Dec 19 (CT) None of the rehabilitated former LTTE cadres were involved in any of the tense situations that occurred in the Northern Province recently, Commissioner of Rehabilitation Major General Janaka Ratnayake said. He made the important remark during an event held to integrate three rehabilitated LTTE cadres held at the Vauniya Urban Council Ground. He stressed that the rehabilitation programmes have had a long more..

Dec 19 (DM) Registrar of SL Ramanna Nikaya and the patron of National Bhikku Front Ven. (Prof.) Attangane Rathanapala Thera who continues to intervene in social reconstruction had the following to share when interviewed. Q: Even though a torrential rain was expected with the establishment of the good governance it had been just a drizzle, the civil society claimed taking a swipe at the govt. But the president maintains that it was more..

Dec 19 (Island) A motion has been submitted to Parliament seeking the appointment of a special parliamentary select committee to look into and report on the expenses incurred by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for the purchasing of the offices for the Lankan embassy in Brazil and Sri Lankan Permanent Representative to the UN, New York. The motion signed by 20 MPs calls on the appointment of a PSC to find whether more..

Dec 19 (EN) A slowdown in growth and higher inflation can undermine plans to reduce budget deficit, despite an agreement with the IMF restoring economic stability, Moody's Investors Services said. Implementing reform is also a challenge, the rating agency said. Sri Lanka has a 'B1' speculative rating with a negative outlook. Sri Lanka has raised a number of taxes including value added tax. "Given SL's weak fiscal position more..

Dec 19 (ST) There is purposeful concentration, while soft and soothing music plays in the background, as different teams of doctors and nurses, scrub up and move around Operating Theatre (OT) C of the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital. On the operating table is a pretty middle-aged woman, but something seems unusual with her face – it seems unduly large, with the nose being pronounced. more..

Dec 19 (LBO) Finance ministry says that state revenue has increased by 23% during the first nine months of this year compared with the same period in 2015. “Accordingly, the state revenue in the first nine months of 2016 rose to 1,180 billion rupees from the 959 billion rupees earned during the same period in 2015,” ministry said. Minister Ravi Karunanayake attributed rise in income to increased efficiency & eradication of corruption more..

Dec 19 (DM) Amidst talks about the local authorities’ elections early next year, the Elections Commission will start compilation and updating of details about staff members to be recruited to poll related duties in the future, it is learnt. The Commission’s Director General Ananda Ratnayake submitted a paper in this regard for consideration by the Commission. Commission’s Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said he, along with other more..

Dec 19 (CG) The constitution of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board was amended at an Emergency General Meeting of the membership of Sri Lanka Cricket held at the SLC Headquarters yesterday. At the said EGM which was attended by over 60 member clubs, the membership unanimously ratified the proposed changes to the constitution of SLC which was adopted in 2003. The membership also considered and adopted more..

Dec 19 (DM) A police probe is on concerning a minister's son who had allegedly knocked down a motorcyclist with his Prado, causing the latter to break his leg and a rib at Park Street Junction on Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha early this morning (18). In a bid to hush-up the accident, the driver of the vehicle had offered Rs.350,000 to the victim, without informing the police, soon after the accident. According to the police, more..

Dec 19 (CT) Eleven persons, including two women, died in a major accident on the A-9 road, at Chavakachcheri in the Jaffna Peninsula, on Saturday. The head-on crash involving SLTB passenger bus and a mini passenger van carrying holidaymakers from the South resulted in the death of eleven innocent passengers. Since the A- 9 highway reopened for public transportation in 2010, after several years, Saturday's accident was the biggest so far considering number of deaths. more..

Dec 19 (NR) Trade unions of the SL Transport Board have demanded a 10,000 rupee allowance for all employees who reported to work on the 2nd of Dec during the island wide private bus owner’s protest. In a letter to President Sirisena the trade unions highlighted that they hope to receive the sum of money before Jan 2017. The letter indicates that the compensation fee would be helpful for employees with children especially taking into consideration the upcoming new school year. more..

Dec 19 (Island) Sleuths of the Nugegoda Division Vice Squad raided a brothel which had operated under the guise of an ayurvedic spa at a luxury house Thalawathugoda on Friday night and nabbed nine young females and the manager of the outfit. The brothel had been managed by a disabled naval rating, police said, adding that he had been aided by his wife and sister-in-law to run the place. Police have found that the place had been rented out for Rs. 50,000 a month for three years. more..

Dec 19 (CT) Even a sensible, balanced and informed personage like our PM, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has fallen into what I call the Tirupati Mental Trap. We used to observe how, time and again, former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa rushed to the Tirupati Deyyo in South India-causing a measurable consternation among the Sinhala nationalists who formed the core of his political support. After all, Mahinda was not as strong as good old Tirupati. more..

Dec 19 (CT) The govt is geared to establish two super-powered ministries, exposing the nudity of its so-called good governance. The two super ministries are to be vested with immunity so far only enjoyed by the President. The Act will be valid for three years, and the people will not be able to sue the two ministers and the ministry officials, in case of errors and frauds that may take place in those ministries. more..

