News
Home » NewsChina shows it certainly knows what is good for Sri Lanka
The maiden trip also became an occasion for China to lecture on what is good for Sri Lanka. Mr. Sirisena’s visit came at time a more important figure was also in town to shake Xi’s hand – Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Widodo has offered to be an honest intermediary in resolving China’s controversial claims of sovereignty [...]
New look at electoral reforms: 250 seats
Polls chief to present package to party leaders tomorrow 20th Amendment after consensus is reached 140 on FPP, 80 PR and 30 National List New electoral reforms where the number of seats in Parliament will be increased to 250 from the existing 225 will be explained to party leaders tomorrow by Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya. The [...]
Colour code for sugar content in what you drink
In an apparent bid to curb the growing number of diabetes cases, consumers will soon have a guideline to select the soft drinks, energy and other drinks based on the sugar content in them, a senior Health Ministry official said. The containers will have a marking with a colour code – green, amber and red enabling [...]
Govt. follows Rajapaksa policies in controlling private banks
Sweeping changes are set to take place on the boards of six Sri Lankan private commercial banks in which the Government has a stake, triggering concern across the banking sector. Government nominees have been named as directors, eventually to take over as chairpersons, at the Hatton National Bank (HNB), the Commercial Bank, the National Development Bank [...]
Significant changes in 19A; any MP can act for President
A new draft of the 19th Amendment presented to party leaders this week provides for an ordinary Member of Parliament to act for the President in the event of a vacancy if, for some reason, it cannot be filled by the Speaker. The amendment also takes away the designation of “Head of Government” from the [...]
Fixed prices on tea and hoppers: Too bitter a pill to swallow- traders
The recent decision by the Government to impose fixed prices for a cup of tea and hoppers has not gone down well with traders, with some up- market cafes opting to ignore the regulation, and smaller boutiques deciding not to sell these items at all. Authorities have warned that the rule would be strictly enforced. [...]
Sri Lanka to float new Indian proposals with all stakeholders
The Sri Lankan government will need time to consider the six point proposal put forwarded by Indian fishermen at the latest round of Indo- Lanka fisheries talks in Chennai, a senior Fisheries Ministry official said. Fisheries ministry secretary Nimal Hettiarachchi said a decision regarding the proposals would be taken only after the proposals were discussed [...]
General Sarath Fonseka was promoted
Former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka was promoted to the rank of full Field Marshal by President Mahithripala Sirisena.at a colourful ceremony held at the Defence Ministry grounds in Colombo last Sunday He was awarded the highest military rank for successfully defeating the LTTE and ending the 30-year-old separatist armed uprising, the government said. General [...]
Lankadeepa shines at awards night
The Daily Lankadeepa newspaper was awarded the SLIM Nielsen Peoples’ newspaper of the year at a ceremony held at the at Waters Edge Hotel. Lankadeepa editorial staff members along with other representatives of the Wijeya Newspapers Ltd are seen with the award.
Helmet ban faces rethink amid bike rider objections
Before the police ban on full-face helmets becomes effective on Thursday, Public Order Minister John Amaratunga will ask the National Security Council to reconsider the decision, considering hundreds of thousands who reject the clampdown. “I was taken by surprise when I heard that the police are going to implement that regulation even after we have [...]
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during a three day visit to Jaffna
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during a three day visit to Jaffna interacted with the public and held meetings with war-widows, politicians and religious leaders. He also received public complaints and requests during the meetings. Here Mr Wickremesinghe and Resettlement and Reconstruction Minister M.A. Swaminathan are seen meeting the public at the Jaffna Kachcheri. Deputy Minister [...]
EU’s GSP+: Govt. pledges to deliver on international conventions
Government has pledged to the European Union (EU) that it will work towards implementing the 27 international conventions in order to regain the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) trade concessions at the very earliest, a senior official said yesterday. This assurance was given to a top level EU delegation that was in the country from [...]
Pak envoy conveys condolences to late Priyantha Sirisena’s family
Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, Dr Sarfraz Sipra yesterday expressed his condolences over the death of Mr Priyantha Sirisena, youngest brother of President Mathiripala Sirisena. Dr Sipra spoke to family members and conveyed heartfelt condolences and deep shock and grief on the very tragic demise of Mr Priyantha Sirisena, on behalf of [...]
Refuse tea in new chest: Cabinet cadre increases from 28 to 39
With the enlarged Cabinet and other ministerial appointments, the Cabinet cadre has risen from 28 to 39. Five more state ministers and 10 more deputy ministers have also been appointed. The new appointees, all SLFP members, will contribute to the national government, with 77 members. A number of UNP Cabinet ministers had their portfolios trimmed [...]
Govt. seeks UN, Indian assistance to evacuate Lankans from Yemen
Government has sought the assistance of the United Nations and the Indian Embassy in Yemen to evacuate some 120 all-male Sri Lankans caught up in the bloody civil war there, senior officials said yesterday. They told the Sunday Times that the Lankans, mostly expatriate workers in the skilled higher category sector, were presently being housed [...]
