Jul 7 (CT) Fuel consumers were left confused yesterday as the Govt appeared unsure whether the price hike announced on Thursday should be implemented at the pumps around the country. Finance Ministry had issued a letter ordering an increase in Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene prices as of mid-night Thursday. However, Petroleum Ministry and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) seemed unaware of the directive on Thursday. more..

Jul 7 (DM) Today is the UN International Day of Cooperatives, and the oncoming year’s theme is sustainable societies through cooperation. In a statement, the UN says that at a time when income inequality is rising around the world, it is good to be reminded that solutions to inequality do exist. The cooperative model is foremost among these solutions, since it contains aspects of sustainable development at its core and is based on ethical values and principles. more..

Jul 7 (DM) The recent story by New York Times that China Harbour Engineering Company financed the 2015 election campaign of ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa has caused ripples in politics. That they are only ripples and not tidal waves may imply a degree of political maturity of the govt, unseen when it came to power in 2015 and suspended most of Chinese funded projects. That the govt has so far reined in its ranks from pouncing upon MR and more importantly China, the largest bilateral lender, more..

Jul 7 (ST) The prices of upcountry vegetables produced in Nuwara Eliya and surrounding areas have skyrocketed. Carrots, leeks, beets, cabbage, broccoli and radish are being sold at high prices not just in Nuwara Eliya town, but also in Kandy and Colombo. In Nuwara Eliya town, carrots and leaks are being sold at Rs.350. The supply of cabbage, beets and radish to the Nuwara Eliya Economic Centre has come down drastically more..

Jul 7 (Xinhua) Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka has donated medical and office equipment to the Tangalle Base Hospital in Hambantota, the embassy said. Chinese Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan attended the donation ceremony and inaugurated the newly-established cardiology unit of the hospital on Friday. Speaking at the ceremony, Cheng praised the historical ties between China and Sri Lanka as well as the deeply-rooted friendship more..

Jul 7 (ST) Sri Lanka’s retail traders are voicing their anger over foreigners setting up retail shops here, as they see the space once exclusively available to them is being increasingly occupied by whom they call invaders. The National Business Front (NBF), an incipient group with around ten big time local retail traders, said that allowing foreigners to enter the retail sector posed a threat to the local retail businesses. more..

Jul 7 (FT) Minister Faiszer Mustapha told Parliament that the country could not revert to the flawed Proportional Election system solely to prevent further delay in holding elections. Taking part in the adjournment debate on the delay in holding Provincial Council elections, the Minister went on to say that only political parties representing ethnic minorities were opposing the new mixed electoral system. more..

Jul 7 (AD) The Galle –Colombo main road has been temporarily blocked for traffic at Werellana in Hikkaduwa due to a protest by a group of fishermen. The protesters had blocked the entire road for a long period of time, however following a request made by the police one lane was kept open for traffic. The protesting fisher folk are demanding that authorities locate fishing boat with 7 persons onboard which has gone missing. more..

Jul 7 (Island) Minister Mangala Samaraweera said that bilateral relations could be damaged between countries as a result of some leaders securing foreign funds through illegal means. Samaraweera was responding to media query whether he foresaw a diplomatic issue with China over the New York Times report, that dealt with former President’s re-election campaign, allegedly receiving USD 7.6 mn in the run-up more..

Jul 7 (ST) Large scale destruction is happening in the Mahaweli Flood Plains National Park that stretches from Trincomalee to Polonnaruwa. It is a feeding ground of elephants and also a haven for migratory birds, which are seen in the marshes. There are dozens of villus in the park that retain the Mahaweli flood water. Endemic freshwater fish such as the flying barb are found in the flood plains, along with species such as tilapia. more..

Jul 7 (DM) Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today imposed a travel ban on four directors of Edirisinghe Trust Investments (ETI). ETI directors Jeewaka Edirisinghe, Deepa Edirisinghe, Nalaka Edirisinghe and Asanka Edirisinghe were also noticed to appear in courts on July 17, 2018. These orders were made following a request made by Attorney General's Dept over the ongoing magisterial inquiry against ETI, more..

