Jun 4 (CT) It is a sobering thought that the man one voted for to be President of this country is a bit of a bounder. When I started this series, I thought that, hopeless though Maithripala Sirisena had been as President, one should not blame him too much. He was brought in because the previous regime had failed to live up to its promise, and control of many areas had been handed over to favourites with no commitment to the welfare of the people. And he did reduce some of the powers of the Presidency more..

Jun 4 (Roar) In the aftermath of the Easter Sunday terror attacks, Prez Sirisena ordered a social media ban lasting nine days, from April 21-30. The reasoning behind the ban was to stem the flow of fake news and hate speech that could incite violence. The first social media ban to be imposed in the country for these reasons was in response to the anti-Muslim violence in the Central Province in 2018, and it was this that was reintroduced more..

Jun 4 (ST) So President Sirisena has put his foot down on the sofa. No more talk about sofas, he has ordered returning from China last month after reportedly signing three agreements, of which the cabinet, parliament and public know little or nothing. The sofa he is angered over– and rightly so, too –is the one the Americans had gift-wrapped and were ready to present to the people of Sri Lanka. This is the Trojan Horse that US embassy in Colombo had secretly proposed in a confidential exchange more..

Jun 4 (CT) These are times when madmen filled with hate set off explosives blowing themselves up and taking the lives of many innocent persons. The issuance of this circular is yet another act of hate-filled madness, even mad jingoist expansion imposing this crazy view of culture on the rest of us. Indeed the heading with the word security is hardly addressed in the body of the circular. This insane circular prohibits decent skirt and blouse that many women of good backgrounds wear to office, more..

Jun 4 (ST) June is a critical month when peaceful conditions, security and law and order must be firmly established to enable an economic recovery in the second half of the year. The restoration of public confidence and an int'l perception that the country has returned to normal are crucial for an economic recovery. An economic recovery of consequence would be possible only if the security situation improves, business confidence is restored and there are no political disruptions. more..

Jun 4 (Island) Never a dull moment in Sri Lankan politics! Someone or something keeps it really exciting. The unfolding political situation is like an edge-of-your-seat thriller. The yahapalana govt is afflicted with a serious autoimmune disease, so to speak. It has become its own enemy. President Maithripala Sirisena and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe are at daggers drawn. Others who helped cobble up the yahapalana coalition and bring it to power have turned against it. more..

Jun 4 (CT) State Minister Niroshan Perera said that he requests that security be further strengthened in the country. We should not consider this attack as a minor issue. Q: It is more than a month since the bomb blasts. As a State minister how do you see this? A: A large number died in the Easter Sunday bombings. Another large group were injured. As of now everyone’s relations, friends, and the society are very sad. more..

Jun 4 (CI) India A completed a resounding 2-0 series rout of Sri Lanka A with a 152-run triumph in Hubli, thanks to legspinner Rahul Chahar's six-wicket match haul and a maiden fifty with the bat. Chahar's efforts were complemented ably by KS Bharat and Anmolpreet Singh, who contributed significantly with the bat in both innings. Sri Lanka A lost the toss for the second time in the series, but resisted India's onslaught for longer than they had done in the first match that had lasted 3 days. more..

Jun 4 (CI) A hundred from Joe Root, the first in this World Cup. A hundred from Jos Buttler, at 75 balls the fifth fastest in the history of the World Cup. The disadvantage of losing the toss and being asked to set a target in these quixotic ODI times. The pressure of coming into this game on the back of a hammering at the same ground three days ago (not to mention 11 successive defeats in the format). Pakistan looked cornered, for sure, but they produced the old tiger routine at Trent Bridge more..

Jun 4 (EN) Up to half-a-million people could be affected as south-west monsoon rains hit Sri Lanka, triggering floods and landslides, with several roads becoming impassable in Colombo and parts of the southern tea growing region. June – Sept southwest monsoon, which has been delayed this year, is important for economies in south Asia, affecting crop cultivation, hydropower generation and transport. more..

Jun 4 (SO) SL netball team touring Botswana in preparation for the 2019 World Cup ended in disappointment when the host team emerged victorious at the end of series winning both matches. But coach Thilaka Jinadasa is reported to have blamed the referees saying they favoured the home team while also playing in cold weather. A veteran player said that a good coach will not blame the weather and that they have to prepare for the tournament well in advance with more..

Jun 4 (Island) Some of SL’s track and field athletes will attempt to bounce back from the setback suffered at the Asian Athletics Championships when they compete at the first leg of the Asian Athletics Grand Prix in China today. Athletics Association of SL was able to send a team of nine athletes including four male athletes. Shreshan Dananjaya was the only male athlete earlier confirmed for the two legged meet but the AASL officials had taken necessary action to include 3 other male more..

Jun 4 (CI) Sri Lanka quick bowler Lasith Malinga was scathing in his criticism of his team-mates' attitude, saying that they have moved from one defeat to another in recent times without learning any lessons. Speaking to the SL press before their game against Afghanistan in Cardiff on Tuesday, Malinga said, "In the last one-and-a-half years or two years, we have been saying, 'we have lost one game, move on, do well in the next game'. more..

