July 26 (CT) Gampaha Provincial High Court Judge Khema Swarnadhipathi, questioning a group of Kelaniya University students, at the High Court in Gampaha, asked whether the future of this country will have to be handed over to a group that engages in revolutions in the universities and acts without any responsibilities. She also advised the university students not to spend time engaging in revolutions but to give priority to the goal for more..

July 26 (Island) Immediate steps would be taken to develop bare lands in Colombo, Minister Faizer Mustapha said yesterday. After conducting an inspection tour of several places in Colombo including the public market at Deans Road, Maradana, the Super Market in Kollupitiya, and the Dematagoda market, Minister Mustapha said legal action would be taken to remove unauthorised structures in the city. more..

July 26 (BBC) PM has said mangroves' ability to swiftly absorb carbon make the forests vital in the fight against climate change. His comments come on a day marking the first anniversary of a project to protect all of nation's mangroves. As well as storing carbon, the forests provide habitat for fish and protect communities from tsunamis and cyclones. Also on Tuesday - World Mangrove Day - SL's president will open more..

July 26 (DN) A policy which makes it compulsory for international schools to teach local subjects in the English medium will be introduced to the educational system soon, Minister Champika Ranawaka said. He also noted that the country urged such a policy to avoid issues arising in private degree providing institutions. Minister made this statement participating as the chief guest at annual certificate awarding more..

July 26 (Island) President Sirisena has told the SLFP MPs of Joint Opposition (JO) that he has nothing against the Pada Yathra being organised by the JO against the govt. He said so when he met a group of SLFP MPs of the JO last evening. No members of the Rajapaksa family had been invited to the meeting. A group of SLFP MPs in the JO arrived at President's residence in Colombo 07 around 7 pm. more..

July 26 (CT) On 20.07.2016 TV Derana in their programme Aluth Parlimenthuwa (New Parliament) discussed the subject Is global terrorism a challenge to co-existence in Sri Lanka?. The panel featured Ali Sabry, President�s Counsel, Mohan Samaranayake, N.M. Ameen and M. Dahalan. The entire panel did a wonderful job analysing the subject under discussion with clarity and precision. There was no ambiguity or vagueness in the position of each of the panellists. Most importantly, they disassociated more..

July 26 (CT) The first step for reconciliation of a 30-year long war should be the resettlement of the displaced. This progressed at an alarmingly slow rate following the war in 2009, the previous govt rendering little to no help in resettling those displaced back in their original lands. Thus, the Tamil and Muslim communities of the North and the East gradually lost interest in the govt that had not spent even an iota of its resources to benefit a proper resettlement programme. more..

July 26 (Reuters) Shares closed at their lowest in two weeks on Tuesday as investors sold blue-chips such as John Keells Holdings Plc even as the market awaited directions on the country's economic policy. Stock index ended down 0.14% at 6,387.85, its lowest since July 11. "Market is down on retail trading in thin trade as the bigger players are waiting to see the prime minister's policy statement, while they also await directions from the central bank's announcement on policy rates," more..

July 26 (CI) Josh Hazlewood believes Australia have already opened up mental scars for Sri Lanka's unsteady batting line-up that may smooth a path for the tourists on less helpful pitches later in the series. Hazlewood, who took 3 for 21 to play a major role in rounding up the hosts for 117 - Sri Lanka's second-lowest total against Australia at home - in Pallekele, took advantage of some swing and seam with the new ball that he may not find in Galle or Colombo. However, the memories of this day, more..

July 26 (DM) Neither the SLFP Central Committee (SLFP CC) nor the Executive Committee had approved the extension of the agreement entered into with the UNP for five years, SLFP MPs of the joint opposition (JO) said. JO MP and SLFP CC member Dullas Alahapperuma said there were five MPs in the joint opposition, who represent SLFP CC and they had not wetted any proposal to extend agreement. more..

July 26 (Island) Non-academic workers of all universities will launch an indefinite strike from tomorrow. Joint Presidents of the University Trade Union Joint Committee (UTUJC) said that about 13,000 members of the non-academic staff would join the strike if their demands were not met by the govt. Joint Presidents of the UTUJC Edward Malwattage and Vijaya Kumara said the trade union action could be prevented only if the govt confirmed the agreement reached between more..

July 26 (Island) FUTA has informed PM Ranil Wickremesinghe in writing that it would resort to trade union action if the govt fails to solve university teachers� problems within two weeks. Among the FUTA demands are the immediate implementation of a circular as regards to university teachers� salaries, the provision of duty-free vehicles to university employees, the abolition of circulars issued by the UGC causing inconvenience to university teachers and ensuring participation more..

July 26 (CI) Before this Test was 40 overs old, 12 wickets had fallen and just 124 runs had been scored. Three of the dismissals were bowled, four lbw. Forget about reducing the depth of bats, making them wider and longer seemed a better way to achieve balance between bat and ball on a day like this. But then Steven Smith and Usman Khawaja came along, played steady, and restored sanity. They reminded everyone that, more..

