News
Home » NewsPolice sing for the thrice-blessed day of Vesak
![Police sing for the thrice-blessed day of Vesak Police sing for the thrice-blessed day of Vesak](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160515/uploads/DSC_6717-160_106.jpg)
As the country prepares for Vesak next Saturday, the annual Police Vesak Bhakthi Gee was held on a devotional note at the Police Park on Friday. The Police female choir clad in beautiful white uniforms is seen leading the Bhakthi Gee. Pic by Indika Handuwala
Work suspended after New Delhi claims it may be a naval facility
The construction of a new church on the island of Kachchativu has been stopped by the Sri Lankan Government after India raised issues over it. Navy Commander Ravindra Wijegunaratne told the Sunday Times construction work had been suspended until the issues were resolved. He said the Navy had been asked to undertake the construction by [...]
New laws for national security and crime busting
A new National Security Act and an Organised Crime Prevention Act to replace the Public Security Ordinance will be presented to Parliament by the end of July, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said. He said the new laws while incorporating more safeguards of human rights would also give more power to law enforcement authorities to fight [...]
Plans to turn around SLCTB, 12,000 layoffs, depot lands to be leased
The cash-strapped and over staffed Sri Lanka Central Transport Board (SLCTB) plans to lay off at least 12,000 workers and lease some of its lands to raise Rs. 11 billion to pay EPF and ETF dues to it workers, Transport Ministry Secretary Nihal Somaweera said. He said the current workforce was around 36,000 and this [...]
Alleged gender discrimination in police: A fourth woman ASP goes to court
Another woman Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) has filed a fundamental rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking an increase in cadre positions available to females in ranks of Superintendent of Police (SP) and above. This brings to four the number of policewomen who have now sought the Court’s intervention against what they plead is [...]
GSP Plus: Lanka has a long way to go, 27 conventions
![GSP Plus: Lanka has a long way to go, 27 conventions GSP Plus: Lanka has a long way to go, 27 conventions](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160515/uploads/DSC_5248-160_106.jpg)
The GSP Plus facility granted by the European Union is — by its very nature — a highly conditional duty free concession. To argue otherwise would be disingenuous. One need not look far. The concession’s unabbreviated name is the ‘EU Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance’. It is awarded to selected countries [...]
Supplementary Estimate vote report out on Tuesday
The four-member Committee appointed by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to probe the controversy over the supplementary estimate vote in Parliament, will submit its report on Tuesday. The Committee was appointed consequent to allegations by the Joint Opposition (JO) that the vote was miscalculated to favour the Government with two extra votes, when in fact, the vote [...]
Animal rights activists balk at Ministry’s stray dog plan
Animal rights activists are opposing a Local Government Ministry proposal to remove stray dogs and place them in animal shelters. Sathwa Mithuro president Sagarika Rajakarunanayake said a state-run dog shelter would not be the right answer to the problem. She said inadequate funds to run such shelters could result in animals being not properly fed [...]
Thiyagaraja Arasanayagam awarded Gratiaen Prize 2015
![Thiyagaraja Arasanayagam awarded Gratiaen Prize 2015 Thiyagaraja Arasanayagam awarded Gratiaen Prize 2015](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160515/uploads/DSC_7080-Thiyagaraja-Arasanayagam-White-Lanterns-Wesak-2011-160_106.jpg)
Poetry took centre stage last evening as Thiyagaraja Arasanayagam was awarded the Gratiaen Prize 2015 for his unpublished manuscript ‘White Lanterns – Wesak 2011’. The annual prize recognises the best work of creative writing in English by a Sri Lankan resident and comes with Rs. 200,000 in award money. This year’s judging panel for the [...]
Lightning alert as inter-monsoon season starts
![Lightning alert as inter-monsoon season starts Lightning alert as inter-monsoon season starts](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160515/uploads/10-160_106.jpg)
The intense heat of the past weeks has given way to heavy rains, thunderstorms and lightning, with those pushed into marginal areas by poverty and over-population most at risk of harm.The Department of Meteorology this week issued severe weather warnings for the Western, Eastern, Uva, Northern, North Central and Southern provinces over the next few [...]
Using Dalada Maligawa as background for wedding photoshoots frowned on
Using temple premises as a background for wedding photographs and ceremonies have become an emerging trend. However, Dalada Maligawa officials are not in favour of such practices. Recently a newly wedded couple who were posing for wedding photographs within the Maligawa precincts were politely asked by the temple authorities to refrain from doing so. Temple [...]
Cleaning up the Unawatunna beach
![Cleaning up the Unawatunna beach Cleaning up the Unawatunna beach](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160515/uploads/20160506_080953-160_106.jpg)
A programme to clean up the Unawatunna beach was conducted recently with the participation of over 300 government officials as well as several voluntary organisations. Officials of the Galle District Secretariat, Habaraduwa Divisional office as well as several Non-Governmental Organisations contributed to make the event a success.
