Nov 4 (NR) Colombo Additional Magistrate today granted approval for former MP Sajin Vaas Gunawardene to travel overseas for a period of five days. Approval was granted after the Magistrate took into consideration a petition filed by the MP was taken up in Court. Former MP filed a motion in Court seeking approval to travel to India for a religious function that is being held on 11th of Nov. Accordingly the passport of Former MP was released on 3 additional surety bails more..

Nov 4 (DM) It appeared in the newspapers that the govt has decided to close down Mihin. I confess that I do not know what the profit/loss books say about Mihin and its operation. Yet, I do know a thing or two about aeroplanes and airlines. I mean no disrespect to anyone at Mihin or SriLankan (UL) as my criticism is aimed directly at the political nonsense that has ruined aviation in SL, which made me decide to at least voice more..

Nov 4 (Island) Former Sinha Regiment officer, Attorney-at-law and President of War Heroes for the Motherland, Major (Rtd) Ajith Prasanna yesterday said that the country’s security had been compromised with the transfer of Director Military Intelligence Brigadier Tuan Suresh Sallay to the Intelligence Regiment and replacing him with Brigadier Wijendra Gunatillake of the Sinha Regiment, who had no experience in gathering intelligence at any level. more..

Nov 4 (wsws) Deeside workers in the Glenugie estate at Maskeliya formed an action committee on Oct 26 to take forward their fight, along with plantation workers throughout Sri Lanka, for a daily wage of 1,000 rupees. Deeside workers took this move after the trade unions signed a collective agreement with employers for a daily wage of 730 rupees ($US5), tied to productivity. Their move to take up an independent struggle is a critical step forward not only for plantation workers, more..

Nov 4 (NR) Minister Ravi Karunanayake says the prices of powdered milk will not be increased under any circumstance. Ministry of Finance said VAT was imposed on imported powdered milk with effect from the 1st of Nov under the new VAT Amendment Act. The Ministry reiterates that powdered milk importers cannot increase prices without obtaining approval from the govt as maximum prices have already been more..

Nov 4 (CI) USA coach Pubudu Dassanayake gave credit to Denmark's death bowling unit, saying their ability to bowl yorkers at the death saved them 30 runs in the final four overs that was a turning point in USA's four-wicket loss on Wednesday at WCL Division Four. Dassanayake believes it is something USA must learn from when preparing to take on good teams in tournament play. "The major difference is that our bowlers didn't bowl well and especially the main bowlers, our spinners," more..

Nov 4 (DM) MP Wimal Weerawansa's daughter complained to the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) saying she was being mentally harassed by false accusations made against her by several social media websites. She was accompanied by her mother Shashi Weerawansa and lawyer Premanath Dolewatta. Mr. Dolewatte told journalists that it was completely unethical and illegal to mentally harass a 15-year-old girl in connection with the unfortunate death Lahiru more..

Nov 4 (ENS) Representatives of SL Jamaithul Ulema, Muslim intellectuals and members of govt-appointed committee on Muslim personal law reform, are to meet for two days beginning Friday, to discuss reform of the controversial Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act of 1951. Initiator of the move, Asad Sally, who heads of Desiya Aikya Munnani said since the issue involves aspects of the inviolable Sharia law, more..

Nov 4 (NR) Chief Minister of the Northern Province today urged the leaders in the North to represent all citizens of the country. Chief Minister Reginald Cooray said leaders of the North cannot limit themselves by raising issues only concerning Tamil citizens. Chief Minister said political leaders in the North must represent all issues faced by Lankans. Chief Minister said Northern leaders should raise issues of the South, like they do of incidents in the North. more..

Nov 4 (CT) Former Sri Lanka Skipper Namal Rajapaksa has volunteered to coach the CH and FC Rugby Team during the 2016/17 Inter-Club rugby season. It will be the first time the eldest Rajapaksa sibling will be trying his hand, coaching at club level. Rajapaksa was a key member of the Navy Sports Club team and also went onto Captain Sri Lanka during his playing days and will be eager to continue his success in his new role as coach. more..

