Nov 21 (CBC) When a bloody conflict broke out anywhere in the world, war correspondent Marie Colvin knew where she wanted to be — on the front lines. The U.S.-born journalist was a long-serving reporter for U.K. newspaper The Sunday Times, covering war zones from Chechnya to Iraq to East Timor. When she wasn't filing reports from the trenches, she rubbed shoulders with world leaders and had a reputation for partying and more..

Nov 21 (FT) A letter from the Professionals’ National Front (PNF), signed by Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya, has been sent to the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, James Dauris. PNF states that they had observed that High Commissioner Dauris has mobilised his offices beyond the accepted norms and limits as per the Vienna Convention. The letter had quoted Article 41 of the Vienna Convention in support of PNF’s claims. “Article 41: Without prejudice to their privileges and immunities, more..

Nov 21 (AD) Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala says that lawyers will lodge a complaint at the IGP against the behavior of representatives at the parliament. He mentioned this at a press conference organized in Colombo by the Lawyers for Democracy (LfD). He stated that there has been no complaint against the incidents at the parliament so far and as lawyers they had been observing to see if a complaint would appear. Stating that educational qualifications of MPs should be looked into, more..

Nov 21 (DM) The TNA had urged the diplomats in a meeting held yesterday to use their influence with whoever necessary to set things right and put the country in the right path, TNA leader R. Sampanthan said. TNA had a meeting at the Opposition Leader's office with the 15 members of diplomate community to discuss matters pertaining to the prevailing political crisis which initially started on Oct 26 this year. more..

Nov 21 (DN) The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the SL Embassy in Japan is organizing an Inward Buyer Delegation from Japan, from Dec 3-5, 2018 with the objective of developing business linkages between SL companies and the Japanese buyers and to increase awareness among Sri Lankan exporters on the Japanese market. Japan is the 13th export destination for Sri Lanka. Total export value from SL to Japan was US$ 207.0 million in 2017 more..

Nov 21 (DN) Sri Lanka included 21-year-old uncapped off-spinner Nishan Peiris in their Test squad for the third and final cricket Test against England beginning at the SSC grounds on Friday. Peiris replaces Akila Dananjaya who was due to leave for Brisbane last night to have his bowling action assessed after it was reported at the end of the first Test at Galle. Dananjaya had 14 days to have it tested which allowed him to play in the second Test against England at Pallekele more..

Nov 21 (FT) Sri Lanka is on the precipice of an economic abyss, warned prominent members of the UNP yesterday, calling on President Sirisena to accept the decision of Parliament so Budget 2019 could be presented at the earliest and approved by the House. UNP MPs Mangala Samaraweera, Dr. Harsha de Silva and Eran Wickramaratne were harshly critical of Prez Sirisena’s actions on 26 Oct and insisted that more..

Nov 21 (EN) Sri Lanka's rice harvest in 2018 minor agricultural season (Yala) is estimated to have grown 55% to 1.413 million metric tonnes with rains returning, driving up annual production by 82% to 4.3 million tonnes, official data showed. The Yala harvest is recovering from a slump to 909,000 metric tonnes in 2017 amid a record drought, from 1.517 million tonnes in 2016. The Yala 2018 harvest is only 3% below the three year average, the state agricultural office said. more..

Nov 21 (AD) National Organizer of the UNP Navin Dissanayake says that UNP will contest through a common candidate at the next Presidential Election. A group of UNP MPs called on the Mahanayake of the Malwathu Chapter today (20). They informed the Thero on the current political situation if the country. They have also handed over a copy of the no-confidence motion which is purported to have been approved at the parliament along with a copy of the document signed by the MPs. more..

Nov 21 (FT) The SLPP dismissed concerns raised by UNP MPs that SL could face challenges in repaying debt, insisting the Central Bank had already taken the necessary steps to meet repayments in January. SLPP MP Bandula Gunawardane insisted that the country had the capacity to repay the debt instalment which is due to be paid in Jan 2019. “Ministry of Finance and Public Debt Department of Central Bank more..

Nov 21 (Island) UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the transfer of the CID’s Organised Crimes Investigation Unit OIC Inspector Nishantha Silva to the Negombo Division on false allegations, had been rescinded, as his govt had introduced the Independent Commissions under the 19th Amendment. UNF said that Inspector Nishantha Silva, an honest and efficient officer, who impartially conducted investigations into the killing of journalist Lasantha Wickremetunga on Jan 8, 2009, more..

Nov 21 (Hindu) Sri Lanka’s persistent political crisis without a govt or a PM could embolden anti-social elements to take the law into their own hands, Leader of Opposition R. Sampanthan has warned. “In such a situation, the country’s minorities, especially Tamils, may become the victims,” he said. Mr. Sampanthan, who also leads the TNA, told reporters that its 14 MPs on Tuesday briefed Colombo-based diplomats on current political developments. more..

Nov 21 (DM) The UNP and its allies have decided to hold a series of protests and a death fast against what it called an unconstitutional instate of a new govt, UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said. He said that the UNF and its allies would stage a protest in Kandy on Nov 24, in Kalutara on Nov 27, in Colombo on Dec 3 and at Kiribathgoda on Dec 4. He said state officers who approved spending for the new ministers more..

