Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake (CJ 43) has been notified to appear before the Bribery Commission today.

It would be an insult to the war heroes who sacrificed their lives for their motherland if we gave into international pressure and held Provincial Council (PC) election in the North, Technology and Atomic Energy Minister

The Mahanayake of the Malwatte Chapter Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera yesterday said delegating police or land powers would not harm the country as the overall power was vested with the President.

Matale Judicial Medical Officer Ajitha Jayasena, who oversaw the medical examinations of the remains dug up from the mass burial ground in the area, has been transferred to Kurunegala. He is expected to assume duties in Kurunegala today.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the main constituent party in the ruling coalition yesterday described the general strike planned by the opposition parties against

Former Colombo Deputy Mayor Azath Salley who shot to fame as a result of his arrest, yesterday said President Mahinda Rajapaksa was the ideal person to bring about proper peace and reconciliation.

University authorities yesterday agreed to admit as many as 1000 students under the technical stream to be introduced for Advance Level studies from this year onwards, a Minister said yesterday. The decision was taken after a three-day workshop...

The general strike fixed for tomorrow would be turned into an all-out strike if the need arose, the United National Party (UNP) led Vipakshaye Virodhaya (VV) said yesterday. UNP Assistant Leader and Member of Parliament Joseph Michael Perera told a...

A 78-year-old woman was killed when she was allegedly hit by a double-cab on the Wattegama Road in Nawayalatenne, Katugastota on Saturday, while attempting to cross the road.

Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) leader Minister Douglas Devananda, an advocate of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, yesterday said the delegating of land and police powers to the provincial councils should be held back for the time being...

A 14-year-old girl believed to be mentally handicapped has been hacked to death by a neighbour in the Polonnaruwa area, police said yesterday. The victim identified as Atapattu Mudiyanselage Gunathilake Maduka Hansarani had been living at Mahasen...

Two persons, whose modus operandi was to snatch gold chains from women’s necks while riding on a motor cycle, had been arrested in the Dankotuwa area. They had been in possession of a hand grenade when they were apprehended by the Unsolved Crimes Unit...

Sixty one Bangladeshi nationals including a woman who were detained in the Boossa Camp were deported from the country by Mihin Lanka flight MJ 502 yesterday, the Regional and Visa Immigration and Emigration Controller M.N. Ranasinghe. They were taken...

Hundreds of tea smallholders in the Balapitiya area staged a protest campaign in front of the Balapitiya Randobe Sangaraja Viharaya on Galle Road urging the authorities to remove barriers preventing them from selling their products. About one thousand...

Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha, Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, emphasized of, "strong political will is needed to finalize the process of considering, revising, and ultimately endorsing the draft Right to Development criteria...

The Sri Lankan missions in Riyadh and Jeddah are currently working 24 hours a day, including weekends, to sort out the paperwork of over 10,000 workers by July 3, the end of the three-month grace period provided for expatriate workers to rectify their...

An analytical report issued by the Government Analyst regarding a questionable bottle of soda found at a retail shop in the Slave Island area, stated that the GA was able to find a contaminated ingredient from the soda bottle which is unfit for human...

In a tragic incident, two brothers aged 22 and 18 drowned in a stream in Pallama yesterday when they had gone for a bath with their family members.. The two victims identified as Adisha Udayanga (22) and Nipuna Rasanga (18) died in a stream near the...

Almost 125 novice Buddhist monks were offered scholarships last Saturday by the Kalutara Bodhi Trust to study oriental languages, Buddhist philosophy and Buddhist civilization in Sri Lanka to mark the Vesak Festi- val this year. (Pic by Samantha...

Jana Setha Peramuna which had been supporting the government since its very inception announced that it would support the general strike that was due to take place on Tuesday (21). Jana Setha Peramuna Leader, Venerable Battaramulle Seelaratna Thera,...

The All Ceylon Union of English Teachers (ACUET) had requested President Mahinda Rajapaksa to consider the possibility of revising the proposed electricity tariff scheme as the tariff reduction announced by him at the May Day rally of the UPFA was not...

