Sep 18 (Island) MP Keheliya Rambukwella said that the objective of Northern Province CM C.V. Wigneswaran was to realise the dream of the TNA, which was also the ultimate goal of the late LTTE leader, V Prabhakaran.�"That is their dream but that will never be realised," he said.�Rambukwella said the present govt was however desperate to give in to any group for its survival and therefore was ready to offer on a platter what Prabhakaran had failed to achieve thorough a 30-year-long war. more..

Sep 18 (DN) A team of doctors attached to the Peradeniya Sirimavo Bandaranaike Children�s hospital have saved the life of a child, aged three years nine months, by removing an air rifle pellet stuck in the skull after a four hour successful surgery. The pellet which had pierced the child�s head from near the left ear had passed through the head and got stuck on the right side. They were able to save the child�s life because the pellet had not damaged any of the arteries in his head or more..

Sep 18 (NR) UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa says the govt is attempting to suppress the Joint Opposition by delaying the conduct of elections. Speaking at a rally in Nattandiya he charged that numerous development projects initiated under the UPFA govt have stalled. He said the govt isn�t developing the country, and instead it attempts to use political means to stifle the JO and carry the govt forward. more..

Sep 18 (DM) Four Chinese national and four Indians have been arrested in Kollupitiya and Bandarawela by the Police on Sunday on charges of illegal trade and violating immigration laws. The four Chinese nationals were arrested at St. Anthony Mawatha in Kollupitiya on Sunday on charges of possessing 16,200 pieces of illegal cigarettes, Wallapatta and 110 liters of locally made liquor. The arrested, aged between 21 and 44, were to be produced in the Fort Magistrate�s Court. more..

Sep 18 (CT) European Union has assured local trade unions that it would continue to monitor the Govt's implementation of the 27 demands even though the GSP+ trade concessions have been restored and towards this end it has set up an information desk for all stakeholders. A delegation of senior officials from Brussels was in the country earlier this month on a fact finding mission and they travelled as far as the Northern Province. The delegation assured the trade unionists that more..

Sep 18 (CT) Purported daughter�s account of President Sirisena, titled Janadhipathi Thaththa (Presidential Father) was not written by his daughter Chathurika Sirisena, CT can reveal. The book, was in fact written by Sachini Navarathne, an employee of Media Gang, which is an advertising agency owned by Ms Sirisena. Final proof was read by President�s Media Advisor Gamini Sumanasekera. more..

Sep 18 (CT) Ghostwriter of Chathurika Sirisena�s book Janadhipathi Thaththa has gone underground after CT revealed her name. Yesterday Colombo Telegraph revealed the Sirisena�s book was in fact written by Sachini Navarathne and the final proof was read by the President�s Media Advisor Gamini Sumanasekera. Sachini Navarathne, an employee of Media Gang, which is an advertising agency owned by Chathurika Sirisena has been advised to deactivate her social media accounts, more..

Sep 18 (DN) A motorcyclist and three students were injured in an accident, which took place at a carnival at the public grounds in Wagawatta, Horana on Sunday. This accident was reported from the Maraka Linda (Well of Death) attraction at the carnival when the motorcyclist was thrown from the bike. The motorcyclist had fallen injuring himself and three others from the audience. Three injured in the audience includes two 11-years-old female students and a 6 years-old female student. more..

Sep 18 (DM) SAITM Virodi Jana Pawra today warned it would carry out a countrywide strike with the participation of schoolteachers, principals, deans of the medical faculties and nurses associations on Sept 21. It said the health and education sectors would be disrupted because the employees would be on sick leave on Sept 21 urging the govt to abolish SAITM. Ceylon Teachers' Services Union (CTSU) General Secretary more..

Sep 18 (DN) TAttorney General�s Department will take steps to expedite the cases of those arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), said Minister of Prison Reforms, Resettlement and Rehabilitation D.M. Swaminathan�today. Minister addressing the National Prisoners Day celebrations held at the SL Foundation Institute explained that the Attorney General had assured him that steps are being taken to deal with 73 cases filed under the PTA. more..

Sep 18 (DM) Australia-based Margosa Graphite Ltd (Margosa), together with Lanka Resources and Mining (LRM) announced that it would commence an extensive high-resolution helicopter-borne time-domain electromagnetic survey (HTDEM) to accelerate its exploration search for new graphite deposits in Sri Lanka.�The HTDEM survey was formerly introduced by Margosa Managing Director Peter Venn at a function held in Colombo recently, attended by the officials of Mahaweli more..

Sep 18 (DM) Joint opposition (JO) said today that after giving up on the 20th Amendment, govt was attempting to forcibly pass another Bill in Parliament to postpone the LG elections. JO leader MP, Dinesh Gunawardena said the Supreme Court had conveyed its ruling on the draft 20th Amendment to the President and Speaker on Friday. �The ruling says that a referendum should be held to approve several clauses in 20th Amd. Bill more..

