May 14 (DN) Nations Trust Bank’s performance during the quarter ending March 31, 2019 reflected a continuation of the issues witnessed in the previous few quarters with increasing non-performing loans and moderation of credit growth. The increased credit cost arising from both higher NPLs and policy changes relating to SLFRS 9 impairment provisioning added further pressure to the results of the quarter when compared with the corresponding period. Despite these unfavorable conditions, more..

May 14 (Roar) It is often the case that when a nation is blindsided by tragedy, its people will translate their grief into fear and anger. This is what graphic designer and illustrator, Tahira Rifath, found to be the case when a series of coordinated explosions hit Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, killing 258 people and injuring scores more. In the aftermath of the attacks, Rifath felt immense grief over what had happened, and yet, when more..

May 14 (DN) Country’s Education plays an important role in the life and the culture of its people. The University of Ceylon was established on July 1, 1942 by the Ceylon University Ordinance No.20 of 1942 which was to be unitary, residential and autonomous. University was located in Colombo and several years later a second campus was built in Peradeniya. Uni of Ceylon became the Uni of Sri Lanka following the Uni of Ceylon Act No. 1 of 1972 resulting in a more centralized administration more..

May 14 (Island) I posted on Facebook this week a rough comparison between New Zealand’s response to terrorism in Christchurch and SL’s response to the Easter Sunday attacks, a month after. Fleshing this out and placing it for wider consideration amongst an older demographic, possible through this column, may help kickstart what Martin Luther King Jnr in 1963 called the fierce urgency of now to highlight the importance of civil and basic human rights. The country is moving rapidly, more..

May 14 (Island) Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance in its report on the fiscal, financial and economic assumptions of the Budget for 2019, has issued a damning indictment of the Ministry of Finance stating that the MoF had deliberately misled Parliament. Due to doubts about the validity of the figures provided by the Ministry of Finance, the Committee on Public Finance has requested the Central Bank to more..

May 14 (ST) The Sri Lanka Cricket team will be in action at the forthcoming Cricket World Cup (WC) in England, to regain the prestige the island nation had in the past, as a world class outfit with excellent fighting qualities. The selectors took a long time to announce the final squad and the captain. They did not seem to be in a happy state, considering the performances of the team in New Zealand and South Africa, and had to rely on an inter provincial tournament. more..

May 14 (Island) There have been several incidents of violence during the last few days though the situation has remained calm, overall. Sporadic as such clashes may be they must be considered an ominous sign of some sinister elements trying to plunge the country into chaos. Action has to be taken to forestall a possible flare-up in an emotion-charged environment, where the govt has failed to inspire trust in the public. President Sirisena and PM Wickremesinghe are busy playing ping-pong more..

May 14 (Island) Suspended former Head Coach of SL ‘A’ team Avishka Gunawardene has claimed that a political brat infamous for his off the field escapades has been trying to frame him as a corrupt individual. The ICC on Friday announced that the 41-year had been charged on two counts for breaching the Anti Corruption Code. Gunawardene is accused of encouraging corrupt practice and not reporting an incident during more..

May 14 (ST) A letter sent to the Minister of Sports by the Negombo Football League has put the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) in the news once again. According to letter, dated May 7, 2019 and signed by the President of Negombo FL, Ranjith Rodrigo, the term of office of the current FFSL office bearers has exeeded its two year tenure, but the officials remain to operate, shielding behind a clause of the Sports Regulation. The letter requests the Minister of Sports to conduct an investigation more..

May 14 (FT) Amidst challenging market conditions, Hatton National Bank (HNB) posted a profit before tax of Rs. 3.3 billion and a profit after tax of Rs. 2 billion for the first quarter of 2019. HNB Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody commenting on the performance noted: “Amidst macroeconomic gains, Sri Lanka’s economic growth trajectory remains underwhelming and meandering below 4%. This has occurred due to a combination of tepid domestic demand, reduced government expenditure more..

May 14 (ST) Months after plans for a swimming pool at Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) High Performance Center at R Premadasa Stadium were abandoned by the previous Thilanga Sumathipala administration, successor Shammi Silva is determined to start the project as a priority. While construction is to commence shortly at R Premadasa Stadium–which is mainly used as a cricket training facility in Colombo–plans are more..

May 14 (DN) Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter Most Venerable Warakagoda Gnanaratana Thera said yesterday that there is an urgent need to provide a quick and appropriate solution to the country’s current crisis. “The future impacts of this problem may be devastating, if the authorities do not quickly respond to the prevailing crisis,” the Asgigiya Mahanayake Thera said. Most Venerable Warakagoda Gnanarathana Thera making a special statement on the current situation more..

May 14 (Island) UPFA MP Kumara Welgama, on Sunday, disputed President Maithripala Sirisena’s claim, at a Kalutara District Security Committee meeting, that the security situation was under control. Welgama said that though the President had assured that normalcy had returned, his head of security had been informed by his superiors to ensure his safety. Thus, the statements the President made on the security situation were contradictory, Welgama said. more..

