Feb 24 (CT) Under the law and SL�s Constitution, there is no reason why Ranil Wickremesinghe should step down as Prime Minister unless a vote of no confidence is passed in parliament. However, the numbers are not possible in Parliament even if the SLFP and JO join together. They will need significant defections from the UNP, though this is highly unlikely at this moment. So, the more important question is whether the Premier should step down for the sake of UNP�s future? more..

Feb 24 (CT) With the Municipal and Local Council elections held on 10 February 2018, introducing a new electoral system, the Lotus Bud (Pohottuwa) of SLPP supported by Mahinda Rajapaksa, blossomed with a sweeping landslide victory. Thus serving a sledge hammer blow on the two leaders of Unity Govt, President Sirisena, who campaigned vigorously punching forceful political rhetoric and promising to chastise all corrupt politicians (by sending them to Hell-his own words); more..

Feb 24 (GV) 366 days (as of 20th Feb) is a long time to be at a 24 hour roadside protest. That�s how long Tamil families of disappeared in Kilinochchi have been there. In the coming days and weeks, protests by families of disappeared in Vavuniya, Mullaithivu, Maruthankerny & Trinco will also reach one year. Most of the protesters were elderly mothers and fathers and those physically and mentally injured by the war. more..

Feb 24 (DN) As we approach the end of two weeks after the recent LG poll there is a motley of political developments that point to somewhat receding divisions within the ruling coalition of the UNP and SLFP-UPFA, and strategic thinking among the SLPP aimed at the longer goals of electoral success in the future. PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and UPFA General Secretary, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, informed Parliament that National Govt � which brought UNP & UPFA together by the MoU more..

Feb 24 (DN) The dust storm that erupted after the ground level victory of the SLPP (JO) at the local govt elections has now settled down one could see the contours of the victory and defeat suffered by all major parties more clearly. The SLPP victory is not all that straight as it needs Opposition support to form administrations in almost two-thirds of Councils in which they hold a majority of seats. To that extent the defeated parties have an effective power in deciding the final outcome. more..

Feb 24 (Roar) With several ethnic groups living within its borders, SL is diverse in its culture and population. Folklore, myths, legends, and epic poems such as the Mahawamsa make up part of this rich culture and heritage of our people, and these tribes, the raksha, the yaksha, the naga, and the nittaewo, have been featured in these stories and works of literature. Ramayana, an Indian epic, also mentions tribe known as raksha. more..

Feb 24 (CT) Media reported earlier that President Maithripala Sirisena would consult the Attorney General and legal experts on moves to remove PM under the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. In this connection, it must be noted that the enactment of the historic 19th Amendment continues to have profound relevance on the options open to President Sirisena, with legal experts warning that a 2003 style take-over of ministries by the President or the unilateral sacking of the PM more..

Feb 24 (Island) SL�s latest global Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranking proves the present govt has failed to make good on its main election promise. All anti-corruption circuses we were treated to during the last three years have been in vain in spite of yahapalana politicians� rhetoric. SL has been ranked 91st out of 180 countries on the CPI index. It has moved up four slots but its score (38) hasn�t improved at all, compared to 2014; it is well below the average score of 44 for more..

Feb 24 (CT) Even in the advent of social media, the newspaper remains an important source of information in present day SL. According to a CB�s Economic and Social Statistics report, 538.82 million newspaper copies alone were sold in 2016, up 6.06% from 2015. Being one of these many readers, I came across a case of sorts in the Daily Mirror, against the denial or delay of marriage in Sri Lanka, directed at our supremely beautiful, supremely patriarchal nation�s women specifically. more..

Feb 24 (Island) Commercial Bank of Ceylon recently conducted Math Camps at three schools and donated Math Labs to four more schools under the Bank�s Sustainable Math Lab Development project. This has brought the total number of Maths Camps conducted by the bank during a two year period to 20, benefitting approximately 1,000 students. Conducted with the aim of creating an affinity for the subject among students and to dispel the belief that math is a difficult subject, the Math Camps more..

