Sep 3 (Island) The bottle throwing incident by the disgruntled spectators at Pallekelle after the third ODI when the Indians cruised to yet another facile win enabled them not only clinch the series but also cruelly exposed the emptiness of our cricket cupboard - reminding us of Mother Hubbard! After the 168-loss in the fourth ODI, the biggest defeat in terms of runs at home, is the sixth successive defeat in ODI cricket Sri Lanka has suffered. What is even worse is the fact that more..

Sep 3 (CT) High Jumper Manjula Kumara Wijesekara (2.21m) once again walked away with the best athlete trophy, where three new SL records and 8 meet records were set in the 95th National Athletics Championship concluded yesterday. 33-year-old Wijesekara who has been winning this award for several years won t again with a leap of 2.21m in the men's high jump to seal the best male athlete, best athlete and best jumper awards. more..

Sep 3 (Island) Sri Lanka are pondering a break for top-order batsman Kusal Mendis, who has struggled in the ongoing series against India. Apart from making a century in the second Test at SSC, Mendis has not posted a half-century in the current series in nine innings. The 22-year-old, one of the brightest prospects to emerge two years ago, is one player who has remained injury free in the last two years and has played all formats of the game. "We had a chat after the last game and we feel that more..

Sep 3 (ST) Royal College Rugby authorities have awarded its triumphant First XV side of 2017 with a educational tour which will also include a couple of matches and some coaching stints with top All Blacks coaches In New Zealand. The tour will begin on September 8 and will go on for 10 days with the support of Royal Rugby sponsors KIA Motors, Brandix and tour sponsors Anchor. The touring party will include 36 players and the coaching staff but interestingly it does not comprise more..

Sep 3 (ST) Sri Lanka lost a great opportunity to ensure a smooth transition of the national cricket team when Graham Ford left, former skipper Kumar Sangakkara says. Ford’s tenure came to a premature end under controversial circumstances in June. He told the Sunday Times he was devastated by the circumstances that forced his early exit. “We need to now start having long-term plans,” Sangakkara said in an interview, more..

Sep 3 (PSL) The Japanese Vice Minister of Foreign Affaris Iwao Horii who arrived in Sri Lanka to participate in Indian Ocean Conference – 2017, held in Colombo, called on President Maithripala Sirisena today (1). The President lauded the Japan’s contribution towards the development of Sri Lanka, as a true friend without any strings attached. He expressed his heartiest gratitude to Japan on this regard. Japanese Minister commended the commitment of the SL govt towards more..

Sep 3 (CT) Sri Lanka's long awaited Krrish Square Tower by Indian investors will finally announce their development plan mid-October this year. Leading international hospitality brands, Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott will partner up with the Krrish Group for the Krrish Tower project which is a $ 650 million mixed development project at the 4.3 acre Transworks House site in Colombo Fort, sources said. "Sri Lanka's largest leisure sector project will be unveiled next month, partnering with more..

Sep 3 (ST) The infographic compiled by manthri.lk shows the attendance of MPs in the Parliament for May-July 2017. Total number of sessions during this 3-month period was 21. 18 MPs (numbers 1 to 18) attended less than 25% of the sessions; 43 MPs attended 25-50% of the sessions; 74 MPs attended 51-76% of the sessions and 90 MPs attended 76-100%. Last category (90 MPs) includes 18 MPs (18 to 32) who had 100% attendance. more..

Sep 3 (CT) Sharing his views combined with previous industry experience, the Minister of Public Enterprises Development said that the gem and jewellery industry needs to be further liberalized to facilitate its growth. Addressing the opening ceremony of the 27th Sri Lanka International Gem & Jewellery Show, Minister Kabir Hashim asserted that the industry has a major issue with the National Gem and Jewellery Authority which is the major regulatory body. more..

Sep 3 (ST) Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has called for a second round of tenders to lease two plots of land at the Colombo Port. These two plots total about two acres per plot and there were about 12 bidders for the said properties belonging to the SLPA. One of the bidders, the Colombo Dockyard PLC is said to have bid for the properties as well since they have been lobbying the SLPA for increased capacity to expand their operations at the Colombo Port. more..

