Aug 30 (Island) A few weeks after his inauguration, in 2015, President Sirisena did his damnedest to cover up the first bond scam. Beholden to the UNP for his election, he unashamedly defended the hurriedly formed UNP-led govt and went so far as to dissolve Parliament to prevent the first COPE report on the scam being taken up for debate before the last parliamentary election. He was desperate to ensure the UNP�s victory so as to stop former President Rajapaksa from becoming the PM. more..

Aug 30 (DN) David Bolling, a former SL swimmer and founder of the Bolling Swimming Academy at Gymkhana Club passed away on Wednesday. David is the brother of Olympian Julian Bolling and son of coach Tara Bolling. He won a gold medal in the 1500m freestyle at the Indo�Bangladesh�SL Triangular Aquatic Meet in 1980, the year he won the National championship. In 1981, under the guidance of his former coach, E.G.A. Wilson, he commenced a coaching career at Royal more..

Aug 30 (FT) Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera paid kudos to the resilience displayed by the SL economy in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks, describing the recovery as having exceeded expectations. Samaraweera, together with State Minister Eran Wickramaratne, emphasised that unlike countries such as Egypt and Tunisia, which took about two years to recover from similar terror attacks, more..

Aug 30 (Island) The first Germany -SL Logistics Conference was held in Colombo yesterday where about 200 decision makers of politics and business attended to discuss opportunities of cooperation to achieve the common target to develop Sri Lanka's logistics sector, with the engagement of leading German logistics companies. Speaking at the event, German Vice-Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure Steffen Bilger said SL is a gateway to India & South Asia as Germany to Europe, more..

Aug 30 (DN) Dialog has equivalently stepped forward to support the National Para Championship 2019, organised under the aegis of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of SL, the official governing body of disabled sports in the island, to be held on Sept 5 and 6 at the Sugathadasa Stadium. Premier athletic championship organised in SL for Para athletes will bring together over 800 athletes representing more than 45 sports clubs affiliated to NPC from different provinces of the country. more..

Aug 30 (FT) The latest edition of the FACETS International Gem and Jewellery Exhibition 2019 kicked off yesterday, aiming to boost sales after the Easter Sunday attacks, with international gem businessmen and attack survivor Lewis Allen calling for the establishment of an internationally reputed laboratory to boost the country�s hub aspirations. The 29th edition of the Facets Int'l Gem and Jewellery Exhibition 2019, more..

Aug 30 (FT) Minister Rajitha Senaratne said he felt ashamed for not being able to conclude court proceedings into the deaths of Lasantha Wickrematunge and Wasim Thajudeen, despite the lapse of over 4 years, and punish those responsible. Minister said he acknowledged the incumbent Govt was unable to bring justice to the families of Wickrematunge and Thajudeen. �When I read our election promises, I feel ashamed as a Govt, because we failed to keep our promises. more..

Aug 30 (DM) Minister John Amaratunga plans to meet the Russian ambassador to SL in an attempt to lift the travel advisory issued by the Russian Federation on visiting Sri Lanka, in the aftermath of the Easter bombings. Amaratunga emphasised that the travel advisory stands irrelevant as of now as Sri Lanka has even lifted the Emergency Law on the assurance given by the security forces on the security situation of the country. �Despite the travel advisory, Russian travellers keep visiting SL,� more..

Aug 30 (CT) The USA Millennium Challenge Corporation's (MCC's) Board of Directors might consider extending the time limit given to Sri Lanka to approve of the US$ 480 million grant, considering its upcoming election, MCC SL Resident Country Director, Jenner Edelman said yesterday. Addressing an awareness event on the MCC organised in Colombo by the US-SL Business Council of Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, more..

Aug 30 (FT) National Savings Bank said yesterday it has demonstrated robust performance during the first half of 2019 amidst subdued macroeconomic and market conditions, and witnessed Profit before Tax (PBT) of Rs. 4.3 billion, a growth of 15.5% compared to corresponding period of 2018. NSB recorded a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 2.3 billion, an increase of 15.2% over the same period last year, despite the loss of Withholding Tax (WHT) on Govt securities amounting to Rs. 1.3 billion more..

Aug 30 (CT) The prevailing showery condition in the South-Western part of the island is expected to enhance to some extent until today. Fairly heavy rainfall, about 75 milimetres (mm) are likely at some places, particularly in the Sabaragamuwa and Western Provinces and in Nuwara Eliya and in the Galle and Matara Districts. Several more showers will also occur in the Anuradhapura and Mannar Districts, while showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva Province more..

Aug 30 (AD) An agreement to sign a MoU has been reached between the two parties during the official meeting between the SLFP and the Prez candidate of the SLPP Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Official talks between Gotabaya Rajapaksa and SLFP commenced at the official residence of the former Defense Secretary, this afternoon (29). The meeting was attended by Gen. Secretary of SLFP Dayasiri Jayasekara, Gen. Secretary of UPFA more..

