Sep 8 (DN) Colombo Dockyard (CDL) urgently needs additional land for expansion, but it is not being offered to them, said its CEO D.V. Abeysinghe. Speaking to media after laying the key to build their longest ship for a Japanese company, he said CDL is now in the red due to global industry downturn in the ship building sector. “Hence, we decided to diversify to building of steel bridges and other construction. We allocated Rs 200 million to lease out a property within Colombo Port. more..

Sep 8 (DN) Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) would annually save around Rs. 40 billion by way of debt repayment through the lease of the Hambantota Port to China Merchant Port Holdings (CMP). Speaking at the Colombo Dockyard (CDL) ceremonial laying of the keel to build the first-ever Cable Laying Vessel for Kokusai Cable Ship (KCS) Japan, PM said that the deal will help to usher economic prosperity to the region, due to mega infrastructure developments undertaken by the CMP. more..

Sep 8 (CT) The spill gate of the Kukule Ganga was opened yesterday and the public living in the low lying areas have been advised to take precautions and evacuate if possible, NBRO said. As a spill gate of the Kukule Ganga Dam has been opened, the people living in Agalawatte, Walallawita, Palinda-Nuwara, Ingiriya, Madurawela, Bulathsinhala and Baduraliya to have been warned to be on the alert. more..

Sep 8 (Hindu) At first glance, it looked like the ubiquitous kandi podi (lentil powder) in an Andhra restaurant. But the coconut sambol, the popular Sri Lankan dish, contains no lentil whatsoever. A concoction of raw grated coconut, finely chopped onion, garlic, red chilli and lemon juice, sambol is an interesting and typical Sri Lankan delicacy. During a recent visit to the island nation, we stopped at a highway restaurant en route Kandy for a buffet lunch. more..

Sep 8 (CT) The High Court verdict on the Sil redi distribution case was a historic decision that sends a clear message to public officials who misuse public funds and act as political henchmen, JVP MP Bimal Rathnayake told Parliament. MP made these remarks while taking part in yesterday's debate on the Inland Revenue (amendment) Bill, soon after the news of former Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and former TRC Director General Anusha Palpita being sentenced more..

Sep 8 (Island) Good Governance had been coined by the IMF, World Bank and the US Treasury, as a political conditionality for the enslavement of indebted countries such as Sri Lanka, former Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN Office at Geneva Tamara Kunanayakam said. She said it had not been invented by Ranil, Chandrika, Sirisena or Mangala. Speaking at the launch of Eliya more..

Sep 8 (Hindu) As a boy, P.S. Balamurugan led a peripatetic existence. His family had to constantly look for areas where the Sri Lankan Army wasn’t shelling so that they could move there and be safe. But the 37-year-old grew up not just with bombs and bodies including of civilians, but with music too. “There was no guarantee we would survive. I have seen innumerable deaths. But my father P. Subbasamy Pillai was particular that I should not give up my pursuit. more..

Sep 8 (DN) SLMC Leader and Minister Rauff Hakeem has appointed Nizam Kariyapper, President Counsel and former Kalmunai Municipal Council Mayor as the new Secretary to the party. A letter has been officially sent to the Elections Commissioner naming Nizam Kariyapper as the Secretary to the party. Kariyapper was appointed as the deputy secretary at the last delegates Conference of the party held recently while Mansoor A Cader was appointed as the Secretary. more..

Sep 8 (FT) Lawmakers passed the new Inland Revenue Bill yesterday in Parliament, allowing the Govt to scrap the complicated tax system and establish a fair but transparent tax policy for Sri Lanka with plans to increase Govt revenue from direct tax. The third reading division received 90 votes in favour and 25 against. The second reading of the new Inland Revenue Bill division received 100 votes in favour and 41 against. more..

Sep 8 (CT) Every Sri Lankan citizen above the age of 18 would be assigned a tax file number, Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera told Parliament. Minister Samaraweera, commencing the debate on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, said that although everyone would not be taxed, a file number would be assigned to each citizen over 18 years of age. All clauses ruled by the Supreme Court as inconsistent with the Constitution were revised in accordance with the SC determination. more..

Sep 8 (DM) The SLFP called for amendments to the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill. Minister, Dayasiri Jayasekara, said during the debate on the Inland Revenue Bill Section 100(1) of the Bill could be problematic because that clause authorises the Finance Minister to obtain information on any person. 'This authority may be used by the Finance Minister to tax some and exempt others,' he said and added that taxing of religious places of worship under the Bill could also cause issues. more..

Sep 8 (Island) President’s Counsel Nihal Fernando, appearing for Perpetual Treasuries (PTL) yesterday officially announced that he would cease to represent the PTL forthwith. However, he said, he would remain until PTL CEO Kasun Palisena finished giving evidence. Following are the excerpts of Counsel Fernando’s statement: "I am grateful to your Lordships for giving me the opportunity to make a statement today, more..

