Aug 4 (LT) Investigations against those who have committed frauds and corruptions during Mahinda Rajapakasa regime have been completed and indictments filed but the legal process relevant to such indictments are not expedited as the Minister of Justice in the Ranil – Maithri govt has become an obstacle for it says the Deputy Minister Ajith P. Perera. Speaking at Satana TV programme, he said he had talked of this at every possible forum but nothing has happened. more..

Aug 4 (ST) National Science Foundation (NSF), under its NSF Technology Awards scheme, supports many laudable projects which are of value to society. One such project is a unique method of detecting electric power failures instantly so that remedial action would be addressed immediately which saves time and minimise inconvenience to the power users, which in the SL context appears to be vitally important. This method is called Fault Detection, Isolation and Re-restoration using more..

Aug 4 (CT) Trial-at-Bar hearings of testimony in the rape and murder of schoolgirl Vithya Sivaloganathan ended yesterday with an extensive description provided by the DNA expert Dr. Ruwan Illeperuma on tests carried out by him on the evidence made available to him. Dr. Illeperuma appeared as the 53rd witness in the Trial-at-Bar hearing at the Jaffna High Court. He is one of the few specialists in DNA testing in the country. more..

Aug 4 (DN) Supreme Court further extended its Interim Order till Sept 21, CMC and others from dumping garbage in the Muthurajawela sanctuary. 3-judge-bench comprising Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Sisira de Abrew & Anil Goonaratne made this order pursuant to a fundamental rights petition filed by 35 residents residing near Muthurajawela Sanctuary seeking an Interim Order directing the authorities not to store or dump garbage in the sanctuary. more..

Aug 4 (LBO) Opex Holdings, an agriculture company, said that they have invested 550 million rupees in a liquid fertilizer manufacturing plant in Maradagamuna. The plant will be the first liquid fertilizer plant in the South Asian region and is due to commence operations today. “This is a bid to slash the fertilizer import bill which is around 28 billion rupees annually,” Onesh Subasinghe managing director, Opex Holdings said. “All developed countries have moved away from more..

Aug 4 (CT) Whilst claiming he was hurt by attempts to assassinate his character, Minister Ravi Karunanayake himself went on to drag a nonrelated relationship of one of the witnesses, lawyers monitoring the proceedings of the Commission investigating the Bond Scam said. Day before yesterday when Minister was questioned as to whether he knew that Arjun Aloysius had met his wife Mela and more..

Aug 4 (FT) National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) expressed dismay over apparent moves by Govt authorities to remove Cess on imported products hitherto imposed as a protective measure for local enterprises.  The chamber, which has over 600 export-oriented enterprises in its membership across all product sectors and many services which are represented by over 40 sectorial heads in its council, has voiced serious concern since it is understood that moves are afoot to remove Cess on more..

Aug 4 (CT) Tara Bolling, a household name in SL swimming circles after having carved out a distinguished career as a champion swimmer and national coach, passed away on Wednesday. During her best period in the 1950s and 1960s, Bolling made an impact at both local and foreign meets and is frequently cited as one of SL's stalwart female swimmers. Her most stellar international outing came at the 1958 Tokyo Asian Games, where she finished fourth in the 400m freestyle event. more..

Aug 4 (DM) Minister Faizer Musthapha said he met elections monitoring watchdogs PAFFREL, CaFFE, CMEV and TI and they consented to conduct Provincial Council elections in a single day departing from the policy adopted by the previous regime to hold PC polls on a scattered basis for political advantage. He added that the cabinet approval has been granted to introduce amendments to PC election act more..

Aug 4 (CT) JO insisted that Minister Malik Samarawickrema also should be questioned by the PCoI. MP Udaya Gammanpila said even though Samarawickrema may not be directly connected to the case, in his capacity as the Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade, it appears that he too was indirectly involved. When pointed out that it was due to the good governance, practiced by the incumbent Govt, that even Cabinet Ministers appear before such a commission, more..

Aug 4 (DN) With India three down for 133 the game was evenly balanced at one stage but by the end of the day the visitors had taken the advantage when they finished on 344-3. “From that point onwards we didn’t perhaps execute as well as we had done up to that point. We just released the pressure a little bit. That was the turning session. India got momentum back,” said Sri Lanka coach Nic Pothas at the end of the first day of the second Test at the SSC. “We were probably a fraction short on that wicket. more..

Aug 4 (Island) It was revealed at the presidential commission yesterday that an internal inquiry had been initiated against Assistant Governor of the Central Bank and former head of its EPF Department R.A.A. Jayalath. When Commission questioned Jayalath on the internal inquiry, the latter said that explanation had been called from him on market manipulation, violation of investment trading guidelines and three other issues. more..