Aug 30 (Island) Former SL cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara said about eight to 10 people committed suicide daily in Sri Lanka. Addressing the media, on Wednesday, at the International Scholar Educational Services (PVT) Ltd. in Colombo, Kumar Sangakkara said about 100 people attempted suicide daily. He said that the Courage, Compassion and Commitment Foundation, founded in 2003 had immensely contributed to addressing the issue of suicide in the country. more..

Aug 30 (ST) Minister Navin Dissanayake, Ministry Secretary J.A. Ranjith, Chairman of Coconut Development Authority Udaya Ranasinghe and other officials recently declared open Premier Tech Lanka Pvt. Ltd in Palai, 6 km north of Kilinochchi. It is a company under the umbrella of Tropicoir Lanka Pvt Ltd providing employment to nearly 300 direct and indirect employees in the area. Opening was followed by a coconut tree planting campaign which involves planting 100,000 coconut plants more..

Aug 30 (Island) State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe has asked UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, MP, whether a delegation representing the party had discussed a proposal to abolish the executive presidency with Prez Sirisena. Referring to the recent media reports pertaining to the meeting, Senasinghe asked the General Secretary whether disciplinary action would be taken against them as such a move was not cleared by more..

Aug 30 (FT) Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a telephonic conversation with Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana yesterday, to discuss the current situation in Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Foreign Minister Qureshi briefed his Sri Lankan counterpart on the illegal and unilateral actions of India to alter the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir, which was in contravention of the international law and UNSC resolutions. more..

Aug 30 (DM) Putting off going to the dentist can worsen an existing tooth condition. For instance, a small tooth cavity ignored overtime may lead to a larger cavity and extreme pain that makes a trip to the dentist inevitable. Durdans Dental Clinic is a fully-fledged clinic that has expertise for performing complex dental procedures to restore teeth and create beautiful smiles in a caring and family-friendly atmosphere. A perfect smile can do wonders for a person�s beauty and confidence. more..

Aug 30 (Island) COPE had summoned the representatives of 9 public enterprises including Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Batticaloa Campus and Hira Foundation to investigate their performance and progress. Officials of SLC, which has been in the news recently for allegations of corruption, have been asked to be present before the COPE on Sept 3. ICC, too, is currently involved in investigating the allegations of corruption against SLC. more..

Aug 30 (DN) Govt has spent Rs 56.5 billion for compensation payments in respect of lands and property acquired for its development activities during the last three and a half years, Minister Mangala Samaraweera disclosed. This included Rs 10 billion due as compensation for lands forcibly acquired for development during the previous regime by creating a Gotabiya fear psychosis, he added. Minister said that the present govt had paid the correct value as compensation payments more..

Aug 30 (FT) Top US official yesterday expressed the hope that SL will eventually approve the $ 480 million grant-led Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact program, and the American aid agency will also consider extended time for finalisation as a special case. �Our Board meets quarterly and the next meeting is on 18 September. They will talk about SL and try to understand why we have has some challenges in getting the program approved by the Cabinet in a timely manner. more..

Aug 30 (Island) The UNP had initiated disciplinary inquiries against Ven. Athureliye Rathana (National List) and Colombo District MP Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, a top UNP spokesman said. UNP Legal Secretary and Chairman of People�s Bank Nissanka Nanayakkara said that the inquiry would begin on Friday. UNP accommodated JHU member Ven. Rathana on its National List at the 2015 Aug parliamentary election. more..

Aug 30 (Island) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe hosted a dinner for several Colombo based diplomats, on Wednesday night, when he discussed various political issues including the naming of the Democratic National Front�s prez candidate, party sources said. The dinner was hosted at Minister Ravi Karunanayake�s residence at Rajamalwatte on Parliament Road and the high commissioners and ambassadors of India, Canada, Australia and Scandinavian countries attended the function. more..

Aug 30 (CT) A powerful Cabinet Minister is said to be planning to propose that the Govt hold a snap General Election, before the next Presidential Poll, in order to overcome the current political wrangling within the UNP, informed political sources said. These sources said that this Cabinet Minister has even decided to make a request to the President to inquire from the Supreme Court the precise date of taking office by the current President. As Speaker Karu Jayasuriya had signed the 19th Amd more..

Aug 30 (FT) Minister Rajitha Senaratne yesterday said the constitution of the DNF has been finalised, and the coalition agreement will be signed within the next few weeks. He said the leadership council of the DNF will be chaired by the UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe under the constitution of the coalition. He also said the DNF coalition agreement would be signed on the same day as the announcement of the presidential candidate. more..

Aug 30 (DM) Teachers are assets to the country despite those rendering this service not being among those who are earning a decent salary in keeping with their qualifications. Recently the focus on teachers became the talking point at a top forum. Speaker was none other than Prez Sirisena himself. Prez outlined the importance of teachers in the role of mentoring students before he handed over the appointment letters to recipients to serve in schools in the Southern Province. more..

Aug 30 (DM) Only two political parties in the country seem to be certain as to what they are going to do in respect of the forthcoming Prez Election and as to what the outcome of the election would be. The SLPP led by Opposition Leader and former Prez Rajapaksa has already announced former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa as its Prez candidate and his party is certain that they have the highest winning chance. Also, JVP has announced its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake as more..

