Nov 19 (DC) Firebrand SL MP Ananthy Sasitharan stood quietly in a corner, bearing a placard, at the XVI Biennial Gathering of the Women in Black, which took place in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Ananthy, who is a member of NPC, Jaffna District, is also the wife of V Sasitharan (alias Elilan), LTTE's political head for Trincomalee. Full of steely determination to help the massive number of women-led families in Sri Lanka, she talked about govt's plans to decimate Tamils living there more..

Nov 19 (Island) Thousands of unemployed graduates converged in Colombo Fort yesterday and began to march from there to Temple Trees, demanding jobs in the public sector, but the police stopped them at the Lotus roundabout. Convener of the Combined Union of Unemployed Graduates Dammika Munasinghe said that the police had denied them freedom of movement. There was traffic chaos for hours more..

Nov 19 (FT) The new Board of Directors appointed to overlook operations of the State-owned Grand Hyatt Hotel holdings company, Canwill Holdings Ltd., has assured that construction work of the project would proceed unimpeded. Canwill Holdings was transferred over to the Ministry of Public Enterprise Development headed by subject Minister Kabeer Hashim and Deputy Minister Eran Wickramaratne from the Ministry of Finance during the Cabinet restructuring in September. more..

Nov 19 (CT) Former Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon was released on bail yesterday by the Kandy High Court. ASP Ruwan Gunasekera said Tennakoon was released on bail by Kandy Provincial High Court Judge Menaka Jayasundara. Tennakoon, presently hospitalized, was granted bail by the Kandy High Court on a plaint filed by his wife, Lakshika Tennakoon, seeking bail through her lawyer Kanchana Silva, on the grounds that her husband needed medical care abroad. more..

Nov 19 (Island) Leader of the FSP, Premakumar Gunaratnam alias Noel Mudalige who was further remanded yesterday for allegedly violating immigration laws by the Kegalle Magistrate, could receive some relief, the govt said. "We are exploring the possibility of providing Gunaratnam with some legal relief ", Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera told a news conference in Colombo. more..

Nov 19 (CT) SL Navy will complete the transfer of weapons from Avant Garde and MV Mahanuwara to Navy custody today. Both ships are owned by the Avant Garde Maritime Services. Captain Akram Alavi said the identification, stock verification and transfer of the arms and ammunition which began on 13 Friday will conclude today. "There were weapons which belong to certain foreign marshals in the stock aboard MV Mahanuwara and that would have to be returned to them. more..

Nov 19 (LBO) Sri Lanka’s business community is looking foward to budget proposals that support the rapidly changing dynamics of the economy and address the budget deficit, private sector officials said. Restructuring the state sector is a key priority that should be addressed, although this requires decisive action by administrators, rather than budget proposals per se. Sri Lanka’s budget deficit is expected to widen to 6.9% of GDP this year from 4.4% previously forecast more..

Nov 19 (CT) Govt together with the World Bank is working on a facility to provide budgetary support to the former, official sources said. They alleged that most multilateral and bilateral support from the West and of its allies such as Japan and Australia are political, where conditions are seemingly secondary. They want the stability of the Maithripala-Ranil govt, sources said. They don't want the forces who were wiped-out twice by more..

Nov 19 (CT) Professor Ravindra Fernando was appointed to the controversial position of Chairperson of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB). Dr. Nilanga Samarasinghe was the chairperson of the NDDCB which operated under Ministry of Law and Order. Following Dr. Samarasinghe's removal from his post, former minister of law and order, Thilak Marapana appointed retired SSP M.M. Sirisena Herath. This appointment led to various controversies more..

Nov 19 (Island) The police have decided to purchase 5,000 canisters of tear gas to replenish their stocks. The Supplies Division of the Department would soon call for tenders from several foreign manufacturers, suppliers or their local agents to obtain bids to supply a stock of tear gas canisters, a high ranking police officer said, adding that the stock should reach the country around January next year. Usually, the police purchased tear gas shells from the UK or China. more..

Nov 19 (DN) Minister Mangala Samaraweera said stern action will be taken against any person irrespective of status if the allegations made by the UN working group that some of the people whom they met had later been questioned by a third party, are proven. He said some of the officials are still influenced by the practices of the former govt. He said that Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) is already expired and more..

Nov 19 (DM) President Sirisena, acting fast to fulfil a solemn pledge he made before the sacred body of the revered Sobitha Hamuduruwo on Nov 12, yesterday presented to the Cabinet comprehensive proposals to abolish the executive presidential system and to restructure the electoral process. These two goals, had been the highlights of Sobitha Hamuduruwo’s vision and mission. Reports said that during the past few months and especially in the last weeks of his grave illness, more..

