Nov 20 (RN) Sajith Attygalle, a Deputy Governor at central bank who is also veteran at the finance ministry has assumed duties as Secretary to the Treasury. He has been a Deputy Treasury Secretary for more than a decade. Attygalle holds a MSc in Quantitative Development Economics from the University of Warwick, UK and a BSc Degree in Physical Science from the University of Colombo. more..

Nov 20 (FT) To identify the role of Govt in supporting entrepreneurship, council members of the Global Entrepreneurship Network Sri Lanka chapter engaged in a roundtable discussion, marking Global Entrepreneurship Week 2019. Daily FT recap their thoughts on where Govt must get in to support the way and where Govt must get out of the way, to take Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurship ecosystem to greater heights: more..

Nov 20 (DM) SLPP and its alliance partners are reportedly considering an interim govt to be formed under Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa should PM Ranil Wickremesinghe step down from office. The political alliance which backed Prez Rajapaksa are said to be considering such a move on the basis that the dissolution of parliament on a resolution with a two-thirds majority looks impossible because several UNP MPs are opposed to more..

Nov 20 (CI) Lasith Malinga has his sights set on captaining his country at the T20 World Cup in Australia next year, and possibly beyond, firm in the belief that his body has two more years of cricket left in the tank. It is somewhat of a change in tune from the 36-year-old, who previously stated that he would retire after next year's tournament. Malinga, who stepped into the role for a second time when Sri Lanka left more..

Nov 20 (DC) Within hours of Gotabaya Rajapaksa got sworn in as the President of Sri Lanka, the Rajapaksas have got down to serious business in dealing with Big Brother up north by telling the pro-LTTE parties in Tamil Nadu to talk sense or just shut up. While these TN parties termed as unfortunate the election of Gotabaya as President-some of them even said it would be dangerous for the Tamils in the northern more..

Nov 20 (AD) Leader of the TPA Mano Ganesan says that he will not support the dissolution of Parliament before the deadline. Minister said that the governing power should be handed over to the elected President’s party, respecting people’s mandate. Several decisions have arrived at on the matter so far, he said. However, the issue regarding the leadership of the UNP is an internal matter, he said. more..

Nov 20 (NR) MP Harin Fernando says Minister Sajith Premadasa has decided to distance himself from politics until several changes occur within the UNP. Speaking at a media briefing today MP Fernando said they would not allow the mandate that Minister Sajith Premadasa obtained from the public to be destroyed. MP Harin Fernando added that the time is right for new ideas and reformation to be initiated within the UNP. more..

Nov 20 (FT) A new cabinet of ministers being appointed after the Prez Election is inevitable. It is not only fair but also constitutional. However, it must be done intelligently and with understanding. Otherwise, the citizens’ decision on 16 Nov could be devalued. There are two main phases when appointing the cabinet. Firstly, different ministries must be scientifically identified. Secondly, process by which the ministers are appointed to those institutions must be scientifically designed. more..

Nov 20 (CT) A hallmark of leadership is that the leader takes the blame for the defeat of his team, leading to his resignation. This has to be especially marked in politics, to ensure the sustenance of a political party. A political leader, who takes responsibility for his party's defeat by resigning, enables his party to start anew. The UNP, a key political party in the country, in its 73-year history has had eight leaders. They were D.S. Senanayake, his son Dudley, Sir John Kotelawala, more..

Nov 20 (Island) Business Chamber of Commerce in a congratulatory message to newly elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has assured him all their support in his endeavor to take the country to an era of economic growth. In their message headlined Hopeful of an Economic Upturn, the BCC states: The Business Chamber of Commerce offers the newly elected President of SL, Gotabaya Rajapaksa its sincere congratulations and good wishes. We wish to also express our faith more..

Nov 20 (AD) John Keells Holdings PLC, Sri Lanka’s largest conglomerate, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Moratuwa on the 23rd of August, as the Platinum Sponsor of the University’s annual career fair Are you ready? 2019. Staying true to its core values, the Group collaborated with the University with the aim of enriching the country’s youth with employability skills that are essential to be successfully employed within the corporate world. more..

Nov 20 (AD) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided to step down from his position as the PM of Sri Lanka a short while ago. Reportedly, Premier Wickremesinghe will inform the President in writing regarding the decision. The decision has, reportedly, been taken in order to facilitate newly elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to form his own govt. Earlier today, Minister Lakshman Kiriella stated more..

Nov 20 (DM) Police said that the body of an individual who got stuck in a burrow while in pursuit of a porcupine at Kossinna in Ganemulla was taken out with much effort. The deceased, Ajith Warnakulasooriya is a 36-year-old resident of Kadawatha. The deceased, a worker at a site in Kossinna, had gone in pursuit of a porcupine with two other workers while they were walking along the road last night. The workers informed the owner of the site after it was revealed that more..

