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Laugfs also increases price of gas cylinders

Laugfs Gas PLC also announced a short while ago that they have received approval from the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) to increase the price of a 12.5 kg LP gas cylinder by Rs. 245 with effect from midnight today.

Accordingly, the price of a 12.5 kg gas cylinder would be increased to Rs. 1,676. Meanwhile, the price of a 5 kg LP gas cylinder had

I’m ready to be Opposition Leader: Dinesh

While claiming that the joint opposition had secured the majority in Parliament, joint opposition parliament group leader and MP, Dinesh Gunawardena said he was ready to be the official Opposition Leader in Parliament.

He told a news briefing the incumbent Opposition Leader, R.

Keheliya's phone bills paid with SPC funds: Trial fixed for July 13

Former chairman of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), former chairman Jayampathi Bandara Heenkenda and former minister Keheliya Rambukwella were indicted on charges of illegally paying Mr. Rambukwella's mobile phone bill while he was the Mass Media Minister from March 15, 2012 to April 14, 2012

Ranel Wijesinghe to be appointed SEC Chairman?

Top professional and Past President of Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICASL) Ranel Wijesinghe, is tipped to be appointed as the new Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman, reports claim.

Wijesinghe also served as a Commissioner in the previous Commission headed by Thilak

Ranjan files complaint at Bribery Commission

Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake yesterday lodged a complaint with the Bribery Commission against former Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekera, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Chairman Thilanga Sumathiapla, SLC CEO Ashley de Silva and other office bearers of the premier governing body of SLC.

Actor turned politician Ramanayake said the Bribery Commission accepted the complaint and

Prez orders fence along Viyana Canal

Following the instructions made by President Maithripala Sirisena, the Mahaweli Authority today said that it had taken measures to install a fence along the Viyana Canal at a cost of Rs.26.5 million.

Mahaweli Authority’s Director General Sarath Chandrasiri Vithana said the estimation for the project was approved at a meeting held this morning. 

The decision to install a fence was made after several vehicles toppled into the Canal. The most recent incident being an SUV found floating in the Canal yesterday.

The 13 km long Nikathupitiya-Mapakadawewa Road adjacent to the Viyana Canal was earlier used as a service route by the Mahaweli Authority.

Later, five kilometres of the road was acquired by the Road Development Authority (RDA) and developed as a B Class Road.

An RDA official said they produced a Road Safety Audit Report to the Mahaweli Authority in order to take precautions and minimise accidents, following a survey conducted on the instruction of RDA Provincial Director.

Earlier last month, the RDA had also sought approval for Rs. 62 million to install crash barriers in the identified risk zones along the canal.

According to the Road Safety Audit Report, a proposal had also been made to impose speed limits and set up lamp posts along the road to minimise accidents. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)


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Crowd-funding page to raise funds for Renuka’s son

The Toronto Maha Vihara Buddhist temple has set up a crowd-funding page to raise funds for the 7-year-old son of Renuka Amarasinghe, the Sri Lankan born single mother who was killed when a van ploughed down a crowded Toronto side walk on Monday running over pedestrians.

The tragic accident claimed 10 lives, including Ms. Amarasinghe,

Minister vows action after Yala bear saga

While stating that there is a threat to wildlife in the Yala National Park due to the action of some people, Wildlife Minister Ravindra Samaraweera yesterday said steps would be taken to minimize such threats which would result in decreasing safari jeeps entering the park daily.

Minister Samaraweera made this statement after a photograph, which showed a number of safari jeeps with tourists surrounding a sloth bear in the

Horana rubber factory owner and 2 others remanded

The owner, the Manager and the Senior Laboratory Controller of the rubber factory in Horana, where 5 persons recently died in an ammonia tank accident, have been remanded by the Horana Magistrate’s Court.

The three individuals were produced before Horana Magistrate

President promises far reaching reforms to the party

President Maithripala Sirisena reportedly promised to introduce political reforms to Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) with a change of some office bearers between May 8 and 15, it is learnt.

