Oct 17 (ES) A member of one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent political families was found dead in his room at a London university shortly after going to bed complaining of a fever. Friends who became worried when Adhil Bakeer Markar failed to answer phone calls battered down the door of his London School of Economics dorm to find him lying unconscious. They tried to resuscitate him but he was pronounced dead at more..

Oct 17 (CT) Pakistan's attempt to stage the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit has fizzled out following the recent tense situation between Pakistan and India in the Kashmir region. However, India has staged the 8th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Summit in Goa with a positive response even from some of the SAARC countries which have kept away from SAARC Summit in Pakistan. As BRICS countries have several things in common, more..

Oct 17 (PMD) President of Russia Vladimir Putin, expressing his appreciation over the transformation being occurred in Sri Lanka and assured he will provide every required support to Sri Lanka. He made these remarks when he met President Maithripala Sirisena on the sidelines of BRICS Outreach Summit yesterday in Goa, India. President Putin warmly welcomed President Sirisena and expressed his best wishes. President Sirisena thanked the Russian President for more..

Oct 17 (DN) Power and Energy Ministry requested the public to use electricity sparingly for the next five days in the wake of tripping of the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant. Ministry spokesman said the public is urged to save power in support of the efforts to manage the electricity demand. He said if the power saving measures were inadequate, CEB would be compelled to impose power cuts. He said the ministry will announce today whether more..

Oct 17 (DS) This is the opportunity for the youngsters to raise their hands and grab the opportunity. It’s bad that we are in this situation, but, at the same time we have to consider it as an opportunity for the fringe players. The only fit fast bowler Suranga Lakmal too is among the experienced hands. (Sunday Times). Adding to the long list of injury hit Sri Lankan senior players, captain Angelo Mathews and vice captain Dinesh Chandimal’s condition   more..

Oct 17 (PTI) A 42-year-old Sri Lankan national who arrived here by a boat today claiming that he fled his country fearing detention by military there, was arrested for travelling without valid travel documents, police said. The man identified as Arulselvan of Yazhpanam in Sri Lanka reached Arichalmunai near here by a boat this morning. He told the police that he left his country fearing torture at the hands of military there and that he had come in search of his wife who is lodged in a refugee camp more..

Oct 17 (PTI) Minister and Deputy Leader of UNP, Sajith Premadasa recently organised a job dansala to show his appreciation to his party supporters who worked for his victory at last year’s Parliamentary Elections, doling out tens if not hundreds of jobs to his party supporters and their families. The job dansala, goes against all pledges by President Sirisena led administration which came to power assuring that people more..

Oct 17 (Island) A 65-year-old exorcist of Medamahanuwara in Udadumbara was arrested by the Children’s and Women’s Bureau of the Kandy police headquarters for allegedly sexually abusing underage schoolgirls in the area. The suspect had been abusing girls aged 12-14, threatening them that he would destroy them and their family members if they disclosed abuse. The latest victims were four schoolgirls. The arrest of the charmer Nallatambi by the Children’s and more..

Oct 17 (DN) Ministry of Power and Energy announced that the power-cuts scheduled for two-and-a-half hours in the morning, and an hour in the evening, have been reduced. The cuts will now last for an hour in the morning, and half-an-hour in the evening, Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said. Earlier today, after the Mahaweli Authority agreed to release more water to generate hydropower, Ministry of Power and Energy said duration of  power-cuts could be reduced. more..

Oct 17 (MOD) At the invitation of the Chinese Govt Karunasena Hettiatrachchi, Secretary of Defence undertook an Official Visit to China. During the visit the Secretary called on General Chang Wanquan, State Councilor and Minister of National Defence of China and on behalf of President & Minister of Defence of SL extended an invitation to Minister to undertake an early visit to SL to strengthen cooperation in defence sector. more..

Oct 17 (EN) Sri Lankan govt dismissed protests by fishermen against a US$ 1.4 billion Port City project funded by Chinese investors, saying sand mining to reclaim land would not harm fishing grounds. Minister Champika Ranawaka said they had held several rounds of talks with fishermen’s groups in Negombo. “We explained the steps taken to mitigate damage from offshore sand mining and provided scientific evidence that there would be no lasting harm to fishing.” more..

Oct 17 (GDI) Minister of Health, Dr. Rajitha Senarathne has requested all cardiologists to use the stents imported by the Ministry of Health to perform surgeries on cardiac patients. These stents will be provided to the patients free of charge. The Minister said that the stents should not be misused. This was said at a meeting held at the Ministry, with the participation of consultant cardiologists from National Hospital, Colombo and Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Borella. more..

Oct 17 (DM) Resignation of Bribery Commission (BC) Director General Dilrukshi Wickramasinghe is a move to avoid possible action against the culprits of CB bond scam, JHU said. The JHU, which has repeatedly criticized the delay when taking action against offenders by the BC, CID and the FCID, said she had proved herself to be inefficient and accused her of carrying out her duties based on political agendas. more..

