Jan 16 (GDI) This year, steps will be taken through the National Livestock Development Board as a pilot project to distribute liquid milk by mini tankers to the public in urban areas in Colombo, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Economic Affairs, Livestock Development, Irrigation and Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Development P. Harrison said.The Minister mentioned this at the board meeting of the National Livestock Development Board (NLDB) on Monday (14). more..

Jan 16 (CT) A public hearing involving a collective of welfare and other organisations is to be held today, with regard to pushing for the Animal Welfare Bill to be enacted. The said Bill is to repeal and replace the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance, No. 13 of 1907 as Amended, which is the existing law in this regard. Meanwhile, an online petition titled Enact the Animal Welfare Bill of SL to replace current law from 1907 started on 2 Jan by Director of Sustain Solutions & environmentalist Anoka more..

Jan 16 (DM) The main man behind the entire distribution network of beer and soft alcoholic beverages to over 100 unlicensed pubs, restaurants and hotels of the country’s most happening tourist destination, Ella was identified when the Colombo Excise flying squad seized a lorry full of booze over the weekend. With the detection of a lorry transporting over 1,000 bottles of beer and cider in Ella, Excise Bureau of Special Operations more..

Jan 16 (CT) The South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPSE) and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) are pleased to announce the signing of a MoU to establish a collaborative relationship between the two exchanges seeking mutual development opportunities in the Fijian and the Sri Lankan capital markets, a media release stated. An MoU enables the two exchanges to work together and learn from each other’s experiences. Given that most stock exchanges are unique in their countries, more..

Jan 16 (DM) MP Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said SL has already given visas to some 242,000 foreign employees and the experts report on Singapore FTA has said this number could increase through the FTA. He said the experts committee which studied SL-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA) has verified the concerns expressed over the previous months. “What we have said had been accepted by the experts committee which said our market would not be expanded by SLSFTA. more..

Jan 16 (FT) SLPP said the Steering Committee report presented to the Constitutional Assembly (CA) would not resolve issues of the Tamil community as it does not take into consideration the economic challenges faced by people of the Northern Province. “The Steering Committee report presented to the CA does not address issues of the Tamil community. The report does not provide any sustainable solution for social economic more..

Jan 16 (FT) Sri Lanka and the Philippines will sign six MoUs this week, during the historic visit of President Maithripala Sirisena to Manila. The MoUs include focus on broader areas of agriculture, fishery and dairy and animal husbandry, tourism promotion, foreign employment cooperation, higher education, and defence cooperation. Cabinet this week approved the MoUs to be signed. Prez Sirisena left yesterday on a 5-day visit, first by a SL leader, on invitation of Philippines Prez Rodrigo Duterte. more..

Jan 16 (DN) Police yesterday succeeded in arresting three suspected abductors of a businessman from Ahangama. The motor car in which the businessman was being abducted was also apprehended by police yesterday evening. Officials of the police post at the Imaduwa Entry of the Southern Expressway arrested the suspects on a tip off while they were abducting the businessman. The arrest was made when the suspects were entering through the Imaduwa entry to travel towards Colombo. more..

Jan 16 (Island) Following an incident where an Indian trawler, engaged in poaching, rammed a Fast Gun Boat, on patrol, in the northern seas, damaging the vessel, over the weekend, Navy headquarters reiterated its commitment to apprehending poachers and safeguarding the interests of local fishermen. There had never been a previous incident of an Indian trawler deliberately causing damages to SLN more..

Jan 16 (DM) Minister Harsha de Silva said the govt had settled the one billion US dollars borrowed by the previous regime in January, 2014 by way of international sovereign bonds. “We paid back this loan today. Unlike what we are used to, these bonds have to be repaid in one go. We have several such bonds to be repaid,” he said. Meanwhile, Minister Mangala Samaraweera confirmed that this debt had been settled in full and that SL had maintained the record of re-paying its debts on time. more..

Jan 16 (CT) Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam claimed that many issues in schools regarding the transferring of principals who have served for eight years in the same school and promotions of senior principals, had arisen due to the lack of a proper procedure on recruiting and promoting school principals over the years. According to a statement from the Ministry, the question was raised by Prez Sirisena at the Cabinet of Ministers meeting held on 14 Jan. more..

Jan 16 (EN) Central bank is expecting to appoint forensic auditors into securities fraud involving the sale of bonds who will look into six separate areas following a commission of inquiries into so-called bondscam in 2015 and 2016, a public notice said. Forensic audits will also cover earlier periods, when bonds were issued outside auctions. Prez Sirisena faulted the central bank for delaying the audits citing it in a speech justifying more..

Jan 16 (DM) In this modern era where the globalised capitalist market economic system prevails to a large extent, all our religions call us to a different way of life rather than wanting more and more or those who have USD 100 million wanting to multiply it to USD 1000 million. In contrast, all our major religions call us to be gradually liberated from our slavery to selfishness, self-centredness, greed and other vices like envy or jealousy that make us try to get to the top by fair means or foul. more..