Nov 4 (Island) Religious leaders will meet the Defence Secretary soon if the SL Navy continued to prevent fishermen from Muththaripputharai from keeping their boats on the eastern and southern beach stretch, Fr. Denny Callistus, Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Church, popularly called Senkolmatha, said. Muththaripputharai, some 35 km off Mannar had been tense since Oct 19. About 400 families had been affected by the ban. more..

Nov 4 (DM) A 35-year-old suspect who was severely injured when he is alleged to have jumped from the fifth floor of Gampaha Hospital is reported to have died after he was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital today. The suspect identified as Suranga Dias from Ja-Ela was arrested following a theft and admitted to the Gampaha Hospital. The man had sought permission to use the washroom last night and had escaped the police guards to jump from the fifth floor of the building. more..

Nov 4 (NR) Five policemen arrested on suspicion of the death of two students of the Jaffna Uni have been further remanded till the 18th of Nov. The order was issued by Jaffna Magistrate’s Court. CID is conducting investigations pertaining to the incident. Accordingly Court ordered the CID and the Police to produce eye witnesses when the case is taken up for hearing once again on the 18th of Nov. On the 20th of Oct Police Headquarters announced that the two Jaffna University students more..

Nov 4 (AD) A steady stream of people from all parts of Sri Lanka gathered at Independence Square in Colombo to pay their final respects to the late Dr Pandit W.D. Amaradeva as he lay in state on Friday. The public can pay their final respects until 3.30pm tomorrow. The remains were brought to Independence Square from a private funeral parlor at around 10am today. Govt announced a week of national mourning more..

Nov 4 (NR) A fire has broken out at the auditorium of Musaeus College, Colombo 07. The fire brigade unit of the Colombo Municipal Council said 15 trucks were deployed to douse the fire. When contacted by NewsRadio the Police said the fire was under control adding there were no casualties. However the Police Media Unit said one individual was taken to the Colombo National Hospital for observation after inhaling the fumes. The cause of fire has not been determined yet. more..

Nov 4 (TN) Following a successful volunteering project to Sri Lanka last year, a team of 12 Calder High Sixth Form (VI) students and three staff members returned to Sri Lanka during summer. The group spent a day travelling from Calder High School, Mytholmroyd, to Colombo, Sri Lanka where they were met by Projects Abroad volunteer co-ordinator, Helen Monaghan, who worked with the group during their two-week project. The student volunteers worked in two kindergartens in more..

Nov 4 (Xinhua) Sri Lanka will continue its support for One China policy and push forward greater development of relations with China, a parliament leader said. Sri Lanka appreciates the great achievements Tibet has made in various fields, Thilanga Sumathipala, Deputy Speaker of SL's parliament, said as he met with visiting delegation of Tibetan Deputies of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China on Wednesday. more..

Nov 4 (Phys) An ocean glider christened Challenger will set sail for Sri Lanka in the longest journey ever attempted by an autonomous underwater vehicle. The Challenger Glider Mission will capture and communicate unprecedented undersea data and help determine how changes in currents, temperatures and salinity affect weather patterns and give scientists a deeper understanding into the mysteries of a changing climate. University of Western Australia Professor more..

Nov 4 (MoD) Indian Defence delegation, led by Indian Defence Secretary Shri G. Mohan Kumar participated at the 4th Indo-Sri Lanka Defence Dialogue at the invitation of his Sri Lankan counterpart Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi in Colombo today (3). Since its inception in 2012, the Annual Indo - Sri Lanka Defence Dialogue reviews the entire scope of Defence Cooperation between both countries while expanding its areas of interests. more..

Nov 4 (DN) Sri Lanka’s economic policies are doing well and more Turkish companies are keen in investing in SL, in construction, tourism and many more, Turkish Ambassador Tunca Ozcuhadar said. Addressing the opening ceremony of Turkish-Lanka B2B meeting in Colombo, he said that Turkey - SL trade relations have seen a steady increase over the last few years. Up to the third quarter of 2015, Sri Lanka exported goods more..