Oct 17 (AM) Thirukumaran Nadesan, who was arrested by FCID earlier today, was granted bail by the Pugoda Magistrate over the controversial land in Malwana. He was released on a cash bail of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of Rs 1 million each. Nadesan, a former Chairman of Hilton Colombo, is married to Nirupama Rajapaksa, a nice of former President Rajapaksa. Land in question was alleged to be owned by Basil Rajapaksa. However he informed court that it is not owned by him. more..

Oct 17 (ITN) Another 800 Sri Lankan expatriates have been awarded dual citizenship. Govt has so far awarded 17,500 dual citizenships to such Sri Lankans. The present Govt since assuming office has awarded dual citizenship to SL expatriates on 10 occasions. This is the 11th occasion that Govt awarded dual citizenships to SL expatriates. According to the 19 Amendment, dual citizenship holders are entitled to all privileges other than contesting for a Parliamentary election. more..

Oct 17 (EN) Speaker Karu Jayasuriya tried to assure members of independent commissions that he had confidence in them despite President Sirisena's recent outburst questioning their integrity. Speaker is also the Chairman of Constitutional Council which appoints chairmen and members of Independent commissions established in line with 19th amendment. "Severeal chairmen and members questioned if higher echelons more..

Oct 17 (DM) Japanese firm which was to be given the contract to carry out the third stage of the Central Expressway is said to have withdrawn, thus compelling govt to search for another construction company. Expressway is to be constructed in three stages with the contract for the first stage from Kadawata to Mirigama awarded to a Chinese company and the second stage to Kurunegala via Potuhera awarded to a local contractor. Under 3rd stage, expressway will stretch from Potuhera more..

Oct 17 (ITN) The case related to the land at Mihindu Mawatha in Mount Lavinia, said to have been given to Yoshitha Rajapaksa by his grandmother, was taken up for hearing today. The case was heard before Chief Magistrate Mohamed Asabdeen. The FCID presented a report related to this land at Mihindu Mawatha in Mount Lavinia said to be owned by Yoshitha Rajapaksa. The report on surveying activities of this land concerned was not produced in Court even today. more..

Oct 17 (EN) SL's simmering political crisis worsened on Monday as the head of the bribery commission resigned in protest over the controversial remarks of PresidentSirisena questioning her integrity. Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe tendered her resignation to Sirisena who had appointed her last year after CIABOC was re-established as a fully independent body. "She sent her letter of resignation to president today" more..

Oct 18 (Island) Time was when Indian PM Narendra Modi would go out of his way, adopting as he did some unconventional methods, to mend fences with Pakistan. He even paid his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif a surprise visit in Lahore last Dec. The latter gave the former a warm hug on the tarmac and they powwowed for a couple of hours. That unexpected stopover warmed the cockles of many a heart and some observers claimed that it marked a thaw in relations between two nuclear more..

Oct 18 (CT) On Thursday 13 Oct 2016 Sri Lanka, once a strong defender of brutalised Palestinian rights, abstained from voting on UNESCO resolution which deprecated Israeli violations in and around the al-Haram al-Sharif, Masjid Al Aqsa, compound in the occupied Old City of Jerusalem al-Quds. This shocking U Turn in the island’s once proud and respected neutral foreign policy, insults the island’s Muslims and around 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide who always stood by more..

Oct 18 (SO) It has taken a long time coming. But the promise to reduce the price of medicinal drugs while ensuring their quality, finally seems to be nearing fulfillment. For nearly six decades Lankan patients have waited patiently for affordable quality drugs dished out on a regular basis and constantly monitored and reviewed by experts in the field. That process towards realizing the elusive dream began when SL Essential Medicines more..

Oct 18 (ST) Minister Ravi Karunanayake has announced the objectives and goals of the next budget. He expects to bring down the budget deficit to 4.7% of GDP, increase govt revenues to around 14.2% of GDP and present a development-oriented budget. These sought-after objectives, if achieved, would improve the fiscal situation. They would pave the way for macroeconomic stability. However, achieving them would be no easy task. Achieving these objectives would require vigilance more..

Oct 18 (ST) Many, many years ago somebody said that the bikini is like a barbed-wire fence; it protects the property without obstructing the view. In more recent days there has been a new addition to female swim wear. It is the burkini – a word coined out of two others – burqa and bikini – which covers everything below the neck. The more I read of the self-gratifying achievements articulated by the head honcho of Sri Lanka’s national airline and his faithful Tonto the more I am reminded of more..

Oct 18 (CT) Vanni District TNA MP Dr. Sivapragasam Sivamohan commenting on preschools functioning under the Civil Security Force said, "Preschools in the North should fall under the purview of NPC. There are statutory provisions that further prove my argument." However, Dr. Sivamohan went on to say, "We must agree to see the positive side too. The many females who have been recruited by the Civil Security Division more..

Oct 18 (FT) Questions about rampant capitalism are raised not just in Sri Lanka but in all developed financial markets. Hence, calls for a more subdued, socially conscious process reverberate here as well, and these arguments are important. Once we set the rules, the private sector steps in to maximise profit – acting within the neoliberal agenda. That is the system we have created for ourselves, and our private sector is no exception. But, like elsewhere, nexus between the private sector and Govt more..

