Sep 18 (CT) Ragging in the universities of SL, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan is an imported Oxbridge tradition from British colonial days. It originated as a week of initiation to new entrants, so that they may socialise with their seniors and get acclimatised to habituating in a new environment of highly motivated young adults. By the time a student qualifies to receive education at tertiary level in these countries that student is at least on the verge of crossing his or her teen years to enter adulthood. more..

Sep 18 (Island) Do we need a Counter Terrorism Law in SL, is a question that I wish to raise. Do we in this country need a law that will eventually be used, abused and compelled to be used against Sinhala Buddhist extremist violence in this country, the perpetrators of which are extremely few in number. We are not another Myanmar, a Buddhist preacher of violence of which country was captured in Time magazine’s front page, sometime ago, as the Buddhist Face of Terror. more..

Sep 18 (ST) If last year’s figures are anything to go by, some 1.5 million book lovers from all over Sri Lanka can be expected to visit the BMICH over just 10 days later this month, when the annual Colombo International Book Fair (CIBF) returns for its 20th edition. More than 450 exhibitors, 40 of them from overseas, have confirmed participation in the Book Fair, by footfall the largest annual exhibition in the country across all sectors, more..

Sep 18 (DN) SL cricket reached its nadir in the one-day format when they bowed out of the Asia Cup with a 91-run defeat against Afghanistan at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium here on Monday. Former Asia Cup champions were nowhere close to the teams that had won this tournament on five previous occasions and their performance against Bangladesh on Saturday and against Afghanistan yesterday left several question marks on the composition of the side ahead of 2019 WC. more..

Sep 18 (DN) The Sri Lanka Army Para Games – 2018 will be held for the 21st consecutive year at the Diyagama Sports Complex, Homagama from September 19 to 21 with the participation of sportsmen and women, drawn from all regiments of the Army. The event will be organized by Army Para Sports Committee and over 700 disabled athletes will be taking part in 72 individual and 12 team events. Opening ceremony will be held at 9 a.m with Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake as more..

Sep 18 (FT) Foreign investments into listed companies are set to get a big boost following the recent amendment to the Land Restrictions on Alienation Act. Previously under the original legislation Land Act No. 38 of 2014, the transfer of title of any land situated in SL was prohibited if such transfer is (a) to a foreigner; or (b) to a company incorporated in SL under the Companies Act, where any foreign shareholding in such company, more..

Sep 18 (Island) Singer Sri Lanka has experienced more than 15% growth despite all odds and economic issues in the country, its Marketing Director Kumar Samarasinghe said. "Market is tough but our business is growing well and we are now in the process of expanding and upgrading retail showrooms, situated island-wide, Samarasinghe said at the launch of six new high powered home audio systems at an exclusive event held at the Shangri-La Hotel, last Thursday. more..

Sep 18 (FT) China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) will be a massive economic opportunity for Sri Lanka, assured PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, while also allaying concerns surrounding the country’s sovereignty. “As long as we do not allow security issues to come in, there should not be a problem with BRI. We have told this to the Chinese Govt and they appreciate it. Both countries are looking at BRI as an economic project,” PM said, during a panel discussion at the closing session of more..

Sep 18 (ST) A fortnight ago, I began my Sunday Musings, discussing the wisdom of the elders with the focal point being former Captain Michael Tissera. During my discussion with him, he brought out a very salient point. He stressed that a forensic audit should be done at SLC, to probe the ins and outs of the financial and other dealings, taking into considerations the number of no-balls the authorities have bowled during this period. more..

Sep 18 (FT) President Maithripala Sirisena would be contesting the 2020 Presidential elections, a senior SLFP Minister revealed yesterday. Minister Duminda Dissanayake told the Daily FT that President Sirisena would definitely contest the next Presidential election. “President Sirisena will most definitely contest the upcoming Presidential election. We will reveal our strategy at a later date.” He said that President Sirisena is expected to be President till 2025. more..

