June 4 (LG) "There is no evidence of Pakistan military participating in the war [with the LTTE]. Pakistan provided only small arms to Sri Lanka. The relations are cordial between the two military forces," Sohail Mahmood, a Professor and Chairman of the Department of International Relations, National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad said in an interview with the Sri Lanka Guardian. more..

June 4 (DM) Independent of the purported procedural flaws that the TNA parliamentary delegation might have committed in not obtaining prior permission for visiting the Manik Farm IDP camp in the North, the episode has left a bad taste in the mouth. Considering that the TNA team met other IDPs at the same time, it may have shown up the kind of communication gap at the Government-level even after the exit of Gen Sarath Fonseka. more..

June 4 (DM) Someone once said that it would be a great day when Education in a country got all the money it needed and the Military had to hold a bake-sale to buy equipment. With the opposition highlighting the cute in the education budget many in Sri Lanka would agree. Some are of the view that it is this lax budget that is responsible for the poor results of the ordinary level examination to the discrimination shown at grade one admissions. more..

June 4 (N360) The UNP today condemned the military action by Israel against the flotilla of ships carrying aid to the people in the Gaza strip. Issuing a statement the Deputy Leader of the UNP Karu Jayasuriya stated, “The United National Party condemns the extremely disproportionate use of force by the Government of Israel against the flotilla of ships carrying aid to the besieged and impoverished population of Gaza strip”. more..

June 4 (IL) I have known Mahinda Rajapaksa as a Lawyer, Politician and friend. Through the years of our friendship and through the experience he gained through many political tidal waves and his survival to become the Leader of the Nation, inspired me tremendously and he soon became my mentor. President Mahinda Rajapaksa knows not fear. He has no doubts. more..

June 4 (HT) In a step that can irk its Tamil Nadu partners, the UPA government is moving towards balancing its approach between the Tamils and Sinhalese in Sri Lanka, aimed at addressing the view that New Delhi’s interests in the island nation are Tamil-centric. The China factor, too, has triggered this change in mindset. New Delhi wants to delay the opening of its consulate in the Tamil-dominate Jaffna to coincide it more..

June 4 (PTI) Bollywood star Salman Khan accompanied by Sri Lankan beauty queen Jacqueline Fernandez visited a project site to build homes for the people displaced by the three-decade long civil war. The 43-year-old actor, who is participating in the IIFA weekend said, "Many people lost their lives or have been displaced due to war and constructing 100 homes is a commendable and a good start." more..

June 4 (TOI) After being sucked unwittingly into the vortex of the Tamil-Sinhala conflict, the IIFA Awards in Colombo saw the seeds of another clash being sown on its opening day. Salman Khan, who’s been the face of this year’s event, lashed out at superstar Amitabh Bachchan for giving the awards a miss despite being the brand ambassador. “Mr Bachchan is the brand ambassador of the event, he should have been present here. more..

June 4 (GV) I had not intended contributing to Groundviews’s commemoration of the first anniversary of the end of the war, for the simple reason that there having been no movement whatsoever on post-war constitutional reform, I did not wish to add another gripe of a general nature to this ‘liberal echo chamber’ of ours. Two publications in the past few weeks however have persuaded me that perhaps there is something worthwhile to discuss about more..

June 4 (NF) Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga said at a function yesterday that although the war had been won, peace had not been won as yet. Ms. Kumaratunga was speaking at a function in Colombo where two books written in line with the completion of 22 years since the establishment of provincial councils in the country and the completion of a year since the establishment of more..

June 4 (LB) Every year groups of students who enter universities in Sri Lanka get ragged. Some mildly. Some severely. Irrespective of the severity of the ragging they face, the experience is disturbing to these young students fresh out of school. Some students are capable of putting it behind them and getting on with their university education, some decide to go home never to return, some need time to recover in a hospital and some go home in a coffin. more..

June 4 (NF) Recent excavations carried out in the vicinity of the sacred grounds of Pahiyangala have revealed swathes of earth considered to be the oldest habitat of South Asia's modern man. These swathes of earth are considered to be over 40,000 years old. The Pahiyangala Cave, situated 400 metres above sea level in the Kalutara district, is considered as unique for its archaeological significance. more..

