Apr 13 (ST) The scorching rays of the sun beat mercilessly on all of us, without discrimination be it man, woman or child. The natural protector of our bodies from these ultra-violet rays is the skin and it is a team from the Dermatology Unit of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) for Children which gives us advice on how to safeguard this asset. Climate change being the trigger for all our woes whether it is the unbearable heat, more..

Apr 13 (SL) The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) is facing the risk of being blacklisted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for its failure to take action against Mihin Lanka for allegedly violating international flight regulations. In the event CAASL is blacklisted by the ICAO, there is a possibility that SriLankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka flights will be banned from landing in certain countries more..

Apr 13 (KP) Nepal reestablished the direct air link with Sri Lanka after more than three decades, with the newly-launched Himalaya Airlines making its maiden commercial flight to Colombo on Tuesday. The national flag carrier, in its previous avatar as Royal Nepal Airlines, used to operate direct flights to Colombo during the 1980s. But the carrier suspended its operations following the armed movement by the LTTE in Sri Lanka. more..

Apr 13 (CG) Indian fishermen have demanded that Katchatheevu be taken back from Sri Lanka to end the clashes between Indian fishermen and the SL Navy. The Meenavar Urimai Koottamaippu, an organisation to protect the rights of fishermen, appealed to Indian Govt to take immediate steps to retrieve the boats of TN fishermen detained in SL and felt that the only way to stop atrocities of SL Navy would be to more..

Apr 13 (Island) The Epidemiology Unit said that the total number of suspect dengue cases recorded from January to the second week of April, totalled, 14,204, this year. Unit had recorded 710 cases from the beginning of April to Monday (11). 13,331 cases were recorded during the first four months of last year. 6,540 cases had been reported during the month of January this year. Total number of dengue deaths was 12 by the end of last month. more..

Apr 13 (CG) US Secretary of State John Kerry says the past year�s accomplishments in SL have been historic. In a message to mark the traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Kerry said that Sri Lanka has demonstrated deep commitment for reconciliation, tolerance and peace. �On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I join you in celebrating the SL New Year. The past year�s accomplishments have been historic, more..

Apr 13 (DM) Construction of 65,000 houses for conflict affected families in N&E will begin in the next two months and the selection of beneficiaries is being carried out by District & Divisional Secretaries of the two provinces right now. Minister D.M.Swaminathan said there would be no calling of new tenders or revisit of the tender offered to Arcelor Mittal in France or call tenders afresh as requested by Joint Opposition. more..

Apr 14 (CT) Traditional festivals have passed us by over the decades, even centuries, with the seasonal gaiety and religious observances doing little to bring people together. Religious or otherwise, such festivals sadly contribute to widening the socio-religious divides between societies of different races and cultures. Leading religious and political personalities quite unashamedly use these festive seasons to grab media mileage with all sorts of messages to the people. more..

Apr 14 (CT) Experts in the field, expect fundamental change on the ground plus in the state apparatus, systems and laws if Sri Lanka is to move towards delivering transitional justice to adhere to and implement the resolution on, Promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka � one that it co-sponsored last Oct 2015. And more specifically, according to the member of the Sri Lanka Monitoring and Accountability Panel MAP this would also entail more..

Apr 14 (FT) Today (13) marks the 43rd death anniversary of Dudley Shelton Senanayake, second PM of our country, then Ceylon. On this date every year as a tribute to this gentleman politician, his life is reminisced. I have in these columns for many years on such occasion given details of many aspects of his life and times � some researched, some I have experienced myself, and others quoting first-hand accounts of what was related to me more..

Apr 14 (CT) I will be very brief since I presume discussion, and responding to questions that are raised, will be a more useful way of dealing with this question. To introduce the topic however, I will paraphrase some remarks I made at a seminar on working towards an Asian Agenda also held in Punjab, in Chandigarh just six months ago. I noted then the need for more concerted Asian inputs in what current dominant forces believe is a unipolar world. more..

Apr 14 (CT) Supernatural experiences of the people which I have highlighted in Ceylon Today and their reappearance in two London-based websites have inspired some of the readers who have encouraged me to dwell in such stories. Although some do not believe in such theories, still they write and say how they enjoy reading other's experiences. This has given me enough ammunition to continue with different experiences of the supernatural. Susantha Wijesinghe says a few moons ago he more..

Apr 14 (SL) Jaffna District MP and Leader of ITAK � Mavai Senathirajah says Tamil people are willing to work with the government and the Sinhala people to establish a lasting peace in the country. He said that there are some political forces who are trying to rouse communal hatred. He further said the Tamil people do not want war, but they want a political solution to their issues and the right to live as equal citizens of this country. more..

Apr 14 (ST) Our society usually names the New Year as Sinhala and Hindu New Year. The Media and the higher ups in society maintain this as Sinhala & Hindu New Year. But I wish to term it as Hindu & Sinhala New Year. One reason for this is that in Sinhala the shorter word is placed first followed by the longer word. It is also not to demean the status of the Sinhala. It is true the Sinhala race is a majority. But the stronger race must give a place to the weaker race. more..

