Nov 13 (Roar) Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) generally conducts regular speed tests of providers in the country. These are usually a fairly accurate measure of how well our internet providers are doing, and how fast our internet really is. This data is also used by operators in their marketing material, especially if they come up at the top of the speed lists. more..

Nov 13 (DN) A 15 member business delegation organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) visited Riyadh to further promote trade, investment and tourism between Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from Oct 28 to Nov 1, 2017. This successful business promotion mission was organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Saudi Arabia. The delegation participated at number of business discussions more..

Nov 13 (ST) Zuraish Hashim of Otters AC (OAC) outclassed Anver Azeez of Moors SC (MSC) by four frames to one in the seven frames final encounter of the Masters Snooker Championship played at the AAC billiards table to emerge champion. Zuraish an experience cueist had little difficulty in brushing off the challenge of Anver as after taking an early lead conceded only the second frame to come out easy winner. Earlier in the two semi final clashes saw Zuraish coasting to a comfortable win over more..

Nov 13 (FT) SL’s pivotal logistics industry is at loggerheads over the 2018 Budget move to liberalise the shipping and freight forwarding industry - which contributes around $ 400 million - enabling foreigners ease of entry. Viewed as one of the most contentious proposals in the 2018 Budget presented by Minister Mangala Samaraweera, the measure has been widely debated previously for many years. more..

Nov 13 (FT) Minister Malik Samarawickrama described the 2018 Budget as the best iteration of the country’s annual financial policy statement since former President J.R. Jayewardene’s 1977 Budget. “The 2018 Budget is one of the most progressive private sector-friendly budgets since the one unveiled by President J.R. Jayewardene in 1977,” declared Minister Samarawickrama. “After 40 years we have a Budget that is very favourable to the private sector that is export-oriented. more..

Nov 13 (DN) “Officers who don’t speak decently, understand people’s problems humanely and act maliciously should resign from their posts as they have no place in the Police Service,” IGP Pujith Jayasundera said. He was addressing the gathering at a social service programme held at the Mallawapitiya Elders’ Home where the Police, Buddhist and religious officers donated a set of equipment for the use of its inmates on Nov 11. The IGP said a very peaceful situation prevails more..

Nov 13 (CB) Sri Lanka have a reputation of introducing unorthodox spinners and the latest sensation is an 18-year-old leg-spinner. Kevin Koththigoda is currently in Malaysia with SL Under-19 team taking part in Youth Asia Cup. He featured in the team's 61-run win over Afghanistan and was the talking point among rival teams. Koththigoda has an action similar to former South African Test cricketer, Paul Adams. more..

Nov 13 (CI) Sanju Samson's quickfire 128 off just 143 balls, gave the SL bowlers a good workout in the second day of their only warm-up game, at the Jadavpur University Campus ground in Kolkata. Fourteen bowlers were used by SL, with only left-arm wristspinner Lakshan Sandakan bowling more than 10 overs. After SL had declared their innings on the overnight score of 411 for 9 dec, Lahiru Thirimanne opened the bowling with his medium pace, and had Tanmay Agarwal lbw for 16 more..

Nov 13 (FT) Minister Mangala Samaraweera on Friday declared that Sri Lanka can no longer be a nanny state protecting local industry, but the country and the private sector must embrace liberalisation and reforms to be competitive and successful. This direct message and several others were shared at a packed post-Budget forum organised by Ernst & Young for the 18th consecutive year. “The thrust of the 2018 Budget is free enterprise, liberalisation and globalisation. more..

Nov 13 (CT) Taking the fuel crisis, which finally came to an end during the weekend, to another extreme, the Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) has suddenly decided not to supply stocks of fuel to the country's market until the end of 2017. Senior officials of the CPC emphasized that under these circumstances, in order to obtain the quantity of fuel held back by the LIOC, spot tenders will have to be called for at very high rates. more..

Nov 13 (DM) Bribery Commission (BC) received more than 506 complaints during the first quarter of 2017 and has forwarded them for investigations, it revealed in its annual performance report presented in Parliament. The report states that 121 complaints were received in January; 96 in February and 289 in March and that of the cases that the BC had filed, 99 were pending in the Magistrate's Court, 306 in the High Courts with only six cases being finalized by March 2017. more..

Nov 13 (Island) President of Sri Lanka Diabetes Association Dr. Prasad Katulanda yesterday said that the promotion of beer would cause a catastrophic health situation. Dr. Katulanda said that beer consumption would certainly contribute to the problem. The Specialist said those who had been promoting beer consumption conveniently forgot beer contained a certain percentage of alcohol therefore vast majority of consumers invariably end up taking liquor. more..

Nov 13 (Island) Govt Medical Officers Forum (GMOF) has accused Minister Mangala Samaraweera of deceiving the public in a bid to promote beer sales. GMOF President Dr. Rukshan Bellana said that they would soon request President Sirisena not to allow anyone with vile aims to exploit the public. Dr. Bellana emphasized that there there was absolutely no basis for Minister Samaraweera’s claim that drinking beer was more..

