Feb 15 (DM) Mangala Samaraweera announced to the Foreign Correspondents Association last Tuesday evening that the govt had decided that it was worth the risk to go for a referendum on a new Constitution. Lakshman Kiriella reiterated this in Parliament, saying that the government’s decision was that it would garner the support of the SLFP for a new Constitution and face a referendum. Why a new Constitution/Referendum while an economic crisis looms? more..

Feb 15 (DM) Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Executive Director of Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is an expert in governance and peace. He has submitted research papers on the subjects in int'l conferences. In 2013, he attended a High-level Civil Society Round Table during the tenure of Barack Obama, former President of the USA. He is one of the founders of SL Chapter of Transparency Int'l & CMEV. more..

Feb 15 (ST) Nuwara Eliya was once known as the Land of English vegetables but today farmers in the area face desperate times as prices of vegetables have dropped drastically. Hundreds of kilos of vegetables are being turned into compost, emphasising the urgent need for a proper distributing system for vegetables. In 1828, when then Ceylon was under British rule, Englishmen introduced vegetables for their more..

Feb 15 (Island) Water supply to Matara, Weligama, Mirissa and Karagoda – Uyangoda area had already been disrupted due to the work to rule campaign launched by Engineering Diplomates Association (EDA) of National Water Supply and Drainage Board, spokesman for the association said. President of the EDA, Upali Ratnayake said they launched the trade union action due to govt’s failure to solve problems more..

Feb 15 (Island) Alleging that since the change of govt in January 2015, every sector, including the judiciary had deteriorated, top JO spokesman Prof. G.L. Peiris accused the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration of elevating a relatively junior lawyer to the rank of a High Court judge to appease a particular political party. Peiris, a former law professor alleged that Batticaloa based Ramanathan Kannan of more..

Feb 15 (SL) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) which is already in turmoil over the past several months has now been exposed to another controversy involving match fixing in the Premium ‘B’ tournament. The venues of the matches have been changed less than 15 hours before the games started and the field settings have been intentionally placed in a manner so as to enable the batting side to score more runs freely to win the matches. more..

Feb 15 (DM) The IUSF said the six months' suspension on admitting students to SAITM would not make any difference and vowed to launch a countrywide protest campaign from today. IUSF Convener Lahiru Weerasekara said that they could not agree with the proposal made by the Deans of the eight State Medical Faculties and Minister Lakshman Kiriella to suspend admissions to the SAITM until the completion of periodic review more..

Feb 15 (DM) Chairman of SAITM, Dr Neville Fernando said that a decision would be taken on whether to suspend the enrolment of students at SAITM for six months after discussing this matter with the Higher Education Ministry. Till then more students would be taken in, he said. The lecturers of the institution were paid very high salaries in order to provide a good education to the students. If students were not enrolled more..

Feb 15 (Island) Higher Education Ministry’s proposal to permit Malabe private medical college – SAITM MBBS graduates to participate in clinical training amounts to a criminal offence, says GMOA. "SATIM has not yet been recognised by the SLMC. Therefore those who pass out with an MBBS offered by the SAITM are not medical students but laymen. Exposing a patient to a laymen in clinical training in surgery, more..

Feb 15 (EN) Sri Lanka and Australia has discussed co-operation in energy, agriculture, mining and education during talks during a state visit of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. PM Malcolm Turnbull told a joint press conference that Australian education institutions had established links with Sri Lanka which was aspiring to be an education hub in South Asia. About 7,500 Sri Lankan students were also studying in Australia at present. more..

Feb 15 (AD) The upper limit to pay 15% special interest on fixed deposits maintained by senior citizens in the licensed commercial banks and the licensed Specialized Banks has been increased up to Rs. 1.5 million from the current limit of Rs. 1 million with effect from March 1. On the instruction of the Minister Ravi Karunanayake, Treasury Secretary Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga has informed Central Bank more..

Feb 15 (Island) The former Director General of the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, Anusha Palpita told the Colombo High Court as a defence witness, that he released the money for the distribution of Sil Redi with the approval of the authoritatives officers of the TRC. Palpita is the first accused and Lalith Weeratunga, the Secretary to former President is the second accused indicated with allegedly abuse of public funds up to Rs. 600 million in the run up to the Presidential poll. more..

Feb 15 (CT) A German friend of mine whom I met after 7 years in the middle of our conversation asked me about the state reforms project of the Yahapalana govt. He said that many people whom he had so far talked to gave a positive nod in spite of the presence of some minor difficulties. Lankans, have been talking about the state reforms since the second republic constitution was promulgated in 1978. Three main questions have been posed, namely, The executive presidential system more..

Feb 15 (CT) In this era of trade, when the head of a country visits a large economy, he's generally accompanied by a large trade delegation in attempts to further trade and investments. But that doesn't appear to be so in respect of Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe's current visit to Australia. The delegates comprising this visit numbered a total of eight. Of those eight, one is the Premier's wife Maithiree and, among the balance seven are two ministers and one Deputy Minister more..

