Apr 21 (SO) An idealist in his own way, he has carefully tiptoed the minefield of politics having avoided the extremes. Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa in his amiable approach to problems has won the heart of even his rivals in politics. The Minister said while sympathising with the victims of the Boston bomb explosion, he would like to tell America that terrorism has to be checked militarily as there is no other means of eradicating it. more..

Apr 21 (ST) The JVP has called upon electricity consumers not to pay their bills and to get on to the streets to protest against the Govt’s decision this week to sharply raise tariffs. Many consumers will have to pay as much as 60% more than their present bills. One might argue that it was the Govt that recently ignored a Supreme Court ruling showing disregard for the law, but the JVP’s call is for civil disobedience; a serious call. No doubt, the JVP has seen its popularity plunge in more..

Apr 21 (NS) This week, the famous Boston marathon in the United States was disrupted by a bomb attack that killed three persons and injured dozens of others. The attack proved that even the world’s sole superpower is not immune from terrorism. The international media went into overdrive focusing all its attention on the attack, but Sri Lankans could be pardoned for wondering what all the fuss was about because for years, it had seen such attacks that killed hundreds in an instant more..

Apr 21 (SO) Politicians normally take a break from national politics during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year period and opt to spend the season in their villages. Yet, certain politicians prefer to spend the New Year season with their families or loved ones. Contrasting characteristics of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has always been evident, especially during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year. While Ranil opts for an overseas holiday, more..

Apr 21 (NS) The week began with a bad message which said that US has made a proposal to cut down its aid to Sri Lanka. But the Government was seen pooh-poohing the proposal. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s reply to an article published in ‘The Hindu’ was the talking point during New Year celebrations. The main figures in the government President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa celebrated the New Year at the family’s ancestral residence. more..

Apr 21 (SL) President of the Inter Company Employees’ Union (ICEU), Wasantha Samarasinghe says that the people are now feeling the economic crisis faced by the country. He noted that the govt has failed to properly administer the economy. “The country’s economy is now defunct and the people are being burdened as a result,” he said, adding that the US proposal to cut 20% of its aid to Sri Lanka would have an more..

Apr 21 (Island) Not even the Greek tragedies have been as spectacular in unraveling horrors, pathos, and innumerable nuances which ties up the plot in so many complex sub plots as in the case of Sri Lanka since May 2009. Sri Lanka unfortunately seems to have had the penchant to overlook the soft seductive peace that came wafting into the country immediately after May 19, 2009. The end of the war did bring about a countervailing atmosphere of positive expectations for the activation of more..

Apr 21 (ST) My Dear Barack Obama, I thought I must write to you because these are difficult times for you when terrorists are exploding bombs on your streets and killing innocent people during the Boston Marathon and you are trying to figure out what on earth is going on in what is supposed to be the most powerful country in the world. We do sympathise with you and your country at your loss, Obama. Bombs exploding at random and killing innocent people is what terrorism is all about more..

Apr 21 (SL) UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake says that the proposed 20% aid cut by the US to Sri Lanka has come at a time when the country’s economy is in a precarious situation. He observed that Sri Lanka seems to be losing aid from many areas and that it was mostly from the country’s friends. “There have been cuts happening for a while. The country lost the labour GSP and now this,” he said, adding that the only remedial action would be more..

Apr 21 (SL) The Security Forces have resumed security checks at Elephant pass since last week. It is believed that the Army has commenced these security checks at the Elephant Pass road block, subsequent to the repeated attacks on the Uthayan newspaper in Jaffna recently. Military spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya however said that these were random security checks that were being carried out for the safety of the civilians. “This road block has been in existence but regular more..

Apr 21 (SL) The children recovered from an orphanage in Tissamaharama are staying in two rented houses as the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) looks into providing them with counselling. The children were removed from the orphanage ‘Agape’ after allegations surfaced that they had been forced to participate in animal slaughter. Eighty children are being housed in the two residences, while another 10 boys over 18 years old were admitted to an orphanage in more..

Apr 21 (ST) Anyone could use the most flowery language or the most number of adjectives on any other national past time in Sri Lanka. Yet the game of cricket is the most deep rooted in this tiny island nation by far. The game of cricket has somewhat shaped the nation to what it is now where the 21st century is concerned. All Lankans are proud of what Sri Lanka’s cricket has achieved within the boundary lines and sometimes also what more..

Apr 21 (ST) Young professionals of Sri Lanka’s shipping industry have come together to form a new association to develop the younger generation in the shipping and logistics sector. The Young Shipping Professionals of Ceylon Association of Ships’ Agents (CASA) will be launched in May 10 aimed at developing talent, skills and experiences of the youth membership of CASA, to meet the country’s future human resource needs in the rapidly evolving field of shipping and logistics, more..

