Aug 26 (FT) Unless the Central Bank sees lending rates reducing, it will impose lending rate caps on each financial institution, Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy warned, following an unexpected relaxing of monetary policy last Friday, insisting such a measure was necessary to spur growth. Governor speaking to reporters after the announcement of a surprise 50 basis point rate cut defended the possibility of the CB imposing more..

Aug 26 (FT) Starting from the winter season, LOT will fly from Warsaw to SL with flights being operated seasonally, with three weekly flights between 3 Nov and 28 Mar, on its modern fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. With the new series of seasonal flights, Colombo becomes the sixth Asian long-haul destination in the growing network of Poland’s flag carrierand the first regular seasonal winter service opened for Polish tourists seeking an exotic winter vacation. Tickets are now available for sale. more..

Aug 26 (TM) Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, which has been dominated by the informal sector for decades, has made significant strides towards formalisation since the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks which crippled the industry. SLTDA received 1,326 applications from the informal sector over the past four months and had processed 1,010 of those as at 16 Aug 2019. The surge in registrations of informal businesses since Easter is due to the relief packages offered by the Govt, more..

Aug 26 (DN) Since the tragic Easter Sunday attacks, the country celebrated Vesak, Poson, Esala Perahera, and Madhu festivals without any terrorist or anti-social incident, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe pointed out yesterday after inaugurating a major new irrigation and water resources project in the lower Malvathu Oya region, near Tantirimalai. PM said political opponents predicted that SL’s economy would suffer more..

Aug 26 (SLN) The Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) SLNS Sayura and Fast Missile Vessel SLNS Nandimithra set sail for the ports of Chittagong in Bangladesh and Rangoon in Myanmar for a training exercise of officer under trainees in the SL Navy. Accordingly, the two ships left the Naval Dockyard, Trincomalee on 22nd Aug. SLNS Sayura is commanded by Captain Nilantha Hewawitharana, whereas Captain Buddhika Liyanagamage is the Commanding Officer of SLNS Nandimithra. more..

Aug 26 (AD) Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa says that he would like it if Minister Sajith Premadasa runs for Presidency from the UNP. Opposition Leader expressed these views following a function held in Colombo today (25). According to him, his party, SLPP has received the approval from the majority of the minorities. The 123rd birth anniversary of Ven. Balangoda Ananda Maithree Thera was commemorated at the BMICH under the patronage of Opp Leader Rajapaksa. more..

Aug 26 (TM) The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has agreed to a deal which would allegedly result in the loss of earnings of approximately Rs. 20 billion to the council. Sunday Morning learnt the CMC had awarded a contract to a private company to maintain lamp posts, with the authority to award 4G and 5G Wi-Fi connections to telecommunication companies. JVP Councillors at the CMC questioned the 20-year contract more..

Aug 26 (ST) While Sri Lanka is seeing an improvement in arrivals as the numbers continue to rise over the months, winter projections are likely to see a 50 per cent drop in tourists. Jetwing Symphony Chairman Hiran Cooray said that during the month of August occupancies in most of their hotels except a few villas were around 60-70%. The ratio of guests is 60:40 for overseas and locals. In this respect, tourism destination areas like Ella, Mirissa, Unawatuna & Galle are doing well, more..

Aug 26 (AD) Secretary of the Ministry of Power and Energy Suren Batagoda is avoiding the COPE in the fear of having to reveal the names of the politicians involved in these frauds, according to the Ceylon Electricity Board Employees’ Union. General Secretary of the Union Ranjan Jayalal pointed out that the politicians involved in the issues protect the Ministry Secretary. Many corruptions and fraud activities took place in the Ministry in the recent past and they still continue today, more..

Aug 26 (EN) Sri Lanka's budget deficit has widened to 3.4% of estimated gross domestic product in by June 2019 from 2.4% in 2018 as revenues fell with collapsing imports, but the gap had been filled with foreign debt, keeping domestic rates down, official data shows. Revenues were down 3.6% to 888 billion rupees, with tax revenues down 4% to 845 billion rupees as imports collapsed in the wake of monetary instability in 2018 more..

Aug 26 (DM) The National Democratic Alliance (NDF) will be formed soon and a candidate will be named shortly, PM Rani Wickremesighe said on Saturday. “We have chosen a candidate in line with our policies and we will name him at the right time,” PM said. Speaking during the launch of Bogambara Cultural Centre in Kandy, the PM said the NDF will be formed shortly as an agreement has been reached among the allies of NDF on the constitution of the proposed alliance. more..

Aug 26 (DN) There was a rebound in vehicle registration across the board in July from the lows of June. Total motor cars recorded 2,584 units in July significantly up from 1,580 units in June, but significantly down from 7,162 units 12 months ago. Brand new motor cars recorded a mere 299 units in July up from 222 units in June, but down from 904 units 12 months ago. Small cars (less than 1,000 CC) accounted for 88.6% of volumes. Pre-owned motor cars recorded 2,285 units in July, more..

