Nov 1 (SO) They came, they saw, and they baton-charged. Or, they were already in position and saw, and baton-charged. Under successive previous political dispensations this kind of behaviour by our Police force was a familiar occurrence. In fact, during the immediate past regime, a mere baton charge began to be regarded as 'light' treatment in the face of the increasing deployment of Police STF units and even of the Army to quell such outbreaks of civilian public protests. more..

Nov 1 (SL) Murder, particularly political murder, demands that justice should not only be done to the victim but also casts a burden on society to unearth the killers lest they return to the killing fields for more killings or to cover their tracks. Lasantha Wickrematunge, the founder editor of this newspaper, was killed on Jan 8, 2009 by unknown gunmen on Attidiya Road. Despite the damning condemnation by the international media, world leaders and an appeal made even by more..

Nov 1 (SO) Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Parliamentary watchdog expressed satisfaction on the investigations launched by the govt on the killings of MPs Joseph Pararajasingham, Nadarajah Raviraj, T. Maheswaran and D.M. Dassanayake. Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala who led the Sri Lankan Parliamentary delegation to the recent 133rd IPU Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. more..

Nov 1 (Island) It is beyond argument that Sri Lanka has already done incalculable harm to her environment; but it is also a fact of life that environmental damage is a price that must be paid for the development and material benefits that mankind today enjoys in comparison to what his forefathers had in the pre-modern age. What is essential is to strike the right balance and all nations, developed and developing, must ensure that their people enjoy better lifestyles more..

Nov 1 (Island) Bilateral one-day series between lopsided teams will no more be boring after ICC introduced a qualifying process for the next Cricket World Cup in England in 2019. Accordingly, of the ten full members of the ICC, only eight top ranked teams will have automatic qualification for cricket’s showpiece event while the last two teams will play a qualifying tournament with the top four ranked sides among the ICC Associates for the remaining two slots of the ten nation tournament. more..

Nov 1 (SL) The JVP continues to oppose the proposal by the UNHRC to get the participation of foreign experts in the judicial mechanism in ensuring accountability over alleged human rights violations that had taken place in the country, which according to the JVP would be a threat to the country’s sovereignty. During the recent parliamentary debate, Minister Mangala Samaraweera said JVP could not possibly more..

Nov 1 (ST) Ceylon Tea — that world famous trademark — had all but lost its brand name and goodwill, to later arrivals; now, the tea industry itself is in the doldrums. Not for the first time, the Plantation Industries Ministry has had to go, hat in hand to the Government, seeking a handout to keep the smallholders and other producers from sinking under the weight of increased Cost-of-Production & falling prices. Gap had to be bridged by a subsidy from an already cash-strapped Treasury. more..

Nov 1 (Island) Last week the Commission on Missing Persons (Maxwell Paranagama Commission) had issued a clarification regarding the recommendations made in its report. They had explained that they had not proposed foreign judges and that the misconception that they had done so was due to the commission ‘reviewing’ measures taken in other countries before proposing a specific mechanism for Sri Lanka and that what they had actually proposed was a mechanism without more..

Nov 1 (SL) Despite claims that the SLFP is considering holding talks with the UNP about a power sharing arrangement at the local govt level which is similar to the current arrangement at the national level, SLFP Minister Susil Premajayantha said that to his knowledge there has not been any discussion on the matter. The two major parties the UNP and the SLFP arrived at a policy decision after the last general election to come together more..

Nov 1 (SO) On the evening of Dec 22, 2012, nearly two weeks ahead of SL’s 7th Presidential election, a students’ protest was held in front of the UGC at Ward Place, near the Colombo Town Hall. A phalanx of Police personnel was deployed in and around Ward Place to ensure public security and the anti-riot squad was on stand-by. Suddenly, a clash broke out between the Police officers and protesters and it took an ugly turn with Police mercilessly beating some of the university students who more..

