May 24 (CT) Whenever the Prez, PM or Ministers and MPs go before the Media and air their grievances it begs the question as to who is in power in this country, said Ven. Dr. Mawarale Bhaddiya Thera. The Thera made these remarks addressing an event held at the BMICH on 14 May. The Thera added that the Cabinet and MPs also have a duty to rectify mistakes committed by leaders who were above them. more..

May 24 (DM) Sri Lanka as a small Island Nation had experienced crisis after crisis within the last 5 decades. In 1971 it was somewhat adventurist and amateur type insurgency engaging the poor rural Sinhala youth. This was repeated in the late 80’s on a dangerously higher scale to topple the Govt by armed rebellion by the JVP (SL survived this ordeal). The 1983 civil riots paved the way for a prolonged Tamil Insurgency of the LTTE which lasted more than 25 years. Civil war ended in May 2009. more..

May 24 (DM) This one line and variations of it – passed on as received – written innocuously at the end of a message, can send shivers down the recipient’s spine these days. What it means is that the sender has very little knowledge of the authenticity of the content. What it does real time is give the recipient another reason to be scared, as if there weren’t enough reasons already. Since the April 21 attacks, Sri Lanka social fabric has been on tenterhooks. more..

May 24 (Island) Cassandra boasts that she has been rather true to her ancestor of Grecian times by having forecast doubts about a nasty happening. She did not cry, Blood! I see blood as Cassandra of around 1250 BC did seeing in her clairvoyance the murder of her patron Agamemnon who brought her to Mycenae from Troy. No. This Cassandra doubted the origin of the attack on innocent Muslims by mobs and foretold it had to be instigated and engineered for the political benefit of some. more..

May 24 (Island) Politics and business are joined at the hip. In the developing world, where politicians are deified, politics itself has become a lucrative business, as is our experience. It has also attracted quite a few big-time businessmen, who thirst for power. It is on the grapevine that a merchant prince is among some wealthy professionals who are toying with the idea of securing the coveted executive presidency. These aspirants may have been inspired by recent developments in more..

May 24 (FT) The terror-struck tourism industry is now faced with a fresh dilemma, as the much-lauded reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) from 15% to 5% would in fact give more problems than relief. On the face of it, though the reduction of VAT from 15% to 5% reflects a 66.6% saving, it renders the hotels, restaurants and others unable to claim an input VAT paid on purchases, imports and other supplies. The current VAT Act restricts more..

May 24 (FT) Advocata Institute yesterday said it strongly supports the President Maithripala Sirisena appointed expert committee recommendations on restructuring of SriLankan Airlines. It said the financial and operational restructuring should be a priority for the country. However, in the event that the restructuring fails to demonstrate rapid progression towards recovery, Govt should withdraw all State guarantees that support the borrowings of the airline, more..

May 24 (Island) Ex-Royal athletic captain and public schools meet record holder, Senior Deputy Inspector General Roshan Fernando has been appointed by the National Police Commission (NPC) as the new Senior DIG of Southern Province and Sabaragamuwa Province. He will assume duties in his new provinces tomorrow (25). Having successfully completed a two-year period as Senior DIG of Northern Province, he was instrumental in further restoring peace in the area more..

May 24 (DN) The Attorney General has filed indictments against former Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Anura Senanayake for allegedly covering up evidence in connection with the death of former Havelocks SC captain Wasim Thajudeen. Former rugby player Thajudeen was killed, apparently, in a road accident in Colombo in May 2012. The indictments have been filed under Section 198 of the Penal Code for more..

May 24 (DN) Sri Lanka will meet Ireland in their classification round match today at the 16th Sudirman Cup Badminton tournament which is in progress at Guangxi Sports Centre, Nanning, China. The result of this match will decide the 21st place in the ranking of this tournament. Ireland, ranked 21 competed in this tournament in Group 3A while 24th ranked Sri Lanka competed in Group 3B. Both teams ended with an unbeaten record to come on top of their respective groups. more..

May 24 (DN) No less than 17 players will be making their debut for Sri Lanka at the Asia Rugby Championship Division I to be held in Chinese Taipei from May 29 to June 1. “It is a very young side. Four of the players are just 21 years while 18 players are 25 and under,” said Rohan Abayakoon, chief rugby selector said after the tour squad of 26 plus two standbyes was released by Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) yesterday. The debutants are Umesh Madushan, Mithun Hapugoda who more..

May 24 (FT) The recent mob attacks on Muslim properties and businesses in certain parts of the country have led the majority Sinhalese to lose jobs and earnings, Minister Mangala Samaraweera told Parliament. According to the Minister, Muslim-owned businesses alone bring $ 3 billion to SL per annum. “Mobs setting fire to a pasta factory, which was owned by a local Muslim, has led 95% Sinhalese to lose employment, more..

