Mar 27 (SL) A businesswoman who had criticized a move by the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) to lease land used as a public playground in Maligawatte to the Carlton Preschool Colombo Branch of the First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, has had her store being razed to the ground by govt authorities. Uditha Jinanjali, a small scale businesswoman at the Maligawatte Housing Scheme, had objected to moves to use the land for the school instead of allowing residents of the more..

Mar 27 (ST) The Central Bank will soon watch transactions carried out by Authorized Money Changers (AMCs) through closed circuit television cameras. The Exchange Control Department has sent out a circular to ‘all places of business of authorized money changers’ asking them to instal Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems before August 31. The circular states, “Having considered the findings of onsite and offsite supervision conducted by the Exchange Control Department (ECD) of more..

Mar 27 (SL) As number of murder cases involving soldiers increase Sowmiya Ramanayaka, contributing psychologist lecturer at the Australian Defence Force Academy, urged the authorities to pursue counselling programs for all the soldiers who had been involved in the war. Ramanayaka said that “having worked with soldiers who have fought in wars, I have seen first-hand the psychological stress they suffer.” Ramanayaka, who has worked with more..

Mar 27 (SL) The Transnational Govt of Tamil Elam’s (TGTE) radio broadcast cannot be blocked according Anusha Palpitta, Director General of the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC). Palpitta said that the TGTE were broadcasting on a shortwave frequency, and as such their signal could not be blocked by the TRC. He explained that the TRC did posses the equipment which would allow them to block such a signal, but added that the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation did. more..

Mar 27 (SL) Family members of the 17 aid workers killed in Muttur in 2006 continue to “live in fear”, while little news has surfaced of the newly launched investigations into the killings. Attorney-at-law, K. S. Ratnavale, who had previously represented the families of the aid workers at the Presidential Commission hearing, said that although his involvement with the case was over, he was still in touch with the families. “As far as I know, the family members have not more..

Mar 27 (PTI) Sri Lanka on Sunday dismissed a US report that questioned the human rights record of its police and security forces, saying that the situation in the island nation is "better than most of the countries with five star democracies". Colombo's reaction came after the State Department report alleged that "a number of suspects detained by police or other security forces died under questionable circumstances, there were several instances in which more..

May 27 (NF) The police say that they are to apprehend UNP Parliamentarian Dunesh Gankanda for allegedly assaulting an individual and biting his nose. Police Media Spokesperson , SP Ajith Rohana said that the said assault had taken place last night at a hotel in Colpetty. A forty one year old businessman who sustained serious injuries has been admitted to the National Hospital. The Colpetty Police has commenced further investigations into the incident.

May 27 (SM) Describing the appointment of a parliamentary select committee to find a solution to the national question as a positive step forward, the JHU says it will take part in the process. JHU MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera has told BBC Sandeshaya that for the first time, a PSC is now able to look at the issue with an open mind. He said that the LTTE had not allowed the mainstream Tamil leaders to take part in the previous PSCs. The discussions on the LLRC report more..

May 27 (Hindu) As Tamil politics in Sri Lanka totters on the brink of indecision that’s steadily leading it to irrelevance, the TNA leader R. Sampanthan was re-elected leader of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi at its 14th National Convention in the Eastern headquarter town of Batticaloa on Saturday. Maavai Senathirajah was elected party general secretary. ITAK is the most important constituent of the TNA. The TNA is the lone credible voice of Tamils in the Northern Province. more..

May 28 (SL) How many hundreds of millions were spent on the Vesak celebrations this year? I know i sound like a wet blanket. Why can’t I just chillax and enjoy the party? Incidentally, do Sri Lankans party to forget everything else, or do we forget everything else when we party? That question is purely academic, but the government knows the only important answer. Give us a party and we are ready to forget, and at least temporarily forgive, anything. High fuel prices? more..

