Jul 19 (AD) Accountability of the protecting the Galle Int'l Stadium falls on Minister of Sports and Cricket board, former Test Cricket Captain Arjuna Ranataunga stated, issuing a media release. He stated that the crisis of the Galle Cricket Stadium has arisen due to the weaknesses of the Cricket Management Board and the previous regime and because of having an illegal construction and using former Prez Rajapaksa’s name on it. “Everyone knows that Galle is a world heritage site. more..

Jul 19 (LBO) Sri Lanka will unveil one of the biggest initiatives in its international trade history when the Department of Commerce launches the World Bank supported Sri Lanka Trade Information Portal (SLTIP) on Friday in Colombo. World Bank supported Trade Information Portals (TIP) across the world provide information that traders need to import and export goods, including information on permits, laws, and taxes. more..

Jul 19 (DM) PM’s Office today strongly condemned the malicious statements made against Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission's Chairperson Dr Deepika Udagama and said it had instructed the Police Chief to launch an investigation in this regard. Issuing a statement, the office said the Human Rights Commission (HRC), which was appointed in line with the Constitution of SL, was an entity which functioned independently. "It is a serious issue to publicly threaten the HRC's Chairperson more..

Jul 19 (CI) Thisara Perera's maiden List A century helped Sri Lanka A to a 67-run win over Bangladesh A in Sylhet, levelling the three-match one-day series 1-1. Perera struck nine fours and five sixes in his 88-ball 111 which rescued his side from a difficult position. Batting first, Sri Lanka posted 275 in 49.4 overs after slipping to 129 for 7 in the 29th over. Thisara added 77 runs for the eighth wicket with Malinda Pushpakumara, with the latter contributing just eight runs. more..

Jul 19 (DM) One of the SIM cards recovered from the remand prison cell of Arjun Aloysius and Kasun Palisena had been used by an underworld figure, who was allegedly involved with a recent killing in the South, Senior Deputy Solicitor General Haripriya Jayasundera said during the magisterial inquiry over the Bond Scam today. While informing the court about the probability of further legal action being taken into the incident more..

Jul 20 (DM) Minister Mangala Samaraweera has stated that he is against the death penalty. In his opinion, the death penalty, even if implemented, will not stop drug barons. He has said, however, that despite his personal opinion on the matter he stands by the collective decision of the cabinet to implement the death penalty. Noble of him, and honourable too when it comes to the notion of collective responsibility. He pointed out that it is wrong to paint all drug offenders with the same brush. more..

Jul 20 (DN) Party politics was briefly overshadowed by the controversial announcement from President Maithripala Sirisena last week that he was willing to implement the death penalty for convicted drug traffickers who, it was reported, continued to mastermind trafficking even while they were in prison. Prez said that although there may be a conflict between being a Buddhist and enforcing the death penalty, he was prepared to take that decision in the interests of future generations more..

Jul 20 (SO) As the rains have now replenished the once drought-stricken Rajanganaya reservoir, its water quality has however become compromised by an unidentified algae-like growth, turning the valuable water resource a bright green, and a horrid stench wafts through the area causing great discomfort to villagers. While the reason for the contamination is yet to be identified, residents in the area are expressing concern about more..

Jul 20 (DM) The dollar has reached its highest in the history of Sri Lanka against the rupee. It is alarming and assume to reach even higher within the next couple of months. Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services are rising and, consequently, the purchasing power of currency is falling. As a result of this, the tax hikes are also common. Usually the temporary political remedy and people’s desires are to have a rapid wage increase to match more..

Jul 20 (SO) Fake News! The label may be new, but the phenomenon is not. We have had fake news, in one form or another, for centuries. It comes in different shapes and forms: disinformation (deliberately spreading falsehoods), misinformation (unknowingly spreading falsehoods), propaganda and rumours. All mislead and obfuscate to varying degrees, and some can even incite violence. What is unprecedented is the high speed and wide reach of today’s fake news. more..

Jul 20 (CT) State Minister Buddhika Pathirana said even today he does not know why he was left out when those who entered Parliament for the first time in 2010 were all granted posts, and said “Fraud is continuing unabated. It is a shameless thing. I feel ashamed to be in this govt. We did not establish this govt so that such uncivilized things could be done.” Q: You were not given a position within the Party for many years, more..

Jul 20 (ST) Day One of Swim Week Colombo’s Luxury Resortwear Edition took place on the lawn of the Shangri-La Hotel Colombo on Friday, July 6. This year marked the introduction of resort wear to Fashion Week, giving many new designers the opportunity to showcase their beautifully created resort wear. Yathra Jayawardane was first on the ramp as part of the Emerging Designer segment. Her beautifully designed batik swim and resort wear was a strong start to Swim Week Colombo more..

Jul 20 (ST) At present, money in the form of notes and coins is essential for people to purchase goods and services as well as to settle various transactions. In the good old days, people exchanged goods with each other which belonged to them or which they produced to meet their day-to-day needs. This system was known as the Barter system. However, due to various difficulties of the barter system, many items like salt, sea shells, silver, gold and various kinds of other metals more..