A lorry transporting a stock of fertilizer from Colombo to Mahiyangana had plunged into the Mahaweli Canal located along the Pelwehera - Dambulla Road causing a few of the bags of fertilizer to fall into the canal and get washed away. The lorry was...

Three houses had been damaged in Galporuyaya, Orubendiwewa in Mahiyangana after wild elephant’s attacked the village on Saturday night and proceeded to eat the paddy that had been stocked in stores there, villagers said. These villagers have been...

A student and another youth who had allegedly run a printing press for forging currency notes had been arrested along with three notes of 2000 rupee denomination by the Kosgoda police on Saturday (18). They have been arrested in the Gurukanda area in...

Cloudy skies, scattered showers and fairly strong winds should be expected in the coming days as the country was experiencing the South West Monsoon, the Department of Meteorology had warned yesterday (19). A spokesman from the department told Daily...

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) had launched an operation to arrest traders who sell inferior quality cosmetic products to consumers. A spokesman from the Ministry of Cooperatives and Internal Trade said that the CAA had been directed to carry...

Thailand had pledged its assistance for the development of Sri Lanka’s fisheries industry. Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Yukol Limlamthong had offered his country’s support when Minister of Fisheries Dr....

The Northern Provincial Council should be vested with a mainstream political party in order to safe guard the sovereignty of the nation, Minister of Construction Wimal Weerawansa said yesterday (19). Minister Weerawansa, who was speaking at a state...

The massive sum of Rs. 2.4 billion to be spent for the import of super luxury Rolls Royce and BMW vehicles for the Commonwealth Heads of State Conference in September this year would result in more and more burdens for the people, UNP Hambantota...

The Democratic Left Front (DLF) led by Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara has decided not to participate in the general strike organised by the opposition parties tomorrow. Minister Nanayakkara in a statement yesterday said though he respected the right of...

The historic Coffee Fountain constructed by British coffee planters is under restoration, monitored by the Kandy Municipal Council and the Department of Cultural Affairs. A private bank had earlier indicated its willingness to fund the restoration of...

A student of Mihintale Maha Vidyalaya won the first place for his invention at the competition held in Phoenix, Arizona of the United States where innovative creations were selected from among a number of international inventions. The 18-year-old...

The female hospital employee from Badulla who had left her two children in the care of her neighbours to report for duty at the Colombo National Hospital, will soon be given a transfer to her home town considering the circumstances, Health Ministry...

Some trade unions of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) yesterday warned of a sinister move by the authorities to impose unannounced power cuts during the general strike on Tuesday and put the blame on them. CEB United Trade Union Front Coordinating...

A woman was killed yesterday morning when she was run over by a SLTB bus travelling towards Hatton from Nawalapitiya in the Ambagamuwa area. The victim was J. Yogeswari (35) from an estate in Ambagamuwa. The driver of the bus had been taken into...

Two persons in Welimada were taken into custody on Saturday by the Welimada Police for allegedly possessing a mobile phone and a VCD with obscene pictures, the Welimada Police said. During a search operation conducted by the Police officers they found...

Two persons allegedly engaged in illicit gem mining in Idalgashinna, Bowatta without permits had been taken into custody on Saturday by the Haputale police. Two baskets used for mining had also been seized, the police said. The suspects aged 40 and...

The Teacher-Principal Trade Unions Joint Committee yesterday alleged that some provincial education authorities had brought forward the ‘sil campaign’ which was to be held in schools from May 23 to May 21. Ceylon Teacher Services Union (CTSU)...

The case filed against six policemen including the SSP of Mount Lavinia by the prime suspect of the Kaldemulle triple murder incident is to be taken up in the open Court today (20). The suspect Madura Manaranga de Silva who had been accused of killing...

The Free Trade Zone Workers Union (FTZWU) claimed that trade union workers were a lot that were severely affected by the recent electricity tariff hike as the owners of boarding houses where the zone workers lived have increased monthly fees to Rs 1000...

An 86-year-old man who had allegedly attempted to sexually abuse a 7year girl of a neighbouring house had been taken into custody after a complaint was made by the mother of the girl, the Dikwella. police said. The suspect was a resident of...