May 24 (ST) An integrated security system linking key departments, including the Immigration, Registration of Persons, will be placed before the Cabinet soon. The project is estimated to cost about Rs. 40 bln, and is under discussion by the Home Affairs Ministry in consultation with PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and the respective departments. Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardena said the funds would be raised through a long-term foreign loan, and from the Treasury and more..

May 24 (DN) Former Defence Secreary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was today permitted to travel abroad for a medical test and further treatment by the Special High Court. Further, Special High Court has decided to commence hearing the case filed against former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the D.A. Rajapaksa Museum, on the 19th of June. The case filed against former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and six others in connection with an incident that the D.A. Rajapaksa more..

May 24 (PMD) President Sirisena says that it is a timely need to write the full story regarding the great heroic story of the thirty-year long war victory, in a manner the future generation also can read about the bravery of the great war heroes, patriotism and their great humanitarian nature. Prez pointed out that through the reading of that story, a future generation, who love the motherland and loyal to the country, will be build and the true story more..

May 24 (DN) The country does not perform as well as expected on digital indicators. Awareness of the internet and related services do not result in usage within the country. The majority of social media users in Sri Lanka think that blocking social media during times of national unrest is the right thing to do, according to a survey conducted by Colombo-based digital policy think tank, LIRNEasia. Sixty-three percent of the population had never used the internet. more..

May 24 (Island) CEB is planning to increase the reserve capacity up to 25% with some experts warning that it would lead to an additional charge on the electricity bill. "If the govt is keen to recommend it, it should make sure that it is not going to burden consumers with additional charges," an official said. The five-member Ministerial Committee appointed to resolve the existing power crisis has granted approval for an emergency power purchase considering the prevailing power crisis more..

May 24 (FT) Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara struck a subdued note yesterday after being freed from jail, calling on his supporters to be calm and to act judiciously for the sake of the country. Making a short statement after his release, Ven. Gnanasara thanked President Maithripala Sirisena, Justice Minister Thalatha Athukorale, and other State officials for his release. more..

May 24 (Island) Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing frauds under the current administration on Wednesday informed the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, K.D.S. Ruwanchandra to ensure that Senior Additional Secretary to the Ministry, Priyanga Himali Handunhewa, who gave evidence before the PCoI was not harassed in anyway. The PCoI informed Ruwanchandra that Handunhewa was entitled to the protection afforded to anyone that testified before a PCoI. more..

May 24 (FT) Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said the displeasure shown by the public against the closure of roads for VIP vehicular movements by unceasingly sounding the horn were a reaction to the Govt’s policies. A video of vehicles caught in traffic due to VIP road closures honking loudly in protest went viral, causing President Maithripala Sirisena to order an end to road closures that inconvenience the public. Rajapaksa expressed these views during a meeting held at more..

May 24 (FT) Emergency Regulations that deal with communication or spreading of rumours and false statements will be utilised to curb the spread of hate speech and incitement, while the possibility of introducing legislation to deal with the issue is also under consideration. Emergency Regulations in place also prohibit the affixing in any place visible to the public & distribution among the public any posters, more..

May 24 (DN) Shipping agency representatives, whose businesses are badly affected after the Easter Sunday attacks, urged the govt to take immediate measures to get the travel advisories on Sri Lanka lifted to smoothly operate their business activities. Ralph Anandappa, a representative from the Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA) made a request to State Finance Minister Eran Wickramaratne who was present at an event, organized by National Chamber of more..

May 24 (Island) Minister Champika Ranawaka will appear before the Presidential Commission investigating frauds under the current administration on June 07 to give evidence on the irregularities that have occurred at the CEB. It was also revealed yesterday that by signing agreements with private power producers that last through the year. CEB incurred massive losses as such excess production was only needed for three months, President of the Lanka Viduli Podu Sewaka Sangamaya more..

May 24 (CT) Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, said in Parliament both, the Police and Intelligence Units, were not aware of an incident in which a medical officer attached to the banned National Thowheed Jama’ath (NTJ) had performed tubal sterilisation surgeries on 4,000 Sinhala Buddhist mothers without their consent. Speaker made this remark when JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake raised a question regarding more..

May 24 (DN) Attorney General Dappula de Livera PC has directed acting Inspector General of Police in writing to take disciplinary action through the National Police Commission against the Western Province Senior DIG, the STF Commandant and National Intelligence Chief for dereliction of duties. The AG handed over two letters containing his legal advice on the two interim reports of the special Prez Committee to probe the Easter Sunday attacks to acting IGP Chandana Wickramaratne. more..

May 24 (DN) Attention has been drawn to make compulsory the use of the standard certificate seal of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) for gold products, as well as to raid jewellery shops functioning without the seal. This was brought up during a meeting held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena at the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, on Wednesday. As the Minister-in-Charge, the President visited the National Gem and Jewellery Authority more..

