Jul 11 (ST) Japan has become the first country in the world to build the most high-tech greenhouse with the installation of the SARA greenhouse in Kasaoka city. It is the largest single site advance glass greenhouse project with the latest technology available in the world to grow tomatoes, bell peppers and butterhead lettuce. SARA Inc decided to work exclusively with SL firm RIOCOCO’s brand coir growing medium. This project involves operations of advanced greenhouse horticulture and more..

Jul 11 (FT) Annual General Meeting of the Royal Commonwealth Society Sri Lanka ’19/’20, held last Friday under the auspices of Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya, and well-attended by its members, office bearers, and guests, marked a couple of milestones. Speaker of Parliament delivered the keynote address, and highlighted upon a poignant event that coincides with Sri Lanka and the Commonwealth this year, and stressed also on the importance of addressing multiculturalism. more..

Jul 11 (EN) A political solution to the ethnic problem, which had led to a 30-year war, will help Sri Lanka attract investments needed for people to enjoy a better quality of life, TNA leader R. Sampathan said. Tamil Tiger separatists resorted to armed struggle as peaceful protests were put down with violence and Tamils were not given legal protection, he said in a speech in southern Matara. more..

Jul 11 (FT) Court of Appeal yesterday deferred for 11 October the petitions filed by former President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and former TRC Director General Anusha Palpita contesting the judgment of the Colombo High Court. The two petitions yesterday came up before the Bench comprising Justices Deepali Wijesundera and Achala Wengappuli. Faisz Musthapha PC with Kanchana Ratwatte appeared for the petitioners. Deputy Solicitor General Thisith Mudalige more..

Jul 11 (DN) Minister Malik Samarawickrama met with the President of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Yasushi Akahoshi last week, and discussed cooperation activities to boost trade and investment between the two countries. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of New Champions. The Minister discussed holding an investor forum in Tokyo in partnership with JETRO, as a follow-up to the highly successful event more..

Jul 11 (DM) Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) and the police jointly launched a special awareness programme to identify unroadworthy vehicles in the Western Province and to issue prohibition or repair orders, DMT Commissioner-General Jagath Chandrasiri said. Inaugural session commenced at 6 p.m yesterday at Mahawatta junction in Narahenpita, covering the police divisions in Panadura, Kalutara, Gampaha & Kelaniya. more..

Jul 11 (CT) The Govt of Sri Lanka is attempting to woo investors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by highlighting that the country offers a number of opportunities that promise steady returns. Deputy Minister Nalin Bandara told UAE investors that there were many opportunities for the UAE to invest in Sri Lanka. According to him, UAE is one of Sri Lanka’s top ten foreign direct investors and is a country with which Sri Lanka maintains excellent bilateral trade relations. more..

Jul 11 (TOI) TVS Motor Company has launched 100cc economy motorcycle TVS Sport in Sri Lanka. The mileage-efficient motorcycle boasts of new graphics and style. R Dilip, senior VP, int'l business, TVS Motor Company, said, “We are delighted to bring our popular motorcycle TVS Sport to SL. TVS Sport caters to a robust customer base of close to 2.5 million customers globally. In SL, where two-wheeler mobility is on a rise, TVS Sport is the ideal motorcycle to traverse long distance more..

Jul 11 (Island) The JO yesterday said that the ongoing talks between the SLPP and the SLFP in respect of a common polls strategy would be concluded by Aug 10 to enable the former to announce the 2019 presidential candidate at its annual convention at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium the following day. Top JO spokesman Dullas Alahapperuma MP, and SLFP Treasurer, S.B. Dissanayake MP said that a decision more..

Jul 11 (Xinhua) Sri Lanka has emerged as the largest exporter of cinnamon in the world, according to an international market survey. According to the survey titled Cinnamon Market Growth, Trends and Forecast 2019-2024 compiled by ResearchAndMarkets.com, the demand for SL cinnamon has increased in countries such as Mexico, US, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Guatemala. Major countries that import cinnamon from SL are Mexico, US, Peru, Colombia & Ecuador. more..

Jul 11 (CT) Leader of the SLMC and MP Rauf Hakeem said, his Party would make a startling political decision before the next Presidential Poll. He said that unlike at any other Election, there were many alternatives to be considered by political parties ahead of the Presidential Poll, and that his Party was currently discussing with the relevant factions. Hakeem added that a group of Ministers had resigned a month ago not just in isolation and that the reasons behind the resignations more..

Jul 11 (Island) Top Education Ministry officials confirmed before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday carnage that there were Islamic school textbooks which recommended killing those who turned against Islam. Secretary to the Ministry of Education and Commissioner General of Educational Publications admitted before the committee that those Islamic text books in Tamil & Sinhala more..

Jul 11 (Island) Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) provided quality fuel and there was no truth in the allegation that low quality fuel was being distributed, a top CPC official said yesterday. CPC Chairman G.S. Withanage said that his institution conducted checks on fuel standards and they had not found anything wrong. However, the National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection (NMCRP) insisted that the fuel stations across the country were selling substandard 92 octane petrol. more..

