Nov 5 (KT) Following a fierce fight with his wife during which he stabbed her several times, a Sri Lankan jumped from his ninth-floor apartment in Hawally to his death. Neighbors reported hearing the fight, and when the couple’s voices died down, they thought that they had stopped fighting, until they heard a loud thud resulting from the man’s body hitting the ground. The husband died instantly, but the wife was found alive and was rushed to Mubarak Hospital in critical condition. more..

Nov 5 (FT) The UNP yesterday said that Prez Sirisena and his newly appointed PM Mahinda Rajapaksa do not have any international support and so far, no country had congratulated the latter. “Even the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka went to meet Ranil Wickremesinghe after he met with Mahinda Rajapaksa,” UNP MP Navin Dissanayake said. He also pointed out that contradictory reports had been published on the discussion more..

Nov 5 (DM) Police media spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said that steps had been taken to strengthen security around the parliamentary complex by deploying 1,500 police officers in view of the mass rally scheduled to be held by the parties supporting the new govt on Monday. According to sources in the know a large crowd is expected to participate in the rally and hence measures were being taken to augment the security in the surrounding areas with deployment of STF, more..

Nov 5 (FT) LMD-Nielsen Business Confidence Index (BCI) declined for the fifth consecutive month to register 85 in October. The unique index is now 22 basis points below its 12-month average of 107 and lies at a 114 month low – second successive post-war low. Meanwhile, Neilsen Managing Director Sharang Pant notes: “While the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) eased to 2.5% year-on-year in August compared to 3.4% in July, 6% depreciation of the rupee in one month more..

Nov 5 (Island) Chairman of SLPP Prof. G.L. Peiris said that his party, formed by former SLFP National Organizer Basil Rajapaksa, would continue in spite of former President Rajapaksa receiving premiership. Prof. Peiris said so when The Island asked whether the SLPP/JO members would return to the SLFP’s fold following the rapprochement between the Rajapaksas and President Maithripala Sirisena. more..

Nov 5 (FT) The JHU claimed that the tax reduction announced by the Finance Ministry last week was purely an effort to remain in power and was not for the long-term benefit of the economy. The newly-appointed Treasury Secretary had acknowledged that the tax reduction would only last for 3 months, charged MP Champika Ranawaka in a statement. Statement said that the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the PM by Prez Sirisena had created uncertainty in the public sector. more..

Nov 5 (DC) President Maithripala Sirisena in a dramatic move on October 26 installed former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister, in place of his coalition partner PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the United National Party (UNP). Evidently, political expediency prompted the president to ignore the inconvenient fact that it was the support of Wickremesinghe and the UNP that enabled him to come to power, defeating Rajapaksa in the presidential election. more..

Nov 5 (FT) Mangala Samaraweera issuing a statement as the Minister of Finance and Mass Media yesterday exposed the peril suffered by the economy in just a week after Prez Sirisena appointed his former nemesis Mahinda Rajapaksa as the PM in a shocking move. “As a result of the illegal and unconstitutional coup, led by Prez Sirisena, SL’s economy has been placed in great peril,” said Samaraweera, who issued the statement as Finance Minister more..

Nov 5 (CT) In another blow to the Sirisena-Rajapaksa coup, Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) loan operations in Sri Lanka have been put on hold due to the prevailing political turmoil in the country, Colombo Telegraph learns. JICA has informed its project directors that the operations have been put on hold “until relevant issues are resolved with regard to notification, legality and legitimacy of the borrower and/or executing agency.” more..

Nov 5 (CG) Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake has raised suspicions of sabotage during a protest at the Liberty Roundabout this evening. It was brought to her notice that street lights around the Liberty Roundabout failed to come on at the usual time this evening. Groundviews tweeted images of a demonstration staged at the Liberty Roundabout this evening calling for Parliament to be reconvened early to resolve the ongoing political crisis in the country. more..

Nov 5 (CT) The JVP yesterday warned that if the Parliament is not reconvened by 16 Nov, they will take to the streets, with all other civil societies, groups and unions, against President Maithripala Sirisena’s unconstitutional and illegal govt. JVP Propaganda Secretary MP Vijitha Herath said, “this unlawful Govt has prorogued the Parliament and is falsely claiming that the Parliament will be summoned on 5 or 7 Nov. more..

Nov 5 (FT) Three UPFA MPs were sworn yesterday as Cabinet Ministers and a State Minister before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat. MP Dinesh Gunawardena was sworn in as the Minister of Megapolis and Western Development and Vasudeva Nanayakkara took oaths as the Minister of National Integration, Reconciliation and Official Languages. UPFA MP Keheliya Rambukwella was sworn in as State Minister of Media and Digital Infrastructure. more..

Nov 5 (CT) A member of the Hakmana Pradeshiya Sabha was shot dead at a location on the Hakmana-Beliatta Road shortly before dusk yesterday, Police said. The victim was identified as L. H. Shantha of the Pohottuwa Party. According to Police, the assailants had arrived in a van followed by a motorcycle and opened fire on the victim who was standing close to the main road. The victim was rushed to the Hakmana Hospital but succumbed to his injuries while under treatment. more..