Feb 24 (Island) A fortnight of jiggery-pokery in politics has now led to big talk about a Cabinet reshuffle. Can any shuffling of this set of politically crooked persons engaged in bad govt bring anything good for the people? The two weeks of a power struggle within a hugely skewed team in govt, and the pretense of an attempted power grab by the suddenly booming team of the continuing scoundrels in politics, and a govt that could hardly bring more..

Feb 24 (Island) I AM SURE many of us would share the same sense of guilt on reflecting that as children we enjoyed Red Indian films in which the Native American was made out to be a savage, bent on rape, mayhem, and the collection of scalps. We were blind to the fact the Native Americans were fighting for their lands and survival. Ironically, at the end of such films, with the Native American wiped out, we came away elated that right had triumphed. I was compelled to revisit such misguided more..

Feb 24 (Island) Our family left Kandy, our childhood haunts, and moved to Nawalapitiya when our father, D. T. Devendra was appointed Principal of Anuruddha College. It was a wrench leaving the wonderful town, and the friends and neighbours so much a part of our lives. It was heartbreaking for me to leave Dharmaraja, the school where I grew up, and my boon companions since Baby Class. Kandy in 1942 was on a war footing. Blackouts and air-raid drills were part of our lives. more..

Feb 24 (ST) Sri Lanka�s chief cricket selector Graeme Labrooy is of the opinion that cricket is mainly a game of self confidence and through the approach of new cricket Coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, who has taken the reigns for four years, Sri Lanka�s national cricket is well on its way to recovery. Speaking on Sri Lanka�s next phase and if the side is moving towards taking up the challenge for the 2019 World Cup, more..

Feb 24 (FT) Commercial Bank of Ceylon has posted profit before VAT and NBT of Rs. 28.064 billion for the year ending 31 Dec 2017, reflecting growth of 18.14%, a performance the Bank attributes to substantial core business growth through adherence to the fundamentals of pure banking. Gross income increased by 24.10% to Rs. 115.594 billion, bolstered by interest income of Rs. 103.034 billion, up Rs. 22.296 billion or 27.62% primarily due to a significant growth in the Bank�s loan book more..

Feb 24 (FT) The Agriculture Ministry is set to present a paper at the next Cabinet meeting proposing an increase in fertilizer subsidy to match the market price. Following discussions between the Agriculture and Finance Ministries, the fertilizer subsidy given to farmers will be increased by at least Rs. 500 per 50kg bag. At present the Govt provides only Rs. 2,500 per fertilizer bag with a total subsidy of Rs. 25,000, when market price has increased to over Rs. 3,000 per bag. more..

Feb 24 (FT) Calling for an immediate end to the politicisation of the national carrier, the trade union collective of SriLankan Airlines yesterday urged the Govt to carry out an immediate, transparent restructuring of the troubled enterprise. Addressing a media briefing at the HQ of Airline Pilots Guild of SL, trade union collective stressed on the need to carry out the proposed restructuring program with a commercial view. more..

Feb 24 (Island) Nestl� achieved revenue of Rs. 37.6 billion (up 3.1% over 2016) and a net profit of Rs. 3.6 billion for the full year ending 31 Dec 2017. Revenue for the fourth quarter was Rs. 10 billion (up 15.6% over Q4 2016) with a net profit of Rs. 1.2 billion. The severe drought and floods, resulting in weak consumer confidence and decline in consumer demand, adversely impacted results. Growth rates were further eroded by an increase in VAT, which coupled with unprecedented increase in more..

Feb 24 (Island) Versatility is not the word! Secretary to PM (Sirimavo Bandaranaike) to chairing SL Telecom and the National Airport & Aviation, from the northeast war front, where he was a military officer, to the head of postal dept, and from being a leading marksman in Asia to his lifelong passion for railway, Hemasiri Fernando is more than a multifaceted personality. Yet his forte is holding Presidency of the National Olympic Committee (NOC); that too for two long decades, more..

