June 1 (CT) Dambulla Town, in the Central Province, came to a standstill yesterday, after hundreds of residents and others took to the streets to protest against the alleged medical misconduct of a Muslim doctor who is currently being detained by the CID. Shop owners put up shutters and public transport came to a standstill as noisy demonstrators urged for immediate action against the doctor who is alleged to have more..

June 1 (AJ) It has been 10 years since the end of Sri Lanka's devastating civil war. Around 100,000 civilians and fighters from both sides were killed. Among them, a group of Tamil students was allegedly executed on a beach. The case of the Trinco five is one of the most widely known of the war, and is still being heard in court. A father of one of the victims is vowing to continue the fight for justice. more..

June 1 (EN) SL's foreign reserves will at most fall to US$ 6.2 billion by end-2019 due to the Easter Sunday attack, CB Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy said. "At the start of 2019 we aimed reserves to be US$ 8.2 billion," he said. However, tourism inflows are projected to be US$ 3.7 billion, compared to US$ 5 billion at the start of the year, he said. He said around US$ 300 million of the US$ 1.3 billion fall are imports, leading to a US$ 900m more..

June 1 (CT) All areas that came under attack, such as Beruwala, Digana, the Eastern areas, Kochchikade, Negombo and Kurunegala, are considered UNP strongholds and �therefore there is something behind these attacks, which we have to reflect as to who is really trying to gain advantages by attacking UNP strongholds,� Minister Lakshman Kiriella stated. He stated, �I must say that a Select Committee was appointed to more..

June 1 (DM) Mohamed Musafeer of Kattankudy, who was injured in a sword attack by four people including National Thowheed Jama'at leader Zaharan Hashim revealed that two of those involved in the attack were seen moving about freely in the Kattankudy town recently. Musafeer was severely injured on March 10, 2017 at the Aliya junction in Kattankudy, when the NTJ launched their Jihad struggle. more..

June 1 (AD) President Maithripala Sirisena says that he will not allow any foreign forces to come into the country as long as he is still in office. The President made these comments while addressing an event held in Polonnaruwa on Saturday. Issuing a joint statement yesterday, the Asigiriya and Malwathu chapters as well as His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith strongly expressed opposition to any agreement more..

June 1 (AD) Chairman of the Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya says that the next election that they are hoping to hold in the country is the Provincial Council election. Responding to a question from journalists regarding the President�s comments that the Prez Election is likely to be held on Dec 7, he said that the presidential polls should be held between Nov 9 and Dec 9. He said that the election should be held more..

June 1 (AD) TNA MP S. Viyalendiran has launched a protest fast at Gandhi Park in Batticaloa, supporting the hunger strike launched by MP Ven. Athureliye Rathana Thero. TNA Batticaloa District MP, who has pledged support to the JO, commenced the protest this morning supporting the demands made by Ven. Rathana Thero. Viyalendiran calls on the PM to remove Minister Rishad Bathiudeen more..

Jun 2 (SO) When our society faces up to this challenge of security and social management, would not our collective endeavour as an island nation be guided by sober, pragmatic calculation? Is not our immediate and urgent common objective the restoration of stability to enable human and economic recovery from the shock of April? Not so, judging by the unnerving mix of sensationalised news reporting and communal fear-mongering emanating from some sections of the media. more..

Jun 2 (CT) Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters and Colombo�s Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, recently, urged the Government to refrain from entering into any agreement with any foreign country that would facilitate foreign armed forces entering Sri Lanka and setting up camps in the country jeopardising the people�s sovereignty upheld by the Constitution. They also requested the Govt leaders to proscribe extremist organisations in order to bring more..

Jun 2 (SO) In an interview last week National Election Commission Chairman, Mahinda Deshapriya said there is no ambiguity as to when the President�s term ends and the Election Commission can call for nominations anytime after Nov 1. In the light of a brewing dialogue as to whether the President can continue till June 2020 and comments by the SLFP General Secretary to this effect, SLPP Chairman, Prof. G.L. Peiris made more..

Jun 2 (Island) Chairman of the National Election Commission (NEC) Mahinda Deshapriya has said that the next presidential election will be held between 9th Nov and 9th Dec in 2019. He has apparently sought to counter claims being made in some quarters that there is the possibility of the presidential polls being postponed just like the provincial council elections. Warning that the govt is likely to put off the presidential election, the SLPP has called upon the people to come forward more..

Jun 2 (ST) Last week�s front page news item in the Sunday Times on the open warrant that had been issued on the evil mastermind of Easter Sunday�s bombings, and the Political Editor�s references to the manner in which the defence agreement, ACSA was signed with the USA, leave one with the inevitable conclusion that there is a whole lot amiss in the country�s security apparatus. The news item, regular readers will recall, referred to the hitherto unknown fact that the man believed to have been more..

Jun 2 (CT) Sri Lanka�s nearest neighbour is investing more money in solar power than coal for the first time. A major shift is underway in India, which is the world�s third-largest contributor to greenhouse gases, after the US and China. According to the International Energy Agency, the country�s move towards spending on renewables has been driven both by policy and by the rapidly falling costs of bringing solar power online. more..

