Jun 24 (DM) President Maithripala Sirisena said that both 18th and 19th Amendments to the Constitution should be abolished. He made these remarks during a ceremony organised by the Ministry of Housing to mark the 40th Anniversary of the National Housing Authority this morning. PM Ranil Wickremesinghe was also present when Prez made this sentiment but the PM had already spoken before the President. more..

un 24 (DM) The warmongers in the US are hard at work once again. On 20 June the world learned the US was on the verge of unleashing its air, sea and military might against Iran for the shooting down of a US drone in the Persian Gulf. To his eternal credit, at the last moment, US Prez Donald Trump called a halt to the madness US National Security Advisor John Bolten, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other like-minded cranks among US Prez’s inner circle, who have filled a lust for war. more..

un 24 (DM) Have you ever thought about how we will be living in the year 2030 or beyond in our Motherland. Simply speaking, the changes that may take place within another 10 to 25 years. The changes include our education system, environment (micro and macro), religions, spiritual life, meditation, values, culture, society, languages spoken, work culture and ethics inclusive of Representatives of our Parliament, the capital of our country, calibre and class of national leaders, more..

Jun 24 (DM) The subtitle is not in any way intended at the two gentlemen politicians, but to quote the contemptuous description of a lighted fag .., A Flame at one end; a Fool at the other, a creation of mischievous anti-tobacco campaigners. Making headlines in the height of war days, the two veteran but controversial politicians who paraded the streets sharing a common slogan, Denounce War against LTTE & Negotiate with Prabhakaran, more..

Jun 24 (AJ) Muslims in Sri Lanka say they fear new attacks after a top Buddhist monk called for violence against members of the religious minority, claiming a Muslim doctor had sterilised thousands of Buddhist women. Activists, politicians and members of the Muslim minority said Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero's speech last week was likely to fan communal tensions, weeks after Buddhist mobs attacked scores of more..

Jun 24 (QI) n the Indian subcontinent, issues and events often have a mythological subtext or context, be it in politics, science, or other fields. References to tales, characters, and messages from ancient texts and scriptures can be found sprinkled beyond the modern-day international borders of the region. Even then, Sri Lanka’s first ever satellite, launched on June 17, stands out. more..

Jun 24 (CT) An estimated 100,000 drug users remain undetected in the country, while another 11,000 addicts are currently under rehabilitation, President’s Secretary Udaya Seneviratne claimed yesterday. Expressing views on the National Drugs Prevention Week, Seneviratne added that the Govt alone cannot eradicate the menace and it needs the help and support of the public as well as NGOs. more..

Jun 24 (CI) A World Cup that started out showing promise of being the most open suddenly appeared to be a closed shop when Bangladesh were submerged by Australia's batting avalanche. However a Sri Lankan side, beset by a batting unit that featured a spluttering engine and by splattering rain drops that favoured their venues, has breathed life back into a tournament whose preliminary stages were on life support. more..

Jun 24 (DN) Colombo Dockyard delivered the first ever modern Cable Laying Vessel built for Kokusai Cable Ship Co. Ltd. (KCS) Japan, last Friday. The high-technology KDDI Cable Infinity is meant for subsea operation and cable installation and repair works of optical cables as well as power cables. This is the biggest ever vessel, price-wise as well as length-wise, built by Colombo Dockyard in its journey of shipbuilding excellence more..

Jun 24 (ST) Nearly 8,000 foreigners are overstaying their visas, and the Home Affairs Ministry will seek Cabinet approval shortly to obtain funds and make logistical arrangements to deport them. The Immigration and Emigration Department’s Controller General, Pasan Ratnayaka, said that after the April 21 attacks the Department’s Intelligence unit had tracked down 7,900 foreigners who had been overstaying their visas. more..

Jun 24 (DM) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said the development work and other things are easy when the govt is a single party driven one. PM said it is easier to carry out development work now as the govt is currently a single party driven one. “It was difficult to handle the govt vehicle as it was manned by two drivers. When one driver tried to speed up the other tried to stop him. However, it is easy to carry out more..

Jun 24 (AD) The Supreme Court has ordered to consider the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed by IGP Pujith Jayasundara, challenging the President’s decision to send him on compulsory leave, on July 31st. The petition was taken up before the three-judge bench consisting of Supreme Court Justices Prasanna Jayawardene, L.T.B. Dehideniya and S. Thurairajah today. Speaking on behalf of the Attorney General, more..

Jun 24 (DM) Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education and Human Resources Development in Parliament has recommended that an inquiry be held to find out how Rs. 3000 million had been channelled to Batticaloa Campus (pvt) Ltd. The committee had recommended that the assistance of Foreign Affairs Ministry and Saudi Embassy be sought in this connection. This recommendation was made by the oversight more..