Jun 4 (FT) All licenced banks have been told to exercise due diligence with respect to NGOs, not-for-profit organisations or charities by the Central Bank’s (CBSL) Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), and to monitor and report among others on organisations that receive direct foreign funds/remittances into their accounts. The banks have been instructed to also monitor and report any NGO not registered with the National Secretariat for NGOs and those not registered with any other institution, more..

Jun 4 (Island) Mahaweli Coconut Plantations Ltd (MCPL) listed 33.83 million ordinary voting shares of the company on the Diri Savi Board of the CSE yesterday marking the first listing by a company on the trading floor of the CSE over the past 15 months. MCPL share price had risen to Rs.14.50 on meagre volumes by afternoon from its initial listing price of of Rs.13. MCPL founded in October 1996 has been successful in developing over 1,350 acres of bare land into a coconut plantation, more..

Jun 4 (FT) Fairway Waste Management yesterday said it has recommenced its Karadiyana Waste Management project, after it was held up nearly a year due to delays in signing the Standardised Power Purchase Agreement (SPPA). The commercial operation of the plant is scheduled to commence in Dec 2020. With the signing of the SPPA, Fairway Waste Management has moved expeditiously to recommence construction more..

Jun 4 (FT) The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) yesterday said it remained deeply concerned about the law and order situation in the country and called on Defence Secretary General Shantha Kottegoda to take all measures to maintain peace. CCC CEO Dhara Wijayatilake writing to the top official, in a letter copied to the Army Commander, Acting IGP and Chief of Defence staff, appealed for more transparency on the investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks. more..

Jun 4 (EN) The Financial Action Task Force, the global policy setter on anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing, has delayed its on-site assessment on Sri Lanka till September due to the Easter Sunday attack, a central bank official said. "The FATF has delayed its on-site review of the effectiveness of our reforms until September," Deputy Governor H. A. Karunaratne said. "They were supposed to visit in May, but delayed due to security concerns," he said. more..

Jun 4 (CI) If the Sri Lankans had to pick a ground in the UK where the grace of the gods and good fortune would fall their way, Cardiff would not be it. Not only have SL lost every one of the six matches, 1Test/5ODIs, they have played at Sophia Gardens, the results have been dire. Be it the 136 all out to NZ two days ago in their world cup opener, losing a spot in Champions Trophy final to India in 2013, or a 2nd-innings collapse from hell. more..

Jun 4 (FT) Sri Lanka Tourism (SLT), with the SL Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), and The Hotels Association of SL (THASL), have joined hands with Sri Lankan Airlines to launch promotional packages to stimulate the Indian market. “We look forward to activating this campaign as soon as possible in India, and looking at similar offers in other key source markets, including China, which is expected to be rolled out in the future. Our tourist sites and hotels are fully operational, more..

Jun 4 (CI) Bookmakers are offering near-equal odds on the Sri Lanka-Afghanistan contest in Cardiff, and although there was no way of calling this four years ago, when Sri Lanka were contenders until being blown away by South Africa in Sydney, things are a little different now, especially after their walloping at NZ's hands last week. And don't forget what happened last year, when Afghanistan knocked Sri Lanka out of the Asia Cup. And if you stopped watching cricket after the retirements of more..

Jun 4 (DM) Prof. Hemantha Senanayake, Head of the Dept of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo and Former Chairperson of SL College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said the sterilization story if not investigated properly and without delay could make a huge negative impact on Sri Lanka’s achievements in maternal care and health which has been globally admired. more..

Jun 4 (DN) Three Sri Lankan weightlifting teams are expected to take part in the Commonwealth weightlifting championship which is scheduled to be held from June 9 to 14 in Samoa. This event is named as the selection trial for the forthcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo, 2020. In recent times, weightlifting has been Sri Lanka’s most successful sport, winning several medals for the country. At the last Asian Games in Jakarta, Sri Lanka returned home without winning a single medal. more..

Jun 4 (EN) SL's central bank has defended the continuation of discretionary monetary policy, in the wake of the most recent currency collapse which has ended an attempted return to freer trade with fresh trade controls. The statement traces Sri Lanka's recent monetary history and the aims of upcoming monetary reforms. SL became a so-called closed economy after independence from Britain because a soft-pegged central bank with discretionary and contradictory policy where more..

Jun 4 (FT) Eight Muslim members of the Govt, including three Cabinet Ministers, resigned from their posts yesterday, along with Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, whose removal was demanded to enable impartial investigations on the Easter Sunday terror attacks. Along with Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, four State Ministers and one Dy Minister also resigned, giving CID one month to complete investigations more..

Jun 4 (Island) Officers of the FCID yesterday told Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake that they had commenced an investigation against the officials who had caused a Rs. 2 billion loss to the CEB by purchasing power at higher rates than those approved by the Cabinet. FCID commenced the investigation following a complaint by MP Vasudewa Nanayakkara that the loss had occurred due to the purchase of power from a private power plant located in Embilipitiya since 2016. more..

