Jun 10 (GDI) The day prior and the Sinhala and Tamil New Year will fall on April 12 and 13 next year. This is as per the list of public and bank holidays in 2020 issued by the Ministry of Internal & Home Affairs. The gazette notification declaring those holidays has been issued by Minister Vajira Abeywardena recently. Accordingly there will be 26 public and bank holidays next year as follows; Jan 10 (Friday) - Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day more..

Jun 10 (AD) A woman residing in Pin-Arawa area, Badulla has died of burn injuries in a fire that erupted inside the kitchen at around 9.00 a.m. this morning. The deceased was identified as a mother of three named Dhammika Rathnayake. The two sons of the 45-year-old, whose husband is currently employed abroad, had been at school when the incident took place, while her daughter, the eldest, had left for work. The neighbours told the police that a particular sound was heard along with more..

Jun 10 (DN) Ministry of Education has launched a school-based program from June 12 to 16 to celebrate the Poson Poya. The Poson Poya, the second most important Poya Day in the Buddhist calendar after Vesak that marks the introduction of the Buddha�s teachings to Sri Lanka by Arahat Mahinda Thera of India, falls on June 16. The ministry sources said it has issued circular instructions in this regard to all Provincial Secretaries of Education, provincial-, zonal- more..

Jun 10 (Island) The Friday Forum has called upon citizens, civil society groups, and political parties to demand the resignation of the President and the PM, in the national interest. Writing on behalf of the Friday Forum, Prof. Savitri Goonesekere and Chandra Jayaratne have said that the resignations of the President and the PM will create an opportunity to form an interim govt headed by the Speaker, with a new PM, more..

Jun 10 (EN) Shangri-La Colombo, which was one of three hotels hit by suicide bombers on Easter Sunday will re-open on June 12, the hotel said. "Shangri-La Group is grateful to the local authorities and the global community for their outpouring of support and messages of commendations received these past seven weeks, hotel said in a statement. "We remain deeply appreciative of the selfless service and courageous spirit demonstrated by our colleagues and the Sri Lankan community more..

Jun 10 (NR) The Arrival and Departure lobbies at the Bandaranaike International Airport have been reopened for visitors once again. A spokesman of the BIA said two individuals per passenger will be allowed in. Visitors will be allowed to spend only three hours within the Arrival and Departure lobbies. BIA authorities suspended visitors from entering the Arrival and Departure lobbies as a security measure after heightened surveillance following the Easter Sunday attacks. more..

Jun 10 (NR) Chandana Weerakumara alias Sakvithi Ranasinghe who was in remand custody for ten years has been granted bail. The order was issued by a three member bench of the Colombo High Court today. He was in remand custody since Sept 2009. Three cases were heard against Sakvithi Ranasinghe before the Colombo High Court pertaining to financial fraud amounting to Rs.1.6 billion. He was issued a Rs.600,000 cash bail more..

Jun 10 (AD) The Elections Commission, taking into consideration the complaints received, has appointed observation teams to inspect if the electoral register forms are distributed properly. The electoral register forms (BC forms) are currently being handed out through Grama Niladhari officers, however. The Elections Commission has, reportedly, received complaints stating that the BC forms are not handed out to people and filled by Grama Niladhari officers themselves. more..

Jun 10 (EN) Sri Lanka's average prime lending rate has dropped 38 basis points in the week to June 07, the central bank data showed, following a 50 basis point rate cut a week earlier. The average weighted prime lending rates fell to 11.44%, the central bank said from 11.82% on May 31. In the week to May 31, the AWPLR had fallen 11 basis points. CB Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy has asked banks to cut lending rates, and has warned of price controls if rates are not brought down quickly. more..

Jun 10 (CI) When the two teams get to the ground on Tuesday, they'll have one eye on the 22-yards, for sure, but they'll also keep an eye out on the weather. Last weekend, Bristol was the venue of the only washout of the World Cup so far, which has meant that SL haven't played a game for six days. But that washout against Pakistan has ensured they're miraculously in the top-half of the points table despite being more..