Issuing a statement regarding the protests against the recent electricity tariff hikes, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) observed these protests were a matter of public importance and the parties concerned should act within the framework of the...

Mother’s Day came and went, just another day in the calendar. Little bits of Colombo stirred, here and there, to celebrate – in hotels, homes and private occasions. But no organisation or institution, state-run or private, saw a need to organise a...

What social and political background created the need of a 13th Amendment? The background to the 13th Amendment is very important specially when everybody is talking about it now. I noticed that your newspaper also had carried out a survey. Fifty...

Anews item reveals [Daily Mirror 13.05.13] that “a great religious ceremony was held at the historic Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya on Saturday where millions of flowers were offered along with ornaments made of gold and silver and gem studded objects”....

I find it hard to understand why the Central Transport Board (CTB) does not implement a system to inform its commuters the times the buses will commence their journey from each starting point. If this information is displayed at the relevant places for...

Amidst confusion, controversy and conflicting reports on the toxic chemicals in milk powder imported from New Zealand, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has disclosed that a toxic chemical has been found in imported white sugar. The...

It was Georg Simmel, a German sociologist, who distinguished between what he termed the Dyad and the Triad, in order to explain how social relationships can become complex when human groups become larger. Dyad is a human pair and the two persons...

The new findings at the prehistoric site of Kuragala could turn a new page in Sri Lankan archaeology. After learning that excavations to uncover the history of Kuragala rock shelter complex in the Balangoda area are being undertaken by a team under...

While Shelton Perera, the proprietor of the Wallside Restaurant and Bar was going through the books of his business, his wife Joy who found herself too busy to go shopping had once again collared two of her husband’s employees, Ooty an owl and Tommo, a...

BERLIN, May 18, 2013 (AFP) - Bayern Munich came from two goals down to seal a 4-3 win at Borussia Moenchengladbach, while their Champions League opponents, Borussia Dortmund, lost 2-1 at home to Hoffenheim on the final day of the Bundesliga on...

World famous South African and IRB (International Rugby Board) referee Jonathan Kaplan will arrive in the island later this month to conduct a referee educator workshop in Kandy and Colombo. However the timing of Kaplan’s arrival has raised a doubt...

Dharmaraja College, Kandy made certain that they are the strongest contenders for the schools rugby plum the ‘League Title’ when they scored a good 48 points (6 goals and 2 penalties) to 26 (3 goals, 1 try) win over St. Anthony’s College in their...

Three more records were established at the 55th Junior National Athletics Championships which concluded at the Diyagama Stadium yesterday bringing the tally of new records to be established to 17 since the championship began on Thursday (May 18). Of...

PARIS, May 18 (Reuters) - Heavy rain forced the postponement of the Ligue 1 match between Nice and Olympique Lyon, due to kick off on Saturday at 1900 GMT, until Sunday.“Because of unfavourable weather conditions, the Nice v Lyon game on Saturday May...

LOS ANGELES, May 18, 2013 (AFP) - Olympic swimming great Michael Phelps has thrown cold water on a report that he would come out of retirement with a view to swimming at the 2016 Rio Games. “Why do I keep getting texts about coming back?” Phelps said...

PICTURES BY P D Matara City Club held the strong Air Force team to a goalless draw at the German Sri Lanka friendship football grounds in Matara last evening. Both teams missed out on relatively easy opportunities to score and it was an achievement...

PARIS, May 19, 2013 (AFP) With the Beatles ringing in his ears and tears in his eyes, David Beckham admitted that his starring role in Paris Saint-Germain's French title party was the last chapter of his colourful career. The 38-year-old former...

DUBLIN, May 18, 2013 (AFP) - Toulon beat Clermont 16-15 to win the European Cup on Saturday. Clermont scored two tries to Toulon's one in a nailbiting match, but three penalties and a conversion from English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson saw Toulon sneak...

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 (Reuters) - Badminton's world governing body (BWF) will create a separate commission to deal with matchfixing problems, Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen said after being elected president on Saturday. Denmark's 1996 Olympic men's singles...

