Aug 26 (DM) Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said the move to bring a no-faith motion against Minister Rajitha Senaratne by the joint opposition was an appropriate move. Mr. Rajapaksa told journalists that it was necessary to bring a no-faith motion against Minister Senaratne considering the prevailing circumstances. “The people will understand the gravity of this issue when they go through the charges levelled against the minister in the no-faith motion,” he said. more..

Aug 26 (CT) Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) traded barbs after AHRC faulted BASL for threatening legal action against those who criticized the judicial system in SL. AHRC headed by Basil Fernando said lawyers and judges in SL should hold a mirror up to themselves before threatening their critics. In reply, BASL reiterated their position and urged the AHRC to perhaps more..

Aug 26 (DN) JO will field spouses of govt servants as candidates for the upcoming Local Govt elections, as the govt had deprived the rights of govt servants to contest LG election, MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara, said. He said spouses of Govt officers would vie for LG Elections as the Govt had deprived the rights of Govt officers by prohibiting them from contesting LG Elections. "We will take every possible effort to ensure that govt servants are eligible to contest any upcoming election," more..

Aug 26 (SLN) SL Navy facilitated the first ever Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Project for Sri Lanka. The project from Colombo to Negombo was successfully completed with the collaboration of SL Navy, United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and SL stakeholders on 23rd Aug. ESI maps provide a concise summary of coastal resources that are at risk if an oil spill occurs. When an oil spill occurs, ESI maps can help responders to meet their main response objectives; more..

Aug 26 (Island) Commission probing alleged bond scams, after resuming its sittings yesterday, ordered Perpetual Treasuries to submit all back-up data stored in its telephone data base. DSG Milinda Gunatillake requested the Commission that if Perpetual Treasuries failed to provide the required data, permission be granted to get engineer responsible for installation of Perpetual Treasuries telecom system to retrieve back-up data. more..

Aug 26 (CT) The Catholic Bishops Conference of Sri Lanka (CBCSL) has unreservedly condemned moves taken by the govt to legalize abortions under any circumstances. The CBCSL in a statement said the Bill which is to be tabled in Parliament shortly attempts to legalize abortions in the country under two conditions. They pointed out that following a discussion held recently the CBCSL has decided to condemn all efforts made to legalize abortion under any circumstances or conditions. more..

Aug 26 (Island) All govt ministers and MPs voted against an amendment sponsored by JO seeking to permit public servants to contest elections, but Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne abstained. According to the provisions of the Local Govt Elections (Amendment) bill the public servants are required to resign one year prior to contesting a local govt election. JO proposed an amendment to remove that barrier from the draft bill. The govt rejected the amendment and a vote was taken. more..

Aug 26 (Island) President Maithripala Sirisena has assured GMOA that a final solution the crisis caused by the SAITM would be given on Monday (28). GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said that they received the assurance at a meeting chaired by President Sirisena. Dr. Aluthge said that President Maithripala Sirisena had also assured that the Attorney General would inform the Supreme Court of the govt stand on the SAITM soon. more..

Aug 26 (DM) In a move that hopefully would expedite inquiries and the prosecution of cases involving allegations that some of the former regime’s VIPs plundered hundreds of millions of dollars from public funds, the govt yesterday appointed Thalatha Athukorale as Minister of Justice in addition to her present portfolio of Foreign Employment.    Ms. Athukorale who won the woman of the year award this year, took over the Justice Ministry after a dramatic fortnight during more..

Aug 26 (DM) Here is a Govt that is desperately trying to govern a small country, comprising 21 million people. For the record, the number of people in this island is even smaller than the Haryana State in India which has a population of 23 million. Politicians wishing to be in the Govt despite not having a comprehensive plan for development is a matter of concern. People have voiced the need for reforms and reconciliation.  This Unity Govt also termed yahapalana Govt (good governance) more..

Aug 26 (DM) Young people revel in being philistines not because their mothers and fathers and aunts and uncles don’t understand them (to be sure, they don’t), but because they want to show that they care, that they understand what their elders want them to.  Some of the greatest art was born out of that kind of philistinism. And some of that philistine art has survived widespread censure. But the philistinism of the past more..

Aug 26 (Island) The govt has arranged for a high level delegation of Buddhist monks to visit Jaffna peninsula following recent disturbances there. A senior Jaffna based military officer said that a delegation led by most Ven. Dr. Warakagoda Dhammasiddhi Sri Pagnnananda Gnanarathanabhidhana Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter of Siam Nikaya was expected to arrive in Jaffna on Aug. 28. more..

Aug 26 (Island) The case against the Captain of the Avant Garde floating armoury, Ukranian national Gennadly Gavrylov was taken up before the Galle Magistrate Nishantha Pieris on Thursday. CID told the court that the Govt Analyst’s report on the arms kept in the custody of the vessel had not been submitted. Defence Counsel said everything was in order and the vessel had been taken into custody as it had sailed into more..

