Mar 14 (CT) Social media has its pros and cons. As a fulltime practitioner and manager of several accounts I tend to veer in favour of the pros. Twitter and Facebook in particular have given women an unprecedented space to vent, share and learn about topics ignored, under represented or even misrepresented in mainstream Media. These include: rape, VAW, abortion, sexual harassment, gender issues, mental health and so much more. Factual content shared on social media aids more..

Mar 14 (CT) Sri Lanka will be expected to demonstrate that it has followed through with the commitments made under UNHRC Resolution 30/1 at the 40th session of the UNHRC held between February and March 2019. Cosponsored by the Govt of SL and passed in 2015, Resolution 30/1 signalled (at least to competent observers) the GOSL taking ownership of the reconciliation process. The process is needed to promote reconciliation, accountability & human rights more..

Mar 14 (DN) Whenever we speak about a Budget the name of Ronnie de Mel invariably comes to mind. That is because he created a record in politics by presenting 11 successive Budgets in Parliament without a break. A pioneer who introduced the open economic policies to the country he brought in several revolutionary changes by introducing accelerated development and granting several relief measures to the public. more..

Mar 14 (Island) During my visit to the SL Contingent in Gao, Mali, we spoke to several officers and soldiers who were carrying out difficult operations as UN peacekeepers. I spoke to them after the successful UN Medal Parade. Three of the soldiers were members of the ill-fated convoy which was attacked by terrorists, killing Captain Jayawickerma and Corporal Wijayakumara. SL�s UN Peace keepers were ready for action again. They have no fear. Officers and the soldiers remembered more..

Mar 14 (DM) Like their compatriots, the Sinhalese and the Tamils, SL Muslims also came from India. Although their links with the Indian subcontinent had weakened over the years, SL Muslims do retain one strand in the relationship, the Tamil language. Religion appears to have played a role in the weakening of the Muslims� ties with India. For the Sinhalese Buddhists, India is the land of Gautama Buddha. Buddhist lore and pilgrimages to Bodh Gaya keep up the links from generation to more..

Mar 14 (CT) The full text of resolution submitted to the UNHRC on Sri Lanka on Monday by Canada, Germany, Montenegro, North Macedonia, UK and Northern Ireland: Reaffirming the purposes and principles of the Charter of the UN, Guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other relevant instruments, Reaffirming UNHRC resolutions 30/1 of 1 Oct 2015 and 34/1 of 23 March 2017 on promoting reconciliation, more..

Mar 14 (Island) All state-run schools, save a few, were crippled by a teachers� sick-note campaign, yesterday. Teachers punish students who feign illness, but they do what they do not want their pupils to do! More than 15,000 principals and 241,000 teachers took part in yesterday�s sick-note protest and 10,162 schools could not function, according to teachers� trade unions, which insist that their struggle was a huge success. What is this world coming to when teachers boast of more..

Mar 14 (CI) South Africa made four changes to their XI, and Sri Lanka swapped three of their players out, but no matter how much the hosts experiment, and how desperately the visitors try to scramble together a better side, a comfortable victory for South Africa almost seems inevitable at this point. This one was the most embarrassing result for Sri Lanka yet. They collapsed, more or less non-stop, from the third to 34th over, more..

Mar 14 (FT) The Fireside Chat 2019 organised by ICCSL, CIMA and Daily FT will kick off on Tuesday evening at the Hilton Colombo. The event will feature nine foreign ambassadors, from the UK, China, EU, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Netherlands, Canada and Switzerland. The envoys will provide an international perspective on Sri Lanka�s future. The highlight of the Fireside Chat 2019 will be the closing session with PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, who will discuss some of more..

Mar 14 (Island) Yes, the event Bump �N� Grind was started with the idea of promoting Hip-Hop/RnB, Rap artistes in Sri Lanka. The first was a success, the second equally successful, and the third is scheduled for Friday, March 29th. The guy responsible for creating this concept is Minol Hewage, Founder/Creative Director, Chapter 4 Events & Media, who is also a renowned radio DJ, operating as Minol-D. Bump �N� Grind is now being looked forward to by many and more..

Mar 14 (EN) Sri Lanka�s imports fell sharply in December 2018 from a year ago with the trade gap narrowing significantly after restrictions on vehicle and other consumer goods imports while exports rose only marginally, the central bank said. �Reflecting the effect of policy measures taken by the Central Bank and the govt, expenditure on merchandise imports declined by 15.3% (yoy) to US$ 1,735 mil in Dec 2018,� more..

Mar 14 (FT) The 20th anniversary celebration of the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) was held on 10 March at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo. The event was attended by Prez and PM. Also present at the gala function were several ministers together with local and foreign dignitaries. The traditional kiribath was cut by past Chairmen, followed by the launch of the COYLE coffee table book aptly named 20 Years of Defining Entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka, more..