May 14 (AD) It was recently discovered that the suicide bomber who attacked the St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade had arrived at the location in a white-coloured van registered under the name of the suicide bomber at the Kingsbury Hotel. He was identified as Mohamed Assam Mubarak. The vehicle in question bearing the number plate WP-PJ-4080 was equipped with bombs and was parked near the church intentionally. more..

May 14 (CT) Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday stated that recent reports which had highlighted tension among groups and people attempting to engage in violence in several areas in the country do not bode well for long lasting peace here. He has, in a press release, said that religious leaders and people of different faiths and races had reached a decision to live in peace and harmony. However, Speaker Jayasuriya has noted that certain acts of violence being reported from certain areas more..

May 14 (CT) Minister M.H.A. Haleem said that measures will be taken to conduct Friday prayer sessions at mosques in the Sinhala language henceforth. In addition, Minister had informed all heads of mosques on steps that they should take regarding national reconciliation. He had stated this in a communiqué issued to the Moulavis of all mosques here. In the communiqué, it has been stipulated that those who conduct prayer sessions in mosques should at no time attempt to more..

May 14 (AD) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe says the security forces are successfully carrying out the investigations on the terror attack on Easter Sunday, which was a result of global terrorism. Most of the persons who are in connection with the attacks have already been arrested, the PM further said. Issuing a press release, PM Wickremesinghe said the country would be destabilized if racial conflicts are to emerge more..

May 14 (DM) Following the fuel price revision by the Finance Ministry last Friday, Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) also revised its fuel prices with effect from midnight today. According to the current revision, the price of Lanka Auto Diesel (LAD) was reduced by Rs.9 per litre. A litre of Lanka Petrol 92 Octane (LP92) had been increased by Rs.5 to Rs.140. A litre of Xtra MILE diesel would be sold at Rs.108 while a litre of Lanka Super Diesel (Euro 4) would be sold at Rs.136. more..

May 14 (FT) MPs backing Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa will hold talks today to bring a no-confidence motion against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, an official said. The final decision on the composition of the no-confidence motion will be taken after the JO group meeting with Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa at his residence today afternoon. MP Dullas Alahapperuma said they would consider the willingness of other MPs who have already showed interest in bringing a no-confidence motion against Bathiudeen. more..

May 14 (DM) Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday appealed to the people, especially the youth, to avoid taking the law into their own hands and prevent enemy forces from plunging the country into another 1983 Black July. Issuing a statement, Mr. Rajapaksa said the country had been dragged into a 30-year war due to the ethnic-violence that erupted with the blessings of the then govt in July 1983. “Those bitter experiences still linger in our minds. more..

May 14 (Island) Supreme Court, yesterday, re-fixed the contempt of court inquiry against Ranjan Ramanayake, Deputy Minister and UNP MP from July 29 to Aug 2. Ramanayake is charged with having made degrading public statements about the judges and lawyers on August 17, 2017 in Colombo. The inquiry was re-fixed because Justice Vijith Malalgoda is chairing a Presidential Commission appointed to investigate the Apr 21, 2019 violence. Justice Malalgoda, heard application earlier. more..

May 14 (FT) Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) in a statement yesterday said it is alarmed by the increased spate of communal violence against the Muslim community since the Easter Sunday attacks of 21 April. Recent and ongoing incidents in Negombo, Chilaw, Kurunegala, Kuliyapitiya, Hettipola, Dummalasuriya, Rasnayakapura, Kobeigane, and Bingiriya among others indicate that Muslim homes, businesses and places of worship are being targeted by violent individuals more..

May 14 (DN) The govt and the Security Forces and Police will extend unqualified support to the people to celebrate Vesak by giving pride of place to amisa pooja as decided by the Mahanayake Theras of three Nikayas, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said. “There is no need to postpone or cancel Vesak celebrations for any reason. Even the Portuguese couldn’t restrict Vesak celebrations,” said PM. He was speaking at the ceremony to award more..

May 14 (DM) Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith today said he has no intention of seeking any political posts or to support any political party. Cardinal Ranjith said in a special statement that his only intention is to work for God and the people whom he gives leadership to. “I was saddened and astonished to hear that certain persons are recommending me for various political posts. I as a Bishop, my only intention is to engage in spiritual activities,” the Cardinal said. more..

May 14 (AD) The court has granted the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) permission to record a statement from Karupayya Rajendran Abdulla, who was arrested and remanded over being employed at the copper factory in Wellampitiya which was owned by the suicide bomber at the Shangri-La Hotel. The Colombo Additional Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage delivered this order considering a request made by the TID when the suspect was produced before the court yesterday (13). more..

May 14 (DM) Stern legal action would be taken against lawbreakers who instigated sporadic countrywide riots targeting Muslim-owned property and businesses, Acting Police Chief C.D. Wickramaratne yesterday said. The Acting IGP further requested the public to remain calm and peaceful and cooperate with law enforcement authorities to restore normalcy after police curfew was imposed following the violence. more..

