Sep 6 (GN) Sharjah Police confirmed that the deaths of three people in a hotel apartment in Sharjah on August 29 was the result of suicide. The incident, described by the police as a group suicide attempt, involved a man, a woman and a youth along with two female relatives, in which the latter two survived. Three people, a man, his wife and their son, died while two female relatives failed at the suicide attempt. All of them Sri Lankans. more..

Sep 6 (Island) The govt held talks with the Joint Opposition (JO) on Monday to reach an agreement on the new Inland Revenue Bill ahead of its presentation in parliament tomorrow. Sources said that the discussion focused on 31 amendments proposed by the JO in the wake of the Supreme Court recommending several crucial amendments, which have to be incorporated into the Bill if the need for a referendum is to be obviated. more..

Sep 6 (AD) Telephone conversation recordings obtained from Perpetual Treasuries have revealed that Arjun Aloysius had received sensitive information from Central Bank and other state institutions regarding bond auctions.  The unedited versions of the phone conversations between Aloysius and Perpetual Treasuries CEO Kasun Palisena were played for the Presidential Commission, during the hearing today. more..

Sep 6 (CT) SLFP and UNP, the two main political parties of our country have been bitter rivals for more than six decades. Power has frequently changed hands and on the ground their supporters have attacked their rivals when they were defeated. There have been buckets of excreta flung at homes, mob attacks, murders, arson and other acts of hostility. Never have these parties had to work in the same govt together. The closest they came to doing that was during brief period from Dec 2001 more..

Sep 6 (FT) The ultimate goal of socioeconomic development is to improve people’s quality of life dependent on access to basic needs such as food, safe-drinking water, shelter, clothing, education and health care. An important factor that determines these dimensions of quality of life is income, usually measured in terms of per capita income which is equivalent to GDP divided by population. Money is not everything, but one could also argue that money is needed to buy everything to fill more..

Sep 6 (EN) Nissan on Wednesday unveiled a new electric car with an extended range and semi-autonomous driving functions that could help jump start the moribund electric car market in Sri Lanka too. Making their first model change in seven years, Nissan unveiled the all new LEAF at a major global car show in Chiba, Japan as it seeks to battle off competitors in a sector it once pioneered. The second-generation Nissan Leaf has a potential range of 400km (250mi) between charges, more..

Sep 6 (GDI) Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekera who was on an official visit to Korea on the invitation of the Korean Govt met World Taekwondo Federation (or now known as World Taekwondo) Chairman Prof Choue Chung-won. At the meeting, it was discussed to provide the technical knowhow and training to promote Taekwondo in Sri Lanka. Korean Taekwondo trainers, official clothing and equipment will be provided while Sri Lankan players will be provided training in Korea. more..

Sep 6 (AM) Minister Mangala Samaraweera has taken steps to remove MP Ravi Karunanyake’s brother-in-law Romesh Jayawardene from his position as Chairman of the Development Lotteries Board (DLB). The DLB and the NLB were both brought under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after MP Ravi Karunanyake was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs during the first Cabinet reshuffle of the national unity govt. more..

Sep 6 (DN) 13 petitions have been filed against the 20th Amendment, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said in Parliament today.  He announced that the Supreme Court has sent him copies of 13 petitions filed against the 20th Amendment to the constitution. 20th amendment provides provisions for holding elections for all provincial Councils on the same day.  However this piece of legislation had been rejected by North Central, Southern and Northern provincial councils. more..

Sep 6 (NR) JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the term of the national unity govt has come to an end and called the revision of the number of Cabinet Ministers. Addressing the House today he said the national unity government’s two years on the 2nd of September. The MP said it was stated outside Parliament also that the agreement was in effect for two years. He claimed that the number of Cabinet Ministers should reduce to 30 Ministers and 40 Deputy and State Ministers. more..

Sep 6 (DM) Govt submitted a supplementary estimate to Parliament seeking the approval to spend Rs.134.4 million to maintain offices of all MPs. As per the supplementary estimate, this amount is to be spent for the earlier decision by Govt to provide an allowance of Rs. 100,000 to all MPs to maintain their offices. Govt also sought the approval to spend Rs.98 million to pay for vehicles and vehicle rentals more..

Sep 6 (DN) The FCID conducting investigations into an incident where former Deputy Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralidharan alias Karuna Amman had allegedly misused a Presidential Secretariat bullet proof armed vehicle worth Rs.90 million, informed Court today that they have sought Attorney General’s advice regarding future legal action against the former Deputy Minister.  When the case came up before Colombo Chief Magistrate Lal Bandara, the FCID informed court that more..

Sep 6 (LBO) SL’s luxury residential condominium prices would stagnate or come down in 2018-2020 due to large levels of unabsorbed supply, Ravi Abeysuriya, CEO of Candor Group said. “Some developers may use more aggressive competitive tactics due to threat on profitability,” he said speaking at the SL Property Web Investor Forum 2017 in Colombo recently. “Significant demand from untapped sources such as foreign high net worth individuals are needed as the supply glut is more..