May 28 (SL) The 2012 Olympics this July will be the third that London hosts, and no doubt will produce its share of dramas and controversies – but they won’t be anything like what its first hosting, in 1908, threw up. It was extraordinary for more reasons than one. The history of modern Olympics, beginning in 1896, records two major politically-inspired boycotts: the USA and the West European countries stayed away from the 1980 Moscow Games, and then more..

May 28 (NS) He was among the notable faces who were absentees at the UNP’s May Day rally in Jaffna. Though he boycotted the event in Jaffna and was present at the commemoration of late President Ranasinghe Premadasa in Colombo. Questioned over the outcome of his decision he said Jaffna rally was a “tremendous opportunity” for the party. His removal from the party’s Working Committee, he introduces as one of the “normal issues in politics”. more..

May 28 (SL) This column, dedicated to the notion of fulfilling the aspirations of Sri Lankan society, turns its spotlight on the deteriorating health services in Sri Lanka as Sri Lankan society would aspire for an efficient health service in Sri Lanka. The media reported last week that the Colombo District Court issued an enjoining order preventing the Government Medical Officers’ Association from launching a strike action, over transport allowances. The enjoining order was issued by Honourable Dammika Ganepala, District Judge of Colombo after more..

May 28 (SL) Let me give you the ‘good news’ first. The Presidential message, sans the usual bombast but replete with similar half-truths, was very mild in comparison with what one has come to expect from previous teleprompter-aided orations from Our Beloved Leader (OBL). Some unkind souls have suggested that this is thanks to the US (and perhaps India) telling the Rajapaksa govt to turn down the volume. But the piece de resistance of the good news scenario was more..

May 28 (NS) Minister Champika Ranawaka says no foreign pressure involved behind the release of former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka. “Various forces are now trying to portray this was done due to foreign pressure. This is done by the President himself,” he said in an interview to The Nation speaking about Fonseka’s release and the situation in the Power and Energy sector. Following are excerpts: Q. How do you view the release of Sarath Fonseka? more..

May 28 (ST) External developments will have a significant impact on the Sri Lankan economy this year. While a few international developments have turned favourable recently, others are unfavourable. International oil prices have shown signs of decreasing in recent weeks owing to reduced demand for oil from European countries and increased supplies from Saudi Arabia and other oil-producing countries. If this trend continues then there would be significant more..

May 28 (SO) The ghastly slaying of three members of the same family came as a terrible shock to the villagers of Kulugammana - Kurundugahamada in the Katugastota area last week. A soldier who went berserk over a love affair he had with a girl in the village shot dead her father, mother and the girl herself and committed suicide by shooting himself with the same T-56 firearm. The tragic incident took place on May 19 around 1.30 a.m. The soldier decided to wipe out the entire more..

May 28 (LB) Former army chief Sarath Fonseka, recently released from prison says he is prepared to go to jail again and again until the ‘people are free.’ “People should be able to enjoy full range of freedoms. I think it would take at least ten years to reach there. Perhaps to achieve that, I would have to go to jail couple of more times. But it is worth,” Fonseka said in an interview with Ranga Jayasuriya of LAKBIMAnEWS. more..

May 28 (Island) Time was when the military used to carry out controlled explosions to disable dangerous explosive devices. Now that thankfully terrorism is a thing of the past, the security forces are free from such risky jobs. But, the govt is apparently trying its hand at this method to render political time bombs safe. A collective of pro-govt trade unions is reportedly planning to stage a protest campaign to secure a pay hike and protect democracy, among other things. more..

May 28 (CT) “The meme is the gene’s cultural analogue. It is a replicator and a propagator. An idea, a fashion, a chain letter, a conspiracy theory… They are not to be thought of as elementary particles, but as organisms. Dawkins would say we are their vehicles and their enablers. For most of our biological history, their main mode of transmission was through word of mouth… Now they propagate via broadcast towers and digital networks. They are self-replicating patterns of information.” more..

