Nov 4 (EN) Election Commission chief Mahinda Deshapriya withdrew the censorship he slapped on state-owned ITN after protests that his action was supporting Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the main opposition candidate at Nov 16 prez polls. Deshapriya shocked his own fellow commissioners by firing a letter to ITN saying that they are prohibited from broadcasting any politically-oriented programs or interviews from Monday till more..

Nov 4 (CT) Three persons, including two school teachers, were arrested after they are alleged to have photographed their individual ballot paper during postal voting on Friday,. The third person who was arrested for the same offence was described as a watchman attached to an education office in Gampola. He was picked up at a location in the Kurunduwatte area in Gampola. The postal voting for Prez Election which commenced on Thursday was held at over 1,700 polling stations more..

Nov 4 (TG) Outrage has erupted over social media after images of recently issued stamps in SL with a racist depiction of Tamils surfaced. The recently issued stamps were designed under the theme of Daha Ata Sanniya, which roughly translates to the dance of demons or diseases. 18 stamps showcase a variety of different diseases which are represented through demons wearing masks. Listed alongside demons causing various ailments, including the demon of madness and demon of vomiting, more..

Nov 4 (AD) ITAK has decided to support NDF Prez Candidate Sajith Premadasa at the Prez Election. The main party of the TNA, the ITAK had will support Sajith Premadasa at the Prez Election, stated ITAK MP M.A. Sumanthiran. Reportedly, the decision has been arrived at through the central committee meeting of the party. Sumanthiran stated that TNA Leader R. Sampanthan has been requested to inform more..

Nov 4 (DM) Impeachment proceedings against US Prez Donald Trump have commenced in the US House of Representatives - the Lower House of the US Congress, with the Senate being the Upper House - which together form the national legislature. Impeachment is the process by which a legislative body levels charges against a govt official. Impeachment does not, in itself, remove the official from office; it is the equivalent to an indictment in criminal law, and thus is only the statement more..

Nov 4 (DM) New Zealand, the welfare state three or four decades ago, with all best intentions set out to create a more egalitarian society. Everyone, regardless of wealth began dipping into the govt goodies. Healthcare was free. Unemployment benefits were paid without time limits. Businessmen and farmers got large subsidies. People on welfare received as much money as workers earned with full-time jobs. With free and subsidies they experienced a devastating economy and more..

Nov 4 (TM) The two main prez candidates – SLPP's Gotabaya Rajapaksa and NDF's Sajith Premadasa – will be seeking a morale-boosting victory in the Southern Province at the 16 Nov prez election. Both Rajapaksa and Premadasa are from the South and a win for either candidate in the South will give them the confidence that they have a strong foothold in their hometown. Southern Province consists of 3 electoral more..

Nov 4 (AD) The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Patricia Scotland has arrived in the country, last evening. Scotland and her delegation were warmly welcomed at the BIA by the Attorney General Dappula de Livera, Additional Secretary to Ministry of Justice & Prison Reforms Piyumanthi Peiris and other officials of the Ministry. Secretary-General arrived in the country to attend Commonwealth Law Ministers‘ Meeting more..

Nov 4 (CT) A female teaching instructor and her 24-year-old son were among five persons arrested in connection with a hit-and run accident that killed two children and critically wounded their mother at a location in Weeraketiya on Saturday, Police said yesterday. The other three persons arrested were described as 15-year-old Grade 10 students of a leading school in the vicinity and friends of the teacher's son, Police said. more..

Nov 4 (EN) Sri Lanka is set to institutionalize a flexible exchange rate regime instead of a floating exchange rate through a draft law through which the central bank is seeking operate a discretionary flexible inflation targeting regime. Countries with successful inflation targeting frameworks, such as NZ, Australia or the UK, have a floating exchange rate, where base money is not altered through pegging in either direction, more..

Nov 4 (ST) Central Bank has sought an opinion from the Attorney General’s Department on whether it should release a forensic audit report on the issue of bonds during the previous and current govts, as it could influence the upcoming presidential election. The report in five sections has been made available to the Central Bank by int'l auditors. The report was compiled on a request from CB after the Commission appointed by more..

Nov 4 (AD) NPP Prez Candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that he will cut down the Expenditure Head of the President by 90%. He points out that the President has many official residences in many areas. “There are castles around the country. I once checked into the castle in Chandrika Wewa. President hasn’t stayed there at least one night in the past year. However, there are 200 police officers stationed for security. more..

Nov 4 (AD) Prez Candidate General Mahesh Senanayake says that it is wrong to directly point fingers at the IGP and former Defense Secretary over the Easter attacks. He says that when he was the Army Commander, he submitted reports on extremist groups to the responsible authorities, all to no avail. The Easter Sunday terror attacks are a result of this, he added. The former Army Commander turned prez hopeful more..