Nov 5 (NS) After much hype, the much awaited findings of Parliament’s Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) inquiry into the sale of Central Bank bonds were revealed last week. It cast former Governor Arjuna Mahendran in a poor light and called for legal action against him. In the run up to the release of the report, the UNP members of the committee reportedly wanted to dilute its findings. Eventually they too were signatories to the document, albeit with footnotes. more..

Nov 5 (DN) The much talked about new party of the Joint Opposition has been launched - not with a bang - but in a whimper. The announcement that the Sri Lanka People’s Front (SLPF) was registered with the Elections Commission last week was restricted to a single column story in most of the newspapers. The Chairman of the SLPF, good old professor Gamini Lakshman Peiris said that the Front has been formed in response to an urgent public need and the widespread demand for its formation. more..

Nov 5 (CT) We still have not decided whether to contest the upcoming Local Govt Election, but if the dates are confirmed we will take an immediate decision, Politburo member of the Frontline Socialist Party, Pubudu Jagoda said. Q: Is the Frontline Socialist Party (FLSP) preparing for the coming Local Govt Elections? A: We still have not decided whether to contest the upcoming coming LG polls or not. more..

Nov 5 (NS) Joint Opposition (JO) has taken up the cudgels against PM Ranil Wickremesinghe calling for his resignation on the grounds he appointed Arjun Mahendran to the post of Central Bank Governor and continued to support him even after his alleged involvement in the infamous bond scam. Resignation has been demanded because the Central Bank technically came under the purview of the PM and he had given relevant instructions to the bank with regard to the bond issue. more..

Nov 5 (CT) On Thursday, Sri Lanka Thawheed Jama’ath (SLTJ) exercised their constitutional right to protest against the attempts made by the Government to bring about amendments to a historic law relating to the Muslim Marriages and Divorces (MMDA), apparently due to pressure exerted by the EU as a precondition to granting GSP+ to Sri Lanka. Thousands flocked and showed their disapproval and discontent by walking in a procession, carrying placards which culminated in a mass meeting more..

Nov 5 (DM) Sannaliyane, Sannaliyane, Katada Saluwa Wiyanney? Seetala handa eliye - Malawunu muhunin wewulana dethin, Katada saluwa wiyanney; Seetala saluwa wiyanney, Miya giya eyage Miniya wahannai Seetala saluwa wiyanney. Weaving solemn and still, weavers, what do you weave in the moonlight chill? White as a feather and white as a cloud.. We weave a funeral shroud more..

Nov 5 (CT) A few days ago at Kokuvil in Jaffna Police caught two young men coming on a motorcycle carrying swords. When they were questioned about the swords they were carrying, the two men had replied that they were returning after a drama practice. However, Policemen who are now on high alert to get rid of the 'AAVA' group menace on the directive of the Inspector General of Police have nabbed the two men with their swords and took them into custody for further investigation. more..

Nov 5 (DN) The presenting of the COPE Report in parliament, controversy within the coalition of national unity over its contents, criticisms from the Joint Opposition, especially directed at the PM, and the exposure of what has been undoubtedly a major situation of corruption over Treasury bond issues, have made this a very difficult time for the govt to cope with (pun unintended). President Sirisena’s call for an independent judicial inquiry into the COPE findings, and the PM’s announcement that more..

Nov 5 (CT) A few weeks ago, the general public learnt of a tragicomedy taking place at the loss making national carrier, SriLankan Airlines. It all began with three airline security officials attempting to carry out a random breathalyzer test on a senior captain when he reported to operate flight UL402 on Aug 28 to Bangkok. The pilot claims he had not declined to undergo the breathalyzer test, but had questioned the security officials the basis on which he had been randomly selected to be tested. more..

Nov 5 (Island) Amaradeva sang and, therefore, he was. It was a treat to watch him perform. His life was a medley of beautiful songs replete with euphonious lyrics and mellifluous melodies, sung in a honeyed voice with a soul-stirring lilt to it. A nonpareil, he had greatness thrust upon him relatively early in life and became a national icon even before he reached middle age. The nation mourns his demise, which marks the end of an epoch in the history of Sri Lankan music. more..

