Nov 2 (SL) UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka has welcomed the initial steps taken by the Sri Lankan govt to return land to civilians and resettle the internally displaced persons. The report has also stressed the need for the govt to accelerate the return of land to its rightful civilian owners, and to undertake further efforts to tackle the considerable work that lies ahead in the areas of land use and ownership. more..

Nov 2 (SL) I have, sporadically, over the years during which I have written for publications, referred to the shenanigans of the Tumpane Pradeshiya Sabha’s dumping of garbage in land that belongs in the jurisdiction of the adjacent Poojapitiya PS. Let me take you, briefly, down memory lane with regard to this little saga for a beginning. If your memory is better than mine (not a great feat!) forgive me but I think we need context clearly established for what I am about to relate. more..

Nov 2 (SL) A highly tensed air-conditioned atmosphere prevailed inside a well- appointed concrete bunker deep under a shrub jungle in Southern Sri Lanka. Inside the bunker, before a row of computer screens sat grim faced men. Col Got Raj Phut-Phut sat beside his boss Muma-hinda Raj Phut-Phut as Col Got pushed buttons trying to contact someone. Col Got: Bunker Med Mul… Bunker Med Mul calling are you there Beijin Chin-Chin… Beijin Chin Chin….. Over….. more..

Nov 2 (SO) Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa dismissed former minister Mervyn Silva's accusations of being involved in the abductions and killings claiming he had not introduced any white van. In this wide ranging interview, while urging the former minister to study history, he also denied having any contacts with LTTE Leader Pulithevan and defended his decision to create Rakna Lanka. more..

Nov 2 (CT) After what seemed like a long time of ignoring the elephant in the room, the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs has decided to file Court cases against politicians and public representatives who have not yet handed over their official residences to the authorities. Recently it was reported that Minister Ranjith Maddumabandara, took this step to take legal action against those who haven't surrendered their official residences, after several notices sent to them. more..

Nov 2 (CT) The ships which transported goods from Eastern to Western States of the USA had to sail around Argentina spending a lot of time and money. Hence, the USA was badly in need of constructing a canal linking the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. Although the USA had planned to construct the canal in Nicaragua the narrowest isthmus was available in Panama which was a State of Colombia. However, attempts made by two French companies to build a canal in Panama were futile due to more..

Nov 2 (CT) A group of residents of Meeriyabedda, Koslanda who had to leave their houses suddenly after a landslide exactly a year ago, woke up on the morning of 29 Oct with heavy hearts and tearful eyes to remember their loved ones who were buried alive in their homeland. Northeastern monsoon was again active and it was raining heavily in the Uva Province. The villagers attended the remembrance events attended by priests of more..

Nov 2 (CI) When Ajantha Mendis hoicked Johnson Charles' length ball toward deep midwicket, with Sri Lanka nine down, West Indies thought they had the chance to win the game. Jerome Taylor ran forward from that position and dived to get both hands to the ball, but let it bounce out of his palms. In the end, two West Indies errors on this delivery led to their defeat next ball. Charles had overstepped, and conceded a front-foot no-ball. Had this been a legitimate delivery, more..

Nov 2 (ST) It was August last year; though Sri Lanka’s two stalwarts Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena at the tail end of their careers, the Lankan team did have that ramrod power in batting. In Galle it was easier; in spite a huge hundred by Younis Khan. A double hundred by Sangakkara, a half century by Jayawardena and a 91 by Angelo Mathews made short work of the Pakistani grit. The second Test at the Singhalese Sports Club ground had more characteristics. more..

Nov 2 (CI) A cool hand from Ajantha Mendis clinched a sensational one-wicket victory for Sri Lanka, in a rain-reduced, 26-over-a-side match that featured several sharp turns, and riveting twists of fortune. Mendis' high, handsome six over long-on sealed the result in the penultimate over, after Sunil Narine, in his first international match in 14 months, had brought the chase to its knees with a triple-wicket over. more..

