Oct 14 (PMD) Moragahakanda Kalu Ganga Multi-purpose Development Project will be vested with the public by the year 2018, ending the sorrowful stories of farmers in Rajarata as well as providing solutions for the drinking water issue faced by the people in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Matale Districts, said President Sirisena. He said so addressing a ceremony held at A'pura Public Ground today (13), more..

Oct 14 (Island) Brothers Malinda Madusanka and Manesh Malintha of St. Rita’s College, Thaldeka dominated throwing events and Gateway College sprinter Sadeepa Handerson broke new ground in winning the Under-15 girls’ long jump title as the Athletics Championship of the All Island Schools Games commenced at Bogambara Stadium in Kandy. Madusanka won the Under-21 boys’ shot put with a throw of 14.42m while his brother Malintha excelled winning Under-17 boys’ discus throw more..

Oct 14 (Island) The glass ceiling of the Sri Lanka's private sector still appears to be too tough for women, despite it being clear that women in key positions in the public sector are delivering positive results for their organizations in an agile, innovative and progressive manner, EDB chairperson Indira Malwatta said yesterday. She made this comment on the trading floor of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) while taking part in the SheTrades initiative which is designed to raise awareness more..

Oct 14 (FT) Sri Lanka yesterday kicked off preliminary discussions on sharing excess power with other South Asian countries as part of a fresh policy being considered by the govt. Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya had discussions with UNESCAP Executive Secretary Dr. Shamshad Akhtar to outline Sri Lanka’s future power generation plans, which would have a refocused push towards renewables. more..

Oct 14 (CT) The Ministry of Sports will provide funding for the construction of swimming pools in each District as part of sports development in the country. This is in line with the 2020 vision of taking the sport forward to the Tokyo Olympics. "We will be looking at building a swimming pool in each of the district around the country. We will select one main school and go ahead and link other schools to it so they can use the pool as well," Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara said. more..

Oct 14 (FT) The sole agents of Renault cars Associated Motor Ways (AMW) insisted that the recall initiated by French carmaker Renault SA will not affect the cars sold in Sri Lanka. The manufacturer on Wednesday announced that they would be recalling some of its top-selling, entry-level cars in India, called Kwid, to inspect the fuel system. On the matter Renault India will recall select units of the 0.8-litre variant of the Kwid produced up to 18 May 2016. more..

Oct 14 (CT) A school principal who had been terrified after officers from the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) had visited his house for a probe, had committed suicide by consuming poison, Police said. Deceased has been identified as a 51-year-old resident of Bothelegama, in Koswatte Police division and he had served as a principal of a school in Kotadeniyawa in Minuwangoda education zone. more..

Oct 14 (FT) A pharmaceutical importer who distributed banned goods under popular trade names was handed a sentence of 19 years rigorous imprisonment suspended for 10 years by the Colombo High Court.  High Court Judge Padmini Ranawake imposed the sentence on the convict Junaideen Ahamed Riyas for attempting to import a banned eye drop to the country using forged documents and by misleading the Cosmetic Devices & Drugs Regulatory Authority (CDDA), more..

Oct 14 (SLN) A training exercise on oil spill prevention and response was held onboard Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Paheredar, today (12), which is on a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka. Prior to the training exercise; the ship's crew of Samudra Paheredar, personnel from Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Marine Environmental Protection Authority and Sri Lanka Navy participated in a two day workshop and wide range of activities related to oil spill prevention and response. more..

Oct 14 (CT) Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sarath Jayamanna told the Supreme Court that the Army is not giving any support for the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda. He added that a high ranking officer of Army was summoned to Attorney General's Department and requested to support the investigations, but the Army did not respond to the request. more..

Oct 14 (DM) A tense situation arose at the opening ceremony of the Moragahahena bus stand in Horana when MP Vidura Wickremanayaka forcibly attempted to preside over the ceremony. Even though the organizers had invited Minister Champika Ranawaka as the Chief Guest, Wickremanayaka had reasoned that the facility should be declared open by an SLFP member as the project was initiated by previous govt. A tense situation occurred when officials at the ceremony had refused more..

Oct 14 (CT) The weighted average rate (WAR), of market determined overnight money market rates, slipped by a massive 18 basis points (bps) to 9.15% yesterday, as the market seemingly gave up the battle against a rising interest rate regime, buttressed by the money market being short for the twenty third consecutive market day due to the drying up of inflows. Matters were made worse with the drawdown in excess liquidity to the tune of Rs 10.61 billion ($ 72.22 million) more..

Oct 14 (CT) GMOA commended the stance taken by President Sirisena to protect the high command of the Army, top brass of the intelligence units and other patriotic officers from subtle efforts to discredit them politically and ruin their public image. GMOA said that the move made by President to protect such officers, who ushered in a peaceful environment for all citizens to live sans any fear or threat to their lives from terrorists, more..

