Jun 223 (ST) My dear Old Fox, I thought I must write to you even though you are in the Land of Never Return, having left us more than 20 years ago. That is because I heard that one of your favourite tactics, the Referendum, or the pot and lamp business as it was then called – is being considered again after many years. I am sure you would be pleased to know that those who criticised you, and ridiculed you for foisting a dictatorial Constitution – or a bahubootha viyavasthawa more..

Jun 223 (ST) Amid a continuing saga of the investigation into the Easter Sunday bombings and Parliamentary Select Committee hearings, two stories particularly struck the people’s psyche this week. One was the revelation in Parliament that more than Rs 6.7mn was squandered last year to felicitate Minister Rajitha Senaratne on his unanimous election as Vice Chairman of the WHO. The second was news that in Tissamaharama, a 11-month-old infant had died of malnutrition. more..

Jun 223 (CT) Attorney General’s Department last week took steps to punish those connected to the 2012 November massacre of 27 inmates of the Welikada Prison, which law abiding citizens of Sri Lanka were awaiting with much interest, for more than 7 years, to see if justice will be done. AG Dappula de Livera requested Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, in writing last Friday, to appoint a 3-Judge Bench Trial-at-Bar to hear the case. more..

Jun 223 (Island) Nobody seems to be concerned about the postponement of the Provincial Council elections. Everybody is now talking about the next presidential election. The SLPP is believed to have already decided on its presidential candidate though it has not made any official announcement. The UNP has said it will name its presidential candidate soon. The SLFP has said President Sirisena will seek a second term, but the latter has been blowing hot and cold on the issue. more..

Jun 23 (ST) How do you prepare a tasty curry in the kitchen? How do you create a great combo of potato curry, fish ambul thiyal, batu moju and yellow rice with samba for lunch? In many ways, this column is also akin to producing breakfast, lunch or dinner in the kitchen with Kussi Amma Sera’s special flavours and a mixture of spices. A dash of comments from Kussi Amma Sera and her friends, a call from a friend wanting to discuss a key topic and a concoction of events that has taken place more..

Jun 23 (Island) With the presidential elections drawing ever closer, all political parties have started their search for candidates. The greatest uncertainty with regard to the possible candidate is within the ruling UNP with Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa and Karu Jayasuriya being in the fray. This time around there isn’t the possibility of the UNP being able to field a candidate from outside the party as they did in 2010 and 2015 due to stiff opposition from the battered party rank & file. more..

Jun 23 (Island) Cricketing gods constantly remind us to stay grounded, not to think too much about ourselves and respect our opponents. If we fail, they choose strange ways to teach us bitter lessons. Take the case of Glen McGrath, who arrived in England for the 2005 Ashes predicting that Australia would whitewash the old enemy 5-0. England went onto win the Ashes after two decades. England skipper Eoin Morgan was the latest casualty. At the start of the World Cup, when asked whether more..

Jun 23 (CT) In a sudden turn of events UNP Chairman Kabir Hashim and Kandy District MP Abdul Haleem were sworn into their previously held ministerial portfolios by Prez Sirisena last Wednesday that led to a clear division within the group of Muslim Ministers who collectively submitted their resignation in solidarity with Minister Rishad Bathiudeen a few weeks ago. UNP Chairman Hashim following resuming his duties at more..

Jun 23 (CI) We've had Sri Lanka, the No. 9-ranked team that came to the World Cup in utter disarray, stunning No. 1 side England. We've had Afghanistan coming within a couple of hits of upsetting India. Neither of those results, however, will live on as the defining memory of these last two days. West Indies, chasing 292 against New Zealand at Old Trafford, were 164 for 7. Then 211 for 8. And 245 for 9. But Carlos Brathwaite wouldn't be defeated. He saw off 10th overs of Trent Boult & Lockie Ferguson, more..

