April 18 (Xinhua) Sri Lanka's external affairs and defense ministries are preparing to brief diplomats in Colombo next week after the govt banned 16 groups they say are linked to the Tamil Tigers. The inquiries from the international community come after recent reports by the army of attempts to revive the terrorist organization in Sri Lanka. In an attempt to clarify reasons for banning the organizations, more..

April 18 (DM) The Defence & Urban Development Ministry and the Sri Lanka Navy today strongly denied allegations published in the media that the Muslim families who had encroached into the Willpattu National Park were those displaced as a result of naval deployments in the area. In a statement Army Spokesman Ruwan Wanigasooriya said the Naval Deployment in Mullikkulam and Marichchikaddu had displaced only more..

April 18 (CG) The alleged failure by the police to prevent the attack on a group of UNP members in Hambanthota last evening is under investigation, SSP Ajith Rohana said. The police spokesman said that a complaint had been made at the police headquarters over the incident yesterday. Video footage aired by television stations showed police officers in uniform watching while a group of men verbally abused the UNP MPs at the more..

April 18 (AD) I was carrying a toy pistol and rushed to the scene to protect the UNP MPs, the Hambantota Mayor Kavinda Eraj Feranado said today. A team of UNP MPs who were on an inspection tour of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport came under attack by unidentified goons yesterday. Stones were pelted at the bus that the MPs Ajith P. Perera, Eran Wickremaratne, R. Yogarajan, Nalin Bandara more..

Apr 18 (Island) The Professions Supplementary to Medicine alleged that a delay on the part of the Health Ministry in giving special grade promotions during the last three years had created 90 vacancies in special grades. General Secretary, Joint Council of Professions Supplementary to Medicine (JCPSM), Saman Jayasekara said that there were only 20 Special Grade PSM in service at present. Special Grade promotions elevated PSM personnel to Superintendent Level. more..

April 18 (Island) Is Chronic Kidney Disease of Uncertain Origin (CKDu) in the dry zone, pollution of well water in Rathupaswala and Hanwella, the consequences of irrational exploitation of groundwater? I sought the opinion of Dr. C.R. Panabokke � the foremost authority on groundwater behavior in our country. "It seems so", he said reflecting on my question. "Lack of understanding of the r1esource base is the main reason for our present predicament." more..

Apr 18 (LBO) The founder of a 40 million US dollar Sri Lanka based precision tech company whose entry in to the automotive supply chain epitomizes persistence said he was helped by cultural interaction and trust. Lanka Harness Company, founded by Rohan Pallewatte, makes impact sensors for airbags, where virtually no fault is tolerated and with defects set at one part per million (1 ppm) in theory. Under the Six Sigma process 99.99966% of the output is expected to more..

April 18 (DM) About 2,100 million Christians all over the world mark Good Friday today� the holiest day on which they believe the Lord Jesus willingly made himself the sacrificial Lamb of God to be crucified to show how high, how deep and how wide God�s love is which surpasses human understanding, expectation or imagination. For some 2000 years before Christ God had given more than 10,000 promises of his unfailing, unending and ever merciful love for all people. more..

Apr 18 (Xinhua) At least nine people were killed following an accident in Polonnaruwa, central Sri Lanka, on Friday when a tractor fell into a canal, the police said. The police said that the hand tractor, usually used for farming, was transporting a group of people when it lost control and fell into the canal. Police spokesman SSP Ajith Roahan said that another 8 people were injured in the accident and were admitted to hospital. more..

Apr 18 (Island) All army personnel, irrespective of their ranks, would be educated on dangerous drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Eradication Programme already underway with the collaboration of National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) as it had become a global issue, Director Media, Army Headquarters, Brigadier Jayantha Jayaweera said. 3,000 army personnel would be educated at a time. Meanwhile, Brigadier Wanigasooriya said that LTTTE elements active overseas had more..

Apr 18 (LT) The International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) is holding its 18th Congress in Brussels, from 15th to 19th April 2014. This Congress will be the number one meeting, networking-and exchange opportunity for hundreds of legal activists throughout the world. The General Secretary of Inter Company Employees union and central committee member of JVP Janaka Adikari participates at the IADL congress representing World Federation of Trade Unions and more..

Apr 18 (RSF) A 29-year old freelance Tamil journalist has been attacked by unknown men wearing helmets in the tightly guarded Northern Jaffna peninsula last evening (14). Freelance journalist Sivagnanam Selvatheepan who has been contributing to a couple of Tamil national media outlets in Colombo was on his way home when he was attacked with iron rods by two unknown men on a motorbike near more..

Apr 18 (MoD) All set for the ceremonial opening of `Abimansala - 3' at Pangolla, Kurunegala on 25th April, said Director General of Rehabilitation Major General Mano Perera at a media conference at the Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (SLEME) conference hall yesterday. 'Abimansala' is a separate protective home for all differently able War Heroes which promotes their well-being throughout their life span. Wellness resort also provides round the clock care to the inmates. more..