Sep 19 (ST) Whenever a pep-pill is needed to invigorate you and clear the mental cobwebs for the day ahead there is nothing like reading all the news that�s fit to thrill from our island paradise. That is even better than following the American pantomime performed by the leader of the sole superpower, the irrepressible Donald J. Trump doing a nuclear dance with communist comedian Kim Jong-un. It is far better to stick to our own for where else would you find such a panoply of humourists, more..

Sep 19 (CT) Office on Missing Persons (OMP) will enable thousands of families to discover the fate of their loved ones and the circumstances of their disappearance. Two months ago, when the Cabinet decided to set up the OMP, President Sirisena remarked, this marks another step forward in SL's path to sustained peace. Human attachment is such that when someone goes missing, the loved ones consciously or otherwise go into denial mode about the possibility of death and hope that more..

Sep 19 (CT) Govt has taken steps to implement a priority bus lane system in a bid to increase the efficiency of the public transport system. Ceylon Today spoke to President of Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) Gemunu Wijeratne for his opinion on bus lanes and other pressing issues, faced by the private bus operators in the country. Q: Govt is now implementing a bus priority lane on a number of roads in Colombo more..

Sep 19 (ST) Two years from now in 2019 a massive debt servicing cost of US$4 billion is due. Therefore the impending challenges to the external finances in 2019 are quite formidable. How do we face this crunch in the country�s external finances? Meanwhile, the Prime Minister told parliament that the World Bank and the ADB will not be giving loans to Sri Lanka after 2019. PM Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing members of parliament last week told them that Sri Lanka will not receive more..

Sep 19 (CT) Gold medallist in South Asian Games 2016 Indunil Herath advanced to the semi-final and Asian championship silver medallist Gayanthika Abeyaratne advanced easily to the final in the 800m for Men and Women respectively, after winning their first round heats at the Asian Indoor Athletic and Martial Games at Olympics Sports Village in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan yesterday. National title holder Herath finished first in a new Sri Lanka (indoor) record time of 1:53.79. more..

Sep 19 (SO) Sri Lanka has a high cost of living. Data for August 2017 gathered by Numbeo, a crowd-sourced database, indicates that grocery prices are 34.48% higher (and consumer prices 25.22% higher) than in India. Chicken is actually cheaper in Singapore than in Sri Lanka. Whole chicken retails for around Rs.425/-kg, while it is available in supermarkets in Singapore for around S$2.85 for 800g or Rs.412/kg. more..

Sep 19 (Island) The SAITM issue has got out of hand with the yahapalana leaders and the opponents of private medical education practising brinkmanship. They also keep shifting the goal posts and remain intransigent. A court case is pending, but the problem is far too complex to be tackled solely through legal means. If it is a lasting solution that the govt seeks it ought to bring all stakeholders to the negotiating table in a bid to make them reach middle ground. more..

Sep 19 (CT) Chief Minister of the Northern Province C.V. Wigneswaran sought the intervention of Mahanayaka Theras to withdraw the military from the North when he visited the Chief Prelates last week. Any move to further reduce the military strength in the North should be vehemently opposed for eight valid reasons. The objective of the govt's Humanitarian Operation was to defeat the LTTE, but not to destroy the LTTE terrorists. Hence, nearly 12,000 terrorists who surrendered more..

Sep 19 (CT) The humanitarian catastrophes taking place in other parts of the world such as in Myanmar, and events that have the potential to become catastrophes, such as North Korea firing its second rocket over Japan, have taken Sri Lanka away from the centre of attention at the ongoing sessions of the UNHRC. The tragic events unfolding in Myanmar are attracting international humanitarian attention. The flight of tens of thousands of Rohingya from Myanmar on a daily basis more..

Sep 19 (Island) The (Draft) Interim Report of the Steering Committee of the Constitutional Assembly dated 6th Sept 2017 describes the territory of Sri Lanka as consisting of provinces where powers of govt are divided between the centre and the provinces. Therefore, the comments below are limited to Articles 1, 2, 3 and 4 that address the structure of the State, and to Principles of Devolution to provinces. Threats to territorial integrity when extensive devolved powers are granted to more..

Sep 19 (CT) Complexion has become an obsession these days due to the high demand for fairer skin by the beauty industry across the world. Fair complexion is accepted and recognized as an integral part of beauty, with men and women almost equally preoccupied with obtaining fairer skin. Therefore, the influx of Whitening Creams in the cosmetics market is a bid to provide a consolatory solution to the darker more..

Sep 19 (ST) Sri Lankan-driven WSO2 announced this week that former Codenvy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tyler Jewell has joined the company as CEO and director of the board. Mr. Jewell brings to WSO2 more than 20 years of experience in building and scaling enterprise software companies. In his role as CEO, he will spearhead the worldwide expansion of WSO2�s business as the company leads the next wave of innovation in middleware for digital transformation. more..

Sep 19 (CT) The whole nation was waiting for the final report of the Presidential Committee appointed to study and report proposals in resolving issues related to SAITM. Presidential Committee so appointed has now handed over their 11-page report to the president. Media has reported that president has received the report duly and has been studying it. Obviously, when reading the report, president might be looking for specific proposals that might be possible in resolving SAITM crisis soon. more..