Nov 21 (Wisden) Off-spinner Nishan Peiris has been called up as a replacement for Akila Dananjaya in SL’s Test squad. Peiris could make his debut in the third Test against England on Friday. Peiris, who is only 21-years-old, has only played 12 first-class matches, having made his debut in Feb 2016 for Badureliya Sports Club. In his last first-class outing, he picked up six first-innings wickets for just 67 runs, but couldn’t help his side Galle claim victory, as the match ended in a draw against Kandy. more..

Nov 21 (CT) Free Media Movement believes that at a time when the investigations and the legal processes into the crimes against journalists are already on a downturn, the transfer of Inspector of Police (IP) Nishantha Silva of the CID will further disrupt the proceedings. Silva was handling investigations into many major incidents including the murder of Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, abduction and assault of Journalist Keith Noyahr, attacks on Journalists Upali Tennekoon more..

Nov 21 (Reuters) The IMF said on Tuesday it had delayed discussions on Sri Lanka’s next loan tranche due to the country’s political crisis. The IMF has disbursed over $1 billion out of a $1.5 billion three-year extended fund facility (EFF) loan it agreed in 2016. The aim was to avert a financial crisis and support the economic reform agenda of the govt then in power. That govt was sacked on Oct 26 by Prez Sirisena due to differences more..

Nov 21 (DM) The country has been fast drifting towards further turmoil days ago due to irresponsible and power hungry politicians. It is not clear whether the situation has changed despite Monday’s Parliament sitting ending without riots. The last week’s ugly scenes in the Parliament could be a precursor to an unfortunate situation to come. Not a single leader seems to be regretting the rowdy behaviour of their members who unflinchingly turned the august assembly where the sovereignty more..

Nov 21 (DM) As SL’s made-by-politicians political imbroglio entered its fourth week with no end in sight, the UNP suddenly decided to write to Mark Zuckerberg, the head at Facebook. The letter that was sent over the weekend said - “It is very likely that officials from the current illegal administration...may ask Facebook for information on selected SL users of that particular social media platform that should rightfully be private. Such requests may include information on more..

Nov 21 (DM) While on to its fourth consecutive week of political instability, Sri Lanka is once again in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. With a confused Govt, the people have started questioning their democratic rights. It was quite evident that members of the Joint Opposition showed little or no respect when they disrupted Parliamentary sessions twice. On both occasions, UPFA failed to show their majority. more..

Nov 21 (ST) Three weeks of political turmoil have had a crushing effect on the functioning of the entire state apparatus, with tourism, the economy and many other vital sectors also being hit. Since Prez Sirisena abruptly sacked one govt and installed another on Oct 26 the functions of many state agencies have been severely affected, with ousted PM Wickremesinghe claiming he still holds the post and that his govt remains legitimate. more..

Nov 21 (DM) There is no serious negotiation under way. When the country’s constitution is being so seriously questioned, when the animal-like instincts and uncouth character of its political life are being portrayed in public to the whole wide world, when those who have been elected to political office, except one solitary man, are acting like the power that they wield is their private and personal property bequeathed by a divine being, more..

Nov 21 (EN) Sri Lanka may face further downgrades if recent reforms to reduce budget deficit and improve investment flows were reversed or halted and foreign reserves fell faster, Moody's Investors Service, a rating agency said after cutting the island's speculative B2 rating to B1. "Moody's would consider downgrading the rating if external and domestic financing conditions were to deteriorate further than currently expected," more..

Nov 21 (Island) Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics, Uni of Colombo, Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan said that corruption would continue unabated as long as MPs received cabinet portfolios. He called for French-type system that denied cabinet portfolios to lawmakers. Far reaching constitutional changes were required urgently to cleanse parliament, the academic said, urging political parties represented in more..

Nov 21 (CT) The Western Provincial Council (WPC) has launched an investigation find Councillors who were surfing pornographic sites and watching online pornographic films, on their official computers, while Chief Minister Isura Devapriya was presenting the budget for the year 2019. Devapriya said that the Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) will be assigned the investigation to trace the browsing history of the computers, to obtain more..

Nov 21 (Island) Former Chief Minister of Northern Province CV Wigneswaran said that he had formed Tamil Makkal Kootani (TMK) for the benefit of the people of the north and that he would not abandon it. Wigneswaran said so, addressing the central committee meeting of the TMK. Responding TNA leader R. Sampanthan, who had urged all parties representing Tamil people to come together to contest general Election, more..

Nov 21 (DM) The UNP is reportedly planning to form a broad electoral alliance with like-minded political parties and under the leadership of a 10-member council. Preliminary negotiations have been completed at the moment with the Jathika Hela Urumya (JHU), the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) and the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) joining with the UNP to form this new political front. more..

Nov 21 (EN) SL’s parliament Wednesday released the official record of proceedings when two no-confidence motions were passed, on the disputed govt of Mahinda Rajapaksa clearing the way to mount legal challenges. Hansards on Nov 14 and 16 contain the two resolutions that were passed by a voice vote of the majority of the 225-member assembly. Nov 15 Hansard has the Speaker’s declaration that there is no legitimate more..