Nov 5 (FT) Prez Sirisena yesterday decided to advance the date for the reconvening of Parliament by two days to 14 Nov but analysts said the move was unlikely to appease his detractors who have called for an immediate summoning of the Legislature. In a Gazette notification issued last night, President summoned Parliament to meet at 10 a.m. on 14 Nov. Previously he had fixed 16 Nov as the date for the new session of the House more..

Nov 5 (DM) he continuing or unfolding Political-cum-Constitutional drama, which commenced with President Sirisena’s abrupt appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as PM, even before letting the then sitting incumbent know of his dismissal, smells of petty one-upmanship. It has left the country in turmoil and its citizens polarised. The tension arising between supporters of the two claimants to the seat of PM has spilt over into the streets. Already one individual has been fatally shot and more..

Nov 5 (DM) The power grab and subsequent events over the last ten days are but the culmination of a plan of action that Mahinda Rajapaksa put into place following his defeat at the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections of 2015. The strategy was one of disruption of the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe Government and power consolidation through mobilisation and elections, including a major victory at the local government elections in February this year. more..

Nov 5 (ST) The recent travel advisories issued by some countries following the political situation in the country, has not yet affected the tourism industry, although the upcoming weeks are uncertain, an industry source said. The US, the UK, Canada, Australia and Germany have issued travel advisories. Kandy Hoteliers Association president said that, so far, there has not been a direct impact on the industry due to the current tour of more..

Nov 5 (ILO) Krishnakumar Jeyaranjini moved around constantly during the 26-year-long Sri Lankan conflict. She suffered the pain of displacement and separation from her loved ones. Then, in 2013 she lost her husband, and found herself responsible for supporting their three children. The 49-year-old tried many jobs to make ends meet, including working in a pharmacy as a saleswoman, home gardening, farming and more..

Nov 5 (FT) With the appointment of former President Rajapaksa as PM by Prez Sirisena, the new composition of the Constitutional Council (CC) would be decided after Parliament convenes, SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L Peiris said. According to the 19th Amendment, the Constitution empowered the Constitutional Council to replace the Parliamentary Council to formulate a new Constitution. PM and Leader of Opposition more..

Nov 5 (TN) On Galle Road, just a stone’s throw from the Indian Ocean, the smell of burning incense and sound of chanting drift on to the street from the Kathiresan Temple, a rising structure adorned with Hindu iconography and lotus flowers. Located in Bambalapitiya, the holy site is devoted to Murugan, the ancient Hindu god of war who grew up to destroy evil spirits. For the members of the Tamil minority who predominate in more..

Nov 5 (CI) In the days before his final Test, Rangana Herath looks back on his spectacular career that started in 1999, and explains why he's retiring. Q: You had originally said you were retiring at the end of the series, but you've brought it forward. Why is that? A: If you take the last 12 to 18 months, I haven't played three Tests in a row because of my knee injuries and back issues. This is a three-Test series, more..

Nov 5 (CNN) Observers in Beijing and Delhi are watching events in Sri Lanka closely to see what the country's constitutional crisis means for a bigger contest: the race for influence in the Indian Ocean region. Political turmoil was triggered when Prez Sirisena appointed his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa as PM, after summarily firing the incumbent, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who insists he's still in charge. more..

Nov 5 (AP) Thousands of Sri Lankans marched Monday in support of a new govt under the country's former strongman, highlighting the political polarization in the Indian Ocean island nation. The rally near Parliament comes amid a constitutional crisis sparked by President Maithripala Sirisena's move to oust PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, replace him with ex-leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, and suspend Parliament. more..

Nov 5 (AD) Foreign Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama says that Speaker Karu Jayasuriya issuing statements biased and advantageous to one party is unconstitutional and against convention. Minster states that the Speaker does not have the right to decide who should be the PM. He stated this attending a press conference being held currently in Colombo. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya had released a statement more..

Nov 5 (AD) UNP MPs Palitha Thewarapperuma and Heshan Withanage, who were arrested over the incident of assaulting Major Ajith Prasanna, have been granted. The MPs have been released on a surety bail of Rs 100,000 each. MPs Palitha Thewarapperuma and Heshan Withange were arrested this morning regarding the assault of retired Major Ajith Prasanna in front of the Temple Trees on Nov 1. more..

Nov 5 (AD) Speaker Karu jayasuriya issuing a statement has stated that until the new faction is capable of showing the majority in parliament, he is compelled to accept the situation as it was before the change. Further in the statement he says that the whole situation is an unpleasant incident which should not have occurred in a democratic country. He also says that as the Speaker it is his responsibility to act according to more..

Nov 5 (CT) The present problematic political situation with accusations surfacing on horse trading with monetary transactions and Cabinet portfolios to face the floor test to be held to prove the majority of newly appointed PM Mahinda Rajapaksa and ousted PM Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament has highlighted how far politics in the country has come down to a low level. A couple of days ago ousted PM Ranil Wickremesinghe pointed out that he was aware that some of the MPs supporting him more..

