Mar 2 (Island) The govt should be ashamed of itself for creating conditions for Thursday’s incident near Isurupaya. Hundreds of teachers, engaged in a protest, demanding that their longstanding salary anomalies be rectified were dispersed by the police, using tear gas and water cannon. There has been a serious lapse on the part of Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and the top bureaucrats of his ministry. They waited till the teachers’ anger spilt over on to the streets, more..

Mar 2 (DN) Much has been written on the different facets of Cumaratunga Munidasa’s prowess and profundity since his demise on March 2, 1943. The commonest approach that had been adopted by many a writer to date has been to deliberate over his literary styles, expositions on grammar and book-reviews on a topic-wise basis. But there are a few who have been treading on to reveal his characteristics by critiquing his literary works. I prefer to tread on this second path, more..

Mar 2 (DN) Nalanda College with six outright wins for the season are quite confident they can emerge victorious over traditional rivals Ananda College when the two leading Buddhist schools meet in the 90th Battle of the Maroons cricket encounter at the SSC grounds today and tomorrow. “We are ahead of Anandians because we have won six matches outright this season and our team is well balanced. I am satisfied with my team and I think more..

Mar 2 (Island) Having achieved the unimaginable in what has been two amazing weeks in South Africa for the national cricket team, the onus is now on Lasith Malinga to continue the good work of Dimuth Karunaratne. The opening batsman having been pushed into the deep end to lead the team in one of the toughest places to tour brought the best out of his players to help Sri Lanka become the first Asian nation to win a series in South Africa. Malinga has blown hot and cold in recent times. more..

Mar 2 (Island) In the end, it seemed effortless; almost facile. SL playing with 10 men for most part of the match, beat 11 fit South Africans in less than 2 ½ days on SA soil to take the series 2-0. It was a bizarre ending never thought possible at the start of the series, or at any stage of the tour, until that momentous final day. The series result - heavily touted in favour of the home team - made a mockery of a ranking system which can have little relevance in a game famed for its glorious uncertainties. more..

Mar 2 (Island) The movie Borg vs McEnroe is a must watch for any sports fan. It focuses on Borg’s unusual training methods as a kid – hitting a ping pong ball to the garage and return. He does that for hours. It also shows how he goes onto represent Sweden in the Davis Cup aged 15. The movie concludes with the epic Wimbledon final of 1981 where Borg beats John McEnroe in what’s called the greatest Wimbledon final ever. more..

Mar 2 (ST) With the 140th encounter between these two schools just a little over two weeks away, it is worth portraying a scene of a cricket match that took place in the first decade of the 1900s. Images of sporting activities in the 19th century, in this country, are scarce, almost non-existent, -whether they be photographs, paintings or mere sketches in pencil or pen and ink. Cartoons of sporting scenes in cricket are even rarer. This exquisitely pen and ink drawing of the scene of Royal-Thomas’ encounter more..

Mar 2 (FT) The Govt of Japan has decided to provide a total sum of Rs. 12 million under its Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Project for the establishment of a Japanese Language Laboratory at the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Rajarata University. The Grant Contract was signed between Ambassador of Japan in SL Akira Sugiyama and Rajarata University Vice Chancellor Dr. B.A. Karunaratne, on 27 Feb at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence in Colombo. more..

Mar 2 (DN) SL under 19 world cup player cum right hander Santhush Gunathilake rescued St. Peter’s College from a disastrous position with a brilliant knock of 72 on the opening day of the 85th Battle of the Saints cricket encounter against St. Joseph’s College at the P. Sara Oval yesterday. Invited to bat first St. Peter’s were all out for 219 in the 60th over which was allowed for both sides in the first innings. more..

Mar 2 (FT) Norwegian State Secretary Marianne Hagen will make a two-day official visit to SL from 5 to 6 March. During the visit, Hagen will call on PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana and Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera. In addition, she will meet with representatives from the Office of Mission Persons, Human Rights Commission, civil society and business. She will be a guest at a Kids can code event organised jointly by SLASSCOM and more..

Mar 2 (CT) Ceylon Teachers’ Services Union (CTSU) said that they would launch an islandwide strike on 13 March, in protest over the recent attack on a teachers’ protest which took place near the Ministry of Education, CTSU Secretary Mahinda Jayasinghe said. Meanwhile, Convener of the National Trade Union Centre Wasantha Samarasinghe said they would complain to the Human Rights Commission of SL regarding the issue. JVP also condemned the recent attack more..

Mar 2 (LP) After a tumultuous two decades of political instability and civil war, calm has returned to Sri Lanka, and visitors are flooding back. This Indian Ocean island has a deserved reputation as a top spot for adventurous backpackers, but going for a family holiday – was that a step too far? As a travel writer, I needed to find out. Luckily, my wife loves adventure, and the kids were happy to come along for the ride, more..

