Jan 22 (Island) Gotabhaya Rajapaksa (GR) has announced that he is ready to be a presidential candidate if the people are also ready for it. Not to be outdone, his oldest brother Chamal Rajapaksa has also declared his readiness: If Gota is ready, so am I! It is immaterial whether these are conditional declarations, trial balloons, or, plain bravado to enthuse their respective sponsor groups. GR’s sponsors are the upstart professionals of Viyath Maga who see their Messiah in Gota. more..

Jan 22 (CT) Much has been written about a coup supposedly attempted by the President against a democratically elected govt. The short answer to market capitalism and to its more useful instruments (which include, I should add, communalism, drug trafficking – including prescription drugs, money laundering as well as the mass media), has been given by my colleague, Mahalingam Jolly Somasunderam in his column last week. As he phrased it in his inimitable style, more..

Jan 22 (CT) Day to day life of many foreign spouses, who are married to Sri Lankans, is quite uncomfortable as most of them do not get SL citizenship. Commitment and dedication are priorities for a successful marriage. An international/intercultural marriage requires even more effort due to many obstacles that a couple faces. These obstacles can come in various ways, starting from finding a common language more..

Jan 22 (Island) Sirisena, Wickremesinghe, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, his brother Chamal and Karu Jayasuriya. The last week saw media frame prospective candidates for an office that the incumbent said, nay, swore on 9th Jan 2015, he would never seek re-election to and would be the last to occupy. Evidence of Sri Lanka’s sickeningly bankrupt political culture is again to be found in how, leaving aside unequivocal promises four years ago, even the catastrophic events of late 2018 and more..

Jan 22 (CT) The Chairman of Gateway Group, Principal of Gateway College, the OIC of Seeduwa Police, Human Rights Commission, the National Child Protection Authority, the Minister of Education, IGP, Attorney General’s Department, PM and the President failed to protect and provide the Constitutional rights to a young citizen. CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 11 – No person shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. more..

Jan 22 (SO) Is the new Constitution as bad as it is claimed to be - With many politicians alleging that it calls for Federalism in Sri Lanka and stating that it defeats the military victory earned by the valiant soldiers of the country. The claim is that the zero draft of the proposed new Constitution and the suggestions put forward by the experts disguise Federalism, and that the intention behind the new Constitution is to separate the country through political means. more..

Jan 22 (ST) There is a distinct commonality between corruption investigations and inquiries into grave human rights abuses in Sri Lanka, apart from ordinary Rule of Law dysfunctions. That is the amazing chutzpah with which performers engage in the same evasive dance while at the same time, propagating the myth that the law, as it currently stands, is somehow lacking in significant respects. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Though we may applaud legal reforms that more..

Jan 22 (ST) Just ten days before the newly set up speedy High Court’s judges begin to hear on a daily basis to its final finish the charges levelled against him of misusing public finances for personal use, Gotabaya Rajapaksa put the nation on notice when he announced for the first time his solid intention to run for the Presidency of Sri Lanka. In a speech delivered last Sunday at the Viyathmaga meeting, in Colombo, he declared — in the manner Seventh Day Adventist and others denominations of more..

Jan 22 (FT) In a bid to limit access members of organised crimes has to firearms, licences of all 9mm firearms have been cancelled immediately, with fresh permits to be issued from 23 Jan Defence Secretary announced. According to Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, 4700 licenses have been issued to 9mm pistols and revolvers but with no details on what basis the documents were issued. more..

Jan 22 (Island) The UNF govt finds itself in an unenviable position. While doing its damnedest to get rid of a biped named Sirisena, it has had to contend with a grub called Sena, which is destroying agricultural crops, in most parts of the country. Sena or fall armyworm (FAW), said to be endemic to the Americas, has spread across the world, over the years. Surprisingly, the Sri Lankan agricultural authorities remained oblivious to the danger of the pest arriving here. more..

