Jan 13 (DN) If the Treasury Bond issue reached the lowest depth of corruption the country has seen, it also led to the worst display of behaviour in parliament by its members. It was a situation of bedlam where those expected to display the dignity of the House, the supreme legislature, showed instead an abundance of thuggery, obscenity, and the distortion of privilege to the extremities of rowdiness. Pandemonium in the House showed the political impact of the Treasury Bond issue more..

Jan 13 (SO) The prudent warrior Julius Caesar said, For lack of training they lacked knowledge, for lack of knowledge they lacked confidence, for lack of confidence they lacked victory. Thus, training and the imparting of knowledge to build and sustain confidence is vital. This aura of consistent training still prevails at the NMA. The Naval & Maritime Academy recently celebrated its golden jubilee. more..

Jan 13 (SO) K.A.S. Priyantha now lies on a hospital bed, injured and bruised with one leg amputated below the knee. Unable to fathom the fate that has befallen him, he is dispirited and desolate. But on Jan 4, the office assistant at Sarasaviya newspaper and father of one, perhaps, was in a good mood. It was to be his first working day after the New Year and he was on his way to buy sweet treats for his office colleagues when he was run over by a lorry, near Sampath Bank on D.R Wijewardena more..

Jan 13 (DN) The recent tense situation that prevailed in Parliament was a deliberate act created by anti Ranil group of MPs; according to one analyst who studied the development of all events, which preceded the parliament clash. Parliament debate on Bond Commission was a demand made in general, by the opposition members of parliament. Agreeing to this request, it was arranged by the PM with the consent of the President to call the parliament to discuss Bond Comm. report. more..

Jan 13 (ST) A Happy New Year to our Football friends; we wish you many goals in 2018! It seems opportune to open a discussion of a model or plan for Sri Lanka Football (SLF). While it may seen presumptuous to suggest a model or plan to the powers of Football House, KornerKick has had the privilege of talking to a broad cross section of experienced football administrators and the football fraternity at large. This country is praying that we turn the corner and put together a cohesive more..

Jan 13 (Island) Diyawanna Jokers seem to have become entertainers, having metamorphosed from their elected role of law-makers. Worse still, they have become law-breakers by their own admission. I was shocked to see one of them proudly proclaiming, during a press briefing, that he assaulted another MP because he was attacked though the news report appearing in The Island (Fisticuffs in Parliament ….) of Thursday (11), states that he was the first to punch. more..

Jan 13 (Island) Revolting bedlam that took place in parliament this week is certainly the subject of much concern, as it showed the depths of bad behaviour the people’s elected representatives have moved into, making the sovereign legislature a House of the Vulgar, with the privilege of vulgarity. Those considering whom to vote for in the coming LG polls would do well to give thought to whether any member of the blue & green parties, more..

Jan 13 (CT) Sixteen teams will come out in their full strength when the U-19 World Cup begins in New Zealand today. Those 16 teams will play in 4 groups on league basis and will be played from 13 Jan to 3 Feb. Defending champions West Indies U-19s will meet hosts NZ U-19s at Bay Oval Mount Maunganui, Tauranga today. 16 teams are formed from ten ICC full member nations, six Associate and Affiliate Members in Afghanistan, Canada, Namibia, Kenya, Ireland & Papua New Guinea. more..

Jan 13 (Island) Time was when nobody took local government polls seriously. That’s why they came to be dubbed kaanu-bokku (drain-culvert) elections. But, this time around, they have assumed the same importance as a general election. For, the incumbent govt postponed them for more than two years by causing a delimitation review process to drag on as it was wary of facing a midterm electoral contest. The SLFP and UPFA dissidents who have banded together to challenge the govt are all out to more..

Jan 13 (ST) It is past noon when we walk into his bedroom to be introduced by his mother. The handsome youth is seated slightly tilted to a side with colourful stuff on a tray before him. As I say, Good morning, he looks at me and then looks up at the wall. I too turn my head and follow his glance and spot the clock indicating that the time is past noon. It should be Good Afternoon, isn’t it, silly me, I say, and he gives me a more..

Jan 13 (DN) Former Thomian and Havelocks flanker Sudarshana Muthuthanthri who is also fondly known as Muthu among the rugby loving public in the country has acheived a rare feat of getting selected to represent one of the top provincial sides Auckland in the New Zealand ‘A’ division sevens rugby tournament. Asanga Seneviratne the present president of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), who himself is an ex Thomian rugby player said “This is one of the biggest moments in our rugby’s history. more..

Jan 13 (Island) Five innovative teams of students at SLIIT participated at INSYS 2017 – a one day symposium that gave them the opportunity to showcase their skills – and they all clinched Merit awards at the event. INSYS 2017 brought together academics and researchers from local and overseas universities as well as local industrial experts to a common forum to publicize their latest research findings and exchange views and ideas under the theme of Innovations for Sustainable Future. more..

