Sep 5 (DN) Political opponents have got the space to organise protests in Colombo because of freedom and democracy prevailing in the country, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said. Premier responding to a question by Joint Opposition (JO) Parliamentary Group Leader Dinesh Gunawardena said in Parliament yesterday that the JO is free to hold its Janabalaya Kolambata protest in a manner that did not disturb the day to day work of the people. more..

Sep 5 (TN) Higher Education Commission (HEC) will develop academic collaboration with Sri Lanka through Pak-SL Higher Education Cooperation Programme. HEC Chairman Dr. Tariq Banuri stated this during a meeting with Pakistan�s High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Maj. Gen. (R) Shahid Hashmat at the Commission Secretariat. Hashmat expressed his strong commitment to play active role in executing the Pak-SL Higher Education Cooperation Programme. more..

Sep 5 (CI) Akila Dananjaya is set to miss at least the first two games of the Asia Cup as he awaits the birth of his first child. Dinesh Chandimal meanwhile is in doubt after sustaining a hairline fracture on the middle finger of his right hand during SL's recently-concluded domestic T20 tournament. Sri Lanka will face Bangladesh in the tournament opener on Sept 15, with their next game set for September 17 against Afghanistan. The absence of Dananjaya is particularly a blow, more..

Sep 5 (Island) The JO yesterday vowed to go ahead with its planned protest in Colombo today in spite of IGP Pujitha Jayasundera�s warning the police would use required force to maintain law and order. The warning was issued on Monday. JO seniors, Dinesh Gunawardena, Dullas Alahapperuma, Udaya Gammanpila, Prasanna Ranatunga, Jayantha Samaraweera, Prof. Tissa Vitharana and Raja Collure said that more..

Sep 5 (DM) The junction next to Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Borella has the unique distinction of being a meeting place of some 15 road lanes. These include four lanes each from Kotte and Horton place, two lanes each from Pelpola Vipassi Mawatha, Borella Kanatte road and the road that connects junction with Cotta Road and one from Shady Grove Avenue. Such is the complexity of the vehicular movement in this location, usually a team of policemen is stationed at various points of more..

Sep 5 (CT) Today�s Janabalaya Kolambata, an attempt by former President Rajapaksa to wrest power, coincides with the second of Rajapaksa�s Cabinet Ministers to end behind bars on Monday for alleged acts of corruption. Rajapaksa�s Trade Minister Johnston Fernando was remanded for allegedly misappropriating Sathosa funds amounting to Rs 3.8 million during the Wayamba PC polls campaign of 2013. Fernando�s son Johan contested that poll and obtained the second highest more..

Sep 5 (ST) The proposed ceiling on rates charged by private hospitals was discussed at length by Minister Rajitha Senaratne and high-level medical specialists, including surgeons and physicians, on Friday evening. The proposal refers to the maximum charges that private hospitals can levy on in-patient and out-patient procedures, including surgeries. Friday�s two-hour discussion was cordial, a source said, adding that more..

Sep 5 (CT) Academic and researcher, Dr. Asanga Welikala, critiquing recent legal arguments made to the effect that former Presidents, twice elected to office, could contest and be elected again as per the Constitution, said that such interpretations were totally inconsistent with the first principles of republican democracy and therefore extremely dangerous. Recently, former Justice Secretary, Dr. Nihal Jayawickrama and SLPP Chairman, more..

Sep 5 (CT) TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran holds different ideologies and is trying to walk a different path, claimed MP Selvam Adaikkalanathan. Expressing his views to an Indian Media institution, Adaikkalanathan has claimed that Sumanthiran has misinterpreted the aspirations of the TNA. He has further claimed that the federal system of governance that Sumanthiran proposes for Northern Province is not the idea of TNA. more..

Sep 5 (DM) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe today rejected claims that he met with former CB Governor Arjuna Mahendran in Singapore. In response to a question raised by JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, he told Parliament that he has had no connection with Mahendran after he left for Singapore. MP Dissanayake asked whether the PM had met Mr Mahendran in Singapore as reported more..

