Feb 28 (ST) Dinesh Chandimal has been a consistent run scorer over the last few years especially in Test cricket. After a disastrous series against Australia where Sri Lanka went on to lose the series (2-0) the selectors abruptly decided to transfer the captaincy of the Test team to Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal was asked to play domestic cricket to regain his confidence. Since then he has scored heaps of runs for Nondescripts and he has shown his capability to score runs more..

Feb 28 (FT) The National Economic Council (NEC) is planning to establish a regulatory authority for the microfinance industry as a long term measure to tackle rampant indebtedness. NEC Secretary General Prof. Lalith Samarakoon told reporters yesterday that the measure was essential to address regulatory gaps in the present system that has resulted in over Rs. 160 billion in debt being accumulated through microfinance. more..

Feb 28 (DN) The first ever junior golf tournament at Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort and Spa will tee off on the March 3 and 4 with the practice game on the March 2. The tournament has shifted to a brand new location as a result of the collaboration of Prima Sunrise (Prima Group Sri Lanka) with Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort and Spa, the tournament’s title sponsor and hospitality partner respectively. Shangri-La’s Hambantota is the only golf resort in Sri Lanka. more..

Feb 28 (FT) Insurance industry specialist Prakash Schaffter has been appointed to the Board of Bank of Ceylon as a Non-Executive Director. He is presently the Chairman of Janashakthi Insurance. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute of the UK with over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry in both Sri Lanka and UK. He holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Cambridge and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from University of London. more..

Feb 28 (EN) The United States has approved resuming Foreign Military Financing and Millennium Challenge Corporation aid to Sri Lanka, which had been suspended after last year’s political crisis, Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera said. “Recently, the US govt approved the Foreign Military Financing as well as the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact Programme for Sri Lanka, which was put on hold,” he said more..

Feb 28 (CT) Moors Sports Club claimed the Major T20 league championship against Nondescripts Cricket Club after a dramatic final over at the P’ Sara Oval Stadium yesterday. Moors winning the toss choose to field first, NCC managed to get themselves off to a very good start, as Lahiru Udara and Dinesh Chandimal added 34 runs for the first wicket before the former was dismissed for 19 runs in 15 balls while Chandimal made 20 runs in 19 balls. Captain Mahela Udawatte also more..

Feb 28 (DN) The HORIBA Group of Japan, a leading company that provides analytical and measurement systems throughout the world, has entered the Sri Lankan market through the company’s regional office HORIBA India Private Limited, situated in New Delhi. The ceremony to announce the launch was held recently at The Hilton, Colombo. With the launch HORIBA in Sri Lanka the company now ventures into the expanding local market with offerings in more..

Feb 28 (Island) SriLankan Airlines senior management had signed an MoU, on May 2013 with Airbus to purchase aircraft, worth Rs. 146.1 billion, in 2013 without Cabinet approval, though UL Board of Directors had decided, on March 2013, that such a step should only be taken with Cabinet approval, PCoI was informed. Yasantha Dissanayake, Head of Financial Management at SriLankan, referring to documents, said more..

Feb 28 (FT) Establishing itself in 2003, Resus Energy PLC a forerunner in the renewable energy industry, has since been taking giant leaps with its investments and development in many projects across the island. While increasingly supporting the national effort to develop renewable energy resources in Sri Lanka, Resus Energy PLC is currently investing a staggering Rs. 1.3 billion in a couple of hydropower solar power projects during this year. more..

Feb 28 (GDI) In a bid to empower youth with Chinese language competency, the Chinese language speaking Task Force will commence a programme in Sri Lanka shortly. Accordingly, the Task Force will help over 25,000 local youth to learn the Chinese language. Minister Ravi Karunanayaka explained the project at a conference conducted by SL China Trade and Investment Promotions Chamber, jointly with the Sincio Int'l Education LLC, and China SL Institute of Career Guidance. more..

Feb 28 (Island) Former CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, said that besides his successor Arjuna Mahendran several others had to be held responsible for the biggest ever financial crime––the bond scams. He said four years had elapsed since the first bond scam took place, but the culprits were still free; the present govt would not take action to bring the racketeers to justice. The people were yearning for justice from a future admin., more..

Feb 28 (DN) The proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will undoubtedly prosper the economic co-operation of both countries in the coming years. SL-Bangladesh Business Co-operation Council, newly elected President Renuka Jayamanne said. President Jayamanne was addressing the, SL-Bangladesh Business Co-operation Council, AGM held in Colombo. National Chamber of Commerce SL, CEO Bandula Dissanayake and more..

Feb 28 (Wisden) Sri Lanka’s stand-in captain Dimuth Karunaratne has signed for Hampshire as an overseas player for the first half of the 2019 county season. The 30-year-old batsman recently helped his nation secure a historic 2-0 victory against South Africa, becoming the first Asia-based team – and the third team overall – to win an away Test series against the Proteas. Karunaratne will be available for matches in the Specsavers County C'ship and Royal London One-Day Cup. more..

