May 27 (FT) The Port of Colombo yesterday said container volumes have increased by 9.1% and the performance in the first four months by 5.9% Growth has been contributed to by all terminals – the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT), South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) and the Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT). In April 2018, the Port of Colombo had handled a total transhipments volume of 441,437 TEUs, which has increased to 482,910 for the same period this year. more..

May 27 (FT) Aitken Spence PLC has come up with yet another sustained financial performance for the 12 months ending 31 March with a 13.8% year-on-year growth in Profit-Before-Tax from Rs. 6.4 billion to Rs. 7.3 billion, its highest ever. The leading conglomerate said it recorded a steady growth in several key sectors. The conglomerate capitalised on its broad-based business portfolio spread across several countries and sectors by recording an increase in its annual revenue by 5.6% more..

May 27 (ST) Sri Lanka is once again turning to China for a fresh injection of cash, which will come during the year as it prepares for a crippling debt repayment cycle, began in 2019. With that new infusion, US$ 5 billion received so far as Chinese loans will push the country deeper into Beijing’s grasp. 15% of Sri Lanka’s foreign debt is from China emerging as a large creditor in the country providing much-needed funds for more..

May 27 (FT) The Pathfinder Foundation founder and former Minister and MP Milinda Moragoda in a statement has called for the introduction of compulsory national service. Following is the full text of his statement. Sri Lanka’s fractured society and lack of social cohesion make it essential that radical solutions be implemented for what at present appears to be an intractable problem. Sri Lanka needs to adopt a series of multifaceted strategies to overcome the present crisis. more..

May 27 (CT) A group of 41 boat people, who were allegedly attempting to enter Christmas Island, on the Australian mainland, were arrested shortly before dusk on Friday, the Navy said yesterday. Among the group were seven children, four women and the rest males, including the crew of the multi-day fishing trawler, a senior official said. He added that the group was apprehended some 780 nautical miles off the Galle Coast and were within 700 nautical miles from Christmas Island. more..

May 27 (Hindu) At first, they were nameless. Nine suicide bombers, is all authorities would reveal. In a little over a week, the police identified each of them and their stories began coming out. Now, a month after Sri Lanka’s savage Easter attacks, a messy web of disgruntled radicals has emerged, throwing up troubling hints of how readily rage can court terror. Zahran Hashim, 33, radical preacher and alleged ringleader, more..

May 27 (Island) Even as World leaders are congratulating BJP leader Sri Narendra Modi for having won a second term in the just concluded Lok Sabha elections to become PM again, some Sri Lankan Tamils in India have lot more expectations this time in India playing a constructive role to help resolve the ethnic issue in SL. Speaking to the Deccan Chronicle from Yaazhpaanam-Kilinochi, Eliyakutti Sarangan said the Island-Tamils have much more expectations this time more..

May 27 (CT) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe met representatives of the Civil Society and the Trade Union Collective at his official residence on Saturday (25), where he briefed them on the security measures being implemented following both the Easter Sunday terror attack and the subsequent communal violence which erupted in several areas of the country. The meeting took place on the invitation of the Prime Minister. Those in attendance were: Ven. Dambara Amila Nayaka Thera, more..

May 27 (SO) The Personal Accident (PA) cover of the Strike, Riot, Civil Commotion and Terrorism Fund (SRCC & T Fund) will be extended to riot and terrorism risks for inbound tourists, National Insurance Trust Fund (NITF) Board Chairman Manjula de Silva said. He said the move is in response to requests from the travel and insurance industries. The SRCC and terrorism cover will be available up to Rs. 100 million per person more..

May 27 (AD) Two complaints against the Eastern Province Governor A.L.A.M. Hizbullah and Minister Rishad Bathiudeen have been forwarded to the CID, stated the Police Media Spokesperson. The two complaints have been lodged at the Police Headquarters the Ravana Balaya organization and the Buddhist Information Center. The Ravana Balaya organization has lodged a complaint calling for law enforcement against the Easter Province Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah and more..

May 27 (AD) The executive committee Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) will focus on the doctor attached to the Kurunegala Hospital, who was arrested over assets earned through suspicious means. The Assistant Secretary of GMOA Dr. Navin de Zoysa stated that a special committee has been already appointed to probe the case of this particular doctor. The preliminary report of the committee will be presented to the Executive Committee of GMOA tomorrow, he further said. more..

May 27 (FT) President Maithripala Sirisena has decided to summon a meeting monthly to review the progress of the tasks implemented to strengthen the country’s national security while obtaining the ideas and suggestions of all the parties as well as their assistance. The first meeting of the Committee was held at the Presidential Secretariat on Friday under the patronage of President Sirisena with the participation of PM Wickremesinghe, more..

May 27 (NR) Motorists have been granted a two-week grace period from tomorrow to comply with the traffic lane law which will be strictly implemented across all parts of the country. Speaking to NewsRadio Police Media Spokesperson Superintendent of Police Ruwan Gunasekara said the Police Headquarters has decided to enforce the law within all police divisions. The traffic lane law gives police the authority to arrest drivers who change their lanes haphazardly. more..