Sep 5 (EN) SriLankan Airlines had been pressured to hire a firm called Amerasian Corporation which came with unsolicited advice to validate a business plan prepared an ex-employee, raising questions whether it was fixed, a commission of inquiry heard. Airlines Former Chief Financial Officer Seneka Chandrasekera was appointed in March 2010 to develop a business plan, Financial Management Head Yasantha Dissanayake more..

Sep 5 (EN) Currency depreciation and inflation is caused by printing more money than is required by the people and countries like Singapore had avoided the problem by not setting up a central bank in the first place, top economist said. A monetary authority producing money per se, is not a problem. "The problem arises if a central bank produces more money than necessary," W. A. Wijewardene, a former Deputy Governor more..

>Sep 5 (Island) The State Printing Corporation (SPC) is attached to the Ministry of Education, but about 97% of school textbooks are printed by 26 private sector printers, Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin says. He said, "SPC has been made part of the Education Ministry and ministry has spent about Rs 88 million on institution. However, this corporation is not tasked with printing textbooks. more..

Sep 5 (CT) The GMOA alleged that a powerful politician in Govt representing the Kandy District, was behind the apathy shown by the Police in arresting those responsible for the damages caused to the Galaha Divisional Hospital and its staff. GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge called for the arrest of all responsible parties. IGP should also explain as to why his Dept had failed to take prompt action while in possession of all the evidence, more..

Sep 5 (DN) The Court of Appeal decided to overrule objections raised by GMOA President Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya on Dec 6, 2017, in the Court of Contempt case. The Court of Appeal observed that there is sufficient material to issue rule against Dr. Padeniya in the charge sheet filed against him over contemptuous statements. The case was filed against Dr. Padeniya for allegedly undermining Court of Appeal judgement more..

Sep 5 (AD) The Jana Balaya protest rally of the JO is set to be commenced from 2 pm today. Former President Rajapaksa and former Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa will be joining the rally from near the Bo tree in Fort. Reportedly, buses from outskirts of Colombo are arriving in Colombo with public to join the Jana Balaya rally. Meanwhile, less traffic and deserted roads were observed this morning, despite more..

Sep 6 (CT) Everyone has heard of the story of the emperor�s new clothes. An emperor who lived far, far away in the vast distant past was once persuaded by his advisers (fashion, in this case) to wear a new suit of clothes whose material was so fine that, to the common eye, the clothes seemed invisible. The emperor, not knowing that he was being fooled by his advisers, who presumably were only in it for the money, the power and glory of being the ruler�s advisers and not the service to more..

Sep 6 (CT) TNA was formed with the blessings of LTTE leader late Pirabhakaran in 2002. While LTTE was engaged in armed resistance, TNA was mooted to agitate peacefully among the Tamils, and in the Parliament to draw the attention and support of the International Community. TNA also supported the LTTE�s goal of a separate state which was mandated in the General Election of 1977 following the historical Vaddukoddai Resolution in May 1976 sponsored by late leader Chelvanayakam. more..

Sep 6 (ST) Battered and bruised by a double whammy earlier � man-made and natural � this week, there is an air of expectancy and hope in this little village in Kalkudah on the eastern coast. It is not a blast from the past which has seen the area succumb to the vicissitudes of the 30-year war and the Dec 2004 tsunami. This is a refreshing breeze blowing from prosperous Colombo to the hapless east. Not just a single handout or more..

Sep 6 (DN) At the time of writing, the government and the Joint Opposition (JO) were bracing for a showdown on the streets of Colombo, with the latter planning a protest campaign, Janabalaya Kolambata (literally, Peoples Power to Colombo), that was aimed at bringing large crowds to the capital. The govt has expressed its reservations against the protest, stating that law and order was at risk. Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara stated that attempts may be made to storm institutions more..

