Mar 12 (DM) The 18-year-old student of a leading school in Colombo, who is alleged to have posted fake news on social media on the recent tense situation, was today re-remanded till March 26 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lal Ranasinghe Bandara. When the case was taken up for hearing, the CID informed Court the suspect, a resident of Colombo, had posted offensive messages on social media when the govt had restricted access to social media sites. The suspect was arrested on March 11. more..

Mar 12 (FT) The slogan that is being shouted in an angry loud voice by a minority section of Sri Lanka’s majority Sinhala Buddhist population conveys a non-negotiable message to minorities in the country. It says: Sri Lanka is ours and ours only. All others who wish to live here should do so according to our terms. So, take it or leave it. This type of instinctive behaviour is imbedded in the DNA of lower level animals who operate in packs for reproduction and economic power. more..

Mar 12 (AD) Low pressure area in the vicinity of Sri Lanka is now located to the south of SL and is likely to develop further and move to west- Northwestward, towards the Arabian Sea, Department of Meteorology said. Under the influence of the system and associated with active cloudiness, the possibility for heavy showers or thundershowers, sudden increase of wind speed (up to 70-80 kmph) and sudden roughness in the sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar more..

Mar 12 (AFP) Buddhism may be touted in the West as an inherently peaceful philosophy, but a surge in violent rhetoric from small but increasingly influential groups of hardline monks in parts of Asia is upending the religion's tolerant image. Buddhist mobs in Sri Lanka last week led anti-Muslim riots that left at least three dead and more than 200 Muslim-owned establishments in ruins, just the latest bout of communal more..

Mar 12 (EN) SL shipbuilder Colombo Dockyard said 2017 was yet another tough year for ship yards despite an uptick in orders with a full recovery in its main market still a year or two away. The yard, majority owned by Japan’s Onomichi Dockyard, has been making losses caused by the cancellation of contracts owing to the shipping and oil price slump which hit demand for new ships and repairs. Its sales rose 21% in 2017 from the previous year but it still made a loss, albeit lower than in 2016. more..

Mar 12 (CT) The Ceylon Today carries an interview of Gotabaya Rajapaksa. For the first time Gotabaya Rajapaksa admits that he will run for President in 2020 if he is asked and he would give up his American Citizenship. He also goes on to admit that his sole focus is to safeguard SL’s sovereignty, ensure a united country and the safety of war heroes. Huh? Could you believe that ? So Gotabaya Rajapaksa will give up his American citizenship ONLY if he is running for Presidency of SL! more..

Mar 12 (FT) After a 17-year-long pursuit, Sri Lanka has finally enacted two landmark pieces of legislation that significantly advance the country’s standing in global trade. With this move, Sri Lanka also joins the league of WTO members which keenly looks to offset the possible adverse impact on their domestic industries from trade liberalisation processes. Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties & Safeguard Measures more..

Mar 12 (DM) Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Bryce Hutchesson today said it was time to lift the ban imposed on social media in the country. “Time, overdue, to lift Sri Lanka’s blanket blocking of key social media platforms - a blunt instrument,” Mr. Hutchesson tweeted. Earlier, US Ambassador Atul Keshap too expressed concern over the govt restricting access to certain social media platforms. However, Minister Harin Fernando said the ban would likely be lifted today. more..

Mar 12 (DM) President Sirisena requested for assistance from Eric Solheim, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, to introduce alternate technologies for Sri Lanka to eliminate the negative impact of excessive soil and sand mining in the construction industry. President met with Mr. Solheim on the sidelines of the Int'l Solar Alliance Summit in New Delhi. Mr. Solheim, Norwegian diplomat, earlier worked as a facilitator between SL govt and LTTE during peace talks. more..

Mar 12 (Island) Two solar power projects worth $100 to be set up in Sri Lanka are among the 27 projects worth $1,392.48 million that will be taken up in 15 countries. This was announced at the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) held here today. A sum of $50 million will be spent on developing 2,00,000 rooftop solar units for low income families in the island. A similar sum has been allotted for spending on setting up rooftop solar units in hospitals, schools, colleges and more..

Mar 12 (DM) A 19-year-old youth, whose love affair with a girl from his school ended after a girl from the same school sneaked about them, was arrested for allegedly cutting off a length of hair belonging to a woman he saw on a bus in a classic case of mistaken identity. This incident had taken place on Wednesday (28). The young man was still grieving from the break-up caused by another girl spreading vicious rumours about him and his love. He had been keeping a watch out more..

Mar 12 (FT) Sri Lanka Inc recently made a compelling case to woo more portfolio and direct investments from companies and funds based in Singapore. The platform used for this successful exercise was the Invest Sri Lanka Forum organised by the Colombo Stock Exchange in partnership with and with support from multiple organisations both in SL and Singapore. Over 350 companies, investors and fund managers more..

