Sep 12 (DM) Last week the Daily Mirror reported that a group of SLFP MPs have informed President Maithripala Sirisena that they would be leaving the govt and that to discuss their next step they would soon meet Mahinda Rajapaksa, their former supremo.  According to the report, there are twelve prospective pole vaulters including Ministers Susil Premajayantha and Anura PriyadarshanaYapa and Deputy Ministers T.B. Ekanayake, Dulip Wijesekara, Nimal Lansa and Arundika Fernando. more..

Sep 12 (DM) Joseph Michael Perera, a former Minister of the UNP and one time Speaker, aired his views on the No confidence Motions, New regulations, political situations and other parliamentary procedures. Q: What are the factors that have led to certain MPs being resentful within the parliament chamber? A: This is because people have failed to elect those who are knowledgeable on parliamentary procedures. more..

Sep 12 (ST) Heavy showers being experienced in several parts of the island will likely increase the number of dengue cases in the coming weeks, health officials have warned. They renewed their calls for proper disposal of garbage and clearing of mosquito breeding places to prevent dengue resurgence. According to the Health Ministry’s Epidemiology Unit, the total number of cases reported this year as of Friday is 149,654. more..

Sep 12 (DN) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has released a proposal containing measures to increase the intake of students to the Sri Lanka Law College and to further develop legal studies in Sri Lanka. The Premier released the proposal in response to a request made by the Sri Lanka Bar Association in his capacity as the National Policies and Economic Affairs Minister at the Prime PM’s Office in Colombo, yesterday. more..

Sep 12 (Island) The govt’s war on tobacco by means of increasing the prices of cigarettes has caused proliferation of illicit cigarettes smuggled from nearby countries and the consumption of beedi among low income groups. The beedi industry is under-regulated and therefore under-priced, says the latest annual report of the Ceylon Tobacco Corporation. Exponential growth over the past decade or so has resulted in more..

Sep 12 (DM) Responding to a statement made by Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran on Sunday, MP Udaya Gammanpila said the security forces in the North should not be removed following some logical conclusions. He stated that it was too early and risky to remove military personnel from the Northern Province as it was just eight years had passed since the war was ended. more..

Sep 12 (PMD) President Maithripala Sirisena chaired a special meeting on the week of National Food Production Battle to be implemented on the 5th of next month at the Presidential Secretariat, yesterday. The week of National Food Production Battle will be held from 05th to 11th of next month and this programme will cover the entire country, with the participation of all relevant ministries & departments connected more..

Sep 12 (DM) Sri Lanka should be prepared for dry weather in the coming months, weather experts have warned the govt. Sources from the PM’s office said that a report submitted by the Sri Lankan weather experts of Department of Meteorology to President and PM stated that there could be a drought which might especially affect the North-Central and North-Western provinces at the end of this year and early next year. more..

Sep 12 (EN) President Sirisena today expelled a member of his own party from the govt in his first major move to assert his authority as the leader of the fractured SLFP. President's office said deputy minister Arundika Fernando was sacked with immediate effect days after he threatened to lead a breakaway faction from the coalition govt. Fernando's claim to fame was his claim during Rajapaksa regime that abducted cartoonist more..

Sep 12 (LT) “There are a large number of state officials who cannot be subdued by political interference. The people have a responsibility to protect such officials,” says the Leader of the JVP Anura Dissanayaka. He made this observation speaking at the Colombo District Summit of Dhiriya Puravesi Associations held at Maharagama on the 10th. The Leader of the JVP Anura Dissanayaka, its Information Secretary Vijitha Herath, more..

Sep 12 (PTI) Citing the geographical and strategic location of Sri Lanka, a Senate committee has opposed Trump Administration's proposal of a drastic 92% cut in American aid to the island nation. "Given the geostrategic importance of the country, the Committee does not support the President's budget request for Sri Lanka, which proposed a 92% reduction in assistance from the prior fiscal year," the Senate Appropriations Committee said more..

Sep 12 (FT) I never thought the day would dawn when I could agree with Wimal Weerawansa. Which might explain the heavy rain these days? He says he can’t understand Sarath Fonseka’s stand on war heroes. I can’t, either! Even though I am sure the formidable ex-general promoted field marshal and now ensconced securely in cabinet must have a decent rationale. Perhaps his raison d’etre goes something like this. ‘I was part of a troika that won an unwinnable war. more..

Sep 12 (CT) On 11 Sept 2001, two planes crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre along with other planned attacks killing 2,977 people and bringing the United States into war; a global war on terror. That incident sparked numerous ill-thought-out conflicts between the West, led by the US, and the Middle East. This global war on terror, even before it was named as such, running for 16 years now, has resulted in an incalculable number of casualties on both sides. more..

Sep 12 (DN) A group of officers from the AG’s Department is due to pay an inspection visit to areas affected by the Uma Oya Multi Purpose Development Project, today. Auditor General Gamini Wijesinghe said that the officers will also visit the project construction site. The group of officers have already begun observations on issues surfaced by the Uma Oya Project, on ways in which the original plan of the project had changed during the course of construction and whether any shortcomings more..