Nov 4 (GDI) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed that the right decision taken by the people of Sri Lanka in Jan 2015 led to spread freedom, justice and development throughout the country and greatly benefited the oppressed North and East. Addressing a cluster meeting held in Kilinochchi, PM pointed out that a number of special projects have been implemented to provide relief to the war-affected north and east. more..

Nov 4 (Island) Given previous US attempts to subvert Sri Lankan sovereignty, an agreement with far reaching consequences like Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) should not be signed just before a prez election, JVP general secretary, Tilvin Silva said yesterday. He said US attempts at subverting the country’s sovereignty had taken many forms. "This agreement must be presented and debated in Parliament. more..

Nov 4 (DM) NDF Presidential Candidate Sajith Premadasa said yesterday that he will not allow security personnel to be used by members of royal families as their domestic servants when he assumes office as president. Instead, he said that he would assign the security forces to arrest those involved in drug-related offences, sexual abuse, child abuse and damage to the environment and bring them to book. more..

Nov 4 (FT) This series is based on business leader Dhammika Perera’s recently revealed Economic Growth Strategy and Action Plan to increase GDP Per Capita from $ 4,000 to $ 12,000. The document outlines goals and action plans for 23 ministries and today’s column focuses on the Ministry of Social Development. Goals: No poverty. Zero hunger. Gender equality. Decent work and economic growth. Reducing inequality. Social transfers: Social transfers are non-contributory, more..

Nov 4 (PMD) President Maithripala Sirisena said the current free, fair and peaceful Prez election campaign reflects the strength of democracy in Sri Lanka. He said that this great democratic characteristic was restored due to broad political transformation that had taken place in the country, he said. President Sirisena said this after accepting credentials from three new envoys to Sri Lanka at the President’s House in Colombo today. The Envoys who presented credentials are: more..

Nov 4 (Island) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that NDF candidate Sajith Premadasa had not reached any secret agreements with Tamil political parties. The PM was quoted by his office, in a media statement, as having said at some meetings in Jaffna yesterday that the NDF candidate had made known his position on women, youth, etc. "The parties that agree to these ideas have joined forces with our candidate." Only the NDF camp has offered a solution for the national problem more..

Nov 4 (CT) National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has made a startling revelation that consumers countrywide have defaulted in paying their water bills and the arrears remain to be paid as Rs 2,300 million. Several countries around the world are faced with the massive problem of water for human consumption. Even our immediate neighbour India, though the country is blessed with several big rivers, some of them even considered as holy, water for human consumption remains a big more..

Nov 4 (RN) In twelve days’ time, Sri Lankans will go to the polls to choose a new prez in what increasingly looks like a very crucial election. The question on everyone’s mind is who’s ahead in the race, Gotabaya Rajapaksa or Sajith Premadasa. In this report, we look at the two front-runners. In the absence of valid, scientifically conducted polls we journalists cannot point you in any direction, but we can weigh the pros and cons and try to guess more..

Nov 4 (RN) The cooking gas shortage should end in a few days and consumers should not panic, govt said today. A ship carrying 3,600 metric tons of gas docked at Colombo on Saturday, and another vessel with a similar payload is due to arrive tomorrow the Finance Ministry said. On Saturday another shipment is due, the release said. At the same time, under the emergency purchase, placed under the ordinary procurement procedure, 6,000 metric tons of gas will reach the country next week. more..

Nov 4 (AD) The Ministry of Education announced that all government schools in the country will be closed on Nov 15 (Friday) in view of the Prez Election, which is scheduled to be held on Nov 16. Issuing a statement, Ministry stated that as per the request made by the Election Commission to utilize school buildings and premises as polling centers and counting centers for the election, a decision was taken to declare Nov 15, 2019 as a holiday for all govt schools in the island. more..

Nov 4 (RN) JO MP Mahinda Samarasinghe claimed that prez hopeful Sajith Premadasa has not used the term unitary state in his election manifesto. Instead of the Sinhala word ඒකීය (unitary), Premadasa’s manifesto uses the word ඒකීයත්වය (unity), said Samarasinghe. “There is a big difference between those two words. Under int'l law, the term unitary state has a specific legal meaning,” he said, noting that more..

Nov 4 (EN) SL’s capital markets regulator wants to enforce higher investment performance standards for asset managers, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman Ranel Wijesinha said. The initiative, in a tie up with the local arm of the Chartered Financial Analysts association, aims to better educate and protect investors, he told a forum. The SEC wants to see capital market players progressing to higher standards, he said. “For instance, there are certain brokers who are more..

Nov 4 (DM) The prices of vehicles presently valued around Rs. 3.5 million will be doubled effective from Nov 1 because of the luxury tax imposed, SL Motor Vehicles importers’ Association said. After imposing the luxury tax for a vehicle with an engine capacity of 1500cc will cost Rs.6.70 million. The prices of vehicles imported from Europe will be increased accordingly. He said this luxury tax was imposed only on vehicles with a cylinder capacity of 1800 cc so far. more..

