Oct 31 (BBC) At least 4,000 people are in displacement camps after being affected by floods in Sri Lanka linked to a tropical cyclone which is heading for southern India. But the worst of the storm failed to hit Sri Lankan territory directly. Cyclone Nilam is expected to hit India on Wednesday night. With wind speeds reaching 100 km/h (60 mph), Cyclone Nilam could make landfall on Tamil Nadu state and also hit the state of Andhra Pradesh. Schools, colleges and more..

Oct 31 (DM) Sri Lanka Power Boat Association is planning to hold a power boat championship for the first time in Sri Lanka next year. The championship will be held in collaboration with UIM. The power boat association is the latest addition to be registered as the 54th national sport assocoation in Sri Lanka. The association hopes to conduct the championship for 12 teams from the mercantile sector for the final championship. more..

Oct 31 (CI) The ODI between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Pallekele will be the first played with the altered playing conditions, and Ross Taylor said it was important for his team to get used to them as fast as possible. Under the tweaked playing conditions, there will be only two blocks of fielding restrictions: the first ten overs, when a maximum of two fielders can be placed outside the 30-yard circle, and a second block of five overs - the batting Powerplay, when three fielders are more..

Oct 31 (LBO) Colombo Stock Brokers' Association, a grouping representing a majority of stockbrokers operating in Sri Lanka has welcomed moves by the securities regulator to relax credit rules and allow brokers to trade in their own names. Sri Lanka's Securities and Exchange Commission relaxed several rules, after its chairman was replaced. "We specially appreciate the timely action taken by the Chairman and the commission members since on many occasions we brought this anomaly to the attention of the authorities to which more..

Oct 31 (ST) Millions of mobile SIM numbers have been re-issued to new customers without the knowledge of the original users, the TRC Director General Anusha Palpita said. He conceded that anything between 5 to 10 million old numbers may have be re-issued by private phone companies during the past several years. “These numbers may have remained inactive for a period of six months after the day of purchase and therefore more..

Oct 31 (NF) The World Carrom Championship got under way in Colombo today. This is the first time that Sri Lanka is hosting a World Carrom Championship. 120 competitors from 18 countries will take part at this event. Each team will include 4 male and 4 female competitors. 5 countries will take part in the team challenge. All other countries will take part in singles and doubles matches. The Sri Lanka contingent that will participate at the event includes 5 male and 5 female competitors. more..

Oct 31 (DN) Brandix Casualwear Ltd, Giritalé, has been accorded an ‘Eco Factory Attribute’ by Marks & Spencer (M&S), in recognition of its achievements in environmental sustainability and preservation. Strategically making use of its natural surroundings, Brandix’s Giritalé plant secured the M&S Eco Factory Attribute awarded under the latter’s ‘Plan A’ initiative, by significantly reducing its emissions and consumption of resources. Overall energy consumption was cut by 30%. more..

Oct 31 (DM) A 60-year-old woman was found dead in her garden in the Warapitiya area in Kahawatta by her son this evening when he came back from work. Police said that she had been slashed to death. She was admitted to the Kahawatta Hospital but had already succumbed to her injuries at the time of admission. It is the 15th reported death of a woman during the last four years in Kahawatta which had been a hot spot for years with more..

Oct 31 (DN) The govt will establish a National Stroke Care Institute in Colombo affiliated to the Mulleriyawa Base Hospital to provide treatment for stroke patients and to help persons affected by semi paralysis, using all modern technology, Health Minister Maitripala Sirisena said. He was addressing the programme which was held to mark the World Stroke Day-2012 at the Sri Lanka Medical Association on Monday. The govt is to spend Rs.400 million on this project which was held to more..

Oct 31 (SS) Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced on Wednesday that it had acceded to a request from Sri Lanka Cricket to split the 2013 tour to accommodate them. The Sri Lanka v South Africa test series will now take place in May/June, 2015. The Proteas will still fulfil their obligation to play five ODIs and three T20 International matches in 2013. “We have acceded to the request for two reasons,” commented CSA Acting CEO Jacques Faul. “In the first place we have a very good relationship more..

Oct 31 (DM) Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise Department employees said that they would stage a mass demonstration outside the Inland Revenue Department Headquarters today to urge the govt to increase wages by Rs.13,442.50 in the forthcoming 2013 budget. The Inland Revenue Employees General Union said they were prepared to halt work and go on a continuous strike if their demands were not met. more..