Sep 3 (ST) A Presidential Commission of Inquiry with wider powers is to be appointed soon to inquire into irregular acts pertaining to Treasury bonds and other financial fraud in the pre-2015 era. This will be at the conclusion of an ongoing probe by a commission of inquiry into bond scams in 2015 and 2016 implicating both former CB Governor Arjuna Mahendran and his son-in-law Arjun Aloysius, sources said. more..

Sep 3 (HSN) State-run Ceylon Shipping Corporation, has warned that ships ordered from China in 2014 were overpriced and financing costs were higher than promised when the unsolicited deal was instigated. In February 2014, the cabinet of ministers had approved the controversial deal to buy two 63,600 dead weight tonne vessels (Panamax Bulkers) from AVIC International Beijing Company Limited of China following an unsolicited proposal on Dec 23, 2013 for 35 million dollars each. more..

Sep 3 (Island) Tilak Marapana arrives here on Friday on his first overseas trip as SL Minister of Foreign Affairs—-a tradition for some years now. He will be accompanied by Foreign Secretary Prasad Kariyawasam, who was SL High Commissioner to India before going to the US as Ambassador. Interestingly, this also happens to be his first overseas visit since assuming office on Aug 15. Marapana is scheduled to call on PM Narendra Modi, hold talks with his Indian counterpart more..

Sep 3 (CT) Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers' Union (CEBEU) has decided to initiate stern trade union action on Thursday against the pressure to push for Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) Power Plants by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) who they accuse of manipulating the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) into submission. CEBEU has also decided to withdraw all their members from more..

Sep 3 (DM) Lotteries had been tagged onto foreign affairs in a bizarre arrangement some time ago. However, the purohita who took over foreign affairs recently did not want to sell lotteries as part of his new job. So it went back to the finance ministry where it really belonged. Meanwhile, the white collar bigwigs of the lotteries boards appointed by the previous purohita were handed the walking papers, but they all stayed-put refusing to budge. When the question of sacking them arose, more..

Sep 3 (CT) A civil society group named Eliya (Light) headed by former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is to be formed on 6 Sept at 5 p.m. at Golden Rose Hotel in Boralesgamuwa. This group is to be formed with the sole intention of preventing the breaking up of the country into nine parts through the enactment of a so-called new Constitution by the current regime. Opening ceremony is slated to be graced by former President Rajapaksa, JO MPs, artistes, professionals of various fields etc. more..

Sep 3 (ST) RDA engineers have attacked Govt plans to give management of existing and future expressways to an international company, saying this RDA division generated income and did not warrant privatisation. Proposal—aimed at raising an advance payment that could then be used to complete three other expressways—was only revealed through a draft newspaper advertisement that more..

Sep 3 (ST) Polonnaruwa High Court will hold a jury trial between Nov 20 and 30 to hear the case against the main suspect in the murder of Priyantha Sirisena, the brother of President Maithripala Sirisena. The suspect, Ishara Saputhanthri (34), who appeared before Polonnaruwa High Court Judge Nimal Ranaweera, has pleaded not guilty to the crime. Priyantha Sirisena who was also known as Weli Raju, was attacked with an axe and died of his injuries in March 2015. more..

Sep 3 (ST) SL authorities are currently looking at the possibility of developing Palaly airport with state assistance amounting to about Rs.1 billion. The airport had been under the scanner by the Indian govt which had expressed interest in developing, viewing it as a regional airport as well. Director General of CAA H.M.C. Nimalsiri said that the local authorities were to go ahead with the development of the Palaly airport as a civilian airport depending on the availability of funds. more..

Sep 3 (ST) Coalition partners – SLFP and UNP – are gearing themselves for LG and PC elections though there is still uncertainty over either being held this year. A further set of amendments to three different statutes governing MCs, UCs and PCs are to be introduced in Parliament soon. These drafts are being hurriedly prepared. Just this week, Speaker signed into law amendments to Local Authorities Bill passed by Parliament. more..