Drug dependents crying out for rehab centres and counsellors
Many of the nearly 300,000 drug dependents, mostly young and male, yearn to get their lives back, but there is a shortage of full-time counsellors and rehabilitation centres within the community and in prisons. The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, the competent authority, estimates there are between 45,000 and 50,000 heroin users, and 250,000 cannabis [...]
Gangaramaya food packets get good response, but other lunch packet sellers hit in the stomach
The distribution of budget food packets organised by the Gangaramya Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo at an affordable price of Rs. 50 got off the ground last Monday drawing large crowds on the first day. Among those present at the launch were the Chief Priest of the Gangaramya Temple the Ven Ganaboda-Gnanissera Thera and Prime Minister [...]
Children, pregnant women severely cautioned against contracting the ‘flu’
Children and pregnant women are severely cautioned against infection from the present seasonal influenza (flu) which impacts more on them, with risks of developing pneumonia, which could be fatal, Health officials warn. A senior Health official said influenza related maternal deaths are reported during seasonal influenza, and such high-risk groups should seek medical attention if [...]
Uma Oya Project sees some light at the end of the tunnel
Two expert reports on the controversial Uma Oya Multipurpose Project have recommended steps to mitigate negative impacts that could arise in the future while also putting forward solutions to the current problems, Environment Ministry secretary Nihal Rupasinghe said. One report was by a 120-member expert committee that comprised officers from the Central Environment Authority (CEA), [...]
‘Homecoming’ for 579 displaced families in Sampur by end April
More than 500 families displaced from the Sampur area in Trincomalee are to be resettled in their original locations before the end of next month, Eastern Province Governor Austin Fernando told the Sunday Times. He said that an existing Naval training camp will be moved to an adjacent area, enabling the displaced families to return [...]
Police explain why Dr. Wijeratne was released on police bail
Police have submitted a report to Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage giving reasons why they released Neurosurgeon Maheshi Wijeratne on police bail though she was accused of assaulting a participant at a fundraising event in a Colombo hotel last month. The report submitted by Senior Superintendent Champika Siriwardene says the Fort Police OIC released Dr. Wijeratne [...]
Jumbo report reveals deceitful, cruel and deadly practices
Harmful ways in which wild elephants and calves are captured and transported, as well as deceitful practices involving permits, will be detailed in a report to crime investigators by an environmental conservation group. The report by the Environment Conservation Trust reveals instances when pachyderms have even been transported in plastic tanks. The group will hand [...]
Determining the fate and whereabouts of missing persons with ICRC assistance
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has offered to help Sri Lanka create a domestic mechanism to determine the fate and whereabouts of thousands of missing persons. Such a mechanism- the framework of which is yet to be proposed- will be separate from any accountability instrument the Government could set up. “While acknowledging [...]
Presidential poll case over breach of trust
He claims he was promised a ticket to contest the January 8 presidential poll from a little known party and he paid part of a million-rupee donation, which the party sought from him. But now he has taken party officials to court for alleged breach of trust. The disappointed would-have-been candidate is Mohamed Sanoos Hilir [...]
EU bans Tigers again
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has once again been placed in the European List of terror groups. The decision was made unanimously by the 28-member European Union Council, the highest policy making body. The decision was based on the results of the review the Council has carried out. The LTTE is among 23 [...]
Aloka Pooja to light up Tantirimale once again
The Lankadeepa Poson Aloka Pooja, organised by Wijeya Newspapers will take place in Tantirimale for the twelfth consecutive year this Poson Poya day. Assistant General Manager, Wijeya Newspapers, Nalin Nivunhella who represented the Chairman of the Wijeya Newspapers Ranjith Wijeywardene visited the Tantirimale Raja Maha Viharaya to officially convey that the Aloka Pooja will be [...]
Independent legal profession a must for Judicial administration to thrive: Act. CJ
The Legal profession must remain independent and must act fearlessly for judicial administration to continue to thrive and be ever vigilant, enabling the judiciary to discharge its obligations to the citizenry in the manner expected of it, so that the rule of law may prevails and democracy is sustained, Acting Chief Justice Chandra Ekanayake said. [...]
President’s brother dies following axe attack; alleged assailant claims provocation
Priyantha Sirisena, the President‘s brother, visited a friend on Thursday night. An altercation ensued between him and his friend Lakmal Saputantri. The latter hit Priyantha on the head with an axe, Police said yesterday. According to Chief Inspector (CI) S.M. Gerald, the suspect later surrendered to Police. Acting Polonnaruwa Magistrate Sarasi Iddawela remanded him till [...]
UN Special envoy here to help in reconciliation process
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence will arrive in Sri Lanka today for a six-day visit aimed at helping in the reconciliation process. Special Rapporteur Pablo de Greiff will meet Government leaders, representatives of political parties and members of civil society organisations during his stay. [...]