Mar 14 (Island) Sri Lanka and the world were given the opportunity of recognizing afresh the peace-fostering potential of Buddhism, thanks to an int'l forum conducted recently by the High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in SL in collaboration with the Buddhist and Pali University of SL. Titled Buddhist & Gandhara Civilization: Cultural Nexus Between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the seminar was held at the main auditorium of the Buddhist and Pali Uni at Homagama on March 11. more..

Mar 14 (Island) SLPP heavyweight Basil Rajapaksa announced the launch of a large-scale grassroots level political project later this week in preparation for the forthcoming national elections��presidential polls in Dec 2019 and next year�s parliamentary election. The former SLFP National Organiser said that having comfortably won the Feb 2018 LG polls, the SLPP was confident of winning future polls. more..

Mar 14 (IFAD) Rural development projects financed by Int'l Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have contributed to increased productivity and incomes in Sri Lanka, according to a new evaluation report presented today in Colombo. "In the decades since IFAD began its collaboration with SL govt, substantial achievements have been made, yet there is still more work to be done to improve the nutrition and livelihoods of rural families so that they do not slip back into poverty," more..

Mar 14 (Island) Pathfinder Foundation, which initiated a series of regional and international conferences on issues of direct interest to Sri Lanka commencing 2017, will convene on March 18, the first meeting of the Int'l Advisory Group (IAG) set up to prepare for the Indian Ocean Security & Governance Conference scheduled to be held in 2020. The meeting of the IAG, which will be chaired by Ambassador Shivshankar Menon, former Foreign Secretary, National Security Advisor and more..

Mar 14 (FT) Deflecting criticisms of tax changes in Budget 2018, Minister Mangala Samaraweera contended that proposals were focused on creating a level playing field for local businesses and that six committees would be appointed to monitor implementation. Samaraweera conceded that implementation would be challenging as the Govt had about seven months once it is passed in April and said he planned to appoint 6 committees more..

Mar 14 (CT) A Member of Nat-tandiya Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) has been hospitalised following an alleged assault by a Police officer, the Marawila Police said on 12 March. Police said the assault had taken place on the evening of 11 March in Marawila Town. A heated dispute had erupted between the two regarding a vehicle parked in front of a shop. The dispute had then escalated to a brawl and the Police officer in question had reportedly assaulted the PS Member. more..

Mar 14 (CT) England women�s team thumped Sri Lanka Emerging women�s team by 153 runs in their warm-up match concluded at the P. Sara Oval yesterday. England women won the toss and electing to bat first made 317 runs for loss of 9 wickets at the end of their 50 overs. Lauren Winfield top scored with a brilliant 80 runs in 82 balls with 11 boundaries. Captain Heather Knight too played a very good knock as she made 67 runs in 58 balls with 4 boundaries and 2 sixes. more..

Mar 14 (FT) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said the country is now travelling back on the correct path where rule of law prevails, rejecting accusation of his involvement in remanding UPFA MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage�s son Raniska Aluthgamage, taken into custody for the vehicle accident that killed a Police Inspector in Colombo. �I have not instructed to remand or release anyone involved in more..

Mar 14 (DM) SL Tourist Police said they arrested a 36-year old in connection to the alleged harassment of a tourist in Mirissa, which went viral on social media recently. A statement said the suspect arrested by the Kotiliwila police on the same day of the incident was released on a personal bail of Rs.200,000 after being produced before a magistrate. The suspect was further remanded and ordered to appear before Kotiliwila police station every Sunday between 9 a.m. to 12 noon. more..

Mar 14 (DN) The diversification of SL economy and the greater representation of the diversified companies in the local stock market will help Sri Lanka to better garner more economic benefits, Thilan Wijesinghe, Chairman of National Agency for Public Private Partnership said. Noting that SL govt doesn�t have any more low hanging fruits to generate economic growth due to its inability to focus on issues relating to the micro level, especially when it comes to problem solving and more..

Mar 14 (Island) President Maithripala Sirisena will not be sending a separate delegation to represent him at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in Geneva, UPFA MP Mahinda Samarasinghe told Parliament yesterday. MP Samarasinghe said that following discussions held yesterday President Sirisena had agreed that the govt�s delegation to Geneva would be led by Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana. more..

Mar 14 (Island) The Supreme Court, yesterday, fixed for June 12, the contempt of Court petition against UNP Parliamentarian for Gampaha District and State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake. He has been charged with causing an affront to the dignity of the Supreme Court by prejudging a case being heard before the Court. The aforesaid case was the fundamental rights violation application filed by 122 UNP MPs against the dissolution of Parliament by President Maithripala Sirisena. more..

Mar 14 (Island) More than 500 mosques had not been registered with the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs, Director of the department M.R.M. Malik disclosed, yesterday. "We are now in the process of sending them reminders," he told The Island, adding that there was a legal requirement for places of religious worship to be registered with his department within six months of being set up. At present, there are nearly 2,400 registered mosques in the country. more..

