Apr 8 (EN) SL's professional grade state workers including doctors, have threatened to cripple public services from April 15, saying judges have been given a large pay hike and they wanted the same. Joint Committee of Govt Officers is a trade union representing over 35,000 top-level senior officials of the executive grade in SL's public administration including ministries and departments such the Treasury, tax officials, doctors and more..

Apr 8 (FT) Uni of Sri Jayewardenepura or USJ, celebrating its 60th Anniversary as a recognised university this year, had hosted two main events to mark it. One involved in kicking-off of USJ�s long-term vision of becoming the University of Innovation, tag-lined Innovate Sri Lanka. The other was the staging of the in-house produced performing art in the style of a musical titled Sandesavali Kavinaluwa. This was a dramatic recreation of five different Sandesa Kavyas more..

Apr 8 (DN) The second programme of Rata Wenuwen Ekata Sitimu (Stand Together for the Country) national programme will commence in the Batticaloa district centering on its 14 Divisional Secretariats from today. The programme which continues for five days will have a ceremonial conclusion under the patronage of Prez Sirisena on April 12, 2019. This programme is jointly implemented by the Presidential Secretariat, Ministry of Defence and SL Army. more..

Apr 8 (Island) Jaffna uni authorities have launched an inquiry into an incident where senior students assaulted two new entrants. The assault was carried out after the freshers had videoed an incident of sexual abuse during ragging, sources said. The inquiry was initiated after a complaint was lodged by the freshers with the university authorities. The victims suffered minor injuries. The freshers told the authorities that the senior male students had sexually harassed female students as well. more..

Apr 8 (DM) People were taxed even during the time of King Parakramabahu, although it was criticized today, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said at the 52nd Aluth Sahal Mangalaya at Jaya Srimaha Bodhi in A'pura. �King Parakramabahu used impose tax on people, especially when harvest was high. Therefore, remember that King Parakramabahu also imposed VAT before criticising,� he said in a lighter vein. PM stressed Sri Lanka�s paddy production had been 3 million metric tons this year. more..

Apr 8 (EN) Sri Lanka�s govt should start disbursing funds without further delay to revive the economy of the war-ravaged north and east of the island, the leader of the TNA said. The govt has announced the setting up of the Palmyrah Fund for the north-east. But the TNA�s R. Sampanthan said money needed to be released immediately since the region had not been given enough attention since the ethnic war ended 10 years ago when more..

Apr 8 (CT) The landmark verdict delivered by the SC, to pay compensation of Rs 20 million to 500 persons who were affected due to Northern Power Company�s highly irresponsible act of releasing discarded diesel on the ground, last Thursday was praiseworthy and an achievement for the Centre for Environment and Nature Study. The politicians, including former CM C.V. Wigneswaran, have been agitating for the land areas to be released from the possession of the Security Forces in NP. more..

Apr 8 (DM) Veteran musician H.M Jayawardena has passed away at the age of 69 while undergoing treatment at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital � Kalubowila, Sri Lanka Singers Association (SLASA) President Keerthi Pasquel confirmed. He said he had been undergoing treatment at the Kalubowila Hospital for a considerable period of time. Mr Jayawardena is the husband of late veteran singer Malani Bulathsinhala and the father of renowned singer Kasun Kalhara. more..

Apr 8 (EN) Sri Lanka has kept policy rates unchanged at its meeting in April saying rates could be cut in the future. "Given the current and expected conditions in the domestic economy and the financial market, the Monetary Board observed that the continuation of the current monetary policy stance is appropriate," central bank said. "The Board was also of the view that, if the current trends in global financial markets, more..

Apr 8 (AD) One person has died in a fatal motor accident caused in a head-on collision between a car and a three-wheeler. The accident took place at around 6 a.m. last morning on Kottawa-Borella road near Kalalgoda area. The car in question has veered off to the other side of the road and crashed against a three-wheeler arriving from the opposite. The driver of the car has been identified as a Lance Corporal in SL Army who had been under the influence of alcohol at the time, police said. more..

Apr 8 (CT) MP Namal Rajapaksa stated that the JO, SLPP together with all the organisations connected to it, have decided to participate in the SLPP May Day rally by gathering in Trincomalee and travelling from there to Colombo in vehicles. He revealed that this protest rally has been organised to protest the steps taken by the Govt to suppress the trade union acts. A massive participation is expected. He said that a new Govt could be formed definitely by April next year and more..

Apr 8 (AD) President Maithripala Sirisena held a discussion with senior police officers today (8) at the President�s Office to discuss the progress of the implementation process of the proposals to solve the issues pertaining to junior level personnel of the Police department. These proposals were drafted on the instructions of the Prez to ensure a satisfied and contended police service that could attend to the public well. more..