Feb 15 (DM) In a move to set up another non-State degree-awarding institution, Minister Lakshman Kiriella yesterday submitted a Cabinet paper seeking to set up a branch campus of India’s Manipal University in the Kalutara district. The investment involved is said to be US$75 million and would offer degrees in Information Technology, Engineering and Management. However, President Maitripala Sirisena has sought more time to study the paper and make his observations. more..

Feb 15 (EN) Sri Lanka's beer sales volumes have plunged 40% and arrack sales have risen 14% after a steep hike in beer taxes, while toddy industry which pays little taxes are also making gains. Lion Beer, which produces Lion and Carlsberg brands said beer taxes were raised 70% and taxes on arrack, a hard alcohol was raised 25%, leading to a shift in demand. The firm said beer which has an alcohol content of around 5% more..

Feb 15 (EN) Fitch Ratings had raised the outlook on state-run Bank of Ceylon, National Savings Bank and Peoples Leasing Plc, a unit of a People's Bank to 'stable' from 'negative' after the sovereign rating outlook was hiked. Sri Lanka has a 'B+' international ratings. BOC and NSB has a 'B+' rating from Fitch and PLC one level lower at 'B'. The full statement is reproduced below: Fitch Revises Outlook to Stable on Three Sri Lankan Financial Institutions: Fitch Ratings has revised the Outlook on more..

Feb 15 (Xinhua) Cabinet on Wednesday agreed to appoint foreign agents to sell valuable stamps to foreign stamp collectors in order to earn more foreign exchange. Minister Rajitha Senaratne said that in Sri Lanka, the sale of stamps and associated items for local and foreign stamp collectors was done by the Philatelic Bureau established in 1967. "Sale of stamps to foreign stamp collectors helps in earning foreign exchange and in promoting the tourism industry through natural and more..

Feb 15 (Island) A pension scheme for Sri Lankan migrant workers would be implemented this year, Foreign Employment Minister Thalatha Athukorala said. She was participating in a mobile service program held in Polonnaruwa District recently. The approval of the cabinet had already been granted to the migrant workers pension system and it had been refered to the Legal Draftsman Department and to Treasury, Minister said. more..

Feb 15 (DN) TNA Leader R. Sampanthan has pointed out that if SL was given more time to act on the Resolution on alleged war crimes and human rights violations, UN would have to subject SL’s progress to the highest scrutiny. He made this statement to the media when asked about Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s remarks that the country would make a submission to ask for more time to act on alleged war crimes and human rights violations at the upcoming UNHRC sessions in Geneva. more..

Feb 15 (Island) A former Deputy Minister of the SLFP led UPFA lashed-out at PM Ranil Wickremesinghe saying he was engaging in the same unacceptable tactics enacted by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. "The PM is worse than the former President", MP Premalal Jayasekera said pointing-out that people’s expectations about Yahapalanaya had now been irreparably shattered. The former Deputy Minister, affectionately called Choka Malli by his friends more..

Feb 15 (AFP) Tamil women who survived SL’s civil war now face widespread sexual exploitation by officials in their own community as well as from the army, the head of an ethnic reconciliation body said Wednesday. Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga, chairman of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation, said women who were widowed during the 37-year conflict were among the victims of abuse by officials who frequently more..

Feb 15 (NR) Cabinet today approved the amendment of the Special Commodity Tax imposed on coconut oil in order to import 40,000 metric tonnes of coconut oil. The proposal in this regard was tabled by Minister Navin Dissanayake. Accordingly the Special Commodity Tax on a kilogram of coconut oil will be reduced by 20 rupees from 150 rupees to 120 rupees. A kilogram of Palm oil has been reduced by 130 rupees to 110 rupees, while other palm oil substances have been more..

Feb 15 (FT) The year 2016 was yet another successful year for Sampath Bank, wherein the bank managed to achieve its highest-ever Profit After Tax (PAT) amounting to Rs. 9.1 b. This was an impressive YoY growth of 48.8% over Rs. 6.1 b PAT recorded for the previous year.  Profit Before Tax (PBT) too grew by 38.4% to reach Rs. 12.6 b as at the year end, as opposed to Rs. 9.1 b recorded for the comparative year. The main reason for higher PAT growth compared to the PBT growth more..

Feb 15 (Reuters) Minister Ravi Karunanayake said on Tuesday that protecting a fragile rupee was more important than controlling interest rates as the local currency tended not to rebound after a depreciation. His comments came seven weeks after the central bank chief said defending the rupee with foreign exchange reserves doesn't seem sensible as it has always been followed by a sharp depreciation. more..

Feb 15 (DM) At least eight students were hospitalised after a clash between students of Ananda and Nalanda Colleges in Colombo yesterday. They said five students from Ananda College and three students from Nalanda College were among the injured due to the clash that occurred in Borella and Maradana Police areas. The injured were admitted to National Hospital. Five students were arrested by the Borella Police and ten students from the Maradana Police more..

