Jul 5 (Island) The govt had spent around Rs. 157 million out of Rs. 360 million allocated for Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital (NFTH) within the first four months of 2019 and it would have to go to Parliament for additional allocations if the ceiling was exceeded, Hemantha Swarnathilake, Director General Finance and Accounting of the Ministry of Health yesterday told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating corruption of the current administration. more..

Jul 5 (Reuters) SL captain Dimuth Karunaratne blamed poor domestic structure for the team's decline and said the players should be allowed to play in leagues abroad to gain valuable experience. The 1996 world champions, who reached the final in 2007 and 2011, remain in a seemingly endless transition period since stalwarts Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara quit int'l cricket in 2015. Karunaratne's men are out of the semi-finals race after managing only 3 wins more..

Jul 6 (CT) It appears the majority is unaware of the real facts, pertaining to this safe house and those with vested interest are trying to paint a different picture politically, to mislead all. In 2006 or 2007, I had the requirement to buy a barrel of Colas to get my front compound carpeted. Since it was not available in the Kandy town, I was directed to a dealer at Udathalawinna in Wattegama. When I went there, I met the person concerned and fetched the barrel of Colas. more..

Jul 6 (ST) A star has passed on. The prima donna of ballet in Sri Lanka, Oosha Saravanamuttu, is no more. The child prodigy who wowed audiences at the tender age of seven � with even hardcore journalists going into such raptures as to call her the �Shirley Temple of Ceylon� � and danced and choreographed her way into the hearts of thousands while also moulding many a young one through her teaching and wisdom, is no more. She was just short of her 88th birthday which is in October. more..

Jul 6 (Roar) Felician Fernando (60), is an accomplished diver. Even though he is now retired, he dives regularly as an instructor and as a self-proclaimed adventurer. While Fernando spends most of his time diving off the beaches of Negombo, once a year, he�together with the family�visits a grave lying at the bottom of the sea. It all began when Fernando was contacted by a woman named Lesley Harker in 2012. more..

Jul 6 (CT) In 2004, then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in the backdrop of America�s Post- 09/11, soberly explained that �the weight of history and the fallout of recent developments have left many Muslims around the world feeling aggravated and misunderstood, concerned about the erosion of their rights and even fearing for their physical safety.� His remarks, astonishingly, suggested that Muslims were the real victims of 9/11. Post 21/04 Sri Lanka too shows remarkable semblance to more..

Jul 6 (CT) Mohomed Ansar Rinaz, the wanted Islamist terror suicide bomber, closely linked to the local ISIS fanatic suicide bomb squad leader Mohamed Zahran, was nabbed by sleuths of the Police TID at the BIA yesterday, minutes before his planned escape flight from the BIA to Japan. The TID has been on the prowl at the BIA patiently awaiting the suspect ever since the 21 April Easter Sunday carnage at catholic and evangelical churches and high-end tourist hotels more..

Jul 6 (CT) Sri Lanka annually, directly and indirectly, faces a loss of around Rs 200 billion due to over 20,000 persons dying due to smoking cigarettes. Meanwhile, Ministry of Finance is trying to import Chinese cigarettes and this will worsen the issue, said Dr. Sajeewa Ranaweera of Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA). He said, the Ministry of Finance�s move is suspicious as the question arises whether it really wants to more..

Jul 6 (CT) In 1903, at the request of US President Roosevelt to the Colombian Charge Dr. Herrana Pact was signed to permit the building of a Canal for trade for US$ 10 million annual lease. Although the agreement was signed between the USA and the Colombian Charge, it was opposed by the Colombian Senate. The USA changed tactics and decided to support the Panamanian rebels who were aiming to separate from Colombia. In order to block military action by legitimate Colombian Govt more..