Jul 20 (Island) The 7th World Peace Forum, organized by the Tsinghua University in association with the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs was held in Beijing from 14th to 15th July. The theme selected for this year’s event was Constructing a Security Community: Equality, Equity and Justice. The event was attended by former heads of State and government, foreign ministers, representatives of think tanks and opinion leaders across the globe. more..

Jul 20 (Island) President Maithripala Sirisena never misses an opportunity to wax eloquent on what he considers his govt’s achievements. Speaking at the inauguration of the Open Govt Partnership Global Summit 2018 in Georgia the other day, he declared that his administration had adopted some important measures to sever the link between power and corruption. On reading what is reported of his speech, many a discerning reader must have said, My foot! more..

Jul 20 (ST) Not only a Ves dancer but also one of the few creators of the handcrafted ornaments, the repository of which is a Ves Pettiya, Ratnayake Mudiyanselage Anura Kumara has just accepted the invitation to be part of the Guru Gedera Festival. As he goes back home to Piliyandala, we follow suit to learn about his craft which is becoming extinct, falling victim to the quicker and easier machine-cut parodies. more..

Jul 20 (EN) Keells Food Products said profits grew 34% from a year earlier to 56.3 million rupees in the June 2018 quarter on expanding sales of processed meats to households. Keells Food reported earnings of 2.21 rupees a share in the quarter, interim results filed with the CSE showed. The share last traded at 130.50 rupees. In the June quarter revenues grew 10% from a year earlier to 801 million rupees and cost of sales grew at a slower 8% to 574.5 million rupees which saw profits increase by 15% more..

Jul 20 (Island) Praise be! Cassandra is shedding her dire tone of menacing predictions, temporarily maybe, but cherishing the respite. She jubilates over the past week. As she writes this on Wednesday noon, twelve boys ranging in age from as young as 11 to 16 are facing a media interview just before they leave the hospital they were in for the last week, segregated from even parents. All precautions are being taken to ensure they suffer no further trauma at the interview; a psychiatrist will more..

Jul 20 (DN) The ICC has finally delivered its verdict on the ball tampering and transgression of the spirit of cricket incidents that took place in the Caribbean last month. ICC verdict to say the least is a slur on the image of Sri Lanka for as widely anticipated the maximum punishment under the laws of cricket has been meted out to the captain Dinesh Chandimal, coach Chandika Hathurusingha and manager Asanka Gurusinha. more..

Jul 20 (Island) Maharashtra has imposed a ban on using single-use disposable plastic vide Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol products (Manufacture, usage, Sale, Transport, Handling and Storage) Notification, 2018 to reduce plastic waste that presents not only an environmental issue but also a major socio-economic development challenge which impacts biodiversity, infrastructure, tourism and livelihoods. Also burning plastic in open air, by the people out of ignorance, more..

Jul 20 (Island) Moratu Vidyalaya batsman Nishan Madushka scored a valuable century as Sri Lanka Under-19 fought back to post 177 for three wickets at stumps after India amassed a massive 589 runs on the penultimate day of the first Youth Test at the NCC ground, Colombo on Thursday. Sri Lanka need to score 168 runs today to avoid an innings defeat. A lot will depend on the way the batsmen in the crease Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Nuwanindu Fernando would encounter the Indian attack today. more..

Jul 20 (CT) Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), opted to distance itself from the decision taken by the Chilaw Bar Association to temporarily suspend the controversially outspoken lady lawyer Sugandhika Fernando. “We have nothing to do with the decision taken by the Chilaw Bar simply because we have already submitted a dossier on the actions of this lawyer to Chief Justice for necessary follow up action” more..

Jul 20 (FT) With reference to the Daily FT article titled No Kunu: Massive citizens’ campaign to clean Beira, the Urban Development Authority has sent the following statement. Whilst appreciating the senior citizens’ initiative to clean the Beira Lake on tomorrow and focus on sustainable improvement, the UDA has concerns over the statement of “calls for a comprehensive initiative by the state to clean up the lake and its surrounding areas fell on deaf ears for several years”. more..

Jul 20 (DM) Eight applications had been received by the Prisons Department for the post of Executioner by yesterday. All these applicants had expressed their willingness to perform their duty with great commitment. Although the minimum qualification for the post is six passes at the GCE O/L Exam including two Distinctions, three out of eight applicants had not even sat for the examination. Almost all applicants were from distant areas from Colombo & there were no female applicants. more..

Jul 20 (DM) Minister Kabir Hashim charged that former President Rajapaksa had not only accepted a bribe from China Harbour Engineering Company but violated the country’s sovereignty by getting into a framework agreement with the Chinese Company. He said the former Sri Lankan got led by Mr. Rajapaksa had agreed to sell 50 hectares to China Harbour Engineering Company at the rate of just one dollar a hectare. more..

Jul 20 (EN) A new home-stay project in SL’s remote southeast coast with Australian support is offering employment opportunities for women while diversifying the region’s tourism product, usually limited to surfing and safaris. Australian High Commission said the homestays in Pamana, an 8-hour drive from Colombo, add local flavour to a naturally appealing destination that is slowly gaining fame. The project is supported by Australian govt’s Market Development Facility programme, more..

