Sep 26 (DM) In the last few columns, I have tried, maybe in vain, to make a case for a plausible scenario in which a Presidential Candidate representing the same UNP-led coalition that brought current President Maithripala Sirisena to office could be successful again. Maithripala Sirisena, although he did not seem to be formidable as a Presidential candidate, eventually proved to be above average and an ideal mix which an unsuspecting electorate would accept. more..

Sep 26 (DM) Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa is the 125th President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) which is the apex medical professional association of Sri Lanka. It is the oldest professional medical association in Asia and Australasia which brings together medical professionals of all grades and branches. Dr. Haniffa is a Consultant Family Physician and Head of the Family Medicine Unit of the Colombo University Medical Faculty. more..

Sep 26 (CT) The Cabinet on 14 August approved a proposal by the Ministry of Health to amend the Lepers Ordinance, No. 4 of 1901, in order to provide the necessary facilities to allow for 31 former leprosy patients, (currently cured) presently still living in the Leprosy Hospitals in Hendala and Manthivu, to conduct their societal connections and relations. Although the Govt has ruled that the quarantine of leprosy patients more..

Sep 26 (Roar) While the striking form of the Nelum Pokuna and the spindly Lotus Tower may dominate the current skyline of Colombo, these grand projects alone don�t define the country�s building style. It is also influenced by how ordinary people build their homes. In these everyday cases, the style isn�t always determined by a trained architect making an aesthetic statement. Instead, factors like building materials, climate, more..

Sep 26 (ST) Central Bank (CB) will use all the instruments at its disposal to ensure the LKR doesn�t weaken to unbearable levels against the US$, amidst an outflow of US$ 400 million so far this year. The US$ which has rapidly gained against the LKR and touched Rs 170 on Friday, during early trading hours, was brought down to Rs 168.50 later in the day, after the CB intervened vigorously, pumping in US$, more..

Sep 26 (AD) Former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa says that he expects a fair investigation into the case of abduction and assault of journalist Keith Noyahr. He mentioned this responding to questions of media in Colombo, yesterday. He was also queried on the investigations regarding an arrested Indian national�s revelations of an alleged plot to assassinate the President, former President and his family. more..

Sep 26 (NR) Three youth, who had shared semi-nude photographs on social media sites, reportedly taken atop the Pidurangala Rock have been apprehended by Police. The Police Media Unit said the trio was taken into custody earlier today, after surrendering to Police. The suspects, residents of Galewela, are being questioned at present and will be produced before court. Yesterday, Police launched an investigation to identify more..

Sep 26 (DM) State Minister Dr Harsha de Silva asked the high-income earners of the country to be socially conscious to help cut the demand at the margin in the face of the rapid rupee depreciation. �Social consciousness of our high income people is also important now; perhaps postpone by just a couple of months that new luxury car or that trip to Alaska. These will all help to cut the demand at the margin,� Dr. Silva said more..

Sep 26 (DN) The Govt has allocated Rs 185 billion for health and Rs 105 billion for education for 2019, according to the Appropriation Bill gazetted last Friday. The figures show an increase compared to the allocations made in Budget 2018. The Budget 2019 will be presented for first reading in Parliament during the second week of October. The Budget speech will be delivered by Minister Mangala Samaraweera on Nov 5. more..

Sep 26 (CT) Nine powerful trade unions have written to Minister of Labour and Trade Union Relations, Ravindra Samaraweera demanding that the minimum salary of all private sector workers should be fixed at Rs 25,000, in line with State sector salaries. These trade unions have pointed out that currently the minimum salary of a private sector worker was Rs 13,500 and due to the current continued depreciation of the rupee it was more..

Sep 26 (PMD) President Maithripala Sirisena called upon the international community to look at Sri Lanka with a fresh perspective and consider the tremendous progress made by the government towards reconciliation, restoration of democratic freedoms, human rights and the rule of law and extend the fullest support to the build a progressive, democratic, free and equal society. Addressing 73rd Session of UNGA more..

Sep 26 (CT) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa speaking to the Indian media recently said that one of his brothers would be the Presidential candidate at the next Poll. He however said that his eldest son Namal (MP) would not contest, being under 35 years in age, which debars him from contesting. Rajapaksa�s statement puts to rest that he has plans to contest next Prez Poll as he�s constitutionally debarred from seeking a third term, though some of his supporters think otherwise. more..

Sep 26 (FT) Good governance activist Chandra Jayaratne has written to the visiting IMF Head of Mission Manuela Goretti, making a host of submissions and calling for an evaluation of the organisations Extended Fund Facility program with Sri Lanka. Following are excerpts of Jayaratne�s letter copied to IMF Resident Representative Eteri Kvintradze, the President, Prime Minister, Speaker, Ministers of Finance, Law and Order and Justice, State Ministers of Finance & Economic more..

Sep 26 (EN) SL�s govt has been advised to offer incentives like tax breaks to encourage investments only in areas safe from the effects of climate change to prevent construction of facilities that will eventually go under water. �We need the right incentives and disincentives to change behaviours,� Attorney-at-Law Lalanath de Silva told a forum held by the SL Business and Biodiversity Platform, known as Biodiversity SL. �The govt can offer tax breaks and subsidies to encourage more..