Jun 10 (GDI) The traffic lane law will be enforced strictly in main towns from today. The two-week grace period that was implemented from May 27 for motorists to get used to traffic lanes ended yesterday. As per legal provisions in the Motor Traffic Act of Sri Lanka, all vehicles will have to run on the left side unless they are not overtaking a vehicle or turning to the right. In addition to that, the Bus Lane Law introduced in 2015 will also be implemented strictly from today. more..

Jun 10 (AD) The CEYPETCO has decided to increase the price of Petrol 92 Octane by Rs 3 per litre, with effect from midnight today, Ministry of Finance announced. The revised price of Petrol 92 Octane per litre will accordingly be Rs 138.00. However, the prices of other fuel categories will not be revised, ministry added. The fuel pricing formula was implemented on 10th May 2018 and Minister Mangala Samaraweera revealed the pricing formula to the public for the first time on Oct 18. more..

Jun 10 (Reuters) Sri Lanka�s battered tourism industry is trying to woo visitors back to beaches deserted after deadly Easter bombings, slashing hotel rates and pushing promotions in key markets like Russia. Tourism, which accounts for 5% of Sri Lanka�s GDP, tanked after Islamist bombers on April 21 attacked luxury hotels and churches, killing 250 people, including 40 foreigners. England, India and the US were more..

Jun 10 (CB) In a game where rain played spoilsport, Sangeeth Cooray (88) and Shehan Jayasuriya (65*) notched up crucial fifties to propel Sri Lanka A to a morale-boosting six-wicket victory as per the DLS method against India A in the third one-day of the five-match series in Belagavi. India A, however, still lead the rubber 2-1. After India A finished with 291 for 8 in their quota of 50 overs, the visitors needed a solid start. Niroshan Dickwella, wicketkeeper-batsman, and Cooray provided more..

Jun 10 (AD) Special Investigative Board appointed to look into the terrorist attacks on Easter Sunday has submitted its final report to President Maithripala Sirisena this morning. The final report was handed over to the President at the Presidential Secretariat. A day following the attacks on April 21st, President appointed a three-member committee, spearheaded by the SC Judge Vijith Malalgoda, comprises of the former IGP N.K. Ilangakoon and former Ministry Secretary Padmasiri Jayamanne. more..

Jun 10 (LBO) Govt today signed the Statement of Corporate Intent (SCIs) with ten selected State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) with the view of enhancing the performance of these SOEs. The Department of Public Enterprises (PED) introduced the concept of SCI in 2017 and the concept was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 7 Feb 2017. It was initiated by signing SCIs with 5 Key SOEs; Ceylon Petroleum Corporation more..

Jun 11 (CT) At a time when an entire community is unjustly called upon to account for the barbarism of a few lunatics, and, because of that, when an organised mob, backed by sections of the media, saffron-clad firebrands, racist law enforcers and power-hungry politicos, has taken upon itself to inflict collective punishment on that community, by desecrating, vandalising, burning and looting Muslim mosques, madrasas, homes and businesses, it is important to understand fundamental issues more..

Jun 11 (ST) Would you believe it!? A question raised in our so-called sanctum sanctorum, otherwise known as the House by the Oya, has not been answered for one year. And who is the culprit responsible for this crass neglect or indifference? Why who else but the country�s highest office, Prez Secretariat. This is not a sign that the promised yahapalana govt has sunk to the lowest depth. That happened several moons ago � and like Humpty Dumpty it can never be put together again. more..

Jun 11 (SO) Shane Halpe (28) a product of one of the prestigious colleges in Colombo decided to pursue medicine soon after his A/Levels with the hope of qualifying as a doctor. After completing the MBBS degree 3 years ago, he now serves as a non-clinical administrative assistant at the govt-controlled Dr Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital in Malabe. Has his lifelong dream been shattered when on the verge of achieving it? more..

