Oct 13 (CT) During the time of the war when the Rajapaksa Govt was hunting for media who were against the Rajapaksas, innocent journalists who wanted to save their lives fled to India. India granted them visas on requests made by western countries led by America. Rajapaksas were angered because India granted visas to journalists who were against their govt. Group consisting of Basil, Gotabaya & Lalith Weeratunga who were sent to deal with India then by Mahinda expressed their opposition more..

Oct 13 (GV) The overall picture that emerges from the January 9, 2015 revolution and the events that have already taken place and are taking place as a result of this change can be summarised as follows. First of all, the January 9 revolution defeated the corrupt and oppressive regime that was in power. It brought an air of some relief to the country. it saved the country of the most likely threat of international sanctions being imposed against it. It also prevented the country of the possibility of being plunged more..

Oct 13 (SL) CEB has taken a costly decision by not including existing private power plants in its long term generation plan and instead going for brand new power plants. The CEB’s long term generation plan in 2005 had proposed constructing six major power plants to be operational by 2016. This included a 245MW Gas Turbine in 2009, a 285MW Gas Turbine in 2010, a 300MW Coal Steam – (Southern Coast) in 2013, a 300MW Coal Steam – (Southern Coast) in 2014, more..

Oct 13 (Island) State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena has let the cat out of the bag again, so to speak. There won’t be local government polls until next June, he has told the media. Facing an electoral contest in the near future is a worrisome proposition for the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe govt, which has pathetically failed to fulfil most of its pre-election pledges. Those at the levers of power campaigned on an anti-corruption platform before the last two elections. more..

Oct 13 (LM) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe is not known at home—reportedly—for his communication skills. The joke is that his jokes are often misunderstood and used against him. But at the inaugural session of the India Economic Summit last week, he was a man transformed—from the word go. “They told me I have 3 minutes. So stick to the 3 minutes. So I have put on my politician’s watch. At 3 minutes, there will be a big signal,” more..

Oct 13 (ST) Good awards, bad awards, fake awards … Sri Lankans are obsessed with awards and getting recognition for achievements at whatever cost.  The corporate sector is filled with awards being presented across all segments of business: There are awards for the best citizen, the best exporter, the best HR company, the best this and the best that! The we are the best carnival, it seems, never ends.  Yes, while there are awards’ schemes run by organizations with more..

Oct 13 (Island) The team from the Caribbean riding on the back of an excellent innings of 161 by Guyanese batsman Vishaul Singh and major contributions from opener Chandrika and wicketkeeper Hamilton, ran up a mammoth 509 for nine on the second day of their second unofficial Test match against Sri Lanka ‘A’ at Pallekele yesterday. They then ran through the SL top order to have them at 37 for four. However, captain Dimuth Karunaratne was like a beacon in wilderness more..

Oct 13 (DM) MP Namal Rajapaksa said today that the IGP should conduct an investigation to find out how police officers with outstanding cases against them were recruited to the FCID. He said he had the names of the police officers in the FCID who had cases and corruption charges against them. “The police officer who arrested me recently was out on bail in a murder case. I filed a case against FCID demanding compensation. more..

Oct 13 (ST) Moratuwa University’s Electrical Department has been modernised with the installation of a sophisticated machine lab replacing an antiquated system that existed for more than five decades.  This was made possible by a Rs. 11 million gift from the CEO of LTL Holdings Ltd U.D. Jayawardena, former student, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the pioneering engineering batch of this university.  The new machine lab was the brainchild of Ananda Sebastian, more..

Oct 13 (ITN) Many consider their sight as the most precious wealth. It is opportune to direct attention to protecting the sight today than in the past. It is because of the eye diseases that are rife at present. Children as well as adults may suffer eye diseases. As such it is necessary to immediately approach a Govt Hospital. World Sight Day falls on the 2nd Thursday of October. Day is commemorated with intention of educating people on blindness. 285 million in the world are suffering from various eye diseases. more..

Oct 13 (DM) Foreign investor interest in the local sugar industry is rising, with discussions underway to provide another 20,000 hectares to a Korean company to start production. “A Korean company which is interested in planting sugarcane is currently conducting negotiations with us,” Industry and Commerce Ministry Secretary T.M.K.B. Tennakoon said. The investor was looking at planting in around 20,000 hectares, and the govt is currently evaluating which land parcels should be allocated. more..

Oct 13 (DN) Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara was of the view that the decision SLC has taken to pay national cricketers according to their performance is very appropriate. He expressed surprise over some payments to national cricketers by SLC. “There is a player who has earned Rs 57 million last year. When calculated, SLC has payed Rs 57,000 for a single run he scored in the year. Another player got Rs 73 million which amounting Rs 26,000 for a single run. he further said. more..

Oct 13 (CT) Athletics Association of Sri Lanka (AASL) did a lengthy explanation regarding the new Sri Lanka record set by Nimali Liyanarachchi where a number of experts including the technical committee head of the world governing body IAAF, Jorge Salcedo had ratified the record while it had already appeared in the IAAF website. According to Sri Lanka's only international technical officials (ITO), P.H.D. Waidyatilleka more..