May 27 (Island) Security forces have taken steps to thwart attempts by the National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) cadres to flee the country, following reports that some of them with ISIS links had left for India in a boat. The Indian Coast Guard deployed its ships and maritime surveillance aircraft around the Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands territory and on approaches from SL after an intelligence report said a boat carrying 15 Islamic State terrorists had had left SL for the Lakshadweep islands. more..

May 27 (AD) The public is urged to come forward with any complaints of Dr. Seigu Siyabdeen Mohamed Shafi having carried out illegal sterilization, stated the Police. Accordingly, if there are complaints against the relevant doctor performing illegal sterilization the public can submit them to the CID. Shafi (42), a resident of Weerasinghe Mawatha in Kurunegala, was arrested by police at his home on May 25 based on information received by more..

May 28 (DM) Terrorism is all about savage attacks against defenceless people with the sole intention of spreading fear and terror among its victims. In today’s world the media largely associate terror with either people of colour or Islamic extremists. World leaders like US President Donald Trump have gone on record blaming terrorism as emanating from the Middle East, from Latin America or from Asia. Without giving a thought to what these leaders say, many people tend to accept, more..

May 28 (Island) My apologies to parliamentarian Sarath Fonseka for misquoting him, by changing the term he used kodivinaya to hooniyama, and my thanks to B.S. Perera for pointing out this error on my part, in his piece Bungling Politics (Island, 22 May) wherein he also questions whether I am promoting a party or a person, which certainly is not my intention. In my defence may I point out, not being a believer of the occult, neither kodivinaya nor hooniyama mean much to me and more..

May 28 (SO) The following is an interview with Malik Samarawickrama on the Easter bombings, and the UNP’s stakes in the 2019 presidential race. Q: It has been over a month since the Easter attacks took place. There has been a public outcry for accountability, and even the Bar Association has filed a court case against the Cabinet including yourself. As a Minister, do you feel responsible for allowing the Easter attacks more..

May 28 (DM) There has perhaps been no garment that has aroused so much controversy as the Niqab or face-veil worn by a small minority of Muslim women. Although worn by only a very small percentage of women, it is conspicuous as can be and grabs attention wherever it is worn, making one wonder whether it is really for modesty as it is made out to be, or for attention. Jokes apart, it is bound to come to the limelight again no sooner the state of emergency is lifted. more..

May 28 (CT) When the British PM Theresa May declared her resignation, she talked about the country I love, almost in tears and emotion. We all feel the same no doubt about our own country Sri Lanka whatever the misgivings that we have about its violence, misdeeds or leaders. There must have been so many events that have disturbed us in life, and in my case most were related to violence and killings. I left active left politics after the 1971 insurrection because it was unfortunately more..

May 28 (CT) As the days pass by since the 21 April Easter Sunday Terror Strike on Sri Lanka, the dark cloud hovering over us seems to be passing by the truthfulness displayed by community leaders. The debilitating terror attack on the churches and hotels though optically seen as attacks on Christians, is in reality an attack on Sri Lanka focused on destabilisation and disintegration of the economy and society. more..

May 28 (GV) It was a casual Sunday breakfast, as I was making notes on refugees in SL, when my partner, his eyes still peeled on his phone, exclaimed in shock that a church has been attacked. It was one Sunday ago that stone-wielding angry mobs held worshipper’s hostage at a prayer centre in A'pura run by Methodist church of SL. I immediately thought this was an attack similar to Palm Sunday. No sooner than I had taken my phone did the horrific images and heart-breaking more..

May 28 (SO) It appears that no confidence motions these days are a dime a dozen. JO is spearheading one against the Minister Rishard Bathiudeen. Meanwhile, the JVP wants to bring one against the entire govt for neglecting the country’s security, leading to the Easter Sunday attacks. Politicians are, by nature, opportunistic. They have to be, to survive in the cut-throat world of politics. Therefore, the two opposition political groups cannot be blamed for wanting to have their say, more..

May 28 (CT) The bombai-mutai seller said that sales were poor. People who once bought his sweets were today treating him differently because he was Muslim. He was a poor man trying to make his living while carrying candy floss on the streets of Colombo. My wife bought three packets, asked him to keep the change, and told our children that he too would have a family at home waiting for his return. The panic of the first three weeks after the Easter Sunday bombings has reduced significantly. more..

May 28 (Island) Traffic police have announced that lane discipline will be strictly enforced and violators severely fined. This announcement may not have gone down well with many motorists, but the need for maintaining road discipline cannot be overemphasised, given the sheer number of accidents which snuff out as many as seven or eight lives daily. One cannot but agree with the police that lane jumpers have to be severely dealt with as they pose a danger to others and wreak havoc more..

May 28 (CI) David Warner was rested due to leg soreness and Steven Smith did all his batting in the nets, as Australia's other big names Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc revved into rhythm and form in a comprehensive defeat of Sri Lanka in the World Cup warm-up match at the Hampshire Bowl. Usman Khawaja compiled an attractive 89 to press his case for the No. 3 batting spot, given intense competition for places more..

