Nov 14 (LR) The Canadian Tamil Medical Association (CTMA) recently raised funds for Tellippalai Base Hospital, the second largest hospital in Jaffna district in Northern Sri Lanka. In the first phase of their support, the CTMA donated vital medical equipment  to the hospital. “The Jaffna society is highly satisfied with the efforts of CTMA,” Dr. Y. Thivakar, Medical Supervisor for the for Tellippalai Base Hospital said in message sent to CTMA on its annual fundraising gala, more..

Nov 15 (Island) 21-one-year old Dulani Rathnayake, an undergraduate of University of Sabaragamuwa has been selected to represent Sri Lanka at the World Miss University pageant to be held in South Korea and Cambodia from Nov 25 to Dec 20. World Miss University pageant is an international beauty contest held annually in Seoul since 1986 with an average of about 70 contestants every year. In fact, the event is held to select World Miss University Peace Corps Representatives. more..

Nov 15 (CT) The failure to make necessary amendments to a power purchasing agreement with a private power plant has resulted in the CEB incurring a loss of Rs 8 billion. Deputy Minister of Power and Renewable Energy, Ajith P. Perera said, in Parliament that the CEB had incurred this loss during the last four years owing to the failure to amend its power purchasing agreement with the West Coast private power plant. more..

Nov 15 (CT) Two students, who were injured in the Rajagiriya accident, received bail yesterday, while recuperating at the Colombo National Hospital. Two of the students of Royal College, Colombo involved in the accident received bail, on order of the Colombo Additional Magistrate Chandana Kalansuriya. Two 18-year-olds, who incidentally drove the pick-up truck and the car that were involved in the accident, were however, not officially arrested due to their medical condition. more..

Nov 15 (AFP) Captain Dinesh Chandimal is dreaming of Sri Lanka making history by winning a Test in India - despite being huge underdogs against the world's top-ranked side when the series begins in Kolkata on Thursday. Sri Lanka lost all nine matches - three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20I - as they were humiliated at home by Virat Kohli's tourists from late July to September. The island nation have still never won a Test on Indian soil but they head for Eden Gardens more..

Nov 15 (Island) Budget-2018 would create a credit scheme with the allocation of Rs. 15 billion to enable small businesses to obtain loans at an interest of 6.5% and in some cases 3.3% to fund modernisation and expansion of enterprises, said Minister Mangala Samaraweera. Minister, addressing a post budget forum, said that at present one of the biggest barriers to starting a business was the cost of capital. more..

Nov 15 (DN) The Court of Appeal hearing the contempt of court action filed against BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thera Thera fixed further trial for Dec 11. This is over his alleged offensive behaviour inside the Homagama Magistrate’s Court. When the matter came up for inquiry before Court of Appeal (CA) Judges, Justices L.T.B. Dehideniya and Preethi Padman Surasena, Ven. Pitigala Dhamma Vineetha thera gave evidence as a defence witness. more..

Nov 15 (CT) Jaffna University students handed over a petition yesterday to the United Nations (UN) Office urging the release of all 132 detainees held under Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), transfer of Court cases of three PTA detainees to Vavuniya and the repealing of the PTA. Hundreds of students carrying placards marched through the main streets of Jaffna to UN office. The procession which commenced from the Uni premises, headed through Palaly Road to the UN office in Jaffna. more..

Nov 15 (CT) Govt will officially wind down the operations of the SAITM by 31 Dec. A non-profit non-State university will be formed, also by 31 Dec, which will absorb all the students not only those who have already graduated, but also those who are within the system, which is in accordance with a directive given by President Sirisena. The 9-member Presidential Committee which has been appointed to find solutions to complex issue more..

Nov 15 (DM) Prior to the last Presidential Elections in 2015, the Rajapaksa clan tried a fast one. And it backfired. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara, who is more akin to a street thug-clad-in-saffron robes in search of a cause to push his own ego and those of whom he had vowed to place on the throne than a layman who has renounced a greed-ridden life. Even though his caste, which is the critical factor in being qualified to be ordained under the Malwatte Chapter of Siam Nikaye, was a shady feature of more..

Nov 15 (DM) Although the news from the Middle East creates an impression of an imminent war, chances are that Iran and Saudi Arabia continuing to play it by proxy until the rookie, the impulsive Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is assured of unlimited military assistance by the Donald Trump Govt.   After all it is nothing, but a spectacular checkmating by the two Middle Eastern giants that the world has been eyeing during the past few weeks with ballistic missiles flying over more..

Nov 15 (DM) Gautam Mody is the General Secretary of the New Trade Union Initiative (NTUI) of India. When still a student he joined the trade union movement inspired by some workers taking over a metal factory. Although he joined as an activist he went onto become the leader of that union which eventually joined other trade unions to form the New Trade Union Initiative (NTUI). more..

Nov 15 (ST) By the time Manel Wijesinghe (54) received a call on the morning of Nov 10, 2012 from an official of the Prisons Department informing her that her nephew who was in remand custody had been injured in the unrest that took place the previous night at the Welikada Prison, neither she nor the rest of the country was aware of the magnitude of the unrest at the country’s largest prison facility. By then 27 inmates lay dead more..

