Jun 18 (ST) Is all going awry? One wonders if Sports Minister Faiszer Musthapha is keen to have the cake and eat it too. Seeming what the majority of the elite panel of cricketers who keep their heads above their shoulders do not go seeking for glory. Already they have had their share of glory within the precincts of the playing field and most of the time off it too. As a result they are not going to stake their reputation to give a breathing space to a cause that has already lost its sheen. more..

Jun 18 (ST) As SL�s woes in international cricketer exacerbate, several former player have banded together to press for a complete overhaul of the administrative and cricketing structure. It comes after Sports Minister Faizser Mushthapa reached out to five former cricketers to join in an advisory capacity after the country�s recent defeat in the West Indies. Aravinda de Silva, Roshan Mahanama, Mahela more..

Jun 18 (CB) Sri Lanka were prepared to forfeit the second Test match against West Indies in St. Lucia but mediation from Colombo prevented them from doing so. A Sri Lanka Cricket source told Cricbuzz that after match officials informed the team on the third day's play that the condition of the ball had been altered by using a foreign substance the previous day, the team was adamant in forfeiting the game. However, telephone calls from SLC officials - including CEO Ashley de Silva more..

Jun 18 (Island) Ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa is undoubtedly the most popular political leader at present, and therefore has the potential of coming back to power. If people want him back in power it cannot be stopped and it should not be stopped. Let the people decide. It should not be decided by the US, China, India or any other external agent. The fact that he had been the president twice should not be a valid reason to deny the people their wish. People are concerned about what has been more..

Jun 18 (CI) Two dashing innings - a confident 87 off 117 from Kusal Mendis, and a stroke filled 62 off 70 from Niroshan Dickwella - propelled SL to a 287-run lead in St Lucia, edging them ahead in this match. Although Shannon Gabriel bowled spiritedly through the fourth day, collecting figures of 6 for 57 to take his match haul to 11 for 116, SL still have two wickets remaining in their second innings. Only twice in this century have West Indies more..

Jun 18 (FT) MP Mylvaganam Thilakarajah called on the Govt to conduct comprehensive research on the controversial palm oil cultivation that is taking over the plantation sector, insisting that it would trigger a serious socioeconomic conflict if not addressed in the immediate future. Speaking at the 1st national dialogue to shape a set of conclusions for a policy blueprint on the future of work in the tea plantation sector, he asked for research to be conducted before stepping into palm oil industry. more..

Jun 18 (DN) Creative Software works closely with Sri Lanka�s leading universities to give students an early industry exposure, helping them develop their professional skills and giving them a head-start on their careers. In keeping with this mission, on June 8 Creative Software inaugurated their student R&D space� Creative Lab - at NSBM Green University Town IT R&D and Business Incubation Centre. The Lab was ceremoniously unveiled by Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama. more..

Jun 18 (AD) Minister Sagala Ratnayaka said Sri Lanka, especially with its strategic location in the Indian Ocean, was the perfect location to run a global programme on maritime crime. Addressing UNSC Open Arria Formula meeting on Maritime Crime as a Threat to International Peace and Security, Ratnayaka said the SL govt was delighted with the decision of the Global Maritime Crime Programme of UNODC to relocate more..

Jun 18 (SO) In a thought-provoking speech at the Inaugural Session of the International Steering Committee of the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict held in Colombo last week, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya spoke of SL�s long road to recovery following civil war, and hailed the JVP for its decision to enter the democratic mainstream and act as custodians of democratic institutions and watchdogs against corruption. The JVP, which had been the protagonist more..

Jun 18 (Scroll) Reacting to an increasingly assertive China, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has looked to expand his country�s influence in the Indo-Pacific. Trips to Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives in Jan 2018 culminated in Abe and SL President Maithripala Sirisena holding further talks in Tokyo during March, where the pair focused on issues of economic and maritime cooperation, security and regional order. The two leaders agreed to promote the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy, more..

