Aug 29 (CT) If the Rubber-Rice Pact of 1952 sowed the seeds of good and enduring relations between China & SL, decision to build the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) with Chinese technical and financial help in 1964, cemented ties between the two countries. The importance of these events lies in their historical context. Rubber-Rice pact was the result of a dire economic need in both countries. SL desperately needed rice to feed its population. more..

Aug 29 (TM) While acknowledging that TNA considered JVP as a serious contributing factor to change needed in SL, TNA asserted that they are yet to decide on whom to back at the upcoming prez election. In relation to siding against the Rajapaksas, TNA Leader R. Sampanthan stated that just because a decision was taken against someone in the past, it didn’t necessarily mean that the decision would have to be repeated. more..

Aug 29 (DN) Sept 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD). It is an international day proclaimed by the United Nations (UN) for raising public awareness of suicides. This year the WSPD is observed all over the world under the theme – Working Together to Prevent Suicide. Suicide is an intentional act of killing oneself and is a complex multi-faceted behaviour induced by stresses and predispositions. People commit suicide due to various reasons. When we have a look at more..

Aug 29 (CT) Kerala in South India was put on high alert following intelligence reports flashed in newspapers that boats carrying 15 ISIS terrorists had set off from Sri Lanka to the Lakshadweep Islands, Police said Thursday, 23 May 2019, just a month after the Easter suicide bombings in Sri Lanka, the NDTV reported. Top Kerala Police officials said that news had been alerted to all stations and coastal district Police chiefs because such alerts are a usual practice. more..

Aug 29 (CT) After battling for three days, neither of the arch rivals in the Army Athletics arena - Electronic and Mechanical Engineering Regiment (SLEME) nor Artillery Regiment (SLA) - went home happy, as they were adjudged joint champions. Both Regiments tied with 282 points at the Army Athletics Championship 2019 which concluded at Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday. SLEME who had been dominating the track in recent years, were far behind earlier in the Championship. more..

Aug 29 (DM) Elections are fast approaching, there is a buzz in the air and apprehension all around. The digital frontier is surely going to be one where Sri Lankan political parties will now renew efforts to gain the maximum PR traction. Even before elections have been called, the Elections Commissioner is already on record clarifying media reports that the Commission was taking steps to control social media. The Commissioner’s office has rightfully corrected that there are no laws that allow more..

Aug 29 (CT) On Tuesday (20) at around 8 a.m. Warrant Officer (2nd Class), of the SL Army Special Force, Champika Kumarasiri boarded a Y-12 Aircraft with his team at the Air Force Base in Ampara-Uhana to undertake his 681 parachute jump. What was not known to this well trained trainer, his students or his superior was that Kumarasiri was about to take the final leap of his life. Sergeant Major Kumarasiri, more..

Aug 29 (DN) The use and production of polythene, sili sili bags, grocery bags and humble lunch sheets was banned in Sri Lanka in Sept 2017. While some applauded the step pointing to the detrimental effects of polythene waste on the environment, others protested, stating the lack of alternatives and the effect of the ban on their livelihoods. Almost two years on, has Sri Lanka been weaned off its reliance on polythene? Researchers at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research more..

Aug 29 (AO) SL is now an upper-middle-income country, with a per capita gross national income (GNI) that surpasses that of regional competitors like Indonesia and Vietnam. Threshold for eligibility as an upper-middle-income country is a per capita GNI of $ 3,996, and as at July 2019, SL crossed that threshold with a per capita GNI of $ 4,060. While this appears to be a positive development, it should be taken in context. Eligibility criteria to be classed as an upper-middle-income country begin at more..

Aug 29 (CT) Sri Lanka has been ranked second among the countries most affected by extreme weather events during the past 20 years according to the Global Climate Risk Index 2019, UNDP said. In a country where the Dry Zone covers 70% of the island's land area, the effects of climate change can be extreme. This is further exacerbated, as this is the country's agricultural heartland, where the staple rice is grown. more..

Aug 29 (DN) Asian Netball vice president Lakshmi Victoria was elected uncontested as the new president of the Sri Lanka Netball Federation at the AGM held at the Sports Ministry Auditorium yesterday. Victoria who was the former president and also the vice president of the previous committee returned to the top post following her opponent Mercantile Netball Association president Sanjeewani Wanasinghe’s last minute withdrawal for the post of presidency. more..

Aug 29 (DN) Sri Lanka launch their ambitious bid to win a medal at the 2022 Asian Games when they kick-off the first leg of the Asian Rugby Sevens Series in Incheon, South Korea on August 31 against China under a new captain Danush Dayan. Unlike Omalka Gunaratne who was thrust into the leadership role for the Asia Rugby C'ship in Chinese Taipei on his int'l debut, Dayan has been vice captain of the SL team last year having blossomed into a fiery forward in the past 2 years. more..

Aug 29 (CT) It was a decade ago that the Sri Lankan national cricket team came under a terror attack during their tour to Pakistan. The situation was so grave that the visiting cricketers had to be airlifted from the ground in Lahore to safety. Pakistan found itself sidelined as a host to int'l games and barring a few short series on and off, no major cricketing fixture has taken place on its soil in the last 10 years. more..