Jan 16 (DM) The election of President Maithripala Sirisena four years ago on Jan 8 was a watershed moment in Sri Lankan politics. However, since then, it has lost its allure. This year’s anniversary was, by and large, abandoned by its early supporters. As he enters into his final year, the president himself looks as if he is destined to a single term. Yet, by any account, President Sirisena’s first four years count as one of the most transformative; in terms of building independent institutions, more..

Jan 16 (ST) Limbo – this is the tragic state in which many family members of the missing are living, with no hopes and aspirations for the future, only despair and heart-rending sadness. For the first time in SL and the world, two Psychiatrists have taken the time off their busy schedules to sit down and talk to the families of the missing or disappeared in their own homes in the south. “Many broke down and wept even so many years later,” more..

Jan 16 (FT) The Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development, Vocational Training, Skills Development and Youth Affairs under the leadership of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe as Minister of this Ministry initiated action is to construct 10,000 brick and mortar/cement sand blocks type traditional houses in the conflict affected N&E Provinces more..

Jan 16 (CT) Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne alleged there had been large-scale fraud in purchasing linear accelerators during Prez Sirisena’s tenure as the Health Minister, under the Govt of former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa. He said there had been Media reports of linear accelerators imported for the Apeksha Hospital for Cancer Patients, Maharagama, and the Galle and Batticaloa Teaching Hospitals not being put to use. more..

Jan 16 (DN) Ceylon Teachers Union Chief Secretary Joseph Starling claims that there are no permanent principals for 302 National Schools countrywide. Speaking on a statement made by the President at a recent Cabinet meeting that there is no permanent principal for Thurstan College for eight years, said that principal shortage is reported not only at the Thurston College but also at 302 national schools for years. more..

Jan 16 (Island) The objective of the GMOA ruling members was securing a couple of national list seats in Parliament and not the welfare of doctors or patients, says President of Govt Medical Officers Forum (GMOF) Dr. Rukshan Bellana. He blamed the GMOA for not addressing real issues the doctors were faced with and instead addressing political issues such as the SL- Singapore Free Trade Agreement, ETCA & other such issues more..

Jan 16 (NR) CID today informed Court that the investigation pertaining to the case filed against the Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, who allegedly aided the chief suspect in the abduction and disappearance of 11 youth Navy Sampath to abscond from arrest, will continue. CID informed Court of the ongoing investigation when the case was taken up for hearing before Colombo Fort Magistrate more..

Jan 16 (DM) A British photographer and travel writer described as an inspiration who touched so many people's lives has died while surfing off the coast of Sri Lanka. Jon Lewin, 36, is believed to have suffered a seizure in the water while on holiday and doctors were unable to revive him. His devastated girlfriend Immy Clifton, who he was on holiday with, paid tribute to soulmate Jon in a heartbreaking Facebook post. more..

Jan 16 (Island) Children are under tremendous pressure to do well in studies at a very young age, and they are without playtime owing to the highly-competitive Grade Five Scholarship Examination, a recent study has revealed. The study carried out by Dr. P.M. Jayawardena, a paediatrician by profession, has revealed that heavy pressure affects hippocampus of brain, associated with memory and education, and takes its toll on more..

Jan 16 (DM) Some of the UPFA ministers who left the govt last year are yet to hand over their official residences. A new govt was formed after Oct26, 2018 when UPFA left the govt. A UNP govt was formed again later on Dec 16, 2018 with the swearing in of Ranil Wickremesinghe as the PM. A spokesman from the govt said a difficult situation had arisen as a result of failure by former UPFA Ministers to hand over their official more..

Jan 16 (CT) A prisoners’ rights group lodged a complaint at the CID regarding CCTV footage-based evidence, showing incidents of alleged torture/cruel/inhuman/degrading treatment and/or punishment, which took place in November 2018, at the Angunakolapelessa Prison. In their complaint, the Committee for Protecting the Rights of Prisoners, led by Chairman, Attorney-at-Law Senaka Perera and Secretary, more..

Jan 16 (FT) The policy debate towards negotiations on Free Trade Agreements (FTA) has been intensified after SL signed a Free Trade Agreement with Singapore in 2018. Almost two decades ago, SL entered into its first-ever FTA with India, followed by a similar trade pact with Pakistan. After a period of long silence, negotiations are currently underway with an open-ended list for negotiation of more FTAs, the rationality of which has come under heavy criticism without the backing of more..

Jan 16 (CT) Yesterday, this newspaper quoting an Asian Development Bank report said that women shy away from the garments and tourism industries, the country’s second and third largest foreign exchange earners for various reasons. Among some of those were the aversion to work on shifts, stigma and the question of safe transport. Much of this stigma may be associated with women having to work in shifts in those sectors, and, from a secondary perspective, as tourism industry more..