May 28 (FT) A host of queries by the Auditor General’s Department over the appointment of Rumy Jauffer as the Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) has opened a fresh episode of bad governance in the public sector. The Daily FT learns that the post of SLTPF Managing Director under the Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005 is of permanent cadre within the scheme of recruitment approved by more..

May 28 (Island) Pakistan’s national cricket team will arrive in the island today for a six week tour during which period they will play three Test Matches, five ODIs and two T-20s. This will be Pakistan’s seventh tour of Sri Lanka and following their recent successes, which includes a three nil whitewash against England and triumph in the Asia Cup, they will be buoyant against a Sri Lankan side that has lacked consistency, particularly in Test cricket. In Dav Whatmore, the tourists have someone who knows the opposition quite well more..

May 28 (DN) President Mahinda Rajapaksa advised govt officials to increase the use of organic fertiliser in paddy cultivation rather than use chemical fertiliser. The President advised govt officials to purchase organic fertiliser, which is manufactured by various organisations, including local govt institutions, farmers’ organisations etc and distribute it among farmers free of charge. Speaking on organic farming at the Polonnaruwa District Development meeting, more..

May 28 (FT) Some cracks have appeared within the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), just less than six months under new Chairman Tilak Karunaratne. The Chairman has written to the Finance Ministry that senior Commissioner P. Jayawardena must be removed from the SEC. The reason cited was non-attendance of the Commissioners Meeting on three consecutive occasions. The SEC Act states that absence on three consecutive meetings by an appointed more..

May 28 (Hindu) Never seen one of these as a taxi on the roads in India! Tata's Nano is increasingly seen on the roads of Colombo as a public transport vehicle. Not that the numbers of Nano taxis on the road can supplant the bigger cabs of other makes anytime soon, but the numbers are sufficient enough for people to notice. Just the other day a group of European tourists were seen hiring a Nano. Asked how four of them would fit into the tiny car, they got in to demonstrate. And added that they were riding it for the fun of it; more..

May 28 (FT) The recent decision by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to ignore the AG’s Department and retain private counsel to defend itself in a case has caused some dissatisfaction within. Some viewed it as an irregular practice, raising serious concern. The SEC has to retain the Attorney General as its legal counsel and in the event of opting for private counsel, needs AG’s Department clearance. The case revolves around business tycoon more..

May 28 (FT) Last week’s resignation of Dr. Nalaka Godahewa from three tourism entities whilst remaining Tourism Development Authority Chairman as exclusively reported by the Daily FT is being linked by industry circles as a direct fallout with Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera. The strained relationship between the Tourism Chief and subject Ministry Secretary (Treasury Chief Dr. Jayasundera is also the Secretary to to the Ministry of Economic Development), is well known and more..

May 28 (Island) The Ministry of Finance and Planning has criticised the domestic banking sector for ignoring the real economy over imports, calling on the sector’s regulator, the Central Bank, to bring about a change in attitude. New loans to the private sector generated from the domestic banking sector amounted to Rs. 487.7 billion in 2011, a huge increase from new loans amounting to Rs. 290 billion created in 2010 but the Treasury said the bulk of those loans were for imports. more..

May 28 (TS) LOO Say Beng, 56, has always been involved in community work one way or another, such as joining the Kiwanis Club in the 1980s and helping out, whether in terms of physical strength, planning or raising funds. “It started with the Kiwanis Club. After that, I felt I wanted to move on to other organisations or charities which could benefit from my efforts,” said Loo, who is the executive director of Kencana Technologies, an engineering and project management outfit in PJU 1, Petaling Jaya. more..

May 28 (AT) Ambassador Tamara Kunanayakam, presently the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka Mission in Geneva had categorically stated that she is no more interested in holding any diplomatic position. She said that she is not going to accept the position of Ambassador either to Cuba or Brazil and also not interested in continuing as the Head of the Permanent Mission in Geneva. When Asian Tribune asked of the compelling reasons more..

