Oct 5 (IFJ) International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the Free Media Movement (FMM) in condemning the inaction of the police while a TV journalist was threatened inside a police station on Sept 27. The IFJ demands that the authorities immediately investigate the incident. Ranjith Karunaweera, a journalist with Hiru TV in Mahiyanganaya of Badulla District in Uva Province of central Sri Lanka, was threatened over a news story by a group of people when he arrived at more..

Oct 5 (CT) I read with deep concern and dismay, the news item appearing in the Island of the 27th instant, titled CID accused of tapping senior judge’s phones. It dealt with a complaint made by a senior President’s Counsel to the BASL that some members of the Judiciary are being defamed by some sections of the media. Worse still, in one such incident, Judge’s telephones including his official telephone and his registrar’s telephone in the office, had been tapped. more..

Oct 5 (CT) A highly confidential document by the Department for the Supervision for Non-Bank Financial Institutions of the Central Bank has been leaked, with the report highlighting serious concerns against the manner in which the controversial Perpetual Treasuries had conducted itself, while also benefiting vastly in terms of borrowing billions of rupees under extremely low interest rates during the tenure of Arjuna more..

Oct 5 (DM) As SL is nowhere near to quenching its thirst for investment, country’s apex investment promotion agency yesterday warned dooms day for the nation if authorities fail to establish consistent macro-economic policies. “In the case of ease of doing business and the whole process of investment facilitation, the macroeconomic policies will have to be put right, if not the dooms day is near for all of us,” said BOI Chairman Upul Jayasuriya in a hard hitting talk, more..

Oct 5 (DM) Air traffic controllers today decided to continue their work-to-rule campaign due to the unsuccessful discussion with the interim committee appointed by the Minister, SL Air Traffic Controllers’ Association Vice President Tharindu Gajadeera said. He said a meeting with the interim committee which was appointed by Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva was held today at the Ministry. “During the meeting, Ministry was unable to provide an acceptable interim solution more..

Oct 5 (AD) The bone fragments collected from the private medical college in Malabe in connection with the murder of former rugby player Wasim Thajudeen will be sent for a DNA test. The order was issued when Court hearing into the murder of Thajudeen was taken up for hearing at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court following a request made by the AG’s Department.  Accordingly, bone fragments including 19 femurs & 17 jawbones more..

Oct 5 (AD) If there are corrupt politicians in this govt, Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara should inform it to the Cabinet of Ministers in the first place, Co-Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Rajitha Senaratne says. The Minister pointed out that Jayasekara should apprise the Cabinet first without making such statements to the media in this regard. Senaratne also went onto say that due to the drop in tea exports, authorities may find it difficult to address the demands of the estate workers. more..

Oct 5 (DN) Sijitha Samarawickrama from Methodist School,  Matara topped the Grade 5 scholarship exam with 196 marks. The cut off mark was set at  159 in the Colombo, Kalutara, Gampaha, Galle, Kandy, Matara, and Matale districts. Ruwanya Gunesekara of Kuliyapitiya Assedduma Subarathi School and K. Abisigan of Rambukulam MV Vavuniya came in second place, with 195 marks. Nine students have reportedly tied in 3rd place, with 194 marks. more..

Oct 5 (AD) UPFA MP Wimal Weerawansa accused CM C.V. Wigneswaran of engaging in a racist political movement and failing to accomplish anything for the Tamil people in the North. Wigneswaran has not been able to do a single thing for the people in the North after he became the Chief Minister and he has not received whatever was promised by the international community, former minister told reporters. more..

Oct 5 (DN) Associated Newspapers of Ceylon, also referred to as Lake House, has announced a Voluntary Resignation Scheme (VRS) for its permanent employees. The new VRS scheme would ensure the financial sustainability of the company, allowing it to implement a comprehensive modernization plan for Lake House operations. Management also added that it had decided to introduce the scheme as the company’s salary bill had amounted to over 50% of its revenue. more..

Oct 5 (DM) Two smugglers, a Nigerian and a Sri Lankan were arrested with 2.1 kilos of cocaine at a housing scheme in Dehiwala yesterday. Police Narcotic Bureau conducted the raid and arrested the suspects along with 1 kilo and 22 grams in Dehiwala and another one kilo and 84 grams of cocaine were recovered following the interrogation of the Nigerian suspect that was hidden inside a room at his residence in Ratmalana. Arrested suspects, Nigerian (24) and Sri Lankan (53) who resided in more..

Oct 5 (CG) UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Rita Izsák-Ndiaye, will carry out an official visit to Sri Lanka from 10 to 20 October 2016 to assess the current situation of national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities in the country. “Experience has shown that the recognition and promotion of minority rights are critical, if not requisite, in achieving long-lasting peace and reconciliation, particularly in countries more..

Oct 5 (DN) An interim injunction by the Colombo District Court has temporarily halted the screening of Prasanna Vithanage’s latest film, Usaviya Nihadai (Silence in the Courts). The film opened at the Regal Cinema in Colombo on Tuesday. Colombo District Judge made the order consequent to a lawsuit filed by former District Judge Lenin Rathnayake, seeking a permanent injunction to prevent the screening of the film. In his lawsuit, former Judge said the film, based on story of a woman sexually abused more..

