Nov 16 (AD) The Parliament is to reconvene for the third consecutive day this afternoon at 1.30 p.m. This decision was taken at the meeting of the party leaders held yesterday afternoon at the Parliament complex following the adjournment of its new session. A tense situation was reported during the Parliamentary session yesterday, after the conclusion of the special statement made by PM Mahinda Rajapaksa. more..

Nov 16 (DM) The parliamentary session which was scheduled to be commenced at 1.30 pm today is getting delayed because of the demonstration which is being held inside the house by govt MPs. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya enters into chamber with police protection but leaves soon after unruly Govt MPs threw objects at Speaker and police personnel. 1.30: All MPs who are entering into Parliament Chamber had been subjected to more..

Nov 16 (CT) …I was speaking of how the sovereignty of the people began, and I would like to cite from a book called The Office of Speaker by Philip Laundy, available in our library. King Charles I came with his soldiers. He came into the House. The Speaker was one Lenthall. His name should be revered though he is forgotten. By the time the King came these members had fled, swum across the Thames and escaped. The King said, ‘Well, since I see all my birds have flown, I do expect that more..

Nov 16 (FT) The President, and all political leaders represented in the Legislature, collectively pledge to form a bi-partisan representative National Council of not more than 25 Cabinet Ministers (no Deputy nor State Ministers) selected from all parties to govern the country over the next 14 months, and further agree to place the long-term interests of the nation and its people as the first priority in the governance during such period, as well as arrange Presidential Elections and Parliamentary / PC Elections more..

Nov 16 (DM) Rs.14.2 billion worth of Treasury Bonds (TBs) were issued to SriLankan airlines by the Central Bank (CB) in 2012 without a Gazette notification as required by the Registered Stock and Security Ordinance (RSSO), CB Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy said today. He said this when Additional Solicitor General Neil Unamboowe PC asked about the particular clause in the Ordinance which directs that a gazette be issued for more..

Nov 16 (AD) The Severe Cyclonic storm GAJA over the Southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to move away from the country by today (16), the Department of Meteorology stated. Hence windy and showery condition in the Northern part of the island and Northern sea area is expected to reduce gradually from this evening. The system has further moved west-southwestwards and crossed Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast of South India during 00.30 am and 02.30 this morning (16). more..

Nov 16 (TC) Barmy Army have told supporters don't be an idiot after England's first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle was twice interrupted by streakers. England recorded their first away Test victory since 2016, but the result was sullied slightly by two separate incidents on different days where streakers invaded the pitch. The first occurred during the innings break on the second day, with the individual in question vaulting the roller as groundstaff used it on the pitch. more..

Nov 16 (AD) UNP MPs say that they were attacked with chili powder by certain MPs of the govt. They revealed this speaking to reporters outside the Parliament chamber following the tense situation which had prevailed inside as govt MPs protested and prevented the Speaker from commencing the parliament session. UNP members said that govt MPs threw chili powder at several UNP MPs as well as the police officers more..

Nov 16 (EN) SL's parliament has amended a no-confidence motion against Mahinda Rajapaksa removing reference to gazettes issued by President Maithripala Sirisena. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya arrived in parliament under heavy police security, and took a voice vote as Rajapaksa loyalists ran off with the speaker's chair they were sitting on. He asked for a proposal on amending an original motion of no-confidence motion against Mahinda Rajapaska passed earlier in the week. more..

Nov 16 (DM) After the hideous brawl at the Diyawanna House yesterday, one of the partisans of the recently appointed Second-in-Command had got himself admitted to the nearby general hospital with a bleeding wound in his palm and fingers. Upon his admission to the hospital the doctor on duty had asked him whether it was due to an accident, to which he had replied that a rival Purohitha of the House had come behind him and cut his arm. But he has not mentioned a name. more..

Nov 16 (CI) The leap into the air and punch of the fist upon reaching his century told its own story: Joe Root knew how important this innings was. It was not so much that Root had, in scoring his second century in three Tests, moved to silence the talk about his modest conversion rate. And it wasn't so much that, for a man of his ability, he had a relatively modest record away from home: this was his 15th Test century, after all, more..

Nov 16 (CT) Sri Lanka hosted the third meeting of the SAARC Council of Experts of Energy Regulators (Electricity) on 13 and 14 Nov. The Public Utilities Commission hosted the meeting with technical and financial support from the ADB. The objective of the Council was to pave the way for initiating regional power trade through the implementation of the SAARC framework agreement. Apart from the infrastructure and regional power trading, the Council will function to provide an enabling more..

Nov 16 (AD) Three businessmen from Kandy have been detained at the BIA for attempting to smuggle gold biscuits worth over Rs 14.3 million into the country. The passengers were intercepted by the officers attached to the Narcotics Control Unit at the green channel of the airport after they had arrived from Mumbai last night. A total of 48 pieces of gold, 24 gold biscuits weighing 100g each split into halves, were found concealed in six metal tubes which were attached to the trolleys of more..