Oct 14 (DM) President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met last night for a special discussion at the official residence of the former, informed sources disclosed. According to the sources, Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake had accompanied the Prime Minister. The discussion comes in the wake of the President's criticism of the CID, FCID and Bribery Commission -- and speculation about differences of opinion between the two leaders. more..

Oct 14 (Island) Turkey will donate 80 fishing boats, 400 fishing nets, 30 electric water pumps and 30 kerosene water pumps to fishing and farming communities in Trincomalee October 16th at an event to be held at the Public Library Hall in Kinniya. The fishing and agriculture equipment is donated by the Turkish International Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the development arm of Turkish govt, as part of Turkey’s ongoing development assistance program to support more..

Oct 14 (DN) Former SL Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga said that he was organising support from a leading politician in Ukraine to help the future political journey of Kurunegala MP Mahinda Rajapaksa. He stated that on Sept 28, he met former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma and had informed him of the injustices meted out by Yahapalana govt. Weeratunga also added that he was also trying to amass support for his more..

Oct 14 (DM) China has pledged over US$ 10 billion in investments to Sri Lanka over the next 3 years in addition to other bilateral investments,Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe said at the conclusion of the World Export Development Forum 2016. “China has committed to about US$ 10 billion within about 3 years,” he said. This represents an escalation of Chinese investment plans, since the Chinese Ambassador had last month said that China was willing to invest US$ 5 billion more..

Oct 14 (DN) Northern Provincial Education Ministry on the advice of Northern Provincial Council (NPC) Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran is preparing to cancel the appointment of 84 Principals appointed to schools in the Northern Province. The move is a result of opposition which has risen over 84 being chosen through an interview process even though 398 had passed the examination for the post of Principal. A protest by the 314 candidates who passed the exam but were not appointed, more..

Oct 14 (DM) Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL), the controversial primary dealer connected to the family of former CB Governor, Arjuna Mahendran, has recorded a mammoth after-tax profit in excess of Rs.10 billion within a period of 14 months, according to a draft report by CB, which has been leaked to the public domain by a whistleblower within the bank. Based on published accounts, PLT recorded an after tax profit of Rs. 5.1 billion more..

Oct 14 (DM) While declining to comment on the views expressed by President Sirisena on the FCID, its Chief DIG Ravi Waidyalankara said action could be taken in case the President or the Govt was not happy with the manner in which the FCID functioned. “I am aware about the remarks made by President Sirisena but I cannot comment on them being a public servant. However, the President or the govt can take action against the FCID if they are not happy about its activities,” he said. more..

Oct 14 (DM) An high-ranking official who holds a top position in an independent institution is expected to resign soon, informed govt sources said. “This officer has decided to resign after the wrong interpretation expressed recently by some,” sources said. This officer had informed one of the senior leaders of the govt of this decision. This officer is of the opinion that it was unfair that some persons give wrong interpretation about this institution when it was performing a difficult job with regard to more..

Oct 14 (Island) One-time head of Customs Revenue Task Force Nagananda Kodituwakku revealed that 20 vehicles which had been imported by affluent persons using vehicle permits issued to sitting members of Parliament were registered by Commissioner General of Motor Traffic. He said that he had obtained all relevant information pertaining to importation of the vehicles as well as their registration from Customs and Commissioner more..

Oct 14 (DM) There are some fundamental differenes between moderates and extremists that go beyond the obvious degree of flexibility. Extremists are upfront, moderates are cagey. Extremists may believe (even if they don’t say it) that the fact of extremism gives moderates maneuverability and therefore increases the chances for moderates to secure ground. Moderates tend to believe that the non-negotiability that is inherent to extremism hardens the other side to a point that makes more..

Oct 14 (DM) At a time when the independence of the judiciary is being restored with little or no political interference, the Judicial Services Commission JSC has issued effective and practical directives to end the long standing crisis of the law’s delays.  For several decades the legal and judicial  processes have been plagued by a crisis where most cases drag on for years or sometimes even more than a decade. Many are the cases, specially land or testamentary issues, where more..

Oct 14 (ST) Home-grown entrepreneur and Chairman of Ceylon Biscuits Mickey Wickramasinghe, says Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) is a camouflage for Compressive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) proposed with India during the previous rule. The attempt to sign that agreement was thwarted at that time. Mickey said he had a bitter experience more..

Oct 14 (Island) The NFF leader and Mahinda Rajapaksa loyalist Wimal Weerawansa said that the investigation into the attack on the upmarket Clique night club at Lipton Circus, Colombo-02 had taken a different twist with the victim of the attack now in hospital claiming that he could not identify the President’s Security Division personnel who attacked him. Weerawansa charged that President Sirisena’s son Daham and more..