Aug 4 (DM) No-Confidence Motion against Minister Ravi Karunanayake should be taken seriously not only by Parliament but also by the govt and the people of the country, JO Leader MP Dinesh Gunawardane said. After submitting the motion to the Secretary General of Parliament, the MP said that it should be included in the order book following Speaker’s approval. “Party leaders will then have to decide a date on which to take up the motion for a debate followed by a vote,” he said. more..

Aug 4 (DN) Former Rambewa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman was yesterday sentenced to 5-years-rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court after he was found guilty to soliciting and accepting a bribe of Rs.100,000 from a youth engaging in agriculture, who sought foreign employment in Korea in 2007. High Court judge Gihan Kulatunga further ordered the accused Ranil Madawa Nilame (42) to pay a fine of Rs.40,000 on other counts. The accused was found guilty to three counts. more..

Aug 4 (CT) Members of the Monetary Board of Central Bank and of its Secretariat have no authority to release minutes of its meetings to any outsiders (excluding public announcements) unless the Court so orders, senior CB official said. "MB secretariat is the main custodian of all MB minutes. According to MB requirements, they have the power to issue relevant MB orders, instructions or circulars to relevant parties. more..

Aug 4 (Island) Health Ministry said that the number of OPD patients at the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital (NFTH) was gradually increasing after the govt takeover of the institution last month. At 7 pm on Wednesday (2) there had been 350 OPD patients. On Monday (1), the day on which the hospital was opened to the public there had been 186 OPD patients. Hospital, after the takeover, conducted its first board meeting on Wednesday (2), presided over by Health Minister, more..

Aug 4 (CT) The local business community is abuzz about an attempt to acquire a business empire, which also owns a media network, under the purview of the Central Bank, for mere pennies. Sources in business fraternity claim that measures have already been taken to use a Singapore based company to draw a red herring to take the focus away from the identities of the actual buyers. A former Chairman of a local bank has been appointed the Director of this transitional company, but more..

Aug 4 (DM) President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa marked his appearance before the Commission on behalf of Perpetual Treasuries CEO Kasun Palisena, who will testify before PCoI on Tuesday (8). PC Indatissa said that Mr. Palisena has received a letter from the Commission to hand over his communication devices as soon as possible to the investigators. He said that his client would hand over the devices except the personal laptop. more..

Aug 4 (DM) 40 years ago this day, Ranil Wickremesinghe was only 28 years old when sworn in as a UNP MP from the govt ranks. It was also 40 years ago that J.R. Jayewardene (JRJ), as Head of State and after leading the UNP govt to victory in 1977 July, opened up the economy for free trade. Now as PM of this Yahapalanaya Unity Govt, Wickremesinghe is using his 40th year political anniversary for image boosting, something which most Sinhala politicians- being in politics for more..

Aug 4 (DM) Hambantota port has seen a sea a criticism ever since the then Rajapaksa govt laid the foundation for it in 2010.  In comparison, any opposition to last Saturday’s agreement between the SL govt and China Merchants Port Holdings seems like a drizzle in the middle of an ocean.  Given the international attention the port deal has been receiving, one cannot rule out the possibility of a foreign hand behind the protests. Danger of Sri Lanka becoming an unwitting victim of more..

Aug 4 (DM) Senior civil servant Jinasiri Dadallage spoke about the public sector of the country. He is presently functioning as the Advisor to PM’s Public Relations Office. Q: To begin with, can you enlighten us on the role of the Public Relations Office? A: Several state institutions are responsible for disseminating factual information on various spheres including land, politics, education, health & so forth, to PM and to his Secretary. more..

Aug 4 (SL) Employees of SriLankan Airlines are up in arms against Minister Kabir Hashim, for accusing the airline trade unions for their failure to protect the national carrier from lavish spending by its former Chairman Nishantha Wickremasinghe, without pointing a finger at the Management for their failure to take action against the wrongdoers whose names have been highlighted in the Weliamuna report. more..

Aug 4 (Island) Proposed constitutional amendment to put off scheduled Provincial Council polls in the Eastern, Sabaragamuwa and North Central provinces required a two-thirds approval in Parliament, minister Faiszer Musthapha said yesterday. He said the govt would soon seek parliamentary approval for the amendment. The UNP and the UPFA secured 106 and 95 seats, respectively at the last general election. more..

Aug 4 (DM) It has become nothing but humdrum when it comes to warning the general public in taking precautions against dengue. Something that we all know, despite every measure being taken, is that the disease can’t be eradicated overnight. This has to be said in the backdrop of the inevitable number of citizens falling victim to dengue everyday. So the situation has now aggravated and more attention is being paid to dengue cures more..

Aug 4 (ST) Cottage industries of Sri Lanka will need time to catch up with demand for shopping bags made of natural materials when the ban on polythene bags and polystyrene containers becomes effective in September despite protests by manufacturers. Households are also being encouraged to boycott polythene bags for the sake of freeing Sri Lanka from the non-biodegradable garbage mountains nightmare. more..

