May 1 (SLA) Untiring Sri Lanka Engineer (SLE) troops of the Army, still at work in Meetotamulla on their mettle for prevention of any future recurrence of a catastrophe or a garbage-slide in the area, have now begun to erect a solid soil-bund, bordering the remaining heap of garbage, drain away underneath polluted water, lay huge drainpipes (hume pipes) as a durable drainage system, and continue to measure emission of more..

May 1 (Nikkei) The pain of Sri Lanka's civil war, which ended in May 2009, continues to haunt residents in the eastern coastal town of Batticaloa and its surrounding villages. Punyamurthi Jeyatheepa, a 32-year-old social worker, is still searching for her husband, Pathmashri, who left their home on May 23, four days after the guns fell silent, and disappeared after a military mop-up operation near their village north of B'caloa. more..

May 1 (Hindu) After 20 years in India, wearing a refugee tag that led her from one camp to another, it was only in December 2016 that Edward Selyn, 55, returned home. Until a few days ago, she was among a group of people seated under a tent in Mullikulam village in Mannar, in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, protesting in the scorching heat for a month, demanding that the Sri Lankan Navy release her land. more..

May 1 (WB) When Karuppiah Sellathurai bought his first cow, it only gave him a few liters of milk every day. But then he multiplied his cattle when his cow had a calf. Several years down the line, he has four animals in his shed, milk to meet his family’s needs and more than enough left over to sell. The income is a welcome addition to the salary he earns from working in the tea estates of Hatton—the estate sector in Sri Lanka more..

May 1 (DM) With reference to the controversy that has arisen over the proposal by President Maithripala Sirisena to assign Minister Sarath Fonseka to deal with emergency situations that may occur in the country, Minister Rajitha Senaratna said he takes full responsibility for the statement made by him. He said it was he who was responsible for reporting what transpired at Cabinet meetings to the media as the Cabinet spokesperson. more..

May 1 (DN) There is no suitable land in Muthurajawela to build a sanitary landfill, CEA Director General K.H. Muthukudarachchi said. He said even though garbage dumping in Muthurajawela has been temporarily permitted considering the seriousness of garbage disposal issue in the aftermath of Meethotamulla garbage dump collapse, nowhere in Muthurajawela is suitable to build a permanent sanitary landfill. more..

May 1 (Island) The EU mission in Colombo says that objections can be raised either in Parliament or the European Council of Ministers against the resumption of GSP+ concession to Sri Lanka until May 15, 2017. Asked whether Sri Lanka could be sure of the GSP plus facility in May or June in the wake of the European Parliament overwhelmingly defeating a motion against the resumption of the facility late last week, more..

May 1 (Island) Former war winning army commander and present Minister of Regional Development Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said yesterday he could have captured state power while he was the army commander. But, he said, being a disciplined military officer he had never entertained such an idea. Had he wanted to do so, he could have blocked the four corners of the city of Colombo and formed a govt, he said. more..

May 1 (DM) May 1 is celebrated as International Labour Day in most countries except those under military dictatorship or authoritarian rule. In US and Canada, the first Monday in September is observed as Labour Day whilst the first Sunday in May is celebrated as Labour Day in Britain, which can be considered as being out of step. However, there is no other international celebration that generates more enthusiasm and fraternity as the May Day Celebration. more..

May 1 (DM) The worker reads history on the very first day of May every year. It is called MAY DAY. Its genesis is related to the sweat of the proletariat. Yet, its spirit seems to have been robbed by the capitalists in the course of time. The drastic consequence is that the sacred meaning of the word has almost become a misnomer. It’s another glaring daylight robbery in the very presence of the rightful heirs of the day.    The gravity of the of this scenario was first brought to the focus of more..

May 1 (NR) Minister Sajith Premadasa says the country will not be betrayed in any manner under the leadership of the present govt. Speaking at the 24th commemoration ceremony of his late father, the Minister said the good governance govt’s objective is to strengthen the masses. Minister said the President and PM are engaged in tireless efforts to bring in international economic trade opportunities under the good governance govt by strengthening international ties. more..

May 1 (DN) Two soldiers, attached to the Kuda Oya Army Camp were injured during parachute training held at the Embilipitiya Army Training Camp. Army Spokesman said the injured are a male and a female soldier.  The female soldier had suffered minor burn injuries to her hands and legs when she fell on a high tension wire while making a jump to land at the Embilipitiya ground. The male soldier, who is a Commando Captain, injured his ankle due to a fault in his landing. more..

May 1 (KNN) Sri Lanka Tea Board is looking forward to participate at the Mumbai World Tea Coffee Expo (WTCE) 2017. This would be for the third time that the board is attending the Expo. Sri Lanka Tea Board expressed that they have been getting good business from India. It further said that the wider global acceptance of the Sri Lankan Tea manufacturing has encouraged the board to participate in the event. Rohan Pethiyagoda, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board said more..