Jul 11 (DM) Taking the cue from Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) the Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC) announced that it too was reducing petrol and diesel prices with effect from midnight yesterday (10). LIOC Senior Vice President Pramod Jain said according to the revision the price of Lanka Petrol (Octane 92) was reduced by Rs.3 per litre and will now be sold at Rs.144, XtraPremium 95 (Euro 4) Petrol was reduced by Rs. 5 per litre and will now be sold at Rs.162 more..

Jul 11 (FT) Seeking to set the record straight, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday confirmed to Parliament that the Govt has not signed a new Status of Forces Agreement (SoFA), but that negotiations with the US were ongoing, assuring no deal impacting the sovereignty of Sri Lanka will be signed. Wickremesinghe, in response to a question raised by JVP lawmaker Anura Dissanayake, held the SoFA agreement was signed in 1995 by more..

Jul 11 (Island) Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said that he had paid a heavy price for not heeding then Minister D.E.W. Gunasekera’s advice not to call for early presidential election in Jan 2015. He recalled how Gunasekera had made an abortive bid to save his presidency. Rajapaksa said so addressing an event held at the BMICH to felicitate General Secretary of the Communist Party Dew Gunasekera. The event titled Salutation on completion of 60 years of more..

Jul 11 (DM) Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) looking into the April 21 attacks is to get a list of guests that were staying at the Hotel Taj Samudra, Colombo on the day of the Easter Sunday terror attacks as well a list of those who ate breakfast there on that fateful day. This was announced by Chairman Ananda Kumarasiri during the proceedings of the PSC last evening. He said obtaining this list could help shed some light on why Hotel Taj Samudra was spared by more..

Jul 11 (DN) Shangri-La bomber and National Thawheed Jamath Leader Zahran Hashim was only another suspect with a warrant like many other suspects wanted for various crimes until the Easter Sunday carnage took place, Eastern Province Senior DIG Kapila Jayasekera told the Parliament Select Committee (PSC). PSC members Rauff Hakeem and Ravi Karunanayake, MPs Sarath Fonseka, Ashu Marasinghe, Dr. Jayampathy more..

Jul 11 (DM) At the outset we need to make it clear that we hold no brief for drug barons, convicts on death row or the death penalty but for the dignity of human life as best said by Pope Francis, “…since every life is sacred, every human person is endowed with an inalienable dignity, and society can only benefit from the rehabilitation of those convicted of crimes. I also offer encouragement to all those who are convinced that a just and necessary punishment must never exclude the dimension of hope more..

Jul 11 (DM) Jan 8, 2015 marked a turning point in the course of the Sri Lanka’s political history. A powerful President who was held in high regard for defeating the LTTE was rejected by the public at large. They instead placed their faith in the hands of the common candidate Maithripala Sirisena. The catchy slogan Good Governance which he put forward came into public acceptance. The people trusted that a “change” will happen for a corrupt-free country. more..

Jul 11 (DM) Bandula Gunawardane, MP of the UPFA discusses the current status of the economy. Mr. Gunawardane who briefs the media about economic affairs on behalf of the party, said debt servicing would be a challenge for any future govt. Q: As the main opposition, how do you view the current status of economy in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attack? A: Long before the attack, in my budgetary speech, I mentioned clearly more..

Jul 11 (ST) UNP Galle district MP Bandula Lal Bandarigoda has submitted a Private Member’s Bill seeking to abolish the death penalty. The Bill, if approved by Parliament, will abolish the death penalty and replace the death sentence an offence carries under any Act with a maximum of life imprisonment. Bill will cover not just sentences imposed after its passage but will also apply to prisoners who have already been more..

Jul 11 (EN) SL's schools are not teaching correct history, Minister Lakshman Kiriella said giving credence a growing awareness that kids are being brainwashed with cherry picked historical accounts aimed at triggering nationalist hate through a centralized syllabus. Sri Lanka's kings were not nationalist, Minister said Tamils and Muslims were relatives (nedayo) of the Sinhalese, despite false portrayal by some elements. more..

Jul 11 (CT) While claiming that the current Government has no right to stay in power after failing to avoid the Easter Sunday massacre, despite prior intelligence warnings, JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake insisted, in Parliament yesterday, that people should be given the chance to elect a new Govt by dissolving Parliament. Dissanayake said so, opening the debate on the No- Confidence Motion (NCM) more..

Jul 11 (CT) The Irrigation Department said the water levels in the Senanayaka Samudra in Ampara which impacts paddy cultivation had decreased to three per cent due to the ongoing dry weather conditions here. Out of the country’s annual paddy production, 20% is delivered by the Ampara District while out of that 20%, majority paddy cultivation is done through water released from the Senanayaka Samudra. more..

Jul 11 (EN) Professionals affiliated to former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa were described as misogynists after they denied the existence of sexually harassment of women in public transport and on the streets. An organisation called the Viyathmaga which promotes Rajapaksa as a presidential candidate rejected remarks of senior editor of the Daily FT, Marianne David, who focused on sexual harassment more..

