May 22 (CI) Alastair Cook believes the English public remain largely behind the team despite the events of the winter and its dramatic fallout. After a somewhat bitty start to the international season with a rain-effected game in Scotland then the T20 defeat to Sri Lanka on Tuesday, which Cook was not involved in, he now gets hold of the team for his first extended run since the one-day series in Australia, which resulted in a 4-1 defeat and, momentarily at least, led to Cook considering his future. more..

May 22 (DH) Worship of Kannaki by Tamil Hindus and Pattini by Sinhalese Buddhists is exemplary, given the fact that the goddess is a shared deity between the Hindus and Buddhists. Ironically, a large number of Sri Lankan devotees are ignorant of this reality. Exhibited in India International Centre, the photo series dwells upon the beliefs, rituals of veneration and the variations in these rituals as it takes a look at the traditions followed by Hindus and Buddhists. more..

May 22 (CI) Sri Lanka are yet to lose an ODI in 2014, but captain Angelo Mathews remains circumspect, marking out key England players and foreign conditions as the primary threats as his team embarks on a five-match series on Thursday. Sri Lanka have been in Ireland and the UK since the first week of May but failure to acclimatise to both the seaming pitches and the cold has cost the team on past tours. "We have prepared well, and more..

May 22 (Island) �There are daunting development challenges throughout the world with around 42% of the world�s poor living in the South Asia region while the number of poor living in extreme poverty (less than US$1.25 per day) is around 500 million, Jennifer Thomson, World Bank�s Chief Financial Management Officer, Operations Policy and Country Services said. She said so on the second day of the three-day flagship conference dedicated to Financial Reporting for Economic Development more..

May 22 (PI) MRL Corporation has locked in a contract for diamond drilling services at its Warakapola Pandeniya / Bopitiya graphite project in Sri Lanka, which has been signed with the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB). GSMB will provide all drilling services for a three hole NQ Triple Tube diamond drilling program to test the vein graphite potential in three locations across the Warakapola Pandeniya / Bopitiya area. The drill is expected to mobilise to site more..

May 22 (Island) "One has to factor in the problem of creative accounting as well. The NSB borrowed 750 million USD at almost 9% interest. Bank of Ceylon also borrowed 500 million USD. None of this appears as govt foreign debt as these liabilities are in the books of the banks." The Island staffer C. A. Chandraprema speaks to UNP MP Dr Harsha de Silva about the state of govt finances, the budget deficit, the financing of this deficit, more..

May 22 (AT) While several emerging and frontier markets have suffered from turmoil amid the Federal Reserve's tapering, Sri Lanka has not. Why? Today, many emerging markets continue to reel from the outflow of foreign capital. Sri Lanka is not among these countries - not because it listened to the IMF, but because it did not. In the past few years, the IMF had been pushing Sri Lanka to rely on cheap borrowing costs by expanding the amount of govt debt that foreign investors could buy. more..

May 22 (CT) As a result of increased tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka, and despite the increase in room capacity, hotel and the supplementary establishment occupancy rates across categories saw an increase last year, while the two star hotels and unclassified hotel categories witnessed declines, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority data showed. Sri Lanka last year received more than 1.2 million arrivals after a data revision, up 26.7% from 1 million arrivals in 2012. more..

May 22 (FT) The United States House of Representatives has called on the Sri Lankan Govt and the major Tamil party, TNA to begin negotiations to reach a long-term political solution that would ensure for a peaceful and unified Sri Lanka. A House Resolution submitted to the 113th Congress by Democratic Congressman of New Jersey Rush Holt calls on the TNA to acknowledge its past relationships with the LTTE terrorist more..

May 22 (DM) The man who claimed to have had a romantic relationship with popular Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai had reportedly told his counsel that the mental distress he experienced following the actress�s marriage to Indian actor Abhishek Bachchan would be relieved if he received an opportunity to meet the Indian actress. The complainant Niroshan Devapriya, currently residing in Taiwan has reportedly telephoned his lawyer Lanka Pradeepika and stated that all his more..