May 1 (DM) Minister of Rural Economy, P. Harrison said that the media had blown a statement made by the President Maithripala Sirisena regarding the assignment of Minister Sarath Fonseka to a top post out of proportion, but it was a mere joke cracked at the Cabinet meeting held last Tuesday (25). The minister said this at a workshop held at Galpokuna estate in Kuliyapitiya that he participated in where a delegation of specialists from the Netherlands were also present. more..

May 1 (DM) Govt is expected to announce the award of the contract for the development of container terminal at the Colombo port as a Joint Venture with India by the end of this month, according to MoU signed between the two sides in New Delhi last week. MoU, in its final version worked out in New Delhi, says a concept paper will be brought out for the development of the agriculture sector and livestock industry by the end of more..

May 1 (SL) More SLFP members are to face the axe from their organiser posts. SLFP sources said that the move will be part of re-organising the SLFP by the party leadership. Last week the President appointed seventeen new SLFP electoral organisers and district organisers. Two weeks ago the President made more changes to the district organiser positions. Former President Rajapaksa last week accused President Sirisena of creating a split in the SLFP through the changes. more..

May 1 (Hindu) SL PM Ranil Wickremesinghe’s meeting with PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi last week, on his third visit to the capital since January 2015, is in keeping with the refreshed Indo-Lanka ties that followed the regime change in Colombo. Flagging off partnerships in a host of economic and development projects through a MoU, the two Prime Ministers have set the stage for long-term collaboration in spheres ranging from energy and infrastructure to special economic zones. more..

May 1 (DN) The govt is to pay a Rs. 1,000 billion debt in the coming two years, which was acquired by the previous Rajapaksa regime. The amount does not include foreign debts due in these years. It was also revealed that Rs. 600 billion worth bonds are maturing by 2018, and Rs.400 billion worth bonds are expected to mature by 2019. These short term bonds have been issued in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. more..

May 1 (Island) The following is the text of Christopher Fjellner’s letter to PM Ranil Wickremesinghe: "We are writing this letter in connection with Sri Lanka’s application to join the EU’s GSP Plus scheme under Regulation 978/2012. The 2010 unilateral preferences under the GSP Plus scheme had been withdrawn from Sri Lanka due to its failure to effectively implement three human rights conventions, namely ICCPR, CRC & CAT. Following the change in administration in 2015, more..

May 1 (DN) The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has extended the time period for public input regarding the draft of the National Child Protection Policy to May 15, 2017. The deadline was previously April 30, but due to appeals from various parties the National Child Protection Authority has decided to extend the time period till mid-May. The complete draft of the National Child Protection Policy can be accessed through www.childprotection.gov.lk and by making a request to more..

May 1 (ST) The Transport Ministry is set to award a US$ 15mn (Rs 2.2 billion) project to China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation (CNMIEC) to install signals at four stations on the new Matara-Beliatta line when the Railways Department’s own engineers offered to do the job for Rs 250 million. No tenders were called. The basis for placing the project cost at US$15mn is not known. CNMIEC is same company that was given the contract more..

May 1 (CT) The Gohagoda Garbage Dump, in Kandy, will be examined tomorrow (2) with the use of drones along with the assistance of the Peradeniya University, the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Govt said. "After media reported a gas emitting from the surface of the garbage dump, officials including the Secretary to the Ministry Kamal Padmasiri took immediate measures to study the reports and to ascertain if there is an imminent threat," Media Secretary to Minister of more..

May 1 (CT) Steps will be taken to control the interventions made by trade unions to disrupt the development activities in the country, Minister of Public Enterprises Development Kabir Hashim said. However, he added that the govt will act according to the existing laws of the country. Hashim made this statement commenting on the proposal to appoint Minister Sarath Fonseka as the head of the armed forces to inculcate discipline in the country. Addressing Cabinet press briefing last week, more..

May 1 (CT) Dengue Control Unit has taken legal action against 35 school principals in the Western Province for maintaining mosquito breeding sites. Dengue Control Unit had inspected nearly 900 schools of which 57% were identified as potential dengue breeding sites. Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said that his ministry will look into the possibility of taking disciplinary action against principals who failed to destroy dengue more..

May 1 (NR) The 24th memorial of the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa was held near the Premadasa Statue in Hultsdorf, Colombo. Former President Premadasa was assassinated by a suicide bomber during the May Day parade in 1993. Ceremony got underway under the patronage of President Sirisena and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. PM Wickremesinghe addressing the ceremony said Parliament will establish reconciliation through the approval of a new Constitution. more..

May 1 (AM) Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL), in a letter to popular singer and music producer Iraj, has accused him of racial overtones in his song Wassane Heene. ‘We wish to bring to your kind attention that MCSL has received several complaints regarding your song Wassane Heene which has become very popular in your You Tube channel. Most of the complaints feel that this song has racists overtones as you have used the name of a Muslim doctor performing an illegal abortion,’ more..