Oct 13 (CT) Sri Lanka will be hosting the first South Asian Aquatic Championship in collaboration with Ministry of Sports and Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU). The event will take place at the Sugathadasa swimming complex from 18-23 Oct with the participation of seven South Asian nations including India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives and Nepal. Nod to host SAAC 2016 when the heads of the above National Federations met during South Asian Games 2016 in India. more..

Oct 13 (FT) Latest nationwide survey, reveals that citizens have mixed sentiments as to whether Budget 2017 will be taxpayer-friendly or otherwise. At least 4-in-10 respondents expect the budget to be in favour of taxpayers. Meanwhile, 48% disagree, while the rest are undecided. “Some in the agree camp feel that Budget 2017 will be prepared by correcting the mistakes that took place in the past, whilst their rivals assert that the previous budget also did not provide any concessions,” more..

Oct 13 (ST) J.C. Weliamuna, chairman of a committee that probe corruption in SriLankan Airlines last year, has called for the people behind the decision to purchase four Airbus A350 super-luxury aircraft at an inflated price to answer for the dreadful crime.  ”There is no question that the people who took this decision (should) be held accountable in terms of criminal law,” said Mr. Weliamuna, a well-known lawyer, more..

Oct 13 (CT) In negotiating free trade agreements (FTAs) and lifting trade barriers the govt needs to take into consideration concerns expressed by industrialists' and workers' opinion, Sri Lanka Export Development Board Chairman Indira Malwatte said. Her statement came in her address to the Sixteenth World Export Development Forum (WEDF) that opened at the BMICH yesterday. PM Ranil Wickremesinghe who was also one of the speakers at the event confirmed once again more..

Oct 13 (Island) Things are moving at a snail's pace in making today's policies for tomorrow's realities, Leader of the JO MP Dinesh Gunawardane said. "The making of national policies for key political, social and economic realities have hit a drag", he noted. When asked what's the force that acts against forward movement of making national policies in key areas, JO leader said, "Lobbying of various interest groups, opinion deadlock of political parties and international pressure". more..

Oct 13 (ENS) A group of Sri Lankan Tamils have formed Siva Senai (Siva’s Amy) to enable Hindus to face threats from other religious groups in the island nation, says the Senai’s Lead Organizer, M Sachchithananthan, a former UN official turned Tamil nationalist and publisher. He clarified that the Sri Lankan Siva Senai has no links with the Siva Sena in India. He also denied that it is meant to be a militant group. more..

Oct 13 (Island) The Steering Committee appointed to obtain the views of sub committees on various subjects pertaining to constitutional reforms would submit its report to Parliament prior to the Budget, Deputy Media Minister Karunaratne Paranavithana said. He said the Parliamentary Sub Committees were in the process of submitting their suggestions and proposals to the Steering Committee. "Once all views have been received, Steering Committee will include them more..

Oct 13 (CT) The govt yesterday gave an assurance of continued supplies of electricity and water despite the prevailing drought, which has reduced much of the dry zone in the country to a mud-caked landscape. CEB Chairman Anura Wijepala assured that there was no question of power cuts despite the fall in water levels in major reservoirs. Meanwhile, National Water Supply and Drainage Board Chairman K.A. Ansar said there was no reason for water cuts either. more..

Oct 13 (FT) When it comes to excesses of friends and family, do President Sirisena and PM Wickremesinghe have what it takes to shut it down? Or will they stake the survival of their Govt on a desire to protect their own? Maithripala Sirisena has a problem that pre-dates his presidency. It’s a problem that first manifested on the white sand beaches of Passikudah in Feb 2013. more..

Oct 13 (CT) Mount Lavinia Magistrate issued an order prohibiting the sale of a property down Templar's Road, Mt. Lavinia, that has been mortgaged to a bank and was put on sale by the bank to recover defaulted mortgage commitments. The property purportedly belonging to ex-MP Sajin Vaas Gunawardena, was mortgaged to the bank by a property development company after it was purchased for Rs 163 million. The sale of a property, 309 perches in extent at Soysa Mawatha, more..

Oct 13 (FT) A glimmer of hope emerged for Sri Lanka’s beleaguered tea industry this week when demand picked up at the auctions due to black tea crop failures in other countries and raised hopes of prices strengthening in the fourth quarter despite low volumes, brokers said. Tea prices are likely to stay strong in the last quarter of 2016 owing to strong demand caused by crop failures in some black tea producing countries, observed John Keells in their weekly tea report. more..

Oct 13 (CT) PM has assured Minister Mano Ganesan that he will create an ambiance in which he could function effectively as the Minister of National Co-existence, Dialogue and Official Languages without any interference from other ministries and institutions. PM had given this guarantee at a discussion with Ganesan last Tuesday. The meeting came in a sequel to a report in the Mawbima on the 10 Oct headlined more..