Jul 11 (AD) Over 500 mothers, who were allegedly aggrieved by Dr. Mohamed Shafi, had gathered to the Ethkanda Raja Maha Viharaya in Kurunegala today. They were planning to march towards the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court premises where the case against Dr. Shafi is being heard. Meanwhile, it is reported that a protest against Dr. Mohamed Shafi was staged near the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court premises today. more..

Jul 11 (DM) A team of US counter-terrorism experts is reported to have stressed at a meeting with PM Ranil Wickremesinghe the need for stricter border control and coast guard to ward off terrorism. The team led by US Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz called on the Prime Minister on Tuesday evening and briefed him about measures that to be taken by them to counter terrorism after the 9/11 attack. more..

Jul 11 (EN) Sri Lanka's South West monsoon has been suppressed so far in 2019 amid a mild El Niño effect related to sea temperature in the Pacific, despite a warmer Western Indian Ocean which usually brings more rainfall, an official said. The South West monsoon usually gets established by the third week of May with rain falling on the Western slopes of the hill country. In early May Sri Lanka has received pre-monsoonal rain. more..

Jul 11 (AD) CID has produced Dr. Mohamed Shafi before the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court a short while ago. The case against Dr. Shafi, who is accused of allegedly amassing assets through suspicious means, performing illegal sterilization surgeries and having links to terrorist activities, is to be taken up for hearing at 1 p.m. Dr. Shafi was arrested and remanded for allegedly amassing assets via suspicious means. more..

Jul 11 (CT) President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed a five-man board called the National Security Advisory Board, comprised of predominantly those in the legal profession, with perhaps not one of them with any hands-on or even theoretical experience in any discipline or occupation relating to national security. If a body was to be appointed to advise on matters relating to exports one would naturally expect those appointed to have had decades of experience and more..

Jul 11 (DN) Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake yesterday re-issued an open warrant for the arrest of the two sureties of former SL Ambassador to the US Jaliya Wickramasuriya. The two sureties are his wife and a brother-in-law and they are now wanted in court due to the continued absence of the wanted suspect, Wickramasuriya. The two sureties are also missing. FCID had filed a ‘B’ report in the Fort Magistrate’s Court against Jaliya Wickramasuriya for allegedly more..

Jul 11 (FT) On 24 June, Govt of SL completed an international placement of $ 2 billion euro bonds (known as Int'l Sovereign Bonds or ISBs). This was the second issue of euro bonds for the year. The first issue of $ 2.4 billion took place on 7 March this year. Altogether, Sri Lanka had issued $ 4.4 billion worth of euro bonds during the year, the highest number in a single year. With the issue of $ 4.4 billion euro bonds this year, total euro bonds outstanding reached approximately $ 15 bil, more..

Jul 11 (Island) Garbage is piling up in the Matara Municipal Council area as the residents of Kotawila obtained a court order preventing the Municipality from dumping garbage at the Kotawila Waste Management complex. As a result garbage is being dumped at the Matara public market premises situated in the heart of the busy town and a few other locations within the municipal limits. A compost manufacturing plant was in operation at the Kotawila waste management complex for some time more..

Jul 11 (DM) After a particularly hot and humid May this year, many Sri Lankans would have eagerly anticipated the south-western monsoon to ease their discomfort. Each year, what Sri Lankans don’t expect however, seems to be the ensuing outbreak of the deadly dengue virus. 2019 doesn’t seem to be any different for a country grappling with yet another outbreak of the disease, with most residents in disease hotspots unaware of the illness. more..

Jul 11 (EN) Sri Lanka is eying a 10-year Samurai bond to raise funds for debt management, after parliament gave the go ahead to raise around 480 billion rupees outside the 2019 budget requirements, CB Governor Indrajith Coomaraswamy said. "We are going to Tokyo in a couple of weeks to explore the possibility of a Samurai bond," he said. "It would not be wise to borrow less than 10-years (tenure)." He said Sri Lanka was agnostic about the type of bond, and wanted to borrow at lowest rate. more..

Jul 11 (LBO) Sri Lanka’s gross official reserves have reached 8.9 billion US dollars by end June 2019, following the receipt of the proceeds of the ISBs, providing an import cover of 5.1 months, the Central Bank said. The successful issuance of the International Sovereign Bonds (ISBs) in June 2019 reflected investors’ continued confidence on Sri Lanka’s medium-term growth prospects. The contraction in the trade deficit and the receipt of the proceeds from the ISBs, more..

Jul 11 (S4S) The ITF has called on the SL govt to release the Ukrainian Captain Gennadiy Gavrylov, who has been stranded in Sri Lanka since June 2016, when local authorities arrested his vessel Avant Garde in relation to the illegal importation of arms. "For over three years, Gennadiy Gavrylov has been stranded in Sri Lanka desperate to go home, while Sri Lankan authorities refuse to grant him permission to leave the country. more..

Jul 11 (AD) The police said that 2,037 drunk drivers were arrested in island-wide raids conducted since last Friday. During 24-hour raids carried out from 6am. last morning (10) to 6a.m. today, 274 drivers who had been under the influence of alcohol were taken into custody. On July 3rd, SL Police announced that a special month-long operation will be carried out island-wide to apprehend drunk drivers. Operation would especially be implemented on the roads in Colombo and suburbs. more..