Jul 7 (DN) Expenditure incurred on Sri Lankans’ tobacco and cigarette consumption surpasses the annual cost for milk powder imports and relatively, the annual export revenue from EU GSP Plus, Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen said. He said this while addressing an event themed Farmer Perspectives on Proposed Tobacco Growing Ban and Opportunity to Diversify, held in Colombo recently. more..

Jul 7 (EN) The FCID faced a new crisis as IGP Pujith Jayasundara was yet to make a formal appointment to head the elite unit leaving it in limbo. The senior DIG Ravi Waidyalankara who retired in May was re-employed last month on contract basis for nine months, but he is yet to be formally appointed to his substantive post. Since reporting to work on June 19, Waidyalankara’s appointment has not been formalised by Jayasundara who more..

Jul 8 (SO) The Emperor Dharmashoka was among the first potentates to exhort his subjects on the necessity of guarded speech for the purpose of a stable and secure society. In this, the emperor was passing on the wisdom of the Buddha whose Dhamma he learnt in the course of his monarchy. In our own country, one that we call the Dharma Dveepa, modern nationhood has had to grapple with many transgressors of both Right Speech and the right to express one’s self. more..

Jul 8 (CT) In May, at the instigation of the IMF, Sri Lanka introduced an automatic pricing formula (APF) for fuel, resting primarily on variables such as the world market prices of crude and the value of the spot rupee vis-à-vis the US dollar. On that basis, the prices of a litre each of 92 and 95 octane petrol were increased by Rs 20 to Rs 137 and Rs 148 respectively; auto and super diesel by Rs 14 and Rs 9 to Rs 109 and Rs 119 a litre respectively and kerosene by Rs57 to Rs101 a ltr, on 11 May. more..

Jul 8 (SO) Holy month of Ramazan is not all about fasting. It is also about community, fraternity and good conduct. The little village of Saravana in Chilaw was shaken by the vicious murder of a schoolboy, late into the fasting season, on June 10. If he had lived, his life may have been extraordinary, residents in the area and grieving family members believe. Mohammad Faizul was a 16-year old with big dreams. more..

Jul 8 (Island) Mrs. Vijayakala Maheswaran’s departure from govt office was inevitable. Given her public expression of a yearning for a return of the LTTE, or more likely the law and order that prevailed in the areas they controlled, had to necessarily trigger what has followed. She was summoned to Colombo from Jaffna for a meeting with PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and her resignation resulted. Ex-State Minister is on record saying that she is not saddened by what happened and her journey would continue. more..

Jul 8 (ST) Not all that long ago, this newspaper referred to the then Chinese ambassador offering the incumbent PM what was, in effect, a bribe. He had asked if the PM would like a donation to a Foundation of his choice. The PM had responded somewhat philosophically that he had no Foundation of his own and as a Buddhist he was accumulating good karma for his afterlife, but if the envoy so wished, to give any donation towards Buddhist temples that were in need of funds. more..

Jul 8 (SO) For the first time in the history of Sri Lankan film industry, a movie from the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, shall vie for Oscars 2019. The movie titled The Frozen Fire, directed by Anuruddha Jayasinghe, is the first Sri Lankan movie to enter in the mainstream Best Picture category of Oscars 2019, the officials revealed. The preview show of The Frozen Fire was screened on Tuesday at the National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. more..

Jul 8 (ST) My dear Vijayakala, I thought I must write to you because everyone is talking about you these days, after you said that people in the North needed the Tigers to be back to ensure that there is law and order. Since then, you have been asked to resign as a state minister by the Green Man and we heard that you have done so. Since that explosive speech of yours, we haven’t really heard from you. Greens have told us that you will be given a chance to explain yourself but we haven’t had an more..