ROME (AFP) - World number one Serena Williams swept Belarusian Victoria Azarenka aside 6-1, 6-3 to win the Rome Open title yesterday. Williams broke Azarenka's serve three times in a one-sided first set and despite a tighter second set the American...

MADRID, May 18 (Reuters) - Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova will return to New York next week for more treatment for throat cancer, the La Liga champions said on Saturday. Vilanova, 44, will receive a “pioneering treatment” that was “proving particularly...

LONDON (AFP) - Stuart Broad bowled England to victory in the first Test as New Zealand suffered a dramatic fourthday collapse at Lord's yesterday. New Zealand, chasing 239 for victory, were dismissed for just 68 in under two hours, with Broad taking...

MOSCOW, May 18 (Reuters) - He has long been nicknamed as the 'Russian Mourinho' but until this week CSKA Moscow coach Leonid Slutsky appeared to have very little in common with the outspoken Portuguese known the world over as the 'Special One'. Yet on...

Thomas Cook (India) Limited, the largest integrated travel and travel-related financial services company in India, Sri Lanka and Mauritius, has launched European tours, specially designed for the Sri Lankan market, offering a delightful diversity of...

Qatar Airways has resumed Boeing 787 Dreamliner services between Doha and London Heathrow after a worldwide grounding of the aircraft in January. The Doha-based carrier was the first to launch Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights to the UK in December and...

Sri Lanka Tourism’s three-day mega promotional campaign, ‘Get Sri Lankan’ed’ entered its final leg with a shopping mall activation at Mumbai’s famous Phoenix High Street Mall yesterday. Comprised of multiple events including several cultural shows and...

We learnt last week that James Kouzes and Barry Posner, the authors of ‘The Leadership Challenge’, identified “modeling the way” as one of the five practices of exemplary leadership. In fact, it is said to be the most critical leadership practice. What...

“The idea of anticipation is the key to investing and to business generally. You can’t wait for an opportunity to become obvious. You have to think, “Here’s what other people and companies have done under certain circumstances. Now, under these new...

A strategic investment decision in a renewable energy development project in December 2010, diversifying Bank of Ceylon’s (BOC) property arm, Property Development PLC’s (PDL) routine business, made a significant improvement to its financial...

Indian companies have invested nearly USD 1 billion in Sri Lanka since 2003 and this figure could rise above USD 2 billion in the next five years, Indian envoy to Colombo Ashok .K. Kantha has said. With investment inflows of USD 160 million in 2012,...

Bogala Graphite Lanka PLC (BOGA) has been able to see a turnaround in its 4Q13 net profit against a net loss in 4Q12 amid significant increases in finance income and a drop in administrative expenses, the interim financial accounts released to the...

Amid ship owners shifting survival mode, smaller ship yards filing for bankruptcy and the damp general global economic outlook, Colombo Dockyard PLC, a Sri Lankan listed ship building and repair firm saw its net profit plunging as much as 55 percent to...

Nearly a year into the successful completion of US $ 2.6 billion Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director, Christine Lagarde has recommended to initiate PostProgram Monitoring (PPM) in Sri Lanka on a...

Direct flights to Kazakhstan and Belarus are likely to be established in the near future in order to capitalize on increasing demand for Sri Lankan holidays, according to Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Udayanga Weeratunga “There has...

Cattier Champagne, one of the most luxurious champagnes since 1763 has entered the Sri Lankan market on its 250th anniversary. Jean-Jacques Cattier, President of Champagne Cattier visited Sri Lanka last week to host an exclusive launch event, in...

Iraq, a leading buyer of Sri Lankan tea has urged authorities to strengthen the process with regard to the packaging, certification and shipping of teas to avoid adulterated tea reaching Iraq. Iraqi Science and Technology Ministry’s Deputy Director...

With the first generation of tax reforms failing to generate intended revenues, International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged authorities to bring about second generation of tax reforms focused on broadening the tax base through improved...

Anti-Sri Lankan sentiments in South India are unlikely to affect Indian outbound tourism to Sri Lanka, according to Indian Association of Tour Operators President Subhash Goyal. “South India has been one of the beneficiaries of the opening up of trade...