May 1 (DM) JHU said today its May Day rally would focus on the plight of the real working class including pavement hawkers, cleaners and porters. It said the rally would be a turning point in Sri Lanka's history at a time when most political parties were celebrating May Day to showcase their political strength rather than highlighting the concerns of the workers. JHU General Secretary Champika Ranawaka said even though more..

May 1 (EN) May Day rallies which had turned into a numbers game showed the Joint Opposition of former president Rajapaksa making an impressive show at the Galle Face green in Colombo. Despite a slow start, the Joint Opposition crowd picked by late afternoon even though they staged the shortest procession from Slave Island to Galle Face for their May Day rally. Unofficial estimates placed the crowd strength at the Joint Opposition rally at 4.30 p.m. as the highest in Colombo. more..

May 1 (CT) Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) claims that all major political parties have booked nearly 4,000 buses for their May Day celebrations today. All major political parties, including the big two – SLFP and the UNP – have thus booked around 4,000 buses, for their May Day rallies, processions and other celebrations. The SLFP has requested for 1,537 buses while the UNP has ordered 1,432 buses. JVP and the JO have requested 209 and 22 buses, respectively. more..

May 1 (AD) Govt has a phobia of sweating and shaking when there are suggestions to hold elections, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said. He made the observation while speaking at the May Day rally of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) at the Galle Face Green. “We accepted there challenge. We held the rally at the Galle Face Green. Now our ultimatum for this Govt is to hold the election without further delay,” he added. more..

May 1 (CG) The joint opposition today called for a black flag protest during Indian PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka. Modi has confirmed he will visit Sri Lanka next month to take part in the celebrations marking the UN Vesak Day, the most important in the Buddhist calendar. However MP Wimal Weerawansa, speaking at the JO May Day rally at Galle Face, said that Modi was to discuss a deal with the Govt during his visit. Weerawansa said that Modi and SL are discussing a deal on Trinco more..

May 1 (DM) The May Day rallies organized by the four main political parties began a short while ago in Colombo and Kandy.  The SLFP is being held in Gatambe, Kandy while the UNP holds its rally at Campbell Park in Borella with the joint opposition holding its rally at the Galle Face Green. The JVP is holding its rally at the BRC Grounds in Colombo at 4.00 p.m. Police said they had detailed 20,000 men and women to maintain the law and order situation in the city today. more..

May 1 (EN) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe offered a snap election as he neared the two-year governing agreement with his junior coalition partner, splintered SLFP. In his bombshell announcement at Campbell Park, Wickremesinghe said he was ready to stage any election even as several SLFP stalwarts warned it is they who will decide the future of the govt after August. After Aug 2015 election returned a hung parliament, more..

May 2 (ST) Resolving the foreign debt trap discussed last Sunday is a mammoth task as the annual debt servicing costs are very heavy in the next few years. Meeting the impending debt repayments for this year and next year are immensely difficult. The debt repayment of as much as US$4 billion in 2019 is unthinkable at present. The severity of the problem is such that further foreign borrowing is likely to be needed to meet this year’s debt servicing obligations. more..

May 2 (CT) Jaffna Peninsula’s water need by late 2020 is expected to reach 488,500 cubic meters per day (m3 /day), in which the requirement for agriculture is 400,000 m3/day. Arumugam Plan or Jaffna River or any appropriate plan could meet the agriculture requirement and be a solution to the saltwater intrusion and land degradation in the Peninsula. The water requirement, excluding the agricultural purpose is 88,500 m3 /day, which includes drinking water. more..

May 2 (CT) Three electoral organizers of the SLFP were removed recently by President Sirisena to make way for new organizers. The organizers so removed were former Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon (Dambulla), MP Lohan Ratwatte (Pathadumbara) and MP Anura Vidanagamage (Mahiyangana). Provincial Councillor W.M. Yasamanna and Chairman of the Dambulla more..

May 2 (CT) In Part I of this series can be read here, it was presented that Sri Lanka which had enjoyed a control free environment from time immemorial had clamped exchange controls on its citizens in 1939. The objective had been to prevent the foreign exchange resources of the country from falling into the hands of the enemies of the British Empire which fought a war against the Germans in Europe and against the Japanese in the East. Its coverage was limited to non-Sterling area countries more..

May 2 (ST) That tragic and unfortunate happening at Meethotamulla which brought death and destruction to a poverty-stricken part of the country’s capital during a festive occasion saw politicians of most hues avoid a visit to the scene but offer long-distance commiserations.  Whether it was the stench of death and debris that now seems so foreign to politicians enjoying the good life from the confines of Diyawanna Oya or consciences wracked with guilt for callously postponing a solution to more..