Dec 19 (DM) Police today recorded a statement from Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Galaboda Atthe Gnanasara Thera for allegedly insulting Islam. A source said the Police Organized Crime Prevention Division had recorded a statement from the Thera for nearly two hours, in connection with him allegedly insulting ‘Allah’ during a press conference last month. Former Deputy Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council Azad Sali had lodged the complaint against the Thera. more..

Dec 19 (CT) America’s wanted SL Rienzie Edwards, alleged ringleader, swindler and money launderer is a close friend of both speaker Karu Jayasuriya and his son in law Minister Navin Dissanayake Colombo Telegraph can reveal today. The 55 year old Edwards was on the 12th of December 2016 indicted by a Washington court along with five other accomplices on charges of swindling investors to the tune of over US $ 50 million. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya a close associate of Edwards, more..

Dec 19 (CT) The consecration of the new St. Anthony's Church in Kachchatheevu island which is situated 26 nautical miles from Jaffna will be held two days before Christmas with a special service conducted by the Catholic Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin Gnanapragasam on 23 Dec. Rt. Rev. Gnanapragasam after becoming the Catholic Bishop of Jaffna participated in the annual Kachchatheevu St. Anthony's feast more..

Dec 19 (Island) 2016 GCE O/L exam, which ended on Saturday, had seen the highest ever number of candidates and the least number of examination rules violations, Commissioner General Examinations W.M.N.J. Pushpakumara said. Exam which commenced on Dec 6, was held at 5,669 centres countrywide with over 700,000 students sitting it. 65,524 supervisors and invigilators had been deployed on exam duty and 538 coordinating offices had also functioned. more..

Dec 19 (NR) The Paddy Marketing Board says paddy that is in the possession of the board will be released to the market today. Chairman MB Dissanayake said of the 209,000 tonnes of paddy in store, a section of it will be released to the market today. The Board hopes the release of the paddy will help address the shortage at present. He said the govt has decided to release the stock of paddy in phases in order to prioritise primary and medium scale businesses. more..

Dec 19 (Reuters) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has ordered a reversal and a probe into the 1.3 billion rupees ($8.7 million) Seylan Bank foreign deal as it failed to follow proper procedure, finance minister said. On Friday, 13 million shares or 7% stake in Seylan Bank owned by state-run Bank of Ceylon were sold to a foreign fund at 100 rupees each, a 17.6% premium to the stock's closing price that day, through JB Securities. more..

Dec 19 (GDI) As demand during the festive season has surged, Minister Rishad Bathiudeen has instructed officials to release freshly milled rice to the market, to strengthen existing rice supply. “We want to act fast on PM Ranil Wickremesinghe’s directive. The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) will take action against errant rice sellers,” he  said today (19).  Minister Bathiudeen is moving the Lanka Sathosa retail chain under his Ministry to support the rice consumer. more..

Dec 19 (DM) Avant-Garde vessel left for India on Saturday (17), after the Galle Chief Magistrate ordered its release to the Sri Lanka Shipping Company on a bond of Rs. 35 million last month. The ship, which is to be sold for scrap metal, sailed under a new captain as its captain is still in remand custody. The Shipping Company is required to present a report on the process to the Galle Magistrate within a week.  The ship was taken into custody by the Sri Lanka Navy more..

Dec 19 (ST) Ms Nilushika Jayaweera came to Singapore to work as a maid in 2001 and 15 years later, she left as an entrepreneur. 36-year-old now buys tea leaves from gardens in Sri Lanka and boxes them for sale to some 500 international customers. She was back in town recently to join a growing list of inspirational speakers on the TED Talks circuit. Other speakers have included tech giant Bill Gates, former US vice-president more..

Dec 19 (DM) Renowned poet Anne Ranasinghe, who escaped from Nazi Germany to England and became a Sri Lankan citizen in 1956 after marrying a SL professor, passed away Saturday at her residence in Rosemead place. She was born on Oct 2, 1925 as Anneliese Katz in Germany became a legendary figure in SL literary circles purely because of her talents, versatility and her concern for the wellbeing of society. She is generally accepted as one of Sri Lanka's leading poets in English, more..

Dec 19 (DN) The Society of Govt Pharmacists is to protest on Wednesday (21), SGP President Ajith Thilakaratne said. He said the protest would be staged opposite the Health Ministry from 12 noon to 1.30 pm. The SGP is asking that 14 demands be met. Addressing media in Colombo he said that the Society of Government Pharmacists would resort to unending trade union action within the next two weeks if the government did not accede to their demands. more..

Dec 19 (PTI) There has been a 50% drop in poaching by Indian trawlers in Sri Lankan waters due to enhanced patrolling by the Navy and coast guard, the country's fisheries minister has claimed. The main reason for the decrease is the arrests made by Sri Lanka Navy and coast guard, Fisheries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said. Amaraweera said he was so informed by Sri Lankan coastal guards in the IMBL. more..