Singapore Airlines (SIA), the world’s most awarded airline, offers an exceptional Business Class fare for your next holiday to surprise your loved ones. Passengers travelling on Singapore Airlines will be able to experience ‘KrisWorld’, Singapore...

Sanasa Development Bank PLC (SDB), a licensed specialized bank with a market capitalization of Rs.2.2 billion saw its net profits for the 1Q13 rising by 38 percent Year-on-Year (YoY) to Rs.117 million. In the corresponding quarter in 2012, the bank...

LB Finance PLC opened a premier customer center i n Colombo’s suburbs recently. The impressive LB Premier Finance Center was unveiled in the heart of Mt. Lavinia, affording high net-worth individuals living in the suburbs the opportunity to experience...

able development. The GIZ-SME Development programme focuses on strengthening Sri Lanka’s growing SME sector through a range of technical assistance activities focusing to improve access to finance for SMEs, develop competitiveness of SMEs through...

DFCC Vardhana Bank (DVB) recently expanded its network across the country opening two more new fully-fledged branches in the East. Adding to the development of the area, DVB opened branches in Oddamawadi and Akkareipattu enabling the local community...

The 60th Branch of Nations Trust Bank was opened in Deniyaya recently offering 365-day banking with extended hours coupled with exceptional customer service, the best amongst the rest in the financial industry. Being in operation for over 13 years,...

Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka PLC (MBSL) is organising a seminar on “How to overcome practical issues in implementing IFRS for Small, Medium and Large companies” to be held at Cinnamon Lakeside on June 5. On the same day MBSL intends to publish a Book...

A US soldier who was in Afghanistan and his nine-yearold daughter were reunited for the first time after a year on Thursday when she threw the ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game where he was disguised as the catcher. Alayna Adams, 9, of...

BEIJING, May 18, 2013 (AFP) - Pakistan is set to become the fifth Asian country to use China's domestic satellite navigation system which was launched as a rival to the US global positioning system, a report said Saturday. The Beidou, or Compass,...

KARACHI, May 19, 2013 (AFP) - Under tight security, Pakistani officials Sunday held a repeat election in a district of violence-plagued Karachi, despite the killing of a senior politician in the city the day before. Troops, police and paramilitary...

DHAKA, May 19, 2013 (AFP) - Bangladesh's top court on Sunday ordered police to prevent the owner of a garment factory that catered to top Western retailers from leaving the country, six months after 111 of his employees died in a fire. Delwar Hossain,...

BUENOS AIRES, 18 May 2013 (AFP) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Saturday he welcomed a US-Russian peace initiative to end Syria's civil war but had no plans to resign, in an interview with an Argentine newspaper. “To resign would be to flee,”...

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - An upmarket constituency of Pakistan's violence-plagued city of Karachi voted again under tight security on Sunday, a day after gunmen killed a senior politician from a reformist party in the district and a week after general...

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan, May 18, 2013 (AFP) - A Chinese man working on an energy project in Pakistan-administered Kashmir was being held Saturday after hundreds of protesters attacked his company offices over the alleged desecration of a Koran,...

KABUL, May 18, 2013 (AFP) - The Afghan parliament on Saturday cut short a debate on a bill to protect women from violence after complaints from some traditionalist MPs that it was against Islamic teaching. The Elimination of Violence against Women...

BEIJING, May 19, 2013 (AFP) - Chinese authorities were Sunday investigating claims that unidentified North Koreans hijacked a Chinese fishing boat, kidnapping 16 sailors and demanding a ransom, local media and an official said. Armed North Koreans on...

NEW DELHI, May 18, 2013 (AFP) - Bollywood superstar Sanjay Dutt, who is in jail for arms possession, is being held in a cell built for militants where he cannot see daylight and wants to be transferred, a report said Saturday. Dutt, 53, surrendered on...

NEW DELHI, May 18, 2013 (AFP) - India says all issues will be “on the table”, including a recent border spat and a festering trade imbalance, during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to the South Asian giant which started on Sunday. At the same time...

