Sep 10 (CT) In the wake of the Indian Supreme Court decriminalizing consensual homosexual activity in a landmark ruling delivered on 6 September, the Govt of Sri Lanka says that if a formal public appeal was made in this regard to consider doing the same locally, it would be presented to the Parliament for consideration. Minister of Justice Thalatha Atukorale and Chairperson of the Parliamentary more..

Sep 10 (SLN) Naval personnel onboard 3 Inshore Patrol Craft (IPCs) attached to the North Central Naval Command, during routine patrol, found 284.5kg of Kerala Cannabis floating in the sea area southeast of Iranativu island yesterday (7). It is suspected that the haul of cannabis which has been packed into 95 parcels has been dumped at sea with the intention of bringing them to the shore later. Meanwhile, this stock of cannabis is recorded as the largest haul recovered by Navy in recent more..

Sep 10 (DM) Former Navy Commander and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne had been summoned by the CID to give a statement today. He was summoned to give a statement with regard to the abduction of 11 youths in 2008 and 2009. Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne on Aug 29 ordered CID to take necessary action to arrest Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne if there is sufficient evidence to prove that he had aided and abetted a Navy Officer, more..

Sep 10 (DM) PM and Leader of UNP Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said he had instructed the party to get ready for the provincial council elections which will be held soon. Mr. Wickremesinghe expressed this sentiments during the UNP Bala Mandala meeting in Kandy today. He said he had instructed party hierarchy to remove those grass root members of the UNP in areas such as Central Province who does not work and more..

Sep 10 (DM) Today we are witnessing an ever-increasing number of natural disasters in the form of earthquakes, landslides, earth slips, flooding, droughts, wildfires and tsunamis occurring worldwide. Earlier this year in Greece, devastating wildfires killed around 85 people, while wildfires in California and in Sweden raged out of control and burned for days. In Kerala, India, unusually heavy rains during the recent monsoon led to landslides and floods which killed over 483 persons and more..

Sep 10 (DM) Due to the technological change in concrete terms have led to rapid introduction of modern technology in every sphere of economic activity. The rate of change has also led to continuous changes in education and occupation. These changes have been occurring in different directions and different speeds compared to changes in education system. When most students have to be educated up to the age of 16 or 18, it is imperative that education imparted. more..

Sep 10 (EN) Prez Sirisena went into a rage describing how the national carrier served him cashew nuts that were unsuitable for consumption, even by dogs. He said Sri Lankan airlines served him nuts while travelling from Kathmandu to Colombo via New Delhi but he simply could not eat the poor quality cashew. “Who authorized the purchase of these nuts which no human being can eat; even a dog will not eat this,” more..

Sep 10 (EN) Sri Lanka has started a value added tax refund counter at Colombo Airport in Katunayake as part of efforts to make the island an competitive trading hub, the finance ministry said. Sri Lanka has a 15% VAT on most items and tourists can reclaim the tax as they are leaving the country. A purchase made by a tourist is technically an export. So far 18 establishments selling clothes and other items to tourists more..

Sep 10 (DM) Sri Lanka’s announced plans to resume the use of death penalty are disturbing, as are recurrent incidents of racist and inter-communal violence, the new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said today. In her opening statement to the Human Rights Council’s (HRC) 39th session which commenced in Geneva, Ms. Bachelet said the authorities in Sri Lanka had moved slowly towards meaningful more..

Sep 10 (CT) Elections monitoring body, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) announced that they will file a Right to Information application, seeking information on the total cost of Parliamentary sittings per day. Referring to Parliamentary sittings being adjourned within minutes on 6 Sept, owing to the lack of quorum, thereby preventing important matters pertaining to Bills and Regulations being taken up, more..

Sep 10 (CT) The Director Media, Brigadier A.M.S.B Atapattu has released a statement yesterday on the present alertness of the Army to deal with any adverse situation at any moment. The statement is as follows: “It is 9 years since the Sri Lanka Army emerged victorious in a war that lasted nearly 30 years. During the period of 9 years four commanders with experience have commanded the Army. All of them had contributed to more..

Sep 10 (EN) SL's top business magnate Ashok Pathirage was cited as a key witness in the prosecution of Gotabhaya Rajapaksa before the newly established special high court on Monday. He was listed among the witnesses to testify in the prosecution of Rajapaksa and six other officials of the Low- Lying Areas Reclamation and Development Board. They are accused of siphoning off nearly 40 mil rupees in state funds to build a museum more..

Sep 10 (DM) The vehicle used to distribute the milk packets containing poisonous substance for the protesters of the Janabalaya Kolombata held on last Wednesday, belonged to the Lottery Board which comes under the Finance Ministry, Joint Opposition (JO) charged today. Addressing a news conference, JO MP Shehan Semasinghe said they had sufficient evidence to prove that it was a plot by the Govt to sabotage the protest. more..