May 24 (Island) Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announced, that the no-faith motion against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen would be taken up for debate on June 18 and 19. Speaker made this announcement, in Parliament, when Opposition member Vasudeva Nanayakkara demanded to know the decision of the chair on the issue. Jayasuriya said that the decision had been reached at the party leaders’ meeting yesterday morning. more..

May 24 (DM) Commenting on a video which is being shared on social media platforms, Plantation Industries Minister Navin Dissanayake today said that he did not laugh to insult the people killed in the Easter Sunday attack. He said in parliament that a video footage in which he was laughing had been published on social media and said it had been tactically edited. “I did not laugh to insult the people killed in Easter Sunday attacks. I had some gestural communication with a journalist more..

May 24 (DN) Dr Asha de Vos, internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan marine biologist and ocean educator will become the first Sri Lankan woman to have her portrait hung at Oxford’s Lincoln College 15th Century Hall. Being a marine biologist, ocean educator and pioneer of blue whale research within the Northern Indian Ocean, she is also the first Sri Lankan with a PhD in marine mammal research. “In 2020 my college, Lincoln, will celebrate 40 years of admitting women. more..

May 24 (CT) The TNA unequivocally condemned the President’s act of pardoning BBS General Secretary, Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, as an abuse of Constitutional Powers vested in the Head of State. The Thera was jailed by the Court of Appeal for contempt against the Magistrate’s Court of Homagama, TNA Spokesperson and MP, M.A. Sumanthiran said. He noted that the conviction and sentencing more..

May 24 (DM) The opposition against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and the support to keep him in power underscore the fact that SL is a nation which is confused about what’s right and wrong. The allegations that Bathiudeen offered political patronage to those involved in the Easter Sunday bombings is yet to be proven. But opposition forces in parliament demand the removal of the portfolios he holds as the minister of Industry and Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaces more..

May 24 (DM) Islamophobia is an industry. It is US$ 500 million strong in the United States alone, according to research carried out by the Council for American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the University of California, and a Carter Centre publication titled Countering the Islamophobia Industry. Certainly, the millions being pumped into this industry are not spent on creating a peaceful world. Rather, it is spent on spreading hate, violence or bringing about a clash of civilisations. more..

May 24 (DM) Recently a Muslim woman was arrested for wearing a dress with a picture that apparently resembled the Dharmachakra- the wheel of dharma. Social media was abuzz criticizing the arrest as many believed that the picture was that of the helm of a ship. Amnesty International (South Asia) said that the absurdity of the purported offense should be sufficient to release her immediately and provide her with compensation. more..

May 24 (FT) Minister Rishad Bathiudeen has denied a slew of allegations levelled against him, including employing an Islamic cleric as an advisor to the Ministry, and exerting pressure on the Commander of the Army to release an arrested person. “There are no Moulavis functioning in an advisory capacity to me as the Minister. Therefore none of the Moulavis arrested to date were my advisors. My two official advisors more..

May 24 (EN) New criteria for reporting capital market wrongdoings to the regulator by Sri Lanka’s stock exchange should help improve investigations and enforcements, the IMF said. Sri Lanka’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) run parallel surveillance programs to identify misconduct in the market. New criteria on referring market misconduct to the SEC for investigation more..

May 24 (EN) Minister Mangala Samaraweera slammed a Nazi-style boycott of Muslim businesses and mob violence unleashed by Sinhalese nationalists in 2019 who got a new lease of life in the wake of Islamist Easter Sunday bombings. "The attacks against Muslim businesses is also terrorism which is also as bad as bombing," he said. Muslim-owned apparel factories alone employed over 100,000 Sinhalese more..

May 24 (ST) The mobs that hurled the stones were largely outsiders. But the men that threw bottles of petrol into his wholesale shop and struck the match while his family quaked in the flat above were from his own village. And that is what’s tearing communities apart in areas where, on Sunday and Monday, violence was unleashed on ordinary Muslims on the pretext that they were somehow responsible for the April 21 more..

May 24 (FT) The UPFA said it would not be part of the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) appointed to investigate allegations levelled at Minister Rishad Bathiudeen as it feels the PSC will only divert attention from recent political developments and seek to whitewash the minister. UPFA General Secretary MP Mahinda Amaraweera said UPFA and SLFP members have taken a collective decision not to be part of PSC but more..

May 24 (DM) The United States has sought to amend the 1995 agreement with Sri Lanka on the status of Department of Defence (DoD) military personnel and civilian employees, only to include some additional privileges, such as the mutual recognition of professional licenses, fees for support services rendered, and regulations for hiring foreign and local contractors, a spokesman said yesterday. more..