Apr 4 (FT) The blame game in the power crisis took another turn yesterday, with the CEB Engineers’ Union pointing fingers at the Public Utilities Commission, only a day after the CEB was taken to courts by the regulator for non-compliance with licence conditions. Engineers’ Union President Saumya Kumarawadu claimed that the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) deliberately delayed giving approval of more..

Apr 4 (DM) The new rules and regulations introduced on Apr 1 by the Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority (WPRTA) makes it compulsory for all private buses in the Western Province to be in blue instead of the garish colours some of the buses are painted in. Private bus owners have been given a grace period of two months from Apr 1 not only to have the buses re-painted in blue but also to remove additional items such as stickers, paintings, sound systems, more..

Apr 4 (DM) The UN’s top human rights official, High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet has expressed disappointment regarding the spin that had been put on her discussion with the SL Govt delegation. Apparently, it was reported that the Northern Province Governor Suren Raghavan had claimed that Bachelet had agreed that certain facts incorporated in the UNHRC report on Sri Lanka could not be condoned. The claims of both need to be taken with more than a pinch of salt. more..

Apr 4 (DM) President Maithripala Sirisena, who was in Kandy last Sunday, visited UNP Minister Malik Samarawickrama at his residence. While he was there exchanging pleasantries with Samarawickrama, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe also dropped by. Both leaders were in Kandy to attend the function to mark the awarding of the honorary title Sasana Deepana Abhimani to UNP Deputy Leader Minister Sajith Premadasa by more..

Apr 4 (CT) The Public Service Commission (PSC) is having their own personal agenda and is thereby dragging the process of giving appointments to qualified Principals to overcome the Principal shortage in schools, claimed Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam. He said that there was a shortage of 302 Graded Principals and because of that, following a discussion with PSC, the Ministry and the PSC had decided on a reasonable more..

Apr 4 (ST) Restaurant owners were forced to close their doors or throw out food while at rural hospitals patients struggling for breath had to wait long hours to use nebuliser equipment during the island-wide power cuts. The cuts, which only selected areas such as Colombo left untouched, caused widespread anger over financial losses among businesses ranging from shops, fishmongers, butchers, cafes, barbers and more..

Apr 4 (AD) A security officer attached to the STF has committed suicide by shooting himself with his weapon at the security checkpoint at Temple Trees, Kollupitiya. The incident has taken place this morning. It was reported that he shot himself at the checkpoint at Michael roundabout near Temple Trees and sustained critical injuries to his head in the incident. The deceased STF officer has been identified as a 30-year-old more..

Apr 4 (Island) The main Opposition UPFA, yesterday, sought an explanation from the UNP govt as to how Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera challenged and ridiculed Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana’s stand at the recently concluded 40th session of the Geneva Human Rights Council. How could Samaraweera take a public stand contrary to that of the Govt of SL, JO leader in parliament? Gunawardena asked. more..

Apr 4 (CT) In March 2018, four Assistant teachers of Sri Shanmuga Hindu Ladies College, Trincomalee lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) that the Principal and the School Board of Management prohibited them from wearing the Abaya at school. The school justified the prohibition on the basis that historically the school, which was founded by a Hindu, has followed Hindu traditions, more..

Apr 4 (CT) Deputy General Secretary of the ITAK, C.V.K. Sivagnanam said that when the Parliamentary Election is announced, the ITAK will officially reveal its decision on contesting the Colombo District of the Western Province. He claimed that it would be around August 2019 when the Parliamentary Poll would be announced and few weeks later they will table their official decision on contesting the Colombo District. more..

Apr 4 (AD) The former Navy Commander Retired Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda has arrived at the CID for the fourth day, Ada Derana reporter said. He has arrived at the CID on three previous occasions, on 11th, 13th and 19th of March, to record a statement on the case of the disappearance of 11 youths in Colombo in 2008. On March 11th he was interrogated for nearly 8 hours while he was interrogated for 4 hours on the 19th (March). more..

Apr 4 (AD) Actor Ryan Van Rooyen (41) and four more suspects, who were arrested with Makandure Madush at a party in Dubai, have been deported to Sri Lanka last night. They had arrived at the BIA at 5.25 a.m. this morning. Upon their arrival, the CID had taken them into custody at the BIA. The other three deportees are namely Washimdeen Kuthubdeen (22), Dimuthu Perera (25), Suraj Silva (28) & Charith Padman (40). more..

Apr 4 (CB) Former Sri Lankan cricketer Dilhara Lokuhettige was charged by the ICC with three counts of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, on Thursday (April 4) This is the second time in six months ICC has leveled charges against the 38-year former old all-rounder. In November last year, Lokuhettige was charged with a similar offence on three counts of breaching the ECB's (Emirates Cricket Board) anti-corruption code. more..

Apr 4 (CT) The dry weather conditions prevailing throughout the country, has prompted the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) to consider imposing water cuts to tide over the drought period, NWSDB officials said. They said the supply of drinking water in the face of the ongoing drought has become a serious issue, as most of the water resources had begun to run dry. Hence, the NWSDB has urged the public to use water sparingly and not to waste it unlike in the past as more..