Sep 26 (CT) Mount Lavinia Additional Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrema yesterday ordered the CID to complete its inquiries into the alleged abduction and assault of journalist Keith Noyahr before the next two hearings of the case and send the case files for the perusal of the Attorney General. The CID produced a progress report on the case to the Court. They said that the current Defence Secretary had answered two out of three questions posed to him, by them, in connection with the case. more..

Sep 26 (CH) Sri Lanka should not look to the western world�s new religion of human rights but to its own religious traditions, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo said Sunday during his homily at Mass. �Human rights have become the new religion of the west as if it�s a new discovery, but people in our country have been following religions for centuries,� Cardinal Ranjith said Sept. 23, according to Ada Derana, more..

Sep 26 (NR) Consumer Affairs Authority has granted permission to increase the price of a domestic 12.5 kilogram gas cylinder by 195 rupees. A CAA spokesperson said that the price revision will come into effect from midnight today. Last week, the Cost of Living Committee approved a proposal to increase the price of a 12.5 kilogram gas cylinder by 195 rupees. The Committee also approved a proposal to reduce the price of a 400 gram packet of milk powder by 25 rupees. more..

Sep 26 (DM) The 31st commemoration of LTTE member Thileepan AKA Raasaiya Pratheepan, who died following a fast-unto-death- protest against the IPKF, was held today near the Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, Jaffna under the patronage of Jaffna Mayor. Political members including members of the Tamil National People�s Front commemorated the ex-LTTEr by placing his photograph at his monument where it was constructed before. Civilians from Kilinochchi, Mullaithivu & Jaffna participated more..

Sep 26 (CB) Angelo Mathews, who was removed as Sri Lanka's ODI captain this week after the national team's poor show in the Asia Cup, has been dropped from the 15-member squad to take on England in the upcoming five-match ODI series, starting on October 10. Dinesh Chandimal will lead Sri Lanka for both the ODI and Test series versus England. All-rounder has been left out of the squad despite being in good nick in recent times. more..

Sep 26 (DM) A top one tasked with maintaining law and order is reportedly taking time off his onerous duties these days to hold Bodhi poojas in a bid to ward off looming threats to his precious career. A group of yahapalanaya Diyawanna members had quite recently slammed the top one for his queer doings and idiosyncrasies. On hearing about the fire directed at him, he had summoned his juniors both male and female and delivered a lecture as usual to vent his spleen during which more..

Sep 26 (CT) The Sigiriya Project Office attached to the Central Cultural Fund will permit admission to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, for visitors and tourists, from 5:00 a.m. Thursday (27), to mark World Tourism Day. Manager of the Sigiriya Project Office of the CCF, Major Anura Nishantha said that the reason for the move was to allow both local and foreign tourists, who climb the Rock to witness a spectacular sun rise on World Tourism Day, which falls tomorrow. more..

Sep 26 (EN) An Indian national arrested in connection with an investigation into an alleged plot to assassinate SL�s President and several others is an asylum seeker who had applied to the UN for refugee status. A man identified as Marcili Thomas, an Indian from the southern state of Kerala had been arrested over his links with Namal Kumara, former police informant and air force deserter who publicly declared that there was more..

Sep 26 (DM) Commenting on recent series of developments in Sri Lankan cricket, former captain Mahela Jayawardane said that the emotional decisions are not always correct. �What happened in the last few days @OfficialSLC and to respond is tough. One thing is you should never wash ur dirty laundry in public. Emotional decisions are not all ways correct. Best is to think what is best for Sri Lanka cricket and make none emotional decisions,� the former star batsman tweeted. more..

Sep 26 (DM) Indian High Commission in Colombo on Wednesday said the Indian national, who had been arrested in Sri Lanka over the alleged assassination attempt of President Sirisena, his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa and family members has had a history of mental disturbance since 2000. A Spokesperson of the HC said they had seen media reports that an Indian national, claiming to have information about the threat to lives of prominent SL leaders, more..

Sep 26 (EN) Sri Lanka rupee closed marginally lower around 168.90/160.20 to the US dollar Wednesday dealers said amid intervention, but market interest rates moved up, providing support to the rupee soft-peg with greenback. Deals were done around 169.05 to the US dollar Wednesday. On Tuesday the rupee closed almostt around the same level at 168.85/169.05 to the dollar. The central bank injected 25 billion rupees for 7 days at rates more..

Sep 26 (AD) An elephant calf which had been stuck in the mud for several days has been rescued yesterday following a 24-hour rescue mission in the Sooriyapura area. According to the Kantale Wildlife Officers, this five-year-old elephant calf has been trapped in mud for three days near the Janaranjana Wewa in Sooriyapura area on Ella-Kantale road. The rescue mission was carried out by the Giritale veterinary office, Kantale wildlife office, Army Officers, Sooriyapura police, more..

Sep 26 (AD) TColombo Magistrate�s Court today granted more time for the CID to present written submission pertaining to the investigation against MP Ravi Karunanayake for allegedly providing false information before the Bond Commission. When the complaint was taken up before Colombo Chief Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake this morning, Senior State Counsel Lakmini Girihagama appearing on behalf of the CID said that the department intends to present written submissions with regard to more..

