May 8 (SLN) Rear Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne was appointed as the new Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy with effect from 4th May, by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Maithripala Sirisena. Accordingly, the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva presented the letter of appointment of the new position to Rear Admiral Ulugetenne and congratulated him on his new appointment. He is an old boy of Royal College, more..

May 8 (AFP) Bangladesh cricket officials on Wednesday said they were monitoring security in Sri Lanka in the wake of last month's terror attacks and ahead of a planned tour slated for July. The national team narrowly avoided being caught in the New Zealand mosque attacks of March 15 that killed 51 people. Bangladesh's ODI series in Sri Lanka was scheduled to take place in July, having been brought forward from December. But the fate of the series has been thrown into doubt more..

May 8 (AFP) A photo of a group of men wearing t-shirts with ISIS written on them has been widely circulated on Facebook alongside a claim that the people pictured are members of the Islamic State group in eastern SL. The claim is false; photo was taken in India in 2014. Photograph and misleading claim have been posted repeatedly on social media, for example here on Facebook on May 2, 2019, where it has been shared more than more..

May 8 (AD) Several suspicious items were recovered from sugarcane cultivation belonging to Pelwatte sugar factory. Accordingly, 5 walkie-talkies, uniforms worn by security details of VIPs and some other items were found during a search which was carried out based on the information received from the driver of sugar factory’s chief operations officer. Chief Operations Officer Surath Amadeen yesterday held a secretive discussion with 13 of fellow Muslim employees at the factory more..

May 8 (DM) A man who tried to bribe the Horowpathana Police OIC, to release a suspect of National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ) from remanded custody, was arrested by Bribery Commission Officers this morning. Bribery Commission Director SSP Priyantha Chandrasiri said the suspect was arrested while attempting to a bribe of Rs. 250,000 to the OIC at his office. He said the suspect had promised to pay the OIC Rs. 500,000 if he released the suspect without filing a court case. more..

May 8 (NR) Prez Sirisena says the Easter Sunday terror attacks are not an issue surrounding Sri Lanka but the int'l community. The Head of State said defence forces are successfully engaged in efforts to rid the country of those involved in the terror attacks. Prez expressed these views during a visit to Sainthamaruthu, Kalmunai today. Prez called on the public to ensure extremists activities on Easter Sunday will not lead to divisions more..

May 8 (AD) The Seeduwa Police and the Sri Lanka Air Force had set up roadblocks and carried out search operations on the Muthuwadiya-Seeduwa area. During the search operation, the officers had been able to seize a lorry carrying a stock of clothing items similar to the uniforms of the SLAF. Accordingly, 1116 clothing items similar to military uniforms have been discovered on the lorry en route from Walapane to Seeduwa. The driver and another person have been arrested on the matter. more..

May 8 (DM) While saying that they would not attempt to topple the Govt or sabotage its affairs at this stage, Opposition assured that they were ready to render any support the Govt needs in a bid to recover from the prevailing uncertainties created by the Easter Sunday terror attacks. Addressing a news briefing, opposition MP C. B. Ratnayake said today they would not try to create dispute among people and added would work towards restoring stability in the country. more..

May 8 (PTI) An American official, seriously injured during the Easter Sunday suicide bombings in Sri Lanka succumbed to her injuries, the US embassy said Wednesday as Washington reaffirmed its commitment to fight terrorism around the world. Chelsea Decaminada, an International Programme Specialist with the Department of Commerce, was staying at the Shangri-La in Colombo on Apr 21 when more..

May 8 (CT) Western Province Governor Azath Salley intervened to transfer 10 Muslim female teachers to various schools in his Province, when they were prohibited from entering the school since they were wearing the traditional Hijab yesterday. Parents of the Puwakpitiya Tamil Maha Vidyalaya closed the school gate preventing Muslim school teachers who were going to school yesterday morning. Members of the School Development Society who were at the gate told teachers more..

May 8 (DM) Leader of Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa today called for the appointment of a select committee to discuss on the proposed Counter-Terrorism Act (CTA) so that a proper discussion could be held on the legislation. “We are calling for a select committee, as there was no proper discussion on the proposed CTA. Our party opposes the proposed Bill but we are ready to discuss it," he said. PM Ranil Wickremesinghe who responded said the Bill had been discussed more..

May 8 (DM) While stating there was no need to create a bogeyman (Goni Billa) out of the Counter-Terrorism Act, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the need of the hour was to keep aside narrow political divisions and come together to strengthen the existing legal framework and face the terrorism threat. PM said that the people of the country are requesting the 225 MPs represented in Parliament to unite to defeat terrorism. more..

May 9 (CT) As I write this, my mind is very much on the remains of 56 unclaimed bodies of victims of the ISIS-mentored massacres in SL’s Catholic/ Pentecostal churches and two score tourists in Colombo’s high-end hotels. Consider this seriously if you will… for a moment? The authorities have once more bungled up, though in a less serious manner, once again. They have not told us whether the remains are all presumed to be of Sri Lankans or whether they include any which suggest more..

