July 14 (Island) GMOA yesterday said it would continue with its agitation against SAITM despite the satisfactory manner in which talks with PM Ranil Wickremasinghe ended on Wednesday. GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said the union representatives had requested that the discussions should proceed based on the union’s five proposals submitted as a solution to the SAITM issue. The proposals had been made with the concurrence of Medical Faculty Deans and teachers, he said. more..

July 14 (BDN) It would be Dhaka's first deal for free trade with any country, said Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque on Friday. "PM Sheikh Hasina and President Maithripala Sirisena decided to sign the deal in 2017 and asked that negotiations and studies be completed beforehand." "This is an amazing breakthrough. Because Bangladesh has never signed an FTA before. I believe this is a big political progress towards trade and investment between the countries," he said. more..

July 14 (TA) I am in Sri Lanka, preparing to sleep in the bedroom of Lord Louis Mountbatten. Or at least I think it’s his bedroom. I am in Kandy, about 130km up from Colombo, tempted by the Mountbatten Bungalow, which advertises itself as the alleged residence of Lord Mountbatten when he was Supreme Commander of Allied Forces, Southeast Asia, in World War II. That word alleged both intrigues and annoys me more..

July 15 (NS) The govt, last week, decided to ban the use of polythene lunch sheets and rigifoam lunch boxes from September. The move comes following weeks of waste disposal-issues and health related ailments due to garbage piling in key areas of the capital. The unprecedented spread of dengue is also attributed to the garbage menace which was addressed only last week. In this context, the move to ban the biggest cause of pollution and waste is most welcome. more..

July 15 (CT) The news was everywhere. It was on TVs and in all national newspapers. I was truly thrilled as a citizen about the marvelous job that our doctors have done. I am not sure how many of them are GMOA members. Whatever the case is, I was curious whether the leaders of our nation might have had the same feeling like me. I wanted to know it firsthand. So, I went to the website of our President Sirisena. I did not find any single congratulatory message sent to the team of doctors more..

July 15 (CT) Global Sri Lankan Forum (GSLF) was formed in 2016 by SL citizens living abroad, with the intention of representing the country in the int'l arena. Ajantha Premaratna, Project Coordinator for GSLF said that with the eradication of terrorism in 2009, many movements in support of the LTTE emerged in the international arena and they have been engaging in tarnishing the image of the country by producing false facts more..

July 15 (CT) Since 1989, the world has collectively marked World Population Day on 11 July. This day provides a global platform for focused attention on the importance of population issues. This year, the theme for World Population Day is Family Planning: Empowering People, Developing Nations. As Sri Lanka launches the Review of its National Family Planning Programme, this is indeed a timely topic. It provides a renewed opportunity for the country to reintegrate family planning into more..

July 15 (CT) The Greatest, an international magazine published by Wijeya Newspapers had named the greatest Olympians since Jesse Owens. The names were decided from several countries in the world. Among the names is Susanthika Jayasinghe from Sri Lanka. The other names are Muhammad Ali, Fanny Blankers, Koen Nadia Commancel, Johnny Weissmuller, and those who later became popular in the American film world, Taryan Rudolph, Carl Lewis, Abebe Bikila, more..

July 15 (CI) For Asanka Gurusinha, SL's inability to dismiss Zimbabwe by the end of the first day, after having them 96 for 4 at lunch, was partly owed to a significant slowing of the Premadasa Stadium pitch. Gurusinha, team's cricket manager, suggested the slow bowlers' menace dives substantially after the first break. "The feedback I got from the players was that there was moisture in the morning, so the track did turn a bit, more..

July 15 (CT) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe met a group of young Buddhist monks at the Temple Trees and discussed various important issues, particularly on ensuring the dignity of Buddhism. PM assured the young monks that Leader of TNA R. Sampanthan will not oppose Buddhism being the premier religion in the country and pointed out to the monks that when the Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters faced a crisis situation during former President Rajapakse's regime, TNA leader stood by two foremost more..

July 15 (Island) So-called yahapalanaya has become another Rajapaksa palanaya. Holier-than-thou politicians currently at the levers of power stand accused of all wrongs they vehemently condemned while they were in the Opposition. Accuser has now become the accused and vice versa! Chairman of BoI Upul Jayasuriya has resigned in a huff. We quoted sources as having said his resignation was due to political interference, which prevented him from acting according to his conscience. more..

July 15 (CT) There can be some objective reasons why some of the Sinhalese, not all, have a minority complex. The historical or geopolitical context is Tamil Nadu or South India. As far as I am aware, this was first pointed out in an objective manner by Leslie Goonewardene of the old LSSP, when he wrote The History of the LSSP in Perspective. He said that, “Although in the state of Ceylon, the Sinhalese constituted the majority and the Tamils the minority, Sinhalese considered more..

July 15 (Island) For decades nations guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and similar international human rights and humanitarian laws have been urging Sri Lanka to repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 48 of 1979 (PTA). Today, at the insistence of some powerful countries SL has chosen to replace the PTA, described then as an obnoxious piece of legislation impinging on international human rights standards but now, with a more draconian Counter Terrorism Law. more..