Jun 4 (DN) The govt has taken measures to establish a special fund for children left disabled or orphaned due to the Easter Sunday bombings. PM’s Office noted that the fund would be established with Rs.500 million, while the govt will grant Rs. 100 million and the balance Rs.400 million would be added as donations. The govt will also bear the cost of overseas treatment for those who require it, while a special programme has been implemented to identify specific needs of those affected. more..

Jun 4 (Island) Presidential Commission investigating frauds under the current administration, yesterday, issued summons on former Commissioner of General Education Publications, I.M.K.B. Ilangasinghe to determine the extent of losses incurred by the state due to the inclusion of the photograph of Minister, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam in the text books printed for 2018 and 2019. After listening to the testimony of more..

Jun 4 (Island) Minister Mangala Samaraweera has called on the Vatican and Pope Francis to take note of Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith visiting MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera in Kandy yesterday, while he was engaged in a fast demanding the resignation of Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and Provincial Governors M.L.A.M. Hisbullah and Azath Salley. Cardinal Ranjith by going all the way to Kandy and shaking Rathana Thera’s hands had aggravated hatred & communalism, Samaraweera said. more..

Jun 4 (CT) CCTV footage of former Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah meeting several persons, who could be identified as Saudi Arabian nationals, at a hotel in Pasikudah, 24 hours after Easter Sunday bombings, has emerged and a special Police team launched investigations. On the night of 22 April, when Police curfew had been imposed throughout the country, Hizbullah had reportedly held talks with the Saudi nationals for over one hour at the hotel in Pasikudah. more..

Jun 4 (AD) CCTV footage of the Easter Province Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah meeting several persons who could be identified as Saudi Arabian nationals at a hotel in Pasikudah has been uncovered. CCTV footage shows Governor Hizbullah arriving at the particular hotel on the 22nd April, a day after the Easter Sunday bombings which killed nearly 350 persons. Footage has also captured several persons coming out of hotel building more..

Jun 4 (DM) Exactly thirteen years ago Venerable Athureliye Ratana Thera made headlines by walking up to Mavil Aru sluice gate which was closed by the LTTE in June 2006. The JHU stalwart made the bold move at a time the security forces were hesitating to venture into the area. The procession led by the Thera who was the parliamentary group leader of the JHU which had nine seats in parliament then, gave hopes to the nation that the war deadlock could be broken. more..

Jun 4 (DM) A weak government is like the supine barber to whom even the goat prods its goatee. The current govt in Colombo is not just weak, indecisive and lacking a common purpose. Its manifest incompetence and vacillation is self- destructive and can set the country on fire. As of yesterday, the country was heading for a yet another inter-communal turbulence. As usual, the govt seemed to be clueless as to what to do next. On Sunday, Galabodaatte Gnanasara Thera, more..

Jun 4 (DM) The alleged sterilization charges against Dr. Seigu Shihabdeen Mohamed Shafi from the Teaching Hospital, Kurunegala have become the main topic in the country at present. It has created a huge controversy which is taking new turns and spreading its flames in the country. His wife Dr. M.N.F. Imara, holding an MBBS degree from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, is working in the Nephrology Unit at more..

Jun 4 (EN) Suicide bomber Mohammed Zaharan who led an extremist Islamist suicide group had been paid a salary by the govt, Minister Lakshman Kiriella told parliament. "Zaharan had been paid a salary by the govt," he said. "Why don't you come to the select committee to find out?" he asked an opposition legislator who had raised a question on a statement made by Minister Mangala Samaraweera relating to Cardinal Malcolm more..

Jun 4 (DN) A relief package provided to all business sectors facing economic difficulties following the Easter Sunday terrorist bomb attacks will be announced in Parliament on Thursday, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said. The Minister who said the Tourism sector faced the brunt of the adverse economic impact of the Easter Sunday attacks added that a relief loan scheme for small scale interventourists in Tourism sector more..

Jun 4 (ST) A week before Dr. Seigu Siyabdeen Mohamed Shafi was arrested, the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital had recommended disciplinary action over allegations that he forged documents of a newborn to give the baby to another party. The physician is facing hundreds of accusations of performing non-consensual sterilisations on women who delivered babies at Kurunegala and Dambulla hospitals. more..

Jun 4 (Island) The North Western Province Environmental Authority (NWPEA) has asked the Secretary to the Ministry of Power, Suren Batagoda to shut down and restart Plant One of the Lakvijaya coal power plant in Norochcholai by mid June so that its flue-gas desulphurizer (FGD) becomes operational, NWPEA Director, Saman Lenaduwa said. Two plants are operating without FGDs. Flue gas desulfurization is a set of more..

Jun 4 (AD) A super luxury motorcar kept in violation of Customs laws has been found in the garage of former Western Province Governor Azath Salley. Police stated that the documents belonging to the former governor were also found inside the vehicle. Reportedly, the relevant Benz car has been imported through a Net permit. According to the conditions of the permit, the vehicle should be re-exported to relevant country within 2 yrs. more..