May 9 (CT) I was 16 when I witnessed the horror terrorism first hand. It was the blast I lost my father in. When the long battle ended with the Tamil Tigers in 2009, I was relieved that what I witnessed would not be seen by my children. I was wrong. April 21st 2019 was when I had to cover my seven-year-old child’s eyes while my family was evacuating from the emergency exit of the Shangri La Hotel soon after the two suicide attacks which shook the entire building. more..

May 9 (Roar) When eight explosions rocked SL on Easter Sunday, the govt moved swiftly to declare a State of Emergency. A day after the deadly attack that left 257 dead, nearly 500 injured and the whole of SL in shock and mourning, Prez Sirisena declared that Part II of the Public Security Ordinance (PSO) would come into effect. Under Part II of the PSO, Emergency Regulations can be enacted in the interest of national security more..

May 9 (GV) Easter Sunday attacks have changed a lot of things in SL. It proved, if proof was indeed required, the sheer inefficiency of the present govt. Some of the responses provided by the President, the PM and state-officials, in the immediate aftermath, were preposterous. Though SL is not a failed state, it has a deeply divided, weak and fragile govt, which can embolden terrorist movements such as the Islamic State (IS). In a culture where politicians cannot be held accountable for more..

May 9 (CT) The failure of Prez Sirisena, PM Wickremesinghe and their intelligence agents to prevent the Easter Sunday carnage, despite early warnings from numerous sources, brought US led European and Israeli war mongers’ Islamophobia to Sri Lanka. This avoidable tragedy brought the island, faced with political and economic crisis, to a virtual halt. No one knows where the country is heading towards and what is happening. The senseless carnage has also caused immense sufferings more..

May 9 (Mirror) A British vet who gave up her life in the UK, has rescued thousands of dogs on the streets of Sri Lanka. Janey Lowes is the focus of Ben Fogle's series New Lives In The Wild, and leaves the presenter horrified when she pulls maggots from gaping wounds, performs surgery at the roadside, and is bitten by a potentially rabid dog. Ben admits he has never seen anything like it, as the realisation dawns more..

May 9 (Island) Govt leaders were cock-a-hoop in Parliament, on Tuesday; they bragged that most of the terror suspects had been arrested and normalcy restored. Victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan, as the saying goes. When the Easter Sunday terror strikes occurred, the govt worthies promptly denied the responsibility for the security lapses which had led to them. The blame for the carnage was laid at the feet of the police chief and the Defence Secretary, who had to resign. more..

May 9 (FT) In my eighties, do I look forward or backward? On Easter Sunday, 21 April, I was numb with grief but my mind went racing with multiple thoughts. Let calm descend over me to take stock of the situation. This reprehensible dastardly act was the work of criminal-minded cowards who have forgotten the Quran’s message of mercy, forgiveness, the categorical statement – those who commit murder of even one person it is as if the whole human race has been annihilated. more..

May 9 (CT) Amidst many lose ends, there is much speculation whether the Easter Sunday massacre was a purely local NTJ act or an int'l IS organised one. Belatedly, IS has claimed ownership and the USA has used that as a pretext for foreign intelligence, led by its FBI to move into SL. Then, by Middle East and global experience, the US military moves in and a battlefield results. When the JO leaders met Prez last week, I appealed to him not to allow this to happen by sending them back. more..

May 9 (Island) A glaring inadequacy in current public discussion or discourse on the issues growing out of the Easter Sunday terror attacks is the almost lop-sided stress on short-term security measures as answers to these complex posers. Immediate security measures to protect the public are urgently needed and the SL state is providing these requirements adequately but discussion on these questions needs to go well beyond this dimension in the country’s present affairs. more..

May 9 (FT) The private sector hailed the Govt's financial assistance package to revive the Easter Sunday terror attacks-hit tourism industry, but asked that relief be extended to hotel employees as well. In principle three industry bodies, Hotels Association of SL (THASL), City Hotels Association (CHA), and SL Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) welcomed the relief package announced on Tuesday by more..

May 9 (Island) On the second day running, I enjoyed my dosa followed by a ginger drink at the Café in Auroville, where I met two Indians who were living in there peacefully. As they tucked into delicious idly, they asked me to join them over breakfast. After a brief chat with them, I went to the Auroville visitors centre video room at 8.45 am. Many who had collected passes joined. The room was full. Firstly, they showed us a video of the Matrimandir, how it started and everything else. more..

May 9 (DN) Sri Lanka’s one-day international record has been so dismal that no one in his right mind would give them a dog’s chance of getting anywhere close to winning the World Cup for amongst the other nine competing teams there are plenty of winners who are capable of lifting the trophy having displayed the form that is required leading up to the mega event which kicks off on May 30. Teams like host England, India, Australia, NZ, South Africa and West Indies are the front runners for the title more..