Mar 12 (Xinhua) Over 230 people have so far been arrested over the communal clashes in Kandy in Central Sri Lanka, including those who were caught spreading hate speech on social media platforms, police said Monday. While the situation in Kandy had returned to normal, tight security would remain for a few more days across the district to maintain law and order. He said further arrests were expected over the next few days and a special desk had been set up at the police headquarters for more..

Mar 12 (DM) It was much fitting to appoint a parliamentary committee to look into the affairs of the recent unrests before a Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) to be appointed over the investigations, SLPP Head Prof. G.L. Peiris said. He said PCoI would not come out with a comprehensive inquiry as it is not comprised of all political parties in Parliament representing all the communities. “We have no objection in appointing a PCoI. But what is urgent now is to have an effective investigation more..

Mar 12 (NR) UPFA MP Udaya Gammanpila says the govt is attempting to gain political mileage through the restriction of the use of Facebook over the recent unrest in the Kandy District. PHU MP Gammanpila said there is no requirement to continue the restriction of social media as a peaceful environment prevails within the country. He stressed the unrest reported in Kandy has been brought under control, more..

Mar 12 (DM) Police recovered several parts of an aircraft from a house of a retired officer of Sri Lanka Air force in Alubomulla, Panadura today, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said. He said the suspect who had 12 year of service in the SL Air force as an aeronautical engineer is now being employed by a private aviation company after retirement. The 42- year-old suspect had claimed the recovered parts were discarded aircraft parts which were purchased from private company. more..

Mar 12 (AD) Minister of Justice Thalatha Atukorale said that a comprehensive investigation into the Kandy incident will be carried out and those found responsible for these attacks will be severely penalized. The Minister made this sentiment while participating at a ceremony to distribute sport equipment in Balangoda. “This Facebook gang which started from Kandy has been spread throughout the country to fulfill the selfish needs and for the existence of a few,” she said. more..

Mar 12 (EN) Some SL banks have raised rates for 12 -month term deposits, which could be an early sign that credit demand may be recovering, and the economy has made a so-called soft landing, analysts say, though there has also been a spike in Treasuries yields. In mid-March publicly traded Sampath Bank raised its 12-month fixed term deposit rate advertised online to 11.5% from 10.5%. DFCC Bank later followed suit, more..

Mar 12 (NR) Department of Registration of Persons says the issuance of National Identity Cards for students sitting the 2018 Ordinary Level examination will commence from April. Accordingly the Department has requested all candidates to submit relevant application forms before the 31st of March. Department stressed a circular containing guidelines in this regard has been issued to all Principals. The NICs will be issued to all candidates who have turned 15 years of age. more..

Mar 12 (DM) Former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said the main reason for most of the issues in the country was the result of following the advice of NGOs rather than seeking advice of the Maha Sanga. The govt was acting on the instructions of the NGOs instead of seeking the advice of the Maha Sanga, Mr. Rajapaksa said at an event in Kandy. “The govt has forgotten religious values, our culture and sovereignty and this has resulted in various issues within different more..

Mar 12 (AFP) Sri Lanka is adopting an advanced software used by football club Barcelona to manage its injury-prone cricketers as the national team trains for the World Cup next year. The island's cricket board hopes the state-of-the-art player management system will restore Sri Lanka's prestige on the world stage after their worst year in international cricket. The board spent $75,000 on the software, adapting it to suit its cricketers. more..

Mar 13 (CT) When July 1983 ethnic program occurred, I was a junior high school student from Colombo. I didn’t have any meaningful understanding of what had happened in the third week of July. But witnessed the looting of properties belong to Tamils in Colombo and burned down bodies by Sinhala-Buddhist extremists (with the help from local cops). That one week horrific violence against the Tamils, negatively affected my own life though I am ethically Moor (Muslims). more..

Mar 13 (CT) Sri Lankans know when there is a riot because the country has witnessed a series of ethnic riots against the Tamils, before the hostilities turned into an organized armed conflict. Sri Lankans also understand pretty well the destructive consequences of such anti-minority violence. Yet, the violence continues. The recent trend of anti-Muslim riots began to unfold ever since the war between the armed forces and the LTTE ended in a stunning military victory for the SL state. more..

Mar 13 (SO) As tensions spiralled into violence on the streets in the Kandy district, the Police came in for major flak for failing to stop the mobs and prevent loss of life and property in the affected areas, as Ministers and Opposition politicos charged that law enforcement had failed the people during the unrest. “Every time this happens, the local level police are failing and it allowed the mob to go berserk,” said Minister Rauff Hakeem, more..

Mar 13 (ST) Whilst the nation is dogged by political instability and totters perilous on the abyss of economic impunity, this week saw communalism’s fiery flames ignite on the hilly streets of the land, in the Buddhist capital of Kandy where the sacred Sri Dalada resides, to make this thrice blessed Lanka thrice blasted; with emergency law laying new siege on the country’s door step and trespassing on its freedoms. As Sinhala mobs from surrounding areas descended on Digana town more..