Jun 24 (PTI) The recent bombings in Sri Lanka during Easter, which has drastically hit the country’s tourism sector, is expecting 5-10% decline in Indian tourist arrival this year. Sri Lanka on Monday said it is expecting Indian tourists arrival to up to four lakh. The island nation was expecting a 25% growth from Indian travellers this year, over five lakh visitors from around 4,25,000 last year. India accounts for the most number of visitors to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is trying to woo visitors, more..

Jun 24 (CT) It is a good gesture and appreciative response on the part of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe to come forward to appear before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) which is probing on the Easter Sunday calamity on 21 April. In the backdrop of the PSC to summon the Prime Minister, the spokesperson of the PSC pointed out as far as he was aware, the PM has expressed his willingness to appear before the PSC should there be a need. Right from the beginning of the PSC sessions more..

Jun 24 (LBO) SriLankan Airlines in an effort to improve tourism between India and Sri Lanka organized a MICE promotions activity by bringing in 200 travelers from Chennai last week. Accordingly, a group of travelers from Chennai arrived Sri Lanka in a fact-finding mission to promote SL as a safe destination to travel. Upon their arrival, the MICE group was welcomed by the SriLankan staff at the BIA. Group traveled deep South and spent two nights at Weligama Bay Marriott resorts. more..

Jun 24 (EN) The sale of a 5-year US dollar bond sale by SriLankan Airlines at 7%, which drew over US$ 1 billion in orders has shown investor confidence in SL, Standard Chartered, which was lead manager to the sale said. The US$ 175 million bond sale had got subscriptions of 5.7 times the issue helping bring down the initial price guidance from 7.5% to 7%. "The pricing achieved for the issuance reflects the strong investor confidence in SL and the potential for other entities to tap more..

Jun 24 (AD) Northern Province Governor Suren Raghavan has ordered to suspend a principal of a school in Point Pedro, Jaffna, over an attempt to cover up a case sexual abuse on a school student. Governor had instructed the Provincial Education Secretary C. Sathyaseelan with this regard via a letter, stated the Northern Province Dept of Education. Relevant principal has been charged with concealing a complaint of more..

Jun 24 (Island) The Deputy Chairman and a member of the Kalmunai Urban Council had been expelled by their party TULF from its membership over corruption charges and anti-party activities. The TULF leader and former MP V. Ananda Sangari said that those expelled from the party were Kanthamuttu Ganeshan and Sumithra Jagadeeshwaran. Sangari said the duo had been acting against the party principles and discipline and abused their powers by engaging in shady deals. more..

Jun 24 (AD) Karupayya Rajendran alias Abdullah, one of the suspects arrested at the copper factory in Wellampitiya owned by the suicide bomber at the Shangri-La Hotel, has been further remanded until July 8th. Additional Magistrate of Colombo Priyantha Liyanage delivered the order when the suspect was produced before the court today. The Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) told the court that investigations into the suspect are ongoing under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). more..

Jun 24 (AD) The Attorney general has advised the Acting IGP to conduct a criminal investigation into the former Defense Secretary Hemasiri Fernando. Accordingly, the former Defense Secretary will be investigated over the failure to prevent or minimize the Easter Sunday bomb attacks. Attorney General has given these instructions referring to recommendations of the final report of the special board of inquiry more..

Jun 24 (FT) News was out last week that the Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter of Theravada Buddhism in SL had made a controversial public pronouncement. I believe that he has mostly been misunderstood by his critics as well as his followers. The Venerable Thero, in his wisdom, had diagnosed a gloomy future for the Sinhalese Buddhists in the country and come up with two prescriptions as the solution. One was that, as a protection tactic, he had advised the Sinhala Buddhists not to more..

Jun 24 (Island) Eighty nine (89) midshipmen were commissioned as naval officers at impressive ceremony held in Trincomalee. Eighty nine midshipmen who completed their training at the Naval & Maritime Academy (NMA), were commissioned as officers of the Sri Lanka Navy on Saturday. They belong to the 32nd (Technical) and 33rd intakes of the Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) and 59th Cadet Entry intake. They were commissioned during a parade at more..

Jun 24 (AD) A country should be disciplined enough to prioritize national security, says the Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa. Addressing an event held in Kandy last night, Opposition Leader said in a country without national security everything else crumbles. Stating that he had created an era where everyone can live without fear, the Opposition Leader said people believed in him to bring an end to the war. more..

Jun 24 (DM) Chairman of the Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya threatened to quit as EC head if a presidential election was conducted without holding the provincial council elections first. He said that the duty of the Elections Commission was to hold the provincial council elections first and assured the nation that this was what was going to happen. However, he said, he would leave his post as a mark of protest if the presidential election is held first but assured the public that more..

Jun 24 (CT) All Islam textbooks should be checked by a committee appointed by the Ministry of Education. They should be probed to see whether there are extremist topics added to the syllabus that has been taught to students for the past many years, Joint Opposition (JO) MP Bandula Gunawardena said. He was reacting to a claim by a Muslim atheist that Islamic school textbooks, published by the Education Ministry, endorsed the death sentence for those who give up Islam. more..