May 28 (CI) There was a galaxy of former Indian cricketers in attendance, the brightest lights from Bollywood were in the stands, both teams had some of the biggest stars in the world game but the headlining performance came from little-known Manvinder Bisla as Kolkata Knight Riders prised the IPL trophy out of Chennai Super Kings' hands. Bisla, who was without a Ranji Trophy side last season, made a mockery of his previous career Twenty20 strike-rate of 106 to play a jack-in-the-box innings that more..

May 28 (DN) Despite the government’s call to participate in the Parliament Select Committee to discuss measures for a political solution to the national issue, the Tamil National Alliance is yet to announce its official position regarding its participation in the Committee. TNA MP Suresh Premachandra yesterday told the Daily News that their party has not decided about having talks with the government on participating in the Parliament Select Committee(PSC) sessions. more..

May 28 (CT) An estimated 75 rehabilitated ex-LTTE cadres will be handed over to their relatives at a function on 2 June in Vavuniya, according to the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Brigadier Darshana Hettiarachchi. The beneficiaries as they are known have undergone training in carpentry, masonry, electrical wiring, outboard motor repair and plumbing, enabling them to engage in employment in these fields once they enter society. more..

May 28 (Island) A ceremony to hand over, A Guide Book for capacity building of principals in primary schools, written by Prof. Cho Il Yeon, Korean primary education expert, was held at the Ministry of Education recently with the participation of H.M. Gunasekera, the Secretary and other officials from the Ministry of Education. Cho, Sang-Woo, Resident Representative of KOICA, Prof. Cho, Il Yeon and KOICA represented Korea. As part of the World Friends Advisor (WFA) more..

May 28 (DN) The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) is planning to issue licences to residents of Pugoda for gold mining in the Kelani River bed (on the Pugoda side) following the discovery of a small gold deposit in the area. Licences will be issued on certain conditions and the mining has to be done under the strict supervision of GSMB officials, chairman Dr N P Wijayananda said. He said the GSMB arrived at this decision following discussions with residents and govt administrators of the area. more..

May 28 (CT) The UNP is preparing a draft to be presented to Parliament through a private member’s motion seeking the restoration of former army chief Sarath Fonseka’s civic rights. The motion is being drafted by a team of party’s legal experts including President’s Counsel Wijedasa Rajapakse, Attorney at law Lakshman Kiriella and Attorney Ajith P. Perera. MP Kiriella said the motion will be moved in Parliament sometime next month and more..

May 28 (Island) North Western Blacks saved all their energy to dispense at the precise point and thus came out with a stupendous performance to beat Sothern Sharks 41 points to 7 in a lopsided affair in the Carlton Super Sevens Sri Lanka 2012 first leg that came to a conclusion at the Bogamabra Stadium yesterday. The International rugby stars combined well for the Blacks to dole out the spectators some world class rugby. They made the Sharks who ran out of strategy more..

May 28 (AT) Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam MLA and Actor-Producer Arun Pandian has visited Jaffna secretly. Karunamoorthy of Aiyngaran films international accompanied him. Arun Pandiyan is an MLA of the Tamil Nadu State Legislative Assembly elected on the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) led by actor turn politician Vijayakanth, presently the leader of the opposition in the Assembly. Vijayakanth and his DMDK are said to be strong LTTE supporters and involved in more..

May 28 (Island) The Tourism industry is buzzing with the new appointments to the key positions in the state tourism arm by the Treasury Secretary P.B.Jayasundara allegedly with controversial characters. Industry sources claimed that posts of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau and Chairman ,Sri Lanka Convention Bureau would be filled by former UPFA MP and film producer Neil Rupasinghe, Director General of Zoological Gardens, Bhaswara Senaka Gunaratne. more..

May 28 (Island) University teachers would take several key decisions pertaining to the salary issue and the admission of their children to popular schools among other things at the executive committee meeting of the Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) scheduled to be held tomorrow at the Colombo University. FUTA President Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri told The Island that they would discuss the University Grants Commission Chairman’s decision to call for more..