Feb 8 (CT) The recent incident involving the throat-slit gesture made by Defense Attaché Brigadier Priyankara Fernando in response to the Eelamist protesters in London has, rightly so, stirred much controversy. Developments following the incident also sparked ample debate, prompting the public to take sides under the prevailing circumstances. Instead, this incident compels me to shed light on another grave issue that continues to undermine SL’s national integrity: more..

Feb 8 (CT) The major political parties are poor. Their poverty is clearly indicated by the fact that all of them, without exception, are using the language of default option. We hear sentences beginning with at least, as in at least now there are no white van abductions, or at least then we had development. We hear tired pleas such as vote for the known devil, support the party, we may not be the best, but we are better than those other people, and of course the ever popular default, the lesser evil. more..

Feb 8 (CT) A candidate from the SLPP Milinda Rajapaksha in an interview with Ceylon Today promised to continue what the former Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa did with the support of the defence forces to control the drug menace and underworld in Colombo, after winning the LG Election on 10 February. Q: Why do you think that the people in Colombo should elect you as their Mayor? A: Today, the political culture more..

Feb 8 (GV) I have never been more honoured to be a SL woman than I am today. You might find that ironic. In the last 365 days alone, we’ve seen too much evidence to the contrary. Schools attempted to enforce a maternal dress code, I watched a group of men concur on my right to an abortion, had my President reiterate my inability to purchase alcohol and a city gym let me know what kind of body I shouldn’t be having. For each of these acts however, equally powerful voices have risen. more..

Feb 8 (Island) President Maithripala Sirisena announced recently that he would take over the management of the economy of the country as it has been mismanaged all this time. Generally, one would expect bodies like the Treasury, Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank collectively to be responsible for the management of the economy of the country, guided by the policy directions given by the Cabinet of Ministers. The management of the economy of a country cannot be any different more..

Feb 8 (CT) Tamil National Council (TNC) Mayoral Candidate for Jaffna Visvalingam Manivannan said If a political solution with Police powers to local councils are achieved, they will be in a position to implement stern action against the drug dealers in Jaffna through which the problem can be brought under control. Q: The TNA and your party had put forward similar manifestos at the upcoming elections. more..

Feb 8 (DN) With only two days to go for the LG elections, campaigning has come to an end and major political parties will be bracing themselves for the peoples’ verdict. It is in an electoral outcome that will have far ranging political repercussions and one that will determine the immediate political future of the nation. Striving for supremacy in a three cornered tussle are the UNP, SLFP and SLPP. Also hoping to make gains are the JVP and the TTNA, the latter being assured of victory more..

Feb 8 (DN) One of the most prominent saffron-clad SL emissaries, Most Ven Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Nayake Thera who brightened the seat of monkhood, socio-religious harmony and reconciliation in our times, having championed the crusade against stinking politics and its hegemonic impact on us, is no more. His sudden demise at a time his critical guidance is most needed to rid our body politics of its pollutants came as a scathing blow to all moderate and right-thinking more..

Feb 8 (GV) The next round of elections to local govt in Sri Lanka is scheduled for Feb 10, 2018. The election is significant for many reasons. It is being held after several postponements; it is the first elections to be held by the National Unity govt since it’s election to power in August 2015; it is the first elections to be held under the new hybrid electoral system introduced at local govt level in 2012 as amended in 2017. It is also significant for another reason. more..

Feb 8 (Island) The present govt has a foundation of promises most of which are broken. More and more pledges are being used to shore it up. It finds itself in an unenviable situation, having to face an electoral contest it couldn’t postpone further. Promises are said to be like babies—easy to make but hard to deliver. The yahapalana leaders came to power, promising to expose what it called mega corrupt deals under the previous regime and throw the culprits behind bars. more..

Feb 8 (CT) JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake says, "Our strongest objections are against the present corrupt Govt. The battle against the present administration's crimes, corruption and frauds should not permit the corrupt persons who were involved in previous frauds to come to power. We will not allow the previous corrupt administration to gain power, by criticising misdemeanours of present administration, more..

Feb 8 (FT) With reference to MP Udaya Gammanpila’s allegations that Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy had purchased a property in London through laundering money, the latter issued the following statement: The property which Hon Gammanpila referred to in Parliament is an apartment block within which my family and I occupied one flat. This particular flat was rented at the time I served the Commonwealth Secretariat over a period of 19 years. more..

Feb 8 (Island) CIABOC has filed corruption charges, before the Colombo Chief Magistrate, against a sitting Judge of Court of Appeal (Dilip Nawaz) and a former Attorney General and CJ, Mohan Peiris. Any ordinary human being, who does not know the intricacies of the various connotations to the meaning of corruption, as found in Section 70 of the Bribery Act, may rush to the conclusion that they had been involved in corrupt activities such as accepting bribes from some person so that more..