Sep 18 (DN) In the wake of a visit by a Japanese delegation to the Hambantota Port, the Japan Int'l Cooperation Agency (JICA), has initiated talks with the Hambantota Int'l Port Group (HIPG). A delegation from JICA, an agency appointed by the Japanese govt to assist economic and social growth in developing countries, and promote int'l cooperation, met with HIPG team at port premises early this month, for discussions investigating possibility of future collaboration. more..

Sep 18 (EN) Sri Lanka's multiple ministries and agencies and regulations is making it difficult to implement policy and red tape was hindering trade and investment, and reform are required to unlock growth, officials said. "Sri Lanka compared to other emerging markets has more restrictive FDI and trade regulatory environment," Eteri Kvintradze resident reporesentive of the IMF said. "There is much more to be gained if more..

Sep 18 (CT) Highlighting that the service quality and competence of personnel impacted holidaymakers’ choice of destination, a senior tourism industrialist said that the industry was facing difficulties in attracting the right people for its development. Citrus Waskaduwa Beach Resort Chairman Prema Cooray told the shareholders that the tourism industry has grown from 500,000 tourists in 2009, bringing in nearly US$ 500 million-US$ 2.5 million, contributing nearly US$ 4 billion to the economy. more..

Sep 18 (DM) Compared to state institutions, the private entities which come under Public Authorities had shown less cooperation to the process of Right To Information (RTI), National Media Centre Director Jagath Liyanarachchi said. Addressing a workshop held on promoting RTI ahead of the RTI week, Mr. Liyanarachchi said private entities are of the view that the RTI doesn’t apply to them. “This is not what we assumed. These private institutions had not even appointed an RTI officer. more..

Sep 18 (Island) The Joint Opposition (JO) declared that it was ready to work with India in spite of misconceptions that may have led to New Delhi’s backing for the change of the Rajapaksa govt in Jan 2015. SLPP Chairman Prof. G. L. Peiris explained that though there could have been faults on both parties, they had now realized the importance of a new relationship. He was flanked by UPFA MP Rohitha more..

Sep 18 (Island) Powerful bombs, taken into custody by the STF in Maradankerny in Palai, had been brought by a suspect for fishing, police said. Acting on a tip-off, the STF arrested a suspect (34), last Friday, with a haul of 40 bombs and four kilos of C-4 explosives. A search for explosives in the house of the suspect drew a blank. However when the police commandos searched the adjoining houses, the explosives were recovered. Kilinochchi police said that the use of high explosives for fishing more..

Sep 18 (DN) The 18th edition of Sri Lanka’s largest, most successful and prestigious construction exhibition, Construct 2018 was held from August 24-26, 2018 at the BMICH. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, PM Ranil Wickremasinghe on August 24. Ministers Sajith Premadasa and Vajira Abeywardene graced the occasion as Guests of Honour. Ruwan De Silva, the Organizing Committee Chairman of Construct 2018 delivering the welcome address lamented more..

Sep 18 (CI) Three days into the tournament, Sri Lanka have become the first team to crash out of the Asia Cup, hurtling to a shock 91-run defeat against Afghanistan, who had hauled themselves to 249 on the back of Rahmat Shah's 72, then defended doggedly with the ball, extracting maximum benefit from SL's copious batting mistakes. The win means Afghanistan are through to the Super Four stage of the tournament, more..

Sep 18 (FT) The Colombo Port City has the potential to be a key catalyst for foreign direct investments in Sri Lanka for a long time to come, believes Standard Chartered Bank SL CEO Jim McCabe, but only if essential legislation is put in place to facilitate Sri Lanka as a regional hub. “We must catapult Sri Lanka into a regional centre and break down barriers that prevents it reaching its full potential. If the required legislation is put in place for the Port City, it will become incentivised more..