Jan 13 (Island) Having taken over the reins of Sri Lanka’s ODI and T-20 team again, captain Angelo Mathews was confident of a good showing during the tour of Bangladesh. The 16-member squad and the coaching staff assembled at SLC headquarters at Maitland Place yesterday evening for the per-departure photograph and religious ceremonies. The team will leave for Dhaka today morning. more..

Jan 13 (ST) Road Map of the Central Bank of SL for the year 2018 was presented by the Governor, Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy. It was presented after passing through a challenging year 2017. Even though it looks challenging for 2018 too, Road Map shows CB’s monetary policy directions with promising prospects. According to the Road Map, CB aims at maintaining price stability using its market-based policy instruments, supported by the govt’s commitment to fiscal discipline. more..

Jan 13 (Island) Police have initiated investigations into an alleged misappropriation of public funds in the acquisition of luxury vehicles to the Presidential Secretariat during the previous administration. Police sources told The Island that a young and powerful MP in the former administration was under investigation. The investigators have recorded statements from several officials including former Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga in that connection. more..

Jan 13 (ST) Coconut growers are vehemently opposing the Govt’s attempts to import fresh unhusked coconut, saying it would ruin coconut cultivation in SL. Coconut Growers Association at an emergency meeting noted that mite disease which has been in Sri Lanka for the last 20 years has affected 30% of the cultivation. Members said that that mite has come from Kerala through illicit means of smuggling and it first infested Kalpitiya. more..

Jan 13 (DN) Nestle's Maggi noddle range was recognised for their high quality standards by SLSI (Sri Lanka Standards Institution) at a a recent awards ceremony. Maggi's entire noodle range is now SLS certified, including Maggi Chicken, Curry, Tikiri and Double Pack noodles as well as Maggi Devilled Chilli Chicken and Spicy Blast noddles. SLSI is the National Standards Body in Sri Lanka and a member of the International for Standardisation (ISO). more..

Jan 13 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers based on a Cabinet Memorandum submitted by Prez Sirisena as the Minister of National Integration and Reconciliation has declared 8-14 January every year as National Integration and Reconciliation Week. A circular was issued by the Ministry in close collaboration with Ministry of Education to institutionalise reconciliation and create awareness among school children to strengthen as peace messengers and change agents to create awareness on more..

Jan 13 (DM) The govt has approved regularizing and updating of the present method of visa issuance and to collect visa charges in US dollars instead of Sr Lankan rupees. A proposal made by Minister S. B. Navinna in this regard was approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday. Accordingly, it has been decided to recommend visas for investors and employees in BOI zones by the Secretary of the Ministry which the BOI functions. more..

Jan 13 (CT) Sri Lanka's first ever international Kart race X30 Asia Cup will flag off at the Sri Lanka Karting Circuit (SLKC), Bandaragama on 13th and 14th January, announced David Pieris Racing & Leisure. This enthralling start to Asia's Karting season will feature a number of Asia's best drivers and winners of RotaxMaX Asian Championship and X30 along with SL's prominent Kart racers. The X30 Asia Cup 2018 is going to be the precursor to the six round championship race series more..

Jan 13 (DM) Minister Thalatha Atukorale rejected claims made by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa that Rajagiriya flyover and the Moragahakanda Multi-Purpose Development Project (MMDP) were planned by his govt. She told a gathering that Mr. Rajapaksa had also made similar claims during the construction of the Mahaweli Development Project. “Mr. Rajapaksa must be day dreaming,” minister said. She said it was uncertain whether Mr. Rajapaksa was aware of more..

Jan 13 (FT) Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) this week discussed the possibility of appointing professionals with airline industry experience to the new Board of Directors of SriLankan Airlines. The CCEM on Wednesday discussed developing a criterion for selection based on industry experience for the Board which would be vacated once the current Board’s offer to resign is formally accepted, senior govt official said. more..

Jan 13 (AD) In collaboration with London-based Grosvenor Gallery, Saffronart is holding an exhibition of paintings by Sri Lankan artist​ Senaka Senanayake at The Claridges, New Delhi, from​ 12–24 Jan ​titled Mystical Moments: Recent Works by Senaka Senanayake. The exhibition features a collection of the artist's​ ​highly​ ​sought-after​ ​rain forest​ ​paintings. Born in 1951, Senanayake is one of Sri Lanka’s leading artists. He studied Art and Architecture at Yale, more..

Jan 13 (Hindu) The Indo-Sri Lankan agreement drafted in 1987 is a sound framework that can be improved upon, say politicians and those who were involved closely with the political developments then. For speakers at the launch of Tamil book, Ore inaprachinaiyum or opandhamum on Friday, it was time to recall the incidents that led to the accord and the later developments, including the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the death of LTTE leader Prabhakaran. more..

Jan 13 (Island) Chairman of SLPP and former Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris alleged that President Maithripala Sirisena was making an obvious attempt to sharply influence the electorate in the run-up to LG polls by seeking confirmation of the original six-year presidential term. He said it should be a matter for concern for National Election Commission (NEC) and all those election monitoring bodies wanting a level playing field. more..