The President made remarks to this effect at the SLFP Central Committee meeting on Tuesday evening. This was the first Central

16 rebels kept mum about sitting in Opposition: Samarasinghe

The SLFP rebel group of 16 who quit the ‘Unity Government’ after supporting the No Faith Motion against the Prime Minister did not raise a mummer about sitting in the Opposition as an independent SLFP group in Parliament from May 8 onwards, Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said.

Minister Samarasinghe said the final decision of the Central

11 pandals in Colombo on Vesak Day: Police

While stating that 3,000 police personnel will be deployed on Vesak Day for the security of the people and traffic controls in the Colombo City, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said five Vesak zones will be held in Colombo including 11 pandals.

“We have arranged a special operation on Vesak Day ensuring the

Polls this year if approved by Parliament: EC

Elections Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday if Parliament approves the delimitation report on Provincial Councils within a month, then his office would be in a position to hold elections to six provincial councils this year.

He said if all the chips fall into place, the elections for the North-

Police liaising with Interpol to bring back Udayanga, Mahendran: Minister

Law and Order Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara today said that necessary action is already in place to bring in wanted, high profile individuals like Udayanga Weeratunga and Arjuna Mahendran back to the country, who have found refuge in foreign countries.

The minister said the International Police is assisting the local law

The 16 SLFPers vow to expose frauds in Govt.

Former Minister Chandima Weerakkody said today the 16 former SLFP ministers, state and deputy ministers who quit the yahapalana government would soon expose the frauds and misdeeds of the members of the government.

When asked why they were now going public with these

Court re-issues arrest warrant against Jaliya Wickramasuriya

Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today re-issued an open warrant against former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the US, Jaliya Wickramasuriya.

The warrant was issued against the envoy over the case in which he had allegedly misappropriated USD 132,000 of State funds in the

IP Rangajeewa and Lamahewa re-remanded

Police Narcotic Bureau Inspector Neomal Rangajeewa and Prisons Department Commissioner Emil Ranjan Lamahewa, who were in remand custody over the Welikada Prison riots in 2012, were further remanded till May 8 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today.

The CID arrested IP Rangajeewa and former Magazine Prisons

Int'l recognition needed for Cabinet posts: President

President Maithripala Sirisena has said that when appointing a Cabinet minister, the person selected must not only be acceptable locally but also internationally.

This had transpired when the BBC Sinhala channel interviewed the President during the Commonwealth Heads of Government

Ranjan to take on corruption at SLC

Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake yesterday claimed he had been questioned by Anti-Corruption officials of the International Cricket Council as part of its investigations into allegations of corruption in Sri Lanka. 

Ramanayake said that following comments he made exclusively to the Daily Mirror on March 16 – that he was prepared to disclose allegations of corruption at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in

UNP politburo meeting today

The UNP politburo will meet today at Temple Trees to discuss the methodology to be followed when electing the main officer bearers and the names of those to be selected to these posts, a politburo member told Daily Mirror.

It was reported that there was a suggestion during the previous

Removing executive presidency not effective when 13A remains: Wimal

The abolishment of the executive presidency is not a good move when the 13th Amendment to the Constitution remains as it is, National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa said.

In a press release, he said the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was brought to dilute the executive powers of the president by

Country can move forward only under a non-partisan President: Wijeyadasa

There is no point in forming national governments amidst a culture of levelling allegations against each other and it is more advantageous for the country to move forward under a non-partisan President, said former Minister MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe in Kandy on Sunday.

Mr. Rajapakshe expressed this view when he met the Mahanayake

Never get carried away with NCM victory - Sajith

One should not get carried away with the defeat of the No-Confidence Motion but should co-concentrate on the Presidential and General Elections in 2020, Minister of Housing Sajith Premadasa said over the weekend.