Jul 8 (ST) It was a windy Friday morning and I was already late for my column. Then, just as Kussi Amma Sera brought the tea, there were shouts of Akka, Akka … from the gate. Serapina was calling KAS, probably for their usual tete-a-tete which is normally on a Thursday morning. Aie? Kussi Amma Sera asked, running up to the gate. Eehe enda Bariwuna… Apey game lamayekge meda peradiga gaetaluvak nisa (I couldn’t come yesterday since a woman from my village had a problem in more..

Jul 8 (SO) Journalists and staff at the revolutionary Lake House daily Resa, mourn the shocking loss of their founder-editor, saying the gap he leaves behind in the world of journalism and the national media will never be filled. Chamara Lakshan Kumara, who died suddenly on June 30, 2018, took over as Editor-in-Chief of Silumina recently, becoming the flagship newspaper’s youngest ever editor. In a few short weeks, under his stewardship the newspaper made giant strides, showing increases in circulation more..

Jul 8 (Island) Leading SL apparel manufacturing company Brandix’s Indian production facility here is planning to jack up its production capacity by over 50%, and has begun the process to recruit 10,000 additional workers for this purpose. Brandix Vizag makes knit intimate apparel for women and men, such as briefs, leggings (or yoga pants), T-shirts, vests and bras for top American and European brands. While goods are shipped to Europe, exports to the US are shipped as well as airlifted. more..

Jul 8 (CT) Barely two weeks into Oddusudan Police arresting two suspects with a pressure mine, two remote control devices and some other weapons, a uniform, a flag, bombs and several military types of equipment belonging to the LTTE while they were being transported in a three-wheeler at Peraru Junction, Oddusudan, Mullaitivu, an ill-timed, misjudged gallery talk by State Minister Vijayakala Maheswaran took more..

Jul 8 (CT) Sri Lanka’s leading menswear specialist, Hameedia, relaunched its Rajagiriya showroom on a grand scale on 30 June 2018 at 578, Old Kotte Road, Rajagiriya (Cotta Road) which is located opposite to Excise Department, a press release stated. The new Rajagiriya showroom is situated in a convenient and accessible location close to the Election Commission and Sacred Heart Church. Hameedia Managing Director Fouzul Hameed declared open the new showroom and more..

Jul 8 (Island) For a more than a week, one of the main topics of discussion in the country was the revelations made by the New York Times about massive payouts amounting to USD 7.6 million being paid by China Harbour Co to Prez Rajapaksa’s presidential election campaign in 2014/15. For a while it seemed as if the UNP had finally been blessed with the break they badly needed but things were seriously dampened when it was soon discovered that New York Times more..

Jul 8 (ST) When Chandika Hathurusingha took over as head coach in December, he set three priorities. In Test cricket, he wanted to be unbeatable at home. He wanted to win matches away from home in different conditions. And he wanted to clinch the 2019 World Cup. While Sri Lanka’s limited over performance is far from desirable in recent months, they have made steady progress in Test cricket. more..

Jul 8 (ST) The FCID has informed Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake that it has begun an inquiry into the complaint lodged by him regarding a New York Times (NYT) report that alleged former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had received funds from China for his January 2015 presidential election campaign. Mr. Ramanayake told the Sunday Times that when he inquired from the FCID regarding the status of his complaint lodged last week, he was told that a probe had begun. more..

Jul 8 (SLC) Former SL test batsman, Lahiru Thirimanne struck an unbeaten century in the drawn four-day unofficial second test between Sri Lanka A and Bangladesh A at Chittagong on Friday. The left handed 28-year old, slammed exactly 100 off 186 balls inclusive of 6 boundaries and 2 sixes as SL A rattled up 281 for only 2 wi wickets declared off 80 overs. In a match that was confined only to the first innings after two days were lost due to rain, B'desh A were 59 for 1 wicket in 16 overs. more..

Jul 8 (ST) Former Sri Lanka Cricket Board president Ana Punchihewa views that there are no quick fixes for the prevailing cricket impasse. He opines that unless we arrive at a plausible solution with consensus, the prevailing fragile system would keep on collapsing. Speaking to the Sunday Times after meeting of former heads of SLT – Arjuna Ranatunga, Sidath Wettimuny, Jayantha Dharmadasa and himself, more..