Nov 1 (SL) Among many kinds of dilemmas and uncertainties of life, what if plants and food that we consume on the assurance of being nutritious by the respective authorities in the country following thorough scientific laboratory inspections and observations, become the cause for dangerous and incurable diseases leading to death? The controversy over the importation of a stock of fertilizer with a very high concentration of the heavy metal cadmium by a leading private company more..

Nov 1 (ST) My Dear Captain Cool, I thought I must write to you not because the West Indies team and your old friend Sir Gary Sobers are touring the country and our cricket team has somehow found a way to start winning again but because you are also in the news once more, although I am not sure it is for the right reasons. Now don’t get me wrong, Captain Cool, most people had enormous respect for you not merely as the captain who more..

Nov 1 (CT) A mini war was witnessed at Ward Place opposite the UGC last Thursday afternoon between the Police and Higher National Diploma in Accountancy (HNDA) students who came in procession to meet University Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella. The officials appeared to have bungled stating that the minister was out attending a Maga Neguma programme. The students claimed that the minister had agreed to meet them for a discussion. more..

Nov 1 (CI) Sri Lanka have had an abysmal year in ODIs. The last time they won an ODI series was against England at home, and let's be fair, that barely even counts. They lost the ODI series in New Zealand 4-2, crashed spectacularly out in the World Cup quarter-final, and have since lost to Pakistan. But they are now up against a side that has arguably had an even worse 2015 - partly because they have barely had the chance to play any ODI. West Indies were defeated 4-1 by South Africa more..

Nov 1 (CI) The improvement in Milinda Siriwardana's bowling may allow Sri Lanka to explore new combinations in their ODI side, vice-captain Lahiru Thirimanne said. It was largely Siriwardana's batting that saw him elevated to the national team, but both Thirimanne and captain Angelo Mathews have now spoken of Siriwardana's growing skill with the ball. Siriwardana has three wickets at an average of 26.33 in 5 ODIs more..

Nov 1 (ST) Lankans will be sans the services of one of their top order batsmen – Dinesh Chandimal for their first One-day International against the West Indies which is scheduled to begin today at the R. Premadasa International Stadium. Chandimal, who faced a one match-ban along with Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma after admitting to charges of misconduct during the third Test between India and Sri Lanka, will serve his part of the ban during this match. Two other Sri Lanka players, more..

Nov 1 (DM) The IUSF today condemned the manner in which the police handled the demonstration by students of the Higher National Diploma in Accountancy (HNDA) where several students were injured. The IUSF said President Sirisena’s governance was no different to that of former president Rajapaksa when considering the manner in which they were handling student agitation. IUSF convener Lahiru Weerasekara said they had no problems with the police and police behaved more..

Nov 1 (ST) Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is bracing for its busiest winter this season in the recent past since numbers have not been doing too well earlier. The industry believes this will be its busiest winter due to the change in the political environment most likely, Tourist Hoteliers Association President Hiran Cooray said. Sorting out and neutralising SL’s international relations has put the country back on track to becoming more..

Nov 1 (SO) Ena de Silva Aluwihare, the Spirit of Sri Lanka and the Lady of the Banners who put the country's traditional arts and crafts on the world map passed away at the Aluwihare Walauwa, in Matale, on Friday. She turned 93 on Oct 23. Daughter of Sir Richard Aluwihare, the first Ceylonese Inspector General of Police and Lady Lucille Moonemalle, and wife of late Osmond de Silva, onetime IGP, Ena's contribution to the arts and crafts of Sri Lanka is immense. more..

Nov 1 (SL) Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva’s attempt to offer the Maha Oya- Vavuniya railway track construction work to Indian Rites and Indian Railways Construction Company (IRCON) has come under severe criticism from railway department employees. Further De Silva’s plan to purchase ten power set engines and ten diesel locomotives from India on an Indian line of credit too has come under severe criticism. Secretary All Ceylon Railway Employees General Union, more..