Jan 16 (CT) Trade unions of Sri Lanka Telecom have launched an island wide token strike today over several demands including the removal of current SLT Chairman Kumarasinghe Sirisena, brother of Prez Sirisena. SLT trade unions allege that under Sirisena’s watch the institution had lost Rs. 50 billion due to short-sighted decisions and wasteful expenditure. They said a handful of senior officials working hand in glove with Kumarasinghe Sirisena are responsible for the current state more..

Jan 16 (Island) The govt must strive to solve the economic problems the people were faced with instead of trying to introduce a new Constitution, Mahanayakes of the Asgiri and Malwatta Chapters told State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardene yesterday. The minister visited the Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Ven Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana There and the Chief Prelate of the Malwatta Chapter, Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddartha Sumangala Thera, yesterday. more..

Jan 16 (AD) Several video clips containing violent assault on a group of inmates at the Agunukolapelessa Prison have been disclosed. Holding a press conference today, the Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners, revealed the CCTV footage obtained from a security camera set inside the prison premises. Reportedly, the assault had taken place on the 22nd of Nov 2018. The committee pointed out that the inmates more..

Jan 16 (EN) Hambantota International Port has handled its first shipment for the cement industry, enabling a manufacturer to enjoy economies of scale of using larger vessels, as the harbour diversifies its bulk cargo business. Ihe bulk carrier, Ithaca Patience, docked at Hambantota recently to discharge 27,150MT of slag cargo, an additive used in the manufacture of cement. “The operation was successfully completed with high levels of efficiency, peaking at 11,000 MT on some days,” it said. more..

Jan 16 (AD) The Supreme Court has ordered to take up the appeal seeking the void of an interim order issued by the Court of Appeal, suspending the former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Cabinet of Ministers from functioning, on Feb 6. The appeal filed by the former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa and the members of the former Cabinet Ministers were taken up before the three-judge bench consisting of Chief Justice Nalin Perera, Justice Priyantha Jayawardena and Justice T.B. Dehideniya today. more..

Jan 16 (EN) CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd, a unit of China's CCCC group has completed reclaiming 269 hectares of sea off Sri Lanka's capital Colombo, three months ahead of schedule and is now engaged in surface development and building utilities. China ambassador, Cheng Xueyuan, said China had spent US$ 700 million in reclamation work over 28 months, employing 4,000 Sri Lankans. more..

Jan 16 (DM) Agriculture Minister P. Harrison said the spreading of fall armyworm (Sena Dalambuwa) among food crops was not an act of sabotage. He said that the allegation the govt had infected the crops with fall armyworm to help the pesticide supplying companies to market their products was false. “This pest was first detected when MP Mahinda Amaraweera was the Agriculture Minister. Therefore, those who accuse us of committing an act of sabotage should question more..

Jan 16 (DN) Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said children of the country are its future and therefore, every step will be taken to improve their knowledge. He said the govt, therefore, will make a few changes to the education system of the country. Minister was addressing the gathering at the opening ceremony of the laboratory constructed for St. Bernadette's Model School, Polgahawela. Minister said the govt had improved the education in the past couple of years. more..

Jan 16 (PSL) President Sirisena commenced a four-day state visit to the Philippines, marking the first invitation extended to a SL Head of State to undertake an official visit to their country, during the period of 58 year diplomatic relationship between SL and the Philippines. Prez arrived at the Ninoy Aquino Int'l Airport in Manila, yesterday. at the Airport, Prez was warmly received by a special delegation, including the Trade and more..

Jan 16 (AD) Former DIG Nalaka de Silva, who was arrested by the CID in connection with an alleged assassination plot targeting the President and former Defence Secretary, has been further remanded until 21st January. The former Director of the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) was arrested by the CID on Oct 25, 2018, over a suspected plot to assassinate Prez Sirisena and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He was arrested after a police informant, more..

Jan 16 (Island) Minister of Health Rajitha Senaratne is to preside over a ceremony to mark the distribution of 132 ambulances worth Rs 2.5 billion, to 132 hospitals across the country on January 18. The event will take place at the Colombo Municipal Council ground. These ambulances have been manufactured by Ford motor company and more than 100 more will be distributed later. Another 100 ambulances, manufactured by Benz company, will also be distributed among hospitals. more..

Jan 16 (DM) Non-cabinet Minister Ajith P. Perera said he would speak to Minister Vajira Abeywardana to see if there is the possibility of presenting a motion in Parliament to hold PC polls under the old system as soon as possible. Non-cabinet Minister, who represented the UNF at party leaders meetings with the Elections Commission, told the Daily Mirror that he was aware that the Cabinet of the 51 day Rajapaksa govt more..

Jan 16 (NR) Summons has been issued for MPs Namal Rajapaksa and Wimal Weerawansa including the wife of MP Weerawansa Shashi Weerawansa, to appear before the CID over a statement made by the arrested Indian national pertaining to the VVIP assassination plot. The CID today informed Court that summons has been issued for the trio to be present before the CID this week, based on a statement by the Indian. The CID is expected to record statements from the trio. more..