May 22 (CI) The World Cup preparation begins here. Certainly for England who will want to quickly establish a winning formula and regain some confidence in the 50-over game as the ODIs tick down towards Australia and New Zealand next year. Hammered in Australia over the winter, they will want to return in eight months' time having rebuilt a team to challenge. Having found some ODIs success, certainly at home, England could look positively towards the first World Cup in more..

May 22 (Island) Alleging that the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) has brought the country and Buddhism into disrepute, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka has urged Attorney General Palitha Fernando, PC to take remedial measures immediately. President of the Bar Association, Upul Jayasuriya said that law enforcement authorities had failed in their duty, therefore the AG should intervene without further delay. The following is the full text more..

May 22 (Island) Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) has announced that it has introduced its cutting-edge "carrier-grade" public Wi-Fi technology in Sri Lanka. All Sri Lankans are now able to experience the next evolution in wireless broadband connectivity in the very near future, as SLT expands Sri Lanka�s first carrier-grade Wi-Fi network. The official ceremony in this regard was held on 17th May marking World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) at the world famous more..

May 22 (Island) JVP blasted their erstwhile comrade; NFF leader and minister Wimal Weerawansa claiming he was dancing to the tune of President Rajapaksa, while showing a different picture to the people. JVP MP Vijitha Herath said that if he was a real patriot and against the govt for allowing the setting up of casinos, he should have voted against the casino bill. "Now Weerawansa wants to abstain from voting for the no confidence motion against the govt charging more..

May 22 (DM) In what seemed to a paradigm shift in the import policy of the govt, Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr. Sarath Amunugama, said that plans were afoot to cut down vehicle imports by 30% in the near future and to assemble them locally. Dr. Amunugama, who was responding an oral question raised by UNP MP Buddhika Pathirana, said that an assembling plant was already being constructed in Polgahawela. more..

May 22 (CT) Chief Minister of the WPC is attempting to appoint a political stooge for the post of principal at a popular boys' school in Colombo, the Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU) alleged. According to the Union's General Secretary, Joseph Stalin, CM Prasanna Ranatunga is favouring the appointment of one of his political stooges to the post that fell vacant recently. "The previous principal of this boys' school was a Class One Sri Lanka Education and Administrative Services (SLEAS) Principal. more..

May 22 (CT) A conflict has arisen between contestants and producers of the Sirasa Super Star show, over the decision to reintroduce several contestants who had failed to stay in the competition, through a wild card system. The decision has caused much distress to the top four contestants who are now remaining in the competition that awards a prize of Rs. 10 million to the winner.The top four contestants Gayan Arosh, Harsha Chathuranga, Nuwan Bulathsinghe more..

May 22 (Hindu) The BJP�s decision to invite the Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, for Narendra Modi�s swearing-in function has caused deep anguish and resentment among its allies in Tamil Nadu. MDMK, one of the allies of the BJP-led NDA, has requested the PM-designate not to allow Mr. Rajapaksa to participate in the function to be held in New Delhi on May 26. �With folded hands and anguish, I request you, more..

May 22 (Island) A teacher of the Hindu College, Bambalapitiya was found dead at the school on Tuesday. Police said that they had received the information yesterday morning. The deceased, F. Camillus (37) had hanged himself inside the room he was occupying, an investigator said. There had been no suicide note and further investigations would have to be carried out. The deceased, in charge of the college sports unit, was a resident of Kuliyapitiya. He used to call his wife daily. more..

May 22 (Hindu) PM-elect Narendra Modi has invited the heads of the govts of all South Asian states to attend his swearing-in on Monday, in a gesture, which diplomats and experts said was without precedent. Though foreign envoys stationed in New Delhi have attended past swearings-in, no world leader has been invited to attend what has traditionally been seen as a domestic event. The move startled regional diplomats-but also caused surprise in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, more..