Jan 13 (NR) Anti-corruption organisation, Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) called on the President and the govt to take action based on the Bond Commission report. In a statement TISL said it is encouraged by the commitment expressed by President Maithripala Sirisena to implement the recommendations contained in the report of PCoI on Treasury Bonds. It said, TISL endorses the recommendation for Bribery Commission, to initiate investigations on alleged bribery involving more..

Jan 13 (GDI) Sugar Killer Tea, a sugar free, yet sugar-like-taste filled tea which is a hundred percent natural discovery from SL has been introduced to the market for the first time. Sugar Killer Tea is exported to many countries around the world. Sugar Killer Tea comes in a special blend in which sugar, artificial flavors and colorings are absent. But this blend is sweetened only with cinnamon and tea. Diabetic patients can use Sugar Killer Tea without any risk of any health issues more..

Jan 13 (CT) Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) proposes to establish an independent body to investigate cases of deaths in custody including killings, immediately following such incidents before the cases reach the HRCSL. The proposal comes in the wake of the death of a teenage suspect in Police custody, which reportedly took place on Thursday (11) at Pettah Police Station and more..

Jan 13 (DM) The UNP said yesterday it would have been much better for President Maithripala Sirisena to have consulted the govt allies before seeking a determination from the Supreme Court on the expiry of his term of office. Minister and House Leader Lakshman Kiriella said this had caused some uneasiness among the govt allies. He said even if the Court ruled it to be at the end of six years, the President had the option of calling for an early presidential election at the end of five years. more..

Jan 13 (CT) A discussion between President Sirisena and civil society groups that had been instrumental in bringing the current regime to power will be held next week. During this meeting several issues are to be discussed at length such as the promises given to the masses during the last Presidential and General Elections including the enactment of a new Constitution, abolition of the Executive Presidency, the punishments which are to be meted out to rogues of previous regime, more..

Jan 13 (FT) The IMF envisages SL’s economy normalising in 2018 with the real GDP growth projected to reach about 4.6% over the medium term; however, the global lender called on the Govt to continue its reform process centered on fiscal consolidation to maintain stabilisation momentum. “The real GDP growth is projected to increase from 4.2% in 2017 to 4.6% in 2018, as agriculture recovers with the return of more..

Jan 13 (DM) At meeting after meeting President Sirisena is pledging that he wants clean politics in Sri Lanka -- one of the main purposes for which he was elected in 2015 -- and that he would ensure tough legal action against all those found guilty of serious frauds, corruption, bribery or other criminal offenses. Speaking at meetings held in different parts of the country, President said that last year he had received comprehensive reports from the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into more..

Jan 13 (DM) Despite the question remaining as to what prompted President Maithripala Sirisena, as reported by many newspapers, to seek a determination from the Supreme Court as to when his term would expire, it is a valid request, since there is a gray area in the law on the matter. The Constitution that was in force when President Sirisena was elected to the office at the Presidential election held on January 8, 2015 says: “The person declared elected as President at an election more..

Jan 13 (DM) Former President Rajapaksa in his misguided astrological and numerological wisdom held the seventh presidential elections on January 8th 2015. When the date was announced most people yearning for a regime change in Sri Lanka noted the symbolic significance of January 8th in a different context. It was on Jan 8th 2009 that Lasantha Wickrematunge, well known editor of The Sunday Leader was brutally more..

Jan 13 (ST) Smooth-talking, Nigerians notorious for online fraud the world over are continuing to fleece millions from greedy, gullible Sri Lankans who never even meet these African Facebook friends in person. These Nigerians groom their potential SL victims online for months before they pounce. Some of these Nigerian fraudsters are living in SL as students and they bait especially women using fake Facebook accounts. more..

Jan 13 (CT) The Ministry of Megapolis and Western Province Development has prohibited begging in the city of Colombo from 1 January, in a bid to reduce the inconvenience caused to the public and as part of the Colombo City beautification project. Without stopping at that, the Ministry announced that Colombo's beggars would be sent to a special facility at Ridiyagama, Ambalantota, built at a cost of Rs 80 million, more..

Jan 13 (ST) Its roots lie in muddy waters, yet the lotus rises above the mud to bloom; untarnished by its mucky base. Lotus (nelum), with its myriad colours is religiously and culturally symbolic both in the Buddhist and the Hindu canon. Often associated with the life and teachings of Lord Buddha, the lotus which is a motif of divine beauty, purity and fertility, is revered by Hindus and associated with the gods Vishnu, Brahma, more..

Jan 13 (ST) Angry villagers at Porativu Pattu in the Batticaloa district had blocked the road to a garbage dumping site at Paduvankurai, demanding that the authorities take immediate stepd to remove it. During a protest this week, they placed tractors to block access to the site. As a result, several councils in the Batticaloa district have stopped collecting garbage, officials said. The villagers have claimed that more..

Jan 13 (DM) The JO said yesterday said the President has torn his packet of gravy and it has spilled all over by seeking a Supreme Court determination on the expiry of his term of office. According to the president’s office, President Maithripala Sirisena has sought a Supreme Court determination to ascertain when his term of office ends in the wake of the 19th Amendment to Constitution reducing the President's tenure more..