Sep 18 (FT) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, speaking recently at the World Economic Forum in Vietnam, denied that SL was in danger of spiralling into a debt trap from excessive Chinese borrowings. However, during the past Presidential and General elections he and his team portrayed a picture contrary to that, although it is true that subsequently debt on Hambantota port was swapped with equity. Writing an article to Daily FT titled Sri Lanka�s Rupee and Debt Burden now at Critical Stage more..

Sep 18 (AD) Former Import and Export Controller of the Import and Export Dept who was arrested for accepting a bribe has been further remanded till 02nd Oct. When the case was taken up today by the Colombo Magistrate�s Court the Bribery Commission officials informed the court that investigations are still underway and requested the Court to remand the suspect further. Defending Attorney pleaded bail grant for the suspect considering the ill health of his client�s daughter as a special point. more..

Sep 18 (NR) Minister Mangala Samaraweera says the depreciation of the rupee is not a result of poor economic management. Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake speaking to media after the UNP Parliamentary Group meeting last evening said the Finance Minister informed that the US President Donald Trump�s attempts to strengthen the dollar has resulted in the currency of other countries also falling drastically. He noted the group meeting was held at the Temple Trees while more..

Sep 18 (CT) The JHU, a minor partner in the UNP-led coalition (United National Front), laid out a five-point plan for the country to put behind it�s bloody past at least with respect to the thorny issues of war-crimes and move ahead into the future. Co-leader of the JHU, Minister Champika Ranawaka said that various opinions have been expressed regarding the issue, pointing out that some want the law to be applied equally to more..

Sep 18 (NR) Sugar Importers Association says the bulk price of 1kg of imported sugar has been increased by Rs. 18. Spokesman of the Association Hemaka Fernando said there is a possibility of the increase in the retail price following the price hike in bulk purchases. A tax of Rs. 31 was previously imposed on 1kg of sugar under the special commodity levy Act. The tax on sugar under the act has been removed and instead common commodity taxes have been levied on a kilo of sugar. more..

Sep 18 (NR) Minister of Justice Thalatha Athukorala says steps will be taken to include law as a subject to the school curriculum in order to educate students on legal aspects. She said the matter was already discussed with Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam. The Minister noted the discussion focused on considering the implementation of the programme from the 6th standard. Minister said she hopes to educate school students on the laws and regulations of the country more..

Sep 18 (FT) Attorney General told the Supreme Court that they are of the view that the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution, placed as a private member Bill, requires a 2/3rd majority in Parliament, and the consent of the people through a referendum. Additional Solicitor General Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe, with Deputy Solicitors General Indika Demuni de Silva and Nerin Pulle, as well as Senior State Counsel more..

Sep 18 (MFA) On receipt of media reports from Italy that a Sri Lankan with a Diplomatic Passport has been arrested at Malpensa Airport in Milan for allegedly trying to smuggle four youths into Italy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs initiated immediate inquiries to ascertain the veracity of this information. Accordingly, the Officials of the Consulate General of SL in Milan have met the person arrested and have established his identity. It has been confirmed that the arrested person is more..

Sep 18 (CT) Director General of the Right to Information Commission (RTIC), Jayatissa Ranasinghe said that the Commission is yet to receive any RTI request regarding the fuel pricing formula. Addressing a workshop for media representatives, regarding the upcoming RTI Day, which is celebrated the world over on 28 Sept, Additional Secretary of the Ministry, Thilaka Jayasundara observed that a strong, unbiased, and balanced media was essential in order for more..

Sep 18 (ICC) After the defeat to Afghanistan that hurtled them out of the Asia Cup 2018, Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews rued the errors of the batsmen. The 91-run win on Monday (was Afghanistan's first against the five-time Asia Cup champions in one-day internationals. Sri Lanka, who had earlier lost their opening clash against Bangladesh, are now out of contention for the Super Four. more..

Sep 18 (AD) Residents in the area reported that they had felt a minor earth tremor in several areas of Hali-Ela in Badulla. Shop owners disclosed to Ada Derana that the said tremor occurred in several shops in the town at around 12.30 pm today (18). However, when queried from the Research Unit of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB), they stated that there was no such incident. more..

Sep 18 (DM) Three elephants were killed after a herd was hit by the Batticaloa bound train early this morning while the elephants were walking across the tracks, Wildlife Conservation Dept said. The officials said the elephants were knocked down by the train with oil tank wagons at about 4.30 a.m at the 127-milepost between the Habarana and Palugaswewa Railway Stations. One she-elephants was pregnant at the time of the accident and the fetus had come out following the impact. more..

Sep 18 (DM) GMOA Treasurer Dr Nath Wijesuriya has been summoned to the Bribery Commission this morning to record a statement over an investigation launched into an alleged foreign funds received by the GMOA. GMOA Secretary Dr Haritha Aluthge and several top officials who met the Bribery Commission officials today handed over a letter stating that the complaint filed against them was false. more..