July 15 (Island) Hey, why don’t we take a lesson from Brazil? Why Brazil? It is the latest lesson on fighting corruption; a lesson on fighting corruption. Because the famous past president of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has been sentenced to ten years in prison for corruption. Come on, do we really have to go as far as Brazil to learn how to fight corruption and fraud? I’m sure we have much better stuff of corruption over here. more..

July 15 (EN) Sri Lanka is planning an anti-dumping law to protect businessmen from exercising their power in markets. Anti-dumping law is the latest trick perpetrated by businessmen and politicians with the help of the coercive power of the state on helpless citizens. In some countries anti-dumping laws are enacted to stop businesses and rent-seeking oligarchs from heaping even more burdens on poor consumers and plundering them without mercy. Just weeks before Donald Trump slapped a tax on more..

July 15 (LT) The request made for years by the people of Kiwulawila Mudalik Kanda area to build a bridge at Bambaragala Ketakade that connects their villages and had been neglected by several administrations that ruled the country has now been fulfilled by the JVP. Proposal to build the bridge, the first of the Rambuka Dhiriya’ Citizens Society, could be made a reality with the contribution from Mr. Siripala, JVP member in the area and a collection made by residents in the area. more..

July 15 (CT) She was neither fully fit, nor she participated in the training camp in India. She was not the favourite to win the event while she went as second best 800m runner of SL. But at the Asian Athletic Championship in Bhuwaneswar, Nimali Liyanarachchi proved the famous saying, Where there's a will, there's a way by winning the Gold medal against all odds in the 800m to seal SL's first Gold in the C'ship since 2009. more..

July 15 (FT) A recent islandwide poll conducted for leading business magazine LMD, reveals that more than 75% of those surveyed say the garbage crisis has not been resolved as yet. According to LMD, only 16% of the people spoken to by the pollsters believe that the issue has been solved while a further 8% are unsure. And at least six in 10 survey respondents don’t feel that the State has reacted swiftly to resolve the crisis while noting that Govt solutions are not sustainable… more..

July 15 (Island) Some leading Sports Officials of the Ministry of Education are adamant that 4x1500 metres relay should not make into this year’s All Island Schools Relay Championship despite a number of outstation schools highlighting the need to continue with the distance relay which had been in the schedule for many years now. The so called experts of Ministry of Education are citing the absence of rules governing 4x1500 metres in the IAAF Competition Rules book as one of the more..

July 15 (DN) Vinod Weerasinghe, a rising star of Sri Lanka Golf, joined a select band of Pin Fernando Trophy winners, displaying a solid match temperament, but above all, good steady Golf. Vinod, playing off a 4 Handicap, had to give 10 strokes to Tyronne Weerackody in the Final, but Vinod withstood the early pressure of giving a stroke per hole in the first 5 holes. Tyronne managed to win the 1st hole, lost the 4th even with a stroke and was All square after 5. more..

July 15 (AD) Gevindu Kumaratunga urged the govt be honest and reveal the truth regarding the new constitution to the country, Maha Sangha and the masses. He stated that President and PM are making various statements that no harm will be done to the existing constitution’s contents regarding Buddhism and a united country following the questions raised by the Maha Nayaka Theros of the 3 Nikayas. He also said that PM, Justice Minister & others are making various statements more..

July 15 (DN) Ideal Motors with the equity participation of Mahindra & Mahindra, India will start on the Mahindra people’s car assembly plant in SL. Initial investment is estimated to be around US$ 15 to 20 million and the first phase of the project would offer employment for around 250 to 300 youth,” said Ideal Group Founder Nalin Welgama. “Ideal Motors will initially manufacture the Mahindra KUV 100 sports utility vehicle then more..

July 15 (ST) One day possibly in April 2014, President called the Minister of Power and Energy to meet her. He rushed to Temple Trees with his deputy, to be told that she would have no objection to the Ministry proceeding with the Norochcholai coal power project. The Minister and his deputy were astonished; they could not believe their ears, since for 11 years, their own President, much of the govt and the opposition too, stated through dozens of decisions and Cabinet memos, more..

July 15 (Island) The Petroleum Trade Unions Alliance (PTUA) urged the govt to introduce the cost reflective transparent fuel pricing formula immediately. PTUA Convener D. G. Rajakaruna said that if the govt introduced a pricing formula, the LIOC would not be able to earn huge profits and the future fuel price fluctuations in international market would be reflected through the pricing formula. He said yesterday’s discussion with PM Ranil Wickremesinghe had been fruitful as more..

July 15 (NS) President of SLC, Thilanga Sumathipala spoke to the Nation addressing the recent controversy, surrounding the commercial managements employed by national cricketers, specifically about an individual named Charlie Austin and allegations of undue influence exerted on the SLC, the Sri Lankan Team, and the selection of players to it whilst also proposing potential solutions regarding the issue. more..