Mr. Premasada made this sentiment at the opening of

Three persons to be in charge of Sirikotha

United National Party (UNP) Headquarters is to be handed over to three persons who will be holding three major positions in the party as per the reorganization of the party, UNP sources said yesterday.

A statement from the party said that the party headquarters will be divided into three sections in accordance with the responsibilities

SLFP will leave the Unity Govt. if President decides: SB

Former Minister S. B. Dissanayake said it would be easy to prevail upon the Central Committee of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to leave the unity government if President Maithripala Sirisena decided for it.

Mr. Dissanayake, along with 15 others, relinquished their

Continuing Unity Govt.: SLFP to give proposals to UNP

A senior member of the United National Party (UNP) said yesterday the party would soon receive a copy of the proposals recommended by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

He told Daily Mirror the UNP was ready to discuss the continuation of the unity government with the SLFP no sooner the proposals are received.

Meanwhile, the UNP working committee and the parliamentary group are expected to approve a resolution calling for the continuation of the unity government with the SLFP till 2020.

The UNP -- SLFP unity government was set up in August 2015. (Yohan Perera)


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Asanka Gurusinha Chief Cricket Ops Officer

Asanka Gurusinha would be appointed as the Chief Cricket Operations Officer with effect from May 15, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) CEO Ashley de Silva told Daily Mirror today.

Yesterday, he said the election to elect new office bearers for the

Ban on pandals on Vesak, Poson Poya days to remain: Minister

Buddhasasana Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said yesterday the ban of pandals on Vesak and Poson Poya Days would not be changed and stressed the need to focus on the spiritual aspect of religion rather than on mundane activities.

He told Daily Mirror that this prohibition on pandals would only

Seating to be rearranged if 16 SLFPers sit with opposition

Parliament Secretary General Dammika Dassanayaka said yesterday the seating in Parliament would have to be rearranged if the 16 former SLFP ministers, state and deputy ministers opt to sit in the opposition on May 8 when the Parliament reconvenes after the prorogation.

He said this in the wake of media reports that they were likely to sit

Will boost economy in 100 days if given responsibility: Ravi

UNP Assistant Leader and former Minister Ravi Karunanayake said today he could build up the economy in 100 days if he was given the responsibility.

Addressing a meeting held at UNP office in Thotalanga, MP Karunanayake said state officials who go behind politicians do not

House prorogued fearing impeachment motion by UNP: SLPP

President Maithripala Sirisena prorogued Parliament because he feared an impeachment motion to be brought against him by the United National Party (UNP) backbenchers, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said yesterday.

MP Prasanna Ranatunga told a news conference that the UNP

Continuing Unity Govt.: SLFP to give proposals to UNP

A senior member of the United National Party (UNP) said yesterday the party would soon receive a copy of the proposals recommended by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

He told Daily Mirror the UNP was ready to discuss the continuation

Ammonia tragedy: CEA suspends factory operations

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has ordered to suspend the functions and operations of the Rubber Factory in Horana where five people were killed due to an ammonia gas exposure yesterday.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Director General of the CEA Hemantha Jayasinghe said the

New deal on future of unity govt. to be signed after April 24

The SLFP ministerial committee appointed by President Maihtripala Sirisena to look into the future of the unity government has made strong recommendations to drastically bring down the Cost of Living and provide facilities to achieve accelerated development in agriculture, industrial and education sectors and

Akila Viraj suitable to be General Secretary: UNP party sources

A group of United National Party (UNP) representatives yesterday stated that the current Deputy Secretary General of Parliament and Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam was suitable for the post of General Secretary of the UNP.

UNP Parliamentary Group and Working Committee member

Taxi meters compulsory from today

Meters with the capability of issuing a printed bill will be compulsory from today, the National Council for Road Safety (NCRF) said.

NCRF Chairman Dr Sisira Kodagoda told the Daily Mirror that all three-wheeler taxis should have meters by today.