Jan 22 (DN) Sri Lanka under 19 coach Hashan Tillakaratne said that the current crop of youngsters were heading in the right direction after Sri Lanka had won the one-off under 19 test match against Australia in the recently concluded home series. “This is the first time, since 1985, SL Under 19 has won a test match against Australia Under 19. It’s a great achievement by the youngsters,” said Tillakaratne. “I was in the 1985 Under 19 squad that won the test match against Australia. more..

Jan 22 (Island) Non-cabinet Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva says ill-planned official visits are a waste of public funds and taxpayers’ money shouldn’t be squandered on political associates. Minister de Silva said so when The Island sought his opinion on President Maithripala Sirisena’s delegation to the just concluded state visit to the Philippines. Minister said that it indicated that there had been absolutely no planning. more..

Jan 22 (Island) Milinda Siriwardana’s four quick blows, and captain Upul Tharanga’s century (103) guided Sri Lankans to a 175-run win, and a 2-0 lead, in the five-match series at Hambantota yesterday. Tourists, hunting down an imposing 338, had the disastrous of starts. They appeared surrendered and succumbed to the lions, too early, before Mark Adair delayed the defeat, and calmed the chase. Isuru Udana, removed James Shannon and Stuart Thompson for ducks in a hurry. more..

Jan 22 (Island) The Economist’s Intelligence unit Democracy Index which provides a snapshot of the state of democracy globally has ranked Norway in the top of the list as a full democracy while Sri Lanka is ranked as a Flawed democracy towards the bottom of the rankings though Sri Lanka defines itself a Democratic Socialist Republic. Several factors are said to be considered in giving these rankings. What is striking though is that features in the Constitutions of Countries more..

Jan 22 (CT) Former SL National Cricket team analyst Sanath Jayasundara, who was employed at the SLC Brain Center, has been sent on compulsory leave by the SLC on alleged corruption charges, SLC CEO Ashley de Silva confirmed. “We have received a complaint regarding him from ICC Anti–corruption Unit. Hence, we have taken this decision,” said de Silva, who refused to make any further comments as the inquiry more..

Jan 22 (TA) SL-based JLanka International, a premier solar and renewable energy technology solutions provider, has announced an investment of up to $10 million within the coming five years in Bahrain’s renewable energy sector. Commencing operations in Bahrain, JLanka has been commissioned by the kingdom’s Sustainable Energy Unit (SEU) under the supervision of Dr Abdul Ali Mirza, Minister of Electricity and Water, to conduct an exclusive training programme more..

Jan 22 (DN) Sri Lanka will be without the services of paceman Nuwan Pradeep for the forthcoming Test series against Australia, beginning Thursday under lights at the Gabba. Pradeep was only able to get through two overs in Sri Lanka’s warm-up fixture against a Cricket Australia XI in Hobart last week, before sustaining a hamstring injury. “Nuwan Pradeep, who is part of SL’s Test squad touring Australia for the two Test series; has sustained an injury and will be out of the series,” more..

Jan 22 (FT) Central Bank yesterday issued a request on proposals from investment banks to sell up to $ 2 billion in international sovereign bonds as the Govt readies to repay $ 5.9 billion in debt this year. The notice posted on the CB website said as per the approved International Sovereign Bond program for 2019, the Govt intends to issue Sovereign Bonds in dollars, yen, renminbi and euro. “The dollar denominated bonds and/or more..

Jan 22 (DN) “We are approaching the end of the first week of our 15-day amnesty to participants who have previously failed to report any information concerning corrupt conduct in SL cricket. I am encouraged by the number of people that have come forward and the new information we’re receiving as a result. This intelligence is assisting our ongoing and wide-ranging investigations in SL as well us enabling us to continue to develop a comprehensive picture of the situation there,” more..

Jan 22 (PMD) The Earth Watchmen project of planting 2 million trees island-wide parallel to the 2019 Cricket World Cup was launched by Prez Sirisena today (21) at the Agriculture Technology Institute, Kilinochchi. National Television Corporation and Sampath Bank have implemented this program island-wide, as they have a responsibility to plant saplings of trees use for manufacturing cricket bats. They stated that and cricket fans too have a responsibility to grow trees more..

