Jun 25 (DM) The Constitution-making process of the govt has come to a standstill as the Steering Committee on Constitutional Reforms has not met since January this year, Daily Mirror learns. MP Dr. Jayampathy Wickremeratne, chief architect drafting the new Constitution, confirmed that the Constitutional Assembly (CA) had not met after January 11 this year. He did not mention a date on which the CA would meet again. more..

Jun 25 (EN) A US$ 2 billion international sovereign bond received US$ 6.2 billion in orders, with fund managers from the US buying 60% of the issued. Sri Lanka sold US$ 500 million in 5-year bonds and US$ 1.5 billion in 10-year bonds on June 24, in the second such issuance this year. The central bank, which issued bonds for the Treasury said that the 5-year bonds received US$ 1.8 billion of orders while more..

Jun 25 (CT) MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera yesterday, requested President Sirisena to prevent PM from signing the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and the Acquisition and Cross Services Agreement (ACSA) with the United States (US). He said, “these agreements go against the sovereignty of Sri Lanka. Under the ACSA, the US will have the ability to set up a military base in Sri Lanka. more..

Jun 25 (DM) 176 children have lost either both or one of their parents in the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith told the foreign media during his recent visit to Rome. Cardinal Ranjith said his Archdiocese would focus on helping the children who had been traumatised by the bombings. “176 children have lost either both or one of their parents and more than 300 people have been injured more..

Jun 25 (AD) Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen is scheduled to appear tomorrow before the Parliamentary Select Committee investigating the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. Meanwhile the Commander of the SL Army Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake is also expected to appear before the select committee tomorrow. Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the General Manager of more..

Jun 25 (CT) There’s State solicited or organised crime ordered and executed by minions of the State, often in the forces, often from among a political party’s criminal elements in society, not seldom, also drawn from among terror organisations etc. when the need arises for major State players to permanently silence prisoners. If not silenced, these prisoners while serving sentences are likely to blow the whistle on them with destructive effect. From the massacre way back in July 1983 more..

Jun 25 (FT) There had been a time when Sri Lanka was only second to Japan in Asia on just about any socio-economic indicator in Asia. It was at the time of the country’s independence. Above is a remark reiterated by Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka frequently in his speeches. Internal conflict is one of the factors which contributed to Sri Lanka slipping from that position drastically while other nations climbed up the ladder of economic development. more..

Jun 25 (DM) The owner of a building material shop near Waidya Road in Dehiwala was stabbed to death by a man who broke into the shop last afternoon, police said. 63-year-old Abdul Mohammed Hafeez had partly shut the doors to perform his afternoon prayers and then have his lunch when the man forcibly entered the shop and stabbed the owner. One of the bystanders had rushed him to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital but he was found dead on admission. more..

Jun 25 (AD) It is ridiculous to see the president who supported to bring forth the 19th Amendment to the Constitution saying it is problematic, says Minister Rajitha Senaratne. He stated this speaking on the comments made by former president Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa on the 19th Amendment. If Prez Sirisena calls for revoking the 18th and 19th Amendments, the Health Minister says they would under no circumstances support it as it is contrary to the mandate of 2015. more..

Jun 25 (AD) At least 5 army soldiers were killed while another 2 soldiers were wounded after an army truck collided with a train in Kilinochchi. The soldiers injured in the accident have been rushed to the hospital and one amongst them is in critical condition. The accident occurred this afternoon (25) as the truck was attempting to pass through an unprotected railway crossing near 55 Junction in Kilinochchi. more..

Jun 25 (Island) The Sri Lanka Embassy in Sweden recently launched a new website, which is more user-friendly and interactive in order to provide Consular services more effectively and disseminate information related to trade, investment and tourism, the Foreign Ministry said. The website has been designed to be mobile device friendly where any detail can be reached with a maximum of three access levels. It enables the public to make online appointments for receiving Consular services. more..

Jun 25 (DM) JVP MP Vijitha Herath said the forthcoming prez election would most probably be a three-cornered fight between the JVP, UNF and the SLPP or SLFP. “We have no doubt that the SLPP and the SLFP will join hands to field a common candidate and as such it will be a three-cornered fight. JVP will definitely field a candidate chosen from a common front that will include academics, professionals and patriots. It will be a formidable political alliance uniting all progressive and more..

Jun 25 (DM) A fundamental rights petition filed in the Supreme Court on behalf of Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen states that the allegation of illegal sterilization is false and is a result of personal jealousy which followed the purchasing of a block of land in Kurunegala. It states that the actions of the Crimes Division OIC and DIG Kithsiri Jayalath among the six respondents cited were an illegal abuse of power and cited letters of more..

