Nov 7 (DM) A pension would be paid for war heroes, who delisted on grounds of disability, Army Spokesman Roshan Seneviratne said. “The soldiers who voluntarily delisted from the army, before their 12 year service period ended, due to their disability have been demanding for a pension since 2008,” he said. Cabinet had decided to solve the problem after President’s attention was drawn to the matter. more..

Nov 7 (ST) Tenders for two new duty free operators for the BIA have still not been awarded, despite bids having been lodged more than three months ago. Instead, the Airport and Aviation Services Ltd (AASL) has extended the contracts of existing operators Flemingo and World Duty Free (WDF) till next month. Both contracts expired in August. The delay — which has not been explained by AASL or the Civil Aviation Ministry — more..

Nov 7 (Island) The new Constitution would never cause the country to split nor would it remove the provisions giving the foremost place to Buddhism, Minister Lakshman Kiriella said recently. He said: "There are no requests to insert sections to the draft of the new constitution being formulated to promote the division of the country or deny Buddhism its due place. We will not permit such proposals. more..

Nov 7 (ENS) The Chief Minister of the Tamil-majority Northern Province, C.V.Wigneswaran, on Sunday charged that the Sri Lankan govt is not investigating the killing or disappearance of Tamil journalists when it is investigating cases involving Sinhalese journalists. He said that he had raised this issue when the Media Minister, Gayantha Karunatilake, had visited Jaffna in March, but till date no action has been taken in this regard. more..

Nov 7 (CT) PM’s unstudious instruction did cost Arjuna Mahendran his career, cost the government to bear losses exceeding Rs.1.6 billion and it cost the UNP its integrity. In regard to the sale of govt bonds, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe told the parliament that, “I insisted on a public auction because private placements have led to corruption and lack of transparency” (Mar 17, 2015). But Sunil Handunnetthi, the Chairman of the COPE says that there is no such thing call more..

Nov 7 (Island) The TULF has written to a visiting European Union delegation that the TNA Leadership had no moral right to represent the Tamil people in Parliament or elsewhere. "I have informed the delegation in letter that there is enough proof to establish that the candidates of the TNA with the ITAK symbol won all 22 seats at the April 2004 general election with the LTTE stuffing ballot boxes to ensure their victory," Veerasingham Anandasangaree said. more..

Nov 7 (EN) Foreign investors have begun to sold about 24 billion rupees of bonds over the past two weeks, ending a steady trickle of inflows over August and September, official data shows. In the week ending Nov 2 foreigners sold 8.5 billion rupees of bonds, after selling 7 billion rupees of bonds the previous week, data shows. Foreign investments in rupee bonds peaked at 316.7 billion rupees on Oct 5 and has since fallen 24.5 billion rupees to 292.2 billion rupees. more..

Nov 7 (CT) With the onset of the present inclement weather condition in the country, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) has issued a warning to the people in the hill country and coastal areas to be on the alert for earth slips, rough seas, floods and lightning strikes. Six people have already been hospitalized with injuries following an earth slip in the Nuwara Eliya District, according to Police sources. The DMC has announced that 30 persons belonging to 16 families, more..

Nov 7 (DM) Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga said that there was no difference between LTTE extremism in the North and Sinhala extremism in the South. She said their destructive mentality remained the same. She told the media, at an event held to promote reconciliation, that she would not express her views on the allegations that former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was connected to Avaa more..

Nov 7 (Island) Minister and Leader of the House Lakshman Kirilla has ruled out the possibility of reopening the road in front of Sri Dalada Maligawa for vehicular traffic. However, Minister Kiriella has stressed the need for finding a solution to the traffic congestion in Kandy. He said a tunnel would be constructed from Getambe to Tennekumbura and the project would commence shortly. The minister said so, speaking at a function at Kandy Girls’ school recently. more..

Nov 7 (TN) Three men broke into a villa and stole Dh1 million worth of valuables while the owner was overseas on holiday, a court has heard. Dubai Criminal Court was told that only one of the three Sri Lankans, a 47-year-old, had been arrested. He was stopped at Sharjah International Airport but his two compatriots had already flown home with most of the stolen goods. Prosecutors said that in August last year, the three broke into the villa of an Emirati in Al Muhaisnah 1, and more..

Nov 7 (DM) The police used tear gas and water cannon against disabled tri-forces and police personnel in Colombo on Monday, in an attempt to block them from marching to the Presidential Secretariat Office. The differently abled War Heroes were protesting demanding pension benefits for disabled veterans who have not completed 12 years of service. They have as well as launched a fast unto death in front of more..

Nov 7 (NR) Former Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Guneratne, arrested on charges of a road accident that killed one person, has been released on bail. The order was issued when the case was taken up before the Negombo High Court today. High Court Judge issued an order to release him on a 50,000 rupee cash bail and two surety bails worth 500,000 rupees. Furthermore, the former Deputy Minister was ordered to arrive at the Police Station on the third Sunday of every month. more..

