Mar 18 (CT) Central Bank Governor has admitted that there was a failure by him to communicate with the market. Financial markets operate on information which is why the leakage of inside information and trading on insider information are considered criminal offences in financial markets. Raj Rajaratnam was caught and jailed in USA for this offence as did several others before. But such offences have gone unpunished in the local stock market despite the efforts of Mr. Tilak more..

Mar 18 (CT) Sri Lanka has a tried and tested legal system bequeathed to it by the British. It has produced eminent jurists in the calibre of Neville Samarakoon (QC), who as Chief Justice (CJ), withstood the might of his once good friend, President J.R. Jayewardene by delivering judgments against him, despite Jayewardene's record steamroller five-sixths majority in Parliament and his audacity to say the only thing he cannot do is to "make a man a woman and a woman, man." more..

Mar 18 (CI) The 10 balls that preceded Kumar Sangakkara's final ODI innings were ugly. Promoted to open in the latest of Sri Lanka's surprise moves before this quarter-final, Kusal Perera went after the South Africa quicks like a man with an axe. His innings, replete with violent swipes, a near run out and three streaky runs, ended predictably, via an edge to the keeper. It was a horror start - a gory chainsaw killing. more..

Mar 18 (LBO) Stocks closed 0.2% lower with interest shown in banking and index heavy stocks. The Colombo benchmark All Share Price Index closed at 7,043.90, 13.10 points lower, down 0.19% while the S&P SL20 ended at 4,028.67, 0.63 points lower, down 0.02%. Turnover reached 700 million rupees with, with 34 million shares traded. “Even though the market has continued to fall over the past week market sentiment is good and there was a lot of activity in the banks,” stock brokers said. more..

Mar 18 (Island) The NUF has urged Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne to permit Muslim women nurses to wear the Muslim head covering and Punjabi trousers particularly in hospitals in the Northern and Eastern provinces and to issue an official circular to that effect. The request was made on Monday. NUF leader MM Zuhair PC pointed out that the Muslim dress code had been recognised by the Supreme Court in a recent case he had argued. A senior spokesperson for NUF quoted more..

Mar 18 (ENS) In a major reconciliatory move, President Mathripala Sirisena will be sending a circular to all institutions saying that there is no bar on singing the Lankan national anthem in Tamil. He will thus be lifting an unofficial ban existing since 2010, when President Rajapaksa let it be known that government will frown on singing the anthem in Tamil. Schools and other institutions, which were using the Tamil version of more..

Mar 18 (Island) Deputy Director General of Customs T.R. Ratnasiri and Attorney-at-Law Nagananda Kodituwakku have complained to the Supreme Court that the Commission to Investigate allegations of Bribery or Corruption had not taken action to prevent the former Chief Justice Mohan Peiris from leaving the country to avoid arrest. Peiris is alleged to have delayed, in his capacity as the Attorney General, the hearing of a fundamental rights violation application filed by an officer of the Customs more..

Mar 18 (Island) Then Water Supply, Drainage and Urban Development Ministry has taken steps to supply clean drinking water to areas prone to kidney diseases. Addressing a briefing in connection with the forthcoming World Water Day (March 22), Minister Rauff Hakeem said that the govt was exploring the possibility of desalinating sea water in northern and eastern provinces. He said his ministry was also working on the century old sewerage network of the country. more..

Mar 18 (EN) Sri Lanka's foreign minister Wednesday sought parliamentary approval to strengthen laws against terrorist financing and said a local inquiry into alleged human rights abuses would help create better conditions for foreign investment. Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said the amendments, giving effect to UN regulations on terrorist financing, were in line with the country's international obligations. more..

Mar 18 (CI) Very little had gone Quinton de Kock's way at this World Cup until Kusal Perera edged a Kyle Abbott delivery and he was called into action. De Kock had to dive to his left, across Hashim Amla, stretch out as far as he could and then a little further. As the ball found the glove, it popped out and de Kock reach even further, mid-dive, to ensure he'd caught it. A good catch can be the catalyst for renewing confidence and that may just be what it did for de Kock. more..

Mar 18 (AM) Minister Arjuna Ranatunga was appointed as SLFP Chief Organizer for Attanagalla electorate. Ranatunga announced earlier today that he took membership of the SLFP. He said that he was offered the post of SLFP Organizer in Gampaha District by former president Chandrika Kumaratunga. However, he is yet to accept the post. Ranatunga contested the 2010 General Election from Kalutara District under the Democratic National Alliance ticket and entered parliament. more..

Mar 18 (CG) The Govt is to review the ban on some diaspora groups and individuals as there is no tangible evidence to link them to the LTTE. Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera told Parliament today that the previous govt used the UN Regulation No. 1 of 2012 under UN Security Council resolution 1373 to list 424 individuals and 16 entities under Extraordinary Gazette1854/41 of 21 March 2014 in the run up to Presidential election. more..

Mar 18 (CI) 9: Number of wickets by which South Africa won this game, their largest margin of victory against Sri Lanka. It was also the first instance of South Africa beating Sri Lanka by a margin of more than eight wickets. 7: Wickets taken by South Africa's spinners, the most ever in an ODI for them. Imran Tahir took four wickets while JP Duminy took three. It was the fourth instance of South Africa's spinners sharing seven wickets between themselves in an ODI. more..

