Oct 1 (TM) The SLC, which was facing a major financial crisis at one time and allegations of malpractice and corruption, is facing fresh issues following revelations made at a parliament committee meeting. The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) recently summoned the SLC and questioned the Board over several deals that lacked transparency, with focus placed on million-dollar television deals and a separate entity more..

Oct 1 (Island) Communist Party General Secretary Dew Gunasekara recalled the arduous journey of China since the 1949 revolution to become the number two economy in the world against all odds through sheer determination and hard work, as the People’s Republic marked its 70th anniversary at Kingsbury Colombo recently. Following are excerpts of Gunasekera’s address: The Chinese people are blessed with a long more..

Oct 1 (TM) The diversification of exports is often considered a primary objective in both developed and developing countries, helping them achieve economic growth. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka’s export basket has been stagnant for decades, relying solely on traditional exports like plantations products and apparel. While having recently added software to that list, SL’s export portfolio still has a lot more room more..

Oct 1 (ST) Electricity regulator, Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL), has denied approval to the CEB to hire a 200MW barge-mounted plant for anchoring in Galle on an emergency basis. The PUCSL says the CEB hasn’t submitted information to justify why it should be exempted from calling for competitive bids for the barge. The ship was to be rented from Karpower International DMCC of Dubai and stationed in Galle for 9 months. more..

Oct 1 (FT) During the first session of last week’s Cyber Security Summit 2019, which was themed as Digital intelligence for making the world a safer place, speakers discussed how organisations need to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills related to digital technologies: social, mobile, analytics, cloud, and cybersecurity. They pointed out that digital intelligence addresses the what, why, where, when, who, how, and how much of more..

Oct 1 (RN) Central Committee of SLFP will decide whether to join hands with the SLPP and back its prez Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on Saturday, party General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara told reporters. He said that President Sirisena has taken the final decision about the symbol and that SLPP would positively consider changing the symbol in the coming days. “We expect a reply from them by 5 Oct and more..

Oct 1 (NR) The term of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) appointed to probe acts of corruption, fraud, criminal breach of trust, criminal misappropriation of property or misuse of power at state bodies between 15 of Jan 2015 and 31st of Dec 2018, has been extended until the 31 of Oct. The term of the Commission was due to end on the 30 of Sept. However, through a Presidential proclamation, the term more..

Oct 1 (EN) Sri Lanka is expecting to solve the mysterious death of seven elephants near a human settlement in the central part of the island in a week, following the analysis of samples collected from autopsies, officials said. “From preliminary investigations we suspect that a toxic chemical may be responsible,” Director General of Dept of Wildlife Conservation said. “It can be an agro chemical, industrial waste or a bacteria or fungus. more..

Oct 1 (NR) Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara who was arrested by the CID this morning has been released on bail. The IGP was released on a Rs.200,000 surety bail after being produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court this afternoon. IGP Jayasundara, who has been sent on compulsory leave, was arrested over an incident pertaining to the intimidation of a lift operator in 2017. more..

Oct 1 (FT) After a long wait, brand Sajith was declared to be the contender against brand Gotabaya for 16 Nov showdown at the Prez Elections 2019. Whilst there is much speculation and Sri Lanka went into many theories during 49-day lag, the ultimate winner was democracy, in my view – the logic being that the public was disgruntled on the performance of the current administration and people wanted to see a new face in the UNP camp. For brand Sajith, strictly from a marketing more..

Oct 1 (FT) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) in a recent document warned that the fact that the residents of Cape Town, South Africa, must manage today with a personal ration of water that is only 10% of the quantity enjoyed by individuals in the USA tells us that rapid decarbonization and control of emissions by everyone is critical to re-balance the world. The document titled A Critical Analysis of the Energy Sector (Electricity Focused) in Sri Lanka and d released in August said that more..

Oct 1 (DN) Judicial Service Commission Secretary and veteran film director Prasanna Vithanage yesterday testified before the Supreme Court in connection with the contempt of court case filed against State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake for allegedly casting insulting remarks on the reputation of the Judiciary and lawyers. President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran, PC, appearing for State Minister Ramanayake, informed court that the defence expects to lead evidence from JSC Secretary more..

Oct 1 (RN) The GMOA said doctors affiliated with their union will launch another strike campaign anytime after next Wednesday if their salary anomalies remain unresolved. GMOA spokesman Dr. Prasad Colombage said that though the newly appointed Cabinet sub-committee on salary anomalies held discussions with other executive officers, it did not reach out to the GMOA. “The other Executive Officers will receive an increment in their salaries, and they have had discussions more..

