Aug 25 (Island) The ongoing high profile case involving a group of navy officers in the alleged abduction and disappearance of eleven persons in 2008 has taken a dramatic turn with wartime Navy Chief then Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda initiating legal proceedings against Navy Commander Vice Admiral Travis Sinniah in respect of a recent statement made by the latter to the CID. more..

Aug 25 (KT) A 38-year-old Sri Lankan man stood trial for stabbing a 28-year-old compatriot woman at her residence in Maysaloon area of Sharjah. Man has denied the accusations in court. Control room had dispatched a team of forensic experts and ambulance after receiving a phone call. Upon reaching the site, the officials found the woman in a pool of blood, and picked up fingerprints and other evidence. Police then formed a team of CID officers to investigate the crime & arrested suspect. more..

Aug 25 (SLA) Field Training Exercise (FTX), Cormorant Strike VIII - 2017, one of the most prominent yearly projects of the Army with new features added to it this time, is set to kick off beginning September 3, 2017 with the participation of 2675 tri-service troops, including, 62 foreign military participants and observers, said Major General Amal Karunasekara, Chief of Staff of the Army during a Media briefing, held this afternoon (24) at the Army Headquarters premises. more..

Aug 25 (Island) Yesterday’s sessions of Parliamentary watchdog committee, COPE, had uncovered an instance of recruiting 30 persons for State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corp on a letter issued by Minister Rajitha Senaratne’s wife. Chairman of the SPMC, admitted before the COPE that he had recruited 24 marketing promotion officers & 6 minor employees on recommendation of Dr. Sujatha Senaratne. more..

Aug 25 (CT) Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera said that he has no intention of appointing an interim committee for Sri Lanka Cricket and that the only way the existing board can change is through an election. "I am not going to intervene and appoint an interim committee. Appointing interim committees is not accepted anywhere in the world now and such boards do not even receive full recognition by the ICC," the minister said. He added when the Cricket Board was run by an interim committee, more..

Aug 25 (SK) Virat Kohli has been a wholehearted cricketer over the course of his illustrious career. This time round, the Indian skipper has come forward and has proposed to discuss issues of the SL team with their coach Nic Pothas. In a press conference ahead of the second One Day International at Kandy, Kohli has mentioned about how he will be taking the initiative forward. "We haven't had any discussions yet. Those things may happen after the competitive zone is over more..

Aug 25 (CT) Uva Provincial Council yesterday rejected the proposed 20th Amendment with a majority of seven votes. Amendment received five votes in favour, while 12 PC members voted against. Among its other provisions, draft 20th Amendment provides for all Provincial Council elections to be held on the same day. This rejection came two days after North-Central PC approving 20th Amendment by two votes more..

Aug 25 (FT) The Govt revealed its plans to table the long-list of people and their controversial use of helicopters of the Sri Lanka Air Force in Parliament. State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene, in response to a question raised by MP Udaya Gammanpila, told the House that the list contained the details of those who used the helicopters at the cost of the State and their destinations during 2015 and 2016. Only the President and PM are entitled to use helicopters at the cost of the State. more..

Aug 25 (FT) State coffers have incurred a revenue loss of Rs. 14.2 billion during the second quarter compared to the first quarter of this year, the Government announced when moving its semi-annual financial performance report in Parliament. According to the Minister Gayantha Karunatileka, state income, which stood at Rs. 445,250 million during the first quarter of 2017, has come down to Rs. 431,010 million by the end of the second quarter due to unavoidable reasons. more..

Aug 25 (FT) On the eve of presenting the Inland Revenue Bill to Parliament, State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne said it would complement the economic goals of the Govt, which will be set out in a new eight- year policy framework to be presented by the President and PM on 4 Sept.   The new policy framework, which will be jointly presented by President and PM, will keep to key macroeconomic goals that centre on reducing more..

Aug 25 (DN) Attorney General Jayantha Jayasuriya PC yesterday refuted media speculation and comments made by the former Justice Minister that his department was taken to task during a meeting with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe recently. “In fact it is I who requested a meeting with the Prime Minister. During the meeting which took place at ‘Temple Trees’ nothing which undermines the respect and integrity of the Attorney General’s Department happened, he added. more..

Aug 25 (DM) SAITM said that they would not enroll students for the upcoming intakes until Higher Education Ministry would provides them with directives on new student admissions. SAITM Registrar Husni Hussain said that the Higher Education Ministry had written to SAITM in May instructing it to await the ministry’s decision with regard to its student intake. “We have not received any direction from the ministry so far. SAITM will not enroll students until ministry’s decision. more..

Aug 25 (CT) A No-Confidence Motion against Minister of Health, Dr. Rajitha Seneratne, signed by 39 JO MPs, was handed over to the Speaker's Office yesterday. Reacting to the event, Minister Senaratne said the No-Confidence Motion by the JO is created on baseless and false allegations. The No-Faith Motion cites a series of allegations against Senaratne. They include: evading an investigation conducted by BC more..