Mar 18 (AD) New Govt has taken steps to withdraw some vehicles attached to the motorcade of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s security detail, a source said. The source added that the ex-President had to hand over several state owned vehicles upon a directive issued by the Defence Secretary. However, when contacted ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said that the privileges granted to the President are not the same after he (president) is defeated or retires from his office and said more..

Mar 18 (DM) The work on the Port City Project had been suspended but the filling of reclaimed lands is continuing on the request of the Chinese contractor to prevent sea erosion during the monsoon, Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said. He told journalist that a final decision on the project would be taken based on the report of the committee investigating the details of the controversial project. “There are a few vital issues to be addressed more..

Mar 18 (EN) PM Ranil Wicrkremasinghe has ordered a probe into stock market scams during a bubble that burst in 2012, and tasked a parliamentary committee come up with countermeasures. During the stock market bubble that ended in 2011/2012 there were allegations of pump and dump scams, insider dealing and frauds involving pension funds of private citizens managed by the state. A parliamentary select committee has been asked to find whether any illegal deals more..

Mar 18 (CI) Modern international teams are resourced with support staff in a way that their predecessors could only have dreamed of. Or had nightmares about, depending on the way they liked to prepare for and play their cricket. South Africa's backroom includes, one assumes, a fortune teller. Not to have one would seem counter-intuitive in a sporting world where nothing can be left to chance. If South Africa's in-house soothsayer had informed them that today's SCG quarter-final more..

Mar 18 (PTI) Members in Parliament today voiced concern over remarks of Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickramasinghe that his country's navy has the right to shoot any intruder, prompting the govt to express willingness for a debate on the issue. AIADMK leader M Thambidurai drew attention of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to the statement of Wickramsinghe as soon as she made a statement in the House on more..

Mar 18 (GDI) With the overall tourism numbers in Sri Lanka growing by 11.6% as at end February 2015, identifying the high potential of generating quality tourism numbers to Sri Lanka will be key is the new ethos of the Tourism hierarchy. In this clear strategy, the Sri Lanka promotion Bureau selected a key market in Central European -Czech Republic to be the catalyst in driving the quality traveller as predicted by the UNWTO trends of tourism that was announced recently. more..

Mar 18 (DM) Not a single allegation levelled against former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal had been investigated so far, Deputy Minister Harsha de Silva said. He said however, the incumbent CB Governor’s decision to have taken leave till the investigation into the CB bond issue was completed was a positive aspect of Yahapalanaya Dr. De Silva said the Governor could not be removed temporarily and thus his decision to go on leave was the next best thing to do. more..

Mar 18 (CI) When South Africa were asked to chase in the big knockout, the mind obviously went to the stats: only one successful chase of 270 or more out of nine in the last four years, and four out of 14 chases of 240 or more. The other side of the statistic was that their bowlers had allowed those scores - hardly big by current standards - extremely rarely. If they were to win for the first time in a World Cup knockout match, more..

Mar 18 (Xinhua) UNP expressed confidence that former President Rajapakse will not be able to make a come back to politics. Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith Perera said even President Sirisena, who is the leader of the political party of which Rajapakse is a member, will ensure that he is not given a place at the elections. SL is expected to hold parliamentary elections after April 23 and there have been reports that Rajapakse will contest if not under his political party, SLFP, then under another party. more..

Mar 18 (DM) Professor Dinesh K. Gunasekara yesterday lodged a criminal complaint against former Minister Mervyn Silva at the Police Headquarters based on having publicly tied a Samurdhi Officer to a tree in August 2010. “This was one of the most inhumane acts carried out by a person holding public office. According to the complaint the offence committed by Mr. Silva was a violation of the Criminal Code and Sri Lanka’s Constitution because it is only a police or more..

Mar 18 (Xinhua) A high-level delegation from the EU will arrive in Sri Lanka next week to hold discussions with the Sri Lankan govt on the GSP plus trade concessions which has been withdrawn from Sri Lanka during the previous regime, SL govt said. Sri Lanka's Industry and Commerce Ministry quoted EU Ambassador to SL David Daly as saying that the EU Trade Working Group, a senior delegation on GSP plus, more..

Mar 18 (Island) The Court of Appeal gave time till May 25, 2015 to the CEB, the Central Environmental Authority and the Director General Coast Conservation to file objections and written submission to a petition filed by petitioner from Puttalam, against the installation of high tension power lines from the Norochcholai power plant over the Puttalam lagoon. The petitioners are Valarpirai Fisheries Corporative Society Limited of Puttalam, its Chairman and Secretary. more..

Mar 18 (PTI) Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar led the cricketing world in applauding Sri Lankan veterans Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, who bowed out of ODIs today after their team's World Cup quarterfinal loss to South Africa here. Both Mahela and Sangakkara had announced that the World Cup would be their final ODI assignment and much to the dismay of the Lankan fans, it ended on a disappointing note for the much celebrated duo with Sri Lanka losing by nine wickets more..