Nov 7 (PR) The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka Syed Shakeel Hussain visited the Northern part of Sri Lanka to review the progress on a Pakistani-funded Housing Project for war affected families of District Mannar. Minister Rishad Bathiudeen was also present on the occasion. Addressing the gathering at Puthukudiyiruppu village, the High Commissioner said that the Govt of Pakistan has sponsored many projects in health, education and livelihood sectors in Sri Lanka. more..

Nov 7 (DN) Minister Rajitha Senaratne said he will stand by his statement that the Aava militant group trying to create communal tension in the North was created with the blessings of former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. He said what he meant was that it was formed with the assistance of one officer in the Army. “So, how could it be an insult on the Army when I did not mean that the whole Army was behind it?” more..

Nov 7 (DM) National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader and former Minister, MP Wimal Weerawansa arrived at the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) this morning to give a statement over alleged financial irregularities, police said. Earlier, the FCID also summoned Mr. Weerawansa in connection with in connection with alleged misuse of government vehicles during previous regime. MP Weerawansa arrived at the FCID at 9.30 am but left complaining that is unwell.   more..

Nov 7 (DM) The Wildlife Department found the largest crocodile in Welegoda, Matara this morning. The croc believed to weigh close to a ton and 17 feet long was found stuck in a canal leading off the Nilawala River. The crocodile had attempted to enter the canal in search of food as the water levels in the river had risen. The giant reptile was released back into the river by Wild life officials at Mirissa and Kalawetiya. more..

Nov 7 (NR) Minister Lakshman Kiriella says the good governance govt is working on turning the depleted SL economy around. He said the present administration has convinced the international community and the donors during the past year adding that development projects will be initiated promptly. He stated that the govt is at a decisive period adding that Sri Lanka is at the door step of a massive economic turnaround. more..

Nov 7 (EN) Number of tourists visiting Sri Lanka rose 13.7% in October 2016 from a year ago with strong gains seen from traditional markets like Germany and new markets India and China maintaining their double-digit growth momentum. SL received 150,419 visitors in October and tourist arrivals in the first 10 months of the year have risen 14.6% to over 1.4 million from the year before. India remained the main market in Oct 2016 with the number of arrivals from there rising 19.3% to more..

Nov 7 (Island) National University Teachers Association (NUTA) has appreciated China debunking allegations as regards loans it made available to Sri Lanka during the previous administration. Statement signed by Dr Channa Jayasumana for NUTA reads: "NUTA wishes to express our gratitude over the clarifications made by China’s Ambassador to SL Yi Xiangliang on 2nd Nov about loans and development aid during a meeting at the Chinese Embassy in Colombo. more..

Nov 7 (CG) British Minister for the UN and Commonwealth Baroness Anelay visited Jaffna today and confirmed £1.2 million of UK funding to remove land mines in the north of Sri Lanka over the next 3 years. This forms part of the £6.6 million in funding for Sri Lanka announced at the CHOGM in Malta last year. The UK will fund British demining charity The HALO Trust to remove mines in order to facilitate the return of IDPs. more..

Nov 7 (NR) Former SL Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga has filed a Fundamental Rights Petition at the Supreme Court against his international arrest warrant. The petition has called on the Supreme Court to issue an order to retract the arrest warrant issued through the INTEPOL by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court last month. Petition was filed by a relative of the former Russian Ambassador this afternoon. OIC of the FCID and six others have been named as respondents. more..

Nov 7 (BS) Indo-Sri Lankan military exercise MITRA SHAKTI 2016' culminated on 6 Nov, after fourteen days of intense military training. The exercise concluded with an impressive closing ceremony held at Sinha Regimental Centre, Ambepussa. A platoon each from an infantry battalion of the Rajputana Rifles Regiment, Indian Army and Sinha Regiment, SL Army participated in the fourth edition of this bilateral exercise. The joint exercise was conducted from 24 Oct to 06 Nov more..

Nov 7 (DM) SLFP’s committee working on the Central Bank bond issue, would consult legal and financial experts this week to decide on steps to be taken in this regard, a Minister said. Central Committee of the party appointed this committee on Oct 31 to study the report submitted by the COPE on the controversial bond issue that took place on Feb 27, 2015. It is expected to submit a report to President Sirisena recommending more..

Nov 7 (DM) Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara said Sri Lanka is plagued with a bizarre political situation where even defeated candidates could enter Parliament and that he was opposed to such as these taking place. He expressed these views at a function held to launch road construction work in Moneragala. Minister was apparently taking a swipe at Irrigation Minister Gamini Vijith Wijeyamuni Zoysa who was defeated at the election but nominated as an MP on the national list. more..