Jun 11 (CT) Sri Lanka is still trying to emerge out of its three decade long ethnic war that ended in 2009. Unfortunately, the Easter Sunday bombings linked to the Islamic State (IS), and the damaging reaction to it by those who ought to be responsible political leaders, are taking our country once again in the direction of another ethnic conflict. The bombing has been used to create a great rift in SL society. The new ethnic polarization that has set in has led to the first post-independence govt more..

Jun 11 (ST) Delivering the A.S. Jayewardena Inaugural Commemorative lecture on May 24, the Central Bank�s Governor, Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, explained that the country would be able to meet its foreign debt obligations this year and maintain the nation�s unblemished record of meeting debt repayment. Currency swaps, international assistance and International Sovereign Bonds (ISBs), he said, would strengthen the reserves. In spite of lesser tourist earnings, more..

Jun 11 (Roar) Ravi, (55) a fisherman on the Wellawatte beach, remembers when the thick black sludge started washing ashore the beaches on the western coast of SL. It was a Sunday (2) and the usual crowds that are drawn to the beach on the weekend were there; tourists wanting to soak in the sights and sun, and families wanting to bathe and lunch by the sea. �We told them there�s oil in the water but they didn�t listen to us,� more..

Jun 11 (DN) Sri Lanka is facing a crucial and decisive historical moment. The moment has come for the people to be led by intelligent and honest men and women who could take the initiative to institutionalize a resilient socio-political structure that could restore and maintain a stability required for the whole country to survive, progress and advance in human dignity, justice, unity and peace. Recognizing its unique history and culture, this country needs an altogether transparent new mechanism more..

Jun 11 (Island) Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, who recently celebrated 30 years in public life, is certainly no ordinary politician. He has always, throughout his career, been more of a leader, than a follower and generally challenged conventional political wisdom and done so, mostly successfully. During his youthful beginnings in politics, during the second JVP insurrection, he fought hard for human rights and the cause of the disappeared. more..

Jun 11 (DN) Anuradhapura is the largest district in the country with a population of around 893,000 across 717,900 hectares. There were nearly 3,000 major, medium and small-scale tanks and irrigation works in ancient Sri Lanka dating from the reign of King Pandukabhaya in 300 BC. The govt has given priority to provide potable drinking water to the people. Around 1,500 tanks in the A'pura district are in a state of dilapidation, filled with sediment. The tanks have been contracting due to sediment more..

Jun 11 (Island) Waving a bright green flag in a procession of little fellows who had no understanding of politics at all is my earliest memory of political activism. I cannot remember how old I was, but I do vividly remember how it ended; being ordered home, before reaching the polling station, by a police inspector who simply lacked admiration of our interest in politics! No doubt I was influenced by my father, a life-long supporter who was the first UNP MP from Matara electorate, albeit for more..

Jun 11 (CI) Whatever else you might say about Chandika Hathurusingha, the man does not do incognito. If you have paid him any attention over the past few years, chances are you have an opinion. More than likely, it is mighty sharp. "He has great cricket knowledge," is something people say of him. Well that one, almost everybody can agree on. But what about: "He is a great coach"? This is not so universally held. more..

Jun 11 (CI) South Africa took on West Indies in Southampton, but it was rain that prevailed, with the match being abandoned at 4:15 pm, nearly six hours after rain had first arrived. Only 7.3 overs of play were possible in the South Africa's innings. Both teams picked up a point each. West Indies had put South Africa in to bat under leaden skies, and - as has been the case in their previous two outings - it didn't take long for West Indies to strike with the new ball. more..

Jun 11 (Island) The executive and the legislature have locked horns once again. This time around they are clashing over a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC). President Maithripala Sirisena has taken exception to the ongoing PSC probe into the Easter bombings and allied issues; he thinks the UNP is trying to manipulate the select committee process to pin the blame for the govt�s failure to prevent the carnage on him. His apprehension does not look totally unfounded. more..