Mar 19 (CT) Indian PM Narendra Modi’s comment on the implementation of 13th amendment, his suggestion that cooperative federalism is better for Sri Lanka, his invitation to Tamils of Indian origin to visit New Delhi to discuss their issues and his advice to Tamils to be patient makes one wonder whether Sri Lanka is a independent country or an Indian colony. Mr. Modi described his two day visit to Sri Lanka on 13 and 14 of March 2015 as an opportunity to further strengthen relationship more..

Mar 19 (CT) A candidate of the EPDP at the last NPC elections, accompanied by three accomplices, is attempting to grab privately owned land between the Navatkuli Junction and the Palmyra Research Institute amounting to hundreds of acres. This person is Sethu Thedchana Murthy (Pulavar). He lives near the Pillaiyar temple in Kantharmadam,Jaffna and is a marriage broker. Inquiries reveal that he has been involved in many fraudulent activities. more..

Mar 19 (SO) In a bid to keep a close tab on the dwindling number of elephants, legal provisions will be introduced by wildlife authorities to streamline registering and licensing of tamed elephants. A Temporary Provisions Act is in the pipeline in addition to on-going investigations by the CID on allegations of forged entries being introduced into the existing records of tamed elephants. The Temporary Provisions Act will be put in place more..

Mar 19 (CT) Everyone keeps guessing as to what former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Indian Premier Narendra Modi discussed a few hours before the latter's departure to New Delhi after a two-day State visit. Mahinda went to meet Modi after making accusations that the Indian intelligence service RAW connived with Western intelligence forces to topple his govt. Mahinda contended that Modi was unaware of that intelligence plot by RAW and the West. more..

Mar 19 (GV) Ever since becoming the PM of the world’s largest democracy, Narendra Modi has concentrated on building strong diplomatic ties with foreign nations. The process began with the swearing-in ceremony of the new Indian PM when Modi extended a formal invite to the heads of state of neighbouring countries which included Pakistan and Sri Lanka. There were two principle intentions behind the move. The first was obviously to attempt a geo-political re-alignment in the region more..

Mar 19 (NS) The much talked about Port City project has finally halted temporarily after serious allegations were made that the project has commenced violating regulations and disregarding the legal framework required for mega investment projects and concerns expressed regarding the impact it might have on the environment, impacts which have already taken place. When it was suspended the company CCCC more..

Mar 19 (FT) Paranoids live in their own world, uncluttered by facts and unrestrained by reality. In the paranoid’s world nothing is impossible. Robert H. Welch Jr, retired-candy manufacturer-turned-politician, believed that John Foster Dulles and Dwight Eisenhower were dedicated communist agentsii. His psycho-ideological heirs accuse President Obama of being a closet-Muslim and the Affordable Health Care Act of enabling the mass-euthanising of the aged. more..

Mar 19 (NS) A hawk thinks, “If I am a dog I will not have to fly in this empty sky. I’ll run through the jungles and over the meadows, hide in the bushes and swim in the rivers.” A dog thinks, “ If I am a hawk I’ll be as free as a bird and fly over the hills through the clouds, visit other countries and see the world; no one will run over me, I would be on top of the world.” Actually these birds and animals do not think that way. They are satisfied with their lot. It’s just us humans that think such things. more..

Mar 19 (CT) Holding the political view of one's own wish is one's democracy. Sri Lanka is a democratic country and is reputed for its political democracy as well. Although some incidents reported in society show that it does not warrant some people to have that freedom. This type of hostility finally led to a killing of a businessman and his wife of Meetiyagoda, Ambalangoda. more..

Mar 19 (Island) The SLFP crisis is worsening, but its leaders are busy papering over the cracks. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is determined to make a comeback. He is mobilising the party’s rank and file for that purpose much to the consternation of others who are all out to keep him at bay. The SLFP leaders do not seem to be making a serious effort to mend fences and preserve the party unity which is a prerequisite for winning elections. Torn between two power centres represented by more..

Mar 19 (ICC) The Cricket World Cup 2015 now moves towards the knock-out stages, and the magnificent cricket on the pitch during the Pool stages has been matched with remarkable levels of interest in the tournament across all online channels from right around the world. On the official tournament website, traffic levels have grown over 1,500% since the last major ICC event and there have been over 26 million Unique Visitors to the website since beginning of the tournament. more..

Mar 19 (Island) Opinion to the Commission from Professor DM Crane and Sir Desmond de Silva, QC re. Legal Issues pertaining to the use of Human Shields and Hostage Taking by the LTTE by Professor David M Crane, Sir Desmond de Silva, QC and Advisory Council of Experts. 1. Whether the LTTE's attempts to immunise its military leadership and assets through the criminal act of hostage taking and subsequent internment of more..

Mar 19 (CI) I have lived in Australia for 23 years, and this is the first time in my time here that the World Cup has been played in this country. I could not pass up an opportunity to attend a World Cup quarter-final in my home city of Sydney, regardless of the teams playing. That Sri Lanka made it to the knockouts was a bonus. I always support Sri Lanka, even on days like this when they are soundly beaten. I was also looking forward to seeing Dale Steyn, AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla more..