Nov 15 (FT) A top economist called for free access to accurate data to properly asses the implications of 2018 Budget proposals. Verite Research CEO Dr. Nishan De Mel pointed out that Budget projections were often designed to mislead and show a favourable position that did not exist and the simple fact that money had been allocated did not guarantee a positive economic outcome unless information was available to more..

Nov 15 (DM) The statement made by Lord Naseby during the sessions of Britain’s House of Lords will help Sri Lanka to safeguard the dignity of its security forces to some extent, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Wasantha Senanayake told Parliament. He made this remark in response to an allegation made by Joint Opposition Parliamentary Group Leader Dinesh Gunawardene that the govt is ignoring this statement more..

Nov 15 (AD) The Disaster Management Center (DMC) says that there is absolutely no threat of a Tsunami on any coastal area of Sri Lanka and urged the public not to panic over false rumours claiming otherwise. There have been reports of residents in areas such as Kalmunai in the Ampara District being alarmed and panicking due to the receding of sea water at the beaches in the area. Reports also state that some parents have more..

Nov 15 (DM) China will not attach any strings when extending financial assistance to Sri Lanka and will not use an investigation into alleged human rights violations or war crimes during the armed conflict as a precondition. Miss Zhang Song, who is the the Secretary of the South Asian Division of Ministry's Department of Asian Affairs, said her country provided assistance on the sole basis of the centuries old cultural, trade & religious more..

Nov 15 (LBO) SL’s cabinet revealed that Ports Minister sought cabinet approval to amend the current concession agreement of the Hambantota Port. Ports Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe sought their approval to amend the current concession agreement and to sign an additional agreement. According to the cabinet proposal, SL govt has asked China Merchants Port Holdings (CM Port) to bring the date of more..

Nov 15 (PMD) The program Eyata Balayak – Ratata Venasak to raise awareness about the women’s representation at the Local Govt Election was held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena today (14). “Though the women’s representation in the govt service is at a proper level it is a critical issue that there is a shortage of their representation in political and constitutional sectors”, he said. more..

Nov 15 (FT) Setting the stage for a showdown between top ministers, Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said he would oppose the proposed liberalisation of Sri Lanka’s shipping sector and faulted his colleague for failing to inform him or discuss the move with industry stakeholders before the Budget announcement.  Samarasinghe, who is from the SLFP, praised Finance Minister Mangala more..

Nov 15 (Island) Deputy Minister Ajith P. Perera, warned the govt that its failure to firmly deal with massive corruption perpetrated during the previous administration and since the change of govt in January 2015 would have far reaching consequences. The govt would certainly have to pay a very heavy price for losing credibility among the electorate, the UNPer said warning of the fact that it would realize its folly when more..

Nov 15 (CT) The war might be over, but the conflict is far from over; this has been the case for the ethnic antipathy that we Sri Lankans are far too aware of. The conflict has transformed through the years, shifted focus, found new enemies and have fought many unnecessary skirmishes and wars. We have since forever indulged in warfare and strife over the survival of our race and now in addition we are fighting over our religion, and the recognition it has to receive through our Constitution. more..

Nov 15 (NR) The Principal of Anula Vidyala has been assigned to the Ministry of Education with immediate effect. The transfer was implemented following primary investigations launched into several issues regarding the school. The investigation was launched following complaints lodged against issues pertaining to administration and grade one admissions among others. Accordingly the transfer was issued by the Secretary to the Ministry of Education with authorization more..

Nov 15 (FT) It would be a suicide mission for the Central Bank to undertake inflation target-based monetary policy without strictly enforcing budget discipline by the Govt, as I cautioned in my article appeared in the Daily FT of 30 Oct. Although I anticipated it would spark a heated debate, several writers have expressed similar sentiments favouring my argument in their subsequent newspaper articles. The point that I raised is that the Central Bank alone cannot tackle inflation whilst more..

Nov 15 (Island) Convenor of the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) Prof. Sarath Wijesooriya has challenged critics to prove widespread accusations of him receiving funds from NGOs. Prof. Wijesooriya said he was being vilified by those who had been opposed to the ongoing constitution making process. He was addressing a gathering at the new town hall opposite Viharamahadevi park on Monday. Prof. Wijesooriya succeeded the late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha as the head of NMSJ. more..

Nov 15 (Island) JO faulted the govt for its inability to use Lord Naseby’s recent statement in the British House of Lords to prove that no war crimes had been committed here. JO MP Dinesh Gunawardena, moving an adjournment motion last evening on a recent debate on SL’s conflict in the House of Lords in Britain, demanded to know what prevented the govt from using available evidence to counter war crimes more..

Nov 15 (NR) Six suspects including former Navy Media Spokesman Commodore DKP Dasanayake have been further remanded until the 29th of November, over the case of the kidnap and disappearance of 11 youth in Colombo. The order was issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne this morning. Fort Magistrate Jayaratne also issued orders to the Welikada Prisons Superintendent for the immediate transfer of DKP Dasanayake who is currently receiving more..