Feb 15 (FT) Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said that Brexit posed several challenges to Sri Lanka, slashing the benefits the country was poised to receive with the granting of GSP+ concessions by the European Union (EU) as close to 40% of exports were to the UK. “For a country heavily reliant on exports the post-Brexit scenario presents several challenges. Sri Lanka’s exports to the UK will lose the benefit of the GSP+ which we are anticipating to be restored later this year. more..

Feb 15 (FT) President Sirisena says scholars and intellectuals should come forward to provide a better service to the country and the people by recognizing the social issues. “The scholars and intellectuals should not be isolated in the society by limiting themselves in their own fields. Most problems of the society can be solved with the voices of the scholars and intellectuals. He was speaking at the ceremony to mark 75th anniv more..

Feb 15 (SLN) Commander of the Navy, Ravindra Wijegunaratne attended the closing ceremony of the Naval Exercise AMAN -17 in Karachi, Pakistan yesterday. AMAN exercise which is held every alternate year, conducted for the successful fifth time this year. Commander of the Navy was also invited to attend this year’s exercise as one of the Chief Guests. International Fleet Review (IFR) held as part of the closing ceremony was graced by PM of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif as Chief Guest. more..

Feb 15 (CI) Adam Voges, the captain of Prime Minister's XI, struck an unbeaten 54 off 31 balls in his final match against an international team, but Sri Lankan XI crashed his farewell by chasing down 170 with five wickets and 17 balls to spare. After being inserted in Canberra, the hosts lost opener D'Arcy Short in the first over to Lasith Malinga, who was playing his first competitive match since the Asia Cup in February 2016. Joe Burns and Hilton Cartwright did not last long too more..

Feb 15 (CG) The office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein says it needs US$ 648,000 for its work in Sri Lanka this year. UN Human Rights Office today launched its most ambitious funding appeal yet, urging States and private donors to bolster the Office’s ability to work and stand up for human rights for all people, everywhere. “Our world has entered a period of profound uncertainty. more..

Feb 15 (ICC) What’s a match in Sri Lanka without the drums and the trumpets adding to the mood? The home team had atmosphere and a good group of supporters on its side, led by Shashikala Siriwardene, the former captain who is sitting out with an injury. The spirits were as peppy as the music and pom-poms outside the boundary ropes. That attitude and an inclination to play with freedom won it the day when up against Pakistani sensibility. Nahida Khan and Javeria Khan’s more..

Feb 15 (DM) This lady who once held very high office in the country has also been a controversial figure. While travelling past Union Place the other day, she got the driver to stop the vehicle opposite a supermarket. She got down and walked into the supermarket with her security detail at her heels. Thereafter, she made a beeline to the foreign liquor bar. She was inspecting the rare brands of quality liquor when she suddenly noticed that a youth was carefully focusing the video camera more..

Feb 15 (ANI) Pakistan is leaving no stone unturned in its attempt to somehow palm off the technically inferior fighter aircraft JF-17 to a hapless SL Air Force. Efforts have been made by Islamabad for the last one year to convince the SL govt to purchase the aircraft that is jointly developed by Pakistan and China. Sri Lanka, aware of the technical shortcomings and design flaws in the aircraft had earlier decided not to consider more..

Feb 15 (CB) Muttiah Muralitharan has urged SL authorities to strike a balance between youth and experience after the team's disastrous tour of South Africa that ended last week. Sri Lankans suffered a 0-3 defeat in the Test series before being whitewashed 0-5 in the ODIs. Muralitharan, who retired from international cricket after the 2011 World Cup as the highest wicket taker in the world in both forms of the game, called for patience dealing with some young talents. more..

Feb 15 (NR) Australia’s Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Arthur Sinodinos says Australia will provide its support to conduct a survey to identify and create a map of SL’s mineral resources. He made this statement during discussions with PM Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Australian Parliamentary Complex. Office of PM said Australian govt agreed to provide necessary scientific knowledge in relation to the innovation process, following a request made by PM. more..

Feb 15 (NR) Minister Rajitha Senarathne says a favourable environment has been created to solve issues surrounding the SAITM. He said a proposal has been forwarded by SAITM for the govt to acquire its teaching hospital. SAITM has accepted that they will close for 6 months. He said however they had also sent a proposal to PM for govt to acquire SAITM teaching hospital adding all 1,000 beds at the hospital will then be occupied. more..

Feb 16 (CT) Land provokes visceral reactions. It is said that the land you are born in creates an indelible identity in a person and of course land has been the basis of innumerable wars fought by humanity. Property or individual ownership land has diluted this sense of place as defined by land. But, while the commodification of land has become a feature of development, it seems difficult to erase those links of identity. It was the loss of our right to land through the infamous more..

Feb 16 (CT) Indian Express on Feb 10, 2017 reported thus: ‘The Chief Minister of the Tamil-majority Northern Province of Sri Lanka, C.V. Wigneswaran, has admitted that some unfortunate incidents of the past had inflicted wounds on the Muslims which are yet to heal. He said this while addressing the Ezhuga Tamil (Arise Tamil) rally at Batticaloa in the Eastern Province on Friday’. The same report says that ‘Batticaloa town and district have a substantial Muslim population. more..