Jul 6 (DN) Tourism is the most income-generating sector in Sri Lanka. Every Sri Lankan must consider it is his or her duty to make SL attractive to tourists. After the recent Easter Sunday bomb blasts, tourist arrivals dwindled. Foreign countries gave negative signals to those who wanted to travel to SL. Now, those countries have relaxed their advisories and tourist arrival has gradually gone up by the strategies adopted by the SL Tourism Bureau and SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). more..

Jul 6 (Island) President Maithripala Sirisena�s recent statement that the LTTE was engaged in the drug trade to raise funds for the procurement of arms has stirred up a real hornet�s nest in the North. Some TNA politicians have torn into the President for saying so. They insist that drug abuse was non-existent in the areas under the LTTE control. True, the LTTE prevented drug abuse in the areas it held while the scourge was spreading in other parts of the country. more..

Jul 6 (Island) My friend Tarun, one of Colombo�s best read women, said in one of her frequent chats with me: "Living in Sri Lanka DOES have many happy moments in our daily programmes � doesn�t it?" She had just returned from a tour of Iran and the sheer strictness of Sharia Law quite appalled her. She is a person who is used to our own freedoms in Sri Lanka and perhaps we take them for granted. So for a change, let�s talk of the happier side of life in Sri Lanka. more..

Jul 6 (Island) There is a political dancer of much experience giving a display of performing skills. Ellungas Sira who has little if any of maithriya associated with his performances today, sees the gallows and scaffold as his theatre of deadly political delight. It was not a very difficult move from being the Common Candidate in support of Democracy and Human Rights, to that of the Hangman of Democracy and all the humane values more..

Jul 6 (CI) The ridiculous fantasies of engineering a win cricket simply isn't created to throw up aside, this was an excellent Pakistan performance, subduing a side that three weeks ago, most would have fancied to turn them over. It means they become the first team to bow out at a World Cup with four consecutive wins, also ending a streak of four successive Bangladesh victories over them. Pakistan needed to win by a record margin, of the kind Uganda women handed out to Mali more..

Jul 6 (Island) SL�s wicketkeeper batsman Kusal Janith Perera claims that the decision to make him the wicketkeeper of the side has helped him in many ways. The top order batsman had kept wickets at school and domestic cricket and had donned the gloves in internationals as well. But in recent years, the presence of other specialist wicketkeepers forced the selectors to play KJP as a specialist batsman. However, the current selection panel brought him again as wicketkeeper for more..

Jul 6 (CI) Going into their final round-robin match, Sri Lanka may be out of semi-final contention, and yet, there is a strong argument they have surpassed expectations at this World Cup. Ranked ninth in ODIs ahead of the tournament, they have won half the matches they've played so far, beating England, West Indies and Aghanistan, while losing to New Zealand, Australia and South Africa (their games against Bangladesh and more..

Jul 6 (CT) The strong Singaporean Youth Team defeated the unbeaten Sri Lankan lasses 58-66 after a thrilling contest at the 11th Asian Youth Netball Championships 2019 at the Kashima Sports Centre, Japan on Thursday (4). Both teams went into the match with three massive wins against South Korea, Nepal and Thailand. The girls from Singapore, who came into the tournament as favorites, took off scoring back to back points and putting constant pressure on the Sri Lankans. more..

Jul 6 (EN) Atlas Axilia, a top stationery manufacturer in SL, is planning to grow exports to South East Asia, where it may also open a new plant. "We are currently exporting to Philippines, Bangladesh & Maldives," Managing Director Asitha Samaraweera said. "Currently, exports do not make up a large portion of our sales," he said. "However, plans are underway to grow our export earnings four to five times." "There is a big push to build up a substantial export business in South East Asia." more..

Jul 6 (DM) Five Tamil students were killed near the beach in the Trincomalee town 13 years ago on Jan 2, 2006. Two other students suffered injuries but survived. The names and dates of birth of the five victims were: Manoharan Rajiharan � 22.09.1985; Yogarajah Hemachandra � 04.03.1985; Logitharajah Rohan � 07.04.1985; Thangathurai Sivanantha � 06.04.1985 and Shanmugarajah Gajendran � 16.09.1985. more..