Apr 14 (DN) The 13th of April would mark the 43rd year since the passing away of a truly great son of our country, one whom we can be truly proud of; every politician should read his life story and the speeches he made in Parliament, for they would not only be inspired but would also benefit them immensely, for he is worthy of emulation. Bradman Weerakoon who served as official Secretary when Dudley was Prime Minister, says this of him in the Preface to the book Dudley Senanayake, more..

Apr 14 (FT) Today (13) at 7:48 p.m., the sun crosses an imaginary line that separates the constellation Pisces from Aries, marking the dawn of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. The time for lighting the hearth and cooking the first meal in the New Year is set at 8:06 p.m. and the first meal at 8:54. The prescribed meal is kiribath (with lunumiris of course) and mungkavun, a sweet made of mung bean. You don�t have to believe in astrology to participate in these festivities. more..

Apr 14 (FT) Another Avurudu is round the corner. Holidays give us time to refresh, reflect and renew. As Sinhalese and Tamils unite in enjoying the festive times together, it radiates the symbol of national unity. Today�s column on Human Results is a relaxed reflection on the need to collectively awaken towards prosperity through productivity. Goodwill, happiness and joy fill the air and the hearts of people of Sinhala and Tamil homes during the New Year. more..

Apr 14 (SO) The drought has wreaked havoc with peoples lives. In areas where there is a short supply of drinking water, residents have to trek miles just to get a bucketful of drinking water as the water flowing through the taps were mixed with saline and could not be consumed. This is the complaint of many residents in Kalutara, Galle and Matara. The authorities, residents say have turned a blind eye to their plight, although this is more..

Apr 14 (EAF) Last year, soon after taking power as president of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena requested a US$4 billion loan from the IMF to restructure its debt repayments. The bailout package was rejected by the IMF. It warned the govt instead to rationalise the tax system and arrest growing inflation. Yet, despite the bleak economic situation, the govt decided to increase salaries and pensions for public servants, cut taxes for farmers and increase subsidies. more..

Apr 14 (ST) Sumudu went near their gate and saw her neighbours painting their house. �What�s the occasion?� she asked the little girl who lived there. �We�re getting ready for the New Year!� beamed Priya. �Oh,� said Sumudu in surprise, �I didn�t know you celebrated the Sinhala New Year!� �No, we are getting ready for the Tamil New Year!� replied Priya, �it�s on the 14th of this month!� Sumudu laughed, �You have got it wrong! It�s the Sinhala New Year which is on the 14th of April.� more..

Apr 14 (EN) Sri Lanka's exports fell 2.5% to US$ 893.9 million with weak commodity prices but industrial exports rose lead by apparel and rubber, while imports continued to fall. Apparel exports rose 13% and rubber exports rose 11%, during the month, taking total industrial exports to US$ 711 million. Tea and spice exports were down from a year earlier. Sri Lanka's imports were down 5.5% to US$ 1,589 million more..

Apr 14 (SL) This is the Aussie Boasting Corporation, broadcasting to you on All life Cycles, Bicycles and Mega Cycles. This is a special broadcast of the Avu-Rudd-ha Test Match played at the Melbourne Cricket Grounds � MCG � between Sri Lanka and Australia. But before that a short break� �Made in India, Fly over Calcutta�. India, India, India�� Back to the cricket. Well, today is Avu-rudd-ha, the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year. Sri Lankans have streamed in to the MCG from morning more..

Apr 14 (HT) A woman on Wednesday sat on the floor of her home as she stirred a pot of bubbling coconut oil over a small gas cooker, preparing traditional Sri Lankan sweet delicacies to be enjoyed during the South Asian country's New Year festival that day and Thursday. However scenes like this are becoming more rare as the tradition of Sri Lankan families gathering at home to make sweet treats like Kokiss, biscuit-like sweets made from rice flour, and Athiraha, fried dumplings made from more..

Apr 14 (LL) While PM Narendra Modi has envisaged a port-led economy for India, an audacious campaign by New Delhi to create a deepwater shipping lane between the southern tip of India and Sri Lanka is turning out be self-defeating. Sethusamudram project, for which the previous Indian govt, led by the National Congress party, sanctioned $124m on June 30, 2012, has stalled due to opposition from environmentalists, more..

Apr 14 (Island) Veddha Chief of Bintenna Uruwarige Wannilaeththo yesterday (12) called on the new Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanaratna to congratulate the prelate on his recent election. The Veddah Chief has known Mahanayake Thera for a long time as the prelate is the Chief Incumbent of Muthiyangana Ancient Vihara in Badulla. Most Venerable Sri Gnanaratana Mahanayake Thera welcoming the Vedda chief blessed him. more..