Aug 4 (DM) The 16th IAAF World Athletics Championships conducted by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) will commence today at the London Olympics Stadium and will conclude on Aug 13.  Two hundred and seven countries affiliated to the IAAF featuring over 800 top level athletes, including Sri Lanka will take part in the ten day event. Sri Lanka will be represented by four athletes. more..

Aug 4 (CT) The GMOA issued an ultimatum to the Govt yesterday demanding it gives them a final practical solution to the SAITM impasse. They warned of stern action against the Govt if it does not comply with their demand within the next seven days. According to the Secretary of the GMOA Dr. Harith Aluthge the Govt is deceiving opponents who question the legality of SAITM and the entire country by more..

Aug 4 (DM) Leading election monitoring bodies and civil organizations in the country, who questioned the Govt’s decision to rush in the 20th Amendment, threatened to take legal against any move to postpone the Provincial Council polls using the said piece of legislation. PAFFREL, CMEV, CAFFE, MFFE, TI and Mothers and Daughters of Lanka questioned the Govt’s action to rush in the legislation more..

Aug 4 (DM) National Police Commission (NPC) approved reinstatement of the widow of the Policeman, who had died following a shootout in Jaffna, to the Police Service Secretary of the Commission Ariyadasa Kure said. He said the decision was given by the NPC to appoint the widow K.G.T. Kumudini to the Police Service following a special order by the Commission. Police Sergeant Sarath Premachandra (24330), more..

Aug 4 (AD) Supreme Court has determined that certain clauses in the new Inland Revenue Act are not in accordance with the constitution, Speaker informed Parliament today. Therefore the court recommends that the Act needs to be passed with a special majority or else the clauses in questions need amending, the Speaker stated.  New Inland Revenue Act, SL's major tax reform since independence from Britain in 1948, more..

Aug 4 (CT) In the midst of all this that is going on regarding Hon. Mr. Ravi Karunanayake, I recall how my father lost his temper and fortunately or unfortunately punched Hon. Ravi Karunanayake on Air on live TV program called Rathu Ira. Somehow everyone of us including my father’s office knew he was going to really get physical before he left for the show. He was furious as he had solid facts as evidence on how Mr. Karunanayake robbed the Lalith Athulathmudali’s funds more..

Aug 4 (DN) State Minister Dr Sudarshani Fernandopulle yesterday registered her strong opposition to the proposed Amendment to Local Authorities Elections Ordinance to bring down the first-past-the-post representation to 60%. Her resistance came immediately after Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Faiszer Musthapha told the media at the SLFP Headquarters in Colombo that the said Amendment would be presented to Parliament next week. more..

Aug 4 (NR) Fort Magistrate’s Court today issued an order claiming the protest march organised by the IUSF in Colombo against the SAITM should not hinder the public. Magistrate issued the order after taking into consideration facts tabled by Police. According to the order protesters cannot carry protest in a manner that disrupts traffic or day to day office activities. Police further noted that a stay order was issued against the protestors preventing them from forcibly entering govt premises. more..

Aug 4 (CT) Newspapers in recent articles reported that last year the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) had seized 101 kilos of heroin, more than double the 2015 seized stock of 46 kg of this drug. It was also reported that the authorities had also seized 1,550 kg of cocaine of which 928 kg comprised those which had been seized from a ship which had arrived from Ecuador. Newspapers also reported that 231 kg of Kerala Ganja (cannabis), smuggled from India had also been seized by more..

Aug 4 (AD) MP Udaya Gammanpila requested the President and PM to refrain from sending Minister Ravi Karunanayake to any international gathering till he is rid of his apparent state of dementia.   MP stated that the motion of no-confidence that was submitted by the JO against the Foreign minister will question the integrity of the UNP. He further stated that when questioned, even though Minister Karunanayake did not know who CON MP RK on the phone of Arjun Aloysius was, more..

Aug 4 (EN) Supreme Court has decided that the following sections of a inland revenue bill is inconsistent with the constitution according to the speaker's statement to parliament. The inconsistent sections mostly relates to the administration of the proposed law. Sections 97, (officers of the department) 98 (delegation of powers) and 100 (1) e (confidentiality - disclosing information to the AG for the purpose any civil or criminal proceedings or obtaining the opinion or advice of more..

Aug 4 (Roar) Nearly a month has passed since CEA announced a ban on plastics coming info effect on Sept 1, 2017. Since the announcement, there has been no subsequent news, leaving consumers and retailers at a loss as to what happens next. Undoubtedly, this is a bold and progressive new piece of legislation. But a blanket ban without proper guidance and supportive measures could have counter-productive more..

Aug 4 (DM) Justice Ministry was planning to work out legislation that, if enacted, would provide for selling off Court productions if cases were dragged on for months, Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said yesterday. Minister said his Ministry was hard pressed to maintain various items such as vehicles, kept as court productions till the authorities concerned dispensed with cases. Therefore, he said a new piece of legislation would be introduced to sell them off in respect of delayed court cases. more..