Apr 4 (CT) Prez Maithripala Sirisena recently revealed that he has already decided on a date to implement Judicial Execution for the drug peddlers. However, when the President notified of implementing the death penalty for drug offenders in a bid to wipe out drugs from the face of SL, many were of the view that this plan of President’s would hardly see the light of day. Likewise, many parties raised objections thereon, adducing various reasons for not implementing Capital Punishment. more..

Apr 4 (FT) 70 years is a long time since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the UN in Dec 1948. Whatever the marginal biases or weaknesses that it entails, it is a fair statement on human rights that all human beings should have, irrespective of the country, culture, religion, ethnicity, class, social status, ability/disability, gender or any other distinction. Its rationality and validity are based on human rights commitments outlined in UN Charter (1945). more..

Apr 4 (ABC) A growing number of Australians are shunning Bali and Thailand in favour of holidaying in SL, according to a SL tourism operator. Rahula Perera has been operating wildlife tours in SL and is currently in central Queensland, along with three other Sri Lankans and about 70 delegates from across the north of Australia, to hone their skills as tourist guides. According to Australian Dept of Foreign Affairs, annual growth in the last 5 years of Australians travelling to SL was 10.7%. more..

Apr 4 (DN) A value addition production platform will be created after transforming Sri Lanka into the hub of the Indian Ocean, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said. Plans have been formulated to make Sri Lanka the strongest economic hub in the region by transforming the whole country into a Megapolis through the process of urbanisation. PM said this participating in the Mega Minds programme held at Temple Trees to create more..

Apr 4 (DM) The sun is expected to be directly over Sri Lanka starting from tomorrow till April 15, as a result of its apparent northward relative motion, Department of Meteorology said today. The nearest areas where the sun is overhead will be Dikwella, Kekanadura, Kotawila and Midigama at about 12:12 noon. Meanwhile, the Meteorology Department has issued a weather advisory for tomorrow asking people in eight districts to be extremely cautious of the hot weather. more..

Apr 4 (GDI) The govt has declared April 5 as National Cinema Day as a tribute to late Veteran film director Dr. Lester James Peiris. Addressing the media yesterday at his Ministry, Minister Sajith Premadasa said that the Ministry has decided to declare a National Cinema Day to mark the 100 year birth anniversary of Dr. James Peris. Starting from this year, Sri Lankans will be celebrated April 5 every year as National Cinema Day, said the Minister. more..

Apr 4 (AD) Supreme Court has declared that the environmental damage caused by the Uthuru Janani thermal power plant in Chunnakam, Jaffna, has violated the fundamental rights of the residents of the area. Bench passing the verdict comprised of Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, Prasanna Jayawardena, and L.T.B. Dehideniya. Accordingly, court ordered the Northern Power Company Ltd., which operates more..

Apr 4 (DM) Two cross-dressed foreign men were removed by the police from the surroundings of the Kandy Lake yesterday while they were being filmed performing a homosexual act. Amidst public protest, the Kandy Police removed the foreigners garbed in Nilame and Osari outfits playing the role of a couple. Basnayake Nilame of Alawathugoda Saman Devale who visited the site said none should be allowed to use the Nilame attire as it was a symbol of the Sinhala identity and culture. more..

Apr 4 (AM) Former Prisons Commissioner General Emil Ranjan Lamahewa, who was arrested over the Welikada prison massacre, has been released on bail. Lamahewa was the Prisons Commissioner at the time the prison massacre took place. Lamahewa was arrested by the Police over the incident along with IP Neomal Rangajeewa, an officer attached to the Police Narcotics Division. Both Rangajeewa and Lamahewa have now been released on bail. Rangajeewa was later reinstated in more..

Apr 4 (EN) Sri Lanka’s loss-making national carrier said it has drawn up a new business plan aimed at restoring profitability with a focus on a route network that includes new destinations and digital marketing. “SriLankan Airlines has formulated a new five-year Strategic Business Plan for the period 2019-24 with the objective of transforming itself into a financially viable organization airline group with high brand visibility and more..

Apr 4 (Island) Assistant District Secretary, Galle, M. M.M. Shafraz recently said that the registration of 50 NGOs in the Galle district had been canceled as they had not submitted their action plans and failed to attend the meetings convened by the Secretariat. Shafraz said that though there were 70 NGOs registered with the District Secretariat, only the members of 20 NGOs attended the meetings called by it with regard to the 2019 action plan. Shafraz said that there were NGOs registered with more..

Apr 4 (AD) A group of graduates from Wanniya called on the Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Office of the Opposition Leader, today. Chairman of the association told the Opposition Leader that the North and Eastern public are not impressed with the current political climate. They also stated that, apart from the developmental activities done by Rajapaksa during his regime, no new developmental activities have been in the North-East areas by the current govt. more..

Apr 4 (Reuters) Every month, Fathima Rifka used to suffer the embarrassment of rinsing out the rags she used during her period at a public tap - the only source of running water available in the poor Sri Lanka neighborhood she grew up in. “You have to stand in line, and then you also have to wash our utensils from the previous day. There is only one source of water and everyone is there,” said the 24-year-old. more..

