Nov 9 (AD) DNF prez candidate Sajith Premadasa says that the whole duty of man is to serve man and that those are the footsteps that he is following in. UNP deputy leader said that he decided to contest the upcoming prez poll in order to fulfill a historic service the people. He stated that the time has come for a young leadership for the country and that it’s about time that a young leadership is given the chance. more..

Nov 9 (FT) The Commonwealth is deploying a team to observe the Prez Election in SL. A ten member Commonwealth Observer Group, led by former Ghanaian Minister of Interior Prosper Bani, will observe the polls, which take place on 16 Nov. Speaking after constituting the group, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said: “I want to thank Mr Bani and all the other members of the group for accepting my invitation to undertake this significant assignment more..

Nov 9 (PO) Consul General of Sri Lanka G.L. Gnanatheva, while suggesting numerous measures for enhancing trade and investment ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, asked the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to send a delegation to Sri Lanka to explore trade and investment opportunities, besides seek ways and means on how to improve this existing ties with the SL business community. Speaking at a meeting during his visit to KCCI, he stressed that more..

Nov 9 (DN) The currently held portfolios in Parliament, including the post of Prime Minister, will have to be freshly appointed once the election results are released, and the person who has the confidence of Parliament will become the Prime Minister, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday. The PM made this response to a question directed at him during the Talk with PM event attended by University academics more..

Nov 10 (SO) A Series of policy dialogues between prez candidates was a unique feature of the 2019 presidential election season. These are not high pressure debates that make or break candidates in the primary and general election cycles in the US. But they provided brief glimpses into a candidate’s thinking outside the fever-pitch of election rallies and scripted political events. In each one of these, there has been a notable absentee. Gotabaya Rajapaksa claims work interests him more than talk. more..

Nov 10 (CT) Prez Election is just around the corner. To SL's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community (LGBT) community, this election will be rather special compared to the previous ones - for the first time in SL's history, the human rights of the LGBT community have surfaced as a topic of discussion in the run-up to the elections. LGBT people have always existed, and have always voted. Thus far, however, their human rights have not been a part of mainstream election promises. more..

Nov 10 (CT) Prez Candidate and former TNA MP, M.K Sivajlingam told Ceylon Today, "We accept that the majority in this country is Sinhala- Buddhist, but equal recognition should be given to other religions and communities as well. I would take up the stance in my campaign that this country should be recognised as multireligious, multi-linguistic, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic. We should all be treated equally". more..

Nov 10 (Island) By the time you read next Sunday’s issue of this newspaper, the prez election would have been concluded and Sri Lanka’s seventh executive president declared, and hopefully sworn. That is, of course, if there is no delay in the counting as neither of the two principal contenders had one vote more than the magical 50% of the ballots cast. If that be the case, second and third preferences of the voters favouring the lead contenders will be counted and added to their tallies. more..

Nov 10 (ST) As the final lap of a somewhat lacklustre election campaign negotiates the bend, 15.9 million voters will be entitled to pick a Prez of their choice next Sat (16). Back in 2015, many who voted for the outgoing Prez Sirisena believed he would be the last of Executive Prezs in the country. Despite a solemn pledge to ensure that would be the case, the early innocence of a well-meaning Prez from a rural background developed into a craving to cling on to that controversial office. more..

Nov 10 (CT) SLPP prez candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa says he has a proven track record, as Secretary of Def. & Urban Dev. Ministry, in ensuring both national security and rebuilding the nation. Q: You have no previous political experience. So, can you rule the country and solve its many issues? A: What the country needs is a person who can take the right decisions & lead the country at crucial junctures. more..

Nov 10 (ST) Amidst all the election-related news this week, emerged a non-related but a very important development for the country’s progress – the gazetting of a bill to establish a National Innovation Agency. According to the bill, the objectives of the proposed Agency are to promote better understanding “on social innovation, science and technology innovation, defence innovation, eco innovation and service innovation and their impact on the economy”; make recommendations to more..

Nov 10 (ST) My dear voters, I thought I must write to you as you are contemplating who you would mark that all important cross for, at the big race that will be held next Saturday. It is an important decision and one that could make or break our country, so I hope you will give a lot of thought to your decision and not take it lightly. We have been told that there are a record number of candidates, 35 in all, but I wouldn’t blame you if you are disappointed and feel that you have no good options to choose from. more..

Nov 10 (Island) By this time next week, the results of the prez poll would be rolling in. It is very unlikely that the final result would have been announced by the time the newspapers hit the newsstands. Indeed the EC has said that the final result may not be announced till Monday Nov. 18. Be that as it may, the likely scenario at this election is that the govt would be defeated. Lanka News Web website which can hardly be described as pro-Rajapaksa, observed somberly after Elpitiya PS election more..