Sep 26 (AD) A father in Walgama-Matara has killed his son last night, by electrocuting him, stated Matara Police. The incident has taken place between 9.30 pm and 10 pm last night, stated the police. Police suspects that the father, who lives separately from the wife and children, has committed this murder over a family conflict. The deceased son had visited the father at his house last night and had left following a disagreement more..

Sep 26 (CT) The appeal filed at the Supreme Court (SC) by former DIG Vaas Gunawardene and five others, seeking that their conviction, by the Colombo High Court, for the murder of millionaire Colombo 4 businessman Mohammad Siyam be overturned, was fixed for hearing on 29 January 2019 yesterday (25). This order was given when the appeal filed by the six convicts was considered before a Supreme Court Bench comprising Chief Justice Priyasath Dep and Justice Prasanna Jayawardene. more..

Sep 26 (EN) Sri Lanka's Board of Investments said it has rejected an investment proposal for a high-speed railway project because the investor had asked for tax holidays and large swathes of land but failed to provide financial and technical credentials and past project reports. Ceylon High Speed Railway Corporation had proposed to invest US$ 500 million in the railway project, and requested 4,000 acres of land and sought approvals for a private bank and a university," the BOI said. more..

Sep 26 (CI) Opening batsman Kaushal Silva and left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara have been recalled into Sri Lanka's squad for the home Test series against England. Angelo Mathews, who had been removed from limited-overs captaincy and subsequently dropped for the England ODIs due to fitness concerns, though, was named in the Test squad. Pushpakumara, who made his Test debut against India last year, is 5th spinner more..

Sep 26 (DN) A 34-year-old woman and her two young daughters who were running to escape from an elephant died after being hit by a car on the Pottuvil-Akkaraipattu Road on Monday night. Police said the car travelling towards Pottuvil had crashed into the victims around 6.40 pm on Monday while they were running on the road and upon admission to the Pottuvil hospital the mother and her daughters had died. Victims had come in a three wheeler to Pottuvil and as the three wheeler had run out more..

Sep 26 (AD) Colombo High Court has ordered to postpone further hearing of the case against Uduwe Dhammaloka Thero, filed over the alleged illegal possession of an elephant calf, until Oct 15. The order was issued today when the case was taken up before the Colombo HC Judge Sampath Wijeratne. The junior Attorney-at-Law representing Dhammaloka Thero informed the court that the senior defense attorney of the case is unable to attend case hearing due to health reasons. more..

Sep 26 (DM) A No-Confidence Motion (NCM) would be brought against IGP Pujith Jayasundera to get him removed over his alleged involvement in the alleged assassination plot on President Sirisena and ex-President Rajapaksa, the JO said today. JO Leader Dinesh Gunawardane said they had yesterday requested the Speaker to convene the Parliament next week instead of in two more weeks, to discuss alleged assassination plot, more..

Sep 27 (DN) At the Kawashima Compost Plant outside of Kandy, journalists file out of the Japanese Embassy bus and obligingly wade through the stench of rotting vegetables. While the journalists reflexively put their hands to their noses, the plant�s workers hardly notice the smell anymore. Most discard their face masks as they sift through mounds of fly-ridden, decaying organic matter, in rubber boots. A man in a crisp white shirt, Dr. Satha, greets the journalists in Sinhala and English. more..

Sep 27 (ST) The most attentive local business news in the past week was, perhaps, the exchange rate; it depreciated sharply reaching Rs. 170 per US$. As some media called it, SL reached that high rate for the first time in history. It looks like a statement a mom made about her 10-year old child: My child is now 10 years old for the first time after his birth!. SL rupee exchange rate which was Rs. 16 per US$ in 1977 has been continuously and constantly on a downward path depreciating over past 41 yrs. more..

Sep 27 (CT) Minister Gayantha Karunatilleka says PM explained very clearly that he has no connection with Arjuna Mahendran now, �Even the PM�s lawyers have advised him to have nothing to do with Mahendran, now. Not only that, the PM even rebutted the allegation that he had met Mahendran when he went to Singapore, recently.� Q: JO members say that the Govt got scared of the Janabalaya protest? more..

Sep 27 (SO) Vision for a united Sri Lanka has been cited as the topic this time for the commemorative speech on Al Haj Bakeer Markar. Excerpts: I believe organising the commemorative speech on Al Haj Bakeer Markar along a topic that paves way for some productive dialogue, which is done by the Bakeer Markar Centre for National Unity started under the guidance of former Minister Hon. Imthiyaz Bakeer Markar, sets a very good example. When we consider the content of many programmes more..

Sep 27 (CT) The Sri Lankan rupee hit a record low of 170 per US$ last week, and the Minister of Finance warns of further depreciation. This is inevitable given the chaotic state of the nation�s economy. While the rupee turns south CoL (cost of living) has no other direction but to go north. Prices of all imported final and intermediate goods will have to increase unless artificially controlled, at heavy cost, through subsidies, which will earn the wrath of IMF, the CEO of Sri Lanka�s economy. more..