Jun 25 (AD) Janaposha Foundation issuing a statement announced with immediate effect the suspension of its free meals project at Colombo National Hospital, Kalubowila Teaching Hospital, and the Maharagama Cancer Hospital. The statement noted that it was with a great sense of sadness, despair and a heavy heart, Foundation has taken a decision to close its doors and suspend services from 25th June 2019. According to the Foundation, the project is suspended over more..

Jun 25 (CT) His Eminence Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said, he is ashamed that Minister John Amaratunga, who is a Catholic himself, has said that more Night Clubs should be set up and Casinos and gambling should be increased. Cardinal said that being civilised is not that and rather than bringing in tourists to earn money what should be done is to make the people richer. Although politicians have said, over a long period of time, that those who do not have anything more..

Jun 25 (CT) A total of 17 minor tanks have been renovated, under the cascading tank system, in the Anuradhapura District, through the minor irrigation tank maintenance programme – Sarawath Deshayaka Waapi Sangramaya. A segment of the National Food Production Programme, conducted by the Presidential Task Force on National Food Production, this has ensured that 17 minor tanks in more..

Jun 25 (CT) The largest Stupa, belonging to the Anuradhapura era, in the Chenkalady DS area of Eravur in the Batticaloa District, has been bulldozed and in its place several plants had been grown, sources from the Archaeological Department said. Stupa had been discovered during the extensive excavation work done in 2018, after the war ended. It had been bulldosed at that time, sources said. They said a report had been sent to the Archeological Dept concerning more..

Jun 25 (EN) Rapid growth in highly profitable e-commerce shipments are helping increase the freight business of SriLankan Airlines with the national carrier aiming to use the island’s location to grow transhipment cargo, an official said. Udeni Perera, senior manager worldwide, cargo operations of SriLankan Airlines, said April’s Easter Sunday suicide bombings had led to a drop in overall cargo loads and revenue but e-commerce shipments were a fast-growing new business. more..

Jun 25 (AD) The Cabinet of Ministers has today (25) granted approval to provide free tablet computers for students in A/L classes, says Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam. This is a victory in the recent history of the local education system, says the Education Minister. As the first phase of this project, nearly 100,000 tablet PCs will be initially handed over to students and teachers in A/L classes, more..

Jun 25 (SLN) The President Maithripala Sirisena has declared a national drug prevention week from 23rd June to 01st July. Accordingly, the Sri Lanka Navy has also launched a range of events in line with that national programme. While busting suspects for drug smuggling, drug peddling and possession of drugs through naval raids and search operations, the Navy also conducts counseling programmes in all naval commands to prevent people from drug addiction. more..

Jun 25 (AD) A female doctor who had ingested 35 antibiotic pills has been admitted to the Marawila hospital for treatment, stated Marawila Police. Investigations have revealed that she had swallowed 35 antibiotic pills last night. The 34-year-old female doctor is serving attached to the Base Hospital in Marawila. The doctor had revealed that a specialist doctor, who also serves at the same hospital, continuously scolds her and that she overdosed on the drugs because she couldn’t bear more..

Jun 25 (AD) Attorney General has requested the Chief Justice to appoint a Trial-at-Bar to hear the first ever elephant trafficking case in the legal history of SL. The case is filed against the elephant trafficking kingpin Niraj Roshan alias Ali Roshan and seven others under 36 charges with regard to the possession of five elephants without licenses and racketeering. Amongst the accused is an Assistant Director of the Wildlife more..

Jun 25 (DM) The SLPP said today it would reveal its presidential candidate on August 11 and that the candidate would be someone who had a bachelors degree and a vision apart from experience and other qualifications. MP Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane said that it would be a politician who can successfully face any crisis, take control of the country's future and could be trusted. “Our candidate will not have any obstacles such as the GCE O/L qualifications unlike the UNP. more..

Jun 25 (DN) When the eight suspects including Anuradhapura Mayor H.P. Somadasa held in connection with the bomb attack on the house of UNP Trade Union Federation Secretary and Tambuttegama PHI Ananda Weragoda during the 1999 Presidential Election campaign were produced before the Tambuttegama Magistrate on June 24, Magistrate Mrs. Ramila Nadeeshani refused bail and re-remanded them till July 8. Apart from Anuradhapura Mayor Somadasa, more..

Jun 25 (CT) A majority of the children placed in the care of a children’s home in Thimbirigasyaya, following alleged incidents of sexual abuse cum assault of 18 girl children, reported at the Darun Nusra Orphanage in Dehiwala, have reported harsh treatment by its staff, sources claimed. According to a counsel appearing for the victims (girl children) in the aforementioned Darun Nusra case, before the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court in more..

Jun 25 (EN) INSEE Ecocycle Lanka, a unit of INSEE Cement will operate a waste management facility at an industrial zone in Sri Lanka till 2035, Sri Lanka's investment promotion office said. The firm runs a facility for pre-treatment, pre-processing, storing, laboratory services and central logistics for hazardous and non-hazardous material primarily at the Katunayake Export Processing Zone of the BOI. INSEE Ecocycle has a capacity to process 100,000 metric tonnes of waste. more..