Oct 18 (CT) When Sri Lanka gained independence the use of agrochemicals was unheard of. Our farmers used traditional seed varieties, paddy and other vegetable crops and environment-friendly traditional methods for pest and disease control. However, with the growing population, 6,657,339 in 1946 which has risen to 10,582,064 in 1963 and shrinking agricultural lands, these old traditional methods proved insufficient to maintain an adequate supply of food. more..

Oct 18 (CT) Director-General of Bribery Commission, Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe, resigned yesterday. Her resignation was a response to President Sirisena’s comments accusing the Commission of politically motivated investigations. In a system where the diverse branches of the political system check and balance each other, it is within the President’s rights to use his bully pulpit to criticize the functioning of independent commissions. However, his failure to offer evidence for more..

Oct 18 (FT) Commercial High Court ordered the compulsory winding-up of Orient Garments Plc following the inability of the company to repay its debts and appointed a provisional liquidator to take over its business. Director cum Shareholder Dr. T. Senthilverl, the petitioner of this case, filed the application to wind up the company on or around 20 Feb 2015 on the basis that other Directors of the company were carrying on business when the company was unable to pay its debts on time. more..

Oct 18 (FT) In two press releases issued last week just four days apart, Monetary Board of CB has shown that it is now ready to stand up to its responsibility by the nation. The first press release was issued after many days of a whistle-blower releasing a confidential draft on-site examination report on the controversial primary dealer, Perpetual Treasuries, to the market. Obviously, Board cannot admit in public that more..

Oct 18 (CT) The awful conditions at the Bogambara Stadium in Kandy made it a living hell for athletes competing in the All-Island School Games 2016, which concluded yesterday. A large part of the track at the Bogambara Stadium does not have grass, and it looked more like a dust track than a grass track. Also, the tracks were in very bad condition with several holes and unevenness throughout the ground, which made life hard for young athletes who were expecting to win an All-Island medal. more..

Oct 18 (Island) This is a collection of essays and articles written and mostly published from time to time covering various issues of constitution making in SL. Focus of all of them is ethnic reconciliation. Timing of this publication is the ongoing efforts in Parliament in consultation with the public and various stakeholders in drafting a new constitution and adopting it in Parliament subsequently endorsed by a referendum, according to constitutional provisions of present Constitution. more..

Oct 18 (FT) President Sirisena, in a recent hard-hitting speech, denounced the decision made by CIABOC, CID and FCID to take former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and three former commanders to court and said that he had not known that there were such cases pending until that morning. However, there had been several instances where the relevant investigations became publicly known. more..

Oct 18 (ST) With a very much smaller audience where participation is concerned, Weightlifting is a sport unlike Cricket, Rugby or Badminton but, this select community of sportsmen has made great strides in international achievements. However, like many other sports, they lack the support of sponsors, and most find it difficult to develop themselves to meet international standards. Following are views of some of the Weightlifting fraternity. more..

Oct 18 (ST) When Ahilan Arulanantham heard that the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation had named him a recipient of the $625,000 Genius Grant, one of the first things he thought about was how much he would like to spend some of it on supporting human rights work in Sri Lanka. Since the announcement was made in late September, the 43-year-old lawyer’s phone has been ringing off the hook. None of the 23 recipients applied for the grant, and like the others more..

Oct 18 (Island) Hurdlers Yamani Dulanjali of Ambagamuwa Central and Uditha Chandrasena of Maris Stella College, Negombo continued their dominance in schools athletics track as Maris Stella and Ratnayake Central, Walala won the overall boys’ and girls’ titles respectively of the All Island Schools Games Athletics Championship ended here at Bogambara Stadium on Monday. Chandrasena improved his own record more..

Oct 18 (DN) Certain elements with vested interests were trying to misinterpret President Sirisena’s recent remarks about the role played by certain independent commissions, for petty political gain, Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said. He identified this as an attempt to tarnish the image of President internationally. President had not found fault with the Commissions but had only emphasised the importance of protecting the dignity of war heroes who saved country from clutches of terrorism. more..

Oct 18 (PO) Colombo—Kashmir Study Forum, Sri Lanka strongly condemned the killings of innocent Kashmiris by the Indian security forces in the Indian occupied Kashmir. The news flowing from the occupied Kashmir is disturbing. Killings of children, women, sick and old are unacceptable. The Indian policy towards Kashmir is condemnable. Humanitarian organisations are not allowed entryu into Kashmir. Amnesty International was refused to enter Kashmir. more..

Oct 18 (CT) National Selectors rested Dimuth Karunaratne and appointed Lahiru Thirimanne as Captain of the Sri Lanka 'A' Team for the third and final 4-day unofficial Test against the West Indies 'A' which will commence at Dambulla today. The three-match series is level 1-1 as Sri Lanka 'A' won the first match in Colombo by seven wickets while the West Indies 'A' won the second game by a massive 333 runs in Pallekele. more..