May 25 (AD) Leader of the NFF Wimal Weerawansa today requested the President to immediately ban the slaughtering of cattle within the country. In the wake of a Buddhist monk setting himself on fire yesterday to protest against the slaughter of cattle for meet, the Minister has written to President saying measures should be taken based on that incident. Minister further points out that the majority of the country’s Buddhist more..

May 25 (DM) The Military said that in less than four years since the war ended nearly all areas in the conflict zone excepting for 96 square kilometres had been cleared of landmines and could be now used for resettlement purposes. Military spokesman said out of an area of 2,064 square kilometres identified as hazardous we have cleard 1,968 Sq. Km thus leaving only 96 Sq. Km to be cleared. The Army and de mining groups have removed some 500,000 anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines, more..

May 25 (CT) The People's Movement Against Electricity Tariff Hike said, they would continue their agitations against the electricity tariff hike, in protests outside Colombo. Convener of the Movement, Saman Ratnapriya, said they will organize protests in Anuradhapura, Kandy and Galle in the coming week. "We had a successful protest in Colombo. So, we want to spread this around the island. People from the North-Central, Central and Southern Provinces will take part in these more..

May 25 (AFP) A Sri Lankan monk was fighting for his life Saturday, a day after setting himself on fire to protest the slaughter of cattle, an official said. Bowatte Indaratna, 30, was flown to the main National Hospital in Colombo from the pilgrim town of Kandy where he doused himself with gasoline and set himself alight on Friday in front of stunned Buddhist devotees. "He is in a very serious condition with 95% burns," more..

May 25 (AD) The new road constructed connecting the Seruwawila Rajamaha Viharaya and the Somawathiya Rajamaha Viharaya, which is named after former CJ Sarath N. Silva, was declared open by Minister Basil Rajapaksa today. The news bridge and road were vested in the people at the auspicious time of 9.30am as instructed by the Chief Incumbents of both temples. The road was constructed under the instructions of President Rajapaksa, at a cost of around more..

May 25 (SM) The court order to the remove Ensal (cardamom) plantation from the Knuckles Range has been suspended under the influence of the President Rajapaksa. The removal has been suspended on July 02, 2012 following a request made by the large scale Ensal smugglers from the President at Matale District Coordination Committee Meeting. The President has advised them to take required measures after discussing the matter with the Defence Secretary. more..

May 25 (MoD) President Rajapaksa graced the Vesak Zone at Diyawannawa in the eve of the first day of Vesak celebrations yesterday. Secretary Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa was also present at the Vesak Zone. Diyawanna vesak zone was organized according to the directives of venerable Elle Gunawansa Thero. A Bakthi Gee Programme also took place at the location where a large number of devotees gathered to enjoy more..

May 25 (MoD) Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa graced the opening ceremony of the 'Resource Centre for War Heroes' as the Chief Guest today (24) at Wattala, Hekiththa. Transforming to a modern structure, an old Leprosy Hospital complex belong to colonial era which had been abandoned for a considerable period of time, the Resource Centre has been constructed. Secretary Defence unveiling the plaque depicting annals of the conversion more..

May 25 (CT) It really bothers me that the protest depicted by photograph titles like ‘Tamils… gathered around photographs of those killed during the Sri Lankan civil war’ is being orchestrated by people carrying the LTTE flag. Anyone who protests against massacres of Tamils in 2009 should by no means do so under the flag adopted by the Tigers. In 2009, the Tigers forced innocent Tamil civilians to remain in the Vanni – under pain of death – as a shield. This is evident from the same reports that more..

May 25 (Island) Undergraduates of the Sabaragamuwa Uni yesterday alleged that an unidentified gang had fired into the air, opposite the main gate of the university, in the vicinity of a continuous Satyagraha being performed by them against the suspension of student leaders. Convener of the IUSF Sanjeewa Bandara said that seven unidentified persons had arrived in a pickup truck, with front and rear number plates covered more..

May 25 (DM) Sri Lanka has ranked high among informal money transfers in the south Asian region last year, a new Gallup study revealed. Nearly 800 million South Asians and Indonesians, which equals to 60% of the adult population in the South Asian region and Indonesia, sent or received a payment or remittance last year. The majority of the South Asian and Indonesian respondents did so informally, with 512 million people sending or receiving cash in person or sending it informally more..

May 25 (CT) Rally-round the Muslims under one umbrella was most likely the founding philosophy of SLMC. The idea at the rear crafting the SLMC could be welcomed by every Muslim and perhaps much-admired by many likeminded Muslims although opposed by considerable number within the Muslims itself. Late SLMC leader’s initiative has to be appreciated, but, “I am Ashraff & Muslim congress is mine”, this had hoodwinked the entire political organization as a whole. more..