Oct 5 (DM) Ratnapura Municipal Council has informed that it is unable to release the Seevali Grounds for the JO rally on Saturday, UPFA MP Pavithra Wanniarachchi said. She said the decision was regrettable because all preparations had been made for the public rally. “Municipal Commissioner has not given any reason for making such a decision. All he said was that the grounds cannot be released,” MP said and added that rally would now have to be held near Ratnapura Clock Tower. more..

Oct 5 (ENS) TNA may ask President Maithripala Sirisena to order a police investigation into CM C.V. Wigneswaran’s contention that a plot is being hatched in South Sri Lanka to kill him and blame the Tamil Tigers for it. TNA’s General Secretary Mavai Senathirajah said that he has asked party chief R.Sampanthan to take the matter up with the President, and seek enhanced police protection for Wigneswaran. more..

Oct 5 (EN) SL’s national carrier, Ceylon Shipping Corporation (CSC) has taken delivery of its second newly built bulk carrier to transport coal for power plants, which it said would help ensure energy security at a time of turbulence in the maritime industry. CSC Chairman Shashi Dhanatunge said MV Ceylon Princess, together with its sister ship MV Ceylon Breeze, proved costly for the carrier, which is now heavily indebted. “The new ships have a big financial impact on the company,” more..

Oct 5 (DM) The second stage of the construction of the Central Expressway Project (CEP Project-2) will commence tomorrow, Highways Ministry said. Minister Lakshman Kiriella said the construction of the Second stage would start tomorrow at 8 a.m. at Meerigama. The CEP- Project-2 covers from Meerigama to Kurunegala completing a 39.7 Km distance. The first phase of the Central Expressway, from Kadawatha to Meerigama, is now in under construction. more..

Oct 5 (DN) Defence attorneys appearing on behalf of the accused in the alleged murder of former TNA MP Nadaraja Raviraj, requested for a special jury trial consisting of Sinhala speaking members into the murder of the former MP. However, the Counsel who appeared on behalf of the aggrieved party, raised objections against the request stating that a trial by jury could not be proceeded in this case since three charges more..

Oct 5 (DM) One hundred Australian undergraduate students will study and undertake work placements in Sri Lanka in 2017 through the Australian Govt’s flagship New Colombo Plan Education Programme. “Students from seven Australian universities will study a broad range of subjects including health, economics, engineering and management in Sri Lanka”, Australian High Commissioner Bryce Hutchesson said. “These are exciting projects that demonstrate many opportunities for more..

Oct 5 (DM) A deputy purohita who is also expected to wield a whip over the govt side in the absence of his chief accompanied the chair of the Diyawanna council on an official visit to the land of Uncle Sam. While this deputy purohita was on his official visit, the country’s Big Boss too arrived in that country to attend the UN general assembly sessions. Meanwhile, deputy purohita received an urgent call from the party headquarters asking him to rush back home to cover the duties of his chief more..

Oct 5 (DM) Reorienting SriLankan airlines as a regional carrier as a part of its restructuring process to seek the attention of foreign investors, will entail the leasing of six narrow-bodied short-haul Airbus A330 neo aircraft next year. “Yes, we have some orders and deliveries coming next year. These are the aircraft we need, actually. These are good aircraft, very modern aircraft, and they can do sectors like Colombo to Hong Kong non-stop, more..

Oct 5 (CI) Sri Lanka A's commanding start to the innings - Test batsmen Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Perera put on 167 for the first wicket - ensured they finished the second day against West Indies A in a strong position. The left-handed opening pair scored at 4.57 per over, with Perera especially going after a West Indian bowling that might have looked even more pedestrian had it not been for Leeward Islands offspinner Rahkeem Cornwall, who ended the day with 6 for 87, more..

Oct 5 (PMD) One Ambassador and a High Commissioner presented credentials to President Sirisena at the President’s Residence today. New High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Riaz Hamidullah presented credentials and conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to President Sirisena. The new HC, referring to the postponement of the President’s state visit to Bangladesh, said that his govt hoped that the President would visit his country as early as possible. more..

Oct 5 (ENS) Drawing lessons from the 30-year long war in the island nation, visiting Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday categorically ruled out war as an option between the two nuclear-powered countries and lauded PM Narendra Modi’s restrained approach on the matter. "I don't think war is an option for anyone," Sri Lankan PM said when asked if the situation between the two countries can escalate militarily. more..

Oct 6 (Island) I went to see the Panama village in the morning with much excitement after all it was Sri Lanka’s Panama. It was a long stretch and I was of the view that it was neglected. About four thousand (4000) families , Sinhalese and Tamil Sri Lankans live in peace in Panama. I saw two Buddhist temples and a Hindu Kovil. I wonder why we need huge temples and other huge places of worship in SL! May be we always want a better life after death. Bus Stand had only one bus and looked empty. more..