Nov 10 (CT) Just a few weeks ago, on the initiative of students from the Northern and Eastern Universities, with the support of certain civil society activists in Jaffna, the TNA, TMK and EPRLF were brought together. This move led to 13 demands being put to the candidates contesting the forthcoming Prez election. The 5-Party Tamil coalition was considered significant as former Northern Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran, who has formed his own political party, the TMK, more..

Nov 10 (CT) Blind devotion to two shadow figures will decide the fate of two main horses in the Prez race People of SL, by next week, will exercise their franchise to decide who the next Head of State should be. While there is a record number of 35 nominal candidates in the fray, it is quite clear the race is between two workaholics Gotabaya Rajapaksa & Sajith Premadasa, with Anura Kumara Dissanayake running for the bronze medal. more..

Nov 10 (Island) Sri Lanka’s newest wicket-keeping sensation Minod Bhanuka had a chat with Sunday Island on the experience of his debut series in Pakistan and his cricketing career on a whole. The first glimpse of Bhanuka looked like he was someone who could bring much needed energy to a depleted Sri Lankan team. He in fact did exactly that during the T20Is in Pakistan though he hardly got an opportunity with the bat. He did impress on his ODI debut with the bat too, but more..

Nov 10 (Island) By this time next week, the results of the prez poll would be rolling in. It is very unlikely that the final result would have been announced by the time the newspapers hit the newsstands. Indeed the Elections Commission has said that the final result may not be announced till Monday Nov. 18. Be that as it may, the likely scenario at this election is that the govt would be defeated. The Lanka News Web website which can hardly be described as pro-Rajapaksa, observed somberly after more..

Nov 10 (ST) Amrith Perera of Gateway College broke Kyle Abeysinghe’s 200m Individual Medley meet record at the 25th edition of SL Inter-int'l Schools Swimming Championship, organised by Asian Int'l School. Event is currently being worked off at the Sugathadasa Stadium Swimming Pool Complex in Colombo. Perera, competing in Under-20 age category, clocked 2 minutes and 19.62 sec more..

Nov 10 (ST) Sri Lanka suffered a huge blow to its medal prospects in swimming after female swimming sensation Kimiko Raheem pulled out of the South Asian Games with an injury. The 13th edition of the South Asian Games will be held from Dec 1-10 in Kathmandu, Nepal where SL will field 19 swimmers –11 male and eight female. Star swimmer Matthew Abeysinghe has been named as captain of 19-member strong squad. Alongside Abeysinghe, Akalanka Peiris, Kavindra Nugawela, more..

Nov 10 (SO) Colombo Colts Cricket Club, the oldest Ceylonese Cricket Club founded in 1873, held its 146th Annual General Meeting last month with the participation of a large number of Members where Nishantha Ranatunga was re-elected as president unanimously for the ensuing year 2019/20. Trevor Rajaratnam was re-elected Patron while Jagath Savanadasa and Tissa Abeywardena were elected Vice Patrons. K Mathivanam, Jagath Savanadasa and and Tissa Abeywardena were elected more..

Nov 10 (SO) Election Commission has reportedly written to the President about complaints received that at least four Provincial Governors were taking part in electioneering, violating polls law, authoritative sources said. The independent election monitors, CMEV and PAFFREL have complained to the Election Commission that the governors who were representatives of the Prez were misusing their powers and resources in the respective Provincial Councils to promote SLPP candidate. more..

Nov 10 (SO) The future Head of State and his or her govt must cast aside short-term petty and popular programs focused on addressing issues of the moment and instead focus on long-term strategies to develop competencies through a knowledge and technology based economy, if the country is to get over its economic woos and achieve prosperity, economists said, urging voters to give priority to policies and not persons. With less than a week to go for a decisive election that will determine more..

Nov 10 (ST) While the prez poll is all set for next Saturday (16), billions of rupees have been pumped in for election campaigning by various parties on behalf of their respective candidates. How and where the money came from remains a mystery, unless otherwise a report on the expenses incurred is declared by each party or candidate to the Election Commission (EC). EC has taken note of all the campaign funding and is now preparing more..

Nov 10 (CT) Port City Colombo signed an MoU with South Asia's first-ever green uni, NSBM Green University Town (NSBM) at the Port City Colombo's Sales Gallery on 7 Nov. Graced by members of the senior management of both institutions, MoU solidified the Port City Colombo project's collaboration and endorsement of NSBM's industry partnership programme. The Industry Partnership programme is designed to optimise synergies between NSBM and industry partners more..

Nov 10 (Island) Former Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake, who is contesting the forthcoming prez election, says that extremists forces backing a certain prez candidate, would resume their campaign of vilification, harassment and attacks on Muslims after Nov 16. Participating in a dialogue with civil society members, Senanayake, a decorated soldier, said that attacks on Muslims which was a common feature prior to and after Easter Sunday suicide bomb explosions, more..

Nov 10 (WSJ) A controversial political dynasty that made Sri Lanka a centerpiece of China’s efforts to expand its influence in Asia and defeated an insurgency is aiming to reclaim power in this island nation. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who as defense secretary spearheaded the effort to crush a 3-decade-long revolt during his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa’s rule from 2005 to 2015, is now running for president in the Nov. 16 elections. more..