Mar 2 (DN) Further to the discussions held between the newly elected Executive Committee of SLC with the Auditor General Gamini Wijesinghe, SLC was pleased to have the presence of Wijesinghe at the SLC Headquarters yesterday. He met with the Chief Operating Officer of SLC Jerome Jayaratne who held positive discussions with the AG. During discussions, Jayaratne informed the AG that the SLC Executive Committee at their meeting held on 25 Feb, directed the Senior Management of more..

Mar 2 (CT) Having started in the year 1938, the annual Mount Lavinia 2-Mile Sea Swim has a rich history of 82 long years, which makes this event one of the oldest open water swimming competitions in Asia. Conducted by the SL Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) in collaboration with the Mount Lavinia Hotel, the 82nd edition of the 2 Mile Sea Swim will be held in the seas off Mount Lavinia on 2nd and 3rd March. History proves that this competition has produced a number Sri Lankan greats more..

Mar 2 (DM) One of the lowest provincial contributors to the national GDP, Northern Province is to be linked to the export supply chain –and not by the Province’ manufacturing output but more so by leveraging an abundant resource, the robust youth within the Province. “I am positive that this initiative can commence the linking process of Northern Province to our export markets. Human resources are widely available in the NP,” more..

Mar 2 (CT) UK’s Film Director, Callum Macrae, who produced a controversial short film on Sri Lanka’s war, will screen his new edition No Fire Zone: Sri Lanka and the Search for Justice, 10 Years On at the 40th session of the UNHRC in Geneva, on 4 March at the Palais des Nacions, Room No. 22. The short film, which the SL Govt was skeptical about, was even banned in Malaysia, but viewed by the Tamil Diaspora as a piece of shocking evidence of alleged war crimes against SL Tamils. more..

Mar 2 (CT) The BBS has written to the Attorney General (AG) claiming that Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, had been imprisoned due to no fault of his. It has drawn the attention of the Attorney General that the remarks made by the Thera during proceedings of a case, that was heard at the Homagama Chief Magistrate’s Court, had been prompted by a slew of allegations directed at the country’s war heroes, by a Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) serving at the AG’s Department. more..

Mar 2 (DM) Opposition MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe charged that the much-touted Suraksha Insurance Scheme launched for 4.5 million students has defrauded Rs.2,300 million in 2018 and as such it was proper for Prez Sirisena to suspend the insurance scheme. He lodged a complaint with Bribery Commission on this matter and told the media that Education Ministry had paid Rs.2,700 million to the SL Insurance Corporation as more..

Mar 2 (Island) Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera was acquitted, yesterday, in the case filed over the alleged illegal possession of an elephant calf. The Chief Incumbent of the Alan Mathiniyaramaya Temple in Kirulapona was acquitted and released by the Colombo High Court from two indictments which included the illegal possession of an elephant calf, Chooti Putha at the temple. Colombo High Court Judge Sampath Wijeratne ordered the elephant calf to be handed over to the Dept of Wildlife. more..

Mar 2 (DN) Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga while congratulating Minister Mangala Samaraweera on completing three decades in the political battlefield during the most difficult period, said he belongs to a rare breed of politicians fast becoming extinct in SL. “A man with a vision for this country and not for his personal gain, a man with a skill to translate that vision into action with a steadfast commitment to honesty, courage and principles to stand up for what is right, more..

Mar 2 (FT) Urban Development Authority (UDA) will make the Green Building Certification for all private property development compulsory within the next five years, Chairman Dr. Jagath Munasinghe said. The certification, which was introduced in 2017, is now compulsory for all Govt sector constructions, but the UDA is now drawing up plans to extend the regulations to all private sector development in the coming years. more..

Mar 2 (AD) Divisional Crimes Investigation Unit of Peliyagoda Police has arrested two other suspects in connection with aiding and abetting the robbery of gems and diamonds worth Rs 7 billion. The suspects were arrested in Mewella area in Piliyandala today (01). The suspects were identified as two 28-year-olds residing in Ranala and Kaduwela areas. Further interrogations have uncovered that a relative of one of the suspects is a close associate of Makandure Madush. more..

Mar 2 (Island) SL Navy officially took over the operations of Sri Lanka’s only national marine research platform RV Samudrika on Thursday. A MoU, in this regard, was signed between the Navy and National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA). Commander of SL Navy Vice Admiral Piyal de Silva and Chairman of NARA E.A.S.K. Edirisinghe, officially endorsed their consent by signing the agreement representing the two institutions. more..

Mar 2 (FT) Construction of the Deiyannewela to Tennekumbura tunnel needed to alleviate the congestion in Kandy is set to begin next year, Minister Lakshman Kiriella said. Noting that the construction was suspended due to the objections from certain people in the Govt, the Minister, speaking at the launching ceremony of the Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service in the Central Province, said that Cabinet approval more..

Mar 2 (Island) The Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) has applied for registration with the Elections Department, its Vice President Aravind Kumar said yesterday. "We are well united in struggle to achieve our goal," Aravind Kumar said, adding that the registration of the alliance would give a boost to their campaign to deliver the estate workers from their suffering." The TPA consists of the Democratic People’s Front, the National Union of Workers and the Upcountry People’s Front. more..