Sep 18 (DC) The Union govt has informed the Madras high court that through various mechanism, govt of SL was impressed upon to treat Indian fishermen humanely when in detention and not to resort to violence under any circumstances while intercepting or apprehending Indian fishermen who have strayed into SL waters. Binoy George, deputy secretary (SL) in the ministry of external affairs, stated this in his report filed in response to the petition filed by Fisherman Care, more..

Sep 18 (DC) For the first time in the past several decades, a high-level delegation from Sri Lanka is likely to visit Chennai soon to carry the message of peace and collaboration between the people of the island country and the brethren in Tamil Nadu. Announcing this at the MGR centenary celebration at his birthplace Kandy on Sunday, SL Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said it was a momentous occasion for the people of the more..

Sep 18 (Island) National Intellectual Organisation, a pressure group comprising academics and professionals has come forward to form a common front to unite the progressive forces targeting the forthcoming national elections. Colombo District President of the NIO, Sunil Gamage told The Island that the NIO was engaged in formulating a policy framework containing ten sections covering all areas affecting the public life and any party, civil or professional organisation agree with more..

Sep 18 (DN) Puttalam HC Judge Adithya Maddumapatabendige had ordered Puttalam PS Chairman Anjana Sandaruwan to be remanded yesterday until his case is concluded, as he had violated his bail conditions. He was ordered to be remanded for violating his bail conditions and attempting to travel abroad despite a travel ban imposed on him. Sandaruwan was on bail in connection with an ongoing case where he had allegedly fired at a group of protestors who more..

Sep 18 (Island) The Board of Directors of SriLankan Airlines had approved a decision taken by a govt committee to borrow USD 32.5 million from the People’s Bank to pay part of a penalty for the cancellation of leases of four Airbus A350-900s though they had not been consulted prior to making that request, the PCoI on irregularities at SriLankan Airlines, SriLankan Catering and Mihin Lanka was told yesterday. more..

Sep 18 (CT) A Public Interest Litigation Activist and lawyer Nagananda Kodituwakku filed a petition before the Supreme Court yesterday seeking to issue notice on the Attorney General and on the CIABOC to enforce the law in connection with the Treasury Bonds (TBs) scam. The petitioner further requested the Court to issue a Writ against the CIABOC, to initiate a credible and independent investigation or inquiry into the scam. Kodituwakku has charged that the Chairman of more..

Sep 18 (DN) Stressing the importance of properly fulfilling duties and responsibilities, President Maithripala Sirisena gave a clarification on his decision to summon the staff of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Austria, back to the country last week. Prez observed that the Ambassador and the staff will return to Sri Lanka within the next few days. Prez said that he made the decision as his communication team was not able to contact the SL Embassy in Austria for four and a half hours. more..

Sep 18 (Island) UPFA MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena, yesterday, said that people expected the IGP to behave better than MPs. The Island raised the issue after Abeygunawardena alleged that IGP Pujith Jayasundera wasn’t suitable to continue in office following a spate of incidents involving him and recent derogatory statements directed at the Maha Sangha at a recent event in a govt school. more..

Sep 18 (DM) Although a hurricane and floods rising to several metres are devastating Carolina, the US President Donald Trump—reported by the Washington Post fact checker to have made more than 5000 false or misleading statements during his one year and nine months in office, still continues to describe global warming as largely a Chinese hoax. Recently he pulled the US out of the Paris climate change accord reached in Dec 2016 with most analysts now saying Mr. Trump is mentally more..

Sep 18 (DM) Much has been written about female circumcision of late, with many writers confusing this Islamic practice with FGM (Female Genital Mutilation). However this is far from the truth. Female circumcision as prescribed in Islam involves removing only the prepuce (foreskin) covering the clitoris. This is a relatively minor and harmless procedure very much like male circumcision and which like it confers many health benefits, including facilitating genital hygiene, improving sex life. more..

