The main opposition United National Party (UNP) said yesterday it was considering a change in its stance on power devolution and instead might opted for a new system of devolution depending on the will of the people. However, it said as of now it...

The Government said the trade union action against the electricity tariff hike was a failure with 93.5% of government sector workers reporting to work yesterday. It said the attendance on a normal day was about 90% and that the general strike

Twenty four passengers were injured when a private bus travelling to Diyatalawa from Jaffna skidded off the road and plunged down a 150-foot precipice at Palagolla yesterday. The Kotmale police said 12 of the injured were admitted to the Gampola...

The People's Movement against Increased Electricity Tariffs said yesterday em- ployees in some

External Affairs Minister G.L.Peiris told parliament yesterday there were three schools of thought regarding the 13th Amendment to the Constitution within the ruling coalition. Making his remarks during the debate moved by the Tamil National Alliance...

In a tragic incident, a 55year-old person jumped into a well with his five-year-old son over a family dispute. The in-

Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, the prime minister of Thailand, will address the Sri Lanka Parliament on May 31, during an official visit to the country, a party leader said yesterday. The business committee of parliament met with Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa in...

A female school teacher of Puwakgashandiya, Keselhenawa had jumped into an unpro- The police had instituted an investigation and questioned the neighbours about their failure to rescue the small child tected well in her own garden, on the night of...

Deputy Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan yesterday said he had spoken on behalf of late LTTE Political Chief Tamil Chelvam's wife and other exLTTE members to President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Speaking during an adjournment debate in Parliament, the...

A 48-year-old Sri Lankan Tamil settled in Chennai killed his mother, wife and daughter by slitting their throats, before committing suicide by jumping in front of a suburban train near Pazhavanthangal on Tuesday morning. His friends said the man was...

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) yesterday urged the government to use its two-thirds majority in parliament and repeal the 13th Amendment, which brought about the Provincial Council (PC) system.

Members of the Commerce and Industrial Employees Union yesterday staged a demonstration and a protest in support of the token strike organised by the Joint Trade Union Federation. They marched from Ratmalana to Mount Lavinia junction and staged protest...

India had failed in its attempts to solve the Tamil problem, said TNA MP R. Sampanthan at a farewell dinner hosted by the TNA to the outgoing Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha on Monday.

Former President Ranasinghe Premadasa gave the LTTE arms to fight against the Indian Peace Keeping Force and to strengthen the Mahaththaya Group that was rising within the LTTE at that time, UNP MP and the son of the Late President Premadasa...

Dead after allegedly setting himself on fire A 60-year-old resident of Gonawala area in Biyagama who suffered severe burns, died prior to admission at the Ragama Teaching Hospital, after he had allegedly set himself on fire in the Uduwarawatta area in...

Two men who were wanted for more than 25 gold chain robberies and many house robberies in the Chilaw, Puttalam and Kurunegala areas, were arrested during a raid carried out in the Dankotuwa town by the Chilaw Division of the Unresolved Crimes...

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is recording statements from relatives of victims who are believed to be buried in the Matale mass grave. The CID has recorded the statements of thirteen such families, who with the assistance of the Janatha...

A former parliamentarian who had represented Matugama electorate continually for 21 years passed away yesterday at the age of 102. He was under treatment at the Kalutara general hospital at the time of his demise. Born on June 09, 1912 he had his...

A person had taken away cash, jewellery and a mobile phone worth around Rs.40,000 from a CTB officer who was on board a train bound to Badulla from Fort, after offering him a drink containing drugs. When he had fallen asleep, the suspect had taken...

Police arrested a suspect wanted in connection with a house robbery in Matale, when he was hiding in the Galle area. He was arrested shortly after the police found that the jewellery robbed had been mortgaged at a pawn shop in Galle. The robbery was...

The elite Special Task Force (STF) seized 772 grammes of ganja during a search operation in the Bogashandiya area in Padaviya. The suspect was handed over to the Padaviya police for further investigations. The operation was carried out by a team from...

Nearly 13,489 kilos of the herb known as ‘Wallapatta’ (Gyrinops walla) worth some Rs.200 million was seized by Special Task Force (STF) personnel from a house at Kolonnawa. This herb is one of the main ingredients in the manufacture of perfume STF...

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane told Parliament yesterday that the 2011 Advanced Level Z-score crisis resulted from the Supreme Court ruling delivered by the then Chief Justice. The results of the 2011 GCE A/L examination were released on...

A Commando Sergeant of the Sri Lanka Army giving evidence before the Colombo High Court yesterday testified by the State Counsel narrated how the bomb that was attempted on the life of Pakistan High Commissioner went off at Colpetty on August 14,...

Private sector employees played a major role in yesterday’s token general strike organised by the Joint Trade Union Federation (JTUF) against the proposed electricity tariff increase with traders and shop owners in several parts of the country putting...