June 4 (National) As China’s influence in Sri Lanka grows, India is seeking to play bigger role in its southern neighbour and is putting pressure on Colombo to sign a trade agreement, diplomatic sources said. “There is some concern by India that it doesn’t have the kind of role that China is playing in Sri Lanka in the military, political and economic context. That appears to be a source of concern for Indian authorities,” more..

June 4 (wsws) External Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris visited Washington last week to patch up relations with the US and fend off continuing demands for an international investigation into the war crimes carried out by the Sri Lankan military in the final stages of its war against the separatist LTTE. As part of his five-day visit, Peiris met with UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon to oppose his plans to appoint an independent panel into the Sri Lankan atrocities. more..

June 4 (MoD) The Government will assist farmers to cultivate 60,000 acres of paddy lands in the Northern Province in the next Maha season. The Government has identified 122,418 acres of paddy lands which were not cultivated for 30 years due to the war. After the demining process is completed and providing infrastructure facilities, the government will encourage farmers to cultivate 56,000 acres in the Kilinochchi District and more..

June 4 (DN) A robust democracy needs an effective opposition. ‘Effective’ is wrongly read as the success rate in attempts at derailing. In other words, some people think, erroneously, that it is only if the Opposition can throw sand in the wheels of the Government that it deserves the tag ‘effective’. I am not talking about a kakulen adina (tripping) Opposition but one which knows when to and how to praise and how to blame, when and how to support and when and how to criticize one which upholds the more..

June 4 (LP) Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Zhang Dejiang, is scheduled to undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from the 10th to 12th June 2010. Vice Premier Dejiang was an alternate member of the 14th CPC Central Committee and a member of the 15th CPC Central Committee. He was also a member of the Politburo of the 16th CPC Central Committee and more..

June 4 (GDI) Two new sections have been introduced to the Physics Department of the Peradeniya University for the 2009/ 2010 academic year by the University Grants Commission. The new sections are Nano Science, Advanced Nano Science and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. Meanwhile two more sections had been introduced last year called Polymer Physics and Computational Physics. more..

June 4 (LP) The foreign representatives for Sri Lanka say that Sri Lanka has stepped onto a new path of development through religious harmony. The foreign envoys for Sri Lanka conveyed this message to the Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne at the Italian National Day celebrations held at the World Trade Center Wednesday evening. The Italian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Rubbens Anna Fedele while more..

June 4 (PSM) The Kalmunai Social Development Research Centre in its report last week has said education among the Muslims of the eastern province has dropped considerably compared to the past. The achievement of Muslim students of the eastern province has been reduced during the past five years compared to the period when there were lesser facilities for education. The report has emphasised the urgency of intellectuals, social organisations and more..

June 4 (MoD) Sri Lanka Navy has extended the canal boat service to the General Public with effect from 1st June 2010. An especially modified "Lagoon Craft" has now been launched with 06 other passenger boats along Kirulapona Canal between Wellawatte and Nawala for public convenience. People can now travel to their desired destinations with minimum hassle. more..

June 4 (MoD) Though the terrorist outfit LTTE was defeated we still face challenges after the war. We still discuss security concerns with Indian officials openly, Mass Media and Communication Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said. Addressing a press conference at the information ministry auditorium, he said some diaspora elements and UN human Rights High Commissioner Navaneethan Pillay were supporting the LTTE. more..

June 4 (GDI) President Mahinda Rajapaksa pays homage at the Kataragama Sacred City. The President arrived at the sacred site last morning and paid homage at the Kirivehera. Its Chief Incumbent, the Ven. Dr. Aluthwewa Soratha thera chanted seth pirith and showered blessings on the President. Thereafter he joined in a religious ceremony at the Kataragama Maha Devale. He seized the opportunity of receiving blessings by more..

June 4 (LP) Sri Lanka and India are two Asian nations abundantly blessed by nature and god above with beautiful women Sri Lanka outdoes her big neigbhour because of the unique natural environment that lends a frame to the beautiful portrait of Sri Lankan women so much so that the eligible handsome Indian bachelor Vivek Oberoi has fallen for our women, head over heels- Thank God for our women. Being handsome and beautiful is more than an adjective. more..