Feb 28 (DM) UNP working committee yesterday decided not to take disciplinary action against State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake who accused that MPs in Parliament uses cocaine. UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told journalists that party leadership allowed Mr. Ramanayake to make a statement and then decided not to take any action. “We have decided not to take any action against him as more..

Feb 28 (EAF) Global media and numerous experts routinely assert that Sri Lanka was forced to cede a strategically important port to China after being lured into a debt trap by easy Chinese loans. This story has now become part of the wider narrative of how China is using the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to achieve its diplomatic and strategic aims through debt diplomacy. But it is a story based more on fiction than fact. Sri Lanka did (and still does) face a debt crisis. more..

Feb 28 (EN) Sri Lanka needs to have a plan for social cohesion and integration as part of its economic development framework, the head of the treasury R.H.S. Samaratunga said. “This is one key area we have ignored and which economists need to consider in their development plans,” he told a forum on preparing a master plan to revive the island’s war-ravaged north. “In SL, we need to develop a foundation of social cohesion/integration, something which we have consistently ignored,” more..

Feb 28 (Island) Close on the heels of retired Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda filing a fundamental rights application in the Supreme Court to prevent him being arrested in connection with the alleged wartime disappearance of 11 youth, the police have arrested ex-Lt. Commander Sampath Munasinghe alias Navy Sampath, in connection with the inquiry. Karannagoda’s case is to be supported on March 1. more..

Feb 28 (DN) CHEC Port City Colombo was awarded ISO 9001:2015 certification for the Quality Management System (QMS), adopted by the project company. The certification given by internationally recognised testing entity, TÜV SÜD PSB, an entity with 40 years of expertise in helping organisations achieve business excellence, covers the Project Management, Administration and Supervision aspects of the project. Michael Chiam, Director - Capital Operation and Deputy CFO of more..

Feb 28 (DN) Foreign Ministry has expressed its concerns on the recent developments following the terrorist attack on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in Pulwama, India yesterday. Sri Lanka has requested India and Pakistan to act in a manner that ensures the security, peace and stability of the entire region. The Foreign Ministry in a statement said Sri Lanka strongly supports peace and stability in the South Asian region and all endeavours towards diffusing tensions, more..

Feb 28 (FT) Singer Amal Perera and his son Nadeemal, who are in Bur Dubai custody with the notorious underworld criminal Makandure Madush, will be produced before the Dubai Courts today, Attorney-at-law Udul Premaratne said. He said, the two artists, and 13 others who had flown to Dubai on visitor visas to attend the party, have been transferred to Central Jail of Dubai to produce them before Courts today. more..

Feb 28 (DM) Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara said State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake’s statement that ministers use cocaine was baseless and that the State Minister should refrain from making statements seeking publicity. He said the statement made by the State Minister was not suitable for a Minister to make. He said if there were such allegations, Ramanayake should complain directly to the authorities. “But making such statements publicly should not be done for his publicity,” he said. more..

Feb 28 (Island) SriLankan Airlines only had assets worth Rs. 89.4 billion at the time when it reached an agreement with Airbus, in 2013, worth Rs. 146.1 billion, Yasantha Dissanayake, Head of Financial Management at SriLankan told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) yesterday. Article 184.2 of the Company Act as well as the Articles of Association of SriLankan say that a resolution needs to be adopted by the Board of Directors when such a major transaction is to take place. more..

Feb 28 (CT) Showing his displeasure, regarding the conduct of UNF Govt, once again, Prez Sirisena yesterday, stressed that there would be no opportunity to punish the culprits of the CB Bonds scam as long as the current Govt is in power. He made this remark while addressing 61st AGM of Govt Auditors at the National Audit Office. Speaking further, he said, “I appointed a PCoI to reveal those who were responsible for the Bond scam. more..

Feb 28 (DM) Despite the winds of adversity raging within the precincts of Parliament over the shocking allegations made by UNP member and State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake that some MPs including ministers are known to be using cocaine, Sri Lankans, nevertheless have good reasons to rejoice in the wake of SL’s Cricket Team beating South Africa in the Two Test Matches played on its home grounds. This time of plenty came after a prolonged time of drought and more..

Feb 28 (DM) State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake seems to encounter problems in what he wishes to convey to the media. Now the actor turned politician states that he was misquoted in the media with regard to the revelation he made about 24 ministers and members of parliament consuming narcotics. Ramanayake affirms that the statement he made to the media regarding lawmakers using narcotics does not necessarily suggest that these individuals are present lawmakers. more..

Feb 28 (ST) Five Slovaks slept during the day in a lodge and wandered around at night in the Sinharaja Forest at night in a secret operation to collect species of insects including moths. The first tip-off to the forest officers came from their informants. They said they had seen persons carrying torches moving in the jungle at night. An immediate search by the forest officers was not successful. more..