Jun 18 (Island) "We were to forfeit the match. But changed mind later on, after we were instructed by the authorities in Sri Lanka to continue play, for the sake of the good name of the sport. But this will go a long way," said SL team manager Asanka Gurusinha after the controversy-ridden third day�s play of the second cricket Test here. Referring to the ball-tampering allegations the ICC had made against Sri Lanka by charge-sheeting them more..

Jun 18 (Hindu) What connects music composer M.S. Viswanathan to a group of Sinhalese people shaking a leg at a weekend party? An all-time hit Sinhala song that was inspired by his rustic 1970s composition Ennadi rakkamma pallakku nelippu. No celebration or gathering is complete without the Sinhala super-hit Mama gannami karakara bandala, set to the same tune. Similarly, Ilaiyaraaja�s Machanai paartheengala has a popular Sinhala counterpart Sudu asu pita nagala, more..

Jun 18 (FT) Despite Sri Lanka�s continued low investment in innovation inputs, Sri Lanka has made strong headway in innovation outputs because of its competitive IT industry, according to Professor Soumitra Dutta, architect of the Global Innovation Index (GII). The global expert on innovation suggested Sri Lanka strengthen its country branding to elevate its global positioning on innovation, building on the IT industry�s new Island of Ingenuity branding. more..

Jun 18 (DM) UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa denounced allegations that he had obtained a cheque from Perpetual Treasuries Chief Arjun Aloysius. He responded to an allegation made by Member of Southern Provincial Council D.V. Upul. Mr. Upul who threw challenge at Mr. Premadasa asking him to submit an affidavit to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and prove that he had not obtained money from Aloysius. more..

Jun 18 (CI) Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal has escaped a more severe ball-tampering charge because the ICC is yet to approve newly-modified sanctions for the offence. Under the revised rules, recommended by its influential cricket committee, that the ICC is likely to pass at its annual conference later this month, ball tampering will be upgraded from a Level 2 offence to Level 3. As it stands Chandimal, if found guilty, will only attract a Level 2 offence. more..

Jun 18 (Island) Sri Lanka is a growing economy and one could see that major infrastructure projects are in place here. Consequently, SL has the potential of being a major importer of construction equipment, Managing Director and CEO JCB India, South East Asia and Pacific Vipin Sondhi said. "We look at long term business prospects with SL because it is an emerging market with major infrastructure projects, such as, the Port City, expressways and the govt flag ship project, megalopolis plan, more..

Jun 18 (FT) Heads of State institutions, including ministry secretaries, department heads and even accountants will have to shoulder responsibility for salary payments to 7,500 odd workers recruited beyond the approved public sector cadre, Finance Ministry said in a statement. Cabinet approval has been granted to the proposal made by Minister Mangala Samaraweera to hold responsible those relevant secretaries to ministries, more..

Jun 18 (DM) Northern Province CM C. V. Wigneswaran said he had no objection to the postponement of the elections to his provincial council provided that his term of office was extended up to the point of the next polls. Mr. Wigneswaran said he would be opposed to placing Northern Provincial Council (NPC) under the purview of the Governor in the event the elections were postponed. He said if the council was placed in the hands of the Governor as in the East, there was no use of more..

Jun 18 (Island) The third day�s play of the second cricket Test between West Indies and SL which is to begin on Saturday did not start on schedule, at 9.30 am, in St Lucia. West Indies were 118-2 in reply to Sri Lanka�s 1st innings total of 253. Devon Smith (53 n.o.) and Shai Hope (2 n.o.) were the two not-out batsmen at the crease. That was due to allegations that are made against Sri Lanka by the ICC match officials, including Referee Javagal Srinath (India) and on-field umpires, more..