Former Deputy Finance Minister urges CB Governor to go
A senior Government minister on Saturday repeated his call for the Central Bank Governor to resign, a day after the Supreme Court was urged to rule on an independent inquiry into the controversial Central Bank Treasury bond, amidst growing concern over the slow progress of a current investigation. Former Deputy Finance Minister in the Mahinda [...]
Tributes to Singapore’s former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew
Premier Wickremesinghe led Parliament on Tuesday in paying tribute to former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who passed away this week. He noted that, along with the development of the economy, the late Singapore leader also stressed on education, health, housing, full employment, pension and retirement benefits for all of Singapore’s citizens. The Prime [...]
Pass in O/L Maths is compulsory to follow A/L classes from 2017
Students who complete their Degrees and enter the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, are sometimes entrusted with the control of finances in State institutions. Hence, Maths is essential to them A Pass in Maths at the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) will be compulsory to follow GCE Advanced Level (A/L) classes, with effect from 2017, the Education [...]
State to regulate, monitor International and Private schools: Education Ministry
In an attempt to regulate private and international schools, the Education Ministry has commenced collecting data of schools, including the number of students, teachers and the subjects taught. Regulating all schools by the Education Ministry is a policy decision made by the Government in its 100-Day programme, said Education Ministry Secretary Upali Marasinghe International and [...]
4,400 In-Service Graduate Teachers as Grade III Principals
Four thousand four hundred teachers (4,400) will be recruited as Grade III Principals by the Education Ministry in June, Ministry Secretary, Upali Marasinghe told the Education Times. He said that a competitive examination will be held in June, while applications will close on May 11. He said that, however, only teachers in service will be [...]
NWP bans classes on Sunday mornings and on Poya days
The North Western Provincial Council (NWPC) has banned tuition classes on Sundays and full moon Poya days. Notice to this effect has been given by the NWPC’s Human Resources Development Authority (HRDA) Chairman S.S.K. Gunawardena. The notice states that classes for schoolchildren from Grade 1 up to O/L, on Sundays between 6 am and 1.30 [...]
Undergraduate Scholarships for Estate Youths
The Plantation Human Development Trust (PHDT), a tripartite organisation comprising the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL), Regional Plantation Companies (RPC) and Plantation Trade Unions (PTU) formed by the Government to implement SocialD programmes to enhance the Quality of Life of the Plantation Community within Estates managed by RPCs, on Friday held its Annual General Meeting [...]
HC Sinha inaugurates Indian govt. sponsored Language Lab in Ampara
Indian High Commissioner (HC) Y.K. Sinha who was on a visit to Batticaloa and Ampara, this week inaugurated a Language Lab set up under full grant assistance by the Government of India, in Addalachenai, Ampara. The Language Lab in Addalachenai is one of nine Language Labs that the Government of India has set up in [...]
Achievers Awarded Medals
Members of the Parisara Niyamu Bata unit of the Metihakka Secondary School in Matale were presented medals at a recent ceremony. Parisara Niyamu medals were awarded to 18 students, while 33 students were awarded Gold medals. The Ambanganga Divisional Secretary, Wasantha Warnakulasooriya was the Chief Guest. Principal, E.S. Dissanayake and Environmental Officer Sriya Ranawaka were [...]
Aquinas, Australia Catholic Uni. sign MoU for Degree in Teaching
Aquinas University College, a premier Catholic higher education institute in Sri Lanka, which had received Degree-awarding status from the University Grants Commission (UGC), had entered into a historic Academic Partnership with world renowned Australian Catholic University (ACU) in February 2014, now launches its first Degree programme- Bachelor of Arts in Teaching (BAT). Accordingly, Rector of [...]
Higher education at low ebb as undergrads prefer protests to lectures
Undergraduates’ protests were a common sight this week, with angry students on streets holding placards, displaying banners and shouting, and sleeping on makeshift platforms. The Open University’s satyagraha campaign against the increase in course fee topped 100 days on Thursday and was marked with a protest held opposite the University Grants Commission in Colombo. Protests [...]
Computer Crime Seminar for Kandy schoolboys by Kandy Police IT Div.
The first Computer Crime Seminar by the Information Technology (IT) Division of Police Headquarters (HQ) was conducted for boys’ schools’ in Kandy recently, in collaboration with the IT Division of Kandy Police. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Charge of the IT Division at Police HQ Dananjaya Hettiarachchi said their intention was to promote the [...]
Anamaduwa’s rural kids receive their ‘enlightenment’ under trees
Children from a number of villages in Anamaduwa, including the village of Paramakande, have had no building for a daham pasala, for years. Their religious education is under the shade of a tree or inside a highly unsafe and derelict building. Parents complain that it is the lack of proper classrooms that compels children from [...]
Water Hyacinth taking over Nuwara Wewa
Following the recent heavy rains in the Anuradhapura district, a carpet of Water Hyacinth (‘Japan Jabara’) has spread to over 50 acres of the Nuwara Wewa. Residents say the fast-growing plant is likely to cover over half the tank by the end of the year unless urgent remedial measures are taken immediately. The plant was borne [...]
