Oct 28 (GV) On Monday and Tuesday, IGP Pujith Jayasundera’s mobile number, given out to the public just months before, rang unanswered. The reason – the shooting of two youths, 23 year old Natarajan Kajan and 24 year old Pounraj Sulakshan, who were traveling by motorbike when they were asked to stop at the Kulappidi Junction roadblock in Kankesanthurai by police. When they didn’t, gunshots rang out. Police spokesman acknowledged to the media that post mortem more..

Oct 28 (Island) There have been several news items recently on a proposal to conduct GCE A/L exam in April every year instead of August. This proposal is a welcome move. In fact, this desirable change was done 14 years ago in 2002, after careful consideration of the relevant factors and the benefits associated with this change. Unfortunately, this change was reversed and the exam was brought back to August in the year 2007,disregarding all the benefits of having the exam in April more..

Oct 28 (FT) Supreme Court overruled preliminary objections raised by Telecom Regulatory Commission (TRC) in a fundamental rights case filed by Sri Lanka Telecom. SLT petition alleged that its rights, guaranteed under the Constitution, were violated when TRC sent a letter recommending the issuance of a proposed integrated transmission network license. Petition citied TRC, Dialog & AG as respondents. more..

Oct 28 (CI) A maiden List A century from Kyle Hope and a strong all-round effort from Rovman Powell studded West Indies A's 109-run victory over Sri Lanka A in Kurunegela. The win gave the visitors a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Hope hit four sixes and ten fours in his 110-ball 107, sharing century stands with Chadwick Walton for the first wicket and Assad Fudadin for the second. Walton scored a 57-ball 70 in an opening stand of 111 in 18.1 overs. more..

Oct 28 (NS) Despite the fact that there remains a sizeable proportion of the population who do not receive three square meals a day and even though zero hunger is reported as being one of the sustainable development goals being addressed within the country, research conducted by the country’s intelligentsia revealed that Sri Lankans with purchasing power seemed consumed by a fetishization of food and gluttony and an almost morbid propensity towards wastrel spending more..

Oct 28 (DM) COPE member and Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said CB had given Rs. 66 billion to the primary dealer Perpetual Treasuries between Feb 2015 to March 2016 and added there was a prima facie case against former CB Governor Arjuna Mahendran in respect of his tenure as the governor. Minister also said the information before the COPE reveals that the Perpetual Treasuries has obtained these loans without any security more..

Oct 28 (DN) As of Nov 1, Municipal Councils around the country will refrain from collecting household garbage if it is not sorted. In an attempt to implement a new cohesive waste management plan for all nine provinces, the Provincial Councils and Local Govt Ministry has advised all municipal councils in the country to refrain from collecting garbage if it is not sorted. The municipal councils have agreed to abide by the advice of the ministry. Earlier this month, Minister Faizer Mustapha announced more..

Oct 28 (ST) The semi-finals of the Kothmale Trophy Under-19 Schools Football Tournament will take place on Nov 3 and 5 at the Duraiappah Stadium in Jaffna. This has been decided by the Sri Lanka Football Federation. This is the first time after the 30-year-old Civil War that a football final is scheduled to take place in Jaffna. The first semi-final will be held on Nov 3 at 5 pm between St. Patrick’s College Jaffna and Joseph Vaz College Wennappuwa. more..

Oct 28 (DM) Former President Rajapaksa charged that many MPs, even those who were within govt ranks, had abstained from voting for the VAT Bill on Wednesday, as this Yahapalanaya govt was not listening to anyone but doing things in a dictatorial manner. “It is clear that there are concerns even from the govt ranks. These members are afraid to vote against this bill in Parliament, fearing they would be punished by the party's more..

Oct 28 (Island) Sections of the country's private sector expressed unhappiness over the passing of the VAT Amendment Bill into law on Wednesday on account of an anticipated rise in their costs of production, besides other negative consequences. A top mobile phone service provider, on condition of anonymity said that increased VAT is extremely bad for the mobile sector because mobile phone charges will go up in a manner unfavourable to their businesses. more..

Oct 28 (Island) The All Ceylon Hindu Congress expressed its displeasure over attempts being made to commercialise Deepavali festivities, especially by certain hotels that have advertised buffet meals for the occasion. President /General Secretary of ACHC Kandiah Neelakandan V. Kandasamy in a statement issued in this connection on behalf of Federation of Hindu Religious Associations and Temple Trusts in SL states: "It has been brought to our notice by several members of more..

Oct 28 (MFA) Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera called for the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to move into a new era of dynamism, when he addressed the 16th Council of Ministers Meeting (CoMM) of IORA held on 27th Oct, in Bali, Indonesia. He stated that it was necessary for IORA and the members to take collective steps to ensure the security of the Indian Ocean, including the freedom of navigation, aviation and more..

Oct 28 (Island) Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told Parliament that he would instruct his ministry officials to take severe punitive actions against the government teachers who conducted private tuition classes to the neglect of their school duties. Laws and regulations would be amended to enable ministry officials to nab errant teachers who neglected thier regular duties, the Minister said. He said there was a shortage of teachers in the state-run schools. more..