Power and Energy Ministry Secretary M.M.M.C. Ferdinando said yesterday the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant (LCPP) in Puttalam had helped save a massive Rs.81.30 billion in 2012 and 2013 with electricity generated at a unit cost of Rs.7.55. He said this was...

For the first time in recent history, the government had failed to pay the salaries of school teachers for this month even a day after the due date, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said in Parliament yesterday. Mr. Wickremesinghe said teachers...

The Supreme Court yesterday (21) fixed for support on June 18 the fundamental rights petition challenging the new Electricity Tariff Structure. The matter came up before the Bench comprising Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, Justices P.A. Ratnayake and...

The Department of Ayurveda said yesterday it would put on hold the registration of new Ayurveda spas from this month, though spas in institutions that are already registered with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board would continue. “The Department has taken...

The Indian Coast Guard was to deploy the newly commissioned ship ‘Vaibhav’, the third in a series of 90metre class offshore patrol vessels in the Gulf of Mannar and up ss to the international maritime boundary line with Sri Lanka, the Times of India...

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, (CHOGM)should not be held till the government repeals the 18th Amendment and sets up independent commissions, UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera said yesterday. Speaking during an adjournment motion in Parliament...

The ‘Ravana Balaya’ organisation yesterday handed over a letter to the Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs Ministry, condemning its silence over the recent attack ent at the ministry. on a Buddhist monk, who was In its letter, the organisatravelling in...

The Foreign Employment and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera yesterday called on the Sri Lankans remaining in Saudi Arabia illegally to make use of the general amnesty declared by that country to return to Sri Lanka. The Saudi Arabian government has...

A man who attempted to settle a dispute that had arisen between his daughter and her husband (the son-in-law) was stabbed by the son-in- law and later had succumbed to his injuries, the Mt, Lavinia police said. The unfortunate father Hubert James...

The Government was planning to postpone the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) Elections by filing a court case with regard to the polls, United National Party (UNP) MP Lakshman Kiriella charged yesterday. Speaking during an adjournment debate in...

Further trade union and legal action is to be taken by the trade union collective to remove the electricity tariff imposed last month, the Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) said. The Union yesterday staged a protest campaign against...

The United National Party (UNP) National List MP Dr. Harsha de Silva, in his capacity as the member of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) in Parliament, asked for the summoning of the officials of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF). Dr. de Silva...

The Wildlife Resources Conservation Ministry is planning to put up new electric fences covering about 300 kilo metres in several districts where elephanthuman conflict can cause various types of harm. At present, an electric fence covering 46 kms is...

Three Chinese nationals who claimed to be in Sri Lanka on business were arrested by the Kollupitiya police as they were staying in the country without a valid visa. When the three Chinese men were pro duced before Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina...

Vesak is a time for us to consider the Buddhist understanding of r e a l i t y. According to Wikipedia "reality" in Buddhism is called Dharma (Sanskrit) or Dhamma (Pali). This word, which is foundational to the conceptual frameworks of the Indian...

The State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), which supplies life- saving or essential drugs to public hospitals and medical clinics, was reported yesterday to have run out of funds to buy drugs because the Treasury had cut the Health Ministry's...

It has now become a very common practice that when public protests are held against arbitrary decisions taken by the government to increase prices of goods and services, the government uses its henchmen and yes-men to shout slogans and counteract them...

According to a front-page news item “Massive protest march in Colombo today” which appeared in the Daily Mirror recently, several Ministers amongst others were billed to participate to protest against the increased electricity tariff. I am of the...

As I said, the constitution of this council is my dream. I feel that I should contest . However, t h e Most of my supporters and well-wishers believe that I can perform better under the Veena symbol. That is the general feeling. However, I should...

TheTruth Beginning with the Ramayana breakaways from the original Theravada teachings, many Buddhists of the world have failed to cultivate complete faith in Buddha’s words that collectively spell the ‘Truth’. They have not realised that unless they...

existence of life in numerous forms in 31 planes of existence in a vast universe. He also preached rebirth in any of these worlds according to one’s karma–actions–past and present. Buddha’s teaching of repeated births in this world and other...

Independence Square, Colombo. On one side, the beauty of the city. On the other, the biggest geek event of the year. Look to this side, towards the Sri Lanka Foundation. Purple lights and crowds of black shirts, bearing the Mobitel logo on the back and...

It is with deep sorrow that I recall the death of my beloved eldest sister Flory (Sithie Rasheeda) who passed away on February 22, 2013. After her marriage to Mr. Farouk Cuncheer she lived in an estate in Kotmale. They were blessed with three...