Sep 6 (DM) The Transnational Govt of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) welcomed the statement made by Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka that Sri Lankan security forces had committed war crimes against Tamils during and after the war ended. TGTE said ‘confirmation of war crimes by SL forces comes after eight years of denial by successive SL Govts that no war crimes were committed and calling SL forces War Heroes. more..

Sep 6 (Island) Admiral Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne, the Chief of Defence Staff is attending the 20th Asia-Pacific Chiefs of Defence Conference in Canada from 4th to 6th Sept. During the conference Admiral Wijegunaratne had the opportunity to meet Admiral Harry B Harris, Commander US Pacific Command and Admiral Katsutoshi Kawana, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, Japanese Self-Defence Forces. They discussed matters of mutual importance during the meetings. more..

Sep 6 (DM) A captain of a Vietnamese ship had been arrested by Customs officers attached to Port Control Unit last evening with cigarettes worth Rs. 6.6 million, Customs Deputy Director Sunil Jayarathne said. During the investigation the Customs officers found 133, 980 sticks of foreign cigarettes branded LUFFMAN. “When a ship comes to a port, the captain should declare its goods to the port. In regard to this incident, the captain had not declare the cigarettes,” he said. more..

Sep 6 (AD) Minister Malik Samarawickrama says that the ETCA agreement with India can increase Sri Lanka’s competitiveness in industrial exports and also increase its supply capacity to better utilize the market access to India. “5th round of negotiations with India on the ETCA was conducted in Colombo just two weeks ago,” he said, addressing SAARC Investment Forum in Colombo today. more..

Sep 6 (PTI) Petronet LNG, India’s largest LNG importer will set up an LNG terminal in Colombo in a joint venture with SL and Japanese companies. The matter was under discussion since last year. During the visit of Minister Sushma Swaraj to Colombo on Sep 1, SL govt issued a Letter of Intent. “A joint venture of Petronet LNG Limited along with Japanese and SL companies will develop an LNG Terminal in Sri Lanka to provide regassified natural gas to various power plants, more..

Sep 6 (Island) Indonesian Ambassador Gusti Ngurah Ardiyasa says that  economic, cultural and tourism cooperation between Indonesia  and Sri Lanka has been strengthened. Addressing a ceremony to  celebrate the 72nd Anniversary of Indonesian Independence, held in  Colombo recently, the Ambassador said that Indonesia expected improved bilateral ties in various other sectors as well. Having hoisted the Indonesian national flag in the presence of a large more..

Sep 6 (AM) PCoI investigating the Treasury bond issue discovered that former Minister Rosy Senanayake’s son Kanishka Senanayake had provided Perpetual Treasuries with copies of the first COPE report on the Treasury bond issue while his mother served on the Committee. The report of the COPE was not publicly available at the time that Kanishka Senanayake provided copies of the report to Perpetual Treasuries. more..

Sep 6 (DM) There are no lands in the Colombo city to construct houses any more and the country is marching towards a scarcity of lands, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today. "The govt will have to rethink about the land policy as a result of the impending situation. There were only a population of five million in the country when polices regarding lands were made but now we will have to change policies and may have to go for condominiums," he said. more..

Sep 6 (DN) "Religious rights of all communities will be protected at any cost,” Minister Rajitha Senaratna said. He was addressing the gathering at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Base Hospital and Ayurvedic Research Centre at Nintavur in Ampara. “The people have freedom in carrying out their religious rights and duties. Govt assured during the election campaign in 2015 that the religious rights of all communities of the country would be protected at any cost,” more..

Sep 6 (DN) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe pointed out the fresh demand by the JO to once again amend the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance would further delay the long awaited LG Elections. PM, observing that the space to hold the LG elections by the end of December or early January has been created, stated that bringing in more amendments at this stage would cause further delays in holding the elections. more..

Sep 6 (AD) Minister Thalatha Athukorala stated that the Govt had made significant progress in the combating of human trafficking in Sri Lanka. According to the Minister, the Govt has ratified the UN Trafficking Protocol, established dedicated anti-human trafficking units within the Bureau of Foreign Employment, established a Govt-run shelter for victims, and adopted the standard operating procedures for the identification, protection and referral of victims of human trafficking, more..

Sep 6 (NR) Australia and SL have once again reinforced cooperation by signing a MoU enabling closer cooperation on countering people smuggling. Australian High Commission said the two countries together have prevented people smugglers operating in the region. MoU will facilitate the return to SL people who are involved in people smuggling activities. Statement said it also paves the way for enhanced information sharing on methods for tracking, intercepting and investigating more..

Sep 6 (AM) It has now been revealed that Arjuna Aloysius, owner of Perpetual Treasuries, has not left the country using either of his passports. Attorney General's Department told the Presidential Commission on bond issue this morning that Aloysius possessed two passports - one Australia and the other, Sri Lankan. The passport numbers too were previously obtained by the CID to prevent Aloysius from leaving the country more..