Sep 8 (YC)  Muttiah Muralitharan refused to comment on India's just-concluded tour of Sri Lanka, saying he has no reaction to give after the islanders gave a horrible account of themselves, losing 9-0 over 3 Tests, 3 ODIs and one-off T20. "Reaction? No reaction. As far as India-SL series is concerned, I have nothing to say," Muralitharan said. India lorded over the hosts on all fronts, becoming the first visiting team to whitewash a home side 9-0 in a tour comprising of all three formats. more..

Sep 8 (Island)  Kegalle District UNP MP Sandith Samarasinghe told Parliament yesterday that the Chief Minister of the Sabaragamuwa Province used official 14 vehicles violating the provisions of govt circulars with regard to the use of official vehicles. The govt had paid Rs 9 Mn for the vehicles used by the Chief Minister during 2015, the MP said adding that one of the vehicles belonging to the Provincial Council had been taken into custody by police while transporting ganja. more..

Sep 8 (DN) Former Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge and former TRC Director General Anusha Pelpita were yesterday found guilty of misappropriating Rs.600 million of funds belonging to TRC in the controversial Sil Redi (fabrics used by devotees to observe Sil) distribution case and were sentenced to 3 years rigorous Imprisonment by the Colombo High Court. While handing out a lengthy judgment, more..

Sep 8 (DM) Today is International Literacy Day and the UNESCO says it will be celebrated across the world on the theme, Literacy in a digital world. At UNESCO’s Paris headquarters, a two-day global event is being held to look at what kind of literacy skills people need to navigate increasingly digitally-mediated societies and to explore effective literacy policies and programmes that can leverage the opportunities the digital world provides. According to UNESCO at a record speed, digital more..

Sep 8 (DM) The decision to introduce an electronic National Identity Cards (NIC) is now legally on the way with the Minister for Internal Affairs S.B. Navinna introducing amendments to the Registration of Persons (Amended) Act No.08 of 2016. The Department for Registrations of Persons (DRP) says the first phase of the project would begin this October. Sri Lanka first issued National ICs 45 years ago in 1972. That was after amending the Act No.32 of 1968in 1971. more..

Sep 8 (DM) Two months ago, the supporters of former President Rajapaksa in Parliament, who call themselves the JO, claimed that 18 MPs of the Maithri faction of the SLFP were to join hands with them. But nobody has defected from the incumbent President’s faction to the former President’s faction yet. And interestingly, neither they continue with their claim nor do their adversaries question them about it, as if more..

Sep 8 (ST) Sri Lanka’s youths are distancing themselves from untrustworthy, uneducated, corrupt, politicians and crony politics through which politicians ingratiate themselves to a life of luxury from the public purse. The number of young people registering to vote is declining. The young are denouncing bankrupt economic ideas and a tainted political system dominated by clans and two main parties. more..

Sep 8 (DM) Rob Chave, Strength and Conditioning coach at Sussex County has been appointed as Sri Lanka’s new Physical Preparation Manager.  He is expected to take up the appointment on Sept 17. A graduate of the Sport and Exercise Science Masters programme at Portsmouth University and with a background in tennis, Rob joined Sussex in Oct 2015. He has worked across all programmes during more..

Sep 8 (DM) CEB Workers’ Union announced that it would engage in an indefinite strike from Sept 13 over several demands including the revision of the salary ratio from 1:6 to 1:9. Addressing the media, Union Secretary Ranjan Jayalal said the salary scales of administrative officers at the CEB had been increased on numerous occasions, but the salary scale of lower level employees remained unchanged. more..

Sep 8 (DM) The Voice Against Corruption (VAC) said yesterday if 89 investigations were followed through by the Attorney General, half of the govt members would be imprisoned. VAC Convener Wasantha Samarasinghe said although it revealed many fraudulent activities involving parliamentarians, not a single case was filed against these individuals in court despite inquiries being held. more..

Sep 8 (Sun) A NORTHERN Irish MP propping up the govt accepted luxury holidays worth £100,000 from Sri Lanka without telling Parliamentary watchdogs, it was reported. Ian Paisley Jr, of the Democratic Unionist Party, accepted two all-expenses trips from the state, it has been reported. Mr Paisley, his wife and four kids flew business class, were ferried around in a chauffeur-driven Mercedes and stayed in posh hotels. more..

Sep 8 (Island) JVP MP Sunil Handunnettii told Parliament yesterday that the Inland Revenue Bill has been designed to collect tax from each and every living citizen. Handunetti said the bill was so harmful to the people that the govt should include the amendments submitted by the Opposition mitigate the adverse impact. He added that the new tax proposed to collect tax from the areas where the previous one had not collected.  more..

Sep 8 (NR) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe says financial discrepancies have not been reported during the construction of Central Expressway. Premier speaking in Parliament this morning said the construction of the Expressway is being conducted legally under stipulated measures and guidelines. PM said the decision of selecting the contractor for the construction of the Expressway was decided by Economic more..

Sep 8 (CT) Chief Dealer of Perpetual Treasuries Nuwan Salgado was cross-examined for the third day, before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI). The cross-examination of Salgado commenced with Counsel Chanaka de Silva, representing the former CB Governor Arjuna Mahendran. Analysing 3 phone call recordings, that were alleged to have been deleted and later extracted through a forensic process, more..