Apr 14 (CT) South Eastern University of Sri Lanka (SEUSL) community celebrated the Sinhala/Tamil New Year in a fitting manner at river bank of the University recently. Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. M.M.M. Najim attended the ceremony participating as Chief Guest. The programme aimed at inter-communal harmony and mutual understanding among students of different communities from all three religions began with the lighting of traditional oil lamp by the VC more..

Apr 14 (AM) A group of senior military officers have fixed an appointment to meet former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Asian Mirror reliably learns. The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Battaramulla residence of the former Minister, soon after the new year holidays. Former Minister is heavily involved in the political campaign of his brother, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. According to military laws of the country, more..

Apr 14 (DN) Wandurambe Police are investigating the death of Dilini Subashini, 18, who was found with her neck slashed in a tea estate in Pitiharava on April 10. Police deployed the mastiff Artis to find the suspect, based on the scent on a helmet found near the body. Artis had led the police to the suspect's house, less that half- a kilometre away from the scene of crime but the suspect had escaped from his home. The body was sent to the Karapitiya Hospital for the post-mortem. more..

Apr 14 (AD) Firearms including a T56 assault rifle and 5 revolvers have been stolen from the Laggala Police Station in Matale, police spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said. The firearms were reportedly stolen from the Laggala Police Station by an individual at around 1.00am today (April 14). Acting IGP S.M. Wickremesinghe has ordered the Senior DIG in charge of Central Province to conduct an immediate investigation into the incident. more..

Apr 14 (CG) Govt says it is keen to make the Chinese funded Port City the financial hub of South Asia. Minister Sajith Premadasa said that the future of the Port City project was discussed during PM Ranil Wickremesinghe�s recent visit to China. Premadasa, who was part of the delegation which visited China, said that Port City project will go down in history once it is completed. He said that earlier former Govt had agreed more..

Apr 14 (DM) Work on the Colombo Port City Project will begin in May this year, State Minister Niroshan Perera said. He said that all agreements had been finalized. �PM Ranil Wickremesinghe who handles the subject of National Polices and Economic Affairs had finalized all agreements during his recent State visit to China and therefore it would be possible to begin the project in May this year. All efforts are being made to commence work on the project next month,� he said. more..

Apr 14 (AD) During the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, I urge everyone of you to uphold national unity by joining hands to strengthen relationships and foster harmony between the different communities, Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan said in a New Year message. The message: �I would like to extend my warmest greetings to all those celebrating the Sinhala and Tamil and New Year in Sri Lanka and overseas. The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is not merely a celebration. more..

Apr 14 (DM) The COPE is to issue a directive on the continence of Bank of Ceylon Seychelles branch shortly. An MP who is a prominent member of COPE said that the committee had called for a report on the performance of this branch from the authorities of the Bank. He said the decision on the bank will be made by COPE after its study of the banks� performance. However, sources said there was only three customers who had been more..

Apr 14 (Island) Govt Medical Officers� Forum (GMOF) welcomed Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne�s move to rouse the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) into action by taking up issues which had cropped up following its establishment last year. The GMOF said Minister Dr Senaratne, who had chaired a Govt Health Care Institutional Heads meeting on Monday, had been highly perturbed by the NMRA�s inability to adhere to Prof. Senaka Bibile�s policy on medicinal drugs. more..

Apr 14 (Island) The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry yesterday said that it had taken steps to ban new entrants from the South of Sri Lanka entering Mullaitivu for fishing during the monsoons in the south. A Ministry source said from time immemorial large numbers of fishermen from the South were in the habit of migrating to this area for fishing and fishermen in Mullaitivu had complained that it had resulted in the depletion of the catch. more..

Apr 14 (ITN) Police have already launched a special operation to apprehend drunken drivers during this festive season. They have succeeded in nabbing 254 drunk drivers during the past 24 hours. It was on the 10th of this month that the Police unveiled their special operation to take into custody drunken drivers. This operation is in place covering the entire island. They have succeeded in apprehending 254 more..

Apr 14 (CG) India�s ruling BJP says it ensured that the death penalty given to five fishermen in Sri Lanka was not carried out. BJP President Amit Shah also claimed that due to the steps taken by the Modi Govt, the firing at TN fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy had stopped. Shah alleged that that the AIADMK, DMK as well as the Congress were corrupt parties. The Bharatiya Janata Party can provide the alternative to the existing political parties in the state, Shah said. more..

Apr 14 (AM) Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Champika Ranawaka made a request from the police FCID to investigate in to the involvement of an adviser of the ministry with an overseas company. The adviser, Vidya Amarapala, has resigned from his posts in the Ministry, paving way for investigations. Ranawaka said that this step was taken after the revelations of the Panama Papers, since Amarapala has been involved in IWS Holdings & Sovereign Capital Corporation. more..

Apr 14 (CG) The US will be encouraging reconciliation and justice in Sri Lanka in keeping with the joint resolution the Govt co-sponsored with the US at the UNHRC, US Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Tom Malinowski said. He said this after releasing the 2015 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices compiled by USDS. Also speaking at the event, US Secretary of State John Kerry said that more..