Oct 28 (FT) Cumulative tea exports up to September 2016 from the start of the year including re-exports amounted to 222.76 Mn/Kg, showing a marginal decline of 1.48% to 3.34 Mn/kg compared to the same period last year but cumulative export earnings amounted to Rs. 137.59 billion, showing a slight gain of 2.11% or Rs. 2.84 billion against the corresponding period of the previous year. The main reason for the gain was the increase in FOB price per kg from Rs. 595.95 to Rs. 617.66, more..

Oct 28 (FT) Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake yesterday took the business community to task, warning the private sector of a wakeup call in the Budget 2017. However, he assured they would be supported as much as possible by consistent policies with proposals that would improve the business environment and foster growth.   Speaking at a CEO’s Breakfast Meeting, Finance Minister urged the private sector more..

Oct 28 (DN) Cinnamon Industry has hailed the decision by the Cabinet with regard to the amendments to the Intellectual Property Act of 2003 to enable Ceylon Cinnamon obtain Geographical Indications (GI) locally, and be included in a GI register. This measure will pave the way for certification of Cinnamon products originating in Sri Lanka in regard to GI which is a necessary step for int'l registration of Ceylon Cinnamon to benefit from GI which is the highest level protection, more..

Oct 28 (CT) The CID has begun questioning members of the Army Intelligence Unit, who have worked and associated with ex-Sergeant Major Edirisinghe Jayamanne, whose body was found hanging in the kitchen of his home in Kegalle a fortnight ago, sparking more speculation about the Lasantha Wickramatunge murder. He had supposedly left behind a letter which said it was he who had killed Lasantha Wickrematunge, founding editor of the Sunday Leader newspaper. more..

Oct 28 (CT) Govt authorities have rejected a request by Chithrangani Wijeweera, the wife of the founder-leader of JVP Rohana Wijeweera, to hand over to her the house and property in Ulapane, Gampola, where the couple lived with their children at the time of her husband was killed. Divisional Secretary of Gangaihala Korale Kandy has informed Wijeweera's wife Chithrangani that since that property more..

Oct 28 (Hindu) Tamil Maanila Congress president G.K. Vasan on Thursday expressed grief over the fatal shooting of two Tamil students in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province on Oct 21. In a statement, Mr. Vasan condemned the police action and called for a fair investigation into the deaths. The TMC leader said that the Tamil people of Sri Lanka should be assured the same rights that the Sinhala people enjoy. Sri Lankan govt should take steps to ensure that such incidents are not repeated. more..

Oct 28 (TOI) SL navy on Thursday arrested three fishermen on charges of smuggling heroin. Among them two have been identified as Thalvin Rajan and Levin from Thangachimadam in the district. Sri Lankan navy personnel attached to Sri Lankan naval station, Barana situated at Mullikulam in North Western Naval Command during their special operation intercepted a fishing craft at Arippu in Sri Lanka. They apprehended the three fishermen and seized 2 kg of heroin from their fishing craft. more..

Oct 28 (Island) SLFP alleged that the process adopted by the Central Bank during Arjuna Mahendran’s tenure as its Governor to raise funds for the govt through Perpetual Treasuries owned by his son-in-law Arjuna Aloysius had been seriously flawed and largely contrary to the mechanism in place in respect of issuing of bonds. Referring to the report prepared by a Special Parliamentary Investigation Committee that probed more..

Oct 28 (CT) About sixty students of the Bandaranaike Maha Vidyalaya in Hettimulla, Kegalle had been admitted to the Emergency Treatment Unit of the Kegalle General Hospital yesterday due to an allergy, the school's Deputy Principal said. Deputy Principal said that following the afternoon interval yesterday, a student from Grade Six had complained to a teacher that the entire body was itching. Later, about sixty grade six and eight students who were in a particular hall, had experienced this allergy. more..

Oct 28 (Island) Department of Registration of Persons had called for bidders for the procurement of one million pre- printed cards for the issuance of National ID Cards.  Bids were closed on the 8th of June this year and the bidders’ documents had to include a bid guarantee valid upto 8th Oct this year allowing four months for a decision on the tender.  However, the award of the tender is still pending. Despite the bid guarantees having lapsed on 8th Oct, selection process continues and more..

Oct 28 (DM) President Maithripala Sirisena said on Thursday that certain media organisations, journalists, NGOs and traitorous forces act without realizing the importance of ensuring national security. President said he was not ready to compromise national security in order to please NGOs. Addressing the Armed Forces' investiture ceremony, Gallantry Awards 2016, at the BMICH, he said the national security more..

Oct 28 (DN) An employee attached to Health Ministry commenced a protest on the top of the ministry building demanding their salaries halted by the Ministry Secretary, employees said. According to them, the employee is demanding their salaries halted by Health Ministry Secretary Anura Jayawickrama. Secretary has stopped the salaries of employees who received annual internal transfers and not accepted them. All employees receive internal transfers once in every five years. more..

Oct 28 (CT) The govt will not withdraw its suspension order on the CSN Channel, Minister Gayantha Karunatilake told Parliament. The Minister pointed out that suspension order was legal and that the decision to suspend CSN's broadcasting licence was due to the TV channel not complying with guidelines stipulated when granting the broadcasting rights. The minister asserted that it was an administrative decision and had nothing to do with regulation of the media. more..