Nov 20 (NR) An individual has been arrested for being in possession of 52 kilograms of explosives without a valid permit in Puthukudiyiruppu, Mullaitivu. The 21-year old suspect will be produced before the Mullaitivu Magistrates Court today. The suspect has reportedly amassed the stock by collecting explosive materials found in discarded grenades and others weapons in the North. Police said the seized stock will be presented to the Govt Analyst in order to identify the explosives. more..

Nov 20 (AD) The blame for the shortcomings of the govt were laid on Sajith Premadasa, says UNP MP Harin Fernando. Speaking further, MP Fernando said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is attempting to go on a different political journey and it is a good sign. He also stated that Sajith Premadasa is scheduled to hold a special media briefing tomorrow. Premadasa expects to meet media persons and the public more..

Nov 20 (AD) The water supply to several areas was interrupted due to a sudden disruption of power supply to the Biyagama Water Purification Plant, stated the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB). Therefore, several areas have experienced water cut for 12 hours from 9 am this morning. Accordingly, Peliyagoda, Wattala, Mabola Ja-Ela, Katunayake, and Seeduwa Municipal Council areas and Kelaniya, Wattala, Biyagama, Mahara, Dompe, and Ja-Ela PS areas more..

Nov 20 (AD) Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar has paid a courtesy visit to Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa. The meeting took place last evening at the official residence of the Opposition Leader. Opposition Leader said they had discussed strengthening the already existing bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and India, at length. It was reported that the chairman of SLPP, Prof. G.L. Peiris and MP Namal Rajapaksa were also present at this cordial meeting. more..

Nov 20 (MB) In late October, swarms of dragonflies began darkening the skies along Sri Lanka’s western coast, sparking speculation about a possible dragonfly movement. Among the most charismatic of insects, dragonflies and damselflies, from the same Odonata order of insects, are a sight to behold, whether static or in motion. The end of the northern hemisphere summer brings countless birds and insects through this biodiverse island more..

Nov 20 (DM) Prisons Department today categorically denied the post which was circulating in social media platform claiming that former Army Staff Sergeant Sunil Ratnayake who was sentenced to death was granted Presidential pardon, a senior official of the Prisons Department said. The former Staff Sergeant attached to SL Army who was found guilty for the murder of eight Tamil civilians in Mirusuvil, Jaffna in 2000 was sentenced to death on June 25 by Colombo HC after a 13-year-trial. more..

Nov 20 (RN) Some 17 houses were partially damaged after a small tornado hit Medakimbiya area in Wanduramba, Galle, last afternoon (19), Galle District Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said. DMC Galle District Assistant Director said that a total of 74 people from 20 families have been affected by the situation. The tornado has caused damages to several agricultural lands and has also uprooted trees in the area. DMC is taking steps to pay compensation to the victims. more..

Nov 20 (OI) SL's new President Gotabaya Rajapaksa named his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa as PM after incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe announced his resignation from the post following the election debacle. Mahinda, the current main opposition leader, will assume duties soon after incumbent Wickremesinghe steps down formally on Thursday. Mahinda was appointed the PM on Oct 26, 2018 by the then Prez more..

Nov 20 (CT) A section of the Buddhist clergy announced that they would demand that Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa to strictly enforce the law against those Ministers and MPs of the Good Governance (Yahapalanaya) Govt who abused their political power to engage in acts of fraud, corruption and the like. They added that all those who engaged in such malpractices as fraud and corruption under the guise of Good Governance should be brought before justice and more..

Nov 20 (DM) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is on a reformist path and has already taken a number of measures to change the system, Opposition MP Wimal Weerwansa said. MP said the Galle Road in front of the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo was closed for the ceremony of the Prez’s assumption of duties but it was reopened on the Prez’s instructions. “The President ordered to open the road and also to remove a fire truck which was blocking the road saying that there was no threat of fire. more..

Nov 20 (AFP) Sri Lanka is set to have its first ever govt run by siblings when Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa appoints older brother Mahinda as PM, giving the powerful clan its second taste of power. Mahinda was prez for a decade until 2015, during which time the family controlled more than two thirds of the national budget. Gotabaya effectively ran the security forces. Many family members were appointed to key state more..

Nov 21 (CT) The defeat of Sajith Premadasa in the Prez election has no doubt been a bitter blow for the 5˝ million people who, loved his personality, and were convinced by his sincerity of purpose. They were inspired by his vision and idealism. They could sense that there was something refreshing and exciting about the brand of leadership he represented. They had great expectations that he would be the one to lead Sri Lanka into a new and enlightened culture of governance more..

