Oct 23 (DN) It is presently misleadingly broadcast in the media that the Archbishop of Colombo is the head of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. In the Catholic Church there are ecclesiastical provinces. In an ecclesiastical province there can be one a Metropolitan Archbishop, the archbishop of the Capital city of the country, in certain particular instances called the Primate Archbishop, with other archbishops each one with suffragan bishops. One day there could be an Archbishop of Jaffna. more..

Oct 23 (ST) What is the most popular mobile phone brand in Africa? I asked this question from a few African students, while we were having a discussion. They were university lecturers from Nigeria studying at Colombo University for their doctorate degrees. They answered Tecno and, they all were unanimous in their answer. I asked them again: What about Apple iPhone or Samsung or other Chinese phones which are quite popular here in Sri Lanka? They commented that their market share more..

Oct 23 (Roar) Hailed in ancient mythology as the inspiration behind the modern day mermaid myth, the elusive marine mammal known as the dugong has been a source of fascination for centuries among pirates, explorers and colonists alike. Its name, derived from the Malay word dayung, means lady of the sea, a curiously elegant designation, given the animal’s robust exterior. Yet while watching the dugong melodically glide more..

Oct 23 (Island) Thalangama Jayasinghe’s mentor was Ariyadasa, who doubled as a body guard. They were both in grade three, although Ariyadasa was a few years senior in age to Jayasinghe and therefore could easily fend off bullies. Ariyadasa nurtured a penchant for tattoos and Jayasinghe was his canvas. Ariyadasa copied coiling snakes, daggers and Red Indians out of a tattoo design book onto Jayasinghe’s six-year-old body as he watched in awe. more..

Oct 23 (Island) The security forces of Sri Lanka are charged with the responsibility of protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation and of assisting the police, when called upon to do so, in the maintenance of law and order. It is for the purpose of discharging this responsibility that bases and encampments in many parts of the country were established and continue to be maintained by the army, navy and the air force as appropriate to their tasks. more..

Oct 23 (ST) Dropped from the ODI side over fitness concerns, Angelo Mathews has been putting in the hard yards to keep himself in good stead for the three-match Test series against England and Sri Lanka Cricket’s Head of Cricket predicts that he will excel. “I think he is hungry now, hungrier than before, with what has happened,” Asanka Gurusinha, former National Team Manager turned Chief Cricket Operations Officer, said. more..

Oct 23 (DN) With another ODI series loss this time to England who hold onto an unassailable 3-0 lead, Sri Lanka are concentrating their energies on making an impact in the next World Cup more than today’s fifth and final ODI which takes place under lights at the R Premadasa Stadium. All four ODIs have been affected by bad weather and today’s game will be no different with the rains still continuing to torment the Englishmen who have not had a full 100-over match in the series more..

Oct 23 (CI) Ambidextrous spin-bowling allrounder Kamindu Mendis may have a chance to showcase his unique skills at the senior int'l level for the first time, after being picked in SL's squad for the one-off T20 against England. Thisara Perera, who led SL's limited-overs teams in fits and starts towards the end of last year, has been named captain, in the continued absence of Angelo Mathews in limited-overs cricket. Test & ODI captain Dinesh Chandimal also finds a place in the 15-man squad. more..

Oct 23 (DM) Our national airline had taken on lease an airbus from a foreign country about two years ago and had re-leased it soon after to a European country. The lessee-airline had been required under the lease-agreement to return the craft in a good flying condition after effecting the necessary repairs if the need is upon the expiration of the lease period. When the lease had expired, our engineers had flown to that European country more..

Oct 23 (FT) Setting up an Advisory Commission, a centralised e-database and a one-stop shop for a business support service centre were some of the recommendations yielded by a study that assessed the institutional and regulatory framework of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which were presented yesterday at the final feedback session before the report was forwarded to the Cabinet. The second draft of the report was officially handed over to the Minister Rishad Bathiudeen at more..

Oct 23 (FT) Before tax profits of SL’s insurance companies surged an impressive 364.71% in the first half of 2018 in both long-term insurance and general insurance amounting to Rs. 21,656 million, according to an insurance industry performance report. The profit before tax of Long-term Insurance Business amounted to Rs. 17,319 million, which in the first half 2017 was Rs. 738 million. The profit before tax of General Insurance Business amounted to Rs. 4,337 million, more..

Oct 23 (FT) In an attempt to spur investment, Govt will call for international tenders within the next two weeks for a 2,924 square kilometre offshore M2 Block in the Mannar Basin to develop the gas discoveries and potentially produce electricity by 2023, a top official said. “We have an upcoming bid round for the M2 Block in Mannar Basin relinquished by Cairn. There are two existing discoveries in that block and our intention is more..

Oct 23 (Island) In a bid to win the Sheffield Shield, Queensland had tried all their means but for no avail. For decades, Queensland failed to win the title and finally they realized their dream in the 1994 season under John Buchanan, who later went onto become Australia’s Head Coach. One of the main reasons for Queensland’s success was Buchanan obtaining the services of psychologist Dr. Phil Jauncy. It is to Dr. Jauncy that SL’s Head Coach Chandika Hathurusingha has turned to. more..

