Nov 30 (FT) Dr. K.A.S. Keeragala has been appointed the Executive Chairman of Sri Lanka Insurance with effect from 29 Nov 2018. Dr. Keeragala is a leader in the public service and is a Special Grade Officer of the SL Administrative Service with over 33 years of experience in the govt service and SL Administrative Service. Prior to being appointed to the rank, he was the Secretary to the State Ministry of Finance. Dr. Keeragala has also held the distinguished positions of more..

Nov 30 (DN) Sri Lanka will host the Australian under 19 cricketers as well as the Ireland �A� team during the month of January. Australia Under 19 cricketers will play a series of three Youth ODIs and a one-off 3-day Youth Test against Sri Lanka under 19 from January 3 to 12. Ireland �A� team which arrives on the same day as the Australian under 19 cricketers on December 30 will play two 4-day unofficial tests and 5 unofficial ODI�s against Sri Lanka �A�. Australia U19 itinerary: 30 December: Arrival more..

Nov 30 (CT) SL Army Ordnance Unit has built a brand new modern Cricket Stadium at their headquarters in Horana. It will be declared open on 10 Dec by Lt. Gen Mahesh Senanayake, following which the inter-regiment Cricket T20 finals will be held between Artillery and AOU. The stadium will be completed in several stages. In the first stage, a modern stadium and the main pavilion have been built. In the second stage, a hostel to house two teams will be built along with training wickets more..

Nov 30 (Island) Several rounds of discussions were held yesterday involving the cricket hierarchy and officials of the Sports Ministry including the Minister of Sports prior to the newly established selection panel sat down to choose the squad for the upcoming tour of NZ. The new selectors had met the coaching staff yesterday and then all parties met Minister Faizer Mustapaha on the current status of the sport, more..

Nov 30 (Island) 'We are extremely disturbed and disappointed with the behaviour of all political parties concerned in not reaching a consensus to this political flux. It is important and urgent that all political leaders at loggerheads put the country first rather than their personal agendas, the Free Trade Zone Manufacturers' Association (FTZMA) said in a statement, which, it said, was issued on behalf of its members on the ongoing constitutional crisis and political instability. more..

Nov 30 (Island) Commonwealth Lawyers Association, the Commonwealth Legal Education Association and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association have expressed concern at the recent political developments in Sri Lanka. Expressing their Deep Concern at the implications of the continuing political crisis for the rule of law in SL, they have called upon all Parties to the present conflict to observe scrupulously and in good faith the provisions of the Constitution relating to more..

Nov 30 (SLA) �The soft power generated in the Cyberspace can play a vital and decisive role in the modern day battlefields. In other words, when the battlefields become automated, when the weapon systems are getting more remotely controlled, when communication systems combined with data transmissions become network centric and when the soldiers in the battlefield are equipped and fed from automated information more..

Nov 30 (CT) Central Bank of SL is considering liquidating failed primary dealer, Entrust Securities PLC, while paying three months compensation and the relevant statutory employee benefits to its eight remaining employees through its managing agent, National Savings Bank (NSB). CBSL officials said that there was no proper legal mechanism to compensate Entrust�s depositors, as the company defrauded investors - who paid the company to buy Govt Securities on their behalf. more..

Nov 30 (DN) SL Deaf cricket team performed well during the ICC T-20 World Cup cricket tournament now in progress in India to reach the super three stage The team captained by Gimadu Malkam recorded victories over Australia, Nepal and India and lost to South Africa in the league round to enter the super three stage. SL who came on top of the league points table have already recorded one win against South Africa in the super three stage Skipper Malkam turned in a fine all round more..

Nov 30 (Reuters) Sri Lanka signed two multi-million dollar contracts with Chinese firms for a port upgrade project on Thursday in the middle of a political hiatus that has raised doubts over the legitimacy of the govt and the legality of the deals. The debt-saddled island has long been a target of Beijing�s ambitious Belt and Road infrastructure scheme to connect China with countries cross Asia and beyond, while more..

Nov 30 (CT) Colombo Fort Chief Magistrate Ranga Dissanayaka yesterday, said the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) had informed that the case relating to the CB Treasury Bonds scam will be taken up for hearing before Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratna with effect from 4 December. When the case was taken up for hearing before the Colombo Fort Chief Magistrate Dissanayaka made this remark referring to a letter sent by the JSC. more..

Nov 30 (Island) It is likely that the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing irregularities at SriLankan Airlines, SriLankan Catering and Mihin Lanka will get another extension. PCoI sources said that the commission might be extended by another three months. On Monday President of the Commission Retired SC Judge Anil Goonaratne said that they had written to Presidential Secretariat for an extension of its tenure, about 10 days ago, but there had been no response. more..

Nov 30 (CT) Ousted Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe should leave the PM�s official residence, Temple Trees, immediately, the JVP stressed, after the Motion to suspend the expenditure of the PM�s Secretary was moved. JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, participating in the debate on the Motion moved by the UNP, noted that if the UNP was genuine in brining the Motion, they do not have a moral right more..