Aug 29 (FT) The SL Army yesterday reassured foreign travellers that the Govt has taken all necessary precautions by beefing up security among other measures to ensure safe travels and holidays in Sri Lanka. “We can assure that Sri Lanka is safe to travel from North to South to West to East,” SL Army Operations Director Brigadier Upali Rajapaksa told journalists. Following the deadly attacks on Easter Sunday, he said that security forces took all steps to stop possible escalation of violence more..

Aug 29 (FT) Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal by the Finance Ministry to revise tax legislation, including those governing Value Added Tax (VAT), Nation Building Tax (NBT), and Inland Revenue Act. Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Minister Mangala Samaraweera to draft bills for revising Value Added Tax Act No. 14 of 2002, Nation Building Act No. 09 of 2009, Economic Service Charge Act No. 13 of 2006, Inland Revenue Act No. 24 of 2017, more..

Aug 29 (DN) Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS, 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq and head of the Dawoodi Bohra community arrived in Colombo yesterday, to conduct the Ashara Mubaraka sermons in the city. He was received at the airport by Cabinet ministers, govt officials and members of the community. TUS arrived at Burhani Park where thousands of Dawoodi Bohras accorded him a warm welcome. Syedna addressed the audience more..

Aug 29 (FT) Japanese govt will provide a grant of Japanese Yen 1 billion (approx Rs. 1.6 billion) to Sri Lanka to strengthen counterterrorism capabilities and public security. Under the Non-Project Grant Aid grant, which was given as a quick response to the adverse impact on public safety in Sri Lanka following the terrorist attack on Easter Sunday, the Japanese govt will provide the equipment necessary to counter terrorist activities in important places such as the Airport. more..

Aug 29 (TM) Hayleys Fabric PLC commenced the third phase of its on-going reforestation campaign with the planting of 500 saplings along the banks of the Kalu Ganga, a Hayleys press statement said. The reforestation campaign was launched in collaboration with the Environment Protection Division of the SL Police, Central Environmental Authority, Kalutara and the Water Board. DIG (Environment) H.H. Chulasiri, DGM – Water Board, Premasiri, Dodangoda Div. Secretary, more..

Aug 29 (EN) Sri Lanka is expecting a 10% fall in tourists to 2.1 million in 2019, sharply lower than the 30% loss initially estimated, as security forces shut down a terror network quickly, travel advisories were lifted and hotels cut rates, officials said. "We expect about 2.1 million tourists in 2019," Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Johanne Jayaratne said in Colombo, "By October we expect arrivals to reach last year's level." more..

Aug 29 (CT) Following a heartbreaking incident at the National Athletics C'ship, determined middle distance champion Nilani Rathnayaka ran her heart out at the Army Athletics C'ship to shatter the 16-year-old SL record of the 5000m yesterday at the Sugathadasa Stadium. However, despite her record breaking run her inclusion in the South Asian Games team isn't guaranteed since she failed to win the event at the designated SAG trial, which was the National C'ship, not entirely due to her fault. more..

Aug 29 (DN) Five domestic airlines have agreed to operate domestic flights to the redeveloped Palali Int'l Airport (JAF) from October. The soft opening is scheduled for Oct 15 and two Indian airlines too are expected to operate flights to JAF. Director General SLTDA Upali Ratnayake said that the regional flights would take off from Ratmalana domestic Airport (RML). Five operators would also include Mattala Int'l Airport (MRIA) and some other regional airports to offer a round trip ticket. more..

Aug 29 (DM) PCoI to investigate the corruption yesterday ordered the Audit Division of Rural Economic Development Ministry to submit all the documents regarding to the audit which they had conducted when importing 20,000 milch cows from Australia and NZ. Providing Evidence, Chief Auditor of the Ministry Dhammika Pathirana informed the commission that after the first shipment of milch cows more..

Aug 29 (EN) Sri Lanka will get Asian Development Bank (ADB) aid in a new program to improve urban living conditions, with 150 million US dollars earmarked for a water project next year, as urbanisation grows rapidly straining infrastructure. The project, covering south Asian cities, aims to improve urban infrastructure, water supply, waste water and sewerage and the capacity of state agencies tasked with providing better living conditions in urban areas. more..

Aug 29 (CT) Minister Rauff Hakeem insisted that abolishing the Executive Presidency should only be done constitutionally. While acknowledging that discussions had already been held, between the Prez and the PM, towards abolishing the Executive Presidency, he vouched that the SLMC will not allow underhand deals to take place. This should take place only through an Amendment to the Constitution, he added. "These things have to be discussed openly and not secretly. more..

Aug 29 (DM) Filing a further report, FCID on Tuesday told the court that Interpol has issued red notice on former director of one Ukrainian company, D.A. Pereeudov in connection with the magisterial inquiry conducted into the financial loss caused to the govt when purchasing US$ 14 million worth four Ukraine-built MIG 27 aircraft in 2006. The prosecution also informed that they have also requested the Interpol to issue red notices on several other directors more..