June 4 (Island) The government is planning to sign the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India by the end of this year, but not before revising the existing draft after consulting various stakeholders, a senior minister said. CEPA will take centre stage during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to India and the government intends to sign the agreement later this year, more..

June 4 (LT) Despite moves for re-organization of the party, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe has been able to consolidate his authority in the UNP reports ‘Lanka Irida.’ According to ‘Lanka Irida’ there was a view that Mr. Wickremesinghe should be removed from the leadership and a new leader appointed. The media had reported that Mr. Sajith Premadasa as well as Mr. Ravi Karunanayake had vied for the leadership of the party. more..

June 4 (LP) SriLankan Airlines is offering up to 30 kilos of free baggage allowance for all economy class passengers who check in to their flights through the Internet at www.srilankan.aero, 5 - 10 kilos more than their regular free baggage allowance! “We don’t want our customers to stand in queues any more, and we are encouraging them to avoid the hassle by checking in through the Internet. more..

June 4 (LP) Professor G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs made use of his presence in Singapore to participate in the Shangri-La Dialogue on security in the region, to have a comprehensive discussion with Sri Lankan Heads of Mission in ASEAN capitals on priorities with regard to their work in the next six months. more..

June 4 (TC) My delegation notes the High Commissioner’s interest on Sri Lanka as contained in her statement. Having seized the opportunity for peace and reconciliation with the end of the terrorist conflict, we in Sri Lanka have now begun to reap its dividends through the meaningful implementation of the necessary measures to ensure they are enjoyed by every citizen of the country. more..

June 4 (LNP) Sports Minister C. B. Ratnayake has stirred up a hornet`s nest with his recent statement about corruption in State institutions. Acting IGP N. K. Illangakoon has taken umbrage over his remark that the police are the second most corrupt in Sri Lanka, the first and the third being the education establishment and the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) respectively. Senior DIG Illangakoon demands that the allegation of corruption against the police be substantiated more..

June 4 (UNP) UNP MP Rosie Senanayake, said, the IIFA awards ceremony was made a failure because of the Govt.’s own weaknesses. Not only the local fans were disappointed by the refusal of the popular actors, Shah Ruk Khan, Amitab Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai to participate at the event, the whole country has suffered a loss because the country’s revenue on ticket sales was impaired. more..

June 4 (DN) J. H. Srimal Tissera of 98/1, ‘Samantha’, Siddhamulla, Piliyandala has invented an environment-friendly portable domestic compact biogas plant which is very handy for household use. Tissera, a past pupil of Thurstan College, Colombo who is no scientist but an ordinary layman claims that his invention perfected through trial and error is more sophisticated but economical than the normal biogas unit for it uses household garbage more..

June 4 (DN) The Most Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakkhita Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter said that he is fully confident that President Mahinda Rajapaksa will not be a signatory to any treaty or agreement that may damage the interest of the motherland. He said the President's record of service amply proved this for he did not succumb to any foreign pressure even at the height of the humanitarian war to liberate the Northern people from the LTTE terrorists clutches. more..

June 4 (LNW) The President had summoned Sports Minister C.B. Ratnayake to Temple Trees and had requested him not to put him in trouble when making statements. The Minister recently told the media that Sri Lanka Cricket was one of the most corrupt institutions in the country third only to the education and police departments. The President had ordered Ratnayake yesterday to reappoint the officials whom he more..

June 4 (DN) The second Power Sri Lanka 2010 International Expo has brought all stakeholders in the power and energy industry under one roof delivering a great networking opportunity. It is focused and devoted to the development of power generation and alternative power, PV power, energy and renewable energy sectors of the country, CEMS - Global, Global Operation Group Director Saheed Sarwar said. more..

June 4 (CT) Leaders of political parties in the government have decided to postpone constitutional amendments to bring in an Upper House or a Senate until next year after a final decision regarding the composition of the senate was not reached, government sources say. The government had earlier decided to table this proposal to Parliament during the first stage of constitutional amendments. The matter was discussed at length when government leaders met, more..