MRIA commercial image damaged by paddy: Official

The image of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) had been tarnished after storing tons of paddy at the airport premises, a senior official at the MRIA said.

“Even after the landing of the world's largest cargo aircraft, Antonov An-225 Mriya on Wednesday, people kept on saying ‘the

Fuel price revision after consulting Prez, PM: Arjuna

A price revision on fuel will only be carried only after consulting President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Petroleum Resources Development Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said yesterday.

He said the government had to decide whether the Ceylon

UNP back benchers ask PM to appoint Mujibur Rahman as Dy. Speaker

A group of United National Party (UNP) back benchers had requested Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to appoint UNP MP Mujibur Rahman as the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, an MP said today.

They have reported to have submitted the letter signed by 20 MPs

TUs to hold joint May Day rally on May 1: JTU

Trade unions will hold their joint May Day rally as usual on May 1, the Joint Trade Union (JTU) said condemning the government’s decision to reschedule the rally to May 7.

In a statement, JTU Joint Secretary Anton Marcus said the government had not even discussed postponing the May Day with

Schoolgirl, allegedly afflicted with stigmatized disease, offered national school

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has offered national school admission to the schoolgirl from Ganemulla who was allegedly afflicted with a stigmatized disease.

Issuing a statement, the Education Ministry said this matter was taken up after Social Empowerment Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake brought it to light. It said studies of the victim had been disturbed due to stigma.

“Several media reports uncovered that the schoolgirl was insulted by school authorities solely due to her health condition and that she was likely to lose her school over the issue. Furthermore, Minister Kariyawasam has taken steps to provide employment to the victim’s father,” the statement said.

However, the minister pledged to appoint an independent supervisory board to resolve matters similar to this depressing incident and to regulate the functions of all government and international schools. (Kalathma Jayawardhane)


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Only President can win 2020: Duminda

The General Secretary of the SLFP Duminda Dissanayake yesterday said that he did not like to respond to the remarks made by SLFP Parliamentarian Dilan Perera on him and UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera.

“Here is a man who lives on lies and contradictions. It was this same Perera who once said he was to take poison if he could not

President stresses need for solidarity to eradicate poverty

Delivering the keynote speech at the Commonwealth Business Forum held in London, President Maithripala Sirisena highlighted that all stakeholders must work together to eradicate poverty, address climate change and to build peaceful inclusive societies.

“I call upon everyone present here to join hands with the Commonwealth countries as well as others to bring prosperity with best business

CHOGM related meeting cancelled due to British Parliament situ

President Maithripala Sirisena, who met a group of Sri Lankans in London, said political clashes were not only in Sri Lanka and even British Premier Theresa May had to cancel the meeting with CHOGM leaders to be held at Tuesday noon, owing to the situation in British Parliament.

“Some people in our country think political clashes are only in Sri

Met Dept. warns of severe thunderstorm, heavy showers for next 12 hours

Thunderstorms accompanied by severe lightning and thunder can be experienced in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, Uva and North-western provinces during next twelve hours, the Meteorology Department warned.

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre said that heavy rain falls of about 100 mm was also expected in some areas until 01.30 am tomorrow.

“There is a possibility of experiencing temporary strong gusty winds of up to 70 to 80 kmph during thundershowers,” it said.

When contacted, Met Department Duty forecaster said the adverse weather was a result of the Inter Monsoon conditions.

With regard to the current statistics and data, she said the department expects the weather to let up tomorrow.

However she said there might be a possibility that the weather pattern could be experienced once again after April 25. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)







































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Politicians are destroying cricket in Sri Lanka: Murali

Sri Lankan cricket is a mess because politicians have taken over, and with little or no knowledge of the game they are destroying the institution with every passing day, cricket legend Muttiah Muralitharan said.

In an interview with Indian Economic Times, Muralitharan spoke about the changes in Sri Lankan cricket and why wrist spinners offer better dividends in good batting conditions.

The Conversation:

What is wrong with Sri Lanka cricket?