Nov 21 (AD) UNP MP Wasantha Senanayake, who claimed earlier that he was resigning from the Ministerial post, has joined the Cabinet meeting today. Speaking to reporters at the Parliament premises on Nov 14, he had said that he would tender his resignation to the Prez, as he believed that the incumbent govt did not have the majority in the Parliament. “I joined them thinking that they have the majority, but it seems that more..

Nov 21 (CT) After a total of four defeats in under a month, President Sirisena and his appointed Premier, former President Rajapaksa, yet, continue to cling to office. Those defeats comprised two in Parliament, one due to possible international pressure and the other in Court. The defeats in Parliament were when the House, on two consecutive days, on Wednesday (14) and on Thursday, respectively, voted out of office Rajapaksa as PM, by garnering a majority more..

Nov 21 (FT) As a president proves shockingly stubborn, a nation waits with baited breath as to what His Excellency the loose cannon on a rocky slope will do next. Two PMs and the fates of their respective parliamentary groups hang in the balance like trapeze artistes. A Court bides its time until submissions and counter-submissions are made, and half the polity chews their fingernails in no little anxiety. That the final judgment will steer the ship of State in one of two directions is evident. more..

Nov 21 (Island) A countywide operation named Special Anti-Narcotic Drive (SAND) launched by the police recently helped seize six kilos of heroin from various places. Police spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said after the operation had been launched as 2,000 informants had tipped off police about drug hideouts, dealers and drug pushers and more than 1,000 suspects had been taken into custody. The police spokesman said the operation had received the fullest cooperation of more..

Nov 21 (DM) National Police Commission (NPC) said it had not directed the IGP to cancel the transfer of CID’s Organised Crimes Investigation Unit OIC, IP Nishantha Silva. Several reports claimed that the NPC had directed the IGP to cancel the transfer of IP Nishantha Silva. NPC Secretary Saman Dissanayaka said the NPC had not recommended IP Nishantha’s transfer as the CID did not belong to the commission’s functional division. Secretary said both the transfer and its withdrawal had been more..

Nov 21 (EN) Moody’s recent downgrade of Sri Lanka’s rating is unjustified as the country has enough funds to repay foreign loans next year with macroeconomic fundamentals and policy unchanged, the Central Bank said. “Sri Lanka’s current level of gross official reserves (GOR) amounting to US$ 7.2 billion is sufficient for the country to meet its external debt obligations in the period ahead,” it said in a statement. more..

Nov 21 (EN) Three SL Banks - Bank of Ceylon, Hatton National Bank and Sampath Bank – have been downgraded to B2 from B1 by Moody's, a credit rating agency, following the downgrading of the island's sovereign rating on a worsening political crisis and weakening operating environment. "The rating actions follow the downgrade of SL's sovereign rating to B2 from B1 on 20 Nov 2018, and the change in the sovereign's rating outlook to stable from negative on the same date," more..

Nov 21 (CI) James Anderson is to be replaced by Stuart Broad in for the final Test of the series against Sri Lanka in Colombo, while England have also confirmed that Jonny Bairstow will come in for the injured Sam Curran. With England having taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in Pallekele, they are taking the opportunity to rest Anderson and give Broad a run with a view to matches later in the winter. "The thinking is that, with the series sewn up, it's an opportunity to rotate," Anderson said. more..

Nov 21 (AD) SL national Lahiru Madushanka, who was arrested in Maldives in 2015 under allegations of attempting to assassinate former Maldivian President Yameen Gayoom, has been released. Minister Faiszer Mustapha stated that the case has been dismissed due to lack of evidence and Madushanka will be released today. He said that the SL national who has been languishing in a Maldivian prison more..

Nov 21 (Island) Sri Lanka participated in the Nordic Organic Food Fair 2018 held from Nov 14-15 in Malmo, Sweden. SL’s participation in 2018 was organized for the second time by the Embassy of SL in Stockholm under the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Colombo. Three SL organic product exporters participated in the two-day fair. Nordic Organic Food Fair which is co-hosted with the Natural Products Scandinavia is the only organic food & drink trade show hosted in the Nordic more..

Nov 21 (NR) Owner of Perpetual Treasuries Limited Arjun Aloysius and CEO Kasun Palisena, arrested over the controversial Central Bank Bond issuance have been further remanded until the 29th of November. The order was issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake. Owner of Perpetual Treasuries Limited Arjun Aloysius and Chief Executive Kasun Palisena were arrested by officers attached to the CID on the 4th of February. The duo was arrested after CID submitted a ‘B’ report more..

Nov 21 (CI) Captain Dinesh Chandimal has been ruled out of the third Test against England, after he failed to sufficiently recover from the groin strain he had sustained during the first Test. Opener Danushka Gunathilaka has been brought in as his replacement. Team management had hoped Chandimal would be available for the SSC Test, after the initial prognosis had been that he would take 2 weeks to recover. more..