Sep 12 (AD) 20th Amendment to the Constitution, to hold elections for all Provincial Councils in the same day, has been passed in the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council with a majority of 21 votes.  29 councilors voted in favour of the draft bill while eight voted against it. Another six members were absent during the vote. 20th amendment to hold PC polls on the same day have so far been passed in the North Central, Eastern and Western PCs.  Uva PC had defeated the draft bill while more..

Sep 12 (EN) Although SL's finance minister has been given the power to see tax files of citizens, the new tax law has the necessary checks and balances to prevent its abuse, State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne said. Opposition members had questioned the finance minister’s power under the new law when it was debated and passed by parliament last week, he told a forum on SL’s new Inland Revenue Act organized by CCC. more..

Sep 12 (EN) Our vision is to make Sri Lanka a rich country by 2025. We will do so by transforming Sri Lanka into the hub of the Indian Ocean, with a knowledge-based, highly competitive, social-market economy. This is the vision set out in the most coherent economic policy document put out by the coalition govt. Compared to the two prior attempts, this is the best thought out. The budget speeches that followed the prior policy statements appeared disconnected at best, & designed to sabotage more..

Sep 12 (PTI) Twelve fishermen from this coastal town were arrested by the SL navy tonight for allegedly crossing the IMBL. They were arrested while allegedly fishing off the Katchathivu islet and later taken to Talaimannar, S Emerit, Fisheries Association president said. Their boats were also seized, he said. On Sept 5, SL navy personnel had allegedly attacked a group of fishermen from TN and damaged their boats and fishing equipment while they were fishing off Katchatheevu. more..

Sep 12 (NR) GMOA says it will resort to stern action if the govt fails to adopt the proposals forwarded by the association pertaining to the issue surrounding the SAITM. Commenting on the strike action launched by the GMOA, Member of Central Working Committee Dr. Prasad Colambage said the GMOA has taken steps to ensure emergency services within hospitals are in operation. GMOA launched a token strike in several districts more..

Sep 12 (AM) CID attached to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the Treasury bond issue has ordered former Perpetual Treasuries Director Arjun Aloysius to submit his bank statements. The order was conveyed to Aloysius when the CID visited his home this afternoon. Aloysius is due before the Commission again tomorrow. On Thursday (7) Arjun Aloysius appeared before the PCoI for the first time. Over the subsequent 5 days Aloysius was questioned more..

Sep 12 (DN) The govt of Sri Lanka, has condemned the sixth nuclear test by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Sept 3, calling it a ‘repeated the violation of UN Security Council Resolutions and threatens peace and stability in the region and beyond.’ In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the govt of Sri Lanka said it joined the international community in ‘urging the DPRK to refrain from further action of this nature, to comply with relevant UNSC resolutions, more..

Sep 12 (NR) JVP says attempts by Former President Rajapaksa in attempts to portray the Former Presidential Secretary and former Chairman of TRC Lalith Weerathunga as innocent cannot be accepted. JVP MP Vijitha Herath said as the individual claims he is an attorney, he must read the 19th Amendment adding that it details persons who are not considered as state employees. MP said Presidential Secretary is not included more..

Sep 12 (AD) Police are recording a statement from UPFA MP Bandula Gunawardena, regarding a statement he had made on the printing of lottery tickets. The statement is being recorded at the MP’s residence by officers attached the Colombo Fraud Investigations Bureau in Borella. Gunawardena had recently claimed that fake lottery tickets are being sold by agents of the National Lotteries Board (NLB). Gunawardena had shown a lottery ticket at a press conference claiming it was a fake more..

Sep 12 (AD) Muttiah Muralitharan’s father, Sinnasamy Muttiah stated that Pallekele Int'l Cricket Stadium was named after his son, but that it was now no longer named after him. He accordingly requested Mahanayake Thero, Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thero meet with the Sports Minister and intervene to solve the issue. He explained that although the Stadium had been named after Muralitharan during the former regime, it was no longer named after him. more..

Sep 12 (DN) Supreme Court today re-fixed for support, the Appeal petition filed by Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) challenging the judgment of Court of Appeal to register a student of SAITM in Malabe provisionally as a medical practitioner in terms of section 29(2) of the Medical Ordinance. When the appeal was taken up before three-judge-bench, the matter was fixed for further submissions on Sept 14. more..

Sep 12 (Island) Minister P. Harrison, said that former President Rajapaksa, and JO members, should kneel before the masses and apologise to the nation for misusing state funds, for the UPFA political campaign, for 2015 Presidential election. There was nothing that the former President didn’t do to ensure victory and he distributed white cloth to those observing sil, hired state buses without paying money and transported govt servants and feasted with them at Temple Trees, more..

Sep 12 (DM) The lawyers of Yoshitha Rajapaksa had informed the FCID that Yoshitha was unable to report to the FCID today to record statement in connection with a ongoing investigation. The FCID summoned Yoshitha to appear before the FCID today in connection with the purchase of a land and house located in Mihindu Mawatha in Mount Lavinia and another land in Ratmalana. The lawyers have informed the FCID that their client was unable to report to FCID more..

