Oct 3 (CT) As became the Governor of the Central Bank in December 1995, a kind of a coming-back-home for him. He returned to the bank with a lot of ideas in his head to reform not only the Central Bank, but also the whole financial system. At his first meeting with senior officers, he took stock of the bank’s position. His training at IMF as its Alternative Executive Director had brought him up to date with modern central banking. His wish was to practice them in the Central Bank. more..

Oct 3 (CT) The political stability of post-war Sri Lanka and of the present govt, will depend to a very great extent on whether or not the 2015 Geneva resolution which the govt so ill-advisedly co-sponsored, is sought to be fully implemented. If the govt chooses to try to fully implement the Geneva resolution on the ground here in Sri Lanka, I believe that the political stability that we require for foreign investment, reconciliation and a stable peace will be seriously jeopardized. more..

Oct 3 (SO) "Ma-Oya is not only a blessing for people like us living in the Aranayake area. It provides life giving water to thousands, until it reaches the sea at Kochchikade. But, the way our elders are abusing this waterway, children like us will not be able enjoy its benefits for long. Is there no law in the country to prevent this relentless pollution?" This essay by a child who penned down her thoughts for an essay competition, more..

Oct 3 (ST) There is a trend with which Sri Lankans are unfortunately all too familiar. A new Govt comes into town and the air is suddenly shot through with a lightning blue bolt of electric hope. It is as if the ground has been parched with drought for years and then the freshness of the rains is upon us, promising us an intoxicating recovery. But what actually follows is all too pedestrian. Struggling to meet invariably high expectations whilst hemmed in by wonderfully incompetent sycophants more..

Oct 3 (Island) We have recently pointed out, in these columns, that, in action flicks, heroes and villains, in flight, kick garbage bins etc on their way to distract and obstruct their pursuers in a bid to make good their escape. Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam went out of his way to ban dress codes some schools had imposed on visiting parents. He used that ruse to distract the public from the burning issues in the education sector and the possibility of the GMOA resorting more..

Oct 3 (CT) Today, Trade Union Talk focuses on the transport sector and spoke to the President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) Gemunu Wijeratne; who heads one of the major trade unions in the transport sector in the country. In an interview with Ceylon Today Wijeratne questions the transparency in the process in the issuing of route permits to private bus operators plying busses on the Southern Expressway. more..

Oct 3 (CT) Is a society that endorses torture civilized? Democratic? Respects the Rule of Law? Protects women? Upholds human rights? On the other hand, what should a civilized, democratic society that respects the Rule of Law and upholds the rights of women and humans as a whole do, when held hostage by terrorists? Terrorists are not lone wolves. They belong to an organization, which makes their crimes, organized crimes. They aim for maximum impact and so are not engaged in more..

Oct 3 (CT) There was a protest in Jaffna on 24 Sept with the participation of more than 10,000 Tamils under the patronage of CM Wigneswaran espousing the cause of Ellunga Thamils or Rise Tamils. The objective of the protest was to agitate Tamils against Sinhala settlements and erection of places of Buddhist worship in the North. Sinhala Buddhist civilization existed not only in the South but also in the North and East. Tamil separatist terrorists destroyed Buddha statues more..

Oct 3 (ST) Supreme Court justice turned northern arch maverick brings in religious dimension to fuel Rise Tamil march in Eelam aid Last Thursday, standing on the threshold of launching his Rise Tamil march in Jaffna town, Vishwalingam Wigneswaran, Chief Minister of the Northern Province, issued a letter addressed to all the Tamil speaking people of Lanka, and urged them to oppose the erection of a single Buddha statue in Tamil dominated areas. more..

Oct 3 (Island) Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara’s work, Towards a Civilization State, is a very timely analysis of the multiple crises in which our society is at present embroiled. The central aim of the book is an assiduous search for the roots of a culture which needs to be rediscovered and revived as the only meaningful way forward. The author presents cogently the nature and magnitude of the crisis: an agenda driven by foreign forces, in concert with local collaborators, to bring about nothing short of more..

Oct 3 (ST) Just like the present state of the game, women’s cricket in SL was rather hazy even in the past. Though the recorded history of the game goes back to the days of Women’s Cricket Association of SL under abled Gwen Herath in 1996, game has a history that runs deeper. In 2006, women’s cricket became a part of the established SLC. I remember as a young reporter covering women’s cricket much long years ago. more..

Oct 3 (ST) Both Tier ‘A’ and ‘B’ clubs in the Premier League Tournaments will be granted first class status from the coming season which is scheduled to get underway from end Oct/Nov this year. Yesterday, SLC hierarchy which included its President Thilanga Sumathipala and Secretary Mohan de Silva met the members of the twenty-four participating clubs along with the SLC tournament committee. There the membership discussed ways of taking the club system forward. more..

