Apr 4 (Island) Assistant Governor of CB and former member of the treasury bond tender board Sepala Ratnayake ysaid that he had been opposed to following instructions of the former Governor Arjuna Mahendran to accept bids worth Rs. 10.058 rupees at the treasury bond auction held on Feb 27, 2015. He said that he pointed out to the rest of the members of the tender board that the board members should not accept others� more..

Apr 4 (DM) Matale District Secretary D.P.G. Kumarasiri who retired yesterday after completing an illustrious service of 33 years, handed over his official vehicle and documents to the relevant heads of department and returned home by bus. Mr. Kumarasiri was a senior officer in the Public Administration service had served in Anuradhapura and Nuwaraeliya districts before being appointed as the District Secretary for Matale. During the send-off party, he said, more..

Apr 4 (Hindu) Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy has called upon the Indian High Commissioner in SL seeking his intervention to secure the immediate release of six fishermen from Karaikal allegedly arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on March 30 and also their boats. Speaking to reporters on Monday, he said the families of the fishermen, Gajendiran, Tamilmani, Arul, Jayaseelan, Backiaraj and Ponnusamy, had presented a petition seeking his intervention to secure their release. more..

Apr 4 (Island) Entire country is likely to face a 24-hour power cut from midnight tomorrow due to a strike by the CEB workers, who are demanding the rectification of their salary anomalies. CEB insiders, however, said without the powerful engineers union joining the strike it might not have such a big impact. General Secretary of JVP controlled Lanka Viduli Sewaka Sangamaya Ranjan Jayalal said 35 trade unions in CEB except more..

Apr 4 (PSL) Sri Lanka Cricket Team members and a few board members of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) held a meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena at the President�s residence yesterday (2). After having a friendly conversation with everyone, the President assured that he would give maximum support for the improvement of cricket. At this occasion, Minister of Sports, Dayasiri Jayasekara and President of SLC, Thilanga Sumathipala mentioned about the victories that have been achieved by more..

Apr 4 (FT) The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is to consider releasing some of the Indian trawlers in custody for poaching in the country�s territorial waters in 2015, after meeting the fishermen delegation from the north this week. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said there was a request from fishermen organisations in the north to release Indian trawlers and it would be considered at the meeting with their representatives to be held in Colombo on Wednesday. more..

Apr 4 (FT) Only 10 line ministries out of 48 have utilised over 80% of the capital budget allocated to implement capital projects in 2016, a progress report revealed. The report also highlighted that six out of 16 ministries which received more than Rs. 10 billion each for the implementation of projects and programs amounting to 88.5% of the capital budget allocation were not able to utilise at least 50% of their total allocation.� more..

Apr 4 (DM) The deadline given by the GMOA for the govt to settle the issue involving the SAITM lapsed yesterday. The powerful trade union of doctors had warned last week that they would decide on the course of action they would take if the govt did not provide a solution for the issue within the deadline. In fact, although the medical doctors called for a solution for the SAITM issue in general, the only solution they press for has been the closure of the Private Medical College in Malabe or more..

Apr 4 (DM) Wimal Weerawansa is a destructive politician. After Anagarika Dharmapala, he is probably the most effective rabble rouser who could manage to send a sizeable portion of the population to an ethnic frenzy through his gifted oratory. His leader for a short while, Rohana Wijeweera was also a provocative orator, however, though he was a closeted bigot, Wijeweera spent most of his speaking prowess to promote a class struggle. The most eventful individual on the other end of more..

Apr 4 (SL) The Central Province (CP) Department of Health Services (DHS)� is accused of spending millions of tax payers� hard earned money to purchase medical equipment with high technology but not providing the necessary training to the medical staff to operate them. As a result most of the hospitals in the province have rejected these vital devices. Provincial Director of Health Service, CP Dr. Shanthi Samarasinghe more..

Apr 4 (Roar) Islands are host to unique and fragile ecosystems. Sri Lanka is no different, being home to innumerable species of flora and fauna that have evolved independently of their cousins in the mainland Indian subcontinent. In such delicate circumstances, things can go awry when foreign species compete with indigenous ones for resources. In fact, research has shown invasive species to be responsible for 40% of more..

Apr 4 (DM) Responding to a statement made by former President Rajapaksa that he will topple the govt by the time the country celebrate Vesak, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said the former President will have to weep by the time Sri Lanka celebrates Vesak in 2018. PM made this remark at the UNP rally in Kiribathgoda this evening. �The former President initially said he will topple the govt in January this year. more..

Apr 4 (SLA) The ongoing mega Field Training Exercise (FTX), ready to undertake the forthcoming UN Combat Convoy Tasks in MINUSMA - Mali, covering a distance of about 1000 km across the country in the past nine days reached Suriyawewa, Hambantota before a de-briefing brings the FTX to end on Wednesday (5) at the Officer Carrier Development Center (OCDC) at Buttala. FTX officially commenced on March 21 at KKS, more..