Sep 6 (CT) These days there is spot light focus on the performance of S.O.Es in general and few such institutions in particular. Business editions of National Newspapers have narrowed their focus to the area. Hence the readers have got the opportunity of sharing authentic and responsible versions of certain facts that remained so far as gossipy allegations. This Sunday a leading newspaper carried the subject headline in their Business edition along with another news more..

Sep 6 (DM) Chandani is 21 and the sole breadwinner of a family of three. Standing at the cashier�s bay at a plush supermarket in Colombo she serves each customer walking in to pay their bills. Most of the days I work here from 8.00 in the morning to 11.00 in the night, that�s how I make ends meet she said. Asked her if she remained standing during that entire time, she replied in the affirmative. Yes, we have to she responds. more..

Sep 6 (DM) If anyone doubts that the entire educational system should be reformed, a quick listen to statements made by Higher Education Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe (WR) would force a re-think. On the one hand he extols the virtues of private education and insists that this way lies the future, then he submits a Cabinet Paper to take over SL Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT). The reasons offered are hilarious. WR tells us that SLIIT was initially managed by a private company more..

Sep 6 (DM) Govt�s planned Tsunami Warning Rehearsal scheduled in the morning yesterday was perhaps a little gimmick to take the attention away from the Janabalaya Colombata protest campaign which was expected to enter Colombo any moment, at the time of writing. One thing that this Govt does, which the previous regime didn�t, is fear the opposition. This fear is largely due to a few factors; chief among which is the citizens not willing to accept govt�s claim that there is development more..

Sep 6 (ST) News reports suggest there is a thought that foreigners can add spice and bring colour to kindle spectator interest to SL�s Club Rugby. This thought follows an interest to introduce overseas players during the forthcoming Rugby season. That means, Clubs placed in the last 4 slots for the 2017-�18 season, allowed to have 1 overseas player on the field, at any given time. Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) will sponsor 2 players for each Club. The thinking is that the inclusion of foreigners can improve the quality more..

Sep 6 (CT) A four-day seminar on Sports Medical Science is set to take place from today at the BMICH. Chief Convener of this event is the Director General of the Sports Medical Science Institute, Dr. Lakshman Edirisinghe. He said that though such seminars have been held either once or twice previously, this was the first time such a seminar is being held with the involvement of foreign experts in the field. Dr. Edirisinghe said that this seminar was also the first of such events being held in SL more..

Sep 6 (DM) The scandalous power purchase agreements the CEB has entered into with retired Independent Power Plants, has dearly cost the country�s coffers. This was revealed in the COPE report dated August 27, 2018. Entering into these agreements bypassing Govt procurement procedure is alleged to have become a money spinning business to certain high-ranking CEB officials and its line ministry- Ministry of Power & Energy. more..

Sep 6 (GV) On Oct 28, 2012, Savita Halappanavar, a young Indian dentist, died in Ireland due to a septic miscarriage. This created major uproar in Ireland because she had requested an abortion at an earlier stage in the pregnancy but was denied her request because the medical team did not judge her life to be in danger (the law in Ireland was that an abortion could only be granted if the mother�s life was at risk). The campaign that followed culminated in a referendum in Ireland earlier this year, more..

Sep 6 (DN) With the Transport and Civil Aviation Ministry�s gazette to issue driving licences to three-wheeler drivers only of age 35 and above, several concerns pertaining to its practicality were raised by three-wheel drivers� unions, which expressed their displeasure over the government�s decision. National Council for Road Safety Chairman Dr. Sisira Kodagoda said the Transport Ministry made the decision following a proposal submitted by him, adding that the decision was made by more..

Sep 6 (FT) The Attorney General yesterday filed a list of 14 witnesses in the Supreme Court on the alleged offence of Contempt of Court against Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake. Court fixed argument on 10, 11 and 12 Dec. Bench comprised Chief Justice Priyasath Dep, Justices Vijith Malalgoda and Lalith Dehideniya. Rule was already read to the Accused Respondent Ramanayake. He had pleaded not guilty. more..