Mar 13 (ST) Would you believe this! That loquacious Cabinet spokesman seems to have gone into hibernation or some kind of sleep mode in the last three year or so. Replying to a media query at a recent cabinet briefing Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, known to some if not many as Dath dosthara made the astonishing claim that Sri Lanka was not a co-sponsor of UNHRC Resolution 30/1 of 1st October 2015 and in fact did not join some other member states in sponsoring it. more..

Mar 13 (CT) JO MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage says that if Ranil Wickremesinghe loses the premiership tomorrow, Mahendran, Aloysius, and Ravi and everyone else will reveal everything regarding the Bond fraud. Q: You contested the election to make Mahinda Rajapaksa the PM. Many weeks have passed by but aren't you still in the same position? A: This govt worked against the people's mandate for 3 years. more..

Mar 13 (CT) In going back to Ranil's antics with regard to English medium, I should perhaps also sketch in more about the background to understand what had happened. And, first and foremost I should note, since it is claimed that I am unreasonably prejudiced against Ranil, the fact is I voted for his party in the election of Dec 2001. Though President Kumaratunga had fully supported Tara in reintroducing English medium education in the latter part of 2001, by then the writing was more..

Mar 13 (CT) Sri Lanka quickly grabbed the opportunity to be a founder member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), which held its first summit yesterday (March 11) in New Delhi, with the participation of the summit initiators, Indian Premier Narendra Modi, French President Emanuel Macron, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and heads of governments of several countries including Bangladesh, Seychelles, Ghana, Australia, Venezuela, Fiji and Mauritius. more..

Mar 13 (Island) The govt has presented a Bill in Parliament to amend the Judicature Act No. 2 of 1978 so as to make provision for the setting up of a permanent High Court at Bar to hear cases in relation to a wide range of financial and property related offences. The offences which come under this proposed permanent High Court at Bar are specified in the Schedule of the Bill and include virtually all offences in relation to financial and property matters in the existing law. more..

Mar 13 (Island) The mob violence that erupted at Ampara town on Monday February 26, a day after PM Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the stop-gap Minister of Law and Order and followed by violence in Digana, Teldeniya and several other parts of Kandy, independently of the Ampara events, will soon be forgotten, notwithstanding evidence that the extremist attacks in both places appear to be well organised following prior concert. Most Sri Lankans here and those elsewhere across more..

Mar 13 (CI) Manish Pandey and Dinesh Karthik calmly negotiated a tricky middle period to get India their second win in a truncated 19-overs a side Nidahas Trophy fixture. They beat Sri Lanka by six wickets, with 10 balls to spare, and go atop of the points table with one game to play. The win was earlier fashioned by Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur, who bowled tight spells on the face of a proper Sri Lanka counter-attack more..

Mar 13 (Island) News is extremely depressing these days. As if the unfortunate incidents of barbaric communal violence unleashed by extremists in Kandy were not enough, the country has had to brace for the wrath of weather gods. Amidst gloom and doom, there has appeared a ray of hope. An ennobling story has been reported from Anamaduwa, where some rabid extremists strove to ignite flames of ethnic violence, thankfully, without success, on Sunday. more..

Mar 13 (DN) Sri Lanka men’s national hockey team beat Chinese Taipei 4/1 in the semi finals of the Asian Games qualifiers at the Quaaboos Artificial Hockey Turf in Muscat, Oman yesterday. Lankan stickers led 2/1 at half time. After a tough score-less first quarter Lankans took the lead scoring two goals while restricting opponents to one in the following quarter. The other two Lankan goals came in third and fourth quarters respectively. Anuradha Suresh hit the board twice while more..

Mar 13 (ST) Marine biologist Carmel Corea begins her argument against the Port City by quoting Arahat Mahinda who is believed to have told King Devanampiyatissa “the birds and beasts have an equal right to move about in any part of the island as thou and that the island belongs to the people and that thou are only a guardian”. Hands up, I admit that I didn’t delve into the Mahavamsa to confirm the words passed between more..

Mar 13 (CT) Having raised many questions, Sports Ministry has finally given the green light for ten local rugby coaches to go ahead for the World Rugby Level 2 training programme which will be held in Wellington Hurricanes Base from 16-20 April. Last year Sports Ministry had agreed to pump money to support SL Rugby to develop the standard of the local rugby coaches by sending a few of them for overseas training. Then SL Rugby recommended eight coaches to the ministry to follow more..

Mar 13 (Island) In a bid to bring gender diversity to the forefront, a group of high-profile professionals from some of SL's leading technology-driven companies has committed time, effort, and energy towards a series of programmes under Driving Gender Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace. The working group, Diversity Collective, is committed to the advancement of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and promoting the future of young and aspiring female IT students. more..