The leader of the Jathika Hela Urumaya, Ven Omalpe Sobitha Thera said that about 8000 men and women between the ages of 18 and 30 years in the country commit suicide every year and that the numbers are increasing. Addressing a gathering at a religious...

The Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thera said that novice monks should learn the doctrine thoroughly and follow the path enunciated by the Buddha to protect Buddhism in the country. Ven. Mahanayake Thera after...

Erosion has resulted in a mound of earth at Lenagala on Welipilleva – Lenagala road in Homagama sliding down to damage a building of the Lenagala Maha Vidyalaya. While the school principal warned students to keep away from the danger area Homagama...

Health officers who inspected houses and home gardens in Kohuwala filed legal action against seven individuals who failed to maintain their premises free of dengue breeding grounds. A team of public health inspectors and the Kohuwala Community Police...

NEW DELHI, May 21, 2013 (AFP) - Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pledged on Tuesday to open up domestic markets to Indian businesses and narrow a gaping trade deficit between the two countries. “As for Indian concerns over the trade deficit, the...

MOSCOW, May 21, 2013 (AFP) - A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula early Tuesday followed by a series of strong aftershocks, the US Geological Survey said. The first quake struck at a depth of 33 kilometres at 0155 GMT, 136...

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2013 (AFP) - Top White House aides knew of a scandal over tax officials targeting conservative groups in April, but did not tell President Barack Obama, in a possible bid to insulate him from political damage. In a new twist to the...

KABUL, May 21, 2013 (AFP) - A roadside bomb in western Afghanistan and clashes in the volatile south left eleven police officers dead, officials said Tuesday. The bomb killed six police guards in Herat province on Tuesday as they travelled to a...

The chief executive of outsourcing firm iGATE Phaneesh Murthy has been sacked "for not disclosing a relationship with a subordinate". The firm said it had also investigated a "claim of sexual harassment" against Mr Murthy and found that he had not...

BEIJING, May 21, 2013 (AFP) - North Korea has released 16 Chinese fishermen and their boat, Chinese state-run media said Tuesday, after reports that armed assailants had taken the sailors hostage and demanded a ransom. “All the fishermen with the boat...

TIKRIT, Iraq, May 21, 2013 (AFP) - Five bombings and clashes between soldiers and gunmen killed eight people in Iraq on Tuesday, officials said, the latest in a spate of violence that has cost more than 370 lives so far this month. In Tarmiyah, north...

- Israeli troops shot at a target across the Syrian frontier on Tuesday in response to gunfire that struck its forces in the Golan Heights, the Israeli military said. A statement said a military vehicle was damaged by shots fired fromSyria but that...

Scientists have discovered blind and visually impaired people can locate objects by listening to echoes - just as bats and dolphins do. The research found those with impaired vision have the potential to use echolocation to find objects. Carried out...

IComplex role n April the World Bank governors endorsed two historic goals: to end extreme poverty by 2030 and to ensure that prosperity is shared. It will take a lot to end poverty: strong growth, more infrastructure investments, increased...

Some time back I attended a London Business School (LBS) Management Lab session, where the topic for discussion was, why some countries manage to achieve economic prosperity that helps them to escape the perils of poverty, while many other countries...

LONDON, May 20 (Reuters) - Fullback Alex Goode and rugby league convert Joel Tompkins have pulled out of England's three-match tour to Uruguay and Argentina because of injury, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said on Monday. Tompkins, among 11 uncapped...

KIEV, May 21, 2013 (AFP) - Ukraine's national manager Mikhail Fomenko announced Tuesday his 29man squad to play a friendly with Cameroon on June 2 at Kiev and the 2014 World Cup qualifier with Montenegro on June 7 at Podgorica Squad Goalkeepers:...

When the national rugby team arrived at the Katunayaka (Colombo) airport on Wednesday, November 1, 1972 and posed for a group photograph for the press before their departure to Hong Kong, they were no longer called “All-Ceylon Rugby Team” as before but...

SYDNEY, May 20 (Reuters) - Code-hopping fullback Israel Folau thinks that as a relatively unknown quantity in rugby union he might be able to catch the British and Irish Lions on the hop if he gets the chance to pull on a Wallabies shirt in a test...

Young Jacques Gunawardena is in lucks way for his motor racing career with support coming from McLarens Group of Companies. Jacques is to leave the island to compete in the FIM International Motor Cross Championships in Malaysia on June 8. He is...

PARIS, France, May 20, 2013 (AFP) Defending champion Zhang Jike of China retained his men's singles title at the World Table Tennis Championships in Paris on Monday after defeating compatriot Wang Hao in the final. Fourth seed Zhang prevailed 11-7,...

Hebert Cup Memorial Basketball tournament 2013 will be held on May 24, 25, 26.at Hebert Memorial Stadium in St. Michael’s, College, Batticaloa. The event is conducted in memory of Rev. Fr. Eugene John Hebert S.J. for the second consecutive year. This...