Apr 8 (NR) SL�s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador ALA Azeez has underscored the significance of the Tripitaka as the foremost compilation of Buddhist philosophy and as a repository of spiritual knowledge close to the hearts and minds of Sri Lankans. An interactive scholarly discussion on the significance of the Tripitaka as a world heritage took place at the World Intellectual Property Office headquarters in Geneva. The event was also intended to raise more..

Apr 8 (DM) Acknowledging the existence of a grave problem with SLFP, the SLPP said today it would not abandon bilateral talks with the party whatsoever but deal with outstanding issues directly. SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris said talks would take place on April 10 as scheduled. He made these remarks in the context of some SLPP MPs openly criticising the SLFP for its decision not to vote against the budget. These MPs said bilateral talks with the SLFP would be of no use as more..

Apr 8 (CT) The daughter of Sunday Leader murdered Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, Ahimsa filed action against Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the courts of Los Angeles, California requesting a Jury trial and compensation. Gotabaya who was the Secretary of the Defence Ministry was widely known to be single minded and ruthless. His ruthlessness pervaded all he perceived and was not restricted to the LTTE. more..

Apr 8 (Island) Acting on information received by the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) established at Naval Headquarters, Colombo regarding a sick mariner onboard a Libyan merchant ship KM Weipa, Navy promptly rendered assistance to transfer the patient ashore for treatment, yesterday. Libyan vessel was heading to Senthosha port in Singapore from Haldiya port India. A Fast Attack Craft attached to the Southern Naval Command was deployed to evacuate patient, more..

Apr 8 (AD) One person arrested with Makandure Madush in Dubai and deported to Sri Lanka has been arrested by the CID following hours of interrogation. Two more persons who were arrested with Makandure Madush at his party in Dubai was deported to Sri Lanka last night, stated the Police Media Spokesperson. They were taken into the custody of the CID and intelligence officers for questioning when they landed at the BIA at around 5 am this morning. more..

Apr 8 (EN) SL's state-run CEB has received Asian Development Bank funding to tap international expertise to prepare bid documents to acquire a liquefied natural gas terminal, officials said. "We don't have the expertise around LNG terminals so the ADB funding was made to available to us so we could consult experts recommended by the ADB in India and other countries to prepare a tender book," Athula Wanniarachchi, more..

Apr 8 (AD) Employees of several divisions of the railway service have decided to commence a 48-hour token strike starting from midnight tomorrow. Secretary of the Railway Operators Trade Union P.M.P. Peiris stated that the token strike is being launched due to the govt�s failure to pay their respective salary increments. Meanwhile, the special bus service introduced by the SL Transport Board for the Sinhala and Hindu Tamil New Year is being implemented from today onwards, more..

Apr 8 (CT) Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) accused Minister of Hill Country New Villages, Infrastructure and Community Development, Palani Digambram of building below standard houses for estate workers under the Indian Govt housing project. In Parliament last week, Leader of CWC Arumugam Thondaman said that he has evidence to prove his allegations. During the Constitutional crisis of October last year, Thondaman was appointed Minister of Hill Country New Villages, more..

Apr 8 (PMD) India and Sri Lanka agreed to increase cooperation in security and defence spheres in several areas, including regional security, curbing drug smuggling and human trafficking and training of members of the security forces. These issues were discussed when Indian Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra called on President Sirisena at President�s official residence in Colombo today. President thanked the Indian Govt for more..

Apr 8 (DM) The Chinese Govt will construct 2000 free houses for the benefit of low-income families in Colombo upon a request made by PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, a minister said. Minister Champika Ranawaka said that the MoU for this project would be signed tomorrow . He said the UDA would allocate lands for the construction of these houses. �UDA will also handle the consultancy services for the construction of these houses, each costing Rs. 5 million�, more..

Apr 8 (DM) Strict action will be taken against vehicles fitted with unauthorized lights and horns which cause noise pollution from July 1, Police said. Traffic Police DIG Ajith Rohana said today only ambulances, police radio cars, fire brigade vehicles and disaster rescue vehicles would be exempted from this law. He said a grace period has been provided to motorists to remove unauthorized fittings until June 30 and added legal action would be taken from July 1. more..

Apr 8 (AD) A decision has been taken to purchase 500MW of electricity from the private sector, says Minister Ravi Karunanayake. The decision was taken as a solution to end the ongoing power interruptions, he has further said. He stated this addressing a meeting held with the heads of media companies at the ministry this morning. Commenting further he said he would not allow the hike of domestic electricity consumption bills more..

Apr 9 (CT) May the Buddha Sasana Glow! (Budhu Sasuna Babalewa!), I remember seeing this message written on the back of a lorry when I was a boy. That was more than fifty years ago, back in Colombo. Those words fascinated me then. I recall watching the Vesak pandals with my parents. Those magnificent colour lights flashing, changing, moving, together with the radiant artistic illustrations of Jathaka stories had me entranced. The mesmerising Vesak pandal at the Borella junction was more..