Nov 2 (EN) The Sri Lanka Tea Board is to intervene at Colombo’s tea auctions for the first tie in seven years to prop up prices which have been in a prolonged slump owing to weak demand in key overseas markets. The govt has decided to release funds up to one billion rupees to buy at the auctions to bail out the tea industry, Plantation Industries Minister Naveen Dissanayake as saying. He said the Tea Board would buy only premium quality tea and market it according to the demand. more..

Nov 2 (GDI) The inauguration of the workshop was held with participation of Gamini Jayawikrama Perera Minister Sustainable Development and Wildlife, recently at the King’s Court, Hotel Cinnamon lakeside, Colombo. The GEF Dugong and Seagrass Project will enhance the effectiveness of conservation efforts for dugongs and their seagrass ecosystem across the Indian and Pacific Ocean basins. The Dugong is a large slow moving marine herbivore inhabiting sea grass beds more..

Nov 2 (FT) Global giant the London Stock Exchange last week expressed keenness to help the new Govt in boosting Sri Lanka’s capital market, foreign investments and private sector. The offer of help and its expertise was conveyed by LSE Group CEO Xavier Rolet to Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake after the latter rang the opening bell of the London stock market on Friday. “LSE, with its prowess as a diversified international more..

Nov 2 (IC) New Zealand and Sri Lanka have the chance to move as high as third in the ICC Women’s Championship table if it can sweep the series when they go head to head in round four of the ICC Women’s Championship, which starts in Lincoln on Tuesday. A 3-0 series victory would elevate Suzie Bates’ side, which currently lies in sixth position on eight points, towards the top of the table and two points behind Australia and the West Indies. A 2-1 win would also improve the White Ferns’ more..

Nov 2 (FT) Citi achieved yet another milestone on 27 October by partnering with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government to complete a $ 1.5 billion, 10-year international sovereign bond issuance. The transaction, which was priced at a yield of 6.85% per annum, marks the second 10-year sovereign bond issue in the international capital markets in 2015. The final order books stood at $ 3.3 billion, an oversubscription of 2.2 times across 290 accounts, more..

Nov 2 (DM) Sasini Sandeepani the female student seen in photographs being beaten by a policeman during the HNDA protest at Ward Place said she was discharged by the Colombo National Hospital doctors despite her complains of constant head pains. At an Inter-University Students’ Federation organized media briefing, 21-year-old Sasini said she was still having head pains though she was advised to go home on Oct 30. more..

Nov 2 (FT) Standard Chartered Regional CEO ASEAN and South Asia (ASA), Ajay Kanwal, is in Colombo today on an official visit to Sri Lanka. He will be accompanied by Nirukt Sapru, CEO, Vietnam and ASA Cluster Markets of Standard Chartered. Kanwal also currently serves on the Board of Standard Chartered Bank China which also helps promote the corridor business of Korea-China. During his visit he will meet with Minister Ravi Karunanayake, representatives from CB more..

Nov 2 (FP) Recently, senior figures in the Obama administration have championed another democratic success story; this time we’re talking about Sri Lanka. This small, strategically important island nation is recovering from a brutal civil war that according to UN estimates, left up to 100,000 dead. The defeat of two-term President Mahinda Rajapaksa in January, and the parliamentary election in August, curbed the country’s slide towards heightened authoritarianism. more..

Nov 2 (PSL) President Maithripala Sirisena invited Sri Lankan intellectuals living in Thailand to return to Sri Lanka to provide their service to Motherland as freedom and democracy established in the country. President has extended this invitation during a meeting with the Sri Lankan community in Thailand, President Sirisena commenced a four-day state visit to Thailand on the invitation of the PM of Thailand more..