Jul 6 (AD) Ranil Rajapakse, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at IFS R&D International was elected as the Chairman of the SL Association of Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM) on 28thJune at the Annual General Meeting held at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo. Addressing the gathering, Ranil stated that having a strong country brand and a creative and innovative talent pool with the right mindset are key success factors for the industry and country going forward. more..

Jul 6 (FT) Major General Kumudu Perera of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR), the newly-appointed Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS), assumed duties this week at his office at Army Headquarters during a simple ceremony. After making an offering to the Buddha statue at the office, he signified the acceptance of his new office by placing his signature in an official document amidst greetings. He served as the Commander, Security Forces � Wanni before he was appointed to the office of the DCOS. more..

Jul 6 (Island) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, addressing a ceremony at Peradeniya Teacher Training College, said that the govt had initiated a programme to modernise the country�s education in keeping with the needs of the 21st Century. That task could not be accomplished without new buildings, classrooms, educationalist equipment and qualified teachers, the PM said. The govt had already taken steps to provide more..

Jul 6 (FT) UNP lawmaker Bandula Lal Bandarigoda challenging President Maithripala Sirisena�s decision to resume the death penalty has handed over a private member bill to the Secretary-General of Parliament aimed at converting capital punishment into life imprisonment. The bill, which was handed over on Tuesday, titled the Abolition of Death Penalty Act, proposes any reference in any law to the imposition of the death penalty or punishment by death, from and after the coming of the Act more..

Jul 6 (FT) The Supreme Court yesterday deferred the Fundamental Rights Petitions contesting certain impugned clauses namely 58(1) and 58(2) in the Emergency Regulations. The Bench comprising Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, Lalith Dehideniya and S. Thurairaja re-fixed the matter to 8 October for granting of Leave to Proceed. The impugned clauses make it possible for the DIG or any other authorised officer or person to take possession and bury any dead body decided at his discretion more..

Jul 6 (AFP) A month after hundreds of people were killed in Easter Sunday bomb attacks in SL, a major local newspaper published a report claiming that a Muslim surgeon was a member of a terrorist group linked to the attacks and had secretly sterilised 4,000 Sinhala Buddhist women. The story was picked up by local television channels and widely shared on social media. But the claim is false; a major investigation by SL�s CID more..

Jul 6 (Island) SriLanka is launching on Thursday its third direct flight between Colombo and New Delhi. It will depart from here at 2330 hours and arrive in Colombo at 0300 hours. The third flight will operate on four days every week, namely: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It offers seamless onward connectivity to Melbourne, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta and Gan Island in the Maldives. The other two daily flights operate on all days of the week. more..

Jul 6 (GDI) The normal activities, which hampered by a sudden system failure of the Persons Registration Department will be normal by Monday, Operations and Information Technology Commissioner Harsha Ilukpitiya said. According to him it has been planned to recommence one-day service by Monday as usual once the computer system comes to normal. He added that the system failure was reported on Thursday and steps are now being taken to rectify the system by Monday. more..

Jul 6 (FT) Bar Association of SL (BASL) President Kalinga Indatissa PC sought a meeting with President Sirisena to discuss concerns within the legal fraternity about the manner in which the President�s Counsel are being appointed. In the two-page letter, Indatissa explained in length why there are growing concerns that ad hoc appointment of PCs, some based on recommendation of politicians, is causing harm more..

Jul 6 (TW) The Madras High Court granted one month parole to Nalini Sriharan, who was convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, now serving life imprisonment. Justice M.M. Sundaresh and Justice M. Nirmal Kumar allowed the same on the grounds that there were preparations to be made for her daughter's marriage. Once out, with a processing deadline of 10 days, Nalini has been directed against meeting political figures or giving media interviews. more..