Nov 30 (DM) UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday said he had declined to oblige President Maithripala Sirisena when he offered him the post of PM ten times. Responding to a journalist who asked Mr. Premadasa why he declined it, he said �One might have personal aspirations of becoming leaders but things should be done in accordance with the law of the country. I am the Deputy Leader of the UNP and I am bound to work in accordance with the decisions made by my party." more..

Nov 30 (DM) Temple Trees is currently run the funds of the UNP and the assistance given by sponsors, UNP MP and ousted Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament today. He said this in response to a question raised by Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Parliament last morning. �No state funds are used to run the Temple Trees at the moment as our party and kind donors are assisting us,� Mr. Kiriella said. �Utility Bills at Temple Trees are paid by us,� he added. more..

Nov 30 (DN) Parliament has no power to debate the motion seeking to cut budgetary allocations to the Prime Minister�s Office as the matter is already adjudicated in the Court, Dinesh Gunawardena said. �This matter is being adjudicated in Court following a writ application filed by Wickremesinghe and other UNP MPs. The motion given by UNF and JVP is on the basis that they say that there is no govt. more..

Nov 30 (CT) At least four persons, including two women died and 19 others were injured as a bus heading to BIA in Katunayake, from Jaffna, plunged into the Hamilton Canal at Walapitiya-Nattandiya yesterday afternoon. The driver of the privately hired bus was also listed among the dead, Police said. According to Police, there were 37 occupants travelling in the vehicle at the time of the incident and many of them were returning to Canada after visiting relatives in the Jaffna Peninsula. more..

Nov 30 (DN) President Sirisena will open sluice gates of what will be the largest multi-purpose reservoir development project in the country, the Moragahakanda-Kaluganga Project this morning. The water level of Moragahakands reservoir has reached almost to the brim. The President is due to conduct an inspection tour of Moragahakanda-Kaluganga Project after the opening of the sluice gates. Moragahakanda-Kaluganga Project, which is a major component of Mahaweli Master Plan more..

Nov 30 (Island) President Maithripala Sirisena will meet UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and leaders of UNF constituents, Rauff Hakeem (SLMC), Rishad Bathiudeen (ACMC), Mano Ganesan (DPF), separately, today in a last ditch attempt to bring the deepening constitutional crisis to an end. President Sirisena will also meet Opposition Leader and the leader of the four-party TNA R. Sampanthan. more..

Nov 30 (DM) The security of children once they step outside their homes has become a matter of concern following the stabbing to death of a schoolboy in Matara, a few days ago. An individual following the stories associated with schoolboy violence would observe that a good number of these incidents have taken place either on the way to tuition classes or when returning home after these study sessions. The most recent incident which took place in Matara suggests that parents need to be concerned more..

Nov 30 (DM) As SL�s constitutional crisis deepens, whatever ways-out political analysts may propose, only a principled solution is desirable and should be called for. This is because the health of the country�s democracy depends on a rule-based order, where the doctrine of Separation of Powers is upheld, especially with regard to the independence of the judiciary. No longer can we wait to rectify the distortion of democracy. The more we wait, the more damage is caused to democracy. more..

Nov 30 (DM) Mahinda Rajapaksa, former President and PM appointed by Prez Sirisena on Oct 26, spoke about the current status of the country and the plans he wishes to carry out after the SC ruling on dissolution of Parliament, expected on Dec 7, 2018. Q: Now, the country is ungovernable. There is instability in the country. How do you intend to end this crisis? A: There is no instability in the country as I can see. more..

Nov 30 (Island) Central Bank Governor, Dr Indrajit Coomaraswamy told the PCoI yesterday that there was a need to get a legal opinion on whether the administrative bonds issued to state institutions came under the provisions of Registered Stock and Securities Ordinance (RSSO). He was responding to a question posed by Additional Solicitor General Neil Unamboowe whether Treasury had followed procedure more..

Nov 30 (ST) On court orders, 24 containers of unrefined palm oil imported two years ago are being held back at Customs over concerns the oil could be harmful to health if released onto the market. The 400,000kg of palm oil reportedly has up to a 20% concentration of free fatty acid (FFA), four times more than is allowed under a Food and Import Control Act. The Act says unrefined or crude palm oil may contain up to more..

Nov 30 (LBO) SL rupee has depreciated against the US dollar by 15.1% during the year up to date reflecting a broad-based strengthening of the dollar globally, outflows from the govt securities market and demand for import expenditure in the foreign exchange market. The CB today said the rupee has also depreciated against other major currencies during this period reflecting cross-currency movements. more..