Apr 18 (SM) UNP MP Eran Wickramaratne says he yesterday had his first personal experience of the lawlessness prevailing in Sri Lanka. He is referring to the mobs attack on a group of party MPs involved in an observation of Mattala airport and Hambantota port and journalists covering the tour. MP says they wanted to look into how these two wrongly-made investments could be uplifted for the betterment of the country. According to him, authorities at both the airport and the port had been informed more..

Apr 18 (CG) Jaffna Catholic Church has offered to assist investigations into the death of a girl in the area after two Catholic priests had been linked to her death. A statement from the Jaffna Bishop�s office said that parents of the victim had not made any complaint to the Jaffna Bishop�s office regarding alleged harassment by the two priests before the girl was found dead in a well recently. Following death of young Jeron Consoleeta, more..

Apr 18 (DM) The visiting England Under 17 team took a one-nil lead against Sri Lanka Under 17 in the three-match limited over series with a comfortable 41 runs in the first match played at the Surrey Village ground in Maggona yesterday. The visitors invited to take first lease of the wicket by Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka were helped by fine knocks by Joe Weatherley who made 98 with nine boundaries and 93 by Mohammad Hussain with 11 boundaries who together put on more..

Apr 18 (DN) Today is Good Friday where Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In Sri Lanka too, Good Friday is observed with great reverence among the Christians. Sacrifices made during the Holy Week make the culmination in the main Good Friday service depicting the three hours� agony of Christ�s passion. This day represents the sacrifices and sufferings of Jesus� life, occurred as a result of various other events in the Holy week, including the triumphal entry of more..

Apr 18 (SM) Mark the day. Thursday, April 17, 2014 would go down in Sri Lankan history as a 'black day'. Elected Representatives of the people, a team of UNP MPs five in number, comprising Ajith Perera, Eran Wickramaratne, R Yogarajan, Nalin Bandara and Ajith Manapperuma visited the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport and Hambantota Harbor projects, the twin-white elephants of this Govt, says acting leader more..

Apr 18 (CG) Kumar Sangakkara formally tendered his resignation from T20 International cricket, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a statement. Addressing a letter to the Chairman of Selectors, Kumar Sangakkara has stated that �it is the right time to retire allowing SLC an opportunity to build a team for the next World Twenty20 and also to allow him to focus on Test and ODI cricket during the coming months�. CEO of SLC Ashley De Silva had received a copy of the letter from Sangakkara. more..

Apr 18 (DM) The police, have so far this year, suspended the driving licenses of 364 motorists countrywide after they were found guilty of driving under the influence of liquor. SSP Ajith Rohana said the police had requested Courts to suspend these driving licenses for at least for one year. �There is a slight increase in the number of drunken drivers arrested during this year�s National New Year period when compared with last year,� he said. 1,315 drunken drivers were arrested since more..

Apr 18 (DM) The National Medicinal Drugs Policy (NMDP) will be in the statute book by the end of May fulfilling a long-felt need in the country, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday. �The NMDP, drafted on the essential medicinal drug policy of the respected medical personality Prof. Senaka Bibile, has been presented to the Cabinet overcoming many an obstacle. I believe I would be able to present the Bill more..

Apr 18 (DM) Former External Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunatilake Amunugama has been named as the ambassador designated to Germany while present Indian High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam has been named as the ambassador to the US. External affairs ministry said that Prof. Sudharshan Seneviratne has been named as the High Commissioner to India. �The naming has been already done by the Ministry. These appointments will be given once High Posts Committee more..

Apr 18 (NF) CCTV footage of a robbery that took place at a jewellery store in Negombo on Thursday has been released. Police said that the robbers had allegedly made off with a sum of Rs. 3 million from the store. The Police Media Spokesperson�s Office stated that six robbers had arrived at the scene of the crime on three motorcycles and had been wearing helmets when engaged in the alleged robbery. The incident had taken place at around 7.30 on Thursday night. more..

Apr 18 (DM) In a fresh move to coerce the TNA to take part in the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) deliberations its Chairman and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said the PSC was inviting the TNA afresh to participate in the deliberations. This follows the comments made by Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran indicating that the TNA might take part in the PSC deliberations in the near future. more..

Apr 18 (SM) National Peace Council (NPC) says it advocates a mechanism that will create opportunities for all stakeholders, including the Tamil Diaspora, to engage in a process of dialogue that will lead to reconciliation in Sri Lanka. In a statement, the NPC says, Less than five years after the end of the three decade long internal war, the Sri Lankan govt has warned that the LTTE is regrouping and plotting to renew its violent campaign for a separate state again. more..

Apr 18 (CT) Five teachers attached to Sir John Kotelawela School, Kurunegala have been threatened for giving evidence in the Court case against the school's principal, who was recently held responsible for the suicide of a 16-year-old girl. The Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU) yesterday charged that teachers' effigies had been set ablaze outside the school gates by a group of people, including students. CTU General Secretary, Joseph Stalin, said that one of the teacher's homes had also more..