Nov 10 (DM) MP Namal Rajapaksa has reiterated that SLPP Prez Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa is no longer a US citizen. Let's clarify doubts about SLPP prez candidate's U.S. citizenship once and for all. Here's the proof! GotabayaR is no longer a U.S. citizen. The official unp can now move on to another mudslinging campaign, MP Rajapaksa tweeted. Earlier, Minister Harin Fernando questioned about SLPP’s presidential candidate’s citizenship with the latest US Federal Registry released more..

Nov 10 (AD) Thirty youths, including females, have been arrested early this morning (09) during a Facebook party that was organized at Meegoda area, says the Police Media Spokesperson. The arrestees include 21 males and 9 females. They are aged between 18 to 25 years and had been under the influence of drugs at the time of the arrest. Police had found 27g of heroin in possession of seven of the arrested youths while 200mg of Hashish was seized from another. more..

Nov 10 (SO) Question of SLPP candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s citizenship re-emerged last night, after the US Federal Register third quarter report released by the US Govt yesterday did not include his name in the list of those who renounced US citizenship. According to the document titled Quarterly Publication of Individuals, who have Chosen to Expatriate, the list contains the name of each individual who lost US citizenship more..

Nov 10 (SO) Sri Lanka Cricket has snubbed the Cricket Association for the Physically Challenged that recently won their ODI and T/20 games against the Cricket Wales Disability team affiliated to the England and Wales Cricket Board at Prince of Wales College ground Moratuwa. The home team won both matches that were worked off while two were affected by rain and not played. Lakshan Fernando president of the Cricket Association for the Physically Challenged said that they invited more..

Nov 10 (Island) The new bill that will make corruption in cricket a criminal offence was expected to be presented to Parliament this week. Inexplicably it was held up. The bill is now expected to be presented on Monday, during a special sitting - provided Parliament is not prorogued by Prez Sirisena. Criminalizing corruption in cricket is an urgent need. With all parties supporting the move, if the bill is passed without much debate, corruptors face jail terms up to ten years if found guilty more..

Nov 10 (ST) The two major contenders at next Saturday’s prez elections have voiced confidence they would emerge victorious. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, contesting on the SLPP ticket, declared “I believe the voters will place their full confidence in me. I look forward to serving them as their Prez.” NDF candidate Sajith Premadasa said, “I have no doubt that voters will vote for me. It will preserve their right to change their leaders more..

Nov 10 (ST) A fauly power cable at BIA caused a power outage for a half hour Saturday morning, state-owned Airport and Aviation Services Ltd (AASL) said. The airport operations were disrupted for a short while, but AASL workers were able to locate the fault and restore power within 28 minutes, Executive Director Sanjeewa Wijeratne said. He said a 40 km long high-tension power cable ring installed 30-years ago, which is central to BIA’s electrical system, malfunctioned. more..

Nov 10 (EN) Sri Lanka’s dairy farmers who try to grow high yield milch cows cannot be given proper feed due to protectionist taxes on maize imports and domestically produced grain is of a grain more suited for human consumption, a top farming company official said. “We have to import dehydrated maize from abroad due to the lack of the proper nutrients in the locally produced maize,” Binesh Pananwala, CEO, Watawala Plantations PLC said at a meeting of a newly set up more..

Nov 10 (AD) Jude Shramantha Anthony Jayamaha, who was sentenced to death over the Royal Park murder case in 2005, an incident that gained much media attention at the time. The Commissioner General of Prisons T.M.J.W. Thennakoon said the Prisons Department today (9) received the document signed by the President to grant Prez pardon to the convicted. Shramantha Jayamaha was convicted of more..

Nov 10 (AD) A gazette notification has been published announcing the new toll fees of the recently declared open parts of the Southern Expressway. The subject Minister Kabir Hashim issued the Extraordinary Gazette notification yesterday (8). The third phase of the Outer Circular Road, which links the Southern Expressway and the Katunayake Expressway with a 9.6km stretch of road spanning from Kadawatha to Kerawalapitiya and section from Barawakumbura to Mattala more..

Nov 10 (CT) The two main political alliances in Parliament, UPFA and UNF are currently holding talks with other political parties to form a new regime from 18 Nov onwards, depending on the final outcome of the 16 Nov Prez Poll, informed sources said. A JO source said that if SLPP Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa were to win the coming poll, he would be sworn in as the new President on 18 Nov and he will then swear in his elder brother, current Opposition Leader more..

Nov 10 (ST) Discordant note came loud and clear from those who filled the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium last Tuesday and stood up to respect their party song SL Swarnabhoomiye. Contrary to the usual practice, only a section clapped loud. That gave the show away. Not all of them who attended a meeting of SL Nidhas Paksha Surakeemey Sanvidanaya or Org to Protect the SLFP were members of that party. more..