Nov 2 (DN) Sri Lanka's real estate sector will see a major boom and more investments will be seen in this area, Copal Amba Sri Lanka Country Head Chanakya Dissanayake said. Speaking at the Invest SL Forum organised in London by the Colombo Stock Exchange in association with Bloomberg and SL High Commission in UK, he said in addition port related activities along with logistics too will see more opportunities opening up. He said Sri Lanka will continue the business of transshipment more..

Nov 2 (ST) Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) recently launched the Sri Lanka Technological Campus (SLTC) aimed at realising the country’s vision of becoming the knowledge hub in Asia. The SLTC will offer a full four-year degree programme to students, designed to provide sound theoretical, practical and analytical knowledge with the fundamentals of engineering and technology, the state-owned telecom provider said. It said that as a developing nation, Sri Lanka has a reputation for more..

Nov 2 (Haveeru) One of the eight suspects wanted in connection to the explosion aboard the presidential speedboat late September was arrested in Sri Lanka late Sunday. Ahmed Ashraf, known by his social media moniker of Shumba Gong, is a self-declared supporter of the embattled vice president Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Ghafoor. His last tweet believed to be sent just before his arrest read "Some ppl smashed more..

Nov 2 (DN) President Sirisena has sent a condolence message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the crash of a Russian aircraft in Egypt yesterday. In the message, President said that he was deeply saddened by the loss of 224 Russian passengers including 17 children in the crash of the Metrojet Airbus over the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. "The govt and people of Sri Lanka join me in expressing their condolence to the Russian govt, the people of Russia and relatives of the victims. more..

Nov 2 (DN) Colombo Port City Development Project agreement will be revised shortly to rectify all its defects and tie up lose ends, Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe said. He said the project would be recommenced under the revised agreement, adding that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report on the project has also been finalised at the moment. Clause that gives the outright ownership of 20 hectares of land to the Chinese company would be removed, adding that under revised more..

Nov 2 (CT) The natural forestry in the Central Province which was taken over by the former govt must be returned to its original form, said the leader of the JVP, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, adding that he is of the stand that the lands of the displaced must be given back. He made these comments last Wednesday at a book launch, in relation to the recent controversy which took place in resettling the IDP due to three decade war more..

Nov 2 (ST) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe is to propose scrapping controversial expropriation laws and some changes to land ownership laws during a special statement in Parliament on Thursday on the Government’s mid-term strategy. “These are both elements that deter FDI,” a govt source said. Under the 2011 Revival of Underperforming Enterprises and Underutilised Assets Act, 37 formerly state-owned institutions were acquired drawing criticism across the board. more..

Nov 2 (DM) Eron Ranasinghe alias SF Loku, the main suspect of the killing of Night Club Owner and Karate Champion Wasantha Soyza of Anuradhapura, was arrested by the police today in Chilaw. The suspect an army deserter who was once attached to the Special Forces and his brother Asitha Ranasinghe had been arrested in Tangalle on Saturday (31). Earlier Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate has ordered to prevent Eron Ranasinghe alias SF Loku, from leaving the country. more..

Nov 2 (PSL) President Maithripala Sirisena arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport of Thailand this afternoon on a four-day state visit to Thailand on an invitation that was extended by PM of Thailand. He was warmly received at the Airport by the deputy PM of Thailand, Mr. Somkib Jatusri titak along with Minister Mangala Samaraweera and staff members of the Embassy. President was accorded a Guard of Honour on his arrival at the airport. more..

Nov 2 (CT) Three suspects who were arrested over the stabbing of a 12-year old boy during a musical show in Thihagoda, Matara have been remanded on Saturday. Police stated that the three suspects were remanded till the 4 Nov by the Matara Magistrate's Court. It transpired that the 12-year old was killed at around 1:00 a.m. on Saturdaywhen a co nflict between two factions got out of control, as per Police reports. The musical show was held at the Thihagoda Kapuduwa Stadium. more..