Oct 1 (RN) Addressing the 74th UN General Assembly the Secretary to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ravinatha Aryasinha has said that Sri Lanka is committed to a rules-based global order and values the spirit of multilateralism and cooperation. Aryasinha who led this year’s delegation said that his country is deeply conscious of the impact of climate change. Though a low emission country, “it has been compelled to more..

Oct 1 (CT) The Convener of the Ravana Balaya Organisation Ven. Iththekande Saddhatissa Thera said that it was not clear as to whose contract was going to be fulfilled by former Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake contesting the forthcoming Presidential Election. He further claimed, Senanayake had become a Presidential candidate on the need of some party, adding that it was the people's duty to understand it and vote for the right person. more..

Oct 1 (AD) A meeting is scheduled to be held between President Maithripala Sirisena and UNP prez candidate Sajith Premadasa this evening, says political sources. It is told that this meeting will consider the possibility of the UNP candidate getting the support of the SLFP headed by the Prez at the forthcoming Prez Election. Reportedly, the discussion is based on a letter sent by UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam to the SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara. more..

Oct 1 (RN) The govt is pressurizing the Chairman of the National Authority for The Protection of Victims of Crimes and Witnesses Suhada Gamlath to step down from his post. This follows an interview Gamlath gave to the Aruna newspaper in which he alleged that PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and senior govt Ministers urged him to arrest Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the Avant Garde case when he was Solicitor General. more..

Oct 1 (AD) The govt has decided to reduce the import levy on Big Onions, stated the Ministry of Agriculture. Accordingly, the import levy will be reduced by Rs 39 per a1 kilo of Big Onions. The levy reduction will be in effect from midnight today, stated the Ministry. Minister of Agriculture, Rural Economic Affairs, Livestock Development, Irrigation and Fisheries P. Harrison stated that this decision was taken as the increased price of Big Onions in the market has inconvenienced the consumer. more..

Oct 1 (Island) It is with deep sadness that I heard the news of passing away of Mr. Michael De Zoysa. Mike’s passion for Cricket was evident to everyone who knew him. His quick wit and strategic mind was highly regarded by those who had the pleasure of working with him. Michael was a stalwart of the Singhalese Sports Club and Sri Lanka Cricket. I first came into contact with Michael when I was a young cricketer at Ananda College, Colombo. He spotted me and asked me to join the SSC and more..

Oct 1 (DM) The UNP led alliance’s presidential hopeful Sajith Premadasa yesterday said his rival candidate SLPP presidential hopeful Gotabaya Rajapaksa was not a concern for him. Mr. Premadasa came up with this remark when journalists asked for his opinion on the petitions filed against the candidature of SLPP candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa at a news conference yesterday. more..

Oct 1 (AD) President Maithripala Sirisena, in his message for the Universal Children’s Day, says that the present young generation is the key to preserve its future prosperity and pride in any country in the world. “The need of the present era is to build productive young generation, who are equipped with knowledge, skills and high-quality values while having the ability to conquer the varying social and economic situations and face challenges,” the President emphasizes. more..

Oct 1 (DM) If the UNP led alliance emerges victorious at the forthcoming prez election, it will be possible for the party to hold on to power for another 20 years, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said when he met with UNP organisers at Sirikotha. “Results of the projects undertaken by the incumbent govt will reap within the next five years. This will help the party to gain more electoral successes decades after. No one will be able to shake us if we win the prez election and then show good results,” more..

Oct 1 (EN) Sri Lanka’s state-run CEB, has been asked to conduct a feasibility study on a new refinery, and expansion of its current one, in a new energy policy published in 2019. CPC has been asked to study the optimum capacity expansion of its existing refinery which has a capacity of 50,000 barrels per day. There have been efforts made in the past to boost its capacity to 100,000 bpd, and upgrade it with a hydro-cracker to be able to process heavier crudes for around 20 years. more..

Oct 1 (AD) Commander of Sri Lanka Army Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva says army personnel are ready to do whatever it takes to ensure public security and to maintain order in the public services if required. Army Chief stated this speaking to media today following a special religious event at Anuradhapura. He also said that the Army could intervene in various sectors on short term basis to maintain the operation of public services disrupted by the ongoing strike. more..

Oct 1 (AD) Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa says that even if the loans taken for projects during his regime does not come even close to 4.4 billion USD that the Yahapalana govt borrowed in 2019. Issuing a statement explaining his position regarding the debt crisis of Yahapalana govt, Rajapaksa said that the total govt debt had skyrocketed by an increase of 71% since Yahapalana govt came into power in 2015. more..

Oct 1 (Island) One – time top trade official Gomi Senadhira yesterday claimed that several thousand tonnes of plastic waste (HS number 3915) had been cleared through the customs during the past two years. Senadhira, who had been SL’s chief trade representative in Geneva, in a statement issued yesterday, alleged that the govt was yet to take tangible measures against those who were responsible for the importation of garbage into SL. The top trade expert said that he was not more..