From the days of Sanath Jayasuriya, Kaluwitharana, Aravinda de Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga to today, it has undergone a sea change. Don’t go so far back. In 2014, we won the World T20 beating India in the final in Dhaka and in 2011 we made the final of the 50-over World Cup in India. So what we are seeing today is a very recent development. To tell you the truth Sri Lankan cricket is currently in a mess. Politicians have taken over the running of the game and with little or no knowledge of the game they are destroying the institution with every passing day. Cricket is all about confidence. Giving the players the confidence to perform. Making them feel great when they wear Sri Lankan colours. I did not become a champion bowler in one day. For 4-5 years, Arjuna kept giving me the confidence. That’s how I became who I am. Now every time a batsman goes out to bat he is told you have to score or else we will bench you. The same is true for bowlers. In the last one year Sri Lanka has fielded some 60 players across all formats. 60 players in one year! This is irrational and tells you there is no vision how the game should be run. Such frequent chopping and changing will only end up destroying the game further.

But have the players done justice to the opportunities they have been given?

Take the case of Kusal Mendis. All of us thought he was a bright spark and will serve Sri Lanka cricket for a long time. He started out extremely well. However, within months he was out of the team. One bad series and dropped. Such things do little to inspire confidence among cricketers.

Moving away to something different now. We’ve recently seen India prefer Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal over Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja because they get more purchase in overseas conditions. Wrist spinners rather than finger spinners seem to be the flavour. Your take on this.?

Wrist spinners will always give you better dividends in overseas conditions. Or more simply put in good batting conditions. There can’t be any debate on this matter. They are expected to pick more wickets and I can clearly see and understand why the Indian selectors have done what they have done. There’s always an element of mystery to wrist spinners and until this mystery is decoded they will deliver for the captain. I don’t know whether Ashwin or Jadeja will be back but the reasoning behind the call is fairly obvious. And both Kuldeep and Chahal have done well and justified the faith shown in them.

Are you saying that to be successful every spinner today will have to have something mysterious in his repertoire?

While that is correct I’m also saying you have to keep your core intact. I always emphasised on bowling off-spin first and then trying out other things. Bowling too many doosras, for example, can impact your off spin bowling and it has happened to people in the past. That’s what modern day spinners need to keep in mind.

Coming to IPL, very good start to the season for your team.

It is a marathon and the race has just started. What we’ve done is create a team that has real good balance. Many people asked why we chose Wriddhiman Saha. It was a clearly thought out strategy. Last year we did not have good spin back-up options after Rashid Khan. This year we do. We have picked Sakib Al Hasan as our first choice left-arm spinner. When you have two quality spin bowlers in your team, it’s essential you have a good keeper. Else, the chances created by the spinners are wasted more often than not. So in that sense we’ve done what we could have. Now only time will tell if the planning gives us the results we are hoping for.

A word on David Warner’s absence — you must be missing him.

His are big shoes to fill. He has been an exceptional player for us and for any team he has played for. But there is little that can be done and I have to say Kane Williamson has led the team very well in Warner’s absence. He has the experience and has held the dressing room together quite nicely.


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Rtd. Major General Karunasekara re-remanded

Former Military Intelligence Director and Chief of Staff of the Army, Major General (Retired) Amal Karunasekara was re-remanded till May 2 by Mount Lavinia Magistrate today.

Major General Karunasekara was arrested in connection with the

Social media ban: Undue pressure from diplomats: President


When the Sri Lankan Government took action to impose the curfew, banning the social media and declaring the State of Emergency to control the Sinhala-Muslim unrest in the Kandy District in March, there were undue pressures from certain

Another gazette has to be issued to convene Parliament

President Maithripala Sirisena will have to issue another gazette notification specifying the time as to when the new Parliament sessions would commence if the House is to convene on May 8, 2018, Parliament sources said yesterday.

Deputy Secretary-General of Parliament Neil Inddawela who

 
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