Oct 3 (ST) Sri Lanka Cricket Scorers Association (SLCS) honoured its members at the inaugural Awards Night at Sasakawa Hall, Kollupitiya amidst a large gathering, under the guidance of its president Chaminda de Silva and its committee.  Fazal Mohamed an experienced scorer who is involved in scoring at schools, clubs and international level had the honour winning the best scorers prize while another experienced scorer Thushara Cooray who is also in the same category as Fazal, more..

Oct 3 (DN) The country’s agricultural sector is unproductive due to several reasons including non using of modern technological methods to improve productions, lack of transportation and even no direct facilities for farmers to export their products to the international market. This situation has badly affected the country’s GDP. Deputy Minister Eran Wickramaratne made these remarks at the 24th Annual NCE more..

Oct 3 (FT) Ceylon Tea Services will be changing its name to Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company. A CTS Board resolution to this effect was passed at its meeting on 28 Sept. Name change comes after 35 years of the establishment of CTS. Company was quoted in 1982. Family of 86-year-old tea industry icon Merrill J Fernando controls CTS with MJF Teas, set up in 1974, owning 65.4% and MJF Exports holding 21.28%. Name Dilmah is the combination of Merrill’s two sons’ names: Dilhan and Malik. more..

Oct 3 (DN) Kenyan runners dominated the 16th LSR Colombo Marathon from Colombo to Negombo yesterday by winning the first three places in the men’s race. Women’s marathon was also won by a Kenyan runner but SL Navy’s Lakmini Bogahawatta managed to break the Kenyan stranglehold by finishing second. Third place in the race went to Kenya. Joseph Kariuki, an undergraduate of Kenyatta Uni brought himself a lovely b'day present when he won the men’s race. more..

Oct 3 (DN) The biggest ever sporting event conducted in Jaffna, 42nd National Sports Festival which produced four new Sri Lanka records and four new meet records concluded in a grand note with President Mithripala Sirisena being the chief guest of the glamorous closing ceremony at the Duraiappa Stadium, Jaffna yesterday. Western Province proved their supremacy winning a record number of 113 gold medals and became overall champions. more..

Oct 3 (FT) Jeevani Siriwardena has been appointed the new Director General of Export Development Board (EDB). She joined EDB as a Management Trainee in 1984. She counts over 20 years of experience at EDB in Product Management and over 10 years in the Market Development Divisions of EDB. She handled the product and market development activities of the apparel export sector during its early growth phase and also led the development activities of the other industrial more..

Oct 3 (CT) The govt strives to renew its commitment towards establishing sustainable parameters in meeting the housing needs of the country, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe stated. Issuing statement in accordance with celebration of the World Habitat Day, Wickremesinghe further said that housing efforts of the govt aims at strengthening and empowering the people of SL in what they need most, which is a shelter for all. "As urbanization increases and living spaces become limited, more..

Oct 3 (FT) Fighting corruption can only be successful with the involvement of all Sri Lankans, concurred an eminent panel of experts recently, calling on Sri Lankans to consolidate the change made last year and expand it to all segments of their lives. The public needs to put aside bribing for convenience and step forward to eradicate the menace of corruption, believes Sri Lanka’s straight talking champion of more..

Oct 3 (Island) CB Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy said SL will obtain no more foreign borrowings this year but would look for domestic borrowings. "IMF loans worth US $ 1.5 billion in several tranches and US $ 700 million were raised during the year. Due to that, this year, no more foreign unds/loans will be raised, Coomaraswamy said. "This year Sri Lanka will be able to maintain a growth rate of 5% plus and minimum single digit inflation will further increase by next year. more..

Oct 3 (Island) An infographic produced by the global publishing, research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG) charts Sri Lanka’s journey towards global integration and its efforts along the way to boost broader-based foreign direct investment (FDI). OBG’s infographics are essential, at-a-glance tools that provide readers and viewers with a facts-and-figures summary of a market’s latest economic development. Brief and to the point, they complement the in-depth, more..

Oct 3 (DN) Rs. 57 million allocated to grant financial aid to students who passed the Grade 5 scholarship exam has not been paid during the previous govt, a report of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) stated. COPA Chairman Lasantha Alagiyawanna said this was revealed when the Education Ministry Secretary was summoned before the Committee to inquire on an audit report by Auditor General for 2005-2013. more..

Oct 3 (DM) An ex-LTTE cadre who had allegedly attacked residents of a war heroes housing scheme in Kokeliya, Vavuniya was arrested by the police today (2). Residents reported the assault by unidentified gangsters was allegedly led by the ex-LTTEer known as Sinnawan. The suspect, who had been absconding from the police, was arrested along with another suspect involved in the incident in Iranamadu, Kilinochchi and will be produced before the Vauniya Magistrate today. more..

Oct 3 (DM) The Existing laws and regulations in Sri Lanka are inadequate for the protection of children’s rights and to ensure their safety in the society, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said . He was delivering a speech at an awareness programme for children and school staff on World Children’s Day held at BMICH parallel to a series of programmes started by the Education Ministry and Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. more..