Sep 18 (FT) A coalition of civil society and rights groups have issued a public statement calling on the Australian Govt to ensure fair treatment of Kamer Nizamdeen and to expedite investigations into his arrest. Highlighting the fact that Nizamdeen, who was arrested 30 August, had not been given legal representation neither at the time of his arrest or when he was produced before judicial authorities, the statement called upon the Australian Govt to �ensure that Kamer is provided with more..

Sep 18 (DN) Late President J. R. Jayewardene was a pragmatic and farsighted leader who enabled the country to keep pace with modern international trends. Present day politicians have much to learn from his biography. The manner in which he steered the country overcoming problems and obstacles with patience and finesse was a fine example to present day politicians, Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said. He was addressing the gathering at the 112th birth anniversary commemoration of more..

Sep 18 (EN) Sri Lanka�s information technology industry is working with universities produce graduates in previously unavailable subjects like data science required in its quest to ramp up annual exports to five billion dollars, an official said. Jeevan Gnanam, chairman of SLASSCOM, said the country need to re-assess its education system as data science skills, required by the rapidly evolving IT industry, had not been taught in universities. more..

Sep 18 (DM) Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara has given some key advice to Pakistan�s rising stars Babar Azam and Usman Khan Shinwari as Men in Green prepare for the highly anticipated clash against India, the Pakistan media reported. Pakistan and India will lock horns on September 19 at Dubai Cricket Stadium for the first time after ICC Champions Trophy final last year. This is also the first meeting of the two sides on the UAE soil since 2006. more..

Sep 18 (AD) Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader MP Udaya Gammanpila says that the govt is afraid to arrest DIG Nalaka de Silva. Plotting to assassinate the head of the govt is not a mere murder but is an anti-govt conspiracy, stated the MP. However, Nalaka de Silva hasn�t been arrested and ideally he should be remanded by now, says Gammanpila. He points out that DIG de Silva is able to influence the officials conducting the investigation as he holds a high ranking post. more..

Sep 18 (DM) The drastic depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee against the US Dollar has increased the country�s national debt amount by Rs.1,000 billion since 2015, Joint Opposition (JO) said today. MP Bandula Gunawardane said PM Ranil Wickremesinghe continues to mislead the people by saying that the former government was responsible for current colossal amount of debts. �I challenge the PM to prove his claim. more..

Sep 18 (EN) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has given Sri Lanka US$ 50 million (eight billion rupees) for lending through banks and financial institutions for customers to buy rooftop solar power panels at 8% annual interest. Households and entrepreneurs will be provided maximum credit facilities up to 7. 5 million rupees under the Enterprise Sri Lanka project, the Ministry of Finance said. The Department of Development Finance of the Ministry of Finance, more..

Sep 18 (NR) The much discussed newly implemented fuel pricing formula was taken up for debate in Parliament today. Deputy Minister Anoma Gamage said when considering the price of the crude oil in the international market, fuel prices are revised towards the latter part of the year. She noted the govt will be able to reduce fuel prices by February or March next year. She stressed the concern at present is that the price of good that are increased following a fuel price hike do not more..

Sep 18 (EN) Sri Lanka is using off-season promotional packages from Sept to Nov 2018, when arrivals from traditional markets fall, to boost awareness of lesser known tourist attractions, an official said. "We are working with bloggers, writers and influencers to promote lesser known attractions," Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau Managing Director Sutheash Balasubramaniam said. more..

Sep 19 (CT) A prominent Cabinet Minister, in a recent interview with a state TV station, made the statement that civil society organizations would play a vital role in the govt�s national election campaigns in 2020. This prescient prediction came, ironically, just a few days before the Economist Intelligence Unit, in its latest country report, forecast that the party backed by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa would win the next Presidential and Parliamentary elections. more..

Sep 19 (CT) If not for its huge impact on our people, Astrology could be dismissed as a harmless indulgence. It is popularly understood as being based on the precise Science of Astronomy. The main manifestation that impacts on us is the Horoscope on which many things depend. Three key factors are considered in their casting and use. These are (i) Time of birth (ii) Positions of the planets at that moment and (iii) The interpretation of the resulting Chart. more..

Sep 19 (CT) Leader of the PHU, Udaya Gammanpila says that the Janabalaya protest brought the entire city of Colombo to a standstill, and that the �The govt should bow to the people�s opinion and go home, now.� Q: The govt alleges, the JO which brought Janabalaya to Colombo on 5 Sept saying they were going to capture govt on the 6th, didn�t capture any govt? A: There is an ancient Sinhala saying that being shameless is far more..

Sep 19 (DN) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa�s breakaway faction of the SLFP is set for another humiliating defeat at next year�s presidential elections, according to the track record of the London-based Economist Group. The subscription-based Economic Intelligence Unit, an arm of the Economist Group, in its latest report on Sri Lanka has predicted that Rajapaksa�s SLPP, a breakaway faction of the SLFP, will win both the next prez & parliamentary elections. more..