Aug 26 (PSL) President Maithripala Sirisena says Puravesi Athvela and Grama Shakthi are comprehensive national programs, carried out to make the country victorious. President was speaking at the meeting of divisional communicators of the Puravesi Athvela program, held today (25) at the BMICH. The Puravesi Athvela program which is carried out under a concept of the President is covering all districts in the country. more..

Aug 26 (EN) Sri Lanka's exports rose 9.8% in June 2017 from a year earlier, helped by the delivery of two ships to Singapore and higher tea prices, while apparel exports fell. Transport equipment exports rose to US$ 54.3 million in June from US$ 7.6 million a year earlier. Apparel exports fell 7.5% to US$ 375.4 million. Rubber products also rose 15.4% to US$ 73.1 million. Tea exports grew 13% to US$ 138.6 million. more..

Aug 26 (ST) The Norwegian research vessel RV-Dr Fridtjof Nansen will sail into Sri Lankan waters next year to help assess fish stocks. The methods and timeline of the survey was finalised this week at a three-day workshop involving fisheries experts from Sri Lanka, Norway, and the Food and Agriculture Organisation. This 550-foot long vessel which is 200 feet wide, can carry 45 persons — crew of 15 and 30 scientists. more..

Aug 26 (FT) Former Central Bank Governor Ajit Nivard Cabraal yesterday issued a statement to reiterate that the Supreme Court decision in September 2014 unambiguously exonerated all members of the Monetary Board over allegations on the investment in Greek Bonds. His comments follows the Govt renewing charges that the previous regime’s Central Bank investment in Greek Bonds must be investigated.  more..

Aug 26 (CB) Sri Lanka's World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga feels that the board should have persuaded Angelo Mathews to continue as the skipper when he opted to step down following a humiliating home series defeat against Zimbabwe in last month. Mathews, who returned home from the tour of South Africa with a hamstring injury in January this year, missed the home series against Bangladesh, more..

Aug 26 (FT) Calling on the Election Commission to set the date for Local Govt elections, a contended Faizer Mustapha said that he has done his duty by bringing in the Local Govt Elections Bill, assuring that the new system will bring in a new political era.   “All of you accused me of attempting to postpone the elections, but now I have managed to bring in the Local Govt Elections Bill which will implement the new electoral system. more..

Aug 26 (DM) Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Milinda Gunathilake yesterday said that several phone recordings were missing in the provided call details of PTL, which were possibly relating to the concluding part of dealers’ conversations between PTL and EPF regarding the first secondary market transaction after the controversial bond issue. DSG commencing the Cross-examination of PTL CEO Kasun more..

Aug 26 (CT) GMOA once again threatened trade union action Thursday over another issue pertaining to SAITM. This time the demand was to take action to stop SAITM recruiting new students, despite the requests made by govt against such activity. Due to the ignorance of successive govts, issues related to SAITM have grown over the years like a cancer and have now become a national concern. From time to time, doctors go on strike urging the govt to nationalize SAITM. more..

Aug 26 (CT) Sri Lankan Armed Forces had been very much ceremonial until the North and East separatist war started in the early eighties. Apart from engaging in the 1971 insurgency for a brief period, the Sri Lanka Armed Forces personnel were largely confined to their barracks and bases set up during the British period. However, as much water has passed under the bridge, it is interesting to see that the battle hardened officers who grew up with the separatist war from more..

Aug 26 (FT) William Gladstone said in the frequently-used adage in legal circles that justice delayed is justice denied, which is applicable to the justice system worldwide.  We inherited English legal principles of presumption of innocence and application of Rule of Law which means to act according to the existing law, expected to be just and fair, and equality before law are some of the main guiding principles of our legal system, which the world has rated high despite isolated more..

Aug 26 (Island) Epidemiology Unit (EU) revealed that the number of dengue cases recorded so far this year was 88,029, which was higher than that during the whole of last year, despite efforts by EU and Health Ministry to bring the situation under control. A total of 143,179 of dengue cases was recorded from the beginning of this year till the last week of August while the death toll was over 305. Cases recorded during the whole of last year was 55,150 while death toll was a little over 80. more..

Aug 26 (FT) Women’s Action Network (WAN), an amalgam of eight women’s organisations working in the Tamil-speaking north and east, has said that it is appalled and deeply disappointed by the statement of Rizwe Mufthi, President of the All-Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulama (ACJU), that Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) is perfect in the present state and does not require changes. “With religious leaders invoking tradition to block more..

Aug 26 (FT) The SAITM in a statement yesterday said that the self-acclaimed SAITM Parents Association headed by Gamunu Wijeratne has no affiliation to the institute, nor is it the official association of parents for SAITM. “It is in association where Mr. Wijeratne voices his personal opinion rather than the view of a majority of over 1,500 parents. SAITM and its Management will not be held responsible for the statements given through this association as it does not represent even more..