Oct 28 (FT) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe delivered the long awaited economic policy statement to Parliament outlining the way ahead for Sri Lanka to double per capita income and dramatically improve investment centred on clearing hurdles for the private sector and promising to limit the scope of Govt in the economy. Delivering his crucial policy statement, PM outlined ambitious reforms to improve the business environment more..

Oct 28 (DM) For the first time after his outburst on the functions of the Independent Commissions President Maithripala Sirisena has personally explained his stand to the media. Earlier it was Cabinet Spokesman Minister Rajitha Senaratne and newspaper reports that quoted ministerial sources that defended the President, but in an interview with the Sunday Lankadeepa the President had defended his controversial speech made on October 12 at the SLFI. more..

Oct 28 (DM) Since September last year national govt leaders have been drawing up plans while working out huge deals with Sri Lankans and international investors for a sustainable all inclusive and eco-friendly development strategy. In Parliament yesterday, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe in a 4,000-word speech outlined the current state of the economy and the way ahead for Sri Lankans to be empowered citizens of an economically  sound nation.  One of the biggest & most important more..

Oct 28 (DM) Since the shooting of two university students in Jaffna on Oct 20 late night, there were interesting captions in news stories in both Sinhala and English media (unfortunately I cannot read Tamil). A week ago the same media wrote about the outburst, slander or anger of President Sirisena and went to discuss its fallout. This time it was about President Sirisena blocking Police cover up of student killings”. more..

Oct 28 (EN) SL tea export prices hit a new high in Sept 2016 but the island continued to lose market share in key black tea consuming countries, according to data analysed by brokers. Total exports in the month of September rose 3% to 25.4 million kilos from a year ago, when exports were also low. In August this year, SL shipped a similar quantity of 25.1 million kilos. In 2015 export volumes slumped to 21.8 million kilos more..

Oct 28 (SL) Old school friends of the Forward School for Backward Boys, Nodath a Greenest of Green UNPer and Sududath, one time Attanagalla Blue and now a hybridised Bluish-Red, met for their monthly pow-wow at their waterhole.Sududath kicked off as the waiter diluted the GWL (Golden Water of Life) with soda and pushed off. So, so, how-how president gave you bugg…..s beans no in public Independent Commissions more..

Oct 28 (ST) The double-powerset passenger train making its way to Maradana from Kurunegala was approaching a railway crossing in the Polgahawela area with engine driver H.D.R.A. Hettiarachchi at the controls with his assistant. “As we headed towards the crossing I saw a motorcycle and van crossing the track while the warning bell and red light signal was on. I was just 25 yards away. I slowed down to a speed of 15 mph,” more..

Oct 28 (Island) Dr Chamil Liyanage, a prominent member of the Organisation of Professional Associations (OPA) said that both Rajapaksa regime and the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe govt had used the terms reconciliation and co-existence as political slogans to further their interests. Dr Liyanage, speaking at a news conference said: "Successive govts have worked against national interest at different levels more..

Oct 28 (AM) Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the Parliament today that former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran did not flee the country like former Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga did. Mahendran left the coutry yesterday to attend a wedding, he added. Wickremesinghe also hailed the COPE report as a victory for the government as it was a report against an institution under him. more..

Oct 28 (NR) A delegation of members of the European Parliament is set to visit Sri Lanka next week from Monday to Thursday. The primary focus of the visit will be the progress on national reconciliation and ways to empower Sri Lankan women politically and economically. The delegation will also look at the groundwork laid for a successful GSP+ application. The visiting delegation will be led by the chairman of the Delegation more..

Oct 28 (LBO) The planned laying of a sub-sea electricity cable to transmit power from India to Sri Lanka can be one solution to the island’s looming power crisis, a senior official said. “We see this as a solution, the Indo-sea cable has been in discussion for some time with a pre-feasibility also done. Now it’s in discussion for implementation,” Damitha Kumarasinghe, Director General, Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said. more..

Oct 28 (CG) Sri Lanka’s decision to abstained from voting on a resolution by the UNESCO which denounced Israeli violations in and around the al-Haram al-Sharif compound in the occupied Old City of Jerusalem al-Quds, drew flak in Parliament today. Joint Opposition member Dinesh Gunawardena raised the matter in Parliament today. SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem said he was perplexed by Sri Lanka’s decision to abstain from voting. more..

Oct 28 (PSL) President Sirisena says the Govt has taken a policy decision to continue paying the monthly salary for all the differently-abled war heroes, even after their retirement. He made these remarks addressing the Gallantry Awards 2016 held at the BMICH, today (27). President recalled that even though the Govt took this decision last year, the proposal could only be prepared for submission for inclusion in more..

Oct 28 (CT) While expressing their shock over the killing of two university students by the police last week in Jaffna, university teachers have underscored that the police cannot arbitrarily assume powers of authority that go beyond their function. In a statement issued, the teachers said, “We as University teachers are shocked at the wanton killing of two university students by the Police in Jaffna last week. While condemning the act in no uncertain terms, more..