May 22 (Island) The no-confidence motion moved by the UNP against the govt�s failure to prevent the influx of dangerous drugs including narcotics into the country was defeated in Parliament with a majority of 94 votes. After the debate was conducted for the second day yesterday Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga asked for a division by name. The UNP, DNA and TNA voted for the motion while UPFA voted against it. more..

May 22 (DM) About 40 years after the then Sirimavo Bandaranaike Govt was virtually forced by the United States to scrap the Essential Medicines Concept of the revered Professor Senaka Bibile and nine years after the Cabinet approved a National Medicinal Drugs Policy (NMDP) based on this concept, the Health Minister on March 11 presented a new Bill with a lot of publicity. The 84-page Bill for the setting up of a National Medicinal Drugs, Devices and Cosmetics Regulatory more..

May 22 (DM) The UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe received a call on his mobile when he was addressing his party�s parliamentary group on Tuesday morning. He walked out of the meeting room in the parliamentary complex to answer the call. By the time, his MPs started murmuring jovially to each other, that it would have been a call from India�s PM designate Narendra Modi. They had reason to make such a guess, at least for jovial purposes. Mr. Modi�s BJP swept India�s poll more..

May 22 (DM) Look back in satisfaction; look forward in dismay. Lost the way in failing to take the right turn in not keeping to an intelligible road map. Excelled in the war zone: bungled at the peace precinct. The defeat of terrorism was the moment of glory-a valued building block not availed to construct a better future instead allowed to fritter away. Worse: the momentum gained from the military victory, that brought more..

May 22 (SL) Developing tourism in SL is clearly one of the most prominent aspects of the economy and the Eastern coastal area undoubtedly attracts the attention of both local and foreign investors. The end of war has brought the opportunity for tourists to enjoy the beauty of the Eastern coastal area especially with beach hotels popping up at every corner of the Eastern coast providing a comfortable stay for tourists. more..

May 22 (DM) The Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council has decided to keep 14 schools closed in the Ratnapura District today and tomorrow at a meeting held yesterday considering the spread of dengue fever in the area. The schools decided to be kept closed were St. Aloysious College, Mihindu Maha Vidyalaya, Dharmapala Maha Vidyalaya, Ferguson Girls High School, Sumana Balika Vidyalaya, Prince College, more..

May 22 (ST) Cases of emotional abuse of students by teachers are on the rise even though the Education Ministry has banned corporal punishment. Last week, two teachers dragged a Grade Six student of Vavinna Junior school in Wattegama into a room in front of her friends and cut her hair short claiming it was untidy. The humiliated student screamed but the teachers ignored her protests student�s plea. more..

May 22 (TOI) PM-designate Narendra Modi's invitation to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to attend his swearing-in ceremony on May 26 has put BJP's allies in Tamil Nadu and chief minister J Jayalalithaa in a tight spot. With Rajapaksa accepting the invitation, sources in AIADMK said Jayalalithaa may skip the event and depute a senior leader to take part in the ceremony. "This creates a sticky situation for our party more..

May 22 (Island) The UNP has decided to go it alone at national elections expected to be held next year, but the JVP yesterday maintained that a section of the UNP, the National Bhikkhu Front, was pushing for a common candidate. JVP Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath said that the UNP had failed to maintain intra-party unity and its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was announcing his own decisions. more..

May 22 (CT) The British nurse who was controversially deported recently from Sri Lanka for the Buddha tattoo inscribed on her upper right arm, filed a case yesterday, in the Supreme Court seeking Rs 10 million as compensation, citing her rights were violated. The petitioner also prayed for a declaration that her detention be null and void as it is in contravention to Article 13(2) and 12 of the Constitution. more..

