May 20 (GV) The central contention of the anti-victory celebration civil society intelligentsia seems to be that violent civil conflicts should not be celebrated and never are. This is ironic because most of them would be familiar with Bastille Day and I expect to see some of them on the occasion. They would know that July 4th, Bastille Day is France�s National Day. That is of course the day that the prison, the Bastille was stormed. In other words, France marks as its National Day, more..

May 21 (CT) The Central Bank acknowledged that the banking system was taking too long to pass on the benefits of a loose monetary policy stance adopted by the regulator since Dec 2012, with the govt continuing to take a lion's share of the loans generated by the banking system. Govt and high net worth borrowers saw lending rates fall more than twice as much as lending rates fell for ordinary citizens, who saw their savings more..

May 21 (Island) BJP has won the elections to Lok Sabha with an overwhelming majority and Mr. Modi can form a government without the support of the other parties that went into an alliance with the BJP. However, it is very unlikely that in India we would see a pure BJP government, in spite of BJP having a clear majority. There have been some "moda" (foolish) statements made on the victory of Mr. Modi (Modi gena moda katha) , such as it would create a dark age for South Asia, but more..

May 21 (CI) This was not, as announced over the PA before play, Harry Gurney's international debut but the match against Scotland, reduced to effectively a T20, was an understated way to begin. He also went wicketless in that match so when he beat Tillakaratne Dilshan's outside edge to trim his off stump, with his fourth ball in international T20s, it was his first England wicket and a decent scalp to begin with. It was by far a faultless fielding display from England. more..

May 21 (CI) The world champions, Sri Lanka, began their T20 life without Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara by securing a nine-run victory at The Oval as Lasith Malinga's brilliance at the death ensured Alex Hales, and England, could not repeat the grand chase they managed in Chittagong. It was Hales' dismissal to Malinga in the 17th over by a smart slower ball which made Sri Lanka strong favourites, but with Ravi Bopara more..

May 21 (CI) It should never be a surprise when Michael Carberry drops a catch. For all his worth as a batsman and for all his fitness, he has never been a reliable catcher. His drop of Thisara Perera when the batsman had scored 20 at The Oval defined this game and the muddled thinking that currently pervades in the selection of the England team. It was a simple chance. It was simple like the chance Carberry missed at backward point in the second Ashes Test in Adelaide when more..

May 21 (Island) The IT Welfare Society of Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), the national telecommunication service provider, carried out a CSR project in the Kalawana area to provide educational items to needy schoolchildren and educate the community on the importance of child protection. The IT Society members undertook to provide shoes and books to 350 needy children in 35 schools in the Kalawana area. Kalawana was selected since it is one of the most underprivileged areas of the country more..

May 21 (DM) Sri Lanka Law College has stopped enrolling those with a Bachelor of Law degree from foreign universities or the Open University if they are above the age of 30 and this is a clear violation of the procedures governing the system, Parliament was informed. During question time, UNP MP Ajith P. Perera said it was customary for students with a law degree from foreign universities or Open University recognized more..

May 21 (Island) Sri Lanka�s Hayleys Group has posted Profit Before Tax of Rs. 5.1 Bn in FY 2013/14. The strong bottom line is attributable to commendable performance during the financial year, across a majority of the Group�s many diverse sectors, a press release said. It adds: �In a filing to the Colombo Stock Exchange, the blue chip conglomerate reported a revenue growth of 8% from the previous financial year amounting in value terms to Rs. 80.5 Bn. more..

May 21 (CG) The Chinese company which constructed the Lakvijaya coal power plant at Norochcholai says the plant is now running at full capacity after a Reliable Test Run. China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) said that 2nd unit of the Lakvijaya coal power plant has not broken down as reported in some media. CMEC categorically states that irrespective of media reports that this was another in a series of mishaps at the Norochcholai coal fire power plant, more..

May 21 (BBC) About 300 miles separate the old Dutch fort of Galle on Sri Lanka's southern tip and Mullivaikal, the strip of land in the north where an army assault on Tamil rebels ended a civil war five years ago. The BBC's Charles Haviland travelled up the coast passing fish markets and seaside resorts, eventually turning inland towards the ancient capital and ending up in a desolate former war zone. These are the stories of the more..

May 21 (CT) The govt's goal of achieving 20% of the country's energy needs through renewable energy by 2020 is unrealistic given the CEB current energy plan, Minister Susil Premajayantha, said. Minister, speaking at a seminar at the BMICH on the Importance of Renewable Energy to Deal with Climate Change, said according to a report released by the CEB on the country's energy needs for 2030, it had predicted that 66% of the energy would come from coal fired thermal power plants, more..

May 21 (Island) In an effort to create awareness among its employees on the impact of illegal smuggling and trading of cigarettes (illicit trade), Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) recently conducted an �Anti-Illicit Trade (AIT) in Tobacco Week� at its head office. The company also launched a dedicated hotline 077 2 440794 for employees to report the sale and distribution of illicit tobacco products in Sri Lanka. It is estimated that globally Govts lose US$ 40 billion in revenue more..