Jun 23 (CI) Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi sent India on a tailspin and threatened a Sri Lanka-style comeback as a second successive upset loomed large in the World Cup. Afghanistan's spinners, including part-timer Rahmat Shah, claimed combined figures of 34-0-119-5, but Rahmat and Hashmatullah Shahidi were resolutely playing out India's wristspinners in a chase of 225. But then, Jasprit Bumrah returned and bounced out both batsmen on a slower-than-usual more..

Jun 23 (ST) Sri Lanka were deflated after their 150-run defeat at The Oval against Australia. Disunity that cropped up every now and then in the team, and which played a key role in Sri Lanka’s slump in ODI cricket, seemed to be raising its ugly head. The headquarters in Colombo was alerted. And SLC President, Shammi Silva hastened to Leeds just a day before Friday’s encounter in a bid to defuse tension and bring some sanity. more..

Jun 23 (SO) Sri Lanka Baseball Association (SLBA) is set to host the first ever international championship, the West Asia Cup with the participation of five Asian ranked teams India, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh and host Sri Lanka from July 15 to 20 at the Diyagama ground. The championship is also the first international major sporting event to be held in Sri Lanka after the Easter Sunday bombings that rocked the country last April. more..

Jun 23 (Island) Five years ago, Angelo Mathews played a blinder here at Headingley. Captain of the side at that point, he produced a classy 160, his career best score, to help SL record a maiden Test series win in England. He turned the heat on again on Friday. England are favourites to win the World Cup. SL are ranked ninth and have little hope and their semi-final hopes were slowly fading away. Mathews produced an unbeaten 85 at his favourite ground as SL created the biggest upset in more..

Jun 23 (CI) If you're looking to make sense of Sri Lanka's victory over England, turn back. This is not the place. You've come to the wrong part of town. Thank you Pakistan for your contributions to the Canon of the Cricketing Incomprehensible. You haven't been usurped exactly. You could be, soon. But take a knee for now, because in the first six months of 2019, Sri Lanka have been in more chaos, more..

Jun 23 (ST) Just when we feared this World Cup was becoming predictable and one-sided, dominated by the top four teams and marred by wet weather, Sri Lanka roared back to life with a stunning performance against England that opens up the enter competition. No-one expected Sri Lanka to beat England at Headingley on Friday. The hosts are a well-oiled unit, full of match-winners, blessed with enormous experience and clarity of purpose after 4 years of meticulous planning. more..

Jun 23 (CT) Following last week’s loss against Australia, a picture of Lasith Malinga’s pot belly inside the dressing room took its round in social media, and throughout the last few years he has been receiving no end of criticism for his fitness even from the country’s sports minister; but now after yet another amazing bowling performance by the veteran to guide SL over the line against England, former captain Mahela Jayawardene took the liberty of answering the critics on behalf more..

Jun 23 (ST) Factories in the business of processing teas are facing financial crises with about 105 of the 500 privately- owned requesting govt intervention for a two year moratorium on their loans worth a staggering Rs.5 billion while 15 have already closed shop. In this respect, SL Tea Factory Owners Association (SLTFOA) representatives and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe had on Monday an hour-long meeting to more..

Jun 23 (Island) Sri Lanka will fall short of achieving its target of US$ 4 billion in revenue from the tourism sector in 2019 due to the unstable security situation that followed the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, Tourism Development Wildlife and Christian Affairs Minister, John Amaratunga, said last week. The magnitutude of the attacks was unprecedented. Even during the worst days of the LTTE war, the country didn’t experience such a devatastating negative impact on the tourism industry, more..

Jun 23 (SO) Sri Lanka will export fresh fruits and vegetables to the European region, after the global accreditation for exports under the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) are awarded to local farmers this year, Assistant Director Agri-business Development, Department of Agriculture, A.S.M. Roshan told journalists during a visit to the Cargills Sarubima Agriculture Modernisation project site in Thambuththegama last week. more..