Sep 6 (DM) The eagerly-anticipated Spikes Asia Young Spikes programme returns for its 10th edition. Nine young professionals, and one tertiary students from Sri Lanka�s advertising, PR and design industries will represent the country at the annual Young Spikes 2018 & Cheil Young Creative Academy at Spikes Asia 2018 to be held from 26th to 28th Sept at Suntec, Singapore. It is Asia Pacific's most inspiring creative festival - offering three days of learning, inspiration and more..

Sep 6 (DN) Sri Lanka�s business ownership is at low ebb and it should be increased to a reasonable amount. Of the working population, only a 2.8% owns a business and this is a very low figure in the region, Mission Director USAID SL, Reed Aeschliman told a forum in Colombo. He said that it is with the idea to broad base the business ownership that USAID is having series of programmers targeting the youth. Aeschliman was the guest speaker at the AmCham AGM more..

Sep 6 (EN) State-run SriLankan Airlines had paid 50.7 million rupees in 2011 to a partner of a company called Amerasian Corporation, which had no prior experience, to vet a business plan developed by an ex-employee for 750,000 rupees. The foreign company, Via Capital Partners had bumped up a capital infusion from the govt to 500 million dollars from 300 million dollars, but had made little changes to the original plan, more..

Sep 6 (ST) A bus driver and a conductor have been arrested over the alleged sexual abuse of a 15-year-old schoolgirl in Nuwara Eliya. The conductor was reportedly an accomplice to the crime as he had prevented the girl from alighting from the bus in Pussellawa. According to police, on Thursday, the student�s father had asked her to get into a bus heading to Kurunegala and instructed her to get off at Pussellawa. However, a driver of a bus heading from Nuwara Eliya and who was familiar with more..

Sep 6 (MoD) The first group of students has successfully completed the IT course offered by the Ranaviru Information Technology Training Institute (RITTI) in Clappenburg, Trincomalee. 52 school children from low income families representing all ethnic groups in the region had followed the maiden course offered free of charge by the RITTI. Children who had successfully completed the 45 hour course were presented with certificates during a ceremony held last month (August). more..

Sep 6 (CT) The Draft Bill of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, which proposes removing the powers of the Executive President, was presented to Parliament yesterday, by JVP MP Vijitha Herath. Amendment was a key pledge of Prez Sirisena during the 2015 Presidential Election. If the Amendment is passed, it will come into effect on 8 Jan 2020. Since the 8th Parliament will be dissolved by then, the nominal President more..

Sep 6 (FT) The LMD-Nielsen Business Confidence Index (BCI) declined by six basis points to register 95 in August, according to the latest edition of leading business magazine LMD. This is its lowest level for the last 12 months. In addition, the index is below its 12 month and all-time averages of 110 and 129 respectively, the magazine notes. Nielsen�s Managing Director Sharang Pant notes in LMD that despite the growth in exports in in the first four months of 2018, and more..

Sep 6 (EN) Non-performing loans in SL's banks rose to 3% of assets in March 2018 from 2.7% a year earlier, though the economy is expected to grow 4.1% in 2018 from 3.7% last year, Moody's Investors Service, a rating agency said. "Credit growth was very high over the last two years, with the credit multiplier (credit growth/GDP growth) peaking at more than 2.5 times," Tengfu Li, a Moody's Analyst said. "As loans disbursed over this period begin to mature, asset quality will deteriorate, more..

Sep 6 (PMD) Prez Sirisena says the govt of good governance has been committed to build a system to boost clean governance free of fraud and corruption while taking many decisions against fraud, corruption and malpractices, that were not taken during the period of 70 years since the country gained independence. He made these remarks addressing the awards ceremony of the Parliamentary Committee Public Enterprises more..