Aug 26 (NR) Indonesia and Sri Lanka are exploring a Preferential Trade Agreement to increase cooperation and investments. The establishment of a joint study has been agreed during an inter-governmental meeting between the two countries. The Indonesian delegation was led by the Director General of Int'l Trade Negotiations, Ministry of Commerce Iman Pambagyo while the lankan delegation was represented by the Ministry for Strategic and Int'l Trade Development. more..

Aug 26 (FT) Asian Development Bank (ADB) said that it would perhaps move away from the Colombo Port East Container Terminal (ECT) project if the Govt was no longer interested in completing it, noting that they had many other projects in several other countries to attend to. “At the time, our assistance was up to issuing the expression of interest and I believe that they have already finished with evaluations. more..

Aug 26 (AD) The Police have reported that a father and son have been hacked to death following a clash between 02 groups at Gamangedara in Gampaha earlier today. Minuwangoda Police have reported that the culmination of a long standing argument between two neighboring houses caused the unfortunate event. It has also been reported that the persons responsible for the murder were a father and two sons. The Police have taken the three guilty parties into custody and have transferred more..

Aug 26 (ST) Diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and North Korea (NK) have been troubled from its inception, and also vacillating, depending on the Govt in power here. However, the past two years has seen Sri Lanka take a tougher stance against NK, condemning both its nuclear programme as well as its human rights record. While the issue of a press release in late July, condemning NK for launching an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICMB) drew controversy, after more..

Aug 26 (AD) The elections commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya stated that, the provincial council elections can be held within the calendar year, if the speaker of parliament signs the proposed amended Local Govt elections Bill before September 15. The commissioner stated that a bill will only become a legally binding document only after the signature of the speaker is placed. It was also stated that more..

Aug 26 (AD) The Police have arrested two suspects allegedly involved in the fire that broke out at a filling station near Kalagedihena in Nittambuwa.  Investigations conducted by the Gampaha Police reveal that necessary safety precautions had not been taken when transferring fuel from the transport bowser to the fuel storage units.  Accordingly the driver of the bowser along with the operative who handled the fuel pump has been taken into Police custody.  more..

Aug 26 (NR) Department of Buddhist Affairs says the responsibility of the unrest at Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya should be borne by the custodians. This was uncovered following an investigation carried out by Ministry of Buddha Sasana. Unrest broke out on the 22nd of Aug at Kataragama Maha Devalaya. Charges were levelled that the Basnayake Nilame had assaulted two of the temple’s custodians. The morning worship of Kataragama Maha Devalaya for the first time more..

Aug 26 (ST) When marriages are in trouble, anniversaries go unnoticed. So it was last week. Last Thursday marked the second anniversary of Unity Govt which was elected to office on Aug 17, 2015. In the throes of a controversy over resignation of UNP Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake, that landmark passed with hardly a mention, let alone a celebration. If anyone needed reminding, this govt is a marriage of convenience more..

Aug 26 (ST) The ongoing drought conditions affecting many parts of the country is taking a deadly toll of animals and inland fish. Unfortunately actions of unscrupulous persons attempting to make a fast buck via this sad situation are posing much danger to both man and beast. Wildlife officials from drought-stricken areas reported hunters had taken to poisoning natural waterholes where animals and birds regularly quench their thirst at Suriyawewa, Weliwewa & in 14 tanks found in H'tota. more..

Aug 26 (DM) She was a beautiful woman of 28 and definitely not shy as she used to watch porn regularly in her younger days. She had married a youth from Colombo when she was only 17. As a result of this marriage that took place in 2005 she got pregnant with her first child. However, her first marriage only lasted two years. When her husband went abroad for employment she got into a romantic affair with a youth from the village and married him in 2007. This was her second marriage. more..

Aug 26 (CI) So, Chamara Kapugedera will captain SL in matches three and four. Let us quickly recap the recent sequence of events that led to this. In June, then-captain Angelo Mathews was prevented from taking the fitness test that might have allowed him to play SL's opening match of the Champions Trophy. That decision was made by the board, and had caused upset in pockets of the team - not least for then-coach Graham Ford. more..

Aug 26 (DM) The descendant of Dutugemunu now set to stage a comeback to politics through the Green Party is busy with the spade work to launch a Sangha Balavegaya, they say. The man had set his heart upon founding this Balavegaya on the advice proffered by someone that he should be a leader of some powerful entity if he is to find a comfortable niche in the Green Party which, by the way, he once turned his back on. The man is making frequent visits to leading Buddhist temples more..

Aug 26 (CT) Early on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced thus: "On Monday, 21 August 2017, a total eclipse will cross the entire country, coast-to-coast, for the first time since 1918. Weather permitting, the entire continent will have the opportunity to view an eclipse as the moon passes in front of the sun, casting a shadow on Earth's surface. And plans for this once-in-a-lifetime eclipse are underway – scientists are submitting research proposals, more..