Feb 24 (DM) Former Deputy Finance Minister Bandula Gunawardane filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking its Special Determination on the Bill titled Active Liability Management presented to Parliament and placed on the Order Paper on 19.02.2018. He laments that the said Bill is drafted in a manner to abrogate the powers of the CB and shift such powers (directly and/or indirectly) to the Minister and alleges this amounts to more..

Feb 24 (DN) Acting Indian High Commissioner to SL Arindam Bagchi said the Indian govt has been focusing on reducing existing trade barriers and improving market access through FTAs between India and Sri Lanka. Bagchi expressed hope that trade negotiators, to this end will come up with win-win solutions for both sides. �It�s a give and take process, I�m well aware that our negotiators will come up with win-win solutions for both parties.� The acting High Commissioner was speaking at more..

Feb 24 (DM) Reparations are essential in leading to a process of reconciliation and it should be done in parallel to a process on truth, justice, and non-recurrence, Secretary of the Secretariat for Coordinating Reconciliation Mechanisms (SCRM), Mano Tittawella said. He said this in view of the two-day int'l conference organised by the SCRM, International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Migration Agency on reparations for conflict victims. more..

Feb 24 (DN) The former president of the SL Tennis Association Suresh Subramaniam was elected president of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) at the annual general meeting held after nine years at Olympic House yesterday. Subramaniam beat President of the Rowing Association of SL Rohan Fernando by a majority of six votes. Subramaniam received 18 votes while Fernando had to settle for 12 votes. more..

Feb 24 (CT) Over 1500 athletes are taking part at the 18th International Schools Athletics Championships 2018 and a total of 23 Int'l Schools are participating in the event featuring 106 events for girls and boys. The ISAC event got off to a start at the Diyagama Sports Stadium yesterday with Kenari Gamage of Lyceum Int'l School Wattala winning a Gold medal in a time of 15.71 sec in the U-14 Girl's 80M Hurdles with Matheeshi Wettasinghe of Lyceum Panadura in second place more..

Feb 24 (DN) A case filed against former Minister Basil Rajapaksa and former Director General of Divi Neguma Department Kithsiri Ranawaka for allegedly misappropriating Rs.36.5 million of funds belonging to the Divi Neguma Department, was yesterday fixed for trial by the Colombo High Court. Accordingly, the case was fixed for trial on June 4 by Colombo High Court Judge A.A.R. Heiyanthuduwa. The Court was informed that the prosecution has already handed over several documents pertaining to more..

Feb 24 (Island) The govt has, under heavy pressure from the UK, carried out its decision to recall SL�s military attache in London, Brig. Prinyankara Fernando, despite a presidential intervention. When the government announced its decision to recall the brigadier, following an incident where he allegedly made a throat slitting gesture in front of a group of British LTTE supporters of Sri Lankan origin, in London, on Feb. 04, more..

Feb 24 (FT) Colombo High Court Judge Vikum rejected the objections raised by the Counsel for the accused appearing for former MP Tiran Alles in the Rs. 200 million RADA fraud case who had claimed that the 15 days� period given to the defence to examine the computers was insufficient. Claiming that as the time given to examine the computers was insufficient, Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty appearing for the first accused said that it is contravening Section 7 of the evidence Ordinance more..

Feb 24 (DN) A team of lawyers representing Attorney General Jayantha Jayasuriya PC, has been appointed to assist the PCoI to Investigate Allegations of Fraud and Corruption at SriLankan Airlines, SriLankan Catering and Mihin Lanka. �A six member team of lawyers including Additional Solicitor General Niel Unamboowe, has been appointed to assist the Commission�s activities following a request made by the Presidential Commission,� the Attorney General said. more..

Feb 24 (CT) Student Action Committee of the Faculty of Medicine of the SAITM has written to President Sirisena requesting that all students, currently at the SAITM, be enrolled in the KDU sans discrimination. Presidential Media Unit on 21 Feb said that a decision was taken at a meeting held with President Sirisena, where it was decided to enroll about 1,000 students who were currently studying at the SAITM to more..