May 22 (CT) Undergraduates of the University of Jaffna held a commemorative event at the university premises yesterday in remembrance of those who died during the final phase of the civil war at Mullivaikkal in 2009. More than 500 students from all faculties, along with the academic and non-academic staff, participated in the commemorative event which was held at 11:50 a.m. at the Kailasapathy Auditorium. more..

May 22 (CT) The Court of Appeal issued notice on Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and 10 others, to be returnable on 25 June, having considered a Writ Application filed by the Green Movement of Sri Lanka, stating that 2,500 acres of Wilpattu National Park and its surrounding area were unlawfully deforested to settle displaced Muslim persons. The Bench comprised Justices A.W.A. Salam and P.W.D.C. Jayatilaka. more..

May 22 (GDI) President Rajapaksa and Chinese President Xi Jinping held bilateral talks in Shanghai this morning and discussed the progress of ongoing collaborative projects as well as new areas of cooperation. �I am happy that the development assistance granted by China to Sri Lanka has been very much in keeping with my policies for the country�s growth, which is much appreciated,� President Rajapaksa said. more..

May 22 (CT) President Mahinda Rajapaksa was receiving the highest Chinese military delegation ever to visit Colombo, the day Narendra Modi�s BJP romped to victory in India. The purposes of this visit was identified by the Vice Chairman of China�s Central Military Commission as enhancing �strategic mutual trust� and elevating �relations between the two countries and the armed forces to a new level. President Rajapaksa was in Beijing, attending the fourth Conference on more..

May 22 (Island) NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa, has requested Attorney General Palitha Fernando, to review a recent ruling on the VAT case given by Colombo High Court Judge Kumuduni Wickremasinghe. MP Weerawansa, in a letter sent to AG Fernando stressed that a tougher sentence was required to ensure that the guilty made every effort to pay the fine imposed on him. NFF leader sought AG�s intervention amidst a dispute with the SLFP, the dominant constituent of the more..

May 22 (CT) Govt has restricted four new investment projects in the Jaffna peninsula, claiming that the projects would lead to a shortage of water, sources said. With the support of Jaffna�s business chamber, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Yalpanam, a few industrialists finalized plans to set up four new water based projects namely, a fruit juice plant, a soft drink plant, a mineral water and a bottled water plant in more..

May 22 (LBO) Sri Lanka's stocks closed higher Thursday with low activity on the bourse. All Share Price Index closed 0.85 points higher at 6,290.17 up 0.01%. The S&P SL20 closed 0.79 points lower at 3,465.05, down 0.02%. Turnover was 612.40 million rupees, down from 944.28 million rupees a day earlier with 68 stocks closed positive against 104 negative. Distilleries closed flat at 210 rupees with an off market transaction of 71.35 million rupees contributing 12% of the daily turnover. more..

May 22 (CT) Our newspaper recently highlighted the case of the seizure of expired drugs and medical equipment from a warehouse in Grandpass worth Rs 60 million. Kudos to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), for this timely detection, although it was on an anonymous tip off. Rs 60 million may be the estimated market value or worth, but fraudulently selling such, as though it being within the stipulated dates of expiry, when in fact it�s not, renders them wholly worthless. more..

May 22 (IL) The Vesak celebrations in Cairo were organized by the Sri Lanka Embassy with the participation of the Sri Lankan community living in Egypt on 14th May. Embassy premises were decorated with Buddhist flags and Vesak lanterns. The decorations were extended to cover part of Sri Lanka Street on which the Embassy is located. The main attraction was the revolving Vesak Lantern with eight sister-lanterns. more..

May 22 (Reuters) The Sri Lanka rupee was steady on Thursday as importer dollar demand offset greenback inflows, but dealers expect the currency to face upward pressure due to steady inflows in the absence of strong demand for imports and credit. The rupee was traded at 130.33/36 per dollar at 0654 GMT, little changed from Wednesday's close of 130.34/36. "There were some inflows in the morning. But with importer dollar demand, the rupee is flat," said a currency dealer. more..