Nov 5 (ST) It has been an epic effort and they are not done yet. With over 4000 participants, 474 km covered and the hearts of the nation captured, Trail team passed through Colombo on Oct 25, on their long walk across the country. Amidst loud encouragement and cheers from the people of Colombo, as well as the inevitable traffic snarls, walkers of Trail 2016 completed 20th day of their inspirational journey. more..

Nov 5 (NS) Aftermath of the death of two university students saw a series of unrest in the Northern Province. The past few weeks have seen a fluctuation in terms of normalcy in Northern Province. Though there were no major incidents after the death of the students, the instability that the incident had paved way for certain elements to come to the fore. Aava group had been creating news over the past few weeks. Though several members of the group had been arrested, presence of gangs more..

Nov 5 (NS) This is a time when the sport of badminton is screaming for the attention of a capable leader. The racquet sport is in the doldrums,  and the opposition voiced to highlight the unprofessional way in which things happen today has fallen on deaf ears. Past national players like Udaya Weerakoon wish to see badminton come out of this mess. This is why accomplished past players like Weerakoon stress that all administrators must support one common goal. more..

Nov 5 (ENS) In SL’s political folklore, no two countries can be friendlier than China and SL. Indeed, for six decades from 1952 to 2014, Sino-Lankan relations could not have been warmer. But in the last 2 years, two countries have drifted apart, with hot words exchanged between Chinese Ambassador Yi Xianliang and Minister Ravi Karunanayake recently. Contentious issues have their roots in extraordinary influence China more..

Nov 5 (EN) John Keells Holdings conglomerate said September quarter group net profit rose 8% to Rs3.8 billion from a year ago, with sharp gains from its consumer foods, retail and leisure businesses while transportation earnings fell. Group sales rose 13% to Rs25.76 billion for the quarter. JKH chairman Susantha Ratnayake said, transportation industry group Profit Before Tax of Rs.668 million in the second quarter of 2016/17 is a decrease of 18% over the second quarter of the previous year. more..

Nov 5 (Hindu) Five fishermen who were repatriated from Sri Lanka, arrived at the Karaikal port here on Friday. M. Thangamani (50) of Pattinamcherry in Karaikal district in Puducherry, S. Pradeep (23), his brother S. Arun (21), P. Shanmugavel (25) and K. Gopu (27) all from Jagadapattinam in Pudukottai district in Tamil Nadu were arrested by the SL Navy on Oct 3 while fishing in the mid-sea off the Pt.Calimere coast. They were handed over to the Indian Coast Guard at the IMBL. more..

Nov 5 (FT) November edition of leading business magazine LMD reports that business confidence has surged by 15 basis points, to 165. The magazine also notes that this reflects a 12-month high forthe LMD-Nielsen Business Confidence Index (BCI). “Action on the investment and infrastructure front is a key reason for the upswing, as it brings the hope of more employment opportunities & an increase in consumption” more..

Nov 5 (FT) Aitken Spence said it posted Rs. 540 m as profits attributable to equity holders of the company in the second quarter, an increase of 50% year-on-year. Pre-tax profits rose by 26% to Rs. 973 m while revenue rose by 70% to Rs. 9.8 b, in the second quarter from last year. Earnings per share for the quarter was Rs. 1.33, an increase of 50% over the corresponding period. Increase in revenue during the quarter from the tourism sector was mainly driven by new additions, more..

Nov 5 (NR) Newly appointed Sri Lanka captain Rangana Herath has retained his fourth position in the latest ICC Player Rankings for Test Bowlers following a six wicket haul during the first Test of a two-match series against Zimbabwe which ended in Harare on Wednesday. In the Player Rankings for Test Bowlers led by India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, Dilruwan Perera remains 15th while for Zimbabwe Carl Mumba has moved up one position to 76th in the latest rankings. more..