Aug 26 (Island) JO lawmaker Bandula Gunawardena warned of dire consequences unless the candidate fielded by a coalition led by the UNP at the 2019 prez election was defeated to pave the way for a Gotabaya Rajapaksa presidency. He alleged that the current dispensation had failed the country on the two most vital fronts, national security and economy. Security lapses that led to the Easter Sunday attacks proved beyond any doubt more..

Aug 26 (Island) JO lawmaker MP Shehan Semasinghe, yesterday, apologised for preventing the media from covering SLPP Youth Convention held at the Nelum Pokuna theatre, on Saturday, in support of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidential candidature. Addressing the media at the Opposition Leader’s Office, MP Semasinghe admitted that those responsible for organising the event should have been mindful of the support extended by the media to the JO during its difficult times. more..

Aug 26 (AD) SLPP Prez candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa says he pledges to appoint an independent commission of inquiry to probe the Easter Sunday attacks through a govt under his leadership. The former Defense Secretary made this pledge in response to a request made by the Archbishop of SL Rev. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith for an independent commission of inquiry. Rajapaksa stated that he fully understands the gravity of the situation and that he requests current govt more..

Aug 26 (Island) The UNP would not announce its prez candidate without unveiling the policies of the coalition it would establish, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said, on Saturday, at Ankumbura. The party would first build a powerful political coalition and then field a prez candidate from that alliance, he said, adding that the unveiling of the coalition’s manifesto would coincide with the naming of its prez candidate. more..

Aug 26 (DM) Since January this year, a devastating fire has been burning in the Amazon -the world’s largest rain forest. This rain forest plays a crucial role in keeping our planet’s carbon-dioxide levels in check. Its plants and trees take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen back into the air in their process of photosynthesis. This is why the Amazon, which covers 2.1 million square miles, is often referred to as the lungs of the planet: The forest produces 20% of the oxygen in our planet’s atmosphere. more..

Aug 26 (DM) A successful leader is one who can defend against the various temptations and baits of the political field; of strong character, with both charisma and conscience and willing to listen to the wishes of the common man and to represent them closely with courage. He should stand up and say what he wishes to be said– rather than tell the people what they want to hear and is willing to make difficult and unpopular decisions for the greater good of society. more..

Aug 26 (EN) Sri Lanka is at risk of losing a 480 million US dollar grant from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to improve transportation and land use if the island does not sign the agreement by September an official said. "The US$ 480 million program needs to be approved by Sri Lanka before our board meets in September," Jenner Edelman, the Country Director for the US govt owned MCC said. more..

Aug 26 (ST) A shortage of medical supplies, including drugs and consumables has been reported from hospitals, although health officials have been disregarding the shortfalls. A senior official of the Matale District General Hospital, told the Sunday Times, that there is a drug shortage and this happens from time to time. “Out of 19,000 drugs imported to Sri Lanka there is a shortage in 200 drugs,” he said. more..

Aug 26 (Island) Well over a thousand years of peaceful co-existence the Muslims have enjoyed in this country full of compassionate people have been seriously dented by the misguided actions of a few Muslim youth and the Muslim community must acknowledge that a few of its young minds had gone astray while those harbouring extremist views are rehabilitated, former MP M.M. Zuhair, MP says in a message addressed to Muslim civil society. more..

Aug 26 (Island) Attempts by Minister John Amaratunga to free more than six acres of land around St. Anthony’s Church inside the Wilpattu National Park from the control of the Department of Wildlife by amending the Gazette Notification No. 89 dated 07/12/1973 would have a disastrous impact on elephants which made their way to the villus through the above mentioned area, environmentalist Sajeewa Chamikara said. more..

Aug 26 (Island) The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) on August 23 ordered the Central Bank to expedite the paying the compensation amounting to Rs. 456 million to the depositors of the scandal-hit Golden Key Credit Card Company. The COPA met under the chairmanship of MP Lasantha Alagiyawanna with the participation of State Minister Niroshan Perera, MPs Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Udaya Gammanpila, to question officials of more..

Aug 26 (TM) With many families returning to resettle in demilitarised land in the Jaffna District, the demand for water has increased. The lack of rain and the over extraction of the available groundwater are now affecting the mineral composition of the water, turning it to saline water. To make matters worse, the Jaffna District is routinely affected by dry spells and this year, since March, drought has affected 70,628 persons more..

Aug 26 (Island) The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday carnage found itself in a difficult situation owing to a clash between the legislature and the executive, PSC sources said. The PSC has almost completed its hearings, except the recording the evidence of President Maithripala Sirisena, who is also the Defence Minister. PSC member JVP Kalutara District MP Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said. more..

Aug 26 (Hindu) In SL’s political terrain, national security and the presidential race are the main talking points this season, both bringing a measure of anxiety for many. Almost lost in that buzz is the quiet achievement of a team of SL scientists in outer space. Astronomers from the country have sighted two new exoplanets, or planets outside the solar system, a rare feat in the study of stars/galaxies that puts SL in special league. more..

Aug 26 (TM) Presidential hopefuls have had separate meetings with the TNA in an attempt to win their support for the upcoming presidential election. SLPP prez candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa, JVP Leader and NPP presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and UNP, self-proclaimed presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa have had unofficial talks with TNA members. Meanwhile on Friday evening, more..