Dec 19 (NR) Minister Vajira Abeywardena says the govt will proceed with the Development Special Provisions Bill in order expedite development in the country. He said special provisions to implement financial decisions are required to overcome development challenges. Minister stressed that UNP led govts have previously introduced bills such as the Mahaweli Act and the Colombo Plan Bill in order to develop the nation. He said the govt requires special powers to develop the country. more..

Dec 19 (DN) If tobacco companies are incurring losses as a result of the increase in the price of cigarettes and the imposition of 90% tax, they can close down operations in SL, Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said. He said no one would protest the closure of tobacco companies. He was addressing the gathering after the opening of the Gampaha Osu Sala. He pointed out that many - including those in the govt had protested when the tax on tobacco was increased by 90%, more..

Dec 19 (AFP) Sri Lanka has banned the import of cinnamon substitutes in a bid to safeguard the reputation of its legendary spice Ceylon cinnamon, minister Daya Gamage said. Cabinet had ratified his proposal to outlaw the import of a cheaper variety known as cassia cinnamon. He said he took the step after several container loads of the fake cinnamon that had been imported from Madagascar were found. more..

Dec 19 (NR) Colombo High Court will tomorrow determine if the first witness for the aggrieved Former Police Constable Preethi Viraj Manamperi will be granted bail in the murder case of Former TNA MP Nadarajah Raviraj. Manamperi’s attorneys tabling the bail application in Court today said their client continuously supported investigations into the murder for a period of 17 months under state pardon and therefore called for bail be granted. Attorneys also informed that more..

Dec 19 (FT) The latest monthly poll conducted by research firm Kantar TNS, reveals that 53% of the people believe that doing business in Sri Lanka is fairly easy, given the availability of necessary facilities. However, 40% oppose this claim with a further 7% sitting on the fence, the magazine notes. Islandwide survey finds that some seven-in-10 people are of the view that Sri Lanka is attractive to foreign investors, mainly due to healthy market conditions for external investment more..

Dec 19 (PMD) President Maithripala Sirisena says that steps are being taken by the Govt to establish a reasonable salary system for those who are employed in the field of judiciary. He made these remarks participating at the Annual Conference of Judges held at the Pegasus Reef hotel in Wattala, today. Govt has understood the issue of not having a reasonable salary system for the employees in the field of judiciary, more..

Dec 19 (DN) Osada Yapa Abeywardena, son of State Minister Laksman Yapa Abeywardana was today ordered released on bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, over a road accident took place near Nelum Pokuna theatre on Dec 18. Filing a B report before Colombo Acting Additional Magistrate, Cinnamon Gardens police alleged that the Jeep driven by Osada had met with an accident near the Nelum Pokuna theatre, causing severe injuries to a motorcycle rider living in Colombo 10. more..

Dec 19 (CT) Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) states that they have not been advised by Minister of Finance to control the rising price of rice. The current market price of rice is twice the average price and the CAA claims that this has become unbearable for the consumers. However, since a control price has not been declared yet the merchants have increased the price of rice according to their whims and fancies. Without the declaration of a controlled price the CAA is more..

Dec 19 (PTI) Former President Rajapaksa has warned the govt against antagonising the Sinhala majority by appeasing the country's Tamil community by mulling to grant more powers to provincial chief ministers in the proposed constitutional reform process. In the recent weeks there has been a debate over a reported demand by the main Tamil Party - TNA - to curb the powers of the provincial governors in order to empower more..

Dec 20 (GV) 6.15 pm. Oozing dark orange and purplish hues into the far horizon, the sun had begun to recede behind the hills of Kandy, like a tired giant. It’s this time I look forward to on a working day. After a cold shower I settled down on the couch with my hot cup of ginger coffee to read the new book I purchased – Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence. Hardly had I reached the end of the first paragraph, when I heard a piercing shriek. I’ve heard it before. more..

Dec 20 (CT) I said a few weeks ago that the Rajapaksa penchant for udgoshana as his chief political weapon while in the Opposition would manifest itself in a more strident manner after funding from China pours into the new political party, which in the interim period pending general elections will be figuratively led by G.L. Peiris. This tendency back to man's atavistic nature in the days when, history tells us, man was wont to express the inherent baser instincts of the animal sensing more..

Dec 20 (DN) Prevailing weather conditions of heavy rains followed by bright sunshine has proliferated mosquito breeding sites islandwide, hiking fears of a dengue outbreak. To avert a possible epidemic of the deadly disease, Health Ministry has launched a massive cleaning up campaign combined with other mosquito control activities. Joining hands with them several members of the civil society have also volunteered more..

Dec 20 (ST) Despite a large trade deficit in the first eight months of this year, the current account of the balance of payments is in surplus by US$ 1.5 billion. Increased workers’ remittances together with higher tourist earnings during the first eight months exceeded the trade deficit to achieve this current account surplus. Trade balance Central Bank of Sri Lanka data disclose that the trade deficit increased by 1.6% to US$ 5.54 billion in the first eight months of the year (January to August 2016), more..