Jul 8 (Island) Francois Piennar, Ernie Els, Jacques Kallis, Cameron van der Burgh, Oscar Pistorious and Jonty Rhodes. Who is your favourite South African sportsman? Well, most Lankans would go for Brett Schultz of course for what he did to them 25 years ago. Yes, 25 years ago. Time files. It was in 1993 South Africa made a historic first ever trip to SL and since then these two cricketing nations have been involved in intense rivalry. In July 1993, in a house in Port Elizabeth the phone rang. more..

Jul 8 (Island) Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay has been charged by Sri Lanka Cricket for breach of the code of conduct. He was sent home from the tour of West Indies ahead of the third Test match in Barbados. The 28-year-old has seven days to respond for the charges. If he accepts the charges, SLC’s Management Committee will determine a penalty and a possible suspension. However, if he challenges the charges, then the disciplinary committee will conduct an inquiry. more..

Jul 8 (ST) Stringent rules for errant money brokers particularly fit and proper guidelines for senior staff in these companies were recently promulgated by the CB, all in the backdrop of the scandal over Perpetual Treasuries. Conflict of interest and illegal trades are dealt with firmly in the new rules including banning the use of mobile phones and the need for all dealing conversations to be properly recorded, at issue that came to more..

Jul 8 (ST) SLC will suspend the service of Lanka Premier League (LPL) Tournament Director Russel Arnold until they are ready to launch their ownT20 league. A local T20 league was considered a highest priority by the previous administration led by Thilanga Sumathipal and, after getting a blueprint ready to launch the first phase in August this year, they appointed Arnold to manage the tournament. However, tournament was in doubt ever since that administration ended their term on May 31. more..

Jul 8 (ST) As a part of a global effort, the British Council in Sri Lanka launched the report State of Social Enterprises in Sri Lanka at an event last week in Colombo. This is a British Council effort to build a global baseline of social enterprise research and is another report that would sit alongside similar reports released in Bangladesh, Kenya and the Philippines. Launching the report, Ms. Gill Caldicott, Country Director, British Council in Sri Lanka said that in the past decade an upsurge of more..

Jul 8 (ST) Helitours’ flight operations have been suspended in view of issues linked to regulatory matters and since the aircraft are currently under flight servicing. SLAF Spokesman Wing Commander Gihan Seneviratne said that flight operations of Helitours had been suspended since May 2. The suspension was due to ensuring that the aircraft used for commercial operations could be brought in conformity with civil aviation rules. more..

Jul 8 (CT) It’s another tour and another series. This time it’s the South Africans under the leadership of Faf Du Plessis that are here. Last time, the visitors were able to beat the Sri Lankans in the Test series, but the contest is bound to be tougher for them this time. To start with, the South Africans are without their star player A.B. De Villiers who surprisingly decided to call it a day. Besides, Morne Morkel too is missing from the lineup and Steyn is just coming back after injury. more..

Jul 8 (CI) Left-arm wristspinner Tabraiz Shamsi made a strong claim to a place in the South Africa's XI for the first Test by taking 5 for 45 in the first day of the warm-up encounter against the Sri Lanka Board XI at P Sara Oval in Colombo. For the hosts, Angelo Mathews batted himself into form, making 92. Danushka Gunathilaka also hit a half century, but Dhananjaya de Silva and Roshen Silva - the two other batsmen in the main SL squad, were less successful, collecting 28 and 0 respectively. more..

Jul 8 (SO) Allegations have resurfaced regarding large payouts to the former ruling family by another Chinese ports company, after Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake, who is becoming a lone crusader against corruption, revealed a copy of a cheque to the tune of Rs. 19.41 million made out to the Pushpa Rajapaksa Foundation in 2012. The transaction has been previously reported, with a B report filed in Fort Magistrate’s Court, more..