Nov 1 (SO) President, All Ceylon Wholesale Traders Association, said they were against the use of plastic crates to transport fruits and vegetables which was proposed by Minister P. Harison Perera recently. He said, “We support the proposal but the cultivators and the transporters should be paid the rates recommended by us.” “The Minister said that he would pay more for vegetables transported in plastic crates. more..

Nov 1 (CG) US Ambassador Atul Keshap noted the importance of religious freedom following a visit to a Hindu temple in Colombo. Keshap visited the Sri Ponnambalavaneswarar Temple in Colombo at the invitation of Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs D.M. Swaminathan, grandson of the temple’s founder, the US Embassy in Colombo said today. During the visit, Ambassador Keshap was privileged to receive sacred Prasad offerings from the Chief Priest. more..

Nov 1 (ST) Former National cricketer and national cricket selector Ranjith Madurasinghe who is also Secretary Kurunegala DCA has been appointed member of the SLC Interim committee by Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera. According to insiders the appointee is to fill the void created by the resignation of Jayananda Warnaweera from the Interim Committee. However after the Sports Minister Jayasekera had earlier announced that SLC cricket elections would be held early Jan 2016, more..

Nov 1 (EN) Sri Lanka's defence authorities have made a chilling discovery that the seized Avant Garde floating armoury had sailed close to the strategically sensitive Indian islet of Minicoy with illegal weapons. The controversial vessel which was boarded by SL's navy in early Oct and now the subject of several investigations is known to have travelled from the Red Sea to SL in violation of international maritime laws. more..

Nov 1 (ST) The Govt is issuing another Rs.10 billion bond issue to repay local and foreign investors who subscribed to the earlier UDA 5-year, Treasury-backed debenture which matured earlier this month, a senior cabinet minister disclosed. Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Champika Ranawaka said that the UDA will be transformed to a commercial unit to make it a viable profit making entity and necessary arrangements are being made to repay investors soon. more..

Nov 1 (DT) SRI Lanka’s national parks and marine reserves contain all creatures great and small. We give you some tips on the best places to see them. The one nature reserve that most resembles an African game park is undoubtedly Yala West. Spilling inland from Sri Lanka’s southeast coast and split into five distinguishable blocks covering 127,000ha, this is part-national park and part-limited access nature reserve. Tourists typically base themselves in Tissamaharama, or more..

Nov 1 (ST) Business tycoon Harry Jayawardena was this week ordered by the Colombo Magistrate to pay his erstwhile partner Zaki Alif Rs. 50,000 as compensation for citing him as a Respondent in an Intellectual Property case brought before court. Colombo Magistrate made this order on Monday when the case filed by Mr. Jayawardena of Stassen Exports, and Stassen International, complained that Mr. Zaki Alif more..

Nov 1 (Reuters) Finance Minister on Thursday called for the country's central bank to make a big cut in interest rates and for the IMF to give a show of support as he questioned their recent growth forecasts for the country. "They were wrong," Ravi Karunanayake said, referring to the IMF's recent growth forecast of 5-5.5% for this year. "I think it will be in the range of 6.5-6.7%." With the IMF expected to decide on a post-programme monitoring in mid-November, he said: more..

Nov 1 (CT) Court of Appeal Friday allowed Army Commander A.W.J.C. de Silva and Director Military Intelligence Corps to file objections against the Habeas Corpus petition filed by Sandya Ekneligoda on the disappearance of her husband, Journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda. Mrs. Ekneligoda filed petition recently in the Court of Appeal stating that she filed a Habeas Corpus petition regarding her husband's disappearance in the year 2010. On 9/9/2011 the Court of Appeal referred that more..

Nov 1 (Island) Former Norwegian peace envoy, Erik Solheim claimed last week that the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa was willing to give self-rule to Tamils within the Sri Lankan state without calling for elections in that region. "Rajapaksa wanted to do a backroom deal to make Prabhakaran the leader there. He portrayed himself as the great savior of the Sinhalese, but was ready for any dirty deal for his own survival and more..