May 21 (DM) New evidence has emerged on the contentious �white flag� incident that cropped up during the final stage of the conflict, said Yasmin Sooka a human rights lawyer and former expert adviser on Sri Lanka to UN Secretary General. She said the facts that had surfaced necessitated an independent international investigation. Ms. Sooka who has also co-authored the April 2011 Panel of Experts report on more..

May 21 (Island) Deputy Minister M.K.D.S. Gunawardena told Parliament that no cases had been reported pertaining to unethical conversion of people to any religion. Responding to a question raised by UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake, who demanded to know what action the govt had taken against forcefully converting of people, the minister said that such a matter had not arisen as there were no cases reported against converting people from one religion to another. more..

May 21 (CT) Colombo Chief Magistrate, Gihan Pilapitiya, yesterday ordered the officers of the National Development Bank (NDB) for the third time to provide former Chief Justice, Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake's account details to her lawyers and warned them to work in a transparent manner. The former CJ appeared before the Colombo Chief Magistrate over the charge of failing to declare her assets pertaining to her account maintained at the NDB. When this matter was taken up more..

May 21 (FT) The UNP moved a no confidence motion against the UPFA coalition, saying the incumbent administration had failed to curb the drug menace that was threatening the social fabric in the country. The claim was vehemently denied by ruling party MPs when the motion was tabled for debate yesterday. UNP MP Joseph Michal Perera who moved the moment, highlighted several media reports with regard to recent drug scandals more..

May 21 (FT) On the initiation of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tokyo, the senior management of Daiwa Securities visited Sri Lanka in order to assess and to benchmark the viability of the debt market of Sri Lanka. Daiwa Securities Global Investment Banking Managing Director Yutaka Yokoyama and Daiwa Securities Executive Director and Head of Debt Capital Markets Kenichi Kanda visited Sri Lanka recently. Daiwa Securities is the second largest securities brokerage and investment bank in more..

May 21 (FT) Top heads of the financial sector were recently brought on to one platform to share their thoughts on the widely-discussed topic of consolidation. With financial sector consolidation being the hot topic in the industry at present, a forum organised by MTI Consulting saw nine top personalities of banking and non-banking institutions sharing their views in this regard. Amongst the nine top profiles was CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal who graced the occasion as Chief Guest. more..

May 21 (IL) Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted the welcome banquet with his wife Peng Liyuan on Tuesday evening (20) for the leaders of Asian nations or representatives of international organizations and their guests attending the 4th summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). The banquet took place at the Shanghai International Conference Center. more..

May 21 (SM) NFF has decided to boycott the vote of the no confidence motion moved by the UNP in parliament against the govt�s failure to prevent the influx of dangerous drugs including narcotics into the country. Though the UNP has moved this no confidence motion citing that the drug menace is increasingly worsening in the country, the NFF says that this was a side effect of open economy and this motion has been moved without a meaningful dialog on this regard and also lacks in good faith. more..

May 21 (FT) In a bid to stall a planned remembrance ceremony for civilians killed in the final stages of war today, the Terrorist Investigations Department has issued written notice on a Jaffna university academic, to appear in Colombo for an inquiry. The notice followed a 90 minute pow-wow between representatives of the Jaffna University Teachers Association and Brigadier Abeynayake in Palaly yesterday, where the academics were asked to cancel their memorial event on more..

May 21 (Island) External Affairs Ministry has summoned Canadian High Commissioner, Shelley Whiting over her recent public call to do away with the annual Victory Day parade as it was inimical to post-war reconciliation efforts. Whiting was told that her position was unacceptable. Govt strongly objected to what a senior official called an attempt on the Canadian envoy�s part to misinterpret the annual celebrations. more..

May 21 (DNA) The BJP must be relieved that its Tamil Nadu allies and the DMK have been rendered irrelevant by the AIADMK's bagging 37 of the 39 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Had the DMK or the BJP's allies, such as Vaiko's MDMK, made gains, the new govt would have been hamstrung in dealing with the security challenges posed by the revival of Tamil separatists in Sri Lanka and the refugees flowing into Tamil Nadu. When it comes to Sri Lankan Tamils, parties in Tamil Nadu tend to more..

May 21 (DN) Agriculture Ministry encourages more farmers to cultivate additional crops due to the drought experienced since the beginning of this year, Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane said. Govt allocated Rs. 300 million to cultivate additional crops. �We experienced an unexpected drought this year and farmers are still not able to start paddy cultivation as they do not have sufficient water. Ministry decided to encourage more farmers to cultivate additional crops in their fields,� more..

May 21 (DM) The High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR) said it had not received any official communication from the Sri Lankan Govt on the non-cooperation with the Commission of Inquiry investigating alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by both sides during the final phase of the war. An OHCHR spokesperson said that despite Govt officials including Minister G.L. Peiris repeatedly more..