Ancelotti informed Paris St Germain officials on Sunday that he wants to leave at the end of the season after leading the club to their first French league title in 19 years. “I have asked the club to leave and I am waiting for their answer because I...

SYDNEY, May 21, 2013 (AFP) - Cricket Australia said Tuesday it had no immediate plan to curb the use of social media by players after a Twitter rant by David Warner, but suggested it could happen in the future. Opening batsman Warner is due to face a...

DUBLIN, Ohio, May 20, 2013 (AFP) - Chinese schoolboy Guan Tianlang, the youngest player in Masters history, will continue his dream run in US PGA events by playing in next week's Memorial tournament, organizers said Monday. The 14-year-old prodigy won...

LONDON, May 21 (Reuters) - England named an unchanged squad for the second test against New Zealand starting on Friday after batsman Ian Bell was declared fit following a bout of tonsillitis. Bell climbed out of his sick bed to take his place at the...

The Travel Trade Sports Club will conduct 4 tournaments during the month of June 2013. The first event will be on Saturday June 1, the Seventh Beach Volleyball Championships sponsored by Mt. Lavinia Hotel Group and hosted by Club Bentota, Paradise...

The scandal-hit Indian Premier League today suffered another blow with the Sahara Groupowned Pune Warriors Indians withdrawing from the event due to the BCCI’s lackadaisical arbitration proceedings to lower the franchise fee and its decision to encash...

Suresh Nithyanathan a former outstanding hockey player and athlete of Wesley College Colombo and a live wire of the Old Wesleyites Sports Club passed away following a heart ailment last Saturday. The passing away of Niththi as he was fondly known...

Fourth seed Zhang prevailed 11-7, 11-8, 6-11, 14-12, 5-11, 11-7 in a rematch of last year's Olympic final to secure a fourth major title in a row. Zhang completed a career grand slam when he pipped Wang to the Olympic crown in London last August,...

Despite government investments in the economy increasing as a percentage of GDP as well as in absolute terms during 2012, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) points out that Sri Lanka’s public investment is low compared to countries that have...

Colombo International Container Ter minal (CICT), which is developed under the South Harbour Terminal project received its first vessel on May 20, carrying on board 3 gantry cranes and 10 rubber tire gantry cranes to be installed at the CICT. The...

A substantial decrease in finance costs enabled Lanka IOC PLC (LIOC) to post a net profit of Rs.805.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 (4Q12) as against Rs.42.6 million during the corresponding period of the previous year, interim...

The Central Bank’s Monetary Board of Sri Lanka has granted approval to consider investments in Gilt Unit Trusts (GUTs) by commercial banks and finance companies as liquid investments with certain restrictions. The decision was taken in a bid to boost...

The Rs.1.5 billion debenture issue by Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC has been oversubscribed and the issue closed at 4.30 pm yesterday. Singer Sri Lanka issued 15 million unsecured redeemable debentures in two tranches, each share at a face value of Rs.100....

The Colombo bourse saw foreigners snatching shares worth of Rs.1.09 billion yesterday, recording the highest net foreign inflow figure in nearly 2.5 months (after March 7). Thus the total net foreign inflow to the country in 2013 stood at Rs.12.56...

Treasury bill yields remained more or less flat at the second T-bill issue after the policy rate cut by the Central Bank with 12-month bill yields edging up 2 basis points. The 3-month Treasury bill yields remained flat at 8.75 percent while 6-month...

Revolutionizing the motor industry with its latest technological developments and outof-the-box thinking, Peugeot brings the new Blue Box concept to the local market. Following the new corporate image where all Peugeot outlets throughout the world...

A delegation from China National Garment Association (CNGA) visited Sri Lanka recently to explore the business and investment opportunities in the Sri Lankan garment sector. China is the world’s number one apparel exporter and its apparel industry...

Eswaran Brothers Exports, one of Sri Lanka’s leading tea exporters, has been highly commended as a Sustainable Business of the Year at the UK’s prestigious Environment and Energy Awards 2013.This year’s award ceremony was held recently at the...

The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) connects young students with high profile CEOs of different industries with ‘Entering the Corporate Arena’, a forum for career guidance and entrepreneurship, which was held successfully for the fourth...

Energetic youth brand Prima Kottumee launched Prima Kottumee Cup Noodles to Sri Lanka in a colourful event held in Colombo recently. Taking into consideration the active and busy lifestyles of today’s youth, Prima Kottumee Cup Noodles fills a vacuum...

The Wood Based Industrialists Association (WBIA) has organised an awareness seminar to be held at the main auditorium of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board on June 5, 2013 with the presence of several line ministry secretaries, board chairmen and...