Apr 21 (ST) British Airways (BA), which resumed flights to Colombo on Monday after a 15-year break, says the pull out was for commercial reasons and not due to security concerns relating to the conflict. “Our suspending flights in 1998 were purely for commercial considerations and load factors. It had nothing to do with security or the war. We believe today, commercially, it makes sense to fly here,” Keith Williams, BA CEO told the Business Times in Colombo. more..

Apr 21 (ST) Trade unions are considering a nationwide agitation campaign over rising power tariffs this month while Sri Lankan companies are divided on whether to absorb the cost or pass it to consumers. The new tariffs effective from April 12 see power rates up from 5% to a phenomenal 60%, depending on the user. Small and medium-scale industries could be affected by as much as 60%. more..

Apr 21 (NS) The govt last week condemned the moves of the TNA calling on India to press Sri Lanka for an interim administration in a merged North and Eastern provinces. And, reiterated that such mechanisms should be discussed with the regime and not outside entities. The TNA recently urged India to press the govt to establish an interim administration in the North and East that should be monitored by India or the UN. The call was made when the TNA flanked by Bishop of Mannar more..

Apr 21 (NS) The govt has gone back on its stated policy on sugar production as evidenced by a Gazette notification issued this month which indicated that it aimed to set up a sugar refinery and import raw sugar. According to the Gazette notification dated April 02, 2013 the govt had amended the Strategic Development Projects Act: No 14 of 2008. The above dated extraordinary Gazette notification claims that the aim to set up a refinery was to “import raw sugar for refining more..

Apr 21 (Island) In a significant boost to proposed foreign investment in exploiting Sri Lanka’s sub-surface mineral wealth, the govt is contemplating conducting a fresh aerial geophysical survey after a span of more than 50 years. "We are awaiting the green light from the Treasury to go ahead with this vital task, the cost of which runs into millions of dollars", says Minister Susil Premajayantha. more..

Apr 21 (LB) The JHU says that casinos are not necessary to promote the country's tourism sector. The Buddhist nationalist party has said that the party opposes any move to set up casinos in the country and that the country should not be the hub of betting and gaming. JHU General Secretary, Minister Champika Ranawaka has said that the island is blessed by mother nature with many scenic sites and there was no need for casinos to promote tourism. Countries that did not have any more..

Apr 21 (ST) The 2012 Central Bank (CB) report reflects a sharp drop in total health expenditure as a proportion of GDP over the last decade. Health expenditure as a percentage of GDP stands at 1.31% as at 2012 compared to 1.51% in 2003 dropping by 0.2% over a 10 year period. However there has been an upward trend in absolute expenditure in recent years with a four fold increase in current expenditure from 2003-2012 and an increase by 215% in capital expenditure more..

Apr 21 (ST) Special laws have been promulgated to help owners of motorcycles with engine capacity up to as much as 1000cc to retain their bikes for what is termed “sports purposes.” A Govt Gazette was rushed to print this week giving effect to this new govt policy coinciding with President Rajapaksa announcing that new speed limits would be worked out because of the new roads that have been built across the country. more..

Apr 21 (SO) Vietnam’s Communist Party’s deputy head of the Commission for External Relations, Nguyen Huy Tang said that Vietnam wound stand by Sri Lanka in the event of any challenge thrown at her internationally by Western countries. He was speaking at a discussion with Minister Wimal Weerawansa at his Ministry recently. Tang had told the Minister that in the efforts to further strengthen the historical ties between the two countries, Vietnam Govt would defend SL’s cause in more..

Apr 21 (ST) President Rajapaksa said that elections to the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) would be held in September this year but the date of the poll would be decided based on the advice of his astrologer. “My astrologer gives me a winning time and I will decide on the basis on what he says,” the President said at a ceremony yesterday in Welioya to hand over deeds of Mahaweli lands to people in the area. President Rajapaksa also said that not many people complained when more..

Apr 21 (Island) Sri Lanka’s gross reserves of US $ 6.9 billion by end 2012 comprised of borrowed funds and not net earnings, says Dr. Saman Kelegama, Executive Director of IPS. Irrespective of currency depreciation after Feb 2012 and enhancing import tariffs on certain items, for example, motor vehicles, the current account deficit did not reduce significantly because of unsatisfactory performance of exports, more..

Apr 21 (Hindu) While fishermen of India and Sri Lanka are often being held by each other’s navy for illegal fishing activity, crew members of three Indian naval ships — INS Sujatha and INS Tarangini, and ICGS Varuna of the Indian Coast Guard — have been interacting with their counterparts here over the last few days. On Saturday, as many as 250 trainees with the Sri Lankan Navy were on board the Indian ships for ‘sea experience,’ in navy parlance. While two vessels are scheduled to more..

Apr 21 (SL) Former LTTE media coordinator Daya Master may contest the elections in the north in September. When contacted, he refused to confirm or deny such a move but said he will respond within the course of the week. If he does contest, he will become the third most prominent former rebel to enter politics in Sri Lanka. Earlier former LTTE Eastern Commander Karuna Amman entered parliament through the ruling party while former LTTE member S Chandrakanthan alias more..