Feb 28 (EN) At the World Telecom/ICT Symposium (WTIS) held in Geneva, Dec 2018, there was a panel dedicated to affordability of ICT services. The conversations were centered on price as a key driver for adoption and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Price isn’t everything. But it is the most notable and distinguishable factor when purchasing a good or service and therefore is paramount. more..

Feb 28 (FT) Dinuga de Silva, a five-year-old pre-school student from Sri Lanka, won first place at the World Food Day 2018 Global Poster Contest. The poster contest is held annually by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to coincide with World Food Day on 16 Oct. Last year the contest, which was held under the theme Our Actions are Our Future. A Zero Hunger World by 2030 is possible, more..

Feb 28 (FT) The Cabinet-appointed Committee to examine the setting up of LNG power plants held its first meeting yesterday, chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena. The meeting, described as robust by participants, however ended with no decision. “The meeting was productive, but no decision was made; the Committee is to meet again,” a top source privy to the meeting proceedings told Daily FT. more..

Feb 28 (DM) Sometime ago people had the habit of leveling allegations against certain authorities that they were involved in doing Harak weda (things unbecoming of them). This story is about such an act which is unbecoming of humans. Their modus operandi has brought ill fate not only for the Govt, but to local investors and a large number of dairy farmers. It seems that the discussion about the import of dairy cows with the private sector more..

Feb 28 (CT) National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA), said that it had been unable to ban the sale of single cigarette sticks, even though six months have elapsed since submitting the Cabinet Paper. NATA Chairman, Dr. Palitha Abeykoon said the Cabinet Paper only needed the approval of the Finance Ministry, which has been putting it off. He said NATA feared the delay would only pave the way for the Cabinet Paper more..

Feb 28 (CT) Secretary of the Peoples’ Progress Party Arun Tambimuttu claimed that the Tamil community must realise that they are being used as pawns and that their desires and political ambitions are being used by the international community to undermine the stability in Sri Lanka. He expressed these views while addressing a Press briefing held at the Eliya organisation’s Headquarters yesterday (27). more..

Feb 28 (Island) Sri Lanka pledged USD 10,000 in support of the implementation of Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, at the 4th Annual Pledging Conference held at the United Nations Office in Geneva, on Feb 26. The Pledging Conference seeks to commit resources to the ISU 2018 Work Plan, the Convention’s Sponsorship Programme, and towards costs of the Meetings of the States Parties. Addressing the Pledging Conference, more..

Feb 28 (DN) Krishantha Pushpakumara, Southern Provincial Councillor, also known as Raththaran, has been arrested over committing sexual offenses on a minor. Councilor had committed serious sexual abuse against a 16-year-old school girl, on the 26th of Feb. At the preliminary investigations, it was revealed that the suspect had sexually abused the school girl, at the time she had come to a temple in that area with her sister. more..

Feb 28 (AD) A group of MPs published their Declarations of Assets and Liabilities at an event organized by the Transparency International SL (TISL). The press conference organized by the TISL to publish asset declarations of parliamentarians was held at Hotel Nippon in Colombo this morning. Accordingly, MPs Tharaka Balasuriya, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, M.A. Sumanthiran, Vidura Wickramanayaka, and State Minister more..

Feb 28 (FT) With due reference to the article in Daily FT of 22 Feb by the Senior Management of the Walkers CML Group, virtually in reply to my write up on the same issue in this paper on the previous day, I wish to further elucidate the following in order to dispel any misconceptions. This becomes necessary due to the fact that the Senior Managers of the Group are stressing the justification of their action to an intention of “fostering an environment where factually sound and objective dissemination more..

Feb 28 (CT) Fibs are told and peccadilloes are perpetrated by everyone depending on the plight, in order to avert a damage or disgrace. Criminals are those who violate the criminal code of jurisdiction and will be convicted in a Court of Law. They are often looked down upon and are kept away from the society in a jail. Although, the criminals or the wrongdoers should be held in contempt and be punished in public to make others feel the repercussions of wrong doings, more..

Feb 28 (Island) The Hambantota Port turned out to be a failed project under China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, a National Security Think Tank established under the Ministry of Defence said. The Institute of National Security Studies in Sri Lanka said that one reason why the OBOR project of developing a port in Hambantota had a negative impact on Sri Lanka was because it failed to provide return on investment. Sanoj Jayakody, a Research Assistant (Intern) at more..

Feb 28 (Island) Dialog Axiata PLC has partnered with Colombo Fashion Week, the leading event on the Sri Lankan fashion and design industry calendar, to bring forth a progressive change to every aspect of the fashion industry in Sri Lanka and make a global impact. Colombo Fashion Week 2019 was inaugurated on the 25th of February at the Galle Face Hotel with the Fashion Film Festival to promote the up-and-coming film directors and producers in the industry, where the winner of the festival, more..