Nov 21 (CT) Gotabaya Rajapaksa was returned as the President of Sri Lanka with an unprecedented majority in the last prez election. He polled 1,360,016 votes more than his opposing candidate Sajith Premadasa. Beyond these demographics the result reflects another very significant phenomenon demonstrating something which remained apprehensive over a long period of time. Election of a President depended on the backing of all different voting groups and more..

Nov 21 (SO) Universal Children’s Day celebrated on Nov 20 every year is dedicated to recognising the joys and innocence of childhood and improving and protecting the lives of children. It calls for international corporation to strengthen and acknowledge the rights of every child in the world. The significance of Universal Children’s Day 2019 is that it celebrates the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Convention of the Rights more..

Nov 21 (ST) The President elected today will have to face daunting economic challenges. The fundamental macroeconomic weaknesses of the economy must be addressed by sound economic policies effectively executed to achieve economic stability and get the economy into a higher trajectory of growth than the current economic growth of less than three percent. The foremost economic challenges facing the new President are the servicing of the foreign debt & containing it, more..

Nov 21 (ST) So, it is all over. I mean the campaigning for the presidential election. As I sit down to write this it is a little past midnight Wednesday in Sri Lanka and the campaign has just ended– officially that is. But being well aware of the ingenuity of Sri Lankans to circumvent the law, one should not be surprised if here and there some kind of campaigning is going on. It may even be in places of worship where people go to pray not discuss the merits and demerits of our political system more..

Nov 21 (SO) The second pardoning by Prez Sirisena just days before leaving office came under heavy criticism and is now being legally challenged before the Supreme Court, where a petition was filed questioning the validity of the pardoning. The infamous Royal Park Murder that took place back in 2005 occurred in the luxury apartment complex in Rajagiriya, at a time when luxury apartments were not in abundance. more..

Nov 21 (DN) Finally, the verdict of the people at the eighth prez election has been delivered: Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the candidate of the SLPP has been elected the seventh Executive President of Sri Lanka. All predictions were that the contest between Rajapaksa and his main rival, Sajith Premadasa, contesting from the NDF was expected to be a close one. In the end, it was not. Rajapaksa won convincingly, winning 52 per cent of the popular vote and a majority of over 1.3 million votes. more..

Nov 21 (Island) The word, sword may evoke one’s memories of former President Maithripala Sirisena’s Excalibur, as it were, with which, he said, he would banish the evil forces harming the people; instead of fulfilling that pledge, he bungled and, politically speaking, ran on his sword, in the end. But today’s comment is not about his blade. A caretaker govt is to be formed shortly with Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister, we are told. more..

Nov 21 (DN) The twelfth Rajapaksa from Ruhunu Giruwapaththuwa to politics, had avoided the hierarchy or ranking to enter the highest office in island’s echelons sans the trade mark Kurahan Satakaya. “I knew that I could win with only the votes of the Sinhala majority. But I wanted Tamils and Muslims to be a part of my success. Their response was not what I expected. However, I urge them to join me to build one Sri Lanka.” --Speaking like a true statesman, at swearing ceremony more..

Nov 21 (Island) Parties organised, with the help of social media - Facebook, in particular - have turned out to be a dangerous scene…right here, in SL. According to reports, most of these so-called parties revolve around drugs and alcohol…and, at times, women, as well. The law enforcement authorities have raided some of these parties and several attendees have been arrested – having a ball with drugs, and alcohol. And, when in that stupor, lots of crazy and unpleasant things crop up more..

Nov 21 (CT) Apparel exports, SL's second-largest foreign exchange and leading export earner, declined in September for the first time since July 2018, as a result of a sharp decline in exports to the US. Apparel exports in Sept this year declined 5.8% to US$ 419.1 from US$ 444.7 recorded during the same month of last year. However, on a cumulative basis, apparel exports during first 9 months of 2019 increased 6.3% more..

Nov 21 (Island) Towering majestically over the fertile green plains of Anuradhapura, dotted with the traditional symbols of our heritage: lakes and Dagobas, Ruwanveliseya rises to the heavens of a azure blue sky adorned with gently floating feathery silken clouds, reminding us of a glorious past, which we should be able to recreate, if only we had the will and determination. I am sure many would fail to realise that Ruwanweliseya, built in 140 BCE by King Dutugemunu after reunification of SL, more..

Nov 21 (FT) The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) congratulated President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and said it looked forward to continuing its work with the Govt to implement progressive measures and develop the country. In a letter addressed to President Rajapaksa, the Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce congratulated the President on his election as the 7th Executive President of SL. The letter expressed confidence that President Rajapaksa would “in steering the future of more..

Nov 21 (FT) As the country shoulders a new vision through fresh leadership, the Treasury must work towards restoring its lost dignity, said Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle while formally assuming duties yesterday. He called for cooperation between all stakeholders, including when addressing State security, economic development and welfare programmes, to take the country forward. more..