Nov 1 (PTI) Sachithra Senanayake, the SL off-spinner banned for illegal bowling action, is to proceed to Chennai's ICC accredited centre for suspect actions. Jerome Jayaratne, SLC head bowling coach, said that the off-spinner has corrected his action since being banned by the ICC. SLC executive committee, convinced now of the correctness of Senanayake's bowling action, has approved off-spinner's departure for testing more..

Nov 1 (SL) Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) are two vital organisations that have a direct bearing on the country’s economy and it is of great importance that these two organisations function without losses even if they do not make profits. However the CEB is believed to owe the people’s bank a staggering Rs. 40 billion while the CPC owes the Bank of Ceylon a colossal 221 billion. more..

Nov 1 (DM) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) executive committee officials were pulling the national women’s cricket sex scandal in different directions following an initial fact-finding probe revealed on Thursday that there was enough evidence to suggest a full-scale investigation. President Jayantha Dharmadasa had called for an independent investigation on the scandal. “President of SLC feels that a complete outsider more..

Nov 1 (DM) Transport Ministry has included the monorail transport system in its master plan prepared with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for developing the urban transport system linking the Colombo city with the suburbs, Parliament was informed. The plan, which will be implemented in stages from 2015 to 2035, includes both road and rail-based transport systems. Minister Kumara Welgama gave these details more..

Nov 1 (AM) Minister Mervyn Silva’s son, Malaka silva has been hospitalized in the wee hours of Saturday after being assaulted in a night club in Bambalapitiya. Silva has reportedly been assaulted by a Scottish national and the Police are still conducting inquiries on the matter. A friend of Malaka Silva had lodged a complaint with the police over the incident. Hospital sources said that Malaka Silva’s condition was not critical. more..

Nov 1 (GDI) The Govt has taken steps to establish a new Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) to monitor the thousands of multi day fishing boats in the Sri Lankan seas. The govt has observed that new technology has to be incorporated for the sustainable management of the island's fisheries industry and the implementation of the global concept of the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) has become mandatory. more..

Nov 1 (SLA) Sri Lanka Army engaged in all evacuation and relief operations, now in full swing at Koslandawatta-Meeriyabedda estate areas of Haldummulla DS brought down a team of sniffer dogs of the Army on Thursday, to sniff out for any survivors or the dead under the rubble on the directions of the Commander of the Army, Daya Ratnayake who visited the affected location and temporary relief centres. more..

Nov 1 (Xinhua) Sniffer dogs were deployed on Friday to search for bodies of hundreds who are still missing after a massive landslide in central Sri Lanka while relief measures for hundreds displaced by torrential rain continues, an official said. Relief efforts re-started for the third day on Friday but a mammoth task still remained as more than 120 houses, a milk collection center, two shops and a Hindu Temple remained buried. more..

Nov 1 (CT) The media reports from time to time about health officials raiding go downs and store houses of wholesalers and dealers in the city as well as the suburbs, to unearth date expired food items unsuitable for human consumption being stored there, to be put back into the market with new labels and expiry dates and so on, for sale to the public. The unsuspecting public, quite oblivious of the misdeeds of these unscrupulous persons purchase these products and consume them, more..

Nov 1 (CT) The market is seen buoyant with stocks rallying up. The overall market sentiment is positive. This sums up the current outlook of the share market. As the CSE flirts at Institutional investors/manipulators etc, some commentators may say that the market is getting a bit overheated. But are we at the verge of a burst of a bubble as that happened not so long ago? Clearly not so, I believe. The good news the Market is led by fundamentally strong stocks. more..

Nov 1 (CT) The present budget for 2015 is a populist exercise which ignores the cannons of macro-economic prudence. It plans to disburse billions of Rupees by way of salary increases to public servants and pensioners and giveaways to various sectors and groups of the public by reductions of indirect taxes and charges for services such as the charges for water and electricity despite the providers not covering their costs including replacement provisions. more..

Nov 1 (CT) I remembered the ‘Little red Riding Hood’ story by brothers Grimm, last night, while reading the highlights of MR’s latest budget, that is a prelude to the next presidential elections. “She was surprised to find the cottage-door standing open, and when she went into the room, she had such a strange feeling that she said to herself: ‘Oh dear! how uneasy I feel today, and at other times I like being with grandmother so much.’ She called out: ‘Good morning,’ but received no answer; more..

Nov 1 (ST) As many as 87 (39%) of the 225 MPs in the current Parliament are debutants – that is, they are first time MPs. The question is, who are they batting for, and how are they doing? Most new MPs batting for the UPFA: Almost three fourths, 62, of the debutants are sitting with the UPFA. 20 MPs are with the UNF, 4 with the TNA and 1 with the DNA. But UNF team outscoring the rest: Normally well represented groups more..