Nov 13 (DN) Two students from a leading school in Colombo were killed and six more students injured on Saturday when their double cab crashed in Rajagiriya, in the Welikada Police Division. The accident had taken place around 1.50 am when the double cab in which the students were travelling in, went out of control, skidded off the road and crashed into a nearby wall. The students who were injured in the accident were admitted to the Colombo National Hospital. more..

Nov 13 (DN) The vehicle Importers’ Association of Sri Lanka (VIAL) highlighted the taxes imposed by govt on motor vehicles and said apart from few differences, the 2018 Budget has generally paved the way for all interested parties to purchase motor vehicles, especially vehicles with less than 1000cc engine capacity. While hailing the Budget proposals on motor vehicles, President Indika Merenchige, at a post-Budget media briefing requested authorities to provide necessary assistance to more..

Nov 13 (PSL) President Maithripala Sirisena says that the army camps have not been removed in a way which will weaken the national security or in a way which will have an impact on the security forces. He said that the govt has taken steps to release the lands, which were acquired during the war period for army camps, but lands not needed for the three Armed forces at present, we’re returned to the people in the N&E, more..

Nov 13 (LR) Canadians played a crucial role based in strategic Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) during the Second World War. They and fellow Commonwealth personnel were honored in a solemn ceremony in Colombo to mark Remembrance Day today. A delegation from the Canadian branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association was in Sri Lanka for a three-day visit, also joined and paid tribute in Colombo. The delegation was led by Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, MP. She is accompanied by more..

Nov 13 (Island) A house of ill-fame operating under the guise of a guest house in the residential area of Kandy View Garden in Anniewatta was raided and four women and the manager were arrested by a special police team from the Walana Anti-Vice Strike Force on Saturday (11). The owner of the brothel had escaped, police said. The women taken into custody were from Ampara and Kurunegala areas, police said. The women were divorcees who had come to Kandy in search of employment. more..

Nov 13 (DM) With the EPRLF led by former MP Suresh Premachandran deciding to contest future elections on its own, NPC Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran urged Tamil leaders, who were over 60 years, to move aside and allow the younger generation to take up politics. Incidentally, EPRLF is one of the original constituent parties of the TNA. Mr. Wigneswaran, who himself has been challenging the TNA leadership by forming his own TPC more..

Nov 13 (DM) The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) has issued fuel 55 percent more than the daily issuance from Thursday (9) until yesterday (11), Acting Sales Manager W.D.L.C. Abeygunawardene said. He said excess amounts of fuel including Lanka Petrol Octane 92 and 95, Diesel and Kerosene had been distributed by them to CEYPETCO filling stations Islandwide. Therefore he said that there should be no fuel shortage at any of their filling stations at present. more..

Nov 13 (ST) Women-friendly is how Chathuri Ranasinghe, Chairperson Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce, described the 2018 budget. In a statement she said that from the perspective of women’s empowerment, the chamber welcomed the budget. It was heartening to note that the budget incorporates many a proposal in respect of gender equality. “The proposal to support majority women owned enterprises, by the proposal to grant a 10% interest relief for loans obtained by more..

Nov 13 (CT) The ITAK, the main constituent in the TNA, has called for extensive discussions at regional level, in the North and East, on the Interim Report of the Constitutional Assembly. However, the EPRLF, one of the four constituent parties in the TNA, has announced that it cannot function in coordination with the TNA anymore and would also not accept the ITAK's party symbol, the house, as the common symbol of the TNA. more..

Nov 13 (Island) Former President and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday declared, in Anuradhapura, that those SLFPers in the Joint Opposition safeguarded the policies of the SLFP. Addressing a mammoth public rally held by the JO at the Salgado grounds, former SLFP leader Rajapaksa said that it wasn’t party symbol but its policies that mattered. Referring to the last parliamentary polls in 2015 August, the former President said that they wouldn’t be tricked again. more..

Nov 13 (DN) President Maithripala Sirisena stressed the need for a National Action Plan to combat diabetes which is a major Non-Communicable Decease affecting a very large number of people the world over. President was participating in the National Diabetes Day Walk, held at Galle Face Green. President also proposed the declaration of a Diabetes Month, to educate the people on measures to prevent the decease, through the implementation of a national programme more..

Nov 13 (CT) Current tensions between UNP and SLFP which together make the Good Governance Govt were further exacerbated when Prez Sirisena scoffed at the peace-making efforts of 3 UNP ministers, UNP Chairman Malik Samarawickrema, General Secretary Kabir Hashim and Mangala Samaraweera, charging that Minister Sagala Ratnayake had been harbouring former Chief of Staff of former president, more..