Nov 7 (Island) Govt would make it mandatory for beedi and cigar manufactures to display pictorial warnings on the packets of their product as in the case of cigarettes, Director General Health Services said. Pictorial warnings had been introduced to discourage the public from smoking and to save the youth, Dr. Maheepala said. Govt introduced new taxes on beedi in September this year. Cabinet decided to increase the Cess imposed on Beedi leaves from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 3,000 a kilo. more..

Nov 7 (DN) Germany will extend its full support towards Sri Lanka's efforts to regain the GSP+ facility, said Deputy German Chancellor Sigma Gabriel when he held bilateral discussions with PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and his delegation in Hong Kong on Nov 4. He said since Sri Lanka had entered the democratic process after the change of govt last year, Germany would strive to lend all possible support to SL by strengthening more..

Nov 7 (ANI) Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday called on President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Welcoming the Sri Lankan President to India, the President said India believes its growth is linked to the prosperity of its neighbourhood. "India would like to see Sri Lanka utilize the economic growth in India to catalyze its own economic development. This is also India's message to other partners in BIMSTEC," President Mukherjee said. more..

Nov 7 (Island) Tamil political parties yesterday met at Nelliady to discuss the next course of action as regards the killing of two undergraduates allegedly by the police on Oct. 20. Representatives of all constituent parties of TNA, TULF, ACTC, and SDPT, were represented at the meeting which commenced at 10.00 am and was in progress even at the time this edition went to press. "We condemn the killings, and will decide on our next protest," TELO spokesman, M.K. Sivajilingam said. more..

Nov 7 (PMD) President Sirisena urged the world community to resist the attempts of the tobacco industry to undermine tobacco control through litigation and interference in govt policy-making. “We know that the industry will try to influence policymakers in many ways, often support petitioners to challenge govt legislation & persuade the mass media. This, to me, is a direct interference in internal policy matters of any country. more..

Nov 8 (CT) From day one of their defeat on Jan 8th, the seedy camp of the former regime employed an age-old tactic to face the inevitable large scale corruption and criminal charges brought up against them. This is the strategy of throwing dust in the eyes of the potential enemy-in this case the people who have to make their judgment. Confuse the people and give a try at making the latter believe that it is the yahapalanaya govt who are really corrupt-not their good selves. more..

Nov 8 (ST) On the eve of the 2017 budget, it is pertinent to ask whether the Finance Minister would take the advice on fiscal consolidation of economists articulated at the Annual Sessions of the Sri Lanka Economics Association (SLEA) where the consensus was that fiscal consolidation was imperative to achieve sustainable high economic growth. The comprehensive keynote address by W.A. Wijewardena, former Central Bank Deputy Governor, elaborated on the fiscal issues that more..

Nov 8 (SO) A train that goes right through a golf course ? That could only happen at just one golf course in the whole world. And, it is located right here in Sri Lanka, in the heart of Colombo. If you just want to play a bit of golf and relax, the Club suits you to a tee. We are talking about the Royal Colombo Golf Club, founded in 1879. Its Royal Charter was obtained in 1928, and it functions as a premier golfing facility in Sri Lanka. more..

Nov 8 (CT) Allegations – the one common denominator in any govt setting, more so in Sri Lanka in the Mahinda Chinthanaya and Yahapalanaya alike. The words Central Bank Bond Scam and COPE will be familiar to many. Indeed, the issue itself is over a year old, with details of varying positions being presented via a not-so-independent media, and political parties hell-bent on destabilizing the system of democracy for a 5-year term running the country to the ground, more..

Nov 8 (ST) In a few days time the world will know who has crept into the White House in what must surely be a Hobson’s choice that even Hobson would not have contemplated. The two candidates provide as stark a contrast as American history can offer and both count for smells numbers 1 and 2 in the civic nostril. When the people of the United States are asked to choose between an impudent and temerarious candidate and another whose trustworthiness and judgment are sullied, more..

Nov 8 (SL) National Organiser of the JVP Bimal Rathnayaka says the current govt too is engaged in corruption and fraud. He said it is the people, who are eventually paying the price for the actions of thecorrupt politicians. He said the people have no more options today, and it is only the JVP that has come to their rescue. “The former govt did not have the solutions to resolve the people’s issues. and this govt too have done no better. more..

Nov 8 (DM) The political atmosphere in the country has seen some significant change during the last month or so, as one can observe the villain and the hero in the govt’s anti-corruption drive gradually swapping their roles, pushing the administration to be on the defensive. In other words, the entire anti-corruption drive of the yahapalanaya govt has been faced with a crisis situation mainly for two reasons involving both the main coalition partners of the govt.  more..

Nov 8 (Island) Chinese Ambassador in Colombo Yi Xianliang threw cautious diplomacy to the wind last week when he, addressing the media, countered a well-publicised allegation that his country had provided loans to Sri Lanka at extremely high interest rates. He may not have taken up that issue without the blessings of Beijing. Having defended his country passionately he bowled a Chinaman, which hit the govt’s middle stump, so to speak; he rhetorically asked why Colombo should ask more..