Nov 1 (CT) More than Rs 3.6 billion has been allocated to the Elections Department next year (2015), which is an increase of Rs 1.6 billion when compared to the allocations previous year, Budget estimates 2015 showed. According to Budget estimates, 3.610 billion of recurrent expenditure and Rs 36 million as capital expenditure has been allocated to the Elections Department. It further said that Rs 3,110 million will be allocated to conduct elections next year and Rs 126 million to more..

Nov 1 (ST) Education Ministry has instructed school and national Sports Development Officers to prepare Sports Assessment for students under 13 years. Deputy Minister of Education, Mohan Lal Grero told Parliament recently that schools have been told not to compel students aged 5-13 into competitive sports. “Schools have been requested to focus on body preparation by assessing the students’ abilities and observing their performances by Physical Training instructors or Sports teachers. more..

Nov 1 (DN) Sri Lanka is striving to become a science and knowledge based developed country. The opening of Mahindodaya Technological Laboratories has created new avenues for students to pursue their education using modern technology, said President Rajapaksa. He was speaking as Chief Guest at the event "President's Awards for Scientific Publications" held at the Waters Edge yesterday. more..

Nov 1 (CT) The state of teaching of mathematics in Sri Lanka is such that three prisoners learning mathematics at the Education Ministry prison school have escaped, Minister of Education Bandula Gunawardane said, unveiling the Committee report on increasing the standard of mathematics at the GCE O/L. "The number of students passing the mathematics exam at the GCE O/L is on the decline. That is why a committee was appointed to find ways to increase the standard of mathematics," more..

Nov 1 (Island) Head of the Toxicology and National Poisons Information Centre (TNPIC) of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka Dr. Waruna Gunathilake said to minimise the entry of toxins into the food chain the farmer had to follow the pre harvest interval concept on applying agrochemicals strictly. He said that this year’s Poison Prevention Week organised by the TNPIC would be held from November 10 to 16 under the theme ‘Non Communicable Diseases and Toxins’. more..

Nov 1 (Island) Govt investigating an alleged TNA plot to provide unsubstantiated information to UN war crimes investigators wants to question Vavuniya-based senior TNA official Alva Pulle Vijendrakumar alias Sun Master. The TNA official had hurriedly left his Vavuniya residence and sought refuge presumably in Colombo or its suburbs after his name transpired in the ongoing probe. Sources said that Vijendrakumar had to be more..

Nov 1 (Island) During the Govt Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF) yesterday urged the Health Ministry to restrict the use of mobile phones by hospital staff during working hours following complaints from patients seeking treatment at govt hospitals. GMOF President, Dr. Rukshan Bellana said that only doctors and matrons should be permitted to use mobile phones as a majority of calls by them were for administrative purposes and other official use whereas junior nurses, more..

Nov 1 (AD) Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) says that 7 districts are currently being monitored for possible landslide situation, where Volunteers and Govt Officials are on standby to assist in a possible evacuation. Red Cross volunteers assisted in evacuating over 1200 people in Nuwara Eliya due to the threat of landslides. They are now housed at 15 evacuation centers in the district and being provided with required non-food relief items and first aid support. more..

Nov 1 (CI) The only thing more clichéd than India v SL matches now, are jokes about how clichéd India v SL matches are. There was a time when incessant reciprocal tours between these teams had begun to grate, but lately, Pakistan has played more against SL, and the six most recent India v SL ties came at multi-team tournaments. It is not quite a storied rivalry, but interesting sub-plots have brewed in recent years. more..

Nov 1 (CG) Northern Provincial Council (NPC) is more forward thinking and is doing better than the Govt when addressing the issues of the people, the TNA told Parliament today. TNA MP Suresh Premachandran said that the NPC is giving Rs. 3000 as an allowance to pre-school teachers in the North while the Govt announced Rs. 2500 as an allowance for pre-school teachers through the 2015 budget. “We can be proud of the performance of the NPC,” Premachandran told Parliament today, more..

Nov 1 (PTI) Families of five fishermen sentenced to death by a court in Sri Lanka for alleged drug trafficking on Saturday observed a one-day fast to press the govt to take immediate steps to bring them back home. The families wore black badges at the venue in this coastal town. Local people, as also about 3,000 activists of various political parties joined them at the spot, shouted slogans against the court verdict and urged govt to do everything possible to get the fishermen back. more..

Nov 1 (GDI) The Second Reading of the Budget was passed in Parliament this evening with a majority of 100 votes. The vote on the second reading of the Appropriation bill 2015 received 157 votes for and 57 votes against. The UNP, the DNA and the TNA voted against the motion. President Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Finance presented budget proposals last week (24) and the second reading of the more..

Nov 1 (Island) Lack of quorum which has long been a feature at the national legislature has percolated down with a debate on the deterioration and politicisation of the Foreign Service at the Western Provincial Council (WPC) not being put to a vote. The motion had been submitted by UNP member of the WPC, Harshana Rajakaruna, last week. Rajakaruna said that 35 members were required for a quarate meeting but there had been only 30 in the chamber and they had been more..