May 28 (Island) Hosts India ‘A’ right from the start, were too hot to handle for the touring SL ‘A’, as the former convincingly wrapped-up the first unofficial Test by an innings and 205-runs, inside three-day’s, at Belgaum yesterday. Ever since, the home team posted a handsome total, Sri Lankans surrendered meekly, particularly, in the follow-on. Batting to save an elusive draw, the opening pair did no good repeating the first-innings flop. Sadeera Samarawickrama was highest scorer with 48. more..

May 28 (EN) Soft drink sales have started to pick up after the initial shock of a sugar tax, while a price cut after taxes were reduced, while the firm is also moving into selling water and milk, a top beverage maker has said. Sri Lanka slammed an interventionist European style tax, discouraging the use of non-alcoholic drinks and pushing manufacturers to use alternative chemicals instead of natural sugar. Sri Lanka also has high alcohol taxes. more..

May 28 (FT) Promoting and protecting SL’s economy and security was placed at the core of multi-dimensional challenges facing the country by Army Commander Lt. General Mahesh Senanayake yesterday. Delivering the keynote address titled Role of a Corporate in a National Crisis, at a seminar organised by the Association of HR Professionals (HRP) at BMICH, he highlighted leadership, effective policies and patriotism more..

May 28 (ICC) Angelo Mathews, former SL captain, believes that overcoming pressure situations will be his team’s biggest challenge at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Sri Lanka, 1996 World Cup champions and two-time runners-up, come into the tournament as the No.9 ranked ODI side. They have won only six of the 22 one-day internationals they have played since January 2018. Adding to their ask is that several members of their World Cup squad are returning after a spell on the sidelines. more..

May 28 (ICC) If chess is the most tactical sport, then cricket must come a very close second. Over the 44 years since the first World Cup that has never been more obvious than in the tactical evolutions that have taken place in the white-ball game. Mike Brearley’s Art of Captaincy is the definitive treatise on the challenges of leading an international side and it was one of his contemporaries, Clive Lloyd, who led the West Indies to the first two World Cup titles, playing one of the more..

May 28 (LBO) Sri Lanka’s vehicle registrations were down in almost every category in April due to the New Year and Easter holidays and subsequent turmoil in the country post Easter Sunday bombings. Total motor cars recorded 2,120 units in April down from 2,961 units in March and significantly down from 6,160 units 12 months ago. Brand new motor car registrations recorded 309 units in April down from 422 units in March more..

May 28 (PMD) Buddhist representatives including the Maha Nayaka Theros of Thailand met with President Maithripala Sirisena at the Prez’s Official Residence, yesterday (25). The representatives expressed their happiness over regaining Sri Lanka after facing the Easter Sunday terror attack and further said that as a Buddhist country Thailand always stand with Sri Lanka. President expressed his happiness over visiting of Maha Nayaka Theros and recalled the long standing relationship more..

May 28 (CT) The Sri Lanka national football team will lock horns with the Laos national team today for a friendly match in Laos. FFSL arranged the friendly tour to Laos to give the team a morale boost prior to the upcoming World Cup qualifiers 2022. The team is led by experienced Goal Keeper Sujan Perera, while Kavindu Ishan will be his deputy. Nizam Packeer Ali will be the Head Coach, to be assisted by Janaka Silva (Assistant Coach) and Sampath Bandara (Goalkeeping Coach). more..

May 28 (AD) The Palmyra Fund, intended to provide funds for the development of Northern and Eastern provinces, was established under the patronage of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe today (27). PM stated that the fund was initiated considering the request made by the MPs serving for Northern and Eastern provinces. Through Palmyra Fund, separate money allocations will be made for the development of the areas more..

May 28 (Island) A controversial written exam and a newly introduced points system to promote sports officers to the post of coaches have irked aspiring sports officers in the Southern Province. A number of sports officers expressed concern that the new system would jeopardize their chances of getting promoted to the deserving positions as coaches despite having proven track records. "I can’t comprehend the rationale behind evaluating the knowledge of administrative skills more..

May 28 (EN) Sri Lanka Telecom has tied up with work.lk in a deal that gives the freelance work platform access to the telecom provider’s customers. The tie up will “increase convenience to the general public in finding essential services online, whilst also empowering the freelance community in the country to find freelance jobs easily,” a statement said. Under the deal, SLT will help its customers by providing the required platform which will enable them to subscribe for work.lk services more..

May 28 (Island) The Eastern Province Ministry of Education has cancelled all transfers of Muslim teachers from Tamil schools, ordered by the provincial Governor, M.L.A.M. Hizbullah. Provincial Ministry of Education has acted on the instructions of Prez Sirisena. Earlier PLOTE MP S. Viyalendiran had complained to the Prez that Hizbullah was abusing his power by transferring Muslim teachers to Muslim schools and more..

May 28 (DN) Sri Lanka has submitted the final papers to the EU, signed by both the govt of Indonesia and the govt of Sri Lanka to buy fabric from Indonesia. This is to secure a complete duty waiver exporting to the European Union (EU) under the GSP + concessions. The EU has virtually accepted the submission and the SL govt is waiting for the EU approval to go ahead with this initiative, Nimal Karunathilake- Acting Additional Director General of the Dept of Commerce said. more..