Feb 8 (FT) The sun is rising on SL’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) prospects, a top minister assured yesterday, with officials targeting about $ 2.5 billion for 2018 and eyeing the completion of trade and services agreements with both India and China before the year ends. Minister Malik Samarawickrama, in a rare meeting with media, noted that significant efforts would continue on multiple fronts to improve FDI numbers more..

Feb 8 (FT) A plan to develop the Southern province is to be launched in March, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday, which would look at sweeping industrialisation of the region. Development of the South was discussed during a special meeting at Temple Trees yesterday, with Ruhuna and Hambantota earmarked to create an investment zone to rival those in the Western Province. Export zones are expected to be established in Galle and Matara with several more..

Feb 8 (Island) We have enough qualified economists in this country, but we don't have political economists who can offer insights to the people on a broader view of the economy beyond pure markets, D.E.W. Gunasekare, former COPE chairman said. "There is a clear need in the country for political economists who have the competence to combine the strengths of economic methods, analytical political science and social science to present integrated knowledge from other disciplines more..

Feb 8 (CT) Skipper Dinesh Chandimal believes his young spin prodigy Lakshan Sandakan will play a big part against Bangladesh in the upcoming second Test at Dhaka. Sandakan, left-arm wrist spinner troubled the hosts with his ability to turn the ball both ways at Chittagong despite playing in batting-friendly conditions. Sri Lanka is hoping the wicket will be spin-friendly like it was during the tri-series earlier and even if it isn't, more..

Feb 8 (DM) Following the committee recommendation that the onetime penthouse tenant daubed with the bond scam mud be relieved of his party high rank, the Green leaders had reminded the big man that it was time for him to quit the high post. However, angrily reacting to this cordial request, the big man had challenged the leadership to relieve him of his position if they could, adding that he too was in a position to do certain things they would least expect. more..

Feb 8 (CT) Perfetti Van Melle (PVM) Sri Lanka, a confectionery company, recently announced via press release that they will be manufacturing the brand Mentos for the first time in Sri Lanka, enabling them to offer consumers a wider range of products under the Mentos brand at affordable prices. As a first step, consumers will be able to purchase the Mentos Mono at a lower price, the release added. Commenting on the project, PVM Sri Lanka Country Manager Mohit Bhalla said, more..

Feb 8 (CT) AG's Department, which disclaimed accounts compiled by the Ministry of Finance, revealed that the published balance sheets of the Ministry involved severe window dressing which therefore painted a fallacious picture of the country's Govt debt situation. Calling out a "mafia of Chief Accounting Officers (CAOs) at Govt Ministries and institutions," AG Gamini Wijesinghe, noted that it was their personal agendas more..

Feb 8 (Island) INSEE Cement, official construction solutions provider of the 9th Jaffna Int'l Trade Fair 2018 (JITF) held from the 26th to 28th of January at Jaffna Municipal Grounds, further strengthens their presence in the rapidly progressing Northern region as the cement brand of choice. This is the third consecutive year that INSEE Cement joined JITF, largest consumer and trade fair in the Northern region to provide consumers with most innovative & progressing construction solutions, more..

Feb 8 (DM) Legal action would be taken against anyone caught under the influence of liquor when casting their vote at the upcoming Local Government election. This will also be applicable to persons who behave badly and engage in violent activities at polling centres, Police Media Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said. He said such individuals could be arrested in accordance with the provisions in the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance and the Penal Code. more..

Feb 8 (CT) Auditor General's Department claimed that there is a severe contrariety in the Govt debt situation published by the Ministry of Finance (MoF), in comparison to the numbers calculated by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). Auditor General Gamini Wijesinghe revealed that despite all Govt financial publications being addressed as Govt financial publications, many of the accounts thus published are to do with accounts and more..

Feb 8 (CI) Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga has been named bowling mentor of Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2018. Malinga, who has had a long-standing association with the franchise, will join the support staff headed by his former captain Mahela Jayawardene and comprising bowling coach Shane Bond, batting coach Robin Singh and newly appointed fielding coach James Pamment. This will be Malinga's first official mentoring role with any side. "It's a great opportunity to be present more..

Feb 8 (Island) The leader of Joint Opposition (JO) in Parliament Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday said the SLPP was confident of winning the Local Govt elections on Saturday. Addressing the SLPP’s last media briefing before the election at Kingsbury Hotel, MP Gunawardena said Saturday’s election would showcase the SLPP winning as a referendum on the present corrupted govt, and the victory would be a fitting answer to all who had blamed the Rajapaksa govt for the economic mess. more..

Feb 8 (DM) Former President and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa, who spearheaded the Local Govt election campaign of the SLPP, yesterday claimed that they had a plan to transform the country into a paradise if the SLPP wins the February 10 local government elections. Addressing the final election rally of the SLPP held in Homagama last night, Mr. Rajapaksa said they have already shown what they are capable of by putting an end to more..