Sep 19 (DN) Laboratory tests conducted on food samples obtained from the homes of kidney patients in the Anuradhapura district has revealed that there is no Arsenic in them but contain dangerously high level of Lead, Pediatric Nutrition, Environmental Technologist and WTO, SPS Trace Expert, Dr. T.B. Ananda Jayalal said. Addressing a press conference, he said the study found Lead in 60% of blood samples tested for heavy metal. more..

Sep 19 (LBO) Transportation has always played an important role in the prosperity of a nation. As SL takes its first steps onto the world stage with a focus on ambitious economic goals, a solid transportation infrastructure will continue to be key. An improved transportation infrastructure allows for the easy movement of goods, provides people with greater access to essential facilities and employment, and opens up previously inaccessible areas of the country for tourism. more..

Sep 19 (FT) Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade will conduct a consultative meeting with its line ministries today at Temple Trees to finalise the National Export Strategy (NES) to chart the next export growth cycle of the country. �We have now come to the final stages of implementing the NES. At the meeting today we will focus on the proposals of our line ministries, which will be added to the upcoming 2018 Budget proposal,� Minister Sujeewa said. more..

Sep 19 (CT) Being lonely at the top is a situation created by those who ambitiously climb up and think they have achieved it all. Sumathipala, without trying out ambitious plans to be the top at ICC, should have done more for cricket here. Top man at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) acted in a manner to paint himself into a corner, thereby doing exactly as explained above. Suddenly realizing he needs friends now, he is bent on calling back all Ex-SL players ignored by him to help out cricket. more..

Sep 19 (Island) Cricket has always been one of the magical Golden Threads, created in positivity and passion that binds our country together. We have all witnessed time and time again how cricket tore barriers down to bring almost every man, woman and child on to the streets, cheering, dancing and pulsating to a uniquely Sri Lankan rhythm that unites them behind one flag, one team. We are at a moment in time where the entire nation eagerly looks forward to bask in that glory yet again. more..

Sep 19 (CI) Despite a seven-month inquiry having run its course over the suspicious Tier B first-class match between Panadura Sports Club and Kalutara Physical Culture Club, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the independent committee it appointed have not been able to determine who made the decision to manipulate the result of that match. The board has since punished the players of both the clubs - more..

Sep 19 (CT) Report of the Presidential Committee to Resolve Issues Related to SAITM. This confidential Report proposes a solution that has broad acceptance among most stakeholders; in particular, with representatives of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) with whom the Committee met. �The GMOA was offered and subsequently confirmed two appointments to meet the Committee; on 08 September and on 09 September, but they were unable to attend,� the report said. more..

Sep 19 (CT) Sri Lankan Cricketers were shocked over the verdict on the match fixing inquiry in the game between Kalutara PCC and Panadura CC, where players got one year bans with the two skippers Chamara Silva and Manoj Deshapriya getting 2 year bans. Silva who made 46 for MAS Unichela on Saturday in a Mercantile game, was set to represent MAS Unichela against Dimo Lanka yesterday, but was not allowed to play by the Match Referee due to the SLC verdict. more..

Sep 19 (ST) Moves are underway to purchase three private-owned power plants without following proper tender procedure under the cover of a possible power shortage caused by the recent drought, CEB trade unions alleged. The cost to the CEB of generating power through its own plants and private plants rose to Rs. 25 billion last year. CEB has been directed to purchase the 100 Megawatt Ace thermal power in Embilipitiya, more..

Sep 19 (WB) Many Sri Lankans understand the potential benefits of lowering trade costs and making their country more competitive in the global economy. The majority, however, fear increased competition, the unfair advantage of the private sector from abroad and limited skills and innovation to compete. While changes in trade policies and regulations will undeniably improve the lives of most citizens, I�m mindful that some are likely to lose. However, many potential gainers of reforms more..

Sep 19 (GF) Ceylon Cinnamon and SL's affinity is so strong that the very botanical name of the spice - Cinnamomum Zeylanicum is derived from the island's former name, Ceylon. We ship worldwide. Ceylon Cinnamon groves in SL lie exclusively in its western and southwestern regions, north and south of the country's commercial capital, Colombo. The tropical sunshine and abundant rain in these areas provide an ideal habitat, but even here the quality of the spice varies with soil conditions. more..

Sep 19 (CT) The nutritional status among children under five years of age has worsened over a 10-year horizon period ending last year, latest Census and Statistics Department (CSD) data showed. 17% per cent of children under the age of five are stunted (short for their age); 15% are wasted (thin for their height) and 21% are underweight (thin for their age), latest Demographics and Health Survey said. more..

Sep 19 (CT) The Office of the Missing Persons Act (OMP) will be retrospective, said Secretary General of the Secretariat for Coordinating Reconciliation Mechanisms (SCRM) Mano Tittawella, contrary to media reports which indicated otherwise. He reiterated that the media reports pertaining to PM had been misquoted to indicate that the OMP will not be retrospective and that it will only come into effect after it is signed. PM was referring to the International Convention for the Protection of more..