Oct 1 (AFP) SL announced harsher penalties in a bid to protect wild elephants on Tuesday, as investigators probed whether seven jumbos found poisoned over the weekend were killed by villagers. Minister John Amaratunga said he will impose tougher sanctions on offenders to boost laws enacted three years ago but not yet implemented due to administrative delays. Elephants are a protected animal in Sri Lanka and the new rules will increase the length of jail time and more..

Oct 1 (RN) The govt is investigating the death of six female elephants and one male elephant in Habarana and although the cause remains a mystery, investigators believe the elephants were poisoned, Minister John Amaratunga said. He said that the final conclusion on the cause of the deaths will be determined by a report due from the Govt Analyst’s Department at the end of the week. “Although the preliminary investigations have more..

Oct 1 (NR) The JVP says the Presidential candidate of the JVP-led National People’s Power MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake will contest the 2019 Prez Election independently. Propaganda Secretary of the JVP MP Vijitha Herath said deposits were placed for MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake today. The MP said the symbol to contest the election will be revealed on the 7th of October. MP Herath said MP Anura Kumara has served as a MP for 18 years, and cited there were no legal concerns. more..

Oct 1 (DM) In the wake of a court case filed challenging Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s citizenship, the Opposition said today, it would seek a Supreme Court interpretation on the validity of currency notes signed by CB's former governor Arjuna Mahendran, who is a Singaporean national. MP Bandula Gunawardana said Mr. Mahendran was never a Sri Lankan though he signed SL's currency notes as the then CB governor. “According to Singaporean laws, no Singaporean can hold dual citizenship. more..

Oct 1 (AD) The Permanent High Court at Bar has ordered the Attorney General to present submissions on the 3rd of October regarding the request made by the former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa to release his passport which is currently in custody of the courts. Rajapaksa had requested the court to release his passport as he is due to travel overseas for a medical examination and for handing over more..

Oct 2 (CT) Rather foolish people make bombastic predictions that Gotabaya Rajapaksa will surely win while unintelligent UNP types proclaim with certainty that Sajith will prevail. One of them will win but with so many known-unknowns and unknown-unknowns still before us it is silly to indulge in idle babble. What can be intelligently recounted are strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats relating to the candidates. The biggest unknown-unknown are the legal complications relating to more..

Oct 2 (CT) Recent incidents in Mullaitivu have once again placed Article 9 of the Constitution in the forefront. According to the Director General of Archaeology, Gurukanda Rajamaha Viharaya (a temple built by kings), is built on an archaeological site of a Buddhist Sangaramaya (a Buddhist monastery), which dates back to about 2,000 years. Thousands of archaeological sites have now been identified in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. They all are evidences of a rich Buddhist more..

Oct 2 (TM) Gathering forensic evidence from sites of mass graves for tracing purposes has not taken place over a considerable amount of time, and after years of various initiatives, SL finally managed to set up an Office on Missing Persons (OMP) just a year ago, which now functions as an independent commission. However, its foremost objective of tracing missing persons is yet to commence; although staff to several units more..

Oct 2 (Roar) API Asia Conference 2019: The API Asia Conference 2019 will be hosted for the first time in Sri Lanka on the 2nd October 2019 at the Shangri-La, Colombo, organized by The Federation of Information Technology Industry (FITIS). It is by far one of the largest multifaceted conferences within the Sri Lankan IT industry attracting over 700 local and foreign delegates, professionals, business leaders, CXO’s, and both international and local software experts. more..

Oct 2 (CT) India, the neighbouring nation that mother SL shares a maritime border with, is making an eco-friendly stride by setting to launch a campaign with a ban on up to six single-use plastics on the 2nd of Oct 2019, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The ban covers some of the most popular plastic items such as bags, cups, plates, bottles, straws and certain types of sachets. Meanwhile, Pearl of the Indian Ocean continues to take a backseat on ride to plastic-free tides. more..

Oct 2 (SO) Sankhitha Gunaratne is one of latest Chevening Scholars from Sri Lanka, chosen to pursue a higher degree in the UK. She will be reading for an MA in Corruption and Governance at the Uni of Sussex. In this interview, she looks back at RTI implementation so far and takes stock of the remaining challenges Sept 28 marks the International Day for the Universal Access to Information designated by UNESCO. more..

Oct 2 (DN) Yin and Yang. Children and elders are two sides of the same coin. After all, one must pass childhood to become an elder. Yesterday (Oct 1), we celebrated the Universal Elders Dway and the Children’s Day in SL, though many countries celebrate the Children’s Day on Nov 20 after the date which marks the anniversary of the dates when the UNGA adopted both the Declaration and Convention of Children’s Rights. The Convention, which is the most widely ratified more..