July 26 (CT) A suspect identified as Yasmin Ilfamy Mohammad on her return to the country after seven years, having skipped out after allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs 4.3 million belonging to depositors of the Finance and Guarantee, which is affiliated to the Ceylinco Group, was nabbed by the CID at the BIA yesterday. The suspect was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court by the CID yesterday. The CID informed Court that when there was a foreign travel ban more..

July 26 (C365) Former South Africa and Hamspshire wicketkeeper Nic Pothas has been appointed by Sri Lanka Cricket as their new head fielding coach, meaning he will leave his job as the Leicestershire Academy director. Pothas, who played three ODIs for the Proteas before permanently moving to the UK and forging a long career with Hants, has been with the Foxes for a year, also helping with coaching the second XI. He will join up with the Sri Lanka Test side at the end of this week, more..

July 26 (Hindu) An overwhelming number of families of those who reportedly went missing during the 26-year-long civil war in Sri Lanka, demands more detailed information from the authorities on the fate and whereabouts of missing persons. This is the highlight of a study undertaken by ICRC during Oct 2014-Nov 2015 all over the country, by interviewing 395 families of the missing persons including those of members of more..

July 26 (Island) Minister Kabir Hashim said that Paada Yaathras staged by corrupt ethanol dealers would not be able to topple the government. Addressing a ceremony at Aranayake to lay the foundation stone for a proposed new road from Mawanella to Thalgaspitiya, Minister asked the Joint Opposition not to consider the govt�s open-mindedness as a weakness. "The country was ruled by the SLFP for the past 20 years. Of those 20 years, ten were under President Rajapaksa. more..

July 26 (CT) Chief Incumbent of Abhayarama Temple, Narahenpita, Ven. Muruttetuwe Ananda Thera said, he has personally decided to intervene and provide financial support to the youth, who is currently battling his life, after being involved in a hit-and-run accident, in which Minister Champika Ranawaka was alleged to have been involved at Rajagiriya in late Feb this year. Thera said, the youth, who was severely injured in that accident was still being treated at Ragama Base Hospital more..

July 26 (DM) The Govt will change the name, Port City to Financial City to underline the fact that China would not be given outright ownership to the block of land, Minister Harin Fernando said. �The previous govt had agreed to grant outright ownership of the Port City to China. This is against the law and we will not do it. We will introduce a new mechanism the modalities of which would be revealed at a future cabinet briefing� more..

July 26 (AD) The support extended by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to take part in the scheduled protest march adds some additional strength, MP Dinesh Gunawardena says. The observation was made at a press conference held in Colombo this afternoon (26). �Mahindananda, Weerawansa, Namal Rajapaksa, Johnston Fernando, Rohitha Abeygunawardena and Kanchana Wijesekera are behind the organization of this protest,� Gunawardena told reporters. more..

July 26 (DM) Colombo Chief Magistrate allowed the special panel of Colombo National Hospital doctors who conducted an inquiry into the death of Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera to question the doctors who treated the Thera in SL. Directive was given on July 18 by the Magistrate on a request made by CNH Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe on July 12. Dr. Jasinghe in a letter to Court said the panel which conducted inquiry had decided to question some of the doctors who treated the Thera. more..

July 26 (CG) The military has been told to be on alert to the activities of LTTE supporters. Major General Milinda Peiris, Chief of Staff of army briefed the military on emerging terrorist trends at global level and the need for modernized approaches with novel counter-measures. He warned that the army needs to be alert to the sensitivities connected to the possible re-assembling or resurgence of LTTE supporters more..

July 26 (Xinhua) Defence ministry on Tuesday vowed to solve the issues faced by disabled soldiers after they have protested in the capital for two days. The disabled and retired soldiers protested near the city's main railway station disrupting traffic. Police were forced to close one section of the road as the protesters refused to leave until their demands were met. Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi met President Sirisena and discussed the concerns of the disabled soldiers. more..

July 26 (EN) Biman Bangladesh Airlines had been given the nod to fly to Sri Lanka's this year, an official said, Director General of Civil Aviation H M C Nimalsiri said. Biman is expected to start flying shortly he said. Sri Lanka's state-run Mihin Lanka, already flies to Dhaka from Colombo, and Biman would be the second airline to fly to Bangladesh. Before Mihin, passengers had to fly to Thailand to go to Bangladesh. Bhutan's Druk Air still flying to Bangkok. more..

July 26 (CG) Sri Lanka and China hope to conclude discussions on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by March 2017, Minister Malik Samarawickrama said. He said that a Chinese Govt delegation is due in the county next week to have further discussions on the deal. The Minister said that the proposed FTA mainly looks at the apparel sector, tea, gem and jewelry, rubber, coconut and spices. He also said that talks are underway more..

July 26 (EN) Sri Lanka main international airport in Colombo will close four eight hours a day from January 5 to rebuild its runway, Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said. The airport will be closed from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm daily for three months. Airlines had already been informed to re-schedule flights, he said. About 185 flights operate from the airport each day. Sri Lanka has a second international airport in Hambantota in the South of the country. more..