Nov 15 (NR) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Chief of Staff Gamini Senarathne and two others accused of misusing state funds amounting to 4 billion rupees, have been further remanded till the 21st of November. The order was issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne this morning. Bail applications were filed by the attorneys representing the first suspect Gamini Senarath and third suspect Neil Bandara Hapuvinna. Meanwhile attorneys representing more..

Nov 15 (WB) Removing barriers to women’s paid work will encourage more Sri Lankan women to participate in the workforce, finds a new World Bank report. Safe childcare and transportation, early orientation to career development to better prepare girls to enter and remain in the workforce and implementing gender equal labor laws and practices are among recommendations of the report. Report Getting to Work: Unlocking Women’s more..

Nov 15 (DM) The STF arrested a man who was in possession a forged US currency note with a face value of one million dollars. He was arrested yesterday at Mancholachchemai in Kinniya during a raid conducted by STF personnel from the Vavuniya and Trincomalee camps. They also took into custody a certificate issued for the note, a copper coin and a copper plate from the suspect’s possession. The man was later handed over to the Kinniya Police. Earlier, Police arrested several others who more..

Nov 15 (EN) Govt revenue generated from liquor and cigarettes fell in the eight months to August 2017 as consumption fell after tax hikes. Revenue generated from liquor decreased by 5.9% to Rs. 73.6 billion in the period owing to lower consumption and drop in liquor production after the increased excise duty rates on liquor products. Revenue from cigarette products fell by 8.1% to Rs. 54.6 billion as production decreased after increased tax rates on cigarettes. more..

Nov 15 (NR) State Minister Eran Wickramaratne says a method is being formulated to identify individuals most suitable to receive Samurdhi benefits. Speaking at the debate of the second reading of the 2018 budget he said charges have been levelled claiming unsuitable individuals have received Samurdhi benefits. He said the Govt doubled the Samurdhi fund adding however an accusation has been directed more..

Nov 15 (DN) The vote on the second reading of the Budget proposal for fiscal year 2018 is scheduled to be taken up at 5 pm tomorrow in Parliament. Mass Media and Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera presented the Budget proposals for the financial year 2018 last Thursday. The proposals were debated for six days since then on daily basis except on Sunday from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm. The second reading stage of the Budget will come to an end tomorrow. more..

Nov 15 (Island) Following a heated argument between Deputy Chairman of Southern Provincial Council (SPC) Sampatth Athukorale and UNP Councillor T.V.K. Gamini, Chairman of the SPC, Somawansa Kodagoda ordered the former to maintain decorum. The meeting was held at the Council auditorium on Nov. 13. After Cooperatives Minister U. G. D. Ariyatillake finished his speech T.V.K. Gamini said the Coopreatives Minister was blaming the cooperative employees after more..

Nov 15 (AD) Supreme Court today ordered to pay compensation and legal fees amounting to Rs 800,000 to the British tourist who was arrested in Sri Lanka because she had a Buddha tattoo on her arm. The court ruled that the police had violated the fundamental rights by arresting and detaining the British national over her tattoo depicting an image of Lord Buddha. SC ordered the govt to pay Rs 500,000 as compensation and more..

Nov 15 (AD) Ministry of Education has appointed Sanath Pujitha as the Acting Commission General of Examinations. Commissioner General of Examinations W.M.N.J. Pushpakumara was transferred to the Ministry of Education yesterday, in order to assist an ongoing investigation into examination papers. That came just days after the Deputy Commissioner of Examinations who served as the Head of the Confidential and Agency Examinations Division of the Dept of Exams more..

Nov 15 (CI) India v Sri Lanka again? Didn't they play last week? Or was it last month? Might have been last season. Who could care? Such is the apathy towards the contest that it is almost forgotten that Sri Lanka were last invited to play Test cricket in India, during prime time, was a full eight years ago. For purposes of rhythm no doubt, they played the matches on exact same dates - Nov 16, Nov 24 and Dec 2, 2009 - while the country was busy celebrating Tendulkar's 20 yrs in int'l cricket. more..

Nov 15 (AD) A petition has been filed with the Court of Appeal seeking to invalidate the Gazette notification issued on the Demarcation of wards of Local Authorities. The petition has been submitted by six citizens with voting rights, who are residents of Colombo, Kandy, Hali-Ela, Matara and Embilipitiya.  Minister of Local Govt & Provincial Councils Faiszer Mustapha and Secretary to the ministry Kamal Pathmasiri have been named more..

Nov 15 (Island) Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama recently said the late Upali Wijewardene, founder Chairman of the Upali Group of Companies, had been the first to suggest to the late President J.R. Jayewardene that television be introduced to Sri Lanka. Participating at the Sunila Prathibha ceremony to felicitate Sunil Ratnayake’s outstanding service to the SL television for three decades, he said: "It is as if the fate had decreed that I participate in this function today. more..