Jun 25 (HN) A former LTTE suspect who was in remand charged with the assassination of Lakshman Kadirgamar who was a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, has died. Prisons Department said that he was receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital when he passed away recently. Colombo High Court had led a case against the 62 year old suspect under the PTA. He was someone who was in remand custody from 24 Jan 2012. Former Minister was assassinated in August of 2005. more..

Jun 25 (AI) SL’s President, Maithripala Sirisena, must immediately halt his plans to resume executions for at least 13 prisoners convicted of drug-related crimes, Amnesty International (AI) said. AI is alarmed to learn from media reports that preparations are underway to execute death row prisoners as part of the so-called National Drug Eradication Week, from June 21 – July 1, 2019. The executions would be the first time Sri Lanka more..

Jun 26 (CT) Though I granted last week, in suggesting radical changes for the Interim Cabinet that should function after the next Prez Election, that a few former Ministers should be included, the thrust should be new blood, or rather new brooms to sweep the country clean. Having reluctantly noted that it might be necessary to keep Rauff Hakeem on (such a pity that the more principled Hasan Ali is not in Parliament), I concentrated last week on possible Tamil Cabinet ministers. more..

Jun 26 (CT) The wounds inflicted upon the body politic by the Easter Sunday bombing continue to fester and become more poisonous. They are not going away as might have been hoped for, and as might have been expected, in a country where much is eventually swept under the carpet to be forgotten by all except the victims. This increasingly looks like the fate of those who died or went missing in the three decade long ethnic war. The much debated transitional justice process, dealing with more..

Jun 26 (SO) For over 10 years the investigations into the now notorious Navy abductions case have lumbered on, as week upon week, the families of the victims trudge to the Colombo Fort Magistrates Court looking for answers and hoping for justice. Since investigations began in 2009 the families were given a glimmer of hope, when last week, Attorney General Dappula De Livera instructed the CID to expedite and more..

Jun 26 (CT) In a number of short but provocative pieces that Colombo Telegraph and Daily Financial Times published, the pathetic state of Muslim political and religious leadership, its lack of vision about the community’s future in this country, and the leaders’ incapacity to understand the root causes of the Muslim problem, let alone their readiness to act on it, were highlighted, and, as expected, the articles received some acrimonious reaction from a few readers. more..

Jun 26 (CT) The drama caused by Muslim politicians, since the decision to leave their Ministerial posts, has taken a new twist. Out of the nine Muslim politicians, who resigned in a huff, two have returned to their posts; almost from the backdoor. Kabir Hashim’s and Abdul Haleem’s decisions have caused a rift among the group and in the process they let the cat out of the bag, as to the real reason for this group to take the stand it did when they resigned from their Ministries. more..

Jun 26 (CT) Non-Cabinet Minister Ajith P. Perera says an impeachment motion should be brought against the President, Prez does not know about democracy or the Constitution. Q: President has received the Report of the Commission on Fraud and Corruption of the present Govt and is it in retaliation to allegations in that, that the Select Committee was appointed? A: No. We didn’t know about it, all in Parliament from all Parties, more..

Jun 26 (DN) When you readers learn and think about toxins encountered in daily life, do not make judgements based on your knowledge of sixty years ago. Those days we played with Flit guns, spraying DDT at each other; we handled mercury- interestedly observing it breaking up into small globules and readily coalescing into larger ones; we handled arsenic containing rat bait without a care – and so many other things now deemed dangerous. We were so ignorant then because we were more..

Jun 26 (DN) Pre 1915 era was a period when there was agitation for constitutional reform and Buddhist revival. British officials were happy when there was public support when war was declared by Britain against Germany. However, there was an upsurge of national sentiment during the period March and April 1915 with the commemoration in March of the centenary of the Kandyan Convention National Day celebrations which took place islandwide with great enthusiasm for the first time. more..

Jun 26 (Island) Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, and one-time Foreign Secretary, Prasad Kariyawasam, are under heavy fire for being involved in a high profile US project. Kariyawasam was replaced by another career diplomat Ravinatha Aryasinha, in Nov 2018. Soon after retirement, Kariyawasam received a lucrative assignment, courtesy the US. Former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa and JO Leader in Parliament, Dinesh Gunawardena, last week sought an explanation from Speaker Jayasuriya as to more..

Jun 26 (Island) In his post-Easter carnage wisdom, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has proposed constituting …a Religious Reconciliation Board to resolve various issues among religious groups in the country… Since the war ended, reconciliation has become a much flaunted phrase, freely used by politicians to project a moderate stance when they are in power, and every NGO and INGO project proposal finds this term lavishly featured to entice donors. In the first address to the nation after more..