Nov 1 (SL) Repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) will not ensure the release of those who have already being charged or are being prosecuted under the PTA. Minister of Law and Order Tilak Marapana said that even if the PTA is repealed, the repeal will not apply to those who are already convicted and are being prosecuted under that law before the time of the repeal. “The Interpretation Ordinance will cover such a situation and under the interpretation ordinance where more..

Nov 1 (CG) Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka is disappointed with the progress shown so far by the new Govt in meeting its promises to the public. Fonseka said that the public and several politicians backed Maithripala Sirisena to be President during the January Presidential elections. He said that after Sirisena won the election a lot has happened including media freedom and ties with the UN being mended. However he says the public are yet to benefit from the concessions more..

Nov 1 (SL) The bunker found at the President’s House in Fort when former President Rajapaksa was in power has a half-way built tunnel running towards the Colombo Port. An employee at the President’s House in Fort on condition of anonymity said he had been working there for the past several years and to his knowledge, Rajapaksa had visited this bunker only on two occasions, and it was fully occupied by Namal and Yoshitha more..

Nov 1 (CT) SL will prepare its year 2016 budget speech mainly following PM Ranil Wickremesinghe's upcoming (5) economic policy statement, Finance Ministry Secretary, Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga said. It will be a development oriented budget, covering all key economic sectors and needy social segments. Samaratunga said that the revenue generation is the biggest challenge for the economy. Govt is planning to utilize the recently raised US$1.5 billion sovereign bond money for govt debt servicing more..

Nov 1 (SO) The more than 32,000 duty free vehicle permits given to senior State sector employees, MPs and PC members since 2012 have cost the govt Rs 147.3 billion in revenue. A Finance Ministry source confirmed that the State had incurred a loss of Rs. 147.3 billion due to duty concessions, while earning Rs.63.8 billion by way of other taxes imposed on vehicle imports. 11,622 duty free vehicle permits were issued in 2013, 7482 in 2012, 6329 in 2014 and 6854 up to August 31 this year. more..

Nov 1 (ST) President Sirisena’s declaration on Thursday in Kaduwela that he would lead the SLFP campaign at the upcoming local govt elections portends far reaching political implications. Main among them is the reality that he would take on the formidable partner in the National Govt, the UNP led by PM, Ranil Wickremesinghe. Though he declared that the campaign itself “should become a platform where policy matters are more..

Nov 1 (Island) Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, speaks at an election rally in Kamburupitiya. It’s 26 July 2015. He is talking about the war. His ignorance of its progression seems beyond belief. "Rajapaksas merely grew the war and benefited from it. We won the war in 2010. We are happy about it. It was not the Rajapaksas who won this war but Armed Forces of this country. Every govt of this country helped set the stage for that victory. Before they gave the govt to us more..

Nov 1 (Island) This piece is not centred on the UNHRC resolution nor is it about Paranagama and Udalagama Reports. Readers have had saturation coverage on these. This article deals with ethnic (an umbrella term for race, religion & language) conflict and war in other parts of the world, principally the Middle East and notes that the relative quiescence in Lanka should not lull us into naive complacency or insensitivity that could aggravate the return of conflict. more..

Nov 1 (ST) Speaker Karu Jayasuriya in his capacity as Constitutional Council’s Chairman, on Thursday asked the newly set up Police Commission to inquire into the alleged misbehaviour of a DIG. The call was made at the first meeting the members of the Constitutional Council had with the Police Commission at the Parliament complex. DIG in question is alleged to have been heavily drunk at what is being described as a Karaoke club more..

Nov 1 (Island) Golden Key (GK) management has turned to the Central Bank for advice on the release of the personal assets of Lalith Kotelawala and other former directors, but all indications were that the go-ahead for repossession has been ruled out by the Attorney General’s department, officials asserted last week. While Kotelawala has already filed a motion in court seeking return of his assets and properties more..