Nov 13 (DM) On Nov 15, 2017 the UNHRC Universal Periodic Review will once again be reviewing SL’s human rights record. The major issue it will focus on will be the war crimes allegations against Sri Lanka’s armed forces and the LTTE.  Other than some extreme nationalists, Sri Lankans in general are not averse to trying those who had committed war crimes. Even the present govt is not against charging and trying those accused of war crimes. more..

Nov 13 (DM) Denying people LG elections for two and a half years was caused due to political expedience. Weakening of the UNP and SLFP unity and the rift between factions should end forthwith; it requires that the national unity be extended to cover the full length of term ending 2020. SLFP and UNP are both preparing to slip back to their habitual positions as electoral opponents in the hunt for the other at any cost and dominate the power pushing country back to its perilous state once again. more..

Nov 13 (SL) Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Canada Ahmed A Jawad has rejected allegations raised against the SL Army. Ambassador said that the Govt’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights; ending impunity; upholding the rule of law; strengthening good governance and democracy; fostering reconciliation and sustainable peace; and ensuring equitable & inclusive development, more..

Nov 13 (ST) The procedure for the issue of Sri Lanka’s new electronic national identity card (e-NIC)–introduced in the absence of privacy or data protection laws–grants wide powers to the Commissioner General of the Department of Registration of Persons, officials and other authorities to collect and record any personal details from all public and, potentially, private databases. more..

Nov 13 (DM) Minister Mangala Samaraweera had proposed to rescind the Expropriation Act introduced by the previous govt to take over some private ventures, including the Sevanagala Sugar Factory that belonged to Minister of Primary Industries Daya Gamage. The then govt acquired the properties of 36 companies categorized as underutilized assets in terms of this Act. Once the Act is annulled, it is learnt that more..

Nov 13 (DN) The State Tax Revenue has doubled within three years from 2014, Minister Champika Ranawaka said. Minister pointed out that reversing the years of downward trend in tax revenue was a significant achievement of the Govt. “In 2014, total State Tax Revenue stood at Rs.1,050 billion. The estimated state revenue for 2018 is Rs 2,034 billion. The gradual drop in state revenue had been a worrying factor of our economy for many years. more..

Nov 13 (DM) Govt loses billions of rupees in terms of revenue to its exchequer due to tax evasion by some vehicle importers who import luxury vehicles under the used vehicles category. Minister Eran Wickramaratne said the govt had identified the loss of revenue that had taken place and taken precautions to avoid such losses from recurring through the budget by introduction of taxation based on engine capacity more..

Nov 13 (IL) Secretary General of the United National Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Dr. Mikhisa Kituyi has assured the Minister of Science, Technology and Research Susil Premajayantha that the UNCTAD stands ready to assist with Sri Lanka’s Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Review (STIP) and to explore modalities of technical assistance and a strategy for mobilizing the funding required. more..

Nov 13 (Island) Top Joint Opposition (JO) spokesman Prof. G.L. Peiris said that the JO was yet to receive SLFP response to its conditions for contesting future polls together. He said that contrary to recent media reports, only SLFP MPs in the JO had signed a letter sent to SLFP General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake, laying down seven conditions. Dissidents’ demands, some of them being that the SLFP quit govt immediately, more..

Nov 13 (Scroll) The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to clarify if it wants to remove the Ram Setu – the chain of limestone shoals connecting Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka – or protect it. The court gave the govt six weeks’ time to file an affidavit on their stance. Ram Setu bridge – also known as the Adam’s Bridge – is a 50-km stretch from Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu to Mannar Island in Sri Lanka. more..

Nov 13 (NR) The JVP says the country cannot be developed by prioritizing foreign investments alone. He said there was a weak point presented in the 2018 budget. He said firstly, it said the country could be developed mainly through foreign investments adding that the JVP believes that the economy needs both foreign and local investments in order to be developed. However, he said investments alone cannot develop country more..

Nov 13 (DM) Former President and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa today said only 358 out of 493 budget proposals made in 2016 had been fulfilled and that the Govt should fulfill its promises given to the people. In a series of tweets, Mr. Rajapaksa said, in 2016, Rs. 65 billion (35%) was spent from Rs. 203 billion allocated for the Education Sector, Rs. 13 billion (44%) was spent from Rs. 30 billion allocated for Megapolis Development more..

Nov 13 (CT) The fuel crisis has been sorted out to a great extent with vehicles now hardly seen queuing up at petrol stations. A month ago also, the strike by petroleum employees led to long queues for petrol. Vehicular movement throughout the country almost came to a standstill last week with the huge shortage of petrol. However, with the arrival of petrol to the country, citizens heaved a sigh of relief. As global trend is now deviating from fuel consumption to various forms of alternative energy, more..

Nov 13 (NR) The Medical Faculty Student Action Committee says the strike action launched by students of medical faculties will conclude today. However, Convenor of the committee Ryan Jayalath said the students will not attend lectures today. He said the students will not attend lectures until solutions are provided in writing to the issues surrounding the SAITM. The students previously stated that they will attend lectures today after concluding a 10-month strike. more..