Oct 13 (DN) The govt has decided to recall SL Ambassador to Qatar due to his unnecessary interference inconveniencing the Sri Lankans living in Qatar, Deputy Minister Dr Harsha de Silva said. He said Sri Lankan Ambassador to Qatar Prof. W. M. Karunadasa  has been recalled as of the instructions of President Sirisena. The deputy minister said there were allegations against the Ambassador that he was unduly interfering into the affairs of Sri Lankans inconveniencing them. more..

Oct 13 (FT) A former Sri Lankan Supreme Court judge has been sworn-in as a new Supreme Court judge in Suva. Justice K.T. Chitrasiri was sworn in by the Acting President, Chief Justice Anthony Gates and other senior judicial officials in Suva. Mr Chitrasiri was serving as a judge of the Supreme Court in Sri Lanka in 2015 and judge of the Court of Appeal since 2009 prior to his appointment. He served as Justice of Appeal in the Court of Appeal in Fiji from 2009 to 2011. more..

Oct 13 (DN) JO MP Dinesh Gunawardena that proposed new Constitution should be passed by a 2/3 majority in Parliament and also has to be approved by the people at a referendum. He said there is an attempt to pass the new Constitution without a public referendum. UNP MP Dr. Jayampathi Wickramarathne has also stated recently a national Referendum on the proposed new constitution is not an essential and more..

Oct 13 (DM) With much more diagnosis and treatment required for the restoration of a health service where the well-being of the patients is given top priority, SL Medical Association’s three senior general practitioners have made an enlightened and challenging appeal to their colleagues.   Three general practitioners are Dr. Duncan Bujawansa, Dr. Percy Motha and Dr. Eugene Corea. They were assisted by activist Ashraff Jainudeen, who is a leading member of the PMRP. more..

Oct 13 (DM) Dr. Kapila Jayaratne MBBS, MSc, DCH, MD (Community Medicine) Consultant Community Physician and the President of Perinatal Society of SL discussed child, mother and prenatal care situation in Sri Lanka. Q: Why should the Govt or the Ministry of Health pay additional attention to Perinatal care in the country? A: In Sri Lanka, a majority of maternal deaths took place near term and during the immediate post-partum period. Maternal near-misses show a similar picture. more..

Oct 13 (SL) The newly appointed Air Force Commander Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy, who took over office a few weeks ago, said that continuation of safeguarding the maritime boundaries of the country is the prime duty of SL Air Force although there is no war in the country. Although we are fully equipped to face any situation, we are in need of few more aircraft, the new Air Force Commander said. more..

Oct 13 (DM) Deputy Minister Eran Wickramaratne, says preferential market access to India is always important. He says the current Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India should be expanded from goods to services. Q: How important is it for Sri Lanka to have trade agreements with different countries? A: Int'l trade is increasingly based on trade agreements. Most countries in the world will be party to multiple trade agreements. more..

Oct 13 (ST) The absence of a monitoring and regulation mechanism for elders’ homes has led to profiteering by unscrupulous groups preying on the misfortunes of one of society’s most vulnerable groups, a Sunday Times investigation found. Over 2.5 million Sri Lankans are now over 60-years-old, according to the 2012 Census of Population and Housing—a massive 12.4% of the population. more..

Oct 13 (ENS) An agitation in Sri Lanka’s tea plantations involving about 225,000 workers of Indian Origin since Sept 26, is adding to the woes of the island nation’s tea industry which is seeing new lows in production, exports and earnings for a variety of internal and external reasons. Almost a fourth of SL’s one million plantation workforce have been either on a strike or agitation demanding a minimum wage of LKR 1000 per day. more..

Oct 13 (AD) A complaint will be lodged with the CID in connection with a ‘fake’ Facebook account accompanied by an interconnected Twitter account out under the names of Ravi Karunanayake, Finance Ministry said. Ministry further said that it has already been brought to the attention of the CERT, a National Centre for Cyber Security in the country in this regard. Statement:  “It has been brought to my notice more..

Oct 13 (Island) Chairman of National Police Commission (NPC) Prof. Siri Hettige said that they hadn’t been consulted regarding the govt decision to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The issue hadn’t been discussed, Prof. Hettige acknowledged. NPC Chairman was responding to a query whether the govt had sought his opinion in respect of new legislation in place of PTA especially against the backdrop of more..

Oct 13 (Island) A total of 2,508 Sri Lankan Tamils who have been living in refugee camps in Tamil Nadu are now ready to go back home, and are waiting for the Govt of India to provide ships to ferry them back to their homeland. Their list was submitted to Minister Sushma Swaraj on August 19 by SC Chandrahasan, founder of OfERR as per her suggestion made when he called on her during a visit to Colombo on Feb 6. more..

Oct 13 (Hindu) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent remarks that Buddhism would be given the foremost place in new Constitution has sparked concern among sections. “As a state, the President, I and all of us protect Buddhism, not through words, but through action,” PM said recently. He said all political parties and religious leaders across faiths had no issue in giving priority to protect Buddhism in the country. more..