Sep 10 (DM) Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, who had been summoned to the CID today, had left for Mexico for official visit this morning. Admiral Wijegunaratne had been summoned by the CID to give a statement today with regard to the abduction of 11 youths in 2008 and 2009. CDS Spokesman said Admiral Wijegunaratne left the country to attend the 208th Independence Commemoration more..

Sep 10 (CI) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has thwarted an attempt by one of its employees to embezzle US$ 5.5 million to an offshore bank account, SLC has confirmed. The money was due to the board from Sony Pictures Networks in relation to the broadcasting rights for England's upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. "Immediately, upon finding of the attempted fraud, SLC CEO Ashley De Silva lodged a complaint to the FCID, under the direction of more..

Sep 10 (AD) The Special High Court has imposed a travel ban on the former Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and the 6 other over the case of D.A. Rajapaksa Memorial Museum. When the case was taken up before a three-judge bench, the suspects including Rajapaksa was bailed on a cash bail bond of Rs 100,000 and two personal bails worth Rs 1 million on each suspect. more..

Sep 11 (CT) On the day of independence in 1948, Hon DS Senanayake, the father of our nation said “No longer can we lay the blame for defects and errors in our administration on others. It is, therefore, the duty of every citizen of Lanka to grasp this opportunity and to strive and toil willingly for advancing the happiness and prosperity of the country.” What do we have after seventy years? Isn’t it prosperity for a chosen few and misery for the majority? more..

Sep 11 (CT) Has Sri Lanka got a vision? More specifically do our leaders have a vision? Whether one agreed with it or not leaders like SWRD Bandaranaike, Dudley Senanayake, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, JR Jayewardene, R Premadasa and Mahinda Rajapaksa were leaders with a vision for the country. This is not to say they did not have their faults, and perhaps even misdeeds. SWRD Bandaranaike came to power at a time when SL’s (Ceylon) English literary rate was around 5% more..

Sep 11 (CT) The family of Kamer Nizamdeen, insists that the Sri Lankan youth who was arrested by the Australian counter terrorism force for owning a notebook with terror plots, is innocent and that he has been set up by someone jealous of his outstanding achievements. One week after his arrest on Aug 30 and subsequent detention, the family had been given access to communicate with the 25-year-old who is a PhD student more..

Sep 11 (Island) Paradise Lost, the epic work of the English poet John Milton written in blank verse, was first published in 1667 in 10 books but the second edition, published seven years later, was arranged into 12 books. Milton may have been stirred by the turbulent era he lived in, to write this epic. No doubt, the English Civil war that lasted from 1642 to 1651, culminating in the victory of the parliament and the execution of King Charles I for treason in 1649, would have affected him. more..

Sep 11 (ST) Hang on a moment. Is the president of this country like no other, deadly serious or is this his idea of a joke? Having decided to hang convicted drug dealers who continue to do lucrative business from even their prison cells, President Sirisena, the great visionary, is prepared to expand his vision. I have no idea whether he has seen an optometrist recently. He appears to believe that he is still endowed with 20-20 vision and is as far-sighted as Ozymandias. more..

Sep 11 (CT) Joint Opposition MP Prasanna Ranatunga says that if Mahinda Rajapaksa contested the General Election separately, then, today he would have been the PM or the Leader of the Opposition. Q: The political arena has got heated up based on Mahinda Rajapaksa being able to contest for the third time. However, according to the Constitution, he cannot contest for a third time. That is the truth. more..

Sep 11 (Island) Much rhetoric has been used in various media over the years, and recently too, on the subject of patriots and traitors. I feel constrained to express my views as well. Samuel Johnson in his Dictionary (1755) defined a patriot as One whose ruling passion is the love of his country. This is certainly a laudable goal and worthy of emulation by all citizens; it suggests a cause bigger than one’s self and hints at a sacrificial character. Why then did he also say that Patriotism is the last refuge more..

Sep 11 (GV) On Sept 5, Colombo was nearly empty even during the after-school rush hour. Reason was the JO’s Jana Balaya rally, the location of which remained under wraps until the last minute. What was known was that participants would join from across the country and converge on the capital. Several workplaces closed early, in anticipation of clashes. A key focal point was the Bo Gaha junction in Pettah, where Namal Rajapaksa and former Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa more..

Sep 11 (ST) The trade deficit of US$ 5.7 billion in the first half of the year is a serious concern, as it portends a likely massive trade deficit of over US$ 10 billion this year. Such a large trade deficit would weaken the balance of payments (BOP), the external reserves and debt repayment capacity. The expectation that this year’s growth in exports would reduce the country’s large trade deficit has been dashed to the ground by increased imports in the first half of the year. more..

Sep 11 (CT) Courts may have barred the Police from banning the SLPP (JO) anti-Govt rally on Wednesday (5), but there is still no denying the politics of the protest. GNU leaders are not wide off the mark when they indicated that the rally might not have happened, had it not been for the fast-tracking of trial against the Rajapaksas’ and their acolytes through the establishment of Special High Courts under the law. But then, the Govt should also ask itself if they are doing the right thing by more..