Jun 23 (PMD) President Sirisena said the sand, metal and earth are the most corrupted businesses in country and he has introduced several laws in the last four years to curb irregularities. Prez made this statement addressing a function held at the Polonnaruwa Buddhi Mandapaya today (22) to introduce the concept of Green Soil Port. He further stated that number of laws has been implemented directly and more..

Jun 23 (Island) Advocata Institute commended President Sirisena’s directive to shut down the loss-making, state-owned handloom enterprise Salu Sala. "While we commend this decision, we are also anticipating the official gazette enacting this statement", the independent policy think-tank based in Colombo, said in a news release. Advocata Institute conducts research, provide commentary and hold events to promote sound policy ideas compatible with a free society in Sri Lanka. more..

Jun 23 (ST) SriLankan Airlines has managed to secure a settlement for its aircraft MSN 1008 – A330-220, which the airline had to accept in 2017 as part of the cancellation of the A350 order. Final negotiations have resulted in a saving of US$5.8 million for the airline, company officials told the Business Times. Accordingly, a settlement of $5.8 million for engine repairs and airframe defect rectification, and cabin modification was offered by the lessor. CEO Vipula Gunatilleka said: more..

Jun 23 (EN) The US has tools to prosecute Sri Lanka defence officials who are dual citizens for crimes including torture, a Department of Justice officials told a congressional hearing aimed tightening laws to prosecute those engaging in mass atrocities and war crimes. "Jurisdiction Congress has given us allows to prosecute U.S. citizens who have committed acts of torture abroad," David Rybicki, deputy assistant attorney general, more..

Jun 23 (EN) Sri Lanka has stepped up as a Champion to lead mangrove restoration globally, a statement from the Commonwealth office said. “Sri Lanka has taken the lead in championing mangrove restoration," SL Ocean Affairs Director General Hasanthi Dissanayake was quoted as saying by the Commonwealth in a statement. "Not only do mangroves help reduce the impacts of climate change as powerful carbon sinks, they also support aquaculture, biodiversity and blue economy," more..

Jun 23 (EN) Colombo Dockyard has delivered a submarine cable-laying ship for Japan’s Kokusai Cable Ship Co. Ltd., its biggest and most sophisticated vessel, and says it wants to bid to build a dredger for a Sri Lankan govt agency. The high-technology KDDI Cable Infinity is meant for subsea operation and cable installation and repair works of both optical communications and power cables, the yard’s managing director and chief executive D.V. Abeysinghe said. more..

Jun 23 (SO) The hunger strike led by the incumbent priest of Kalmunai Sri Subadrarama Viharaya, Ven. Ranmuthugala Sangharathana, demanding the upgrade of Kalmunai North Sub-Divisional Secretariat (SDS) to the level of a Divisional Secretariat was called off yesterday. The strike was called off after he was assured of a solution by Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera who visited him yesterday morning with a message more..

Jun 23 (CT) Parliamentary Select Committee, appointed to look into and report to Parliament on the Easter Sunday bomb attacks has apparently decided to summon PM Ranil Wickremesinghe before the committee. According to a spokesman for the PSC, the committee also intends to summon PM and several other Ministers. Accordingly, present State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene, former Minister of Law and Order Sagala Rathnayake and Ranjith Maddumabandara more..

Jun 23 (ST) President Sirisena, in a new turn of events, may decide not to contest this year’s presidential election and, instead, support the opposition candidate. This is said to be the rationale behind his remarks to the SLFP’s Women’s Front on Wednesday that there would be an “honourable decision which will not cause injustice or embarrassment to the party or its supporters” over the presidential poll. He ruled out the likelihood of a three-cornered fight by key contenders. more..

Jun 23 (ST) SL’s six forensic audits into alleged Treasury bond scams and managing a Rs. 2.2 trillion EPF hit a snag owing to high fees claimed for the workload made by one of the two foreign audit firms selected for the task, official sources revealed. BDO India and KPMG are conducting the forensic audits and five of those audits began in April this year. Most of those audits are to be completed in two to three months and more..