July 15 (SLAF) An emergency landed French Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) which is deployed under UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) was recovered by Sri Lanka Aviation Unit on 07th July. The operation was directed by MINUSCA Force Headquarters and Sri Lanka Aviation Unit utilized a MI 171Sh helicopter (SMH 4416) for the operation. Before the recovery, SL Aviation Pilots initially carried out a reconnaissance more..

July 15 (FT) Addressing the media after a recent road opening ceremony at Galagedara, Minister Dr. Sarath Amungama expressed his views in regard to the current public discourse on the prospect of legislation on the media.  Reminding the media that he himself had once been Director of Information, Minister said that he believed that the media is free to express its views because it largely reflects the views of the people. He said that such freedom of expression must be protected. more..

July 15 (PSL) The Speaker of  Bangladesh says that President Maithripala Sirisena has made a revolutionary transformation in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan President as  an experienced leader, in the region,  is an exemplary leader, for the Commonwealth Group. President Sirisena who is on a three-day State Visit to Bangladesh met with  the Speaker of Bangladesh Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, today (14) and more..

July 15 (DN) The second phase of the public awareness programme on dengue eradication will be telecast through all electronic media networks today from 10 am-12 pm. The programme would speak of ways to keep schools, offices and their surrounding environments clean and how to curb the spread of dengue in these places. The programme launched by the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media and Department of Govt Information has worked together with all media institutions, more..

July 15 (DN) The govt has decided to buy pepper from farmers within two weeks to maintain a stable price in the local market, Primary Industries Minister Daya Gamage said. He said that in order to implement the project he would work within this week to get funds allocated from the Treasury following obtaining the Cabinet approval. He refuted the allegation by JO member Ranjith Soysa that the pepper price has dropped in the local market due to the import of pepper from Vietnam. more..

July 15 (Island) Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, had a heated argument with Ben Emmerson, QC, Special Rapporteur at the onset of a meeting over latter leveling unsubstantiated allegations at law enforcement authorities and the judiciary. Emmerson had a series of meetings over the past few days after his unexpected encounter with Justice Minister early this week. At his meeting with Justice Minister Emmerson accused more..

July 15 (CT) SLFP MP Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene charged that the UNP should be held directly accountable for the CB bond issue, which he termed as SL's largest daylight robbery in its recent history. He further alleged that it could also be identified as the biggest such scam that had taken place in the entire South Asian region in recent history. SLFP MP stated that thanks to the work of the Special Presidential Commission (SPC) set up to probe the issue many hidden details more..

July 15 (PTI) India’s World Cup heroes found former SL captain Arjuna Ranatunga’s demand for an inquiry into the 2011 final as outrageous. Ranatunga said: “We must investigate what happened to Sri Lanka at the 2011 World Cup final. I cannot reveal everything now, but one day I will. There must be an inquiry.” Gautam Gambhir said, “I am surprised by Arjuna Ranatunga’s allegations. These are serious comments by a very respectable voice in international cricket. more..

July 15 (DM) GMOA said that an issue has arisen when obtaining the accurate number of Dengue patients, since the responsible authorities were not able to notify it on a daily basis. GMOA Additional Secretary Dr. Naveen De Soyza said that the authorities were unable to notify the number of Dengue patients admitted in their hospitals due to busy routine as a result of Dengue outbreak. “When a doctor diagnoses a patient with dengue, more..

July 15 (DM) SL Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) ex-chairman Ariyaratne Athugala, ex additional director general Devapriya Abeysinghe and G.D. Sugathapala yesterday apologised to the three employees who had complained that they had been threatened and assaulted in 2010. When the cases were taken up before Colombo Chief Magistrate, the parties had agreed to resolve this matter amicably. During the previous hearing the three complainants Ravi Abeywickrema, Herbert Alagiyawanna more..

July 15 (FT) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe instructed officials to explore, as an experiment, the possibility of building apartments for those who were affected by the recent floods. Addressing a meeting held at the Neluwa Provincial Secretariat to review the progress made in the Galle District, he directed officials to fast-track repairs in schools and roads without following the tender process which is time consuming and to obtain the necessary funds directly from the Treasury instead. more..

July 15 (CT) Executive Director of CaFFE Keerthi Tennakoon says Govt's decision not to extend the tenure of Anti-Corruption Committee Secretariat is one of the decisive defeats suffered by the campaign against corruption. "Those at the helm of Anti-Corruption Committee Secretariat were professional, knowledgeable, smart and dedicated. "Although Anti-Corruption Committee Secretariat didn't perform to the level we expected, more..

July 15 (DM) With modern technology’s marvels giving the people, mainly the youth, the privilege of having a virtual university in their pockets or hang bags, the United Nations World Youth Skills Day today has vital significance for the youth and the world. This year’s theme is Skills for All. In a statement, the UN says young people are almost three times more likely to be unemployed than adults and regularly exposed to lower quality of jobs, greater labour market inequalities more..