Aug 26 (CT) The main suspect in the Central Bank Bonds scam, Arjun Aloysius, had given a sum of Rs 75 million to PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, at the latter's personal residence, it was reported to Ceylon Today. According to information received, a bag containing the above-mentioned sum of money had been handed over by Aloysius on 23 July 2015, at Wickremesinghe's personal residence located at 5th Lane, Colombo 3. more..

Aug 26 (FT) When Dr. S.T.G. Fernando, fondly known as STG, was appointed as Director of Economic Research of the Central Bank in 1979, his fame – or perhaps, notoriety – as a hard taskmaster had travelled to us in the Department before he made his physical presence there. We were both awed and frightened. But, that feeling of unease was to be put to rest after he had his first staff meeting. The soft-spoken STG told us that he valued quality work and on-time delivery more than anything more..

Aug 26 (CT) The film Anaconda, which was released a few years ago, gave the entire world the opportunity to explore the world's largest Amazon rainforest to a great extent. The film was mainly on the huge Anaconda snakes found extensively in the Amazon rainforests. Amazon rainforests, in South America, remain a healthy habitat not only for mammoth Anacondas but also for 10 per cent of both, flora and fauna species in the world. So the present forest fire has not only threatened more..

Aug 26 (AD) Two persons have been shot and killed by unidentified gunmen inside a house at Pahathgama in Hanwella last night. The shooting had been carried out by two armed men who had arrived on a motorcycle between 9.30 p.m. and 10 p.m. yesterday. Two gunmen, who had concealed their faces, forcible entered the house and opened fire at the homeowner and another individual before fleeing. The two victims, aged 43 and 32, who were critically wounded in the shooting more..

Aug 26 (DM) The govt has decided to transfer the inmates in other prisons with serious criminal charges to the Boossa Prison in Galle, under tight security. Accordingly, necessary changes in the structure of the prison buildings at the Boossa prison have already been effected, the Monitoring MP of Justice Ministry Wijepala Hettiarachchi said. Out of the 486 currently detained in Boossa prison, 20 are hardcore criminals. A number of new guard rooms and cells have been constructed to more..

Aug 26 (CI) Rain played a role on all five days of the P Sara Oval Test and Niroshan Dickwella made a dogged half-century on the final day, threatening the first drawn Test in Sri Lanka after 25 results, but New Zealand still found a way to snatch 60 points to square the series 1-1. After BJ Watling rumbled to a century in the morning, the bowlers blasted out Sri Lanka's top five for next to nothing, but a late rearguard more..

Aug 26 (AD) SLFP members who attended the SLPP national conventions have not been invited to the SLFP Central Committee meeting, said SLFP General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara. SLFP members including MPs Dilan Perera, Chandima Weerakkody and S.B. Dissanayake attended the first-ever national convention of the SLPP held on the 11th Aug at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. MP Jayasekara stated that the relevant members have not been invited to more..

Aug 26 (Island) The CMEV and PAFFREL would meet representatives of all political parties in the North, today, to enlist their support for the draft bill on regulating campaign funding by the Elections Commission, CMEV national coordinator Manjula Gajanayake said. They will also inform the political parties of their plan to conduct a countrywide baseline survey on the expenses of political parties and candidates during the coming presidential election campaign period. more..

Aug 26 (Island) A police vehicle providing security to dump trucks carrying garbage to the Aruwakkalu sanitary landfill, Puttalam had been damaged in an attack, on Saturday. DL 6907 Tata cab, used by police personnel, attached to the Puttalam Headquarters Police was pelted with stones at Thil Adiya, Puttalam. Dump trucks were also attacked. "The windscreen of a truck was also damaged when a group of people pelted more..

Aug 26 (Island) JVP has tasked a panel of experts with the task of finalising its manifesto for the Jathika Janbabala Peramuna presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The JVP has submitted to the experts a set of proposals which various allied members of the new front have agreed on, to present in the form of a manifesto. The panel of experts comprises Prof Chandana Abeyratne, Prof Liyanage Amarakeerthi, Prof BA Abeywickrama, Prof Anura Karunathilaka, more..

Aug 26 (EN) The govt will sign an agreement on Aug 27 with Norwegian energy firm Equinor to survey the offshore blocks JS5 and JS6 in the Lanka basin for oil and gas deposits. "Next week we are going to sign another agreement," Petroeum Resource Development Secretariat (PRDS) Director General Vajira Dassanayake said. “Currently, we have a joint study agreement with Total and the govt of SL,” he said. “JS 5 and JS 6 blocks are large when compared to other blocks, more..

Aug 26 (AD) The allegations that Speaker Karu Jayasuriya had declared that he would resign from his post is completely false, announced the Speaker’s Media Unit today (26). Several newspapers and social media posts had stated that Speaker would resign from his post if an anti-democratic and illegal incident such as on the 26th Oct 2018 when a new PM was sworn in without the parliamentary majority. more..