May 25 (Island) The AirLine Pilots’ Guild of Sri Lanka (APGSL) yesterday said that it was awaiting the SriLankan Airlines’ new policy on trainee pilot recruitment. APGSL President Captain Ruwan Vithanage said that the guild always supported indigenous pilot recruitment, while protecting the assessment standards. SriLankan had taken steps to formulate a totally new process for recruitment of trainee pilots immediately and more..

May 25 (CT) When Sri Lankans, meaning the average cricket fan, initially heard of match-fixing it could have been somewhere around 1993-94, when their team toured India and lost all three Test matches, on the morning of the fourth day, literally with two days left. One particular Test, called the Lucknow Test, came under a cloud and there were allegations and counter allegations, of the hand-of-fixing, playing an ugly part in that series. Three years ago, Hashan Tillekeratne, more..

May 25 (CT) Dealing with ‘inconvenient’ people is one of the Govt’s main talents. Upset somebody important and you will be made to suffer. It is only the form of punishment that is to be decided, according to who you are and what the Govt imagines you will do to save yourself. Last week, it was the turn of Anuruddha Pradeep, a lecturer at the Uni of Sri Jayawardenapura. Pradeep was sacked for not completing his Masters within the specified amount of time after his appointment. more..

May 25 (Island) Sabotage has not been ruled out as investigations are in progress into yesterday’s fire at Container Yard No. 1 in Port of Colombo. Textiles and electronic items, worth millions of rupees were destroyed in the blaze. Sources said that it was the biggest ever fire that had occurred in the port. Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Dr. Priyath B. Wickrema said that the fire had occurred around 1.00 a.m. more..

May 25 (CT) JHU MP, Athuraliye Rathana Thera said, the govt must be compelled to change its stand on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution through public mobilization. Referring to the announcement made by Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, who confirmed that the govt would not be abolishing the 13th Amendment, and the strongly expressed views of the JHU calling for the abolishment of the same, more..

May 25 (eTN) eTurboNews recently reported about its publisher’s experience with an extortion scam by Sri Lanka Immigration Officers. eTN is now pleased to report that due to our article, the Controller General team of the Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration, W.A.C. Perera reached out to eTN Publisher Juergen T. Steinmetz and confirmed the following: The Immigration Officer listed on your arrival more..

May 25 (Island) The All Ceylon Health Services Union (ACHSU) accused the Sri Jayewardenepura hospital administration of making arrangements to enroll medical students with lower marks to be trained as doctors for a heavy fee. ACHSU General Secretary Gamini Kumarasinghe said the rich could afford it, but the ordinary people could not pay such a huge fee. He said that the Jayawardenapura hospital director had made a statement that more..

May 25 (CT) Minister Douglas Devananda, while thanking Norway for its role in facilitating peace in Sri Lanka, requested the country to assist generously in the post-war development activities in the war-torn areas in the country. He was the Chief Guest at the National Day of Norway, celebrated on Wednesday in Colombo. Extending Sri Lanka's greetings to the King of Norway and to the Norwegian people, Minister said: more..

May 25 (Island) The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has low sulphur furnace oil stocks used by thermal power plants like Kerawalapitiya only for another 20 days, according to highly placed sources. A senior CPC official told The Island that if orders were not placed within the next three days, there would be a fuel shortage for power plants. "Next consignment should be ordered immediately, be it from Singapore or Dubai. more..

May 25 (Island) Some 30 engineers of the first coal-fired power plant in Norochchcolai are expected to meet the CEB management, on Tuesday, seeking its immediate intervention to rectify what they call bad management practices. The plant, which should feed 300 MW to the national grid, has been, during the past fortnight, generating only 200 MW. The powerful CEB Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) last month urged CEB Chairman more..

May 25 (SM) The Buddhist clergyman, named Indrarathana thero, who set fire to himself yesterday in Front of the Kandy temple of the tooth, has held a pradheshiya sabha membership in JHU until recently. However, the JHU says that committing suicide in protest on a Vesak poya day is not at all appropriate for a Buddhist clergyman and that it does not give a good example to the citizens. JHU leader Ven.Omalpe Sobhitha thero more..

May 25 (SL) The recent arrest of Azath Salley under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) sent shockwaves in the political arena reminding most people of the prevalent uneasy environment in the country during and after the war. The govt had removed the emergency regulations after the war, but the PTA remained in force as the govt claims that the LTTE once again may attempt to raise its head. more..

