Apr 13 (USE) On behalf of the American people and the Govt of United States of America, I wish a joyous New Year to all Sri Lankan people. The US and SL have a strong partnership based on extensive people-to-people ties and a shared commitment to democratic principles and a stable, secure Indo-Pacific. We look forward to building on this partnership and continuing to tackle shared challenges in the year ahead. Best wishes to the SL people for a safe and prosperous new year. more..

Apr 13 (DM) Amid speculation that Prez Sirisena is attempting to strike a deal with a section of the UNP to secure his presidential candidacy, a Minister Lakshman Kiriella said that it was the Working Committee which would decide on the candidate. Minister said his party was not the personal property of anyone. The minister said this when asked to comment on speculation that the President was planning to bring about a regime change once again with the backing of a group of UNPers. more..

Apr 13 (ST) A 3-member ministerial committee tasked to make urgent recommendations to end the power crisis has found that alterations have been made to its report by a senior official of the Ministry of Power and Energy. Such a move, the Sunday Times has learnt, has triggered questions on whether the alterations were intended to promote certain business interests under the cover of the power crisis. more..

Apr 13 (DM) Tomorrow, SL�s people rise beyond racial or religious differences, class or caste differences to celebrate the National New Year, known as Aluth Avurudda in Sinhala or Puthandu in Tamil. January 1 is only a calendar change based on Gregorian concepts introduced 437 years ago. But the National New Year has astronomical, cultural and other significant factors dating back to thousands of years. Astronomically, the New Year marks the movement of the all-powerful sun more..

Apr 13 (DM) It is interesting to note that Prez Sirisena -who sought a determination from the SC in January last year as to when his term would expire -is reportedly planning to seek the opinion of the same court on the same question. Last time he wanted to know whether it is five years or six years that he can stay in office and accordingly when his term expires. And this time he wants to know whether it was on Jan 9, 2015, or on May 15, 2015, that his five-year term of office commenced. more..

Apr 13 (ST) President Maithripala Sirisena has expressed concern over traditions associated with the National New Year becoming submissive to market mechanisms. Emphasising the importance of being one with nature, the President in his message called on the people to understand the deep meaning behind New Year customs and traditions. PM Ranil Wickremesinghe in his message has pointed out that New Year traditions more..

Apr 13 (ST) Some bureaucrats are calling it the air wars � the tussle between the President�s Office and the PM�s Office � over Rupavahini, the national television broadcaster. PM Ranil Wickremesinghe wants Chairman Inoka Sathyangani replaced. They now want to appoint journalist and SL College of Journalism�s CEO Shan Wijetunga in her place. However, President Sirisena has sought reasons for the removal of more..

Apr 13 (SLA) Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army on Thursday had the rare privilege of offering a new statue of Our Lady of Madu to the most sacred Holy Madu Shrine in Mannar during a Special Mass and simultaneously consecrating the statue in an Army-built pedestal, adjoining the main Shrine premises. The day's sequence of proceedings began with the carriage of the newly-carved Holy Statue of more..

Apr 13 (DM) Roy Samadanam, a Sri Lankan now holding Canadian citizenship said he had filed action in the US against former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa through the International Project for Truth and Justice with the intention of obtaining compensation for his arbitrary arrest and the torture he suffered on the alleged orders of then defence secretary Rajapaksa. more..

Apr 13 (ST) Cabinet this week approved the repeal of the controversial Revival of Underperforming Enterprises or Underutilized Assets Act of 2011 under which the previous administration abruptly took over 37 institutions, including private companies, and sent shockwaves through the investor community. The repeal Act, which is in draft form, ensures that the relevant institutions and properties are vested more..

Apr 13 (CG) The International Monetary (IMF) has cautioned Sri Lanka saying the country must ensure policy reforms continue ahead of upcoming elections in the country. Anne-Marie Gulde, Deputy Director of the Asia and Pacific Department at the IMF said that Sri Lanka must pursue a prudent policy mix in the runup to the elections. She was responding to a question raised on Sri Lanka during a press conference in Washington. more..

Apr 13 (Island) Minister Rajitha Senaratne, yesterday, said that the entry of former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa into politics was a problem as he hadn�t even been a member at least of a village council. Rajapaksa has declared his readiness to contest the 2019 presidential election on the SLPP ticket. Dr. Senaratne said so after the opening of a newly constructed govt building at Palindanuwara. more..

Apr 13 (DM) Election monitors have decided not to hold any more talks with either the govt or the various political parties on the failure to hold elections to the seven provincial councils whose term of office has expired. People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said it was no longer fruitful to have discussions with political parties and the Election Commission regarding the delay. more..

Apr 13 (Xinhua) Sri Lanka's Marine Environment Protection Authority on Thursday urged countries along the Bay of Bengal to draft stronger laws against polluting the oceans due to the formation of a dead zone in the center of the Bay of Bengal. General Manager of the Marine Environment Protection Authority, Dr. P.B. Teney said that authorities had discovered the formation of a dead zone in the Bay of Bengal which had spread more..