Nov 19 (DM) Namali was a bright and promising student from Anuradhapura. She excelled at her Ordinary Levels and was hoping to score high marks for her A/Ls as well. She knew education was her ticket out of a life of poverty and abuse. Her dreams, however, were shattered when she discovered she was pregnant at the age of 18. It all started when her abusive father – who had abandoned his family -- decided to return home. In his absence, his wife was left with the sole responsibility of caring for more..

Nov 19 (DM) Followed by his avowal at the funeral of Ven. Maduluwave Sobhitha Thera to abolish the Executive Presidency, President Maitripala Sirisena initiated action at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting by seeking to pursue his intentions. Cabinet decided to appoint a committee comprising party leaders to study the proposal to abolish the Executive Presidency and to introduce a new electoral system. more..

Nov 19 (CG) The Transnational Govt of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) led by former LTTE member V Rudrakumaran, has nominated a panel of five legal experts to monitor the design and implementation of the transitional justice mechanisms in Sri Lanka, including the judicial measures to investigate and prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide (Monitoring Accountability Panel or MAP). more..

Nov 19 (LBO) Sri Lanka Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Harsha de Silva articulated the need for evidence based policy making in the complex world of today where there is no room for policy blunders. He said while delivering the keynote address at the 5th South Asia Regional Conference of the Think Tank Initiative in Gurgaon, India, today and called for stronger ties between think tanks and policy makers. more..

Nov 19 (SL) While Omax Healthcare, the suppliers of Pegylated Asparaginase 3750 IU injection (Oncaspar), which is used to treat children suffering from Cancer, was suspended from supplying the Cancer Hospital with the drug following allegations of fraud, it is alleged that they have now submitted tenders to supply the same drug under a different company name. Even though the name has been changed from more..

Nov 19 (CT) Fisheries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera criticized various media reports which have blown up the controversy relating to Indian fishermen poaching in Lankan waters into the dimensions of a war between TN and Sri Lanka, "We are only trying to work out something that will be in the best interest of the Tamil fishermen in the North" he said. He said there have been many complaints from fishermen in the North. more..

Nov 19 (Island) Higher National Diploma in Accountancy students won one of their three main demands by making the govt to issue a fresh circular granting the HNDA the same status as general degrees awarded by the national universities. The govt posted the fresh circular on the web while the HNDA student union leaders were threatening to resume their protest action at a press conference at Centre for Society & Religion. more..

Nov 19 (ST) Sri Lankan citizens will have to wait another two years before the new biometric National Identity Card (NIC) is issued, Internal Affairs Minister S.B. Nawinne said. He said that, although Finance Minister Ravi Karunayake wants it done early, there are legal issues that have to be met “We cannot do it immediately,” he said. In explanation, he said that Cabinet approval has been obtained for the issuance of biometric NICs, more..

Nov 19 (Island) Teachers and parents of students who sat the Grade V scholarship exam this year protested opposite the Education Ministry, Isurupaya yesterday against what they called a govt decision to limit the number of successful candidates to 20,000. General Secretary of pro-JVP CTSU Mahinda Jayasinghe said that they had organised the protest as the Education Ministry had been silent on their earlier more..

Nov 19 (DM) A collective decision had been taken to increase the prices of all varieties of items sold at canteens from – Nov 26- the day of V Prabhakaran’s birthday, the national organizer of the All-Island Canteen Owners Association Asela Sampath said today. “The LTTE had been the most feared terrorist organisation in Sri Lanka and black marketing has now become another form of terrorism,” he said. more..

Nov 19 (LBO) Sri Lanka is to amend the local authorities act so as to increase women’s representation in local authorities. Although about 51% of Sri Lankan population is women, only about 5% from the total members elected to the parliament, provincial councils and local govt institutions are women. Sri Lanka’s new administration promised to allocate 25% of representation for women in provincial councils and local govt institutions. more..

Nov 19 (Island) JVP’s student wing, Socialist Students’ Union has been elected unanimously for the Vice Presidency of the World Federation of Democratic Youth during the 19th General Assembly of the WFDY held in Havana, Cuba recently. Havana assembly held from Nov 8 to Nov 12 marked the 70th anniversary of the WFDY and JVP MPs Bimal Ratnayake and Dr Nalinda Jayatissa participated representing the SSU and the Socialist Youth Union. more..

Nov 19 (Island) The construction of Colombo-Kandy Expressway would commence next February from Galagedara area, Minister Lakshman Kiriella said. He said with the completion of the Colombo-Kandy Expressway the travelling between the two cities would be easier and efficient. Kiriella made the observations at the launching of a Joint Rural Road Rehabilitation National Programme near Kandy Lewalla Bridge to develop Gangasiriwatta-Polgolla and Sirimalwatta-Naththaranpotha roads. more..