Aug 25 (FT) UNHRC is to be urged to push Sri Lanka to show progress on several key issues. Amnesty International has submitted a document to the UNHRC ahead of its next session in Geneva in September. In the document, the UNHRC has been urged to call on the SL authorities to ensure they make progress in implementing the commitments reflected in Resolution 30/1, in particular to establish the roadmap recommended by the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms more..

Aug 25 (Hindu) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe will be visiting the Sri Mookambika Temple at Kollur in Udupi district on Saturday. According to Information Department, He will arrive by helicopter from Bengaluru at Areshiroor near Kollur at around 11 a.m. He will then go to the Mookambika Temple guesthouse. He will be given the traditional purna kumbha welcome at the entrance of the temple. He will then participate in the mangalarti ritual at the temple. more..

Aug 25 (DN) President Maithripala Sirisena said there should not be interference with the processes of the Attorney General’s Department. He said he is satisfied with the workings of the AG’s Department and never likes to see anyone get involved in the process of it. President said no one should intervene with the processes not only of AG’s Department, but also of the special commissions appointed to inquire into certain issues. more..

Aug 25 (DM) On next Wednesday (30), UN will mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. UN says, enforced disappearance has frequently been used as a strategy to spread terror within society.  Feeling of insecurity generated by this practice is not limited to the close relatives of the disappeared, but also affects their communities and society as a whole. Enforced disappearances have become a global crisis and are not restricted to a specific region of the world. more..

Aug 25 (DM) It was Ravi Karunanyake, who resigned on Aug 10 as Foreign Affairs Minister, who paved the way for the dismissal of Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe from the post of Justice and Buddha Sasana Minister on Wednesday. Finally two leaders of the UNP, the very party that vowed to eradicate corruption, had so far to go to the guillotine, while those who had been accused of large-scale frauds by them are still at large. MPs of the UNP had been lightly and sometimes indirectly accusing more..

Aug 25 (SL) Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya  asked the people and the political parties to actively get involved in protecting the country’s democracy and rule of law. The worst thing to do is to remain silent. Just as a govt can be toppled by a vote, it can also protect a govt. The vote is your power, vote is your voice, vote is your future, vote is your right. The only thing those over 18 get without discrimination is their vote and their death. more..

Aug 25 (DM) The Dailymirror  recently sat down with Minister Susil Premajayantha for an interview. Q: The people, those who voted this govt into power in Aug 2015 are totally disenchanted with its performance in the last two years. Where did  the Yahapalana Govt go wrong?   A: To my knowledge the regime change took place in 2015 on the vote bank of educated middle class, upper middle class, voters of North-East & Central Province. more..

Aug 25 (ST) National wildlife parks are struggling with an increase in poaching and are limiting access to safari operators and campers amid a devastating drought. Yala National Park may even be closed to visitors next month. There have been reports of animals poisoned at watering holes by poachers at various national parks. Despite the drought, officials also say they will provide water only if necessary and instead allow nature to more..

Aug 25 (Island) SLMC would not vote for the Local Govt election Amendment Bill if certain anomalies in the provisions of the bill were not rectified, SLMC Leader & Minister Rauff Hakeem told Parliament. "We need at least a promise by the local govt minister that the anomalies would be rectified in time to come so that we can tell our people that we have voted with the govt following an undertaking given by the govt," he said. more..

Aug 25 (LBO) Sri Lanka’s motor car registrations rose to 3,221 units in July, up from 2,802 units in June, highest monthly figure so far this year. Registrations are still down from a high of 14,544 units in Sept 2015. Overall, brand new motor cars have increased by 17% month-on-month. Micro observed growth in the Panda car, Renault observed growth in the KWID and Tata observed the most significant growth in their Nano Twist XTA,. more..

Aug 25 (CI) Not many people on the planet will have had as eventful a past 48 hours as Akila Dananjaya. On Tuesday, having left the Sri Lanka squad, Dananjaya was getting married in Moratuwa - just south of Colombo. No present team-mates could attend, of course, but that is not to say Sri Lankan cricket went unrepresented at the ceremony: none other than Rangana Herath was the witness at the registration of the marriage. more..

Aug 25 (DN) The Local Authorities Election System introduced under the Unity Govt is the only one that considered the views of all parties in the political history of the country, Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in Parliament. He said that when an election system was introduced in the past they did it with a view to further remain in power. He added that during the previous regime although the then Minister more..

Aug 25 (AD) The Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Bill has been passed in Parliament with amendments.  The bill was passed with 120 voting in favour and 44 abstaining while no votes were cast against the bill. MPs representing the Joint Opposition were mong those who abstained from voting on the bill. Initially there had been an agreement for the bill to be passed without a vote and with amendments, more..