Apr 9 (DN) Youth constitute16% of the world�s population, and these numbers are projected to increase to 17% by 2030. In addition, young people today are connected to each other like never before, and are a core demographic in the using and building of disruptive new technologies, global social and clean energy networks. However, youth have very little voice in development programmes, peace negotiations, and most international and domestic political decision-making, despite more..

Apr 9 (SO) As temperatures soared in Mannar this week prompting officials to release a severe heat advisory, the residents of Muttu Silvathurai, Mannar however, refused to give up their sit-in-protest in front of SLNS Theraputtayabaya in Silavathurai. As the protest reached the 44th day the resident took to street this weekend as well despite the scorching heat to demand the release of their 36-acre more..

Apr 9 (ST) A two-pronged strategy of reducing imports and increasing exports are vital for decreasing the large trade deficit, achieving a balance of payments surplus and strengthening external finances. Nevertheless, the immediate reduction of imports is critical for containing the trade deficit this year. While increasing exports significantly is the medium-to-long-term strategy, containing imports is the short term solution. However, the character and more..

Apr 9 (ST) On a scorching hot April morn, three days after April Fool�s Day, The President, PM, Speaker and a whole host of govt MPs assembled at Independence Square to swear a solemn oath before the nation and before television cameras in a propaganda exercise which may have cost millions of taxpayers� money, not to mention the unseen cost in lost man hours. The auspicious time to take that oath in Sinhala was between 8.30 and 8.32 am. For the Tamils, it was between 8.32 and 8.34 am. more..

Apr 9 (Roar) Avurudu is a wonderful time. It's a time for family, togetherness, food, presents, and of course, many, many holidays, which is what we all look forward to. It is a time when our mothers and grandmothers force kiribath and sweets on us, and we don't resist because calories get a holiday on Avurudu as well. It is a time for new things; when we do spring cleaning, get new clothes, grab all the deals and offers we can, more..

Apr 9 (DN) All citizens are free and equal in a democracy and are obliged to contribute to the common good of all in society each one according to his/her recognized capacity. All are supposed to know that no one is to use one�s freedom to commit any of the many evils that are destructive to oneself or to anyone else in society. No one is expected to make special promises to refrain from each of the several harmful social evils of a society. Every citizen is expected to live as a civically c. more..

Apr 9 (Island) The yahapalana govt described the 19th Amendment as a cure for all our political, electoral and administrative ills. The 19-A, no doubt, contains some salutary features, in spite of its flaws, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating, as we argued when it was introduced in 2015. Now, we have independent commissions of all sorts, but the main purpose for which they were created has not been served. The National Election Commission (NEC) was marketed as a magic bullet, but more..

Apr 9 (CT) Application of human rights principles, when taken with necessary responsibilities, could play a major role in national reconciliation, but not limited to that. Human rights have a broader meaning and value when applied in a progressive and a realistic manner to improve not only people�s civil and political rights but also economic, social and cultural rights. This kind of a general upliftment of human rights across ethnic, religious, regional, class or gender distinctions more..

Apr 9 (Island) In response to the writer�s previous articles on the present power crisis published in the Island of March 28th and April 05th, he has received from an investor some new information which would shed light on the real party behind the present power crisis. This investor claims that he has submitted a proposal in response to a call for proposals published in the press by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) for setting up business ventures at Hambantota Port. more..

Apr 9 (ST) As the ICC edges closer to completing their corruption investigations here, Sri Lanka is just a step away from bringing tough laws to make all sports-related corruption a criminal offence. The proposed bill is a major breakthrough in terms of tackling sports-related corruption. It comes in the wake of a full-blown inquiry by the ICC into what they termed as serious allegations of corruption in the country. more..

Apr 9 (Island) The unrestricted import of palm oil is adversely affecting the coconut industry, resulting in 80% of local coconut mills closing down in the recent past, the Coconut Growers' Association of SL (CGASL) Gampaha branch said in a press release. Reporting on the recent CGASL AGM the release adds - �Lalith Jayewardene, President, CGASL � Gampaha Branch, in his speech highlighted their concerns stating, "The unconstrained import of palm oil is creating an adverse effect to more..

Apr 9 (DN) Kenya came up with a brilliant performance to beat hosts SL 54 points to 35 in the first game of the Netball Triangular which commenced at the Sugathdasa Stadium yesterday. In the first quarter itself Kenyans got off to a lead with three points 14-11 and continued to snatch the second quarter too in the same manner adding 14 points against SL�s 7 points. In the 3rd quarter Kenyans made things worse for Lankns again collecting 12 points to make their score 40 more..

Apr 9 (EN) Central bank is in a battle to grow private credit, and will target high lending rates at banks, Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy said, after the monetary board decided to hold rates steady in April. "We have witnessed a private credit slowdown," he said. "There could be an adverse credit cycle if it is not given proper attention." SL's private credit growth fell by Rs. 4.3 billion in Jan and grew by Rs. 4.6 billion in Feb. more..