May 25 (DM) The role of the Sangha in Sri Lanka society has been evolving throughout history. Currently, there is debate about the monks’ active participation in governing the contemporary society. Daily Mirror spoke to JHU MP and chief incumbent of Sadaham Sevana Rajagiriya, Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera about his views on the social responsibilities of modern day monks and their place in society. more..

May 25 (DM) All Buddhists in every part of the world pay special attention to Vesak Poya, because it signifies the Birth of Prince Siddhartha, the Attainment of Enlightenment by him, and the passing away of the Buddha. Other than any Poya day of the year, Vesak is considered to be the most sacred. Therefore more than other Poya Days, Vesak Poya ushers in meritorious deeds by every Buddhist. Many of them observe Sil. In addition, many Buddhists take part in offering food, more..

May 25 (DM) Even though the terrorism perpetrated by the LTTE ended in May 2009 an equally devastating form of terrorism seems to be continuing unabated countrywide. This could be termed road terrorism. During the worst days of the LTTE a Sri Lankan working in Canada and coming on a holiday to Colombo was asked whether he was not afraid of the LTTE’s terrorism. He responded that what he feared more was the traffic terrorism on the highways and byways of Colombo, more..

May 25 (Island) The Ceylon Petroleum Corporations (CPC) net worth had eroded by an estimated Rs. 200 billion in the past two years, an Opposition legislator said. With loss in capital alone accounting for Rs. 200 billion, the CPC was bankrupt and would cease to be a going concern, unless the Treasury came to its rescue once again as it had done time and again in the case of SriLankan Airlines, Mihin Air and the CEB, more..

May 25 (Hindu) Amid chaotic scenes at the Karaikal harbour and muffled cries from women, 26 fishermen, released from Sri Lankan custody after one and half months, arrived here on Friday morning. Family members of the fishermen had their sights fixed over the boats ferrying their men home. Overwhelmed by fatigue and emotion, a woman fainted at the sight of her 19-year old son. These fishermen were arrested and their five boats seized by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly more..

May 25 (CT) Two men who had handed over leaflets to Minister Basil Rajapaksa, stating people not affected by the war should not be entitled to new houses in the Eastern Province, were arrested by the Karadiyanaru Police in Pullumalai on Wednesday. Minister Basil Rajapaksa along with the outgoing Indian High Commissioner, Ashok K. Kantha, had laid the foundation stone to build new houses in the Eastern Province, with assistance provided by the Indian Govt. more..

May 25 (CT) Aggravating a simmering dispute over the appointment of a VC for the Uni. of Colombo, university dons and the FUTA have refused to accept the appointment of Dr. Kumar Hirimburegama, spouse of the Chairperson of the UGC, as the new VC. Dr. Hirimburegama's appointment as VC was announced on Thursday by President Rajapaksa. FUTA claims the appointment was clearly politically motivated more..

May 25 (CT) The TNA expects nothing less than complete devolution of financial, police and land powers through the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, MP Suresh Premachandran said yesterday. Responding to questions regarding continued refusal of the TNA to appoint a member to the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to address issues pertaining to the 13th Amendment, as charged by the JHU he said, “The JHU is a Sinhalese extremist group, and there is no more..

May 25 (Island) Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne asked JVP trade union wing leader K.D. Lalkantha to study trade unionism again and learn latest trends on the subject. Dr. Senaratne told the media that the May 21 strike had been a complete flop as the JVP behaved like the frog in a well, thinking that it was the entire world. "This is the 21st century and the JVP is still sticking to old trade union tactics to win its demands," the Minister said. more..

May 25 (DN) The Govt yesterday stressed that the U.S embassy as any other foreign mission based in Colombo should get prior approval to engage with local government authorities. According to External Affairs Ministry Secretary Dr. Karunathilake Amunugama, foreign missions should either inform or get prior approval to implement any project in agreement with the local govt authorities. “This is an international norm,” he said. more..

May 25 (Island) Seven treasure hunters who had been excavating the borderline of a prehistoric burial site in Wilpattu National Park were arrested by the Wildlife Conservation Department officials with the assistance of Army commandos on Thursday. Four other persons who were with the treasure hunters escaped when the officials raided the site. The treasure hunters had removed several stone pillars and dug up a pit of around ten feet width and eight feet deep. The officials had seized a mobile more..

May 25 (CT) The Anti-Corruption Unit of the Kandy Police nabbed a police constable, who is reportedly a member of MP Achala Jagoda's security contingent, for having two kilogrammes of cannabis in his possession. The suspect, Sarath Kumara (43), is a father of two children, and resides in the Galthenna area in Kandy. Sources said he had been attached to the Ministerial Security Division of the Police for over 10 years. His older brother is also said to be an officer serving the same more..