Nov 19 (Reuters) Shares rose for a third straight session on Thursday, led by blue-chips in thin volume as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of Friday's budget. The main stock index ended 0.55%, or 38.21 points, firmer at 7,020.18, its highest close since Nov. 9. "Everybody is waiting to see the proper direction more than the taxes. It's not about taxing, but how they tax," said a stockbroker. Minister Ravi Karunanayake will seek to boost tax revenues and rationalise spending more..

Nov 19 (CT) There's lot of infighting and criticism within the Yahapalanaya Govt. Cabinet Ministers battle each other in public over controversial issues that are being investigated. The Avant Garde arms deal controversy takes the lead in that direction. Despite being warned and advised by President Maithripala Sirisena and Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ministers Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Rajitha Senaratne continue to criticize each other through the media. more..

Nov 19 (EN) Minister Ravi Karunanayake said he plans to introduce key reforms in tomorrow’s govt budget that will make it easier and cheaper for logistics and shipping companies to do business in the island. "The budget will ensure logistics are going to be given real pride of place," he told the annual conference of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Sri Lanka. "International freight forwarding companies will find the ownership and legal problems they faced more..

Nov 19 (DM) Kandy Mayor Mahendra Ratwatte has resigned from his post this morning to contest the election of Kandy Sri Vishnu Devala. He handed over the resignation to the Municipal Commissioner Chandana Tennakoon. Sources said that he resigned from the post to contest the election of Kandy Sri Vishnu Devala that would be held on December 01. The post of Basnayake Nilames of the Kandy Sri Vishnu Devala had been held by members of the Ratwatte family since long. more..

Nov 19 (Island) Govt plans to hike the compensation packages to road accident victims and is set to introduce new regulations, according to Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva. Third party insurance scheme should be amended and implemented to provide reasonable compensation to victims. Minister noted that his ministry would hold discussions with insurance companies to seek the possibilities of enhancing compensation more..

Nov 19 (CT) President Maithripala Sirisena has promised tough disciplinary action against MP Chathura Senaratne if the latter had entered the office of Minister Harin Fernando by force and perused his documents. During the weekly cabinet meeting yesterday night, Fernando had told his cabinet colleagues, that the son of Cabinet Minister Rajitha Senaratne had entered his office while he was away and had gone through some of his documents without permission. more..

Nov 19 (CT) According to a news item in today’s papers, some 2,000 Sri Lankan expatriates were “awarded” certificates of dual citizenship at a ceremony held at Temple Trees on 17 November 2015 by HE Maitripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka. One is struck by the solemnity and grandeur of the occasion, apparently, graced by a constellation of local dignitaries including the Prime Minister. Nevertheless, there seems to be something odd about this particular spectacle. more..

Nov 19 (AD) Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said that govt decided to provide students with vouchers instead of school uniform material in order to prevent students from receiving poor quality material and middlemen from pocketing commissions. Govt will be able to save around Rs 500 million through this process and that it will be used to improve education in the country. Minister said that govt spent Rs 2.3 billion more..

Nov 19 (DM) Prisons Commissioner Nishan Dhanasinghe has been appointed the Acting Commissioner General of Prisons with effect from Nov 12 by Minister of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs D.M. Swaminathan. A prison officer has been appointed to the post after 18 years. Mr. Dhanasinghe has been working as Prison’s Commissioner for nine years. He has received his appointment letter from Minister more..

Nov 19 (CT) Wives of two army officers who are in detention in connection with the abduction/killing of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda have filed two Habeas Corpus petitions in the Court of Appeal. Wasantha Padmaseeli and Nirmala Sudashin filed plaint on behalf of their husbands Sergeant Major W.G.U.P.D. Upasena and Lance Corporal Ravindra Rupasinghe. They have said in their petitions that their husbands had been arrested in connection with the abduction of Prageeth Ekneligoda. more..

Nov 19 (Xinhua) Sri Lankan govt on Thursday said it will launch special projects in war-ravaged north to improve living conditions of the families residing there. Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka said that on a proposal submitted to the cabinet by Minister of Rehabilitation and Resettlement, D.M. Swaminathan, govt had approved implementation of ten projects to upgrade the living status of these communities. more..

Nov 19 (Xinhua) Sri Lankan Navy has assisted the Sri Lanka Coast Guard to arrest 14 Indian fishermen for illegally poaching in local waters, the navy media unit said Thursday. Fishermen were taken into custody along with three fishing trawlers in the northern seas, in close proximity to Delft island. The navy said that the arrested fishermen and the trawlers were brought to Karainagar in the north and handed over to the officials of Department of Fisheries for onward action. more..

Nov 19 (KO) The first annual bilateral consultation between Bhutan and Sri Lanka on Nov 16 in Colombo discussed several issues from political relations, trade, investment, tourism, human resource development, to cultural exchanges, and cooperation in regional and multilateral forums. Foreign Secretary Tshering Dorji and SL Foreign Secretary Chitranganee Wagiswara welcomed the institution of the annual bilateral consultations as a valuable bilateral forum to further enhance more..