Jul 20 (Island) 'With rubber production on the decline, state plans to acquire 4000 hectares of high yielding arable rubber land for town and village expansion are inadvisable. Such short sighted policies would eventually pose serious threats to overall rubber production, chairman, Colombo Rubber Traders' Association (CRTA) Sunil Poholiyadde said. He was addressing the CRTA AGM recently. 'Rubber prices have plummeted to levels below the Cost of Production, more..

Jul 20 (DM) Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne yesterday sternly warned the Prison Authority Officers to provide necessary attention to the suspects, who were brought to be produced before the court, as there was a complaint that suspects Arjun Aloysius and Kasun Palisena had not received lunch or water till their case was taken up. At the end of the Magisterial Inquiry into the bond issue, the Counsel who appeared for Arjun Aloysius more..

Jul 20 (EN) Bankers are scaring away first time customers, which is hurting the entrepreneurial potential of Sri Lanka, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said. “People who are coming into a bank for the first time, our younger generation, is scared to step into a bank. They’re scared of the questions, they’re scared of the demands for collateral, they’re scared of being turned back,” he said. He was speaking at the launch of a special lending window at the Bank of Ceylon, more..

Jul 20 (DN) The construction of the Yan Oya reservoir and its main canals had been interrupted as a result of a string of protests held by residents of the area, with only 98% of the headwork (149,000 acre-feet) complete. A group of villagers had recently trespassed on the Yan Oya Reservoir Project site in protest, blocking the approach roads to the site, while demanding that the construction work be halted. Project officials had then held discussions with the protesters and more..

Jul 20 (FT) Opening a new chapter to link local exports to global value chains, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday launched the National Export Strategy (NES) as the latest Govt effort to boost foreign exchange earnings and employment. Addressing the launch as Chief Guest, PM said the key objective of the five-year NES was to increase the capacity of the local export sector, improve trade performance and competitiveness and more..

Jul 20 (Island) Colombo High Court imposed a 5 year rigorous imprisonment term on the Secretary of the Akurana PS Hameed Niyas, who was convicted of soliciting and accepting a bribe of Rs. 50,000 to issue a permit to operate a stone quarry. In addition a fine of Rs. 10,000 too was imposed and in the event of default a one year rigorous imprisonment term was imposed. The complainant is the Permanent Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. more..

Jul 20 (FT) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), in partnership with the Institute for the Development of Commercial Law and Practice (ICLP), yesterday launched the CCC-ICLP Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre to promote efficient commercial dispute resolution and by extension attract investment. CCCCEO Dhara Wijayatilake, speaking on the potential of ADR, said: “This is a joint initiative of CCC & ICLP for the development of commercial law and linked practices. more..

Jul 20 (Island) JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that a Bond Commission member had a daughter working at Temple Trees while the Commission conducted its sittings. He observed that it was a serious matter and was a conflict of interest. "Many allegations surfaced after the Bond Commission report came out. One was on controversial telephone conversations. Another was on cheque transactions. more..

Jul 20 (FT) Unity Govt has appointed a total of 88 portfolio holding lawmakers including 42 Cabinet Ministers, 23 State Ministers, and 22 Deputy Ministers, with one MP assigned an observation portfolio. The amount of expenditure incurred for a Cabinet Minister differs in keeping with the nature of the Ministry and the subjects assigned thereto, and according to the Circular issued by the Secretary to the Prez based on the estimate for the 2017/2018 financial year, amount stands at Rs. 26.25 m. more..

Jul 20 (DM) The Opposition yesterday questioned the delay in presenting the English and Tamil translations of Bond Commission report and the report of Special Presidential Commission which looked into serious financial crimes so that Parliament could resume the suspended debate on it. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya who responded said he was constantly in touch with the Presidential Secretariat on the translations. JO MP Bandula Gunawardane who raised the issue more..

Jul 20 (Island) Former Minister and UPFA MP Dayasiri Jayasekera informed parliament that a plot was being hatched to remove the President through constitutional amendments. Jayasekera said so when heated arguments ensued in parliament over the discussion paper of the Constitutional Amendments prepared by the Expert Panel. Speaker said that he would discuss with PM, who is also the Steering Committee Chairman, more..

Jul 20 (DN) UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the Govt have signed a Letter of Understanding to further their partnership to enhance food security and nutrition in SL. Joint efforts support the govt’s Vision 2025 and Sustainable Development Goals, and will be carried out under WFP’s new Country Strategic Plan 2018-2022. Over the next five years, WFP will support the govt on a number of key initiatives tackling hunger and malnutrition, as detailed in WFP’s new country strategic plan, more..

Jul 20 (FT) Supreme Court directed the state to pay a total of Rs. 100,000 to a mother and her daughter who were wrongfully arrested and detained by the police on a false complaint. Justice Prasanna Jayawardena, concurring with justices Eva Wanasundera and Nalin Perera in his judgment, observed that SL law did not envisage an offence only if some offence or nuisance, as is recognised by law, is committed in the course of such an exercise. more..