Oct 23 (DM) Former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal yesterday argued that the depreciation of the rupee during the last five days has increased the repayment commitment of the recently borrowed US $ 1 billion to over US $ 1.1 billion. The Central Bank on Oct 17 announced that it had secured a US $ 1 billion term facility from China Development Bank at an interest rate linked to six-month US dollar LIBOR, with a grace period of three years. more..

Oct 23 (DM) The situation in SL will turn for the better by next year's National New Year, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said. He said this at a ceremony held at Temple Trees where appointment letters were handed over to 370 new Grama Niladaris. “We had a debt issue till recently and we have resolved it to a great extent even amid criticism. Then the country was hit by a drought. Now we are faced with the global more..

Oct 23 (EN) State Minister for Economic Affairs Harsha de Silva, has re-kindled a debate as old as economics itself, repeating the advice David Ricardo once gave the Bank of England on sterilized gold sales in the early 19th century who also recalled the words of Adam Smith. SL's rupee started sliding in 2018, ending a controlled depreciation achieved in 2017, when dollar inflows were mopped up, and a de facto peg with the US dollar was anchored to a real effective exchange rate index. more..

Oct 23 (PMD) President Sirisena made a financial donation of Rs. one million to student Gihan Hettiarachchi of Gampaha Bandaranaike College, who made a rocket that can travel upto 20 km, for his future innovation works, at the Prez Secretariat. Rocket developed by student Gihan Hettiarachchi captured the attention of Prez when he attended the school’s Centenary Celebrations as the Chief Guest and opened the X-Ban Exhibition held to showcase student talents on Oct 13. more..

Oct 23 (CT) New Chief Justice Nalin Perera has said he is “painfully aware that we live in a society that is increasingly losing confidence in the ability to uphold justice.” That, he said and the “increasing depravity of human values and practices has had its impact on the trust that people in a country may place in the judicial system itself.” The CJ was speaking at the ceremonial sitting, at which he took over as the head of Judiciary in SL, more..

Oct 23 (DM) JO MP Namal Rajapaksa said that President Maithripala Sirisena and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe should reveal the names of the two cabinet ministers, who were claimed to be in the pay list of India’s Intelligence wing – RAW. “If some cabinet ministers are in the pay list of the RAW, it’s not only a national issue, but it affects internationally as well. So the President and the PM’s responsibility are to expose them,” he said addressing an event in Lunugamvehera. more..

Oct 23 (EN) Sri Lanka's gross domestic product and growth may be under-reported due to new service sector activities not being captured and low response to surveys, and the state statistics office is adopting new measures, a minister said. "I have a big issue with the growth numbers that are coming out," Minister Harsha de Silva said at a forum organized by the Institute of Policy Studies earlier this month. "There are underestimations in the services sector," he said. more..

Oct 23 (DM) President Maithripala Sirisena said he, as the common candidate in Nov 2014, assumed he was allaying with the UNP founded by the late D.S.-Dudley Senanayakes but later on realised that he had not allied with such a UNP. President Sirisena said this during a ceremony held at the BMICH to commemorate four Senanayakes namely D S, Dudley, R G and FR who had played great roles in securing independence. more..

Oct 23 (Island) JVP had decided to vote against the budget 2019, JVP MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said. "We have made the decision as we are against the govt’s economic policy and are certain after reading the Appropriation Bill that the govt will not be able to provide relief to people. We will stage a protest on Tuesday to mark the party’s campaign against the budget." The budget process for the next year started on Oct 9 with the presentation of the Appropriation Bill 2019 more..

Oct 23 (DN) India has offered to assist Sri Lanka with its inquiry into match-fixing in cricket and drafting laws to combat cheating in the game, Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said. He said India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) could provide technical expertise in probing widespread allegations of corruption in cricket. “I made the request, and PM Modi immediately put me in touch with the CBI,” said Ranatunga, who also skippered SL during their World Cup victory in 1996. more..

Oct 23 (IE) The family of a man arrested by the SL police last month after he is said to have claimed knowledge about a purported plot to kill President Sirisena, says he should be released immediately and given medical treatment for a mental condition that he has had since the mid-1990s. “This is a fabricated case. My elder brother is a victim of political insecurity in Sri Lanka,” said the 52-year-old brother of the man more..

Oct 23 (AD) CID concludes the 3rd day of recording statement from the former DIG Nalaka de Silva on VIP assassination allegations after nearly 9 hours of interrogation. Former DIG Nalaka de Silva arrived at the CID for the 3rd day this morning (22), to record a statement on the VIP assassination allegations. DIG Nalaka de Silva, former Director of the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID), is currently under investigation in connection with an alleged conspiracy to assassinate more..