Sep 7 (CT) As a public-spirited citizen, and with wide experience having served the public sector for nearly four decades, I am fully aware that corruption in all sectors in the country has pushed Sri Lanka backwards causing irreparable damage to the Nation. It is sad that in Sri Lanka, although it is a representative democracy, it does not have an independent judiciary. In this country it is observed that the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary do not respect the doctrine of separation of power, more..

Sep 7 (CT) There are not many countries in the world that can boast about being the repository of the orthodox Theravada Buddhism. By virtue of this unique position plus its obligation to the international community in the field of human rights, it behoves SL govt to issue a statement expressing its concern at the genocide or ethnic cleansing or crimes against humanity as variously described by different organisations that is being perpetrated in Myanmar, a State predominantly of Theravada tradition. more..

Sep 7 (SO) Sept 3 is the historic day on which the Police was formally established in the isle of Sri Lanka. When considering world history, the Sri Lanka Police could be considered as one of the foremost to be set up. Sir Robert Peel, known as the Father of Modern Policing, established the Metropolitan Police in England in 1829, which is deemed the first formally established Police in the world. Thirty seven years later, more..

Sep 7 (DN) The govt’s vision is to make Sri Lanka a rich country by 2025. The govt will do so by transforming Sri Lanka into the hub of the Indian Ocean, with a knowledge based, highly competitive, social market economy. The govt will create an environment where all citizens have the opportunity to achieve higher incomes and better standards of living. To achieve this, Govt will create the conditions which will generate economic growth with equity. Through a knowledge based highly more..

Sep 7 (DN) Life is diverse and it brings to one’s fold various relationships and at times these relationships colour your life in the most unexpected ways. It is believed that many of those who you would meet in your life are your fellow travellers in samsara. Traveller which may have one of the most significant impacts in your life will be your partner in life; the one who promises to stand by you until death do you part. But, as divorce rates soar and stories of husbands beating their wives daily more..

Sep 7 (Roar) Sri Lanka is ranked the fourth biggest exporter of cinnamon in the world, with 8% of the global exports according to a 2014 FAO database. Cinnamomum veru, also known as the Ceylon cinnamon tree, is native to Sri Lanka and considered to be more aromatic than other species. Almost 90% of the world supply of this cinnamon is exported from Sri Lanka. Cinnamon growing in SL goes back to ancient times, with Roman era more..

Sep 7 (CT) Not too long ago, a 17-year-old girl was raped by a drug addict who lived in close proximity to her home. At the time of the incident, her mother (an estate worker) had gone to work and she was alone at home. Investigations revealed that the drug addict had raped another girl in the past, and had been bailed out just a few hours prior to the incident. If the victim hasn't been killed, the offender serves only part of his sentence and is bailed out. There are rapists & drug addicts scattered all over SL. more..

Sep 7 (Island) A movement named Eliya [light] was launched, with former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as its leader. Its goal is to torpedo the yahapalana govt’s efforts to introduce a new Constitution, we are told. With only a couple of more years to go for the next presidential election, yesterday’s event has come to be widely seen as the launch of the Joint Opposition’s campaign for that crucial electoral contest. It looks as though Gotabhaya had thrown his hat into the ring. more..

Sep 7 (ST) Cinnamon Colomboscope, the city’s multi-disciplinary contemporary arts festival launched its 2017 edition on Friday with an impressive mix of works from local and international artists. Hosted by Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts with the John Keells Foundation and conceptualised by the EUNIC cluster of SL (Goethe-Institut, British Council and Alliance Française de Kotte), the festival, is currently on over six days (Sept 2-7), at former Colombo Terminus Railway Station more..

Sep 7 (Island) With a manageable debt level and a breakeven point, SriLankan Airlines would be able to raise equity capital elsewhere, Captain Suren Ratwatte, CEO of SriLankan Airlines said recently. "But for this, the implementation of the restructuring plan which has been submitted to the govt needs to be put into effect without delay", he said. SriLankan Airlines CEO made this comment in response to a question asked by IFR about the Airline's financial viability, at an event where more..

Sep 7 (Island) I am fully convinced that, at the outset, a brief introductory word is invariably called for. When the State, graciously asked me to take over as IGP, I accepted the order, with due humility and deference, as in my mind, this assignment assumed the stature of a sacred trust. From the initial moment itself, I was totally aware that this was a tremendous responsibility, that I have to fulfil, both for my own sake, and more..

Sep 7 (DN) Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne has instructed heath officials to formulate a new system and a new list for the entire country in connection with transferring nurses and doctors, enabling a nurse or a doctor to work at one hospital for four years. Minister had instructed to abolish the current transfer list in the Northern and Eastern Provinces and implement the new system. The minister had given instructions after opening several development projects at the Ampara hospital. more..