Mar 2 (UNFPA) “I was travelling in a bus when the man seated next to me started to touch my thigh, while he was pretending to sleep. When I confronted him, I knew he would try to escape, especially since he had already made several such attempts. This is not the first time this has happened”, said Shalinie, a victim of sexual harassment in public transport. Shalinie is not alone. According to a study by UN Population Fund (UNFPA), 90% of women and girls have endured sexual harassment more..

Mar 2 (GDI) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said the country needs educated youth to fast track its development drive. He said the govt has given priority to upgrade education sector in keeping with international standards. “We have given priority in our future plans for international level education by now. We opened the first Smart National School in Kurunegala with most modern facilities at a cost of Rs.1,000 million. more..

Mar 2 (DM) Not only in sustainable economic development, but also in religion, highest priority is being given to the battle against global warming and climate change with its catastrophic consequences including the unbalancing of the delicate balance in the earth’s biodiversity. Launching a prophetic initiative, Pope Francis has called on religious leaders to come together and join forces in battling global warming. While the Pope is having a dialogue with leaders of different religions, more..

Mar 2 (CT) Asset declaration has been identified as a powerful means of preventing corruption and discovering enrichments which are acquired unethically by those in power. Politicians, inherently become corrupt, once they rise to power due to the excessive liberty they are granted and the authority they are vested with, to handle the public funds, void of any strict scrutiny. This liberty and the entrusted authority, however, lure those in power to perpetrate corruption, especially the crimes more..

Mar 2 (ST) The cat, nay the elephant, is out of the bag! A majority of wild elephants live in areas where men, women and children live and have done so for a long time. This is fact and not fiction, dispelling long-held contrary expert views, the Sunday Times learns, while also reinforcing the conclusion that the only viable option or win-win situation is a human-elephant co-existence model. more..

Mar 2 (ST) They spoke not of love nor of tenderness – but of dire need due to poverty, lack of opportunities and much more and acceptance with stoic resignation. They cohabited or lived together, had babies and even faced abandonment……..a majority were between 15-17 years of age, while some were even 13 and 14. This was below the lawful age of marriage which is 18 years in Sri Lanka. Disturbing have been the findings more..

Mar 2 (FT) SLPP yesterday said the party would not back the JVP supported 20th Amendment to the Constitution, which would result in ending the Executive Presidency. “The 20th Amendment is something that was brought by the JVP to fulfil their needs. There is no genuine intention behind all this effort to create a better future for the next generation or bring an end to the current political uncertainty of the county,” more..

Mar 2 (DM) While severely criticizing the Central Bank for its handling of the Edirisinghe Trust Investment (ETI) deal, Minister Ravi Karunanayaka vowed to expose what went wrong in the ETI deal. He questioned the role played by the Central Bank in this highly controversial and suspicious transaction and said if the Central Bank behaved like this how could confidence among investors be strengthened. more..

Mar 2 (DM) There being no consensus among the main political parties on abolishing the executive presidency and on electoral reforms, President Sirisena appointed a high-level committee on Thursday to recommend how the provincial council system could be strengthened through constitutional measures, a TNA MP said.. He said Prez met representatives of political parties including the TNA with regard to constitutional reforms. more..

Mar 2 (PSL) President Maithripala Sirisena made an inspection visit to Polgolla reservoir yesterday (28) to observe the newly established operational centre for all the dams and reservoir governed by the Mahaweli Authority. The irrigation engineers are able to make decisions about the particular reservoir based on the weather and climate changes while it also provides information with regard to flood control, more..

Mar 2 (Island) All Muslim ministers and leaders in Sri Lanka were hoodwinking their voters and not voicing opposition to moves by the govt to merge the North and East provinces despite being aware that Eastern Muslims would suffer being members of a lean minority," founder Treasurer of the SLMC, a top Eastern Muslim leader said. Founder of the Rise of the East movement, Waffa Farook, pointed out that those leaders more..

Mar 2 (EN) The govt should not interfere in employment and allow market forces to prevail, an official of a trade union which until recently was affiliated with the traditionally state-expansionist SLFP, said. Leslie Devendra, General Secretary of SL Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya (SLNSS), said most people in SL seek a govt job, as they get a good salary, get paid even without working and are able to get a transfer to an office near their home. more..

Mar 2 (Island) Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera on Thursday said that the recent 51 day constitutional crisis demonstrated to the country and the world the independence of our Legislature and Judiciary and that Sri Lanka had now become a mature, stable Democracy. Samaraweera was addressing a gathering at the BMICH to mark his 30 years in parliament. more..

Mar 2 (EN) Former navy chief, Wasantha Karannagoda, who is wanted in connection with the abduction and killing of 11 young men has for the first time involved former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa in the case, court records showed. Filing a petition in the Supreme Court seeking the prevention of his imminent arrest by the CID, Karannagoda has said that Rajapaksa was also aware of the case. more..