Oct 6 (DN) National unity govt, which came to power after the General Election last year, is now preparing for a second budget, even while the country is struggling to come out of unprecedented debt. An article on Forbes, a few days ago, by Wade Shepard, author of Ghost Cities of China said that it was attempts to develop infrastructure to increase economic potential that had plunged SL into a pit of debt, pushing the country to the brink of bankruptcy and prompting an IMF bailout. more..

Oct 6 (SO) The protest march, Ezhuga Thamizh (Arise Tamils) organised by the Northern Province Chief Minister the previous Saturday has stirred up a hornet’s nest. Even after a week, the widespread condemnation of his actions by the moderates across the divide is yet to cease. All main political parties took turns to express displeasure and outrage at his actions for rousing Northern Tamils & inciting communal feelings more..

Oct 6 (SL) For the (n+1)th time in post-Independence ethnic history of the nation, Tamil moderates are giving away political space to extremists, for no real immediate fault of the majority Sinhala community or the Sri Lankan State. The last time it happened in a much bigger way than the recent Ezhuga Tamil, or Rise, Tamil, or better still, Tamil Spring, the moderates had possibly hoped to arrest the emergence of youth militancy in the Seventies through the Vaddukottai resolution. more..

Oct 6 (SL) The Director General of the Bribery Commission, Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe has rejected allegations that she has abused her powers, as claimed in some websites which had quoted public interest activist and lawyer, Nagananda Kodituwakku. She stated that she has never misused or abused the powers bestowed upon her and instead had carried out her duties with utmost diligence and responsibility despite numerous drawbacks and obstacles. more..

Oct 6 (CT) Co Vice President of SLFP, MP, Dullas Alahapperuma, accused the SLFPers in the govt who are supporters of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga (CBK) of discriminating against the SLFPers in the Opposition. The SLFP group with the govt is fragmented into two sub factions; CBK loyalists and President Sirisena loyalists, he explained. Q: You have lived in the US. Whom do you support, Trump or Clinton? more..

Oct 6 (DN) National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS&DB) has a customer base of nearly 1.6 million, with a service coverage of about 46.5% with intent to increase up to 60% by 2020. Currently, NWS&DB draws 640 MCM per year from the natural water system of the country to provide drinking water facilities to the public and this needs to be enhanced by another 500 MCM in order to cater for the increasing demand due to population expansion as well as to cater for marginalized groups. more..

Oct 6 (Island) President Sirisena may pardon the terrorists who once made abortive attempts on his life while he was a minister, but he does not seem willing to forgive his former bosses, the Rajapaksas, who, while in power, shortchanged him, deprived him of the post of PM and are currently posting a formidable political challenge to him. Rarely does he miss an opportunity to vent his spleen on the former ruling clan. Power politics is a gladiatorial combat where no quarter is asked or given. more..

Oct 6 (CT) On 25th August, a mother who claims her son was abducted by military police seven years ago was visited by military officers. The officers told her that her son would be released after she signed some papers. They drove the mother for a long distance and kept her in custody while demanding the wife of the abducted person to meet with them. On 27th the old mother was dropped back near her home. The officers warned her not to talk about what happened and assured her that more..

Oct 6 (CT) Dream of a new era was realized in SL on the 8 Jan 2015. We have placed our trust and pinned our hopes that the newly elected President and PM would work tirelessly towards re-building a Democratic, Peaceful, Law abiding and Sovereign nation in the coming years in accordance with the rules of good governance. In this article I will briefly discuss some issues about the new-found freedom which is one of the main benefits we have reestablished under new regime. more..

Oct 6 (Island) Opposition MP Bandula Gunawardena recently published a book on the VAT. He speaks about the current controversy surrounding the VAT increase on the cards. Q: Do you remember any other instance where a tax aroused as much controversy as the VAT increase that is on the cards now? A: In my experience, no single tax aroused a controversy as complex and deep as the dispute over the present VAT increase. more..

Oct 6 (Xinhua) Sri Lanka said it is happy with the progress in its economic ties with China. Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe told Parliament that China is investing heavily on projects in the country. Some discrepancies which had been noted by the Sri Lankan govt after it took office last year over deals signed with China have now been resolved. He said that China will be investing in an investment zone in the south of the country and in projects in other parts of the country as well. more..

Oct 6 (ST) An economic and tourism development zone is to come up at the 410 acre-Voice of America (VOA) broadcasting facility site at Iranawila, which caused a major local and international problem for Sri Lanka during the 1990s, official sources revealed. The US Information Agency has agreed to return the land to the present govt even before the expiry date of the lease agreement, a memorandum submitted by Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs said. more..

Oct 6 (FT) When C.V. Wigneswaran took over as the country’s first democratically elected Chief Minister of the war-torn Northern Province, bureaucrats were awed by his stature and personality. Soft strains of classical sitar music played over the sound system of the PC chamber in Kaithady, Jaffna shortly before the CM made his maiden address at the newly elected assembly. Bureaucrats chose the music carefully more..