May 14 (FT) Concerns over state of governance were raised yesterday in political circles with President Maithripala Sirisena leaving to China on an official visit leading to the cancellation of today’s Cabinet meeting, putting off key decisions when the country is in a state of emergency post-Easter Sunday terror attacks. President Sirisena along with a large delegation left to China to attend the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations in Beijing from 15 to 22 May. more..

May 14 (EN) Sri Lanka military is prepared to use maximum force against groups of nationalist rioters who are attacking Muslim citizens, Army Chief Mahesh Senanayake has said as a nation-wide curfew was declared following violence in two districts in the wake of Easter Sunday bombings. "I am warning those who are moving around in motorcycles, destroying property of innocent people, threatening their lives," Senanayake said speaking on MTV, a private television station. more..

May 14 (EN) The IMF Fund has resumed and extended a program with Sri Lanka giving US$ 164.1 million to the central bank, which has to maintain a soft-peg with the US dollar to build more forex reserves. IMF suspended its program with Sri Lanka after the central bank missed its forex reserve target, by printing money to push down rates through two liquidity shocks as the economy recovered in early 2018. more..

May 14 (LBO) SL authorities have taken steps to temporarily block the Twitter platform for the first time to stop sharing harmful information on social media. Other social media platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Viber, Snapchat and Facebook Messenger have already been blocked in the country from yesterday. NetBlocks data showed that leading internet providers SLC, Dialog Axiata, Mobitel, Etisalat and Airtel have implemented these restrictions. more..

May 14 (AFP) A Muslim mas was slashed to death in Sri Lanka Monday, police said after imposing a nationwide curfew to contain a violent new backlash against Easter suicide bombings. The 45-year-old man died shortly after admission to a hospital in Puttalam district during anti-Muslim rioting which began Sunday in the area, a police official told AFP. "Mobs had attacked him with sharp weapons at his carpentry workshop," the official said. "This is the first death from the riots." more..

May 14 (FT) As mob violence escalated yesterday, the Govt clamped down imposing an islandwide curfew and blocked social media sites as clashes erupted across three districts and the Govt appealed for calm. As security forces struggled to contain the communal violence which started on Sunday night in several localities in Kurunegala area, the Police took steps to impose an islandwide curfew from 9 p.m. last night. more..

May 14 (DM) Sufism reigned. It was at its best in Kaththankudi. Aesthetics were part of the culture and there was a general air of lightness, positivism and cheerfulness. Women were bustling around the city in beautiful pastel coloured dresses. Lemon green, pink and light blue were the popular colours. The elderly women were dressed in simple silk sarees with white background. Nobody wore headdresses. Women worked alongside with their husbands and brothers in shops. more..

May 14 (DM) In my eighties - Do I look forward or backward April 21 Easter Sunday 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 14 (DM) Intelligence-driven kinetic means can only do so much. The acid test would be to prevent the recurrence of the monstrosity that surfaced on the Easter Sunday. A good part of that responsibility lies with the local Muslim community. Their contribution to the success of intelligence operations has so far been crucial. However, confronting the ideology that is at the heart of Islamic terrorism needs greater more..

May 14 (ST) Muslim leaders are speaking out against the atrocities committed by the Easter Sunday bombers while also urging other communities not to tar all Muslims with the same brush. “There are so many things the Muslim community itself has to do,” said Ali Sabry, President’s Counsel. “There are no two words about it. Some reforms have to take place. This is a watershed moment for the Muslims. more..

May 14 (EN) Sri Lanka’s govt plans to launch a promotional campaign in Thailand as part of measures to draw visitors from short haul markets following the sharp downturn in arrivals after last month’s suicide bomb attacks. The new campaign kicks off in Thailand with the Ministry of Tourism Development offering to bear the full participation cost of 20 Sri Lanka destination management companies at two travel events there. more..

May 14 (CT) The Govt claims that Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa had, one-and-a-half months ago, agreed to support the passing of the Counter Terrorism Bill. The proposed Counter Terrorism Act (CTA) seeks to bring all amendments to the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) under one law, the Govt noted. Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella revealed this at a Media briefing, at his Ministry yesterday (13). more..

May 14 (CT) PHU Leader and MP Udaya Gammanpila said, both the PHU and NFF would not support any politician that obtains support from Western Province Governor Azath Salley and Minister Rishad Bathiudeen to form a Govt at future Elections. Gammanpila said, “After analyzing the information we have received, we found that two politicians have direct links with the spread of extremism in the country. more..

May 14 (FT) A more convinced and supportive effort by banks to help Easter Sunday terror attacks battered travel and tourism industry is likely following a top-level progressive meeting yesterday chaired by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera. Given the seriousness of the crisis faced by the travel and tourism industry, yesterday’s meeting saw attendance of Ministers John Amaratunga, Eran Wickramaratne, more..