Jun 2 (ST) My dear Dimuth and the cricket team, I am writing to you as you embark on a World Cup, determined to make your mark and bring honour to your country, though, with all due respect, no one seriously expects you to bring the World Cup home, as Arjuna did on one sultry night in Lahore more than 23 years ago. By the time you read this, you would have finished your first game against NZ. You must know that you carry all our best wishes. A World Cup is a time that unites our country, more..

Jun 2 (SO) Easter Sunday turned on a master switch. Old fears returned to center stage. Terrorism, what it means, what it portends dominates the national psyche. There has emerged a demand for the total securitization of the State, by entrusting the business of running the Republic to You know who? It explains how and why Vimal Weerawansa the fastidious ultra-Sinhala nationalist partial to Burberry and Tommy Hilfiger attire has become a national security expert. more..

Jun 2 (Island) The fast unto death started by Ven Athureliye Rathana Thera in the hallowed precincts of the Sri Dalada Maligawa last Friday is all the more significant because he is a UNP national list MP. This is a fast unto death started by a member of the govt against the govt � a governing party MP starting a fast demanding the removal of a Cabinet Minister and two provincial Governors of the same govt. Even though the Prez & PM may be pulling in different directions, for all practical purposes, more..

Jun 2 (ST) A 12-try spree by the Sri Lanka Tuskers enabled them to secure the third place playoff of the Asia Division I Rugby Championship, after handing hosts Chinese Taipei a smashing 72-17 defeat yesterday. Both sides � Sri Lanka and Chinese Taipei � were complete contrasts to how they played in their respective semi-final clashes against the Philippines and Singapore, who qualified to play in the final of the competition. On Wednesday Sri Lanka suffered a 22-39 defeat more..

Jun 2 (CT) President Sirisena travelled little over 1300 nautical miles to the Capital of big brother India to finally announce a possible date of the next Presidential Election of his own country in which he stands as the only clear candidate in the vicinity - even though he still pretends to shy away from the idea. Prez Sirisena who was in India, on Friday, said that the next Prez election is most likely to be held on 7 Dec 2019. more..

Jun 2 (ST) Serapina happily breezed into the garden, shouting Avilla � avilla (It has come, it has come). Kussi Amma Sera and Mabel Rasthiyadu were already under the Margosa tree just about to sip their cups of tea. Mokak-da lamayo, aei ke-gahanne? (Why child are you shouting)? asked Kussi Amma Sera. World Cup, World Cup avilla, replied Serapina sitting down to have her cup of tea. Serapina is an avid cricket fan and she was referring to the 2019 edition of the WC cricket more..

Jun 2 (Island) Rest of the cricketing world used to joke that the Cricket World Cup was an event where all other participating nations competed with each other to play Sri Lanka in the finals! Well, from 2007 to 2014, over a seven year period, the national cricket team reached five ICC finals including the finals of the 2007 and 2011 World Cups. How times have changed. Sri Lanka are heading for this edition of the sport�s showpiece event with little hope to make it to the second round. more..

Jun 2 (SO) He is known to most as a supportive colleague. They remember him to be generous, and always available when anyone needs his help. He was polite and greeted everyone as he went about his work at the hospital. As he associated everyone closely, he had no enemies while the patients recall him as friendly and warmhearted. How did this gynaecologist and obstetrician�s life turn upside down following more..

Jun 2 (ST) A superb, committed performance by a well drilled Royal team spelled curtains for Trinity�s ambition of regaining the Bradby. Yesterday at Pallekele, Royal made light of early assault and advances by the foraging Lions to hammer out a fairly sizable 34 points (3 goals 2 tries and a penalty) to 17 (2 goals and a try) win over their opponents. In both halves it was Trinity who scored first and set up the platform. Further there were phases in which Trinity played some superb rugby but more..

Jun 2 (CI) Eleven years after winning the World Cricket League Division Five in the British Isles, Afghanistan completed a remarkable turnaround to make it to their second World Cup, also in the UK, but Australia captain Aaron Finch and his fellow opener David Warner rained on their parade, handing them a seven-wicket defeat. In his first international game after serving a one-year ban for his role in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal, Warner was booed when he walked out to more..

Jun 2 (ST) The ICC World Cup was kick-started by a blistering performance from England, the pre-tournament favourites for most pundits. They are also in my top four for the tournament and showed why with a clever and clinical performance against South Africa. South Africa are not a bad team, indeed they have some real match winners, but some of the teams in this World Cup are so strong that it�s going to be tough for any team more..

Jun 2 (CI) 12 - Number of times teams have recorded 10-wicket wins at the Men's World Cup. Prior to Saturday, Sri Lanka's thrashing of England at the 2011 quarter-final was the last instance of a 10-wicket win. New Zealand now have the most 10-wicket wins (three) at the World Cup. West Indies, South Africa and Sri Lanka have two each. 0 - Sri Lanka hadn't been beaten by 10 wickets in a World Cup prior to Saturday. They've been beaten by nine wickets on four occasions. more..