Nov 16 (NR) UPFA MP Dayasiri Jayasekera says the SLFP members were not involved in today’s, what he termed as ugly scenes in Parliament. Speaking to media MP Dayasiri Jayasekera said it is disappointing to observe members acting in an unruly manner within the Parliament chamber. He said SLFP MPs were attempting to defuse the situation. He added no one should be allowed to destroy the parliamentary democracy. more..

Nov 16 (AD) Two shops in Talawakelle town have been completely destroyed during a fire that broke out early this morning. The fire had erupted inside a chilli-grinding mill located on the main road of Talawakelle town at around 2 a.m. today, and the nearby fancy-goods store was also gutted in the fire. The fire brigade of Talawakelle-Lindula Urban Council, along with the Talawakelle Police and the residents of the area, had curbed the fire in a joint effort. more..

Nov 16 (AD) Police personnel have entered the Parliament chamber to control the situation due to the protest by govt MPs, who are obstructing the commencement of the parliamentary session. A large number of police officers guarding the Speaker and the Mace entered the chamber and attempted to reach the Chair of the Speaker. However, the govt MPs gathered near the chair and protesting while also occupying the chair prevented the police officers from coming close by throwing more..

Nov 16 (CI) Joe Root said that he had batted like a reverse swan - visibly frantic but internally calm - after his brilliant second-innings hundred had helped carry England into a position of authority on the third day at Pallekele. Root made 124 from 146 balls, with ten fours and two sixes, as England reached 324 for 9 before rain brought about an early finish. It was his 15th Test century, and one of his best yet, more..

Nov 16 (AD) The groups that were aware of their defeat behaved in a suppressive manner inside the Chamber today, says UNP MP Sajith Premadasa. Addressing a press conference held today, MP Premadasa stated that everyone behaved like the members of a political party that came to power unofficially and unlawfully. The govt MPs have acted in frenzy as they did not hold the Parliament majority, he further said. The plans, which were primed for the motion of no-confidence to be more..

Nov 16 (Island) Provincial Council Elections scheduled to be held soon, would be conducted under the previous system of Proportional Representation (PR) and not the new Mixed Member Proportional Representation (MMPR), govt said. The last Local Polls was held under MMPR. The terms of six out of the nine Provincial Councils have already expired. The Southern, Western and Uva PCs would complete their tenures on April 10, 21 & Sept 8, 2019 respectively. more..

Nov 16 (AD) The second clause of the motion of no-confidence against the PM Mahinda Rajapaksa and the govt has been passed in the Parliament today according to the parliamentary Standing Orders. Office of the Speaker stated this issuing a press release. The motion has been presented to the Parliament by MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake and seconded by MP Vijitha Herath. This was in accordance with the decision more..

Nov 16 (Island) Thirty ministries had been given special security by deploying Special Task Force personnel and additional policemen from November 14, the police headquarters said. Senior officer said the decision to beef up security in those ministries had been taken following information that some MPs who handled ministerial portfolios in charge of those ministries were making attempts to return and resume duties there and it could result in a chaotic situation. more..

Nov 16 (NR) The UK says all Sri Lankans today witnessed deplorable behaviour by some MPs, unbecoming of MPs belonging to the noble institution. British High Commissioner to SL James Dauris, said, “Voters across SL elected MPs to do an important job. But today Sri Lankans have again seen deplorable behaviour by some MPs, unbecoming of them and of their noble institution.” He said no parliament can perform its role, when its own members prevent it from doing so. more..

Nov 16 (AD) Leader of the SLMC, MP Rauff hakeem says that today was one of the darkest days in the parliamentary history of the country. Speaking at a press conference with other leaders of the UNF at the parliament complex today, he said that MPs of the govt were responsible for the acts of thuggery, intimidation and attacks on opposition MPs, the Speaker and police officers. He stated that they occupied seat of the Speaker by force more..

Nov 16 (NR) The JVP says President Maithripala Sirisena must now act on the No-Confidence Motion passed against Mahinda Rajapaksa and his govt in Parliament today. Speaking to media, Leader of the JVP, Anura Kumara Dissanayake said despite being defeated by a No-Confidence motion in Parliament, Mahinda Rajapaksha faction continues to operate as a formally elected govt. He said following the approval of a No-Confidence Motion against a govt, it no longer ceases to exist. more..

Nov 16 (EN) President Maithripala Sirisena said he will not suspend the parliament under any circumstances. "I urge all Parliamentarians to uphold principles of democracy parliamentary traditions at all times," he said in a statement. "I will not prorogue the Parliament under any circumstances." His call came as legislators loyal to Mahinda Rajapaksa occupied the speaker's chair engaged in noisy protests and blocked the arrival of the Speaker Karu Jayasuriya. more..

Nov 17 (SO) Kotahena has been a predominantly Catholic town for decades. This area covering the Municipal Ward of Colombo 13 was once a quaint fishing hamlet in the 17th century. Many opine its name is derived from the hundreds of Kottan trees that stood there, causing the village to be called Kottanchena. It was somewhere in 1760 that the pioneering clergy of Oratorian Order came to Ceylon and decided to build a small chapel. This humble house of prayer took the form of a hut. more..