May 9 (FT) Opposition Lawmaker Vasudeva Nanayakkara called on the Govt to take measures to monitor content circulated on social media platforms to minimise hate speech and prevent communal clashes. He said social media content, which has raised concerns, could create tense situations between communities. Citing a recent letter that had been circulating, he called on Govt to investigate the credibility of such content more..

May 9 (Island) DFCC Bank concluded its Rights Issue with subscriptions reaching over 43% of the total LKR 7.6 Billion on offer. This Rights Issue was the culmination of DFCC's capital raising programme for this year and came on the heels of a LKR 10 Billion debenture issue, which was oversubscribed. Capital so raised will enable DFCC to comfortably meet regulatory and funding requirements going forward and provide the Bank a stronger base on which to achieve its medium term goals. more..

May 9 (CT) Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene is likely to give the green light shortly for the resumption of the Inter School League Rugby Competition and the SL Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) stays primed to resume phase 2 of the competition. The second phase of the tournament was postponed due to the terror attacks, especially in Colombo, and at one point it seemed that resumption would be impossible. But Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene is said to have more..

May 9 (EN) Central Bank which has printed tens of billions of rupees in 2018 to boost economic activity artificially just as the economy recovered, generating another bust and currency collapse, bringing to fruition a remarkable prediction made in 1975. SL abolished a hard peg (currency board) with a floating interest rates and moved to money printing in 1950 on the false promise that exchange rate & interest rate can be controlled at the same time and join failed Bretton Woods system of soft-pegs. more..

May 9 (AD) Maligawatte police have found 56 swords in a well in the Maligawatte area in Colombo, today (8). Reportedly, 44 Chinese manufactured swords, 12 old swords, 49 knives, 26 CDs with covers with Arabic writing letters on them, a firearm, and a narcotic drug called ‘Ice’ have been found inside a 20-feet deep well near a mosque in Maligawatte. However, Ada Derana correspondent, who had gone to report search operation conducted by Navy divers, had been obstructed by more..

May 9 (OI) Sri Lankan suicide bomber Mohammad Hasthoon’s wife, Pulasthini Mahendran aka Sara who is believed to be an active participant in the recent Sri Lankan bombings, was born in a devout Hindu lower middle class family and was converted to Islam and radicalised, a report by popular Tamil channel IBC Tamizh has revealed. As per the report, Pulasthini was born in a middle-class Hindu family in Thettativu, more..

May 9 (FT) Cabinet this week gave approval to implement recommendations made by the Committee of Experts on restructuring of SriLankan Airlines, headed by the State Finance Minister Eran Wickramaratne. The proposal made by Prez Sirisena, who appointed the Committee to explore ways to revamp the struggling airline, outlined recommendations given by the 12-member Committee in January. Committee has presented recommendations on restructuring of airline more..

May 9 (DN) SIAL Canada 2019 Food and Beverage Sector Int'l Exhibition was held in Enercare Centre, Toronto from Apr 30- May 2. SL’s national participation was coordinated by the Consulate General in Toronto together with the SL Tea Board. SIAL Canada is one of the most popular professional food and beverage sector exhibitions being held annually in Canada, and visited by several thousand buyers, buying agents, importers, food sector distributors, experts, wholesalers more..

May 9 (CT) An officer attached to the US Embassy in Sri Lanka has taken several Sri Lankan Judges for a seminar in the US with the intention of interfering with the affairs of the Courts, UPFA MP Udaya Gammanpila alleged. He made this allegation during the Adjournment debate on the current security situation in the country. He claimed, “The US is trying to intervene with local affairs by manipulating our Courts. more..

May 9 (FT) Sri Lanka Tourism said despite the recent tragic setbacks the country experienced, global travellers who are comforted by assurances by the Tri-forces and political leadership are starting to show renewed confidence. It said this is amplified by the interest from travel writers and bloggers who wish to explore, photograph, and promote this picturesque destination. SL Tourism Promotion Bureau is hosting famed int'l social media influencers who arrived in SL on 7 May, more..

May 9 (DM) Legal action would be taken against persons or groups who are involved in spreading alleged rumours and fake news with the aim of sabotaging the school activities and fulfil their narrow political and personal agendas, Education Ministry today said. They said several complaints had been received claiming certain groups had allegedly forced principals, teachers and students not to present in schools. Also, action would be taken to pass the information on more..

May 9 (Island) The CIABOC arrested a 26-year-old person named Mohammed Siphan, who had allegedly tried to bribe the OIC of Horowpathana police station to secure the release of Moulavi Abdul Mohamed Niyaz taken into custody in Horowpathana police area, in the wake of the Easter Sunday carnage. Law enforcement sources said that the officers of CIABOC had apprehended the suspect in the act of handing over more..

May 9 (FT) Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres said that the recent despicable attacks in Kenya, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, among others, are tragic reminders of the global reach of the scourge of terrorism. Speaking at the Official Launch of the United Nations Countering Terrorist Travel Program at UN Headquarters in New York, Guterres said that these attacks underscore the need to work closely with partners across the UN system and beyond. more..