Sep 3 (Island) This is hardly the week to start a new line of advocacy for the beleaguered Provincial Councils. A quick glance of the headline stories during the week gives a bewildering menu of options to pick a topical theme for weekend comment. I have chosen to stay with a premeditated theme despite the risk of being overlooked among other sexier and excitingly gossipy political pursuits. But let me start with a short list of the week’s headline stories as a warm up to a somewhat esoteric theme. more..

Sep 3 (Island) Maybe President Sirisena, with PM concurring, acted according to Iron Lady’s dictum without being aware of it: So the President asked Thalatha Atukorale to be Minister of Justice after the previous one was expelled. He wanted an honest job well done. We sensible women, (and I am sure men too) applaud both acts of the President. Good riddance of bad rubbish! GROBR we chanted as school girls when an unpopular teacher was given another class to manage or left school. more..

Sep 3 (ST) What came to the Foreign Ministry in a diplomatic bag from an Asian capital raised not only eye brows but also serious concerns. An upcountry Province Governor and a so-called official delegation wanted to pay a four day visit to that bustling Asian capital which some call the sin city. The official delegation was to comprise family members, staff and relatives. One would say there is nothing wrong in travelling abroad for more..

Sep 3 (ST) The Trustees of the Stafford Sri Lanka School, Doha, Qatar have instructed a legal firm in Colombo to send a Letter of Demand against Mr. A S P Liyanage who is the current Ambassador for Sri Lanka in Doha, Qatar. The Letter of Demand was a consequence to media statements made by Mr. Liyanage to several Sri Lankan newspapers last Tuesday. Liyanage who is not a career diplomat but a political appointee more..

Sep 3 (AD) Minister of Finance and Media, Mangala Samaraweera stated that politician Bandula Gunawardana was making twisted statements about the new Inland Revenue Bill like a blind man. He stated this upon issuing an official statement on the new Inland Revenue Bill. Remarking that Gunawardana had said that the new Inland Revenue Bill sought to advantage foreigners and disadvantage locals, more..

Sep 3 (Island) In an obvious reference to former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Minister Rajitha Senaratne says the Attorney General’s Department was back on track now that the barrier had been cleared.  Senaratne said that there was no allegation of dereliction of duty against the Attorney General Jayantha Jayasuriya and reports of his being summoned to Temple Trees and given a dressing down were false. more..

Sep 3 (DM) The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued a landslide early warning for the districts of Ratnapura, Kegalle, Galle and Kalutara. The NBRO instructed people in the region to be on alert on the possibility of landslides, slope failures, rock falls, cut failures and ground subsidence and also to evacuate to a safe location if the need arises if the rain continued within next 24 hours. more..

Sep 3 (CT) With intelligence reports indicating an increased presence of extremist and terrorist groups in the South Asian region and Sri Lanka, by geographic positioning, is vulnerable to becoming a smuggling hub, the Government is planning to strengthen the Special Task Force, (STF) with modern technology, to combat any future international terrorist threat. Minister of Law and Order, Sagala Ratnayake, while confirming more..

Sep 3 (ST) President Sirisena has appointed a 5-member committee to propose a solution to the longstanding dispute over the recognition of the privately-owned SAITM within 10 days. Committee comprises Deputy Minister Harsha de Silva, Higher Education Ministry Secretary D.C. Dissanayake, Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Sugathadasa, UGC Chairman Mohan de Silva and AG Jayantha Jayasuriya. more..

Sep 3 (CT) "She was accompanied by a nun, when she visited our maternity clinic. Her face was blank, as if there was no hope left for her to continue living. Only pain and anxiety etched on her young face. And she was only 12 years old," Bodhini Samaratunga, medical officer, social activist and spirited writer recalled. This is just one among many cases that medical officers attending maternity clinics around the country have to deal with more..