KARACHI, May 19, 2013 (AFP) - Gunmen have killed a Pakistani politician from Imran Khan's party in the southern port city of Karachi on the eve of a partial re-run of May 11 polls that were marked by more than 150 killings. Zohra Hussain, 59, vice...

Award-winning filmmaker Somaratne Dissanayake argues that he started work on his newest film ‘Siri Perakum’ more than two years ago, and therefore the new rule introduced by the National Film Corporation to limit prints to 35 copies from January this...

The Directors Guild of Sri Lanka told Impulse that there was an attempt by a film director to release 55 copies of his film, violating a National Film Corporation circular limiting the number of copies to 35 from January 1, 2013. The statement signed...

Multi-faceted personality A. S. P. Liyanage will be the new High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Nigeria. Dr. Liyanage who is an old boy of Nalanda College, Colombo is the leader of the Sri Lanka Labour Party too. He contested the last Presidential...

The grand premiere of London-based Engineer Wimal Alahakoon's newest inspiring feature film, MAW SENEHASA ( Motherhood – A silent love ) was last week held at the London PAUL ROBESON THREATRE. The event also coincided with International Mothers'...

Seasoned tele maker Christie Shelton Fernando’s latest tele serial ‘Ammawarune’ is now being telecast on Swarnavahini at 8.30 pm from Monday to Friday. In the present era when traditional perspectives and attitudes are being challenged, Sarojini...

Award-winning actress turned author Anoma Janadare launched the English version of her widely-read book ‘Punarukthi’ in Colombo with veteran filmmaker Sumitra Peries gracing the occasion as Chief Guest. Among the special guests who addressed the...

Unlike in the past, today there is unprecedented enthusiasm among artistes and filmmakers to base their creations on religious or philosophical themes. Today we focus on Sinhala movies made on Buddhist themes during the past 66 years. Buddhist...

Kumudu Nishantha’s Vesak tele drama ‘Ruhiru’ will be telecast on ITN on May 24 at 4 pm. Kumudu Nishantha has scripted and directed the tele drama featuring Nilmini Thennakoon, Saranga Dissasekara, Kumudu Nishantha and Umali Thilakarathe in the lead...

Two popular artistes Nalin Pradeep Udawela and Buddhika Jayaratne were involved in a brawl over a longstanding dispute at Horana recently. Though the people in the area began to panic, it was later revealed that the scenes were part of the latest tele...

You can’t dismiss them totally, especially as a professional actor. Long running tele dramas should be meaningful and give something worthwhile for the viewer.

Of course I see a huge difference and the main criteria now is the economic factor. It is this monetary factor that decides the quality of creations today. This has certainly affected the quality of creations. We have to swim against the tide to make...

Vijaya Dharmasri pencilled in me for a single episode tele drama called ‘Yoma Nuwan’, but my first role in a feature tele drama came in Nalan Mendis’ ‘Doo Daruwo’. Since then I got quite a lot of roles in the small screen. Even now I act in ‘Alu...

I first acted in school plays while at Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa under the guidance of our guru Tissa Gunawardana who taught us not only acting and drama, but also drawing, sculpting and even patience. In 1988 – 90, I was adjudged the best...

That came in ‘Guru Gedara’ directed by Vijaya Dharmasri in 1989. Later I acted in Asani Warsha, Thani Thatuwen Piyambanna, Me Mage Sandai, Sulanga, Gamani and others.

I am delighted about being nominated for the best actor award at the New York City International Film Festival which will be held from June 13 to 20. The nomination alone is an achiesvement from my point of view. Let’s wait and see. I also did a good...

My wife is Piumi Uthpala Dharmasri, my daughter Venuri Kihara and son Pansilu Pawan. Besides my family I am also grateful to my parents, my two brothers and sister, my teacher Tissa Gunawardana, Ashoka Peiris and Vijaya Dharmasri who really made an...

Yes, I was involved in the electronic media, but I realized it was not my cup of tea. I feel contented as an actor.

That’s one of my biggest dreams. I don’t know whether it will be a dream forever.