Jul 6 (DM) Sri Lankans should build their nation on their own because no other country will help us in this endeavor, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday. He said this at the opening of a new building at Rajasinghe MMV in Ruwanwella. �We will have to build our country by ourselves. No other country will do it for us. SL should take countries such as China and Korea which built their nations on their own. Talking of the past and embracing extremism will not help country in anyway,� more..

Jul 6 (ST) The IT industry is concerned about transparency, intrusiveness and lag-time in responding to cyber attacks in the provisions of the draft cybersecurity bill and personal data protection framework, and the govt says it is willing to listen and review the legislation before parliament receives the bill in July. A major worry involves the broad mandatory powers vested in two new proposed agencies, more..

Jul 6 (DM) The revolver of one on duty traffic policemen which was taken away by an individual while two other policemen had tried to take an unlicensed motorcycle to the Police Station in Puttur yesterday in Batticaloa, had been found today, police said. They said the revolver was seen abandoned on a by road near the palace where the incident occurred. Two other individuals, who had come on a motorcycle, had attempted to stop the policemen taking the unlicensed motorcycle more..

Jul 6 (DN) Two new Acts that would prevent delays in the hearing of court cases will be presented to Parliament, Justice and Prison Reforms Minister Thalatha Athukorale said. �The two Acts pertaining to the granting of bail by a High Court, will be presented to Parliament soon,� Minister Athukorale pointed out. Minister made these observations while participating in the opening ceremony of Matale High Court of Justice held under the patronage of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya. more..

Jul 6 (DN) The Batticaloa Police have arrested four suspects on Thursday night in connection with the theft of a revolver when two officers were assaulted by a group of persons while they were on traffic duty in the Pudur area in the Batticaloa Police Division. The four suspects had been identified as 23-year-old Vasubala Nirmalaraj alias Nimmi, of Thibilathivu, Batticaloa, 55-year-old Ramiah Lecchchumanan, of Sethukuda, more..

Jul 6 (AD) The country must move forward in practicality regardless of the philosophies it follows, says Minister Champika Ranawaka. Addressing a public meeting held in Avissawella last evening (4), he said education is can change the direction of a country. What is important to move a country forward is not its philosophies but the practical aspects, the minister commented. Stating that the second largest urban Sinhalese population is reported from Melbourne in Australia, more..

Jul 6 (EN) Sri Lanka is planning to cut the embarkation tax on tourists by 10 US dollars to boost tourism in the wake of Easter Sunday attacks, an official said. Vice Chairman of Sri Lanka Airport and Aviation Services Ltd Priyantha Kariyapperuma said the embarkation tax will lower ticket prices and make Sri Lanka more affordable. The budget for 2019 hiked the embarkation tax to 60 US dollars from April 01, about 10,500 rupees per passenger at the current exchange rate. more..

Jul 6 (Reuters) Shops owned by Muslim traders in the SL central highlands district of Kandy will remain closed on Sunday as thousands of hardline Buddhist monks gather to decide who to back in the country�s upcoming presidential elections. The gathering, called by Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara, the influential head of Buddhist nationalist group BBS, is worrying Muslim traders and residents in Kandy, an ancient capital more..

Jul 7 (SO) When a nation is at a moral crossroads � its political managers pushing limits and, the citizenry and their ethical leaders in contention � that third arm of the modern republic, the judiciary, must play its societal role to the full. In such crisis situations, the judiciary�s task is to mediate between strands of contending discourse, firstly, by offering platforms for reasoned, constructive, authoritative deliberation. Secondly, the judiciary offers constitutionally-informed options for more..

Jul 7 (CT) On Friday (5), the Kilinochchi office of ITAK, the main constituent partner in the TNA commemorated the Black Tigers Day, observed in memory of the first LTTE suicide bomber, who steered an explosive-laden truck towards an Army camp at Nelliady Madhya Maha Vidyalayam on 5 July 1987, killing scores of soldiers and injuring many. From then until their military defeat in 2009, the LTTE carried out several dozen suicide bombings around the country, killing more..