May 21 (DM) AG Palitha Fernando speaking at the ceremonial sitting of the Supreme Court to welcome three new judges of the bench has made a very pertinent observation that all in the legal and judicial systems should take note that. He had said that the country�s legal system should move with the times to cater to the modern requirements and aspirations of the people or else it would lose p ublic confidence. �We cannot remain stagnant spectators in a fast changing world any longer,� more..

May 21 (DM) What is the �brand� of the UNP? How does the average villager identify the Party? With what does he associate the UNP? What comes to mind immediately upon the mention of these three letters, UNP? Have the decision-makers in the UNP paid any attention to these questions? For that matter has any political party in Sri Lanka addressed this issue at all? If a professional approach is adopted, not only in establishing a �brand� for a political party but also in defining more..

May 21 (DM) UNP Leadership Council Chairman and MP Karu Jayasuriya agreeing that the parties slogans used in the past had not struck a chord with the masses appeared confident in the revival of the UNP under the new structure that is being implemented. He said that the results of the recently concluded provincial council elections showed that a united opposition could defeat the incumbent regime but stopped short of more..

May 21 (ST) Macabre and bold crimes this week ranging from a faceless body in a cemetery to a man tied up in a barrel with a angry cobra, a ruling party politician killed in a hail of bullets, a policeman stabbed to death and a body in a fertiliser bag had the authorities scrambling for answers. In the latest incidents, a father and son were attacked with swords on Thursday night during a party at Nagoda, and the son was killed. more..

May 21 (Hindu) What happens to a society and an economy after three decades of war? Over a hundred thousand people dead or disappeared, a displaced population, deteriorating social institutions and disrupted production was the starting point of reconstruction when the war came to an end in Sri Lanka in May 2009. Reconstructing such a society is a task of tremendous political, social and economic proportions. more..

May 21 (SL) The war ended five years back but the struggle of the farmers in the Eastern province don�t feel much of a difference as their living standards have not improved. Many farmers complained that despite all the troubles caused by the change of weather patterns, there is hardly any support from the govt to improve their production or to sell their products. While many farmers in the Eastern province appreciated govt�s more..

May 21 (CT) The United Bhikkhu Front (UBF) invited Chief Incumbent of the Kotte Sri Naga Viharaya, Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera to contest the upcoming Presidential Election as the common candidate. The invitation was extended yesterday by Anunayake of the Ramanna Chapter, Girambe Ananda Thera during a media conference. Ananda Thera, also said, although the UNP or the JVP did not have the strength to more..

May 21 (Island) Democratic Party Leader and former Army Commander Gen. Sarath Fonseka has complained to the Court of Appeal that the State has unlawfully and maliciously, acquired the 25 perches of land at Narahenpita offered to him at a reduced price in appreciation of his contribution to the war victory against the LTTE. The acquisition was effected by gazette of October 21, 2013, he has said, claiming that a notice more..

May 21 (DN) Pointing out that illegal fishing by Indian fishermen in Palk Bay has been a major threat to the livelihoods of the Tamil fishing community in the Northern Province, Fisheries Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratna said they expect India's Prime Minister elect Narendra Modi to take up this matter seriously and take steps to prevent poaching by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan territorial waters. more..

May 21 (CT) Due to the conditions of violence and suppression in the country, Sri Lanka's higher education sector is regressing to the situation that prevailed in the 1980s, former President of the Federation of University Teachers' Associations (FUTA), Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri, said. Addressing a media briefing yesterday, Devasiri pointed out that many undergraduates are being assaulted and have also been suspended. more..

May 21 (DM) The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) is to stand up for the rights of the university students who were assaulted while in police custody and to file contempt of court action against police officials, including a senior DIG, over the arrests and assaults. �We intend to file action against the police for contempt of court,� BASL President, Upul Jayasuriya who heads over 14,000 of the country�s legal fraternity told Daily Mirror. more..

May 21 (DM) The UNP yesterday in Parliament renewed its call for the prosecution of LTTE�s chief weapons procurer Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP or to hand him over to India for legal action for his alleged involvements in crimes committed there. UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake, who seconded the no-confidence motion against the Govt, said KP was responsible for the killing of 78,100 people including more..

May 21 (SM) Local media reports citing that the UNP leadership council yesterday unanimously decided to contest forthcoming presidential elections or general elections only under the 'elephant' symbol that other parties should join with them under this symbol is a complete falsehood, party General Secretary Tissa Attanayaka says. In response, Attanayaka said that the UNP leadership council did not even meet yesterday. Though a parliamentary group meeting had taken place, more..

May 21 (CT) In a working democracy, bringing forward a motion of no-confidence by the Opposition against the govt basically has two motives. Firstly to defeat the govt by a majority vote and secondly, in the event of the Opposition failing to secure a sufficient number of votes to defeat, resort to making factual statements and utterances inside the House of Parliament under Parliamentary Privileges and thereby embarrass the govt. However, given the present context of obvious fissures more..