Away from home FTZ workers badly hit by VAT on phone calls
Trade unions claimed last week that the imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) on telephone bills is a major blow to workers in the Free Trade Zone. Free Trade Zones and General Services Employees Union General Secretary Anton Marcus said that while the VAT increase has pushed up the cost of living of the average [...]
Supplementary Estimate vote report out on Tuesday
The four-member Committee appointed by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to probe the controversy over the supplementary estimate vote in Parliament, will submit its report on Tuesday. The Committee was appointed consequent to allegations by the Joint Opposition (JO) that the vote was miscalculated to favour the Government with two extra votes, when in fact, the vote [...]
Steering Committee of Constitutional Assembly welcomes representations from parties
The Steering Committee of the Constitutional Assembly has decided to give an opportunity to societies / associations and political parties which have not made representations to the Public Representations Committee (PRC) to make such written representations to the Steering Committee. Written representations should be sent separately under the following headings – (1) Nature of the [...]
Britain, US take flak at anti-corruption summit
It was to be the mother of all international anti-corruption summits. Last week’s one-day meeting in London attended by President Maithripala Sirisena, one of 11 heads of State or government participating, was to be the high point of British Prime Minister David Cameron’s personal crusade against corruption. But despite all of No. 10, Downing Street [...]
PM asks for report from IGP: Who kept journalists out of the Matara Magistrate’s Court?
![PM asks for report from IGP: Who kept journalists out of the Matara Magistrate’s Court? PM asks for report from IGP: Who kept journalists out of the Matara Magistrate’s Court?](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160515/uploads/20160512_151720_resized-160_106.jpg)
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara to probe last Thursday’s incident where journalists covering the arrest of former minister Basil Rajapaksa were allegedly obstructed from carrying out their duties. The alleged incident relates to journalists being barred from entering the premises of the Matara Magistrate’s Court when [...]
Alleged underworld leader ‘Army Sampath’ nabbed by STF
Alleged underworld leader ‘Army Sampath’ was arrested by the Police Special Task Force (STF) in Slave Island last morning. The suspect, known to law enforcement officials as a key figure in Colombo’s underworld, was taken into custody after a prolonged investigation. STF Commandant, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Ranjith Perera said the suspect [...]
F. J. & G. de Saram mark 175 years with new Rs 5 stamp
![F. J. & G. de Saram mark 175 years with new Rs 5 stamp F. J. & G. de Saram mark 175 years with new Rs 5 stamp](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160515/uploads/IMG_5217-160_106.jpg)
The Philatelic Bureau on Friday issued a new postage stamp in the denomination of Rs. 5 to mark the 175th Anniversary of F. J. & G. de Saram, Attorneys-at-Law. F. J. & G. de Saram was founded by Fredrick John de Saram, who commenced his practice of law with his apprenticeship with Andries Martensz in [...]
Firearms amnesty a success says Defence Ministry
![Firearms amnesty a success says Defence Ministry Firearms amnesty a success says Defence Ministry](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160515/uploads/WEpenHandover-160_106.jpg)
Authorities claim the two-week general amnesty announced by the Defence Ministry for the surrender of illegal firearms ended in a resounding success last week. While it was estimated that 300-400 firearms would be handed in, the actual figure was more than 400. According to Defence Ministry statistics, 423 firearms were handed in by 4 p.m. [...]
Fresh effort to solve the ‘unknown’ aspect of CKDu
![Fresh effort to solve the ‘unknown’ aspect of CKDu Fresh effort to solve the ‘unknown’ aspect of CKDu](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160515/uploads/Mr-Asela-Iddawela-Director-Presidential-Task-Force-on-Prevention-of-CKDu-160_106.jpg)
New life and vigour are to be infused to tackling the multi-faceted issues of the mysterious kidney disease that is felling farmers mainly in the North Central Province (NCP). This is part of a concerted effort to crack the ‘u’ or the ‘unknown’ aspect of the Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu), while also [...]
Calls for crackdown: School van driver caught drunk driving at 7 a.m.
![Calls for crackdown: School van driver caught drunk driving at 7 a.m. Calls for crackdown: School van driver caught drunk driving at 7 a.m.](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160515/uploads/School-Van-160_106.jpg)
Last week the Piliyandala police charged a 40-year-old school van driver with drunk driving, after he was nabbed in front of a school by the traffic police and produced in courts. His licence was suspended for a year, and he was fined Rs 5,000. While the law allowed him to get away with a pat [...]
Lanka a non-issue as TN goes to polls tomorrow
![Lanka a non-issue as TN goes to polls tomorrow Lanka a non-issue as TN goes to polls tomorrow](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160515/uploads/Election-material-on-sale-at-a-shop-in-Chennai-AFP-160_106.jpg)
As 58 million Tamil Nadu voters march to more than 60,000 polling booths spread across the State, the questions being asked are whether AIADMK leader Jeyaram Jayalalithaa would become the first chief minister to be elected for a record third time since 1984 or whether the 93-year-old DMK leader Muthuvel Karunanidhi would become the oldest [...]