Sep 19 (DN) The JO and its ideological siblings in the yahapalana Govt have turned all their guns on a single target � the 20th Amendment to the Constitution (20A). Judging by the expressions of views by opponents of 20A, many seem to oppose its author more than the content. They allege that the JVP in league with the UNP was part of an international conspiracy to topple the previous regime. Hence, they reject 20A as not even worth considering. more..

Sep 19 (Roar) As we all know, the ozone layer is an integral part of what sustains life on our planet. But we have, for several years, lived in ignorance and disregard of its value. If the ozone layer were to fail one day, we would all meet an unpleasant end from prolonged exposure to intense ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It was not until 1974 that scientists began to truly understand and publish findings of suspected damage caused to more..

Sep 19 (ST) Universities in SL have the practice of entering into Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with foreign universities to carry out various collaborative educational and research programmes for both students and staff members. A few weeks ago, I came to know that they are no longer able to sign such MOUs with foreign universities without the approval of the govt; here the govt means, as I learnt, Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Ministry of Higher Education and UGC. more..

Sep 19 (GV) Whether or not the actions of the govt and the guardians of the nation during the last stage of the civil war (2006-2009) were a stain on the country�s national fabric is what this paper will discuss. This debate has been in progress since Lanka was granted independence by the British in 1948. It involves the disfranchisement of plantation Tamils in 1948, the passing of the Official Language Bill (better known as the Sinhala Only Bill) in 1956, the 1958 riots against the Tamil community more..

Sep 19 (Island) The great bane of many third-world countries looms in the craftily orchestrated dramas of greed and struggle for power in the political arena. Formerly Ceylon, beginning from 1956 and now Sri Lanka, in the course of the last four decades or so, has provided an ideal oasis for power-hungry politicians to play their astute games and political trickery at the expense of often misinterpreting people�s choices and oppressing them with their high-flown imaginary visions. more..

Sep 19 (Island) It is popularly said that politicians have brains when they have no power and vice versa�mole thiyanakota bale ne, bale thiyanakota mole ne. But, going by the conduct of some Opposition politicians, one may say they are without brains even when they are out of power. They give free rein to their restless tongues, revealing that there is no grain in the silo. The Joint Opposition (JO) has taken the IGP to the task for not treating the Maha Sangha with due respect. more..

Sep 19 (SO) Soon after a mega Rally organised by an Opposition against a govt the aftermath is more likely to be talk about the success of the rally and then introducing the next plan for gaining power. However, unlike in history, soon after the Rally headed by Namal Rajapaksa, JO members, started to talk about a milk packet. And, it was not about just a milk packet but a contaminated milk packet. more..

Sep 19 (Island) "Gajaba was engraved in golden letters of the annals of the history of the Sri Lanka Army, if not in the history of Sri Lanka � and I�m certain it will never to be reversed by any. "So, I�m happy to be retired being a tiny particle of that proud chapter of the history, though designated as a War Criminal." In a few lines, Major General Chagie Gallage (retired) delivered a devastating attack on all those who had shirked their responsibility for countering lies propagated by more..

Sep 19 (AN) It is called EvalColombo 2018 and is hosted by Sri Lanka: it is the first global conference on evaluation. The event started yesterday and will last until tomorrow. After 17 years of preparation, the National Evaluation Policy was launched yesterday by PM Ranil Wickremasinghe. The three-day conference is underway at the Colombo Hilton hotel at the SL Parliament. The event is attended by 150 MPs from around the world, as well as experts on evaluation policies, interest groups, more..

Sep 19 (DN) Minister of Sports Faiszer Mustapha yesterday said he will call for a report from team officials on SL�s defeats at the hands of Bangladesh and Afghanistan at the ongoing Asia Cup cricket tournament being played in the UAE. He made these remarks at the felicitation ceremony held for the Sri Lanka netball team who were crowned Asian champions at the recent tournament held in Singapore. more..

Sep 19 (EN) Sri Lankan small businesses venturing overseas should look at gaps in the market, identify unfulfilled consumer needs in niche areas and use branding to differentiate themselves from competition, Shalin Balasuriya, director and co-founder of Spa Ceylon, said. �You have to have that unique identify � that�s the need for creating good brands, which means you are more resilient and can ask for premiums,� Balasuriya told an economic forum in Colombo organized by the CCC. more..

Sep 19 (Hindu) A Simple Driving Simulator (SDS) developed by Simulator Development Division (SDD), Secunderabad, was presented to Sri Lanka Army Commander Lt. Gen. NUMMW Senanayake by Commandant, Brigadier R.S. Yadav, on behalf of the Indian Army, when he visited the facility on Tuesday. SDS is a simple-yet-powerful basic driving training solution based on a light vehicle interface having custom-made exercises with varying levels of difficulties and environment effects. more..