Sep 11 (Roar) It is a hot, humid day in Colombo as I make my way to Sumithrayo, volunteer-based charity, to speak to Jomo about what the organisation does to prevent suicide in SL. Jomo, a tall man with wide shoulders and a blunt, no-nonsense manner, is clear from the outset that he would like to keep much of his personal information —including his last name— to himself, explaining that anonymity is key in the work they do. more..

Sep 11 (DN) State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe led a delegation of private sector companies to Kenya together with the Export Development Board (EDB). State Minister addressed the Sri Lanka, Kenya Business Forum organized by the Sri Lanka High Commission in Nairobi where the private sector companies had the opportunity to meet prospective buyers, wholesalers and Kenyan entrepreneurs to further their businesses. Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KNCCI) partnered more..

Sep 11 (FT) In the previous part, it was presented that Central Banks are required to use their power to print money responsibly, so that people who hold those moneys have the assurance that its value would not be eroded over time. To do this job, there should a degree of independence afforded to Central Banks by their creators, Govts which have done it on behalf of the public. However, in practice, there have been attempts at compromising the independence of Central Banks by more..

Sep 11 (BBC) Kandasamy Ponnamma is still haunted by the sight of her son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren waving as they were taken away by SL troops in May 2009. Ms Ponnamma wept helplessly as the bus carried off her loved ones, soon after security forces defeated Tamil Tiger rebels. She was among tens of thousands who had fled a tiny coastal strip near the north-eastern town of Mullaitivu, more..

Sep 11 (Island) The CID, on Sunday, had the media believe that Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne would be questioned and arrested, the following day, for having allegedly helped a suspect evade arrest. But the Admiral went overseas, yesterday morning, and no legal action had been taken to prevent him from leaving the country. All barks and no bite! The CID has informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that Wijegunaratne gave money to former Navy intelligence more..

Sep 11 (CI) Dinesh Chandimal has been ruled out of Asia Cup 2018 after failing to recover from a fracture to his right middle finger. He sustained the injury during the recent domestic T20 tournament. Wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella, who was among five standby players, has replaced Chandimal in the 16-member squad. This is yet another setback for Chandimal, who has been earmarked by SLC as a key limited-overs player ahead of next year's World Cup. more..

Sep 11 (Island) SL Head Coach Chandika Hathurusingha has backed fast bowler Lasith Malinga to deliver during the Asia Cup after his selection into the 16 member squad created debate. Although the 35-year-old played the recent SLC Super League T-20 tournament, questions were asked whether someone can be picked for a 50 over competition going by his form in T-20 cricket. Malinga has not represented SL in more than more..

Sep 11 (DN) Sri Lanka’s wild card receiver Savit Weerasinghe performed well in the boys’ ITF Junior Circuit Week II first round to beat his Indonesian opponent Nauvaldo Jati Agatra in comfortable straight sets 6/4, 6/3 as the tournament commenced at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association clay courts yesterday. The initial round of the boys’ singles saw players from 10 countries lined up for the battle and two Lankans, Savit and Chathurya Nilaweera, both have qualified as wild card entries. more..

Sep 11 (Island) SriLankan Catering has recorded a steady financial performance for the financial year ended 31st March 2018 with a 26% year-on-year growth in operating profits from Rs. 3.03 billion to Rs. 3.81 billion. Its unaudited financial statements also showed that the operating profit ratio which stood at 42% in the last year improved to 44% during the year 2017/18. It has also reported a post-tax net profit of Rs. 3.9 billion during the year, which is a 4% increase compared to previous year. more..

Sep 11 (FT) The Trade Adjustment Programme (TAP) by the Int'l Trade and Development Strategies Ministry is likely to be presented to Cabinet this month, after recommendations and feedback from stakeholders, including Cabinet members, are incorporated into the final document. A draft of the long-awaited TAP was released late last month for stakeholder feedback. The document details how domestic enterprises would be more..

Sep 11 (Wisden) This month’s Asia Cup will be the first competition affected by the change after Hong Kong, who do not yet possess ODI status, qualified for the tournament. This led to the possibility of some matches in the tournament not being awarded ODI status whilst others were. Now, all matches in the Asia Cup are to be awarded ODI status. The decision comes amidst a wider review into how ODI status is awarded after the ICC drew criticism when only some games at the World Cup Qualifier more..

Sep 11 (Island) President Sirisena should take the responsibility for Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne leaving the country to participate in 208th Independence Commemoration Ceremony of United Mexican States, Sarath Wijesuriya, co-convener of the National Movement for Social Justice said. Wijegunaratne left the country requesting a fresh date from the CID to provide a statement in respect of an investigation into him having allegedly helped more..

Sep 11 (AD) President Sirisena says the attention of the authorities should be drawn to implement an appropriate process to immediately halt the import of the food crops which could cultivate in the country. He said these are done by various racketeers, who show consumer reports to show there is a need for imports. He made these remarks during a meeting held with the farming community in Hambantota more..