Apr 4 (Island) The Court of Appeal, on Tuesday, quashed the Circular No. 2014/GM/46/Pers dated 27.11.2014, which created a special salary scale known as "E Salary Scale" for the Engineers and Engineering Assistants of the CEB. Considering a petition, filed by the Lanka Viduli Podu Sevaka Sangamaya, Justice Mahinda Samayawardhena, said that he would quash the circular unhesitantly. The CEB was also ordered to pay a sum of Rs. 200,000 as costs of the application. more..

Apr 4 (NR) SL’s Permanent Representative in Geneva Ambassador ALA Azeez says SL’s strategic path for sustainability 2030 has, as its central focus, environmentally sound development activities, complemented by international assistance including technical assistance and sharing of know-how. Addressing a Panel Discussion at the Graduate Institute of Geneva the Ambassador said Sri Lanka has over decades, contributed to matters of multilateral concern impacting the nature and more..

Apr 4 (EN) Sri Lanka is planning to boost off-peak season arrivals by 20% in 2019 with the introduction of a free on-arrival visa program in May. “We will run this as a pilot project initially in order to increase arrivals during the off season," Minister John Amaratunga said. "We estimate that this initiative will result in a 20% increase in arrivals," he said. "Depending on its success in the initial period we will decide whether to continue with it." more..

Apr 4 (Island) Minister Malik Samarawickrama told Parliament, that the budget 2019 had a very clear focus on developing the economy, creating jobs and making the economy more competitive. Ministry of Development Strategies and Trade had been playing a key role in driving important aspects of that agenda, particularly trade, investments and exports, he said. Board of Investment, Export Development Board and the Import Export Control Department are under Ministry of Dev. Strategies & Trade. more..

Apr 4 (GDI) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe says that the newest education system in South Asia is expected to be implemented in Sri Lanka and the transformation process of the education system has commenced. Accordingly, the foundation for the latest education system in the South Asian countries has been laid in the country, PM said participating at the annual prize giving of St. Paul's Girls School, Milagiriya. PM declared open the newly renovated main hall and the administrative building more..

Apr 4 (AM) President Sirisena has reportedly blocked the appointment of Sudarshana Gunawardena as the new Chairman of SL Rupavahini Corporation. Media Minister has had his recommendation for Chairman of Rupavahini twice rejected by the President despite approval being given by the High Post Committee. Following the 52 day coup, a High Post Committee was appointed to vet all nominees to the SOEs. more..

Apr 4 (SLN) Asagiri a Naval ship belongs to Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, arrived at the port of Colombo today on a goodwill visit. She was welcomed in accordance with naval traditions on arrival. Director Naval Operations Commodore Sanjeewa Dias and a group of representatives from Japanese embassy in SL were also present on this occasion. Commanding Officer of the ship Commander Yoshinori Sato paid a courtesy call on Commander Western Naval Area, more..

Apr 4 (Xinhua) A Sri Lanka man has set a world record by having 50 concrete slabs broken on his chest within 5 minutes and 40 seconds, local media reports said. Event organizers said each concrete slab weighed 100 kg and 50 such slabs were placed on Janaka Mudannayake's chest, one after the other, which was broken by a heavy hammer. Janaka had to accomplish the task under 20 minutes to set a world record, but he completed it within 5 min 40 sec, setting a new world record. more..

Apr 4 (ADB) Sri Lanka’s economic growth is projected to pick up to 3.6% in 2019 and further to 3.8% in 2020 from 3.2% in 2018, a new Asian Development Bank (ADB) report says. ADB’s flagship annual economic publication, Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2019, forecasts a gradual recovery supported by a turnaround in the construction sector and continued growth in services. more..

Apr 5 (CT) I recently attended an event organized by the Walpola Rahula Institute. In just a few years Ven. Galkande Dhammananda Thero has created a safe space where Buddhists, women and minorities can have a discussion about the important ideas of our time and the best way forward for reconciliation. Venerable Dhammanada Thero has no strong view that he imposes on others but he is a facilitator for frank exchange and dialogue, an enabler who makes you feel secure and cared for more..

Apr 5 (CT) Every one has heard of how large numbers of imported cows have died causing severe problems to the dairy farmer. A recent report entitled Importing exotic cows which performed poorly under local conditions by Ananda Wickremasinghe appeared in the last Sunday Times. In the 1970s, when I was a Director of the Leather Products corporation (Lanka Sam) there was discussion that Lanka Sam should have its own livestock and dairy farm to ensure a supply of cattle skin. more..

Apr 5 (Roar) Her breath is slow and shallow, in and out. Her arms—fingers locked in an intricate gesture—are resting on her knees, with her legs crossed. She is meditating, focused on inhalation and exhalation. There’s a sword in front of her: its curved, black blade is slightly rusted, giving it a blood- soaked look. She opens her eyes, ever so slowly. She’s ready. Despite its magnetic appeal, angampora, අංගම්පොර, has a missing link. more..