Jun 18 (Island) The CIABOC plans to propose a special unit to handle declarations made in respect of the Asset and Liabilities Law. Director General, CIABOC, Sarath Jayamanne, PC, said that formation of such a unit, perhaps under the CIABOC, would help verify declarations made by those coming within the Asset and Liabilities Law. Having received cabinet approval, the CIABOC initiated action to amend more..

Jun 18 (Island) Minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said that he was the leader of the Democratic Party (DP) when Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) gave him Rs 100,000 for 2015 August parliamentary polls campaign. Fonseka said so when The Island asked him to clarify when actually the money was received because some believed PTL funded the 2010 presidential polls campaign. War winning Army Commander said that he couldn�t remember donors of 2010 campaign funds. more..

Jun 18 (DM) More than 40,000 families in Sri Lanka are said to be affected by drought by today as the country joined the world in marking international Day to combat desertification and drought, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said. Accordingly, more than 40,000 families were facing drinking water shortages. As per the data put out by the DMC, some 214,083 persons belonging to 60,944 families have been affected by adverse weather conditions including floods, drought and strong winds. more..

Jun 18 (CI) Dinesh Chandimal has denied charges of attempting to change the condition of the ball during the ongoing second Test against West Indies in St Lucia. By not pleading guilty to the charge laid by the ICC for changing the condition of the ball, Chandimal will attend a hearing by match referee Javagal Srinath after the conclusion of the Test. ICC release on Sunday also stated: "The officials laid the charge after TV footage more..

Jun 18 (NR) Operations to transfer the last two wild elephants at the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, responsible for the deaths of 15 persons has been halted. Deputy Minister of Wildlife Palitha Thewarapperuma said the decision was made based on an order issued by Prez Sirisena. He noted all factions responsible for halting the relevant operations must be held responsible for the lives of the two wild elephants and the public residing in close proximity to Sinharaja Forest Reserve. more..

Jun 18 (CT) The Govt has no plans to close down SriLankan Airlines, asserted Minister Lakshman Kiriella. He also said that, however, the Airline�s income and expenditure should be bridged. Minister said he had instructed the SriLankan Airlines Chairman to limit losses to a minimum during the last three years. He was speaking following a visit to the SriLankan Airlines office yesterday. Minister also visited the SriLankan Aviation College and SriLankan Catering. more..

Jun 18 (DM) The former chief Kapu Mahatthaya of the Mahasen Devalaya of Kirivehera Temple in Kataragama, had been given a contract for an amount of Rs 3 million to shoot the Kirivehera Chief Incumbent Ven. Damminda Thera, SP Ruwan Gunasekara said. The suspects Asela Bandara and two other twin brothers were arrested in Pepiliyana on Saturday night in connection with the incident, SP Gunasekara further said more..

Jun 18 (DM) Almost every time SL�s massive rural unemployment problem is discussed, many tend to suggest self-employment as the best possible solution. Self-employment is also at the heart of the debate on predatory microfinance ravaging the rural economy. Liberal economists, govt officials and NGO propagandists worry that the curtailment or abolition of microfinance would mean the end of self-employment programmes. Over the last few decades, microfinance and self-employment more..

Jun 18 (DM) When a govt, however popular, begins to help racial or religious emotionalism merely because it is a harsh and loud-noised demand made on it, and then interferes in the management and enforcement of law and order for the advantage of its favourites or to win the applause of a crowd, however out of control it may be, disaster is certain. As rumors spread the town was buzzing with people. They collected in groups in streets, exchanging news about an invasion of Polonnaruwa by more..

Jun 18 (EN) Sri Lanka's uneasy coalition is expected to hobble along till the presidential elections next year, but it is not only the govt that is in trouble. The opposition too is in trouble, trying to choose a candidate. The uncertainty over the contender at the 2019 vote is at the nub of wrangling between President Maithripala Sirisena and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe as they both harbour hopes of contesting. more..

Jun 18 (CT) �Teach him if you can, the wonders of books, but also give time to ponder the extreme mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun and flowers on a green hill. Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong,� wrote former US President Abraham Lincoln in a letter to his son�s teacher. National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) recently brought a proposal to scrap all the school exams more..