Nov 4 (AF) Sri Lanka is planning to open its first museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art next month. The institution, which has been three years in the making, began as a privately funded venture. In 2016, a nonprofit organization was founded to support the project and a committee of international curators, arts professionals, and industry leaders was formed. The museum will be temporarily housed on Colombo Innovation more..

Nov 4 (GN) Delhi Bulls have signed up SL’s star all-rounder and former captain Angelo Mathews for the upcoming Abu Dhabi T10, commencing from Nov 14. Anis Sajan, team mentor of Delhi Bulls, said about their latest catch: “Mathews is a great finisher. He is an experienced cricketer and was in good form during the recent World Cup, hitting a century against India while recently, he hit two half-centuries against Bangladesh. I wanted a player like him because West Indies’ Shefrane Rutherford, more..

Nov 4 (DM) The Execute Director of the People’s Actions for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Rohana Hettiarachchi said that he has received complaints of violating of election laws against 18 ministries where govt employees had allegedly been transferred, promoted, appointed and made permanent. He said that there are two ministries that come under the purview of Prez Sirisena among them against which allegations are made. One such violation has been averted according to him. more..

Nov 4 (AD) ACMC leader Rishad Bathiudeen has hailed the decision by SL’s leading Tamil coalition to back NDF candidate Sajit Premadasa in the forthcoming Prez election. “I praise TNA’ decision to support NDF candidate Sajith Premadasa in the Prez election. Their unconditional support is good news and it makes us very happy,” said the Vanni District MP and Minister. Bathiudeen was addressing a pre-election rally in support more..

Nov 4 (NR) Presidential candidate of the National Movement for People’s Power MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the youth of the country should be encouraged to pursue nontraditional jobs. Speaking during a media briefing in Colombo, MP Dissanayake said he will provide a number of concessions to small and medium scale businesses. MP Dissanayake claimed that the youth should be relieved of a difficult life adding that all citizens must support them to become entrepreneurs. more..

Nov 4 (Island) Certain Grama Niladharis, especially in the Colombo District, have arbitrarily removed the names of long-standing residents from their respective voter lists, Election monitor, Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) has complained the Elections Commission (EC). "Since these persons have duly completed the voter registration forms for 2018 and handed them over in time, and since they have been on the voter lists at same residential addresses for many years more..

Nov 4 (RN) In an apparent softening of his party’s stance on private tertiary education, prez hopeful Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today that, under his leadership, private universities will continue to exist under strict govt regulation and in competition with a robust state university system. However, state education will be thoroughly revitalised in a bid to enroll every child who would otherwise get left behind due to more..

Nov 4 (CT) One of the most horrendous earthslips occurred on 29 Oct, 2014 at Meeriyabedda in Koslanda and no one would forget that incident. The landslide killed 30 people including children. It has been five years since the incident but the victims' families are undergoing psychological issues and their lives have not been uplifted financially, Ceylon Today learns. Following the calamity, the two leaders of the country and many of the plantation politicians visited the victims' 'families and more..

Nov 4 (EN) SL’s labour productivity made marginal gains in the first six months of 2019 compared to a year earlier, while there were bigger strikes, the central bank said. Productivity, in terms of gross value added per hour worked grew 1.3% from a year earlier to 500.91 rupees, a central bank report said. Labour productivity in agriculture grew, while in industries, there was a decline. Services sector labour productivity remained the same during the period, the central bank said. more..

Nov 4 (AD) Gotabaya Rajapaksa says that, with the aim of boosting the tea industry once again, measures will be taken to halt the importing of substandard tea and mixing it with Sri Lankan tea. SLPP Prez Candidate mentioned this addressing a public rally held in Bulathsinhala. According to Rajapaksa, the current govt is ignorant about agriculture & plantation industries. Therefore, all sectors in plantation have collapsed, more..

Nov 4 (AD) STF has apprehended a suspected accomplice of underworld gang leader Angoda Lokka in Mulleriyawa. The arrested suspect, identified as Aruna Sameera, is also suspected to be the collector of extortion money for the prominent underworld figure. He was arrested with 7g and 250mg of heroin in addition to Rs 22,560 in cash during a raid carried out this evening by a team of officers from the STF Headquarters. The arrest was made at Salmal Uyana area in Mulleriyawa, more..

Nov 4 (AD) Postal voting for the Prez Election 2019 continued as police officers, voters who work in district secretariats and election offices cast their votes today. The polling commenced this morning and all had been prepared to allow them to vote at their own workplaces, stated the Elections Commission. The postal voting commenced on the 31st of Oct. Accordingly, postal voters in govt institutions and the military cast their postal votes on the 31st of October and the 1st of Nov. more..

Nov 4 (CT) "Our political proposals were officially presented to Prez candidates Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Gotabaya Rajapaksa completely rejected the proposals," former Northern Province Governor C.V. Wignesvaran said. Dissanayake told the Media that he is able to take into consideration few of those proposals, Wignesvaran said, adding that thus far, Premadasa has not conveyed more..