Apr 21 (CT) In a bizarre turn of events, some 'sandalwood' plants distributed among the locals some two years back, by the Forest Department of the Southern Province, have now been identified as coca plants, best known for its psychoactive narcotic, cocaine. The discovery has been made by a research team led by a professor attached to the Uni of Peradeniya. Worse still, the weed has also been laboriously planted as more..

Apr 21 (CT) TNA MP Suresh Premachandran was questioned by the CID on Friday, over a recent comment he made to an Indian newspaper over the military's presence in Jaffna. Premachandran said he was informed by the CID through the Kopay Police in Jaffna to be present at the CID Headquarters in Colombo on 12 April. However, he had informed the CID of his inability to be in Colombo on 12 April, and had therefore been asked to be present on Friday to face an inquiry. more..

Apr 21 (LB) A trade union affiliated to JVP says that the salaries of the working masses should be increased by Rs. 15,000 forthwith, to be on par with the rising cost of living. The National Trade Union Center (NTUC) states that the salaries of the public and private sector workers should be increased as the increase in electricity tariffs would have a direct impact on the overall increase in the cost of living. President of the NTUC, K D Lal Kantha has said that although the union had earlier demanded more..

Apr 21 (ST) Rise in electricity tariffs given shocks even to cabinet have ministers. At their weekly meeting on Thursday, Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara urged President Rajapaksa to convene a separate cabinet meeting to discuss the matter. Rajapaksa surveyed those seated before him to locate Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi. Noting that she was absent, he told Nanayakkara he would speak to her and let him know. more..

Apr 21 (AGI) The explosion in Catania which caused the death of a 42-year-old Sri Lankan woman, Maduri Warnacula, is believe to have been planned. Her husband, 45-year-old Sarath Moragoda, almost died from the burns caused by the ensuing fire in their home. Firemen discovered that the woman's hands and feet had been bound. Police officers from the piazza Dante district, coordinated by deputy prosecutor Agata Santonocito, are investigating the scene. more..

Apr 21 (CG) A train rammed into a bus at Rockland junction in Beruwala late this evening injuring at least 23 people. Acting police media spokesman SSP Priyashantha Jayakody said that the accident had taken place at an unprotected level crossing. He said that the bus was heading back to Kandy with a group of people after a function when the accident took place. The train was heading to Galle from Colombo when it crashed into the bus at the level crossing. more..

Apr 21 (TP) A top Sri Lankan minister who was here for New Year celebrations of his countrymen said Colombo needs to get tough with manpower agencies. The Minister Wimal Weerawansa said that he met many Sri Lankans in Doha who were cheated by manpower agencies in Colombo. Although the minister was on an unofficial visit, he met many Sri Lankans residing in Doha, including low income workers. more..

Apr 21 (ST) The United States has pruned down International Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance to Sri Lanka. The budgetary allocation which remained at US$ 690,000 in 2012 has been reduced to US$ 626,000 for 2014. This reduction is one of the highlights for Sri Lanka in the Executive Budget Summary (Function 150 & other international programmes) for the fiscal year 2014. It was presented by Secretary of State John more..

Apr 21 (SL) The Rajapaksa govt last week faced several setbacks locally and internationally. The US govt proposed a 20% aid cut to Sri Lanka and the Rajapaksa govt came under pressure from the Muslim countries to act against the anti-Muslim campaign being carried out in the country. Also, the Commonwealth lawyers passed a resolution at a conference in South Africa calling for the withdrawal of the CHOGM scheduled more..

Apr 21 (Island) Major General Shavendra Silva yesterday said that a recent statement attributed to top UNHRC official Ben Ammerson, QC, that America’s covert drone programme risked legitimizing al-Qaeda terrorism meant that those using the global rights body to undermine post-war Sri Lanka could be at the receiving end of the same apparatus. British lawyer Ammerson’s statement was given wide international media coverage more..

Apr 21 (NS) Bishop of Mannar, Most Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph said he never stood for the separation of the country nor rejected any viable political solution to the national question. The Bishop made this statement in response to the lead story published in The Nation last week titled “Mannar Bishop, TNA Resurrect LTTE’s ISGA Demand”. Following is the full text of his response. My attention has been drawn to the news more..

Apr 21 (Island) The govt has paved the way for fresh negotiations with the IMF by clearing what UNP MP Ajith P Perera called the main obstacle for further assistance from the international lending agency. Attorney-at-law Perera said that the IMF had been stepping up pressure on the govt to sharply increase the electricity tariff regardless of political consequences to improve the viability of state-run CEB and the CPC. more..

Apr 21 (NS) Making a first in Sri Lankan corporate history, Lankan corporates and government institutions are to take stern action against employees sprouting religious hatred, sexually derogatory remarks and abuse through social media. Research showed that many individuals casting sexually deragotary, abusive and racial hatred incitingremarks were employees of respected Sri Lankan Corporates. more..