Sep 18 (DM) Aritha Wickramasinghe is a finance lawyer and an activist who promotes the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights and the rights of women, children and ethnic minorities. He was instrumental in lobbying for the Transgender Equality Inquiry by the Women and Equalities Committee of the British Parliament. He was also part of the team that successfully negotiated with the EU to include LGBT rights more..

Sep 18 (ST) The CID this week recorded a statement from the mother of a Sabaragamuwa University student who is said to have committed suicide in 2015 after being ragged, an activist who accompanied her to the police said. Wasantha Elvitigala alleges that her daughter, Amali Chathurika, took her life after becoming depressed due to repeated ragging. For three-and-a-half years, however, there was no police action. more..

Sep 18 (PTI) State-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI) will prepare a detailed project report for development of Palaly airport in Sri Lanka. This would be the first project for the AAI in the island nation and "we are trying to get engaged with our neighbours", an AAI official said. AAI said it has signed an agreement with External Affairs Ministry for "preparation of a Detailed Project Report for development of Palaly airport in SL". more..

Sep 18 (CT) The Tamil people must wage a war unto death against forcible colonization by the Sinhala people as well as the setting up of Buddhist temples in the North, said TNA Kilinochchi District MP S. Sridharan. He was speaking at a programme, on 15 September, to commence a voluntary organization at village level in the North against forcible colonization and constructing of Buddhist temples. more..

Sep 18 (Island) The Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) urged the govt to look into the plight of Tamil prisoners detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. "The situation has now take a turn for the worse with the hunger strike launched by eight detainees in the Anuradhapura prison. One of the leading figures of the protest Thillai Raj has been transferred to the Welikada Prison by authorities thinking that more..

Sep 18 (PMD) President Maithripala Sirisena says all must fulfill their respective duties to preserve the Ozone Layer, which is a wonderful creation of the nature to ensure the survival of the earth and its creatures. He made these remarks addressing the National Ozone day celebration held at the BMICH, today (17). Expressing his views, President further said that Sri Lanka is committed to adhere to all the int'l agreements, more..

Sep 18 (DN) he Habeas Corpus petition filed by the wife of JVP founding leader Rohana Wejeweera seeking an order to produce the Corpus (body) of Rohana Wijeweera before Court to be dealt with according to law was yesterday fixed for support by Court of Appeal. The petitioner Sreemathi Chithrangani Wijeweera also sought an order in the nature of writ of Habeas Corpus releasing or discharging the Corpus forthwith more..

Sep 18 (CT) Minister Rajitha Senaratne instructed the relevant authorities to halt salary payments of medical, nursing and other health staff if they fail to accept their transfer orders. During his meeting with Provincial Health Ministers, their officials and the Ministry’s officials at the National Blood Centre, Narahenpita, Dr. Senaratne was informed by several Provincial Health Directors present that several medical staff and nurses, more..

Sep 18 (Island) More than 700,000 people have been affected by the drought in 16 districts and the govt has taken many measures to provide relief to them, DMC says Jaffna District has borne the brunt of the drought with more than 370,000 people affected. In the East, Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts were also affected by dry weather. The water levels in all major reservoirs in the Ampara District have more..

Sep 18 (Island) Rebel UPFA MP S.B. Dissanayake has reiterated that the army executed some LTTE personnel including one-time LTTE Eastern Commander Thambiraja Thurairajasingham aka Ramesh after they surrendered to the advancing troops. The declaration was made in response to a media query at the residence of former Deputy Speaker Tilanga Sumathipala last week. more..

Sep 18 (CT) The case of 25-year-old Kamer Nizamdeen is yet to reach the short attention span of this country; its politicians are silent, its public is mum, aware but lackadaisical. Kamer was arrested on 30 August, 2018, by Australian authorities, and according to his family, he has since been placed in solitary confinement under high security. According to reports, Kamer is being kept in custody on suspicion of collecting or making documents likely to facilitate terrorist acts, more..