Jun 2 (ST) India A has taken a huge 273 second innings lead against their Sri Lankan counterpart as host ended day two on 216 for 6 at Hubli yesterday. After bowling Sri Lanka out for 212 in the first innings to take a first innings lead of 53 runs, hosts put on a decent batting effort to add 216 runs for the loss of six wickets to put Sri Lanka A under pressure. Anmolpreet Singh (60), Siddhesh Lad (58) and KS Bharat (60) hit half centuries to propel the innings. more..

Jun 2 (CI) There was papare music enlivening the stands in Cardiff, hundreds of SL flags aflutter, and raucous cheers for every Sri Lankan boundary. Fans had traveled hours to be at this match, filling out early morning trains from London, and booking out Cardiff hotels for the night. It should have been a happy day out, but it was barely a half-day - Sri Lanka dusted off in emphatic fashion, in the space of 45 overs. more..

Jun 2 (Island) A well-known personality in the hospitality industry, Rohan Fernandopulle is a celebrated chef with nearly four decades of experience, both locally and internationally. He has won several prestigious awards for his culinary expertise, as well as F&B initiatives that have helped to showcase contemporary Sri Lanka with a modern twist. Fernandopulle, in his new role, takes the helm of Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, the premier five-star urban resort. more..

Jun 2 (SLA) Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army sat together with Officers and Other Ranks of Islamic faith to perform the Iftar ritual, the breaking of fast at sunset on Friday evening at Wadduwa Laya Beach hotel. Organized by the Army Muslims' Association, the ritual Iftar was attended by a large group of Army Officers, spouses and Other Rankers, a practice that has been launched by the Army for the last couple of years with the coordination of Army Muslims� Association. more..

Jun 2 (ST) In view of growing cyber attacks, online security threats and social media related incidents, govt is set to enact this Cyber Security Act this month to protect critical information infrastructure within SL. The proposed Act gives sweeping powers to state cyber agencies and institutions and the Digital Infrastructure and Information Ministry despite concerns from civil liberties activists and computer societies more..

Jun 2 (CT) The recently-signed Collective Agreement to move away from a productivity-linked wage structure, in addition to the shortage of workers in tea plantations, have increased concerns for the tea industry, according to Talawakelle Tea Estates Chairman, Mohan Pandithage. The main concerns of the tea industry, according to him, are rising costs of production; extreme weather; geopolitical tensions in key markets; slowdown of global trade due to trade tensions; and more..

Jun 2 (EN) Board of Investment has signed an investment agreement with Sundara (Pvt) Ltd, which will develop a US$ 4.5 million boutique hotel on the country's south coast. "When the tourism industry is faced with setbacks, the significance of this investment is that there is greater confidence on Sri Lanka's economy and tourism sector," BoI Chairman Mangala Yapa said. Sundara (Pvt) Ltd Co-Founder Dale Rennie said that he is investing due to SL's long-term tourism potential. more..

Jun 2 (Island) Over the last five years, incorrect and irrational taxing of tobacco has led to a loss of Rs. 100 billion for the SL govt. If the govt was able to collect this money as tax revenue, the funds could have been invested in development projects, says Pubudu Sumanasekara, Executive Director of Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC). He made these observations at the special seminar held last week at the SLMA to mark more..

Jun 2 (LBO) Vidullanka in its latest announcement to the CSE, disclosed the commissioning of the development of the 3.3MW Dehiattakandiya Dendro power plant to the national grid through its joint venture company, Vidul Biomass (Pvt) Ltd. The project is a 1.45 billion rupees investment jointly undertaken by Vidullanka and OC Energy Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of the Japanese construction giant, the Obayashi Corporation. The investment in Vidul Biomass (Pvt) Limited more..

Jun 2 (ST) Caught in the middle as the victim of the ongoing trade war between US & China when US President Donald Trump cracked down on Chinese technology companies, the world�s second-largest smartphone maker Huawei is marking time. Its local officials in Colombo reflected some confusion saying, there�s NO problem pertaining to issues relating to US-China tech competition which analysts however say will be more intense and drawn out, significantly outlasting trade tensions. more..

Jun 2 (Island) Prez Sirisena returned to Colombo on Friday night after a visit to India diplomats described as successful. "It was a successful visit for three reasons", SL High Commissioner to India Austin Fernando said. He elaborated thus: "Our Prez came to attend PM Narendra Modi�s 2nd swearing-in ceremony � an auspicious moment. His meeting with Mr. Modi and his team went off very well. It was friendly & productive. more..

Jun 2 (Island) Govt Medical Officers' Association (GMOA), wrote to all its members that some of its Muslim members faced hardships owing to the prevailing situation in the country and called for all members to extend their support to strengthen unity, goodwill and harmony. "A group of our Muslim members made representations to GMOA Executive Committee on 30/05/2019 regarding the hardships they were undergoing due to the prevailing situation in the country. more..

Jun 2 (ST) National Election Commission (NEC) is at variance with Prez Sirisena�s announcement in New Delhi that the presidential election will be held on Dec 7. A poll will not be possible on that date though it is a Saturday, due to a string of administrative issues, an NEC source said on condition of anonymity. "We cannot take a chance,� the source added. Since all other Saturdays available are in November, a statutory requirement, it would have to be held that month, more..