Oct 23 (PMD) President Maithripala Sirisena instructed governors to intervene in the programme to release the lands of North and Eastern provinces which were acquired by the security forces during the conflict, to its original owners. President Sirisena made those instructions at meeting held to review the progress of the procedures of the provincial councils in 2018 today (22). All the governors, chief ministers and secretaries of provinces and other officials were present at this event. more..

Oct 23 (Island) More arrests were on the cards after CID arrested a high ranking official of Sri Lanka Cricket yesterday as a result of the ongoing investigations into serious fraud at SLC. Piyal Nandana, the Head of Finance at SLC was the third most powerful official within SLC and he was arrested at his Batteramulla residence. Sources revealed that more arrests were likely, based on information to be elicited from Nandana. more..

Oct 23 (DM) That India played the most pernicious role of a destabilizer of independent Sri Lanka is an incontrovertible empirical fact. That phase of overt Indian interference, which saw arming and training of nascent Tamil separatists and then the parippu drop and the induction of Indian peace keepers lasted less than a decade. However the monsters that India helped create haunted this country for three decades, robbed us two generations of prosperity, and a hundred thousand lives. more..

Oct 23 (DM) We are going through a very critical phase in Sri Lanka. The country needs immediate measures to put things back on track which will give short and long-term lasting results. In order to achieve that we need procedures in place while being mindful that our programmes MUST give results, which benefit all citizens and not just a few, as previous programmes and projects have. For example, we are all well aware that the airport in Mattala, the Port in Hambantota, more..

Oct 23 (DM) Minister Rauff Hakeem spoke about the present political situation in the island. Mr. Hakeem who is the Leader of SLMC also spelt out his aspirations with regard to the next Presidential Elections. Q: Today, we read reports about a feud between the President and the PM. There is indecision within the Govt. How do you see them? A: As a National Govt comprising two parties with different ideologies, it is bound to be more..

Oct 23 (DM) October 23 is the 70th Birth anniversary of legendary Muslim Congress leader M.H.M. Ashraff. A dynamic lawyer – politician hailing from Eastern Sri Lanka would have completed the Biblical life span of three score years and ten if he were among the living today. Alas! This was not to be as Ashraff passed away in a helicopter crash on Sept 16, 2000, just five weeks ahead of his 52nd Birthday. more..

Oct 23 (DM) The world’s most successful left-arm spinner in the history of Test cricket Rangana Herath will retire after the first Test in Galle. Though the series consists of three Test matches Herath will only play the first Test in Galle. Herath, 40 who made his Test debut in 1999 is the 10th most successful Test bowler in history with 430 wickets. The Galle Test begins on Nov 6. The timing and manner of a cricketer’s retirement can more..

Oct 23 (ST) In two separate presentations to potential investors and the Sri Lankan community in the UK, Megapolis Minister Champika Ranawaka spelt out the distinct advantages SL’s strategic infrastructure development will provide investors, as the global emphasis shifts to the Indian Ocean this century. With Britain’s position in the world uncertain, as it grapples with the European Union for a fruitful exit, more..

Oct 23 (EN) Sri Lanka is in talks with Qatar and Oman for foreign exchange swaps, CB Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy said. Sri Lanka had foreign reserves of about 8 billion rupees with a billion dollar loan from China, he said. Interventions were about 365 million dollars so far this year in a net basis, which was to prevent a disorderly adjustment of the exchange rate he said. He said it could be argued that more..

Oct 23 (Island) SL Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya, Sri Lanka Ports Authority branch President Prasanna Kalutarage said there was an attempt to sell the East terminal of the Colombo Port, belonging to the SLPA, to India at the behest of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. He said a proposal made by certain elements to sell the east terminal to India had been rejected by the Ports and Shipping Minister and President Sirisena. more..

Oct 23 (DM) Sri Lanka claimed the top spot in the Lonely Planet’s best travel destinations list of countries to visit in 2019, with Germany and Zimbabwe just behind, while Italy's Piedmont, the Catskills in the USA, and northern Peru topped the list of must-see regions. Egypt’s Southern Nile Valley, Lodz in Poland and the USA’s Great Smoky Mountains were named as the three best-value destinations for 2019. more..

Oct 23 (DM) Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya has sent a hard-hitting letter to the govt and recognized political parties informing them that getting officials to run provincial councils was undemocratic and likened it to an administration of dictatorship. The Elections Commission said this letter had been sent to the Provincial Councils and Local Govt Ministry and other recognized political parties. more..

Oct 23 (CT) Despite the Govt of SL being the main stakeholder in the SriLankan Airlines Limited (SLA), there was no representative of the Treasury duly appointed to the Board of Directors of the national carrier, until 2018 to represent the interest of the general public. This was disclosed by the Secretary to the Treasury and Ministry of Finance, Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga during his testimony yesterday before the PCoI more..

Oct 23 (AD) Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court was informed today that 123 out of 124 audio recordings of the phone conversations allegedly between Namal Kumara and former DIG Nalaka de Silva, being investigated in connection with the assassination plot, are a match with their voice samples. CID made this submission to the court based on the report of the Govt Analyst’s Dept, on the audio recordings more..