Apr 4 (DM) Several Districts throughout the country might experience a rise in temperature up to about 34 Celsius, as the sun would shine directly over Sri Lanka, Meteorological Department said. Duty Meteorologist said the sun would be aligned directly above SL from April 5 to 15 as it enters from Hambantota District and leaves over the Jaffna District. �During this period the country may experience a rise in temperature,� more..

Apr 4 (ST) If granted the GSP+ trade concession, Sri Lanka will be subject to more European Union (EU) monitoring than ever before of its implementation of 27 core conventions on human rights (HR), labour, environmental protection and good governance, it was revealed in the European Parliament last week. Sri Lanka, which lost the GSP+ in 2010, reapplied for the incentive in July 2016. more..

Apr 4 (LBO) Sri Lanka�s energy ministry has invited all stakeholders to study the draft National Energy Policy & Strategies and provide their comments, inputs and observations to further improve the policy. A committee of experts has been tasked to develop the policy based on energy supply and demand in the past, present and future to align the island with future energy systems of the world. Sri Lanka is ranked in mid-range of UN more..

Apr 4 (Island) Former UPFA Minister and leader of the LSSP Prof. Tissa Vitharana, hinted that Sri Lanka would soon become an Indian colony with New Delhi gaining control over the country�s key economic assets and bilateral trade agreements such as ETCA being heavily loaded in favour of India. He said: "We are not against the govt signing trade agreements with any country, but they must be favourable to Sri Lanka as well. more..

Apr 4 (Island) The TNA stressed that it strongly opposed Judicial Services Association�s (JSA) call to remove High Court judge Ramanathan Kannan. The JSA on April 1 unanimously adopted several resolutions, including the call to remove Kannan, at a Special General Meeting to reach consensus on strategy. Kannan functions as HC judge of Civil Appellate Court, Jaffna TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran said more..

Apr 4 (EN) The much talked about cabinet changes have been shelved due to coalition politics and once again underscoring the challenges of Sri Lanka having a dual leadership. President Sirisena had wanted to shuffle key ministers in the face of allegations of corruption, but PM Ranil Wickremesinghe's party appears to have stalled him. There was initial speculation that the President wanted Wickremesinghe to take more..

Apr 4 (ANI) Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Sri Lanka released 38 Indian fishermen who will be handed over to Indian Coast Guard (ICG) at the IMBL. "38 Indian fishermen, released by SL govt wth efforts of HCI, left KKS Naval Stn. To be handed over to Indian Coast Guard at IMBL," MEA official spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted. SL Navy earlier on April 2 apprehend six Indian fishermen near Nainatheevu for allegedly having cocaine and confiscated one boat. more..

Apr 4 (EN) Sri Lanka has confiscated 17,150 kilograms of rice imported by a trader, after being raided by price control police, the trade ministry said. Maligakanda Magistrate ordered the rice to be confiscated and sold. The proceeds will be credit to the Consumer Protection Authority, which polices price controls in the country. The stock of rice was imported by a firm called S N B Traders. Price control police had demanded the rice at the controlled price and more..

Apr 4 (NR) The third round of diplomatic discussions on the issue of Indian fishermen using bottom trawling methods in Sri Lankan waters is scheduled to be held in Colombo on Friday. The first round of discussions was held in November in New Delhi while the second round was held in January in Colombo. A group of officials including Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in India Radha Mohan Singh will attend the meeting representing the Indian side. more..

Apr 4 (NR) Court of Appeal today issued notice to the Attorney General who has been cited as a respondent in the bail application filed by UPFA MP Wimal Weerawansa calling for his release to appear before Court. Attorney General was accordingly requested to appear before the Appeals Court on the 7th of April. Fort Magistrate�s Court and the Colombo High Court both rejected the bail application on five previous occasions. Therefore the MP filed bail application at Appeals Court. more..

Apr 4 (DN) An investigation will be conducted to find out whether any fraud or irregularities occurred in connection with the sale of land opposite Lake House in Fort, Minister Champika Ranawaka said. �In 2007,the Cabinet Subcommittee approved to provide the land opposite Lake House in Fort to Ranka Lanka Pvt. Ltd. on a 30 year lease. And again in 2009, through the Cabinet Subcommittee the lease was increased to 50 years. The Minister further said that in 2013, more..

Apr 4 (Island) The much-awaited short list of Gratiaen Prize 2016 was announced at the British Council auditorium yesterday evening at a simple ceremony. The short listed works are: Introspection (poetry) by Jean Arasanayagam; The Memory of Loss (novel) by Rizvina de Alwis; Short eats (short stories) by Shehan Karunatilaka; Stories (novel) by Charulatha Thewarathanthri; and Borrowed Dust a collection of poems by Vivimarie VanderPoorten. British Council�s Country Director more..

