credibility by refusing to probe alleged war crimes, in Afghanistan. It has turned down a request by one of its own prosecutors for probing war crimes allegations against the US military. The reason the ICC judges have unanimously given in support of their decision to steer clear of the US is ridiculous; they have cited instability and lack of cooperation with the investigators as the reasons. more..

Apr 18 (DM) The Sinhalese (Buddhists) and the Tamils (Hindus) in SL celebrated the Astrological New Year on Sunday with traditional religious observances and the attendant fun and games creating a sense of entertainment and bonhomie among friends, neighbours and relations. This festival which has now come to be popularly known among many as the National New Year is unique in the sense that it is one festival celebrated by both the Sinhala and Tamil communities at this time of the year. more..

Apr 18 (FT) SL’s exports have got off to a positive start in 2019, recording healthy growth and topping the $ 1 billion mark, whilst regulatory measures checked imports, leading to a lower trade deficit in January. Central Bank yesterday said the deficit in the trade account contracted significantly in Jan 2019 compared to Jan 2018, as a result of increased export earnings and a significant reduction in imports, mainly reflecting the impact of policy measures implemented more..

Apr 18 (Island) SL had a long jumper in country’s first ever team to the Olympics just after gaining independence way back in 1948. But long jumpers and triple jumpers had remained under the shadow of country’s high flying sprinters and middle distance runners when it comes to hogging limelight at regional international events. At the Asian Athletic Championship which is 22 editions old now they are yet to win. But this could be a different edition as long jumpers and triple jumpers more..

Apr 18 (wsws) Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) held a powerful demonstration and rally in Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital, yesterday to demand the release of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning. Around 100 people, including workers, youth and housewives, attended the picket which was held outside the Colombo Fort Railway Station. A group of SEP members travelled 400 kilometres from war-ravaged northern Jaffna more..

Apr 18 (CI) Dimuth Karunaratne has been named captain of SL's World Cup side, meaning Lasith Malinga has been ousted as leader. Although Karunaratne has not played an ODI since the 2015 World Cup, his leadership during the upset Test series win in South Africa had tipped him as a left-field captaincy choice for the World Cup. SL's subsequent 5-0 defeat in the ODIs to South Africa sealed the fate of Malinga's captaincy, before Karunaratne's good performances more..

Apr 18 (FT) The initiative of upward tariff revision by the SLPA has become a controversial matter raising many concerns of exporters/importers during tough times where Sri Lanka is trying to find its position back in the world map as a competitive exporter. However, the SLPA seems adamant to go ahead with this implementation disregarding the concerns raised by the industry, sources revealed. Though the players who are engaged in the international trade continuously more..

Apr 18 (PHC) A 17-member delegation of National Defence University of Pakistan, which is currently in Sri Lanka for a 6-day visit, led by Air Commodore Mustafa Anwer, called on High Commissioner of Pakistan, Maj. Gen. (R) Dr. Shahid Ahmad Hashmat at the High Commission premises on April 16, 2019. The delegation comprises of senior officers from Pakistan’s Armed Forces and allied officers from Iran, Bangladesh and Nepal, who are undergoing National Security and War Course at the NDU. more..

Apr 18 (Island) The govt would go ahead with the proposed plan 2019 to establish 2700 MW of fossil fuel fired power stations by year 2020. Ministry Secretary Dr. Suren Batagoda said that there would be 300 MW new LNG Combined cycle at Kerawalapitya by WindForce Consortium, 300 MW new LNG Combined cycle Kerawalapitiya by Lakdanavi 300 MW new LNG Combined cycle plant at Kerawalapitiya with India, 300 MW new LNG Combined cycle at Kerawalapitiya with Japan, more..

Apr 18 (Island) In 2014, about 20 companies adopted the integrated reporting framework, and this number increased to nearly 50 companies by 2018," Asite Talwatte, Chairman of Integrated Reporting Council of Sri Lanka (IRCSL) said in Colombo recently. He said so at a workshop organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of SL (CA Sri Lanka) and IRCSL on the theme, "Interrogated Reporting: Moving Beyond the Basics". He said the steady growth of integrated reporting more..

Apr 18 (PHC) It is the high time for the scholars and educationists to play their role for creating awareness about thalassemia disease among citizens and convince them to donate blood which is the only life line and ray of hope for the survival of patients suffering from this disease. This was said by the High Commissioner of Pakistan, Maj. Gen. (R) Dr. Shahid Ahmad Hashmat in a ceremony held at the High Commission of Pakistan on April 16, 2019 to hand over donations, including basic amenities more..

Apr 18 (AD) Ten persons have been reported dead after a van had collided with a private bus near the Mahiyangana National College. Reportedly, three children are among the persons killed in the accident which took place on the Badulla-Mahiyangana road at around 1.30 a.m. this morning (17). The van had veered off to the other side of the road and crashed head-on into the bus heading towards Trinco from Diyathalawa. The police suspect that the accident resulted as more..

Apr 18 (DM) The cause for the recent power disruptions was due to the delay in launching the Uma Oya Hydropower project, Minister Ravi Karunanayake said after visiting the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project. He said he hoped to complete this project as soon as possible and added that once the project was completed by mid next year, another 120 megawatts of electricity would be fed to the national grid. He said the estimated capacity of the project is 120 Mw and more..

Apr 18 (Island) Two persons, including a lawyer, Mohammed Iqbal Krishnai Azeez, 38, arrested allegedly with four grammes and 110 mg of narcotic known as ice, yesterday, were granted bail by the Fort Magistrate. Police spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said that a Magistrate’s court had the power to grant bail to a suspect arrested with ice depending on the amount of the substance recovered. Depending on the quantity, the case would be heard in the High Court, he added. more..