Jun 18 (AD) The Supreme Court has directed the Attorney General to draft a rule document to show cause why Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake should not be held in contempt. The directive was made when the two petitions filed against Ramanayake, accusing him of contempt, were taken up today (18) before judge bench comprising Chief Justice Priyasad Dep and Justice Murdu Fernando. Additional Solicitor General more..

Jun 18 (Island) Secretary General of Asgiriya Chapter Venerable Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera told a deputation from BBS that the views of Asgiriya Chapter regarding the imprisonment of Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera would be forwarded to Sirisena and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe soon. The deputation from the BBS organisation called on the Secretary General on Sunday. more..

Jun 18 (CT) Centre for Human Rights and Research (CHRR) laments that despite approval being given to establish a special three-Bench High Court, the Govt has not taken sufficient steps to provide the required infrastructure. Executive Director of CHRR, Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon claimed that it has been five weeks since the Parliament approved the establishment of a special 3-bench HC, to accelerate the hearing of bribery and more..

Jun 18 (CT) The ongoing strike by postal workers has resulted in a loss of around Rs 1,050 million to the Postal Department thus far. Post Master General Rohana Abeyaratne said that approximately Rs 150 million to Rs 180 million is lost per day as the strike continued into its seventh day. Meanwhile, trade unions alleged that the Minister of Postal Services had not given them a hearing so far. He also said that bundles of airmail letters, more..

Jun 18 (AD) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says that the amendments proposed to the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act of 2002 are clearly aimed at assisting foreign courts in the trial of Sri Lankans for offences allegedly committed in SL. �This is the latest betrayal by the yahapalana govt,� he said, adding that the manner in which the govt has been implementing the demands of their foreign patrons should also more..

Jun 18 (ST) One of the Lakvijaya coal power plant�s units has been running below capacity for nearly half of the time in operation since 2015 and the Government will have to spend a further Rs 330mn to bring it back to full potential. Data obtained from the regulator, PUCSL shows that Unit 1�the Chinese-built plant�s oldest and first to be commissioned�last ran at full capacity in April 2017, adding 270mw to the national grid. more..

Jun 18 (DM) A sum of Rs. 20 millions is reported to be spent to paint the portraits of six former Western Provincial Council Chief Ministers and the sitting Chief Minister to be installed at the Battaramulla new building with plaques and necessary structural arrangements. Accordingly, former Chief Ministers Susil Munasinghe, Morris Rajapaksa, Chandrika Kumarathunga, Susil Premajayantha, Reginold Coorey, Nandana Mendis, more..

Jun 18 (Island) Disgruntled UNP Western Provincial Councillor and former Additional Solicitor General, Srinath Perera, PC, warned of dire consequences unless those responsible and involved in treasury bond scams, involving tainted primary dealer, Perpetual Treasuries, were dealt with in accordance with the law. Perera said that the parliament, registered political parties represented there in, relevant Independent Commissions more..

Jun 18 (CT) Targeting the Chief Prelate of Kiri Vehera Rajamaha Viharaya in Kataragama which is one of the holiest places of worship in the country highlights how far the crime rate has increased with criminals ridiculing law and order. Escalation of serious criminal activities has forced the law enforcement officials to adopt stringent measures to strengthen the special operations to deal with the notorious elements. Prominent figures of the present regime mention frequently that more..

Jun 18 (FT) During the discussion time following the presentation of a paper by former diplomat Tamara Kunanayakam on the invasion of Sri Lanka�s economic policymaking by neoliberal economic thinkers two weeks ago, Colombo University�s economics don Lalithasiri Gunaruwan made a very pertinent point regarding the need for a two-way free migration of people across the world. He argued that the Western world is asking the emerging world to open up their economies for free movement of capital and labour from the former to the latter. more..