Oct 3 (Island) Govt Medical Officers' Forum (GMOF) has said that the recent Health Ministry decision to reduce the prices of 47 essential drugs was contrary to much touted pledge to control runaway drug prices. GMOF spokesperson said that the establishment of the National Medicinal Drugs Authority was meant to reduce the pricing of all medicinal drugs in general and to make them available at affordable prices to all. more..

Oct 3 (ST) LAUGFS Holdings recently announced the shifting of its corporate head office to an advanced state-of-the-art building complex in a landmark location at 101 Maya Avenue in Colombo 6.  The move to shift to this exclusive and iconic property coincides with LAUGFS’ 21st anniversary this year, according to a company media release.  The group has expanded rapidly over the past two decades to today become a trusted diversified conglomerate in SL as well as overseas, more..

Oct 3 (NH) Federated Farmers is backing a new partnership between NZ and SL that aims to improve its dairy productivity. PM John Key and his SL counterpart, Ranil Wickremesinghe, announced New Zealand would assist in improving Sri Lanka's dairy productivity. It includes helping Sri Lanka introduce NZ farming technology. Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy said the system captures and analyses data so farmers can better link on-farm practices to farm outputs and revenue. more..

Oct 3 (CT) While criticizing the decision by the govt to boycott the 19th SAARC summit, which was scheduled to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan on 9 and 10 Nov this year, former Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said Sri Lanka should certainly attend the SAARC Summit, when the new dates are announced. "SL is a founder member of SAARC. We have no doubt that SAARC, over the years, has made a significant contribution to more..

Oct 3 (CT) Police have launched an investigation to apprehend a person who threw a hand grenade at a Police team, in Athurugiriya, yesterday (2). According to the Police Media Unit, the incident occurred when a Police team had attempted to arrest a suspect at his residence in Seevali Mawatha in Athurugiriya yesterday morning. No casualties were reported. However, Police believe that the suspect may have been injured as they had fired back at him in response to grenade attack. more..

Oct 3 (ITN) The opening of water purification plants setup at the Jaffna Univeristy premises took place under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena. The machines have been setup to meet the drinking water needs of the undergraduates of the Jaffna University. The plants have been given on a request by the University students. Two more plants are to be fixed at the University premises in the future. President who went to the University, exchanged views with the undergraduates. more..

Oct 3 (Island) Justice Minister Dr Wijeyadasa Rajapakse said that govt would go ahead with the proposed amendment to Criminal Procedure Code meant to deprive lawyers an opportunity to meet their clients before the police recorded their statements. He stressed that particular amendment was intended to facilitate police investigations. Minister said that he was aware of Human Rights Commission of SL more..

Oct 3 (FT) Minister Ravi Karunanayake will leave for Washington, DC this week to attend the high-profile financial meetings of the Commonwealth, IMF and World Bank. He will attend the 2016 Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting (CFMM) on Thursday, at the headquarters of the IMF in Washington DC. Minister Karunanayake will be accompanied by the Secretary to the Finance Ministry Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga and the Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy. more..

Oct 3 (Scoop) It wasn’t just trade, tourism and regional issues discussed at the bilateral meeting between PM John Key and his Sri Lankan counterpart PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. Joint Statement issued by the two PMs also refered to the countries’ love of sport, and welcomed a rugby coaching programme, which was partly funded by the Asia New Zealand Foundation. This month, NZ Rugby delivered World Rugby Level 2 coaching skills and standards workshops in Sri Lanka. more..

Oct 3 (ENS) The Chief Minister of Northern Province on Sunday regretted that people in South Sri Lanka are portraying him as an undesirable, a ghost or a bogeyman. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 42nd National Games at the Duraiappah Stadium in Jaffna, Wigneswaran pointed out that, initially, the organizers had not put him on the list of speakers and had included him only at the last moment. more..

Oct 3 (DM) The first SAARC summit comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka was held in Dhaka in December 1985. President Hussain Ershad of Bangladesh is widely remembered as the father of the SAARC concept. It was a time when the countries of the South Asia region were in a state of political turmoil. India and Pakistan were in a state of an undeclared state of  war -squabbling over the  ownership of Kashmir.  more..

Oct 3 (DM) Increasing emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) within the general and higher education systems in many parts of the world today appears to distort the leaning experience of both children and youth. While this emphasis is understandable from the point of the prevailing severe competition among countries to get ahead in terms of technological advances, and economic development, younger generations have a right to grow up as balanced human beings. more..

Oct 3 (ENS) After a seven year lull following the end of Eelam War IV, the politics of confrontation and a culture of intolerance appear to be coming back to dominate Tamil politics in Northern Province. Small emerging group of radicals yearning for a return to the politics of confrontation with the SL state in which negotiations on the basis of give and take has no place, is trying to impose its will on other political groups by the use of strong more..

Oct 3 (ST) All UNP MPs including Ministers have been told to ensure they are present in Parliament on all sitting days unless prior approval of the PM or the Leader of the House is obtained, after it came a light that at least 25 of the Party’s lawmakers were absent without notice during a vote late last month. The absentee MPs were asked to explain why they were not present in Chamber on Sept 21 when a vote was taken on a motion more..