Jun 11 (CI) Angelo Mathews has batted 11 balls at this World Cup, and made a grand total of zero runs. Kusal Mendis has faced all of three deliveries, getting out to two of those, and hitting a streaky two past slip off the other. Together, the pair are supposed to comprise SL's middle-order engine room, but in both matches so far, they have hastened collapses, and copped criticism in vast volumes. But they are too good not to come more..

Jun 11 (DN) Rumesh Ratnayake has been the head of SL�s fast bowling unit now for two years and he is responsible for producing the type of bowlers who can win matches for SL. The fast bowling unit is headed by experienced campaigner Lasith Malinga, but as for the rest of the unit there is a lot of work to be done to make them more effective than what they are today. The core issue as Ratnayake sees it is the bowlers not putting the right ball in the right place at the right time consistently. more..

Jun 11 (MDT) Football Association of Macau (MFA) has decided not to depart for SL to play their 2nd-leg away match against the country, which was to be played tomorrow as part of the joint qualifier for the 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup tournaments. MFA announced the decision Saturday evening, claiming that it was made due to the state of emergency in SL. In response, several footballers on the team have threatened to never play again if they are not allowed to participate in the match. more..

Jun 11 (FT) CB Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy yesterday declared that though the Easter Sunday attacks were a setback to the economy, they have not thrown macro fundamentals off-track, nor is there any basis for growth to dip below 3% in 2019. �The 21 April attacks have had and will have an impact, especially on tourism, but it was manageable as a larger part of production capacity of the economy such as manufacturing, more..

Jun 11 (Island) Sri Lanka are currently in W.G. Grace�s territory. Cricket�s first iconic name was born here in Bristol 170 years ago and the county cricket ground where today�s World Cup fixture against Bangladesh will be played was actually bought by Grace himself. He played First Class cricket for Gloucestershire and Bristol is the home ground of the county. For those Sri Lankans who have some bad habits, Bristol is not an unusual name. The reason for the cancer stick more..

Jun 11 (DN) Sports Minister Harin Fernando said that sports bodies in Sri Lanka are only concerned about their well being and not about their athletes and the future of the sports. He made this remarks at the Presidential Sports Award press conference. Minister further said this has been the main reason for the downfall of the sports in Sri Lanka. He also said that athletes are striving hard at the national level, but when they go to the int'l competitions they take it lightly as mere trips. more..

Jun 11 (Island) Since Indian PM Narendra Modi only spent four hours in Sri Lanka, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe g had given the time allocated for him to the opposition parties to discuss matters with the Indian Premier, Minister Lakshman Kiriella said. Wickremesinghe apparently discussed matters with Modi during their ride together to Colombo from the airport. "With this, Opposition Leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa and more..

Jun 11 (Island) Mobitel has successfully reached the highest mobile 5G speeds for the first time in South Asia exceeding speeds of 1.55Gbps using a commercial 5G mobile smartphone on 7th June 2019. Following the demonstration of 5G speed tests using a commercial 5G smartphone for the first time in South Asia on 4th June 2019, Mobitel went on to achieve a new speed record of 1.55Gbps for South Asia, making a momentous landmark on the 5G deployment across the globe. more..

Jun 11 (Island) A group of differently abled former LTTE cadres, who had been rehabilitated, met former Chief Minister of the Northern Province, C.V. Wigneswaran, on Sunday, to inform him of the issues they are facing. They told Wigneswaran that none of them had permanent jobs and that they lived in extreme poverty. They said that there were about 1,200 former LTTE cadres disabled during the war in the North and they had all undergone rehabilitation. The govt had taken steps to divide them more..

Jun 11 (FT) To avoid an impasse between the Executive and Legislature. the SLPP recommended that the Judiciary play a larger role to protect public officials testifying before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed to look into the Easter Sunday attacks. Prez Sirisena on Friday said he would not allow top public officials, including serving intelligence officers before the PSC. However, following Prez�s statement, more..