Jan 22 (PMD) President Maithripala Sirisena says the course of actions taken during the last four years against the illegal drug smuggling will be implemented with new a approach from next week. President addressing an event held at the Vidyananda Maha Vidyalaya, Mullaitivu, today (21), to declare National Drug Prevention Week emphasized that in any way the govt will not change its decision to impose Capital punishment more..

Jan 22 (FT) Annual average inflation hit 2.1% in December 2018, recording a monthly dip of 0.5% when compared with November, the Central Bank said in a statement. Headline inflation as measured by the year-on-year change in the National Consumer Price Index decreased to 0.4% in December 2018 from 1% in November 2018. The decrease observed in year-on-year inflation in December 2018 is driven by the decrease of prices of items in both Food & Non-Food categories. more..

Jan 22 (DM) CCD and Kollupitiya Police are investigating the death of a 49-year old man who had worked as a cook in an apartment at the Galle Face Court housing complex in Colombo. Police recovered a burnt body from the apartment following a tip-off received to the 119 hot-line on Saturday. The body was found with both hands and legs tied to the bed. The deceased was a resident of Arangala in Athurugiriya and had worked as a cook and driver at the apartment in which a British national more..

Jan 22 (Island) SLPP will soon seek Supreme Court intervention to compel the National Election Commission (NEC) to hold much delayed Provincial Council polls. SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris said that former Chief Ministers S.M. Ranjith and Maheepala Herath, on behalf of the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces, respectively, would file fundamental rights applications in respect of those deprived of an opportunity to exercise more..

Jan 22 (DN) A Chinese cement manufacturer will set up a plant in the Hambantota Export Processing Zone, said Deputy Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Nalin Bandara. This is the first time a Chinese Cement manufacturer is entering the Sri Lankan market. In an interview he said, land allocation for the project has been already done and environment assessments too have been completed. “The Chinese company will start production next May.” more..

Jan 22 (FT) Minister Navin Dissanayake reappointed leading business figure and industry veteran Lucille Wijewardena as the Chairman of Sri Lanka Tea Board. The formal letter of appointment was handed over by the Minister at the Ministry in Battaramulla yesterday. Wijewardena was the Chairman of SL Tea Board before the political crisis on 26 Oct. Previously, he was the Chairman of Softlogic Stockbrokers, Managing Director of Anuga Holdings Ltd., and Founder Director of Regency Teas. more..

Jan 22 (Island) The GMOA has written to the Ministry of Finance, requesting that a scheme be introduced through Budget 2019 to allow doctors and other health sector professionals to work abroad and in the private sector. This is one of the proposals the GMOA wants included in the 2019 Budget. In these proposals the GMOA has asked for a salary increase for the state sector, without violating the national salary policy while scrapping more..

Jan 22 (DM) A major and a corporal were killed while four others were injured in an accident at Oddusuddan in Mullaitivu this afternoon, the Army said. Police said the army jeep, in which the army personnel were travelling in, skidded off the road near the 29th mile post and crashed into a tree at around 1.30 p.m. The injured were admitted to the Vavuniya Hospital and the corporal and the major were pronounced dead on admission to the hospital. The victims, who were attached to Army Hq, more..

Jan 22 (EN) Employees Provident Fund (EPF), managed by the central bank has lost 9.2 billion rupees on its stock portfolio up to June 2018 despite investments in banks gaining it about 9 billion rupees led by Sampath Bank. The stocks have been bought at different times, but among the most controversial were those made at the height of a stock market bubble which ended around 2011. EPF Department on Jan 16 said the 2 trillion rupee fund made up of private sector more..