Aug 30 (DM) When the JVP packed the 12-acre Galle Face green with People under the banner of their front organisation the National People�s Power (NPP), to announce Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) as presidential candidate, it did lift the spirits of most Sinhala urbans who weren�t there. The JVP leadership gambled in going to Galle Face and they won. Though some say it is an historic event that for the first time packed, more..

Aug 30 (ST) After hearing over 10 submissions on the Presidential Reference (PR) seeking a Supreme Court (SC) ruling on the possibility to conduct the much delayed Provincial Councils (PC) polls, the 5-member Bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justice B.P. Aluwihare, Justice Sisira de Abrew, Justice Prasanna Jayawardena and Justice Vijith Malalgoda, on Friday announced it will convey its determination to the President more..

Aug 30 (EN) SL banks� profitability is under pressure with an uptick in bad loans, Moody�s rating agency said in a new report which notes its negative outlook for the banking system is driven by slow economic growth. �... weakening asset quality is keeping credit costs high, in turn pressuring profitability,� said the report. Moody�s expects the govt�s capacity to support banks will be limited given its large amounts of external debt more..

Aug 30 (CT) Only one of the three phases of the Central Expressway Project to expedite traffic between Colombo and Kandy is under construction, RDA Chairman Nihal Sooriyaarachchi said yesterday. That which was being built was the Mirigama to Kurunegala stretch which will be commissioned in March, he said. The other two components, namely phase one and phase two have been stuck because the Chinese more..

Aug 30 (AD) A passenger ferry service between Kankesanthurai and South India is expected soon to facilitate displaced returnees and pilgrims home, said Sirimevan Ranasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Shipping and Western Development. Delivering the key note speech at the German-SL Logistics Conference held in Colombo yesterday, he said, govt has embarked on a massive development project more..

Aug 30 (Island) State Finance Minister Eran Wickremaratne, yesterday, flayed both state and private sector banks for fleecing customers. Ex-banker Wickremaratne said that banks charged higher interest rates while lending though the interest paid for deposits was comparatively much lower. He said that unless banks took remedial measures promptly, the govt would intervene. more..

Aug 30 (Island) The Procurement Appeal Board (PAB), which recommended that Allianz Insurance Lanka Ltd. be awarded the second phase of Suraksha Student Insurance Policy, in 2018, did not comprise insurance experts, PAB Chairman, K.A.S. Gunasekara admitted before the PCoI. It was earlier revealed that the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) appointed to select the suitable bidder for the Suraksha health more..

Aug 30 (DM) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has ordered the Prime Ministerial Secretary to make necessary arrangements to facilitate the removal of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) from Minister Kabir Hashim�s purview and to re-assign it to Minister Lakshman Kiriella. Sources at Temple Trees said that the PM�s letter on the matter was handed over to PM�s Secretary Saman Ekanayake last week. more..

Aug 30 (AD) Dept of Irrigation has warned that the water level of the Kalu, Gin and Kelani rivers are currently rising to Flood Level. Owing to the downpours affecting the areas in the proximity of Kalu River, the water level of the river has reached the spill level from Ratnapura area, the Irrigation Department said further. In the meantime, Gin River too has reached flood levels at Thawalama area due to prevailing rainfall. more..

Aug 30 (TL) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has requested the presence of all senior leaders of the party at the Temple Trees today to hold a discussion on the Prez candidate to be put forward by the UNF. It is reported that under these circumstances, Minister Malik Samarawickrama had requested young pro-Sajith MP�s to not take any drastic measures until the meeting is held. However, on 28th, UNP MP�s group had commenced more..

Aug 30 (FT) The State of Sri Lanka can be compared to a mindless and brainless bulldozer. It knows only to destroy, not to create. It does not know how to bring about reforms, except to crush and bulldoze. The citizens of Sri Lanka can be compared to a community of people dwelling near huge garbage dumping sites. People living around garbage dumping sites do not like garbage being dumped in a manner which affects their lives. Like the people of Kolonnawa, they too more..

Aug 30 (CT) Minister of State and UNP Deputy Leader J.R. Jayewardene speaking at the Annual Sessions of the Ceylon Association for the Advancement of Science in Dec 1966 said that the island needs a strong Executive President, free from the whims and fancies of Parliament, not afraid to take correct but unpopular decisions. But it took 11 long years for Jayewardene to realise his dream which was after he was elected Executive Premier at the 21 July, 1977 Parliamentary Poll, more..

Aug 30 (Island) Customs officials, at the BIA, had nabbed a Chinese national attempting to smuggle in a stock of cigarettes yesterday morning, Customs spokesman said. The suspect is a 30-year old employee attached to a China-funded project in Sri Lanka. He arrived from Guangzhou around 5.30 am. Customs officials found that the contraband had been concealed in false bottoms of his travelling bags. They recovered 190 cartons containing 38,000 Chinese cigarettes worth around Rs 1.9 m. more..