Sep 3 (CT) The tragic deaths of six A/L students in Jaffna early this week have cast a pall of gloom over the peninsula. Medical experts' opinion is split as to the actual cause of drowning while some say it was purely accidental due to the boat capsizing while others put it down to the result of intoxication by alcohol consumption. On Monday, six out of seven A/L students drowned when a boat capsized on seas off Mandaithivu in Jaffna. more..

Sep 3 (ST) A total of 721 Board of Investment-approved companies, including more than 100 that were granted BOI lands on lease, closed down in the seven years between 2010 and 2016. This is an average of 103 companies a year. Number of approvals granted for new BOI companies during the same period was 1,246, data obtained from BoI through a RTI application showed. This is an average of 178 companies a year. more..

Sep 4 (ST) No force can or will put asunder, what masses have put together, seems to hold good as Ranil and Maithri scratch their two year itch of wedded hitch. It was in that bleak hour in the winter of Lanka’s discontent in the year 2014, that two men of diverse backgrounds were inexorably driven by fate’s summons to share adversity’s straw lined mattress. One was born with the silver spoon stuck fixedly in his mouth. The other was born with the mammoty his forefathers more..

Sep 4 (CT) I represent the many devoted Sri Lankans cricket fans living abroad and in Sri Lanka. As a Sri Lankan expat living abroad, our Lankan get-togethers were scheduled around cricket matches. We made cutlets, rolls and wadey on these special occasions to gather around the TV and watch our beloved players take down foreign giants, one by one. I cannot fathom the grandeur of the celebrations in SL but we made the best out of what was given, to celebrate in our own way. more..

Sep 4 (SO) Foreign Employment Minister Thalatha Athukorala who was saddled with the Justice Ministry portfolio last week, to fill in former Minister Wijayadasa Rajapskhsa’s shoes after he was stripped of his portfolio recently, says litigations against the corrupt members of the former regime cannot be rushed through. Expressing doubt that there could have been a deliberate delay on the part of the AG’s Dept over the corruption cases, more..

Sep 4 (ST) In taking umbrage at Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake’s politico-talk on corruption of lawyers and judges and thereby allowing this to become a bone of contention so to speak, the Bar Association of SL clearly lacks both commonsense and reason to the point of absurdity. If the Bar proceeds to take legal action against him for contempt, no doubt this will delightfully spiral out of control. Deputy Minister will use his privileges on the floor of the House to defend himself more..

Sep 4 (CT) The exposure given by the media to the stand taken by Ranjan Ramanayake, MP, against corruption involving the judiciary and the legal profession should be an eye opener to all citizens of Sri Lanka. In my view, his bold attempt to raise this important issue before the voters is entirely lawful, especially at a time the govt has already conceded to the international community that the people of Sri Lanka have no confidence in the judiciary, which lacks accountability. more..

Sep 4 (DN) Minister Kabir Hashim faces a delicate balance between working in a unity govt while also ensuring that Party remains strong to face an inevitable election. Hashim stressed that the UNP has taken bold decisions to fight allegations of corruption within its own fold and will ensure that the UNP will serve the full term of the govt, even in the likelihood that the SLFP chooses to withdraw from the national govt. more..

Sep 4 (NS) A book written by a Medical Student Tuan Zameer Careem, titled Persaudaraan: Malay in Sri Lanka, in historical perspective shows that Indonesia in the past had a trading relationship with India and SL. This book is important in understanding the relationship of SL with the Malaysian and Indonesian community. There are twenty one discussions inside this book and two of the interesting discourses are Javanese Diaspora, & Advent of the Malay Royals to Ceylon. more..

Sep 4 (Island) Former Army Commander Field Marshal and Minister Sarath Fonseka, has done it again! He once got into trouble over what came to be dubbed the White Flag allegations against the then Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, who, he said, had ordered the killing of some surrendering LTTE leaders in May 2009. About eight years on, he has accused his successor General Jagath Jayasuriya of having committed serious offences against persons in captivity. more..