Jun 23 (DM) Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said that what Sri Lanka needed in the future is a brave leadership that loved its people. Addressing an event held at the Vihara Mahadevi Park in Colombo to mark the second-month anniversary of the Easter Sunday attack, Mr. Rajapaksa said the incumbent leaders had shied away from taking the responsibility of the attacks. “Not a single statement was made from the govt assuring that such terror attacks would not repeat. more..

Jun 23 (AD) Railway trade unions say that they will engage in a 24-hour strike every Friday starting from next week, until a solution is provided to their issue over existing salary anomalies. The two-day token strike launched by railway trade unions at midnight on Thursday (20) is scheduled to come to an end at midnight today (22). Railway engine drivers, guards, station masters, control room and supervisor management grades officials of the Railway Department engaged in the strike more..

Jun 23 (ST) President Maithripala Sirisena’s political metamorphosis continues with just over four months to go for this year’s presidential election. Here are a few passages from his most recent political Wish List: First: His SLFP sought a joint political alliance with the SLPP, so he could be their presidential candidate. It became a mirage as there was increasing reluctance. The shaky dialogue continues on other issues, more..

Jun 23 (Island) The declining phase of global capitalism has affected the USA and the West most and seen a shift of economic power to the East led by China, with the prediction that China would displace the USA as the world’s No. 1 economy by 2030. This was anticipated by Western economists, led by Prof. Milton Friedman, who developed the Neoliberal Strategy to reverse this trend. The implementation of this commenced in the 1970s, with the Washington Consensus by the USA more..

Jun 23 (Island) To condone the stoning of Muslims. To boycott their shops and businesses. To say that eating from Muslim shops poisons Sinhala Buddhists and makes them sterile. To say that a Muslim doctor had destroyed thousands of Sinhalese children. To say that the Rule of Law doesn’t work. This is no longer the domain of fringe lunacy, or a renegade monk. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero is the Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya Chapter. He said all this & in public. more..

Jun 23 (Island) Once upon a not-so-long-ago time, evil fundamentalists devised a vile plot to tarnish the pristine image of venerable monks by infecting them with HIV. "I got information that fundamentalists at a meeting in Kurunegala had decided to eliminate Buddhism from this country," Ellawala Medhananda thero, leader of the JHU claimed. "Part of their plan is to infect the monks with HIV virus" (Sunday Times 19.8.2007). more..

Jun 23 (AD) The daughter who was receiving treatment at the ICU of the Debarawewa Hospital after a family drowned in Yala beach, Kirinda, has also passed away, stated Police. A family of four from Hatton had been swept away by a current at the Yala beach at around 7.30 am this morning. Although they had been rescued, father (38) and one daughter had passed away upon admittance to the hospital. more..

Jun 23 (ST) Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, at the centre of many a controversy after the Easter Sunday incidents, rushed for a hurried meeting with PM Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday. This was soon after a meeting of former Muslim ministers, state ministers and deputies had ended inconclusively. He told the Premier he had information that two former ministers – Kabir Hashim and Mohamed Haleem – more..

Jun 23 (AD) Minister Sajith Premadasa says that measures will be taken to give the Samurdhi allowance to those who did not receive the Samurdhi allowance while being eligible to receive it, within the coming week. He mentioned this addressing an event held in Hambantota. He pointed that although it was announced that the poverty in SL was reduced down to 6-7%, amount of persons receiving the Samurdhi allowance is 29%. more..

Jun 23 (FT) Business leader and artificial intelligence champion Dhammika Perera says AI can transform modern-day cricket, and Sri Lanka Cricket must quickly embrace this revolutionary technology to improve its performance. “AI is hugely disrupting the way sports are being played in recent times. One such sport that has been actively using AI is cricket. AI has been extensively used in this game to record players’ activities and more..