Feb 24 (Island) Police headquarters has issued a public appeal to Sri Lanka�s former ambassador in Ukraine Udayanga Weeratunga to face judicial-police inquiry without trying to clear himself through Facebook posts. Police spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera, in a statement issued yesterday assured Weeratunga, now on the run, the police wouldn�t thwart his efforts to clear his name. But, as a Sri Lankan, Weeratunga should abide by local laws, Gunasekera said. more..

Feb 24 (Island) SL�s Permanent Representative in Geneva Ravinatha Aryasinha has been asked to continue to be there till the conclusion of UNHRC sessions scheduled to commence on Monday. The sessions will continue till March 31. Earlier, Aryasinha was instructed to return by the end of this month. Aryasinha will be replaced by career diplomat A.L.A. Azeez. Outgoing human rights chief Zeid bin Ra�ad al-Hussein is scheduled to present a mid-term assessment on implementation of more..

Feb 24 (SL) UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra�ad Al Hussein has called on the UNHRC to explore other avenues that could foster accountability in SL. In his report on SL to the 37th session of UNHRC, which meets in Geneva from 26 Feb to 23 March 2018, HC reiterates his appreciation for the constructive engagement of Govt of SL with the OHCHR and UN human rights mechanisms since Jan 2015. more..

Feb 24 (UN) It is with deep sadness that the United Nations in Sri Lanka announces the sudden passing away of its Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in SL, Ms. Una McCauley. Ms. McCauley, 54, was on medical leave, undergoing treatment. As the first female UN Resident Coordinator in SL, Ms. McCauley was a bold, inspiring, and strong leader. As the most senior UN Official in the country, Ms. McCauley led the UN Country Team of 21 Resident and more..

Feb 24 (DM) Higher Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella and Public Enterprise Development Minister Kabir Hashim may swap their portfolios in the Cabinet reshuffle likely to take place tomorrow. The UNP had has decided to re-arrange the portfolios assigned to it under the National Unity Govt, party sources said. PM Ranil Wickremesinghe is said to have requested Mr Kiriella to accept the post of Public Enterprise Development in the reshuffle. more..

Feb 24 (FT) Seeking to regroup swiftly after the LG polls setback, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday reinforced his intention to prioritise and fast-track policy implementation with the appointment of a top ministerial committee, while pledging to remain within the framework provided by the people�s mandate. �People have given us a mandate, and we have to deliver. We cannot deviate from that at any point. more..

Feb 24 (DM) The legendary leader Nelson Mandela has said there can be no keener revelation of a society�s soul than the way in which it treats its children. Statesman Frederick Douglass has emphasised it is easier to build strong children than to repair broken people, while evangelist Charles R. Swindoll has said each day of our lives, we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. They are so loving and lovable because of their innocence and devastating honesty. more..

Feb 24 (DM) LG Elections were held. Results baffled many a political activist; especially those who were backing the coalition Govt consisting of UNP and SLFP. The most surprising element of the whole enterprise was the miserable performance of the official SLFP, political party which had its birth, growth and full fruition during its turbulent journey in the socio-political seas in the country; political party that was founded by S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike as an alternative to the then UNP; more..

Feb 24 (Roar) Alternative medicine is a popular but often contested form of treatment. Despite the concerns surrounding it, these methods of treatment are gaining more and more popularity, with homeopathy being recognised as the second most widely practiced form of alternative medicine in the world. According to Dr. Mass Usuf, Naturopath and Senior Vice President of the National Association of Homoeopaths & Affiliates more..

Feb 24 (ST) The world�s most trafficked animal is the pangolin or scaly ant-eater, and global demand is making this animal rarer in Sri Lankan forests, with cruel revelations of its slaughter. Police following a tip-off last week found a live pangolin inside a freezer of a Chinese restaurant in Kollupitiya. Pangolin flesh is considered a delicacy by the Chinese living in many East Asian countries so the pangolin in the freezer would have met more..