Oct 14 (CT) institutions that carry out investigations into accusations of corruption are working according to the political agenda of the UNP, then details with names and places should immediately be revealed to the country, the Voice Against Corruption (VAC) emphasized to President Maithripala Sirisena. Last Tuesday the President said that if the CID, FCID and CIABOC are acting according to political agendas, more..

Oct 14 (ST) The fact that Colombo is a protected City, protected from floods of Kelani Ganga, was well known. The City is still protected by the same two weak bonds built by the Dutch in the 1800s and completed by the British in 1924. Irrigation Department is the sole custodian of these bonds. Hardly any new thinking had taken place since then except a study done to establish the present status of these bonds to withstand more..

Oct 14 (AD) The Pugoda Magistrate’s Court today ordered the disputed 16 acre land and house in Malwana to be auctioned after former minister Basil Rajapaksa and its registered owner had denied ownership of the property.  When the case was taken up for hearing, Magistrate D.A. Ruwanpathirana ordered that the money from the auctioning be handed over to the Pugoda Magistrate’s Court.  more..

Oct 14 (CG) Sri Lanka abstained from voting on a resolution by UNESCO which denounced Israeli violations in and around the al-Haram al-Sharif (also known as the Temple Mount) compound in the occupied Old City of Jerusalem al-Quds. 24 countries, including Algeria, Brazil, China, Iran, Russia and South Africa, voted in favor of resolution, while six countries US, Britain, Germany, Netherlands, Lithuania & Estonia opposed it. more..

Oct 14 (PMD) The Ambassador for European Union Tung-Lai Margue said the European countries are amazed at the rapid progress made by Sri Lanka under the new govt during a very short period. He assured President Maithripala Sirisena that EU would extend fullest support to the govt plans for reconciliation, economic development and social progress. The new ambassador presented his credentials to President Sirisena today. more..

Oct 14 (ST) European Union (EU) voiced concern about the Govt’s proposed amendment to Criminal Procedure Code which will deny suspects the right to an attorney before the recording of their first statement by police. The amendment has been widely criticised by civil society and rejected by both the Human Rights Commission of SL (HRCSL) and The Bar Association of SL (BASL). more..

Oct 14 (Island) Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith heeding representation made by Fishermen and People’s Organisations distrubed by the large scale dredging of sand from seashore for the filling up of the Port City, appealed to authorities to address their concerns. The text of Cardinal Ranjith statement; Representations have been made to me by fishermen and people’s organisations in more..

Oct 14 (EN) A police alert shortly after President Maithripala Sirisena's controversial remarks heightened fears of a coup similar to the alleged action of his predecessor in trying to remain in power by using force. Police across the capital were ordered by a senior DIG to remain on maximum alert with further instructions due on Thursday as the nation grappled with Sirisena's apparent U-turn on good governance. more..

Oct 14 (CT) Export Development Board of Sri Lanka (EDBSL) Chairman Indira Malwatte dropped a bombshell recently. Speaking at the inauguration of the 16th World Export Development Forum which took place at the BMICH on Wednesday, she said that in negotiating free trade agreements (FTAs) and in lifting of trade barriers, the govt needs to take into consideration concerns expressed by industrialists. Malwatte made this statement in the presence of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, who, more..

Oct 14 (CT) My fourth letter in the series is not going to be that palatable to you. You have not taken serious note of the Judgment delivered on the 25th of August at the Ottawa Ontario Federal Court, in the case heard in Toronto Ontario, referred to in my last letter to you. The said case was an appeal filed by a Sri Lankan asylum seeker, for Judicial Review of a decision of the Immigration Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board (ID). The Honorable Mr. Justice Brown delivering the Judgment more..

Oct 14 (Island) Public Service United Nurses Union (PSUNU) accused the Director General Health Services (DGHS), Dr Palitha Mahipala and the Health Ministry of ignoring the prolonged trade union action of nurses against the administration of the Mahamodara Hospital, Galle. PSUNU Administrative Secretary Dayananda Boralessa said their grievances included the unfair transfer of a nursing sister in charge of an ICU following her return from a month’s training in Singapore. more..

Oct 14 (GDI) President Maithripala Sirisena in his congratulatory message to Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General designate of the UN said that the wealth of knowledge from the past experiences of Antonio Guterres, as the Prime Minister of Portugal and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees will assist him greatly in better serving the challenges faced by the world in the 21st Century. Full text is below: It gives me great pleasure to convey to you my warm congratulations more..

Oct 14 (EN) The governing board of central bank said it was concerned over profits of a primary dealer and a "pattern of trading" in bond markets. The statement came after reports of sharp increases in reported profits of Perpetual Treasuries, in the wake of allegations of securities fraud. Full statement: The Monetary Board, at its special meeting held on 14th Oct, considered an interim report on the operations of primary dealers, more..