Sep 8 (DM) A group of SLFP MPs are reported to have informed President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday night that they would quit the govt soon and yesterday met former President Rajapaksa to discuss the next step. The group included Ministers Susil Premajayantha and Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Deputy Ministers T.B. Ekanayake, Dulip Wijesekara, Nimal Lansa and Arundika Fernando. more..

Sep 8 (CT) Addressing the recently-held SAARC Investment Forum, Minister Malik Samarawickrama said FTA with Singapore will be finalized by the end of October. He added that five rounds of discussions have already been held with Singaporean negotiators. He also said, Govt has added a chapter on investment and services to the FTA, with the intention of attracting investment from Singaporean entrepreneurs, especially in new fields such as remanufacturing industries. more..

Sep 8 (EN) SL's President will pay income tax under a new law, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said, ending another plank of the statist-neo-serfdom built after gaining self-determination from British rule. The draft law contained a provision to exempt President Maithripala Sirisena from income tax, continuing an provision that existed in the old law, which exempted ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa from income tax. "We have deleted it," Minister Samaraweera told parliament. more..

Sep 8 (FT) According to the Oxford Dictionary, a squib is a slow-burning firework. After burning slowly it explodes with a bang with sparklers. A damp squib (a common English expression) is one that is damp and burns slowly and does not end with a bang. A pus vedilla is more elaborate. A gun is loaded and aimed at the person who has to be wounded and then fired. It gives a big bang, there is smoke, a flash of flame and a smell of gunpowder, but the person who was shot at stands more..

Sep 8 (NR) Former Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission and former Secretary to the President Lalith Weerathunga and former Director General of the TRC Anusha Palpita found guilty in the case pertaining to the distribution of Sil material have been admitted to the Prisons Hospital. Commissioner General of Prisons Nishan Danasinghe said the two were admitted following directives issued by a Doctor. more..

Sep 8 (Roar) In a quiet private street in Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo, is a large and spacious old house, enclosed by a sliding metal gate. It is quite an ordinary house for such an upmarket area, only a short walking distance from the town hall. It’s not until you enter that you find yourself somewhere quite extraordinary—the home and private office of Sir Arthur C. Clarke, which has been left more..

Sep 8 (Island) JVP MP Bimal Rathnayake told Parliament that the high court verdict in the Sil redi distribution case was a historical one that sent out a strong signal to the public officials who misused public funds and acted as political henchmen. Participating in the debate on Inland Revenue Bill the MP said so shortly after the news broke on the court sentencing former Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge and former TRC Director General Anusha Palpita to three years more..

Sep 8 (ITN) PM Ranil Wickremasinghe also joined in the Research Conference of the Peradeniya University held yesterday. PM mentioned that innovations are vital for the development of a country. He pointed out that the introduction of more innovations are essential to bring the country to a high level in development by the year 2030. PM joined as the Chief Guest in the Electric and Electronic Research Projects Symposium organized by Electric & Electronic Engineering Division more..

Sep 8 (EN) Sri Lanka will establish a regional centre for research and development to improve access to toilets in South Asia which is home to over a fifth of humanity, Minister Rauff Hakeem said. He said that Sri Lanka will host a 3-day South Asian meeting from Monday to review progress in improving access to proper sanitation in member countries. "Sanitation has become the most challenging social service priority more..

Sep 8 (DN) SL’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana embarked on a 3-day official visit to New Delhi, India today, marking his first official engagement overseas since assuming office in August. He will hold discussions with his Indian Counterpart Sushma Swaraj. “Minister Marapana will meet his Indian counterpart, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, on 9 Sept for discussions on a range of bilateral issues aimed at further strengthening the India-SL partnership.” more..

Sep 8 (NR) The main rally organised to mark the UNP’s 71st anniversary scheduled to be held at the Seevali Grounds in Ratnapura has been postponed temporarily due to the prevailing adverse weather. Minister Thalatha Athukorala said the celebrations will be carried out in Ratnapura on a later date. She noted all preparations had been made to hold the event on the 10th of Sept adding the event had to be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances such as the adverse weather. more..

Sep 8 (IT) DUP MP Ian Paisley Jnr has said he is referring himself to Britain’s parliamentary standards commissioner after a newspaper alleged he had accepted luxury holidays worth £100,000 from a country he is now helping to secure a post-Brexit trade deal. The North Antrim politician had been due to appear on the BBC Newsnight programme on Thursday night to discuss religion and politics but reportedly withdrew after more..

Sep 8 (PTI) Former India captain and CAB president, Sourav Ganguly, has invited batting great Kumar Sangakkara to deliver Jagmohan Dalmiya Memorial Lecture ahead of the India-SL Test series in November. "I have spoken to him (Sangakkara) for the Lecture and we will finalise the date soon," Ganguly told reporters yesterday at Eden Gardens. The BCCI has its own MAK Pataudi Memorial Lecture and since Dalmiya was the longest serving CAB president, the state association felt more..