Jun 24 (DM) Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has instructed former Commissioner General of Education Publications Dept I.M.K.B. Ilangasinghe to include his photograph when printing school textbooks for future prospects, it was revealed today at the PCoI to investigate the corruption of the current administration. During the testimony, Mr. Ilangasinghe told the commission that the minister spoke to him privately about more..

Jun 24 (DM) Attorney General (AG) indicted three former LTTE members at the Vavuniya High Court over the killing of 26 SL Army and Navy personnel who were kept as prisoners during the last phase of the war. The accused Irasathurai Thiruwarul, Madiarasan Sulakshan and Ganeshan Darshan were indicted under Sections 2(1)(a) – Causing the death of persons; 2(2)(1) - and 3(b) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and Sections 113(b) – Conspiracy & 102 – Abetment of penal code. more..

Jun 24 (DM) Athuraliya Thera is trying to bring about a split between the Tamils and Muslims in the North and East, while engaging in the same ploy with the Muslims and Sinhalese in the South, Trincomalee MP Abdullah Maharoof said. He said that while the regime of good governance brought about happiness and peace of mind in all parts of the country, certain saboteurs as partners of the regime were bent on creating discord in the country and disturbed the freedom so far achieved. more..

Jun 24 (EN) Presidential and parliamentary elections starting from the end of 2019 could threaten the ability of Sri Lanka to roll-over debt, Moody's, a rating agency said as the country launched a second sovereign bond. The IMF has resumed a program which is expected to improve budgets. "However, political tensions could also resurface before and after the presidential elections scheduled for late 2019 and more..

Jun 24 (CT) Treasury has allocated a sum of Rs 1,080 million to the Ministry of Provincial Councils to buy nine compost making machines, from Japan, at a cost of Rs 120 million each, Ministry recently said. These machines will be distributed in the nine provinces to convert solid waste into organic fertiliser. Additionally, the sheds required to house and operate these machines would cost a further Rs 100 million each. Each of these brick and mortar sheds to house a machine more..

Jun 24 (DN) Sandhya Ekneligoda, the wife of missing journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order to quash the decision to pardon Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera by the Prez in respect of the conviction and sentence imposed by the Court of Appeal. Petitioner further sought a declaration that granting of the pardon of the Ven. Gnanasara Thera is unconstitutional and contrary to Article 12(1) of the Constitution. more..

Jun 24 (AD) Former Minister Rauff Hakeem says he does not believe the fact that the ISIS is behind the terror attacks on Easter Sunday. Addressing a public meeting, minister stressed that an invisible force is behind these attacks. He emphasized that a fair investigation should be conducted into the terror attacks. Hakeem said MP Udaya Gammanpila is making false statements regarding the growth rate of Muslim people. more..

Jun 24 (GDI) The Export Development Board together with the National Aquatic Resources Research & Development Agency (NARA), National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA), and the Live Tropical Fish Exporters Association will to conduct a 3 day technology transfer programme from 26th -28th June 2019 in order to make aware the ornamental fish breeders, producers and exporters about the new developments in the industry. more..

Jun 24 (GDI) A total of 33 dengue deaths and 22283 dengue cases had been reported from allover the country within this year by June 21st (last Friday), the Epidemiology Unit sources said.According to the sources, the highest number of dengue cases, 4790 had been reported from the Colombo district while the second highest number, 2909 had been reported from the Gampaha district. The third highest number of dengue cases, 1928 had been reported from the Jaffna district. more..

Jun 24 (DM) The Govt Doctors of the Kalutara District have commenced a token strike from noon today alleging that Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne was importing substandard medicine used by pregnant mothers and children, GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr Naveen de Soysa said. He said that the Government Medical Officers Association’s Executive Committee would meet this evening to decide on further action on the matter. more..

Jun 25 (ST) The current political gridlock, communal tensions and political environment are much more severe constraints to economic recovery and development than the Easter Sunday bomb blasts. With the restoration of security, the economy could recover from the setbacks it suffered following the bomb blasts. However, the subsequent ethnic violence, communal tensions and political chaos are likely to have serious economic repercussions. Two months after the horrendous tragedy, more..

Jun 25 (CT) The Diminishing trust or distrust article was written to catch the eyes of the scholarly readers of the Colombo Telegraph. It was not an attempt at analyzing human behavior per se. The objective of the article was twofold; to initiate an open dialogue among the intellectual community who could contribute to the discussion and through that engagement to find ways to build a trusting Sri Lankan society and alleviate the distrust among people. more..

Jun 25 (SO) Addressing the national event to commemorate World Environment Day 2019 earlier this month, Prez Sirisena announced that he had given instructions to implement a ban on chain saws and to halt the registration of new carpentry workshops in a bid to combat the rapid and illegal deforestation plaguing the country. While the decision left those involved in the timber and carpentry industries disgruntled, more..