North schoolgirl (18) rape and murder: Suspects further remanded at AG’s request
![North schoolgirl (18) rape and murder: Suspects further remanded at AG’s request North schoolgirl (18) rape and murder: Suspects further remanded at AG’s request](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160515/uploads/IMG_3477-160_106.jpg)
The Jaffna High Court on Wednesday further remanded for three more months, nine suspects arrested over the rape and murder of a school girl in Punkudutheevu, after the Attorney General’s (AG) Dept sought further detention to conclude investigations. Marking one year of court proceedings in the Kayts Magistrate’s court with repeated extensions of custody of [...]
Too many leopards dying in the hills
![Too many leopards dying in the hills Too many leopards dying in the hills](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160515/uploads/IMG_3895-160_106.jpg)
An alarming rise in leopard deaths in upcountry tea plantations has prompted police to begin an awareness campaign to avert deepening leopard-human conflict. On Tuesday, a plantation worker was severely injured when a leopard attacked him, springing out from tea bushes on the Q estate at Bogawantalawa. The move to create safety awareness among tea [...]
Main Vesak celebration at Purana Rajamaha Vihara, Hambantota
![Main Vesak celebration at Purana Rajamaha Vihara, Hambantota Main Vesak celebration at Purana Rajamaha Vihara, Hambantota](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160515/uploads/Thotalanga-160_106.jpg)
Several state-sponsored programmess to coincide with Vesak will be held this year too with the declaration of Vesak Week from May 18 to 24, Justice and Buddha Sasana Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksha said. The main Vesak celebration will be held on May 18 at Naigala Purana Rajamaha Vihara, Hambantota. The highlights of this event would be [...]
Using Dalada Maligawa as background for wedding photoshoots frowned on
Using temple premises as a background for wedding photographs and ceremonies have become an emerging trend. Recently however, authorities at the Dalada Maligawa who are not in favour of such practices have begun to dissuade the practice. . Recently a newly wedded couple who were posing for wedding photographs within the Maligawa precincts were politely [...]
Careless talk costs lives
Careless use of mobile phones has become a serious hazard with two lives lost this week due to persons distracted by their phones being knocked down by trains. Nineteen-year-old Thangavelu Kalaiselvi, who died after being knocked down by a train at Wellawatte, was a resident of Lulkadura (Loolecondera) in Deltota. The victim’s fiancé told police [...]
Abortions: No accurate figures because it is underground
![Abortions: No accurate figures because it is underground Abortions: No accurate figures because it is underground](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160515/uploads/AbortionGraphic-160_106.jpg)
Abortion in Sri Lanka is illegal, except when a pregnancy endangers the life of the mother. Yet it is also recurrent and widespread. Ever since the Government closed down abortion clinics in 2007—including a popular UNFPA-funded outfit in the heart of Colombo—women have gone underground to terminate unwanted pregnancies. There are no recent statistics on [...]
Criminals able to strike at will, brazen burglary shows
![Criminals able to strike at will, brazen burglary shows Criminals able to strike at will, brazen burglary shows](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160515/uploads/DSC_6810-160_106.jpg)
The brazen burglary of the house of former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Victor Perera in Panadura this week showed that thieves can strike even places that are generally regarded as safe. The thieves made off with jewellery and cash valued at nearly Rs. 1 million despite the house being guarded by security. Such incidents have [...]
Specialised geriatric hospital to open in Hendala
Un-utilised hospitals in provinces also to be turned into health care facilities for the elderly- Health Ministry An elderly care health facility costing a massive Rs.1000 million is to be opened soon in Hendala to cater to the growing number of older citizens in the country, the Health Ministry said. The facility which is being [...]
Mobiles won’t cause lightning deaths, expert says
![Mobiles won’t cause lightning deaths, expert says Mobiles won’t cause lightning deaths, expert says](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160515/uploads/R7A3328-160_106.jpg)
The tragic death of 17-year-old schoolboy Thilinda Chamika this week raised anxiety over the use of mobile phones during lightning as it was initially suspected that the victim had succumbed to a lightning strike. It is still unclear whether lightning did play a part in the tragedy or whether it was a case of electrocution [...]
Photo focus: Our vanishing wildlife
![Photo focus: Our vanishing wildlife Photo focus: Our vanishing wildlife](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160515/uploads/51-160_106.jpg)
The burning of forest reserves, the prevailing drought and clearing of land for development projects have all contributed to the diminishing space for the denizens of the wild. It has also contributed to animals being cut off from sources of their food. As a result these animals have been forced to move into areas inhabited [...]