Aug 25 (EN) Sri Lanka has presented regulations in parliament to create a database of data about citizens which can be accessed by the defence secretary and other officials without a court order, which critics warn is taking the country speedily towards a surveillance state. On Wednesday regulations which will eventually make it possible for authorities to create an electronic ID a data base of personal & family information more..

Aug 25 (AD) Minister of Foreign Employment Thalatha Athukorala and Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife Gamini Jayawickrama took oaths as the Minister of Justice and Minister of Buddha Sasana respectively before the President a short while ago. PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Secretary to the President Austin Fernando were also present on this occasion. The two ministers were sworn in to replace more..

Aug 25 (CT) Parliament will today begin the debate on the much awaited Income Tax Bill which seeks to reform SL's out-dated Inland Revenue Act. This is the first time that SL has attempted to reform the tax laws since 1948. The proposal is controversial as the impression created in SL is that this Bill is being pushed through at the behest of the multi-lateral lending agencies and would increase taxes for all Sri Lankans. It is true that IMF provided SL with an Emergency Facility only after more..

Aug 25 (FT) As with many other champions of just causes, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe may have gone from campaigning for justice to becoming just another crusader out to claim his own rights and privileges. But unlike many other pseudo-democrats who traverse the primrose path from paada yaathra to walking the national interest tightrope, WR may still stand tall – or find his way back into a Cabinet seat – if the pragmatic brand of politics practised by his parties and their leaders necessitates it. more..

Aug 25 (AD) A fire has reportedly broken out at a fuel station located in Kalagedihena, Nittambuwa on the Colombo – Kandy main road. A fuel bowser parked at the fuel station has also caught fire, according to Ada Derana reporter. This has resulted in severe traffic congestion on the Colombo - Kandy main road in the Kalagedihena area.  The fuel station and the bowser have both been destroyed by the fire. No injuries were reported from the incident. Cause of the fire is yet to be revealed. more..

Aug 25 (AD) Dept of Examinations announced that two exam papers of the 2017 GCE A/L exam scheduled to be held on Sept 2 has been postponed in view of Hajj festival.  Accordingly, Common General Test and the Information & Communication Technology - 2 papers have been postponed to Sept 4.  Common General Test will be held from 8.30am to 11.00am on Sept 04 while the Information & Communication Technology – 2 paper will be held from 12.30pm to 3.30pm the same day. more..

Aug 25 (DM) Some 50,000 slums that were identified within the Colombo City limits, and at least half of them would be removed by year 2020, Minister Champika Ranawaka said. He said around 10,000 new houses would be distributed among the people that would be built without state funding. “It is also the govt's responsibility to provide houses for the people living in Colombo. As it gives houses to people in the north and east, to more..

Aug 25 (WB) This year, yet again, flooding caused by heavy monsoon rains came and receded. Meanwhile, this year alone, more than one million people have been hard hit by the worst drought in 40 years.  The media, with few exceptions, have moved on to other topics and a sense of calm pervades. We are in the eye of the storm -- that misleading lull before mother nature unleashes her fury once again.   In Sri Lanka alone, costs from natural disasters, losses from damage to more..

Aug 25 (Island) Special Police Investigation Unit of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has arrested a private tuition master who attempted to molest a 15-year-old student by showing him some obscene pictures. The student revealed the incident to a family member. Acting on a complaint the NCPA conduct investigtions in secret. The Colombo Magistrate remanded the suspect. The investigation was carried out under the guidance of NCPA Chairman Marini de Livera by more..

Aug 25 (USE) U.S. Department of State’s Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program trained 33 customs officials from Sri Lanka in risk management of cargo from Aug 21 - 25.  The training was conducted in Colombo and coordinated by EXBS. Participants learned how to identify high-risk shipments and improve cargo targeting capabilities through the use of document analysis. more..

Aug 25 (SLA) As the threat of Dengue is rising in different parts of the country, all Brigades under the 22 Division in Trincomalee conducted a Dengue awareness programmes for Police Officers, troops, Coastal guard officials and civilians in the areas. Awareness programme was organised by the 22 Division with the coordination of the District Secretary on Tuesday at the District Secretariat, Trinco. Awareness programme educated the public on the rapidly spreading Dengue menace. more..

Aug 25 (NR) The amended Inland Revenue Draft Bill which was due to be tabled in Parliament today by Minister Mangala Samaraweera was postponed. Leader of the House Minister Lakshman Kiriella said the draft bill will not be tabled due to the conduct of the vote on the Local Govt amendment draft bill. It was decided to revise the Inland Revenue Act which was previously presented in Parliament, after the Supreme Court ruled that Article 200 was inconsistent with the provisions more..

Aug 25 (DM) Elephas Maximus Maximus or the Sri Lankan elephant in other words has a closer relationship with us Asians. As depicted in Hindu mythology, much revered elephant-headed God, Ganesh, itself highlights the importance of this majestic being. Over the years we have been delighted to see elephants in pageants (peraheras), but not once have we thought of the troublesome experiences these majestic more..