Nov 2 (DM) Acting IGP, Pujith Jayasundara and Gamini Maturata, DIG of the Colombo Division will be called before the National Police Commission (NPC) today, regarding the police attack on the Higher National Diploma for Accountancy (HNDA) students at Ward Place, last Thursday. This will be the first investigation which will be conducted by the NPC. General Secretary of the NPC Ariyadasa Cooray noted that the investigation is expected to commence after the complaint lodged by more..

Nov 2 (DN) Public Administration and Management Ministry has decided to take legal action against former MPs who have not vacated their official residences. Ministry Secretary J. Dadallage said that about 25 former MPs are yet to hand over the official residences given to them. He noted that the ministry had sent notices asking them to vacate the official residences occupied by them as soon as possible. “We have informed them that legal action more..

Nov 2 (DM) Sri Lanka yesterday began November on a healthy note with the long delayed imposition of a blanket ban on the import, sale or use here of the herbicide Glyphosate which, according to many environmental scientists, contains toxic substances that could lead to the poisoning of mother earth. According to a Gazette notification issued over the weekend the import and sale of this herbicide has been banned, but the govt has not ordered importing companies to send back the huge stocks more..

Nov 2 (DM) Like its predecessor, the new govt excels at keeping the public enthralled. Rajapaksa regime’s recipe was hard boiled patriotism, now its successor has adopted anti-corruption to achieve the same end. If the statements recorded by the PRECIFAC, CID and other investigation agencies are to be counted, by now, we could have were a world record. Since a good part of that spectacle is taking place in front of TV cameras, people get their daily dose of propaganda. more..

Nov 2 (SL) Leader of the NFF MP Wimal Weerawansa, who himself portrays an image of a politician and saviour of the masses, was recently exposed himself as an offender. Two weeks earlier, he was arrested by the CID and was later granted bail by the Negombo Magistrate of having two passports. Weerawansa’s wife has, on the other hand, been accused of providing false information to get a passport. more..

Nov 2 (Island) A group of concerned academics, civil society activists and artistes numbering nearly 90 condemning the brutal police attack on HNDA (Higher National Diploma in Accountancy) students last Thursday questions the ‘good governance’ being marketed by the govt globally. Following is the text of their statement signed by country’s leading lights: "Many of us issuing this statement today played an active role in more..

Nov 2 (Island) JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that his party would call for a one-day debate in Parliament over alleged financial misappropriation with special focus on punishment to be meted out to the culprits. Addressing a seminar held in Anuradhapura, the MP said that his party was not happy with the way the incumbent govt was handling the allegations of financial misappropriation under the previous govt. more..

Nov 2 (ST) CID has introduced a Hi-tech Crime Investigation Unit (HCIU) in SSP divisions to fight cyber crime, a senior officer of the CID said. The new unit will tackle the increasing internet related crimes taking place in villages and other districts, besides Colombo. “When these units are set up in all divisions cyber crime victim can complain to their nearest SSP division than come to Colombo. This will save time and ensure prompt action,” more..

Nov 2 (Island) The govt was expected to reveal its future course of action with regard to last week’s police attack on Higher National Diploma students in front of the UGC at Ward Place, sources at the PM Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Office said. Minister of Law and Order Tilak Marapana was scheduled to hand over his report on the police crackdown on the student agitation today, sources said, adding that the PM would more..

Nov 2 (CT) The govt has commenced a high level probe into the bunkering operations of the Hambantota Port during the previous regime, which has reportedly caused losses up to US $ 16M in a short period of nine months. The Minister of Ports and Shipping, Arjuna Ranatunga has ordered the probe while all bunkering operations of the Hambantota Port have been stalled under the new minister's directives. more..

Nov 2 (DM) PHU General Secretary MP Udaya Gammanpila claimed that there was a move by Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to arrest him based on unfounded allegations of preparing fraudulent documents in form of Power of Attorney. A reliable source at the Police had informed him that the SIU was framing a charge to arrest him and charged a key minister in govt was influencing Police action against him. more..