Apr 4 (DN) Financial records of eight political parties released by the Elections Commissioner through a RTI request put forward by Transparency International SL, has shown the JVP to be the most financially secure and asset rich party among the main political parties. TISL has released financial records for the parties; JHU, SLMC, JVP, SLFP, UNP, CWC, ITAK and UPFA. Financial records of eight political parties more..

Apr 4 (CT) Despite India�s replacement of the National Planning Commission with more ad hoc NITI Aayog (National Institute for Transforming India), India along with China will stand as good examples for the benefits of economic planning in a developing country. India was supposed to complete its 12th Five Year Plan this year, and China initiated its 13th Five Year Plan last year. India�s recent decision under neoliberalism might go in history as a mistake. more..

Apr 4 (NR) Govt says all issues pertaining to university hostel accommodation will be solved by next year. Speaking in Parliament today Minister Lakshman Kiriella responding to a question raised by JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake said funds have been set aside to provide necessary hostel accommodation. MP said apart from the shortage of professors at the Uni of Jaffna, there is a shortage of hostels adding that students of the Uni of Jaffna have to pay exorbitant amounts more..

Apr 4 (NR) Minister Arjuna Ranatunga says new methods are necessary in order to enact the law pertaining to bribery and corruption. He said investigations must be conducted promptly against individuals charged with bribery and corruption no matter the rank and distinction the individual holds. Minister said the time has come for those guilty of crime and corruption to be brought to light, adding all need to work together more..

Apr 4 (Island) Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera, Chairman of the Pavidi Handa Organisation, yesterday handed over a letter to the Attorney General Jayantha Jayasuriya, PC, requesting him to refrain from indicting people on complaints made by the FCID, which the monk said, was an unlawfully constituted body. The FCID prosecutes the dedicated officers of the former government and the political opponents of the present regime, the monk has said, requesting more..

Apr 4 (CT) Depending on whom you ask unemployment is one of the leading problems in our country. The supporters of the former administration would say that it is at an all time low, with most of the large scale development projects being gift-wrapped and handed over to foreign constructors or leased until God knows when. If it's the government supporters that fulfil your cup of tea, then you'd probably hear how the Prime Minister, together with the President, is planning on creating more..

Apr 4 (DM) The main runway of the BIA Katunayake would become operational on Thursday, April 6, the Civil Aviation and Transport Ministry said today. Srilankan Airlines� newly purchase UL-1162 aircraft would make the first landing at the renovated runway, the Ministry said. The airport�s main runway was closed for renovations on January 6. The airport functioned only eight hours each day (From 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.). more..

Apr 4 (DM) A woman of Yodhakandiya, Thissamaharama was arrested for allegedly murdering her 35-year-old husband, Police said. They said the woman had lodged a complaint with the Thissamaharama Police last month saying that her husband had gone missing. The investigation had later revealed that the woman had killed the man with a club and then buried the body near the house on February 16. The arrested woman is to be produced before the Magistrate. more..

Apr 4 (TP) Qatar Foreign Ministry has urged nationals not to travel to Sri Lanka due to health concern. They have put out a travel warning on their official Twitter page urging people not to visit the island country as H1N1 is reportedly spreading throughout the Central province, which includes Kandy, a favourite tourist spot.�Central Provincial Health Service Director Shanthi Samarasinghe has said that H1N1 virus is spreading fast in the province. more..

Apr 4 (PSL) President Maithripala Sirisena says that the govt will properly fulfill its duties and responsibilities and would not allow the eve of the lives of artistes, who entertained the eager hearts of thousands of fans, be left to become tragedies. The president said this while addressing a ceremony held at the President�s House in Colombo where a donation of Rs. 25 million was made for the Insurance Trust for Singers of Sri Lanka. more..

Apr 4 (CG) China and the US today expressed�condolences over the death of the Most Venerable Aggamaha Pandita Davuldena Gnanaissara Thero, Mahanayake of Amarapura Maha Nikaya, who passed away yesterday. The Embassy of China expressed the heartfelt condolence to the Buddhist community and the people of Sri Lanka. �The Most Ven. Aggamaha Pandita Davuldena Gnanaissara with many attainments is a Buddhist scholar and more..

Apr 4 (NR) Speaker of the German Parliament, Norbert Lammert says the January 8th 2015 verdict given by the people of Sri Lanka has brought in a new orientation to the country, as the govt has taken effective steps to strengthen democracy and improve human rights and reconciliation. Speaker of the German Parliament made this statement when he called on President Sirisena at the President�s official residence today. President receiving Lammert and his delegation said, more..

Apr 4 (LBO) Deputy Minister Harsha de Silva, on a visit to Australia last week on an invitation extended by the Australian Govt under their Special Visitor Program sought to utilise the expertise of Australia which is one of the world�s leading explorers of minerals and metals, to expand the investment opportunities in the mineral sector of Sri Lanka. The discussions on the mineral industry were among the several agenda items for Dy Minister�s visit more..