Sep 12 (Hindu) The Ranatungas, de Silvas, Mahanamas and Jayasuriyas were able to transform Sri Lanka, previously a middling team with a defeatist mentality, into a formidable force because they were not hastily tampered with by a fickle selection policy. They lost the Test series to India 3-0, they conceded the subsequent one-day series 5-0; they lost the only Twenty20, thereby losing all matches played through the series; more..

Sep 12 (NR) Arundika Fernando who was sacked as Deputy Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs says he will work towards defeating the good governance govt. He said the public voted him in in confidence. MP Fernando said he was elected to office by innocent people in Anamaduwa, Puttalam, Nattandiya, Wennapuwa and Chilaw. MP charged that the people who voted for him have been against the govt since the recent past as the govt has been a let down. more..

Sep 12 (Island) The profits earned by Perpetual Treasuries Ltd during the period 2015 Jan to Sept 2016 amounting to Rs 920 million had been transferred to three other companies belonging to its group of companies, namely W.M. Mendis and Company (Rs. 177.4 mil), Perpetual Asset Management Company (Rs. 354.4 mil) and Perpetual Capital Holdings Company (Rs.388.4 mil) Deputy Solicitor General Milinda Gunatillake told the Presidential Commission yesterday. more..

Sep 12 (DM) The GMOA today warned that it would surround the Colombo City on Friday (15) if the govt failed to provide an lasting solution to the SAITM issue. It said that the Presidential committee appointed to look into the matter headed by Deputy Minister Harsha de Silva was to hand over its report last Monday (11) but had failed to do so leaving them with no option put to launch a trade union action. more..

Sep 12 (ST) The CEB joint trade union alliance is to launch a trade union action commencing from tomorrow. A CEB Employees Union leader said that the unions will go ahead with the strike as they have not received any favourable response to their demands from the authorities. He said the main demand was to rectify the salary anomalies. In addition they were demanding an inquiry into irregularities in employees EPF investments and the move to increase electricity tariff. more..

Sep 12 (NR) A special discussion will be held between President Maithripala Sirisena and Ministers and MPs of the SLFP. The meeting will be held at the President’s official residence at 8pm. When inquired by NewsRadio, Minister Chandima Weerakkody said the discussion will focus on the present political situation and the upcoming Local Govt Election. When asked if discussions will be held on SLFP Ministers who are attempting to leave the present govt, Minister Weerakkody said more..

Sep 12 (DM) The LG elections are likely to be held on or after Jan 20, 2018, Chairman Elections Commission (EC) Chief Mahinda Deshapriya said today. "The elections cannot be held in December this year because of the GCE O/L exam. Commissioner of Examination has asked us not to hold elections on the available date of Dec 9, 2017" EC Chief said during the signing of an MOU with Asian Network on Free & Fair Elections more..

Sep 13 (CT) This year’s Pride festivities across the world have now come to a conclusion. As a member of LGBTQIA+ community, as a Trans woman of colour, this writer always had a problematic relationship with Pride. As many other activists, artists, knowledge creators and thinkers in the worldwide Trans community (including figures such as Laverne Cox) have highlighted time and again, Pride is not a place that generally opens space for people of colour or for critical thought. more..

Sep 13 (CT) European Union made it a pre condition in the last minute, requesting Sri Lanka to at least “replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act before granting the GSP+ and also make the Office of the Missing Persons fully operational, all to be delivered by Sri Lanka within clearly established time limit”. Sri Lanka sensing a way out of the hurdles, due to the softened stand by the European Union, hurriedly sent its Deputy Minister Mr. Harsha de Silva, who earlier blasted European Union more..

Sep 13 (CT) UPFA Kalutara District MP Kumara Welgama admitted in an interview with Ceylon Today that certain wrongdoings took place during the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime. "That is why the minorities distanced themselves from us. The reason for our defeat was that we did not receive Muslim votes. Certain injustice was done to them. Therefore, we did not receive even two per cent of the Muslim votes. That is the truth." more..

Sep 13 (DN) Good Governance Govt completed two years in office on Sept 4 this year. Parliamentary Election held on Aug 17, 2015, almost ten months ahead of the term of the People's Alliance Govt headed by Mahinda Rajapaksa as President, defeated rank and file those opposed to the Good Governance concept. Mahinda Rajapaksa who dreamt of creating a dynasty of his own with the passing of the 18th Amendment was rejected by the people at the Jan 8 Presidential Election more..

Sep 13 (DN) Forty out of every 100,000 people suffer from a coarctation of the aeorta: a narrowing in the main blood vessel leading from the heart. If undetected, people experience high blood pressure, underdevelopment of the lower body, and often die before they reach the age of 50. There’s only one place you can go in Sri Lanka to get the precise surgery needed to remedy the problem: The Institute of Cardiology at the National Hospital. Senior Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Sepalika Mendis more..