Apr 18 (CG) President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Dr John William Ashe is to participate at the 2014 World Conference on Youth scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka next month. UNGA is the principal organ of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation. Dr. John William Ashe is also the Ambassador to the UN for Antigua and Barbuda and the Ambassador more..

Apr 19 (CT) I thank the Malaysian Institute of Defence and Security for organising the Putrajaya Forum, which affords an invaluable opportunity for those involved in Defence and Security from many countries to discuss topics of mutual importance. This session, which examines the Influence of Non State Actors and their Impact on Global Security, essentially sums up much of the content discussed at this Forum over the last two days. Strengthening Security and Regional Stability in today�s more..

Apr 19 (CT) When asked for a comment on �Jayantha Dahanapala � Dialog � Friday Forum� issue, Prof. David today said, asking Dhanapala to resign from Friday Forum is �rubbish�. �It would be unprincipled to resign from Friday Forum; JD must take a stand and resign from Dialog. These worthies love money, so it is unimaginable for them to part from big money! I call up JD to resign from Dialog and condemn its illegal and unethical behaviour. Then he will win back his self-respect.� more..

Apr 19 (ST) Just like that fairytale �96 World Cup, this promises to be a story that will be retold, over and over again. As the last ball hurtled through the air and the resounding thunk of it hitting the willow reverberated through the Sher-e Bangla stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh for the final time that night, here in Sri Lanka, a nation that had hardly dared to breathe for most of the match erupted with shouts of sheer joy. more..

Apr 19 (CT) The TNA, which has been emphasizing constantly on a third-party mediation to resolve the Tamil question in the island, toured South Africa for three days from 10 to 12 April last week. The four-member TNA delegation headed by R. Sampanthan included MPs, Suresh Premachandran, M.A. Sumanthiran and Selvam Adaikalanathan. From the time the Lankan Tamil crisis spilled over from the island, with the conflict first touching the shores of India in the early 80s, it thereafter became a more..

Apr 19 (GV) I was engaged in the thoroughly humdrum activity of marking some LL.B Honours dissertations early this Good Friday morning when I received an email from my old schoolmate, Sam Wickramasinghe, informing me of the death last night of Ananda Chittambalam. I am still shocked at the suddenness of his demise and terribly saddened by the news. But as Dryden said, �Death, itself, is nothing; but we fear / To be we know not what, we know not where� and I take some more..

Apr 19 (GV) Since the end of the war in 2009, reconstruction and development in Sri Lanka has centred primarily on rapid economic development (Bopage, 2010; Goodhand, 2011). This can be seen in the current drive to transform Colombo into a �world-class city�, as a �preferred destination for international business and tourism� (Secretary of Defence and Urban Development). more..

Apr 19 (Island) It was with shock and dismay that we watched a video footage of some UNP MPs being attacked in Hambantota on Thursday following their visits to the Mattala airport and the inland port. Attackers hurled rotten eggs and stones at them and the bus they were travelling in suffered considerable damage. It was an act of terrorism which must be condemned unreservedly by one and all. The Opposition parliamentarians� tour was, no doubt, politically motivated. more..

Apr 19 (Island) Sri Lanka�s water buffaloes facing extinction � News Item. "It�s the wrong buffalo!" said Buffy Meeharak. "You mean it�s the wild buffalo that is threatened?" asked Duffie Valmeeharak. "No, no...I�m referring to the buffalo that deserves to be threatened with extinction or even speedily wiped out," said Buffy, calling for his second drink at the favourite watering hole in town, after a short break during Lent. "What buffalo do you want extinct or wiped out?" asked Paddy Gonbaana. more..

Apr 19 (Island) On Easter day this year Christians worldwide once again commemorate with a sense of victory and euphoric joy, a mighty historical event as plainly recorded in the Bible. It is the physical resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ (as he himself had constantly predicted) three days following his torture and brutal execution by crucifixion. This was during the reign of Augustus Caesar when Pontius Pilate was more..

Apr 19 (Island) I now approach the question of why the SL Muslims should emulate the example set by the Chinese in South East Asia, particularly in the Philippines. First of all I must draw attention to the significance of the fact that the protracted anti-Muslim hate campaign and demonstrations failed to ignite mass Sinhalese action against the Muslims, as I noted earlier in this article. It is worth recounting my first-hand experience at Kalpitiya fishing harbor last year. more..

Apr 19 (Island) There were recent press reports that a number of trade unions have submitted proposals to the National Pay Commission requesting establishment of; 1. a National Wages Commission for the private sector; 2. a national minimum wage; 3. an unemployment benefit insurance scheme; 4. a pension scheme for EPF members. In addition, a medical insurance and social security scheme for the informal sector employees has also been proposed. These are important proposals more..

Apr 19 (Island) Sri Lanka�s cricket establishment received a massive shock yesterday after coach Paul Farbrace was linked with a coaching role with England. Britain�s Daily Telegraphy reported that Farbrace has had discussions with the management of English and Wales Cricket Board and was pondering a move back to England. Farbrace is currently in England on holiday. Farbrace succeeded Graham Ford more..