Feb 8 (CT) The non academic staff of the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka staged a 48-hour strike on Tuesday(6) and yesterday (7) against the delay to implement the revision of MC Allowance and other demands. The non Academic Staff, headed by the president of the Employees' Union M.M Nowfer sat at Entrance of the University and demanded that the Language proficiency subsistence, Insurance Scheme, removal of limitation on property loans, promotions, more..

Feb 8 (DN) Funeral of the Chancellor of the Sri J'pura University, Most Ven Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Anunayaka Thera will be held at 3 pm at the University grounds today. The Thera’s remains will lie at the Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya till 12 noon today for the public to pay their last respects. At 1 pm, the funeral procession will leave the temple, taking the route that falls through Boralesgamuwa junction, Rattanapitiya junction and on the University road to the entrance of more..

Feb 8 (DM) JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said even though they would not be able to restore the economy that has collapsed just by winning the LG elections, they were using it as a stepping stone to gaining power in 2020. He told the JVP’s final rally held in Maharagama yesterday that its election campaign was a resounding success which would guarantee a remarkable victory for them while more..

Feb 8 (FT) Govt is planning to introduce new measures that will be boost foreign investments into Govt securities. Under the Inland Revenue Act No. 24 of 2017 (effective 1 April 2018), the interest or discount paid to non–resident persons and commercial banks in Sri Lanka on govt securities is liable to income tax. In order to maintain the status quo in relation to tax liability of foreigners on govt securities, the exemption will be expanded to income from interest or discount paid to more..

Feb 8 (CT) CID is set to summon former IGP Jayantha Wickremaratne and former DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara for questioning shortly over the slaying of former Editor Lasantha Wickrematunga, sources said. During the time of the assassination of Wickrematunga, Wickremaratne had functioned as IGP while Nanayakkara had been the DIG in charge of the Mount Lavinia Police Division. Two former top Police officers will be questioned with regard to the alleged withholding of vital evidence more..

Feb 8 (DM) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe who wound up the UNP campaign for LG election in Maradana last evening urged the people not to lose what they achieved in Jan 2015. He also told the UNPers to get ready to form a govt in 2020. “If you want us to form the govt in 2020 you will have to go and vote on Saturday. Don't lose what you achieved in Jan 2015. If you vote for us, we will be able to form a UNP govt in 2020 more..

Feb 8 (NR) Election Monitoring Bodies have requested all individuals and groups to refrain from direct or indirect involvement in any and all election activities, during the silent period announced by the Elections Commission, ahead of the 2018 Local Authority Elections scheduled to be held on Saturday. Executive Director of the PAFFREL Rohana Hettiarachchi said monitoring bodies have noted political parties tend to hold various religious or sports events during this time, more..

Feb 8 (NR) Police Headquarters has announced that strict action will be taken against all candidates who continue to engage in propaganda activities, targeting the 2018 LG Election. Elections Commission has announced a silent period ahead of 2018 LG Election, thereby prohibiting all canvassing and campaigning activities for the election from midnight yesterday. Accordingly individuals or groups will not be permitted to promote their candidature until the conclusion of LG polls. more..

Feb 8 (DN) President Maithripala Sirisena urged the public to have faith in him to establish a new political culture devoid of corruption, fraud and family rule, in the same way he voluntarily transferred significant Presidential powers to Parliament, as promised during the Presidential Election 2015. President who was speaking at the final rally of SLFP held at Polonnaruwa yesterday, pointed out that he gave up extensive Prez more..

Feb 8 (DM) An intensive, hard-fought campaign ended at midnight yesterday. After a two-day moratorium, the four major parties go before the court of the sovereign people on Saturday for their verdict on who should control 341 local councils in all parts of the country. We congratulate the Elections Commission for taking effective steps to ensure a free and fair election campaign with all parties and independent groups observing or being forced to observe rules and regulations more..

Feb 8 (DM) Politics, elections and the media are necessarily entwined in any democracy. This intertwine has witnessed new dimensions altogether with persons who would otherwise have not got through more than a few words earlier, now having the luxury of taking in all that is churned out on media. The Media, politics and elections alignment is particularly striking in Sri Lanka where a multitude of media fiercely compete with each other to give priority to politics at the expense of news. more..

Feb 8 (DN) One of the most prominent saffron-clad Sri Lankan emissaries, Most Ven Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Nayake Thera who brightened the seat of monkhood, socio-religious harmony and reconciliation in our times, having championed the crusade against stinking politics and its hegemonic impact on us, is no more. His sudden demise at a time his critical guidance is most needed to rid our body politics of its more..

Feb 8 (ST) As campaigning for the 2018 local govt elections enters the final stretch, excitement is building in the Gampaha District where major campaign rallies are being held during these final two weeks. The highest number of eligible voters in the country live here, with 1,724,309 persons registered to vote, according to the 2017 electoral register. Two municipal councils (MSC), 5 urban councils (UCs) & 12 pradeshiya sabhas (PS) more..