Mar 14 (Island) Following SL�s decision to send a delegation led by Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana to the ongoing Geneva session, Lord Naseby PC has stressed that all countries, involved in the latest UN Resolution, couldn�t ignore the need to review allegation pertaining to the deaths of 40,000 civilians during the final battle on the Vanni east front. The Island submitted the following query to Lord Naseby: "Lord Naseby, in Oct 2017, more..

Mar 14 (DN) Statistics reveal that there are close to 29,000 foreigners working in Sri Lanka. There are 28,591 foreign workers in Sri Lanka on resident employment visas up to Feb 15, 2019. The department has issued resident employment visas to 7,991 working in private sector projects, 10,354 employment visas to those employed in private sector organisations, 10,077 visas for foreigners employed in BOI projects, and 169 visas for workers in other construction projects. more..

Mar 14 (Island) 447 Luna Tower scores high across each and every parameter - as it offers a strong value proposition for prospective buyers seeking luxury real estate in Colombo. Reflecting impeccable credentials, the project is backed by Belluna Co. Ltd. Japan and Asia Capital PLC. Belluna Co., is a Tokyo Stock Exchange (First Section) listed company and a significant player in the global real estate industry with projects spanning Myanmar and Los Angeles, USA. more..

Mar 14 (CT) President�s Heads of Expenditure (HoE) of the Budget 2019 was passed in Parliament without a division, despite the UNP backbenchers threats that they would vote against it to defeat the President�s HoE. The Committee Stage debate on the expenditure heads of the President and several other offices began at 10:30 a.m. During the entire debate, the UNP backbenchers heavily criticised the President. more..

Mar 14 (DN) Minister Arjuna Ranatunga has directed the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT/RMV) and National Transport Medical Institute to be open on Saturdays as well, to provide an efficient service to the public. Accordingly, all services performed by both these institutions on weekdays, including the issuance of driving licences and other related services and the issuing of certificates of physical and mental fitness to drivers, will be available on Saturdays as well. more..

Mar 14 (DN) Cabinet approval has been granted to issue a circular banning the use and sale of all products based on arecanut, tobacco and betel inside state institutions and their premises, a Health Ministry spokesman said. According to the spokesman, oral cancer is the most common cancer among Sri Lankan men. It it mainly caused due to chewing betel containing arecanut, tobacco and lime. Annually, 2,500 new oral cancer patients are detected in Sri Lanka. more..

Mar 14 (Island) Minister Lakshman Kiriella, yesterday, tabled in Parliament the full text of resolution submitted to the UNHRC on Sri Lanka on Monday by Canada, Germany, Montenegro, North Macedonia, UK and Northern Ireland. He said that the six nations had welcomed the recent developments towards reconciliation in Sri Lanka. Kirielle said that Sri Lanka should not amend that resolution which was favourable to it. more..

Mar 14 (DM) On March 8, Sri Lanka joined other countries the world over to mark International Women�s Day (IWD). First celebrated more than a century ago, it is a day set apart to remind us to make a genuine and positive difference for women. Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist once said, �The story of women�s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.� more..

Mar 14 (DM) Initially, it was anticipated that the Govt would have a hard time in roping in the MPs to get its 2019 Budget passed in Parliament. If anyone expected such a fiasco during the Budget vote for the Govt, it was well with reason because the ruling the UNP was commanding the support of 107 MPs on its roll, falling short of six more to cross the simple majority mark. But, the Budget had a comfortable passage through Parliament in its first round of vote after the Second Reading more..

Mar 14 (DM) Minister Champika Ranawaka, who is widely seen as an aspirant to be President, speaks about the prez elections, the budget and his ambitions. Q: Everybody talks about the Presidential Election. What do you think of it? A: There is only one winner at a Presidential Election. But it is a tussle between two main political camps only. The political force or camp led by SLPP has already become a force to reckon with. more..

Mar 14 (ST) The govt�s move to regulate international schools by bringing them under the wing of the Ministry of Education is being lauded by educationists but they caution against any temptation to control the private education system. Last week, the Ministry of Education said that it would seek cabinet approval to make registration of all international schools compulsory to ensure that proper standards are maintained. more..

Mar 14 (CT) The United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (UNIFAD) in a note circulated at a seminar yesterday (said that four of their recent projects scored reasonable successes in improving agricultural production through farmer field schools, irrigation development, tea and rubber plantations, crop diversification, access to improved technologies and partnerships with the private sector. more..

Mar 14 (AD) The first official discussion between SLFP and SLPP regarding the potential new alliance commenced a short while ago. Reportedly, representatives of both parties have arrived at the Office of the Opposition Leader, where the meeting is held. Representing the SLFP, former General Secretary of SLFP Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa, current General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, and MP Thilanga Sumathipala more..

Mar 14 (Island) Eastland Liberation Organisation (ELO) has appealed to President Sirisena to use his executive powers to declare null and void the 1987 Gazette notification, which attached four areas to the Kalmunai Municipal Council. They are Kalmunai, Karaivahu South, Kariavahu North and Karaivahu West. The ELO has, in a letter to President Sirisena, stated that peace would remain only a dream if any individual more..