Apr 14 (SO) The whole idea of starting afresh in a new cycle of livelihood includes the assumption of renewed vigour, an injection of energy. It is our fervent wish to all readers that, as we start work in the New Year, we are all genuinely equipped with the required electricity supply for our economic and social life and its desired enhancement. For now, in this national festive season, Sri Lankans enjoy a few days of uninhibited power supplies having suffered nearly a month of daily & nightly power cuts. more..

Apr 14 (CT) Today heralds the Sinhala-Tamil Aluth Avurudda and Presidential Poll year. The next Presidential Election, constitutionally, has to be held by 9 Dec the latest, the date on which the incumbent President completes one month short of five years in office. According to the Constitution, Presidential Election has to be held a month before the incumbent President�s term of office expires at the latest. With the incumbent Prez Sirisena having assumed office on 9 Jan 2015, more..

Apr 14 (SO) The Aluth Avurudda has been one of the most significant annual festivals for both Sinhala and Tamil communities, since time immemorial. Its exact beginning is lost in history but Robert Knox, English trader and sailor, recalls that Aluth Avurudda was a major annual festival of the Sinhalese, celebrated grandly with royal patronage, in late March, every yr. This was during period 1659 -1678 when Knox was a prisoner in Kandy. more..

Apr 14 (ST) The world�s largest democracy has begun voting this week for a new Parliament. The process will go on for some weeks till the dust settles and final results are known. The slanging match between the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress and its allies has reached a crescendo. PM Narendra Modi has referred to himself as the Chowkidar, an Urdu phrase coming from British India when the police stations were known as Chowki and the lower ranker on duty were more..

Apr 14 (ST) When the Colombo High Court granted Gotabaya special permission to travel to the United States between March 26 and April 12, no doubt he would have been over the moon to be given the chance to spend a spring holiday in his adopted country. But as things stand today, this seeming blessing has turned out to be a curse in disguise for him. Only last month had the Rajapaksa Family anointed him as their choice to contest the Presidency on the Pohottuwa party ticket. more..

Apr 14 (CT) The Sinhala and Tamil New Year in 2017 became a tragedy over celebration as the South Western section of the giant mountain of garbage at Meethotamulla collapsed onto its surrounding households flooding the area with stinking trash for weeks. The disaster resulted in a total of 32 deaths with complete destruction of 60 houses and affecting 27 more. It was a disaster like no other that had been reported in SL. more..

Apr 14 (CT) Another Sinhala/Tamil New Year has come to our doorstep, amidst daily power cuts and the unbearable heat with temperatures rising to nearly 34 Celsius. No matter what kind of difficulties we have, we never miss New Year celebrations as for most of us it is the only occasion in the year to meet and greet relatives and close family friends. Ceylon Today visited the bustling streets of the Pettah on the evening of 11 April to observe how the people feel about the New Year and more..

Apr 14 (ST) The air is fresh, as I step outside to absorb the silence. Except for the rustling of the leaves, the Margosa tree is silent � in the absence of the usual, under-the-tree conversation of Kussi Amma Sera, Serpina and Mabel Rasthiyadu. The trio has returned to the village for their annual vacation. Except for the sounds of the Koha or cuckoo bird that pierces the air and makes a welcome entry at this time of the year, there is absolute silence in the neighourhood. more..

Apr 14 (ST) Avurudu/ Puththandu is a time of tradition, and of course celebration of the New Year with family. Generations of Sinhala Buddhists and Tamil Hindus have followed the same customs every year, albeit with certain adjustments which reflect modern day lifestyles. However, in recent years there have been modern trends which can be seen during the festive season. Here are a few of them. Apps on the Google playstore titled Avurudu games of SL and Avurudu Games aim to teach more..

Apr 14 (Island) It�s a very rare occurrence to have the Sinhala and Tamil New Year falling on a Sunday. We�ve had our national festival coinciding with Easter, but it was the seasons that overlapped; not Avurudhu Day coming together with Good Friday or Easter Sunday. Viewing this coincidence through a half glass of milk, let�s consider it propitious and a good sign for SL which country is badly in need of good signs! Also the year ahead is important, very much so with elections scheduled, more..

Apr 14 (ST) Opener Dimuth Karunaratne has emerged as front-runner to take up the limited over captaincy as the selectors prepare to announce SL�s World Cup squad on April 18. Karunaratne, who has not played ODI cricket since the last Cricket World Cup in 2015, scored 165 at an average of 55 in the concluded Super Fours limited over tournament. With two opening slots up for grabs after potential openers, more..

Apr 14 (DN) It was on a Sunday morning that I and two colleagues of mine stepped into the SSC ground to watch the proceedings and we were thrilled to witness the carnival atmosphere which prevailed there. Carlton�s youngsters were playing in the middle of the famous SSC turf which indeed was a rare privilege to them. They were watched by keen parents dotted around the pavilion; I was informed that on the 12th of May the final will be played, there will be a full house. more..