Jan 22 (Island) Former Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, urged the govt to investigate and find out whether Fall Army-Worm (FAW) or Sena had been deliberately brought in. Matara District MP Abeywardena said the issue would be raised in Parliament this week. Responding to a query, MP alleged that Sena had been deployed by those who had been affected by Sri Lanka achieving self-sufficiency in maize. more..

Jan 22 (Island) Tobacco companies were behind the smuggling of foreign cigarettes to Sri Lanka, Minister Rajitha Senaratne alleged. "They are smuggling in cigarettes and then try to convince the people that Sri Lankans are smoking smuggled cigarettes. We have implemented nine out of ten World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations on minimizing the consumption of cigarettes," he said adding that a lot of pressure was exerted on him when he increased the taxes on cigarettes. more..

Jan 22 (DN) The almanac case filed against two accused including former Minister Basil Rajapaksa was yesterday fixed for March 28 by the Colombo High Court. Court was informed that the Court of Appeal has extended its Interim Order staying any further proceeding into the controversial almanac case before HC Judge Gihan Kulatunga, until the month of February. Accordingly, the case against two accused including former Minister Basil Rajapaksa for allegedly misappropriating more..

Jan 22 (Island) The Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs owe SriLankan Airlines Rs. 122.3 million for chartered flights between 2009 and 2014 for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Manager – Revenue Management and Network Planning of SriLankan, Sumudu Upatissa told the PCoI that the airline had written to the Prez Secretariat and the Foreign Ministry but without success. more..

Jan 22 (AD) Former General Secretary of UNP Tissa Attanayake states that if he receives an invitation to become a common candidate at the upcoming presidential election, he will accept it. He pointed out that certain members of the UNP acting on their personal opinions leaving behind the political agenda have become a major setback. Attanayake further says that he has adequate experience to perform as a common candidate and therefore, he has a feeling of what he should more..

Jan 22 (BN) Real interest rates in South Asia are among the highest in the world, raising the prospect of more dovish monetary policy in the region. Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India rank in the top five of the world’s major economies with the highest inflation-adjusted interest rates. Real interest rates in South Asia are among the highest in the world, raising the prospect of more dovish monetary policy in the region. SL, Pakistan and India rank in the top five of the world’s major economies more..

Jan 22 (CT) Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando said a case will be filed, within next two weeks, against 11 military personnel who were involved in a brutal murder that shook the country in the recent past. “Once this happens, the so-called Diaspora that accuses the Sri Lankan Govt of doing nothing against military personnel, who had acted in an unacceptable and ruthless manner, will have no more to say. more..

Jan 22 (CT) A relief on Welikada Prison depicts the journey of a typical prisoner showing crimes being committed, arrests, trial, incarceration, improvement and release: a model story of a criminal’s reformation through our country’s system of correction. Written below this relief is the statement: Prisoners are Human Beings. But idealistic art and powerful proclamations, hasn’t helped the welfare and reformation of prisoners under Sri Lanka’s Prison system. more..

Jan 22 (CT) It is a privilege for me to return to the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka, popularly known as IBSL, after the lapse of some 10 years. I had a long association with IBSL from its very beginning – from around 1977. Therefore, it is closely and inseparably linked to me. I was an examiner cum paper-setter of the Institute for more than four decades. From 1987 till 2000, I was its Director of Studies and the principal lecturer in banking and related subjects. Even today, wherever I go, more..

Jan 22 (ST) Plants sprayed with chemicals to counter the spread of the Sena worm should not be used as animal feed as they could affect the people who consume animal products. Agriculture Department Director General W.M.W. Weerakoon said that five liquid chemicals had been identified to be sprayed on plants, including maize, infested with the Sena worm. “However, the plants, once sprayed should not be immediately more..

Jan 22 (DM) The UNP said that the need of the hour was a national election but not a provincial council election. Deputy Minister Nalin Bandara said either a parliamentary or a presidential election should be conducted. He said that provincial council election would not serve any purpose. “A national election be it a general election or a presidential election will help the country at this point of time to resolve the issues, " he said. more..