Nov 30 (EN) Digital and computer literacy in Sri Lanka grew in 2017 from a year earlier with greater ownership of personal computers and mobile devices. 28.6% of Sri Lankans had computer literacy in 2017, up from 27.6% a year earlier, while digital literacy grew to 40.1% from 33.8%. Digital literacy is higher than computer literacy for all disaggregated levels, showing the drift from personal computers to smartphones/tablets. more..

Nov 30 (AD) Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) will reduce the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 5 per litre with effect from midnight today, Minister Gamini Lokuge said. He stated that this price reduction will affect all grades of petrol and diesel.This is the third time that fuel prices have been reduced since the new govt was established on October 26. The price of Octane 92 Petrol was reduced by Rs. 10 per litre while the price of more..

Nov 30 (CT) Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday, announced that a Special Parliamentary Committee has been appointed to probe the clashes between MPs that occurred in the Chamber on 15 and 16 Nov. Accordingly, Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri has been appointed as the Chair, while MPs Chamal Rajapaksa, Bimal Rathnayake, Mavai Senathirajah, Ranjith Maddumabandara & Chandrasiri Gajadheera more..

Nov 30 (CI) Batsman Lahiru Thirimanne has been recalled into SL's Test squad, with wicketkeeper-batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama also picked in the 17-strong outfit heading to NZ for two Tests in December. Dinesh Chandimal, who missed the last two Tests of the recent series against England with a groin strain, is back to lead the side. His deputy is Dimuth Karunaratne, who has been elevated to vice-captaincy more..

Nov 30 (PTI) The US has put on hold its discussions with Sri Lanka on its potential participation in an American aid initiative on poverty reduction due to the disruption in the country's democratic process following the ouster of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, a senior official has said. SL plunged into a political crisis after President Sirisena dismissed Wickremesinghe and replaced him with former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa. more..

Nov 30 (AD) Sri Lanka Parliament on Friday approved a motion barring all Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers, Deputy Ministers and their personal staff from using state funds. The motion was passed with 122 votes in favour and no votes against as govt MPs decided to boycott the Parliament for a fourth straight session. The motion was moved for Parliament to declare that Secretaries to any and all Ministries have no any authority to approve more..

Nov 30 (CT) In an unprecedented event in the military history of SL, an incumbent Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was apprehended and remanded on 28 Nov. However, this is the second time in SL�s military history that a high ranking serving military officer was collared and remanded after the arrest of former Army Chief Sarath Fonseka over an alleged coup plot against the then Prez Rajapaksa and certain swindling activities as well as other military offences perpetrated by him. more..

Nov 30 (FT) Presently, the Sri Lankan State has lost its dignified existence and the prowess that a state ought to have. Evidently, it is moving towards a virtual collapse. This, in my opinion is a direct outcome of the rotten state of affairs associated with the present Sri Lankan State and its putrid system of institutions replete with rampant corruption. The most important aspect of the present crisis is that even the Constitution of Sri Lanka, the supreme law of the country, more..

Nov 30 (AD) Around 7,000 Samurdhi officers received their permanent appointments from Prez Sirisena & PM Rajapaksa in a ceremony at the Sugathadasa Stadium. Minister Wimal Weerawansa was also present at the ceremony to hand over the letters of appointment. Weerawansa had recently said that the govt decided to grant permanent appointments for 14,000 Samurdhi Development Officers island-wide, who had been serving without official appointments. more..

Nov 30 (PTI) The Sri Lankan Navy allegedly sunk a boat belonging to fishermen hailing from Rameswaram, while they were fishing near Katchateevu and arrested four of them, the police said Thursday. The naval personnel chased the fishermen away and allegedly rammed their vessel into the fishermen�s late Wednesday night and took four of them away to the island nation, they said. The personnel damaged the fishing nets and took away the GPS equipment, police added. more..

Nov 30 (AD) A special team including the IGP, Senior DIG of the CID and the Police Media Spokesperson is currently on their way to Batticaloa to probe into the killing of the two policemen. Earlier today, special team of the CID was deployed to investigate the incident on the orders of IGP Pujith Jayasundara. Team will be conducting investigations under the supervision of SP of Batticaloa Police Division. more..

Nov 30 (GDI) Indian Coast Guard Ships CGS Samar and Aryaman are on a visit to SL from 01 to 07 Dec. The ships arrived in Colombo after participating in the India-SL-Maldives Tri-Lateral Coast Guard Exercise Dosti that was conducted from 25-29 Nov 2018 in Maldives. Two junior SL Coast Guard Officers have also been embarked on the ships since their departure from India on 23 Nov 2018 to provide valuable sea experience and first hand insight into Coast Guard operations. more..

Nov 30 (DM) JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake said two Parliament Select Committees (PSCs) should be appointed to recover the losses and damages caused to the country by the political coup. He told Parliament that Prez Sirisena was responsible for the political impasse and that he should apologize to the nation for his actions. "The purported govt is not accepted by the int'l community. Even the Rajapaksa-friendly countries such as Swaziland and the Maldives do not accept it. more..