Nov 1 (SM) JHU is preparing to make a decisive exposé over the 1500m rupee-fraud said to have taken place while importing coal for the Norochcholai coal power plant and over 'casino politics'. JHU General Secretary Champika Ranawaka is to further reveal details at 3.30pm on Nov. 5, at the Mahaweli Centre auditorium. In a bid to win back the affiliation of the JHU, the govt has stated that measures will be taken against this fraud. However, taking a firm stance, more..

Nov 1 (NIE) Several persons were arrested across the State as protests against a Sri Lankan court verdict awarding death sentence to five fishermen reached a pitch on Friday. Agitators gave vent to their anger by shouting anti-Lanka slogans and targeting the neighbouring country’s president Rajapaksa by burning his effigies. In Chennai, over 300 people belonging to several organisations were arrested for more..

Nov 1 (Island) Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) yesterday extended the concession rate at which it supplies fuel to the West Coast Power Plant. The CPC move would benefit WCPP to the tune of about Rs. 10 million a month. CPC Managing Director Susantha Silva said the facility had been extended till November 30. He said that the reduction of ten rupees per litre would not hurt the CPC as it would help them clear stock piles. The West Coast Plant is expected to purchase about one million more..

Nov 1 (FT) After two days of deliberations, the fourth Global Rubber Confab in Colombo closed successfully on 29 Oct, with participating international reps hailing it a ‘great experience’. “This is an experience. Sri Lanka’s GRC is an astounding success. Despite the very low rubber prices in the global market, we have been fortunate to have it in Sri Lanka with many international experts and speakers in attendance,” said Dr. Abdul Aziz, Chairman, Confexhub Sdn Bhd more..

Nov 1 (AM) Former Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the UK Chris Nonis, who resigned from his position after being allegedly assaulted by monitoring MP Sajin Vaas Gunawardena, is to be appointed as an Advisor to the President. ‘Deshaya’ newspaper, said the President had decided to appoint Nonis as a Presidential Advisor after discussing the matter with Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. more..

Nov 2 (SO) The Opposition was stunned by the people-friendly Budget 2015 presented by President Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Finance and Planning in Parliament on Nov 24 and is trying to figure out how the Govt granted salary increases to public servants while allocating billions of rupees for development and social welfare. The Budget had something for everyone, for people of all walks of life. If one were to make a study on how the economy had been managed since more..

Nov 2 (SL) The landslide at Meeriyabeddewatte Estate, which buried an unknown number of estate employees – estimated at over 150 – is the most devastating tragedy to have struck this country since the tsunami of Dec 2004. Children who were packed off to school by their parents or accompanied by them to school, returned to the place which was once their home, now no more, and with their parents buried under a huge mountain of mud probably forever. more..

Nov 2 (SO) Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said Budget 2015 came as a shock to the Opposition. How can they argue about hings where the people are going to benefit? Therefore, the Opposition resorts to other avenues of mud-slinging speeches and derails the Budget debate. That is their purpose. Minister said the Budget debate should have some degree of seriousness and the main issues should be more..

Nov 2 (ST) After seven days of debating the “ghame bhaiyyas” (village bumpkin’s) Budget, as President Rajapaksa himself quipped after presenting it to the House on October 24, depending on which side of the political divide one was on, it was labelled either an election Budget or one intended to take the country to upper-middle income level by 2020. Across the board, Opposition legislators saw the many promises contained in the Budget as only intended to appease people ahead of more..

Nov 2 (Island) We were happy to publish in our issue last Sunday the response of the Indian High Commission in Colombo to Mr. Rajeewa Jayaweera’s comments on High Commissioner Sinha’s remarks of "under-appreciation" here of Indian aid. There was a blaze of recent publicity over the resumption of the Yal Devi train service to Jaffna. That would not have been possible but for the massive assistance from India to restore the rail system wrecked by the war and more..

Nov 2 (SL) With the Presidential Elections expected to be held in January next year, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) charges that it is not the right time to hold an election since the next Presidential Election is scheduled to be held only in 2017. General Secretary of the JVP Tilvyn Silva says that the JVP will do everything in their power to prevent the elections being held in January next year. Excerpts of the interview: more..

Nov 2 (SL) There is one thing that no one can really argue about Ranil Wickremesinghe: he is consistent. As usual he is playing his same old games. The only thing that changes are the actors. This time round we can exclusively reveal that Ranil Wickremesinghe has moved Mangala Samaraweera and Krishantha Cooray out of the PR and media exercise and brought in Erwin Weerakkody together with Sugath Chandrasekera to handle the PR and media stratagems for next Presidential poll. more..

Nov 2 (ST) My dear Champika, I thought I must write to you because your party has been at the centre of attention in the past few weeks, demanding changes to the Constitution, independent commissions to oversee the Police and elections and a reduction in the powers now held by Mahinda maama. I heard that your party even tried to talk about it to Mahinda maama. Apparently all he could promise was a “chandeta passey slalakala balannam”, saying he will see what he can do after the election, more..