Nov 17 (CT) For obvious reasons, the world doesn’t revolve the way most of us would want it. The rise of fringe movements that have taken on the Establishment, the apathy of Third Way centrism that was a cover for neo-conservatism and neo-liberalism, the rejection of conventional politics by the young, and the embracement of bigotry, sexism, and populism by the old (in the West) are all signs of an impending tragedy. What’s worse is that the narratives being spun to the people, more..

Nov 17 (Roar) Kithul pani—it goes on curd, in watalappan, and when reduced, becomes hakuru (jaggery). Sugary SL staple, this boiled-down sap of the kithul, or fishtail palm, has a long history steeped in tradition, as does the arduous, labour-intensive process used to make it. This process starts with tapping: the beady, vine-like flowers of the palm are pierced by a tapper, and drool their sap into a pot hung under the inflorescence. more..

Nov 17 (CT) Sri Lanka’s current crisis of governance threatens to undermine the country’s democratic tradition of having periodic free and fair elections to choose a govt under the provisions of the constitution. I highlight the term provisions of the constitution because elections that are held by rulers in an arbitrary manner in violation of the spirit if not the letter of the constitution to suit their own convenience are not democratic. From that perspective, both major political parties in SL, more..

Nov 17 (Island) Asite Talwatte, a top professional and a veteran in the corporate world has been appointed to the Board of National Savings Bank by the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs. Talwatte joined Ernst & Young where he worked in Assurance, Business Risk and Advisory Services for 37 years prior to his retirement in March 2016. At Ernst & Young, he served as the Country Managing Partner for over 10 years. Asite Talwatte was president of the CA Sri Lanka in the years more..

Nov 17 (SO) With almost 300,000 passengers coming to Colombo daily, in 275 trains, the Fort Railway Station is undoubtedly the heart of the railway service. It continues to be a busy hub connecting Colombo with the rest of the island. Since 1917, this station has steadily progressed to rise to its present status. When train services were introduced in Ceylon, a small station called Fort was built in 1877 where the present Secretariat more..

Nov 17 (CT) Tamil Nadu politician Thol Thirumavalavan who was denied entry into the Island and sent back at the BIA, Katunayake when he arrived to attend the funeral of LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran’s mother T. Parvathi Ammal seven years ago in Feb 2011, was in Jaffna a few days ago to launch a tree planting campaign in the North and the East. November has been declared tree planting month with the onset of the North-East Monsoon, in the Peninsula and in the country at large. more..

Nov 17 (SO) Herathhamy, a 60-year-old hardworking man lives in a pastoral village close to Pelmadulla. As the morning sun peeps over the mesmerising mountain range of Sri Pada or Adam’s Peak, he starts his day’s work at the gem pit, close to his paddy field. No matter how scorching the sun’s rays, Herathhamy sweats it out in the field all day, and returns home in the evening absolutely exhausted. Herathhamy is just one of the hundreds of young and old miners who brave more..

Nov 17 (Island) Parliament was in turmoil for the third consecutive day, yesterday, when it was adjourned till Monday. President Sirisena has said, in a media statement, that Parliament will not be prorogued under any circumstances. But there is no guarantee that he will honour his word. It was after promising to allow Parliament to complete its full term that he suddenly dissolved it, last week. The UPFA MPs were waiting for an opportunity to disrupt parliamentary sittings more..

Nov 17 (Island) Even Shakespeare, the greatest dramatist of all, would have found it extremely difficult to pen a political drama to match what is unfolding in the Land like no other. It was left to my very good friend and retired senior administrative service officer, Dharme Hewamadduma, to remind me of a prediction I had made after the last presidential election. I could sense the excitement in his voice when he rang me to inform that President Sirisena has appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa more..

Nov 17 (Island) Friday, was an efficient and devoted employee, of Robinson Crusoe, later known as Man Friday, an especially faithful or one’s best servant or right-hand man. In recent weeks Maithripala Sirisena emerged more as Friday’s Man than the Man Friday, he was meant to be serving the people of this country, the job he was elected for. Friday is Sirisena’s game day with governance and the Constitution. more..

Nov 17 (Island) Not many teams in the history have chased down a target of 300 runs to win a Test match, but middle order batsman Roshen Silva expressed confidence that his team will be able to do the near impossible. England lead the second Test by 278 runs with one wicket in hand heading into day four’s play. "I think they’ve got a good score on the board and it’s not impossible to get 300 runs. We have to claim one more wicket in the morning first and then chase down the target," more..

Nov 17 (Island) Former SL Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA) official, Kapila Jayalath has passed away. He was 53. A former Master in Charge of Cricket at Sri Devananda College, Ambalangoda, Karandeniya Central and Gamini Central, Bentota, Jayalath held the secretary post of the SLSCA from 2016 to 2018. He was also a cricket umpire. He also held the post of secretary at the Association of Cricket Umpires for two years. Jayalath also held the positions of more..