Aug 29 (CT) UNP MP Chaminda Wijesiri said that he will shortly submit a proposal to the Party's Parliamentary Group to make current PM Ranil Wickremesinghe the Executive Prime Minister in a future United National Front (UNF) regime, to be headed by Sajith Premadasa as President. He said that this decision had been taken by a group of UNP MPs who had met in Colombo during the night of 27 Aug to discuss the finalisation of the UNF candidate to contest the coming Presidential Poll. more..

Aug 29 (DM) The Opposition said the moves by the UNP to get the executive presidency abolished by requesting the President to do so was an attempt to cover up its inability to face the prez election. MP Susil Premajayantha said there were reports of the PM and UNP MPs requesting the President to abolish the Executive Presidency. “This is an attempt to get the prez poll delayed and to cover up the UNP’s inability to face elections. We request the govt not to scuttle the country any more. more..

Aug 29 (FT) Prez Sirisena told Cabinet on Tuesday that the signing of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) $ 480 million grant agreement should be left to a new Govt to handle and rejected the move by the UNP to push for its early finalisation. Since the MCC agreement was first placed before Cabinet six weeks ago, Prez has refused to endorse its signing, saying that it has to be studied before it is finalised, more..

Aug 29 (DM) The Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court yesterday issued notices on six suspects including Parliamentarian S. Viyalandiran, who arrived at the protest staged near the Kallady Bridge in Batticaloa against the burial of the remains of an Easter Sunday suicide bomber at the Kalliyankadu cemetery, the Police said. Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said notices were issued on the five suspects to be present at the Batticaloa Magistrate court, this Friday (30). more..

Aug 29 (DN) Colombo Defence Seminar held for the ninth consecutive year will begin at the BMICH under the theme Evolving Military Excellence in the Contemporary Security Landscape. The military expects around 800 participants to attend the Defence Seminar including participants from 42 countries. Programme will include 13 foreign and 14 local speakers over nine sessions following a trajectory of intellectual interactions and cover sub themes; Contemporary security landscape, more..

Aug 29 (DM) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe had pledged to resolve the issues about the proposed NDF and party’s candidature in a few days, Minister Rauff Hakeem said. He said that PM had assured them that he would pave the way to form the proposed NDF and to name a candidate in a few days. “We requested the PM not to delay the formation of NDF and the selection of Prez candidate any more more..

Aug 29 (Island) The upcoming prez election and allied issues have apparently taken precedence over everything else. While politicians and their parties are preparing for the grand contest, some political analysts have urged them to stop and question the wisdom of making such frenetic efforts to secure the presidency, which, they insist, is a shadow of its former self. Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director PAFFREL, in a letter published in this newspaper recently, argued that more..

Aug 29 (DM) In our editorial on August 1, we focused on the container-loads of garbage consisting of industrial and clinical waste belonging to other countries being surreptitiously dumped or downloaded on Sri Lanka and its people in the midst of the ever-increasing garbage crisis in Sri Lanka. As it usually happens in SL, whenever a crisis or crises crop up, there are several voices raised in protest inside and outside Parliament and in an effort to placate the protesters, more..

Aug 29 (ST) The Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development in collaboration with the SL Navy plans to expand the existing passenger transport system via the use of boats along existing waterways in the city. The plan envisages use of boats for the transport of passengers and cargo. As a pilot project, a passenger boat transport service was inaugurated along the Beira Lake, between Union Place more..

Aug 29 (DM) Minister Champika Ranawaka, speaks on the present predicament of the UNP. He shares his views on how to break the gridlock triggered by the internal crisis of the UNP. Q: There is internecine warfare of the UNP. As an alliance partner, how do you look at it? A: It is now clear that the Prez Election will come first. It will be conducted by the end of November or at the beginning of December. more..

Aug 29 (Island) An investigation conducted by the COPA has found that 29 Western Provincial Councillors and their coordinating secretaries went on four foreign trips, spending over Rs. 43 million soon before the expiration of the term of their council. The COPA investigation has also revealed that the councillors and their secretaries went on those trips in violation of a circular issued by the Secretary to the Prez and without approval more..

Aug 29 (Island) NFF lawmaker Jayantha Samaraweera, said that Interpol Secretary General Jurgen Stock’s commendation of the role played by Prez Maithripala Sirisena and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe in the wake of the Easter Sunday attacks was an affront to those who had perished in suicide bombings in six different locations. Near simultaneous blasts killed 270 and wounded some 500 in three churches and three hotels. more..

Aug 29 (CT) Flights to Colombo were drastically reduced post bloody Easter Sunday, the latest official data showed. Flights to Colombo declined by 80 flights per week (12.5%) to 562 in May 2019, compared to 642 weekly flights in July 2018. Likewise, weekly flight seating capacities were reduced by 19,146 (12.9%) to 129,604 in the corresponding period. Sharp reductions in flights were seen from China and India, more..

Aug 29 (Island) Officers investigating bond scams and money laundering have said that they are unable to proceed with the investigations as the banks failed to provide documents pertaining to money laundering dating back to five years, though they requested the respective banks to furnish the same. Prez Sirisena recently ordered the institutions engaged in conducting investigations into money laundering to expedite the probes. more..