Apr 14 (CT) Sprinter Himasha Eashan who holds the South Asian record in the 100m event will leave today (13) for Qatar, where he will have about a week of training prior to the Asian Athletics C'ship which will be held from April 21-24 at Khalifa Stadium in Qatar, where the World C'ship is also being held. Eashan lowered his South Asian record recently during the first National Selection Trials clocking 10.22 seconds, and is in prime form ahead of the 23rd Asian Championship. more..

Apr 14 (ST) Shotgun Ranges throughout Sri Lanka have been forced to shut down by a surprising, Very Urgent circular issued by the Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, hampering preparations of Shooters bound for international events, as well as domestic competitions run by the National Shooting Sport Federation of SL (NSSF). NSSF, affiliated to the Int'l Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), is the governing body more..

Apr 14 (SO) It is interesting to go down memory lane and find out what some of the Sri Lanka cricketers of yesteryear feel about the Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contest. ICC Chief Match Referee and former Sri Lanka captain Ranjan Madugalle said the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited and Sunday Observer should be complimented for keeping the show going for all these years. �Sponsors are essential. May the show continue for many years� he said. more..

Apr 14 (SO) Celebrities and commoners alike came together at sunset to pay tribute to a man whose exploits on the rugby field created a new horizon and motivated many more in a career that spanned fifteen years and snowballed into a further 24 years as mentor, administrator and coach. Among them were former cricket World Cup winning champions Roshan Mahanama, Chaminda Vaas, Romesh Kaluwitharana and Aravinda de Silva who made their way to Havelock Park on Tuesday more..

Apr 14 (CT) Authors of an article titled, Usage of digital photographs in forensic work in SL noted that Lankan hospitals where medico-legal services were provided had no designated professional forensic photographer. They proposed that forensic photography training should be encouraged to improve the basic technical knowledge of forensic photography among forensic doctors and thereby quality of photographs more..

Apr 14 (CT) The country�s foreign reserves were strengthened by US$ 67.56 million (Rs 11,802 million) on Friday, led by the settlements of Avurudu remittances and exporter conversions of Wednesday�s. Conversions are based on the middle rate of the closing value of the benchmark spot as at Wednesday which was Rs 174.70 to the US dollar. Consequently, Central Bank of SL (CBSL), the custodian of Govt of SL (GoSL) debt, was able to rein in demand pull Avurudu inflationary more..

Apr 14 (Island) St. Joseph�s created history when they retained the Inter School Under-19 Division I two-day tournament cricket title as Dunith Wellalage produced decisive performances with both bat and ball to disappoint S. Thomas� in the final at Reid Avenue on Friday. In winning the title the Joes became the only team to have defended the title and denied Thomians a grand double. S. Thomas� were the winners of the Limited-Overs tournament early this week and were looking to win a 2nd title. more..

Apr 14 (ST) Additional buses and trains have been deployed for the convenience of commuters travelling to and from their homes during and after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. RDA is also taking measures to minimise traffic congestion at entry and exit points along the Southern Expressway. Special transport arrangements made for the convenience of commuters will be in effect until April 22, officials stated. more..

Apr 14 (Island) Underworld kingpin Makandure Madush has amassed wealth, which could top one billion rupees, a close associate of the drug lord has told police investigators. Under interrogation, Kelum Indika Sampath, who was arrested by sleuths, has revealed details of the assets acquired by Madush, IP Linton Silva, head of the Peliyagoda Division Police Investigations Unit, said. Kelum was a close confederate of Madush, now in the custody of the Dubai police. more..

Apr 14 (SO) Following the recent appointment of the Commissioner General to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), the Ministry of Finance has appointed two special committees comprising retired judges to resolve disputes between the department and taxpayers on tax estimates. As the former Commissioner General of IRD retired on Sept 11, 2018, the Commissioner General�s post fell vacant and an acting Commissioner General was overseeing the department. more..

Apr 14 (Island) An affluent Indian businessman on holiday in SL with his family and relatives expressed bitterness over, what they termed, a harrowing experience during a stay in a bungalow at Labookellie in Nuwara Eliya. "It was a nightmare", protested Gopal Kamath, the owner of a 40-room tourist resort and three restaurants near Mumbai. "The handbag of my aunt, Mrs. Padmawati Kamath, was stolen and we lost Indian rs 250,000, more..

Apr 14 (SO) Opposition Leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa is in favour of abolishing the Executive Presidency through the proposed 20th Amendment, said JVP frontliner K.D Lalkantha. He said Rajapaksa was agreeable to the idea. �Nevertheless, he is unable to support the proposal due to certain political elements around him� he said. �Rajapaksa is now trapped by these elements who are working towards taking the country to yet another Prez election. He is a prisoner of his own political forces,� more..