Nov 5 (FT) At a recent launch of another of its public interest initiatives, Verité Research asked the provocative question: “Who owns the audience?” It was in relation to the media, and the Colombo-based think tank was seeking to keep the reading and viewing public informed about press ownership. In its exercise in educating a surprisingly naïve consumer in this internet-savvy age, the Media Ownership Monitor (MOM) sought to show the nexus between who owns the media houses. more..

Nov 5 (Island) The Sirisena- Rajapaksa administration has removed all medical equipment and medicine from Temple Trees and this has placed the life of Ranil Wickremesinghe and thousands gathered at Temple Trees in jeopardy, the UNP says in its official Twitter account. "All who value democracy regret the latest inhuman act carried out by the illegal govt. All medical equipment and medicine have been removed from Temple Trees in hope that it will force the PM more..

Nov 5 (DN) Days after former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as the PM of Sri Lanka, India a strong ally of Sri Lanka in its first official statement said they are willing to work with any PM in the best interest of both countries. In response to queries regarding the recent developments in Sri Lanka, the official spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that “India is closely following the recent political developments in SL. As a democracy and a close friendly neighbour, more..

Nov 5 (EN) SriLankan Airlines brought 641,634 tourists to the country in 2017, down 2.1% from a year earlier, with market share lost to other Asian carriers. Total arrivals to Sri Lanka from flights, charter flights and ships had increased 3.2% from a year earlier to 2.1 million tourists in 2017. SriLankan's market share in bringing tourists to SL either directly, or through connecting flights fell to 30.3% from 32 percent in 2016. more..

Nov 5 (DM) A majority of 118 MPs still oppose the appointment of former President Rajapaksa as the new PM despite the crossing over of UNP MP Asoka Priyantha, UNP Spokesman Harin Fernando said yesterday. Mr. Fernando said that crossing over of Asoka Priyantha was not significant as 118 MPs still oppose the appointment of Mr. Rajapaksa as the PM. “A majority of MPs may not support UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe but they oppose the appointment of Mr. Rajapaksa,” he said. more..

Nov 5 (Island) Former TNA and now Independent Wanni District MP Shivashakthi Anandan said that four TNA MPs would join PM Mahinda Rajapaksa within the next few days. Anandan said that though he had earlier decided to remain independent, he had now decided to support Mahinda Rajapaksa on the request of his constituents as he was capable of developing the area. He said once he crossed over to Mahinda Rajapaksa’s side he would be made a minister and that would help him more..

Nov 5 (CT) The present political situation, failure to win the people’s hearts, and the Govt’s inability to provide economic relief to the masses, are the causes which precipitated this political crisis, said Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith during a discussion with a group of UNPers and TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran, on Saturday. Cardinal pointed out that earlier too he said that the UNP should become more people-oriented. more..

Nov 5 (Island) PM Mahinda Rajapaksa has suspended the payment of Rs 200,000 each to a select group of lawmakers of the previous administration as a transport allowance. UPFA MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena said that PM Rajapaksa had issued instructions in this regard following some UPFA MPs taking up the issue at a meeting chaired by Rajapaksa. He said so in response to a query raised by The Island at a media conference held at the PM’s Office yesterday morning. more..

Nov 5 (DM) Heavy showers exceeding 100mm are forecasted in the coming days as a result of a low pressure area which is likely to develop over Bay of Bengal, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said today. DMC which quoted Dept of Meteorology said the depression is likely to move west-northwestwards across southwest Bay of Bengal, SL and Gulf of Mannar area during the coming days. “Due to this situation the showery condition is expected to enhance over the island, more..

Nov 5 (CNBC) International concerns about Sri Lanka's ongoing political crisis are growing, pushing major powers to take action. Nearly $500 million in U.S. aid and a Japanese loan of $1.4 billion have both been put on hold amid fears about the state of democracy in Sri Lanka, the country's ousted PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said over the weekend. That came after the European Union said last week that it may revoke Colombo's trade more..

Nov 5 (AD) The water levels of many reservoirs have increased to a considerable levels owing to the heavy rainfall in Polonnaruwa area, stated the Irrigation Department of Polonnaruwa area. As the Parakrama Samudra has also reached spill levels, ten sluice gates of the reservoir have been opened, the department further stated. However, it was reported that more sluice gates will have to be opened if the downpours continue to fall on the area. Officers of the Irrigation Department are more..

Nov 5 (EN) Russian govt is allowing any product with 50% of Sri Lankan grown tea to be labelled as Ceylon tea, said Rohan Fernando, Chairman HVA Group. “This is a problem that we are currently taking up with Russian authorities,” he said. He said that this issue was seen in Kenya as well. “SL tea exporters should know how to best market Ceylon tea, by promoting the lion logo, and telling consumers that unless they see the lion log on the pack, they won’t get a pure Ceylon tea.” more..