July 26 (CG) Foreign Minister of Canada St�phane Dion will arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow on an official visit. Minister Dion�s official programme will be on 28 and 29 July. This bilateral official visit to Sri Lanka by a Foreign Minister of Canada takes place after 13 years, and within less than a year since the formation of PM Justin Trudeau�s Govt. Foreign Minister St�phane Dion will hold bilateral discussions with Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera on Thursday afternoon, more..

July 26 (DM) While admitting that he wouldn�t have accepted the consulting role to Cricket Australia former Cricket Captain Arjuna Ranathunga said that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is to blame for eliminating coaching opportunities to locals, compelling them to find employment overseas. �If I was Murali I wouldn�t have accepted the job. However, this issue has different sides and it must be looked at wholly� he said. more..

July 26 (DN) Cricket heavyweights Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara have come out in defense of former team-mate Muttiah Muralitharan, saying the spin-king need not defend his decision to coach the Australian team. In a series of tweets posted today, Sangakkara, considered one of the greatest ODI batsman ever, said: 'Murali is a great son of Sri Lanka and he doesn't have to defend himself. He loves his country. He is free to consult or coach anyone.' more..

July 26 (CG) The joint opposition today said it was appalled by the statements made by PM Ranil Wickremesinghe threatening editors of newspapers and announcing his intention of naming and shaming other prominent media personnel who have incurred his displeasure. Professor G.L.Peiris noted that in the case of one Editor of a leading newspaper, the PM specifically stated that, if the Editor in question does not quit his post, methods would have to be found to get rid of him. more..

July 26 (DM) President Sirisena, in a meeting last night, requested SLFP MPs sitting in the Joint Opposition to refrain from forming any new political fronts and acting in a manner detrimental to the interests of the party. President called for this meeting with the SLFP members of the JO ahead of the protest march they were planning from Kandy to Colombo under the guidance of former President Rajapaksa. more..

July 27 (GV) I�m thankful to British Tamils Forum (BTF) for inviting me to share some reflections and thoughts on this occasion. Many of you gathered for this commemoration might be Tamils. Some may be survivors and families of victims of Black July and numerous other abuses which may have compelled you to leave Sri Lanka. Black July, and much of your sufferings have come at the hands of the Sinhalese dominated state, its military and police and an ideology of Sinhalese � Buddhist superiority. more..

July 27 (DN) Edward de Bono in his book I am Right You are Wrong, says that �There is no truth in the media and in this respect the media are a good model for perception. There is no truth in perception, it is always from a point of view. It is never complete.� The author has had faculty appointments at the universities of Oxford, London, Cambridge and Harvard and is widely regarded as the leading authority in the direct teaching of thinking as a skill. He originated the concept of lateral thinking more..

July 27 (SO) SL�s kidney patients may soon access cheaper treatment with a locally designed and produced dialysis machine, thanks to the innovation of our premier national tech think-tank, the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI). The announcement Thursday, of a locally produced dialysis solution for kidney patients by the ITI has injected fresh hope for thousands of patients with severely impaired kidneys caused by more..

July 27 (CT) Ranil Wickremesinghe�s views on media freedom are two-faced. One, when in the opposition and one when in power. One sports a smile and the other a scowl. This two-facedness, if you will, is not Mr Wickremesinghe�s preserve. It�s part of the political culture. In general those in power mimic those they replaced and those who are replaced mimic those who replaced them. On most counts. It is typical for the Opposition to champion media freedom and for those in power to curb more..

July 27 (SO) The country should engage in more efforts for inter-ethnic reconciliation and peace-building to bridge the gulf between communities, say both civil society activists as well as govt leaders, as Sri Lanka remembers the largest ever inter-ethnic rioting in modern Sri Lanka that occurred in July 1983. 33 years following the fateful events now known as Black July which engulfed many parts of Sri Lanka in flames and turmoil, the country is slowly coming to terms with the tragedy as more..

July 27 (SL) UPFA member and Minister, Dayasiri Jayasekera said that although govt wants to bring in a new constitution, there are certain issues that need to be sorted out before such a decision can be taken. He said that even with regard to the holding of the LG elections, govt had obtained the approval of the parliament to hold the elections under the new system. However, there were unexpected issues such as the delimitation. more..

July 27 (DN) Both the Govt and the Joint Opposition (JO) have ramped up its political activities recently with the Joint Opposition, basically a faction of the UPFA, planning a pada yathra or a long march down from Kandy to Colombo, scheduled to begin towards the end of July. The march is in the context of an ongoing attempt by former President Rajapaksa�s sibling Basil organising essentially a new party, gathering together local government level activists and politicians, with an eye on more..

July 27 (Island) It must have shaken the conscience of every right-thinking Sri Lankan to see dozens of disabled military personnel lying on a city road for a couple of days, demanding solutions to their problems related to pensions and compensation. Attempts are being made in some quarters to call the legitimacy of their demands into question. The dispute that drove them to a street protest is not of recent origin, we are told. Opinion may be divided on the protesting disabled warriors� demands. more..