The Government is to disarm the feuding factions of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP). The move, The Sunday Times learns, is prompted by several reasons. Main among them is said to be the growing internecine rivalry between factions led by Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan and National List parliamentarian Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna. According to plans now being formulated, personal protection is to be provided by the Police or the Army for senior leaders who face threats.

As the Golden Key Credit Card crisis grew, Ceylinco Consolidated Chairman Lalith Kotelawala -- in an unexpected move -- yesterday announced he was divesting the stake of his Ceylinco Group in Seylan Bank, saying he needed the money to settle depositors at the crisis-hit credit card company. The move came amidst concerns from the Central Bank where officials were worried about the impact on deposits at the Seylan Bank, founded two decades ago by Mr. Kotelawala, a powerful and politically-influential businessman. Seylan Bank CEO Ajitha Pasqual confirmed the Ceylinco Group was exiting and selling off all its interests in Seylan.......