Jul 20 (FT) Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education and Human Resources Development called on the Govt to conduct a forensic audit on the controversial Batticaloa Campus Ltd. commonly known as Sharia University to investigate its funding sources. Following a preliminary observation conducted by the Sectoral Oversight Committee, it was able to uncover a number of irregularities in the setting up more..

Jul 20 (FT) Australian High Commissioner David Holly called on Northern Province Governor Dr. Suren Raghavan on 16 July at his official residence which is located at Chundikuli, Jaffna. Their discussion mainly focused on the current status of Northern Province and the development projects being carried out by the Australian Govt. It was briefed to the HC about the Vadamarachchi Lagoon project which was proposed to resolve the drinking water issues in Jaffna peninsula in detail. more..

Jul 20 (FT) The BoI yesterday issued a clarification on import of post-consumer goods for re-export. It said the recent reference in media regarding 102 containers of contaminated material imported by a BOI enterprise is factually incorrect. The consignee of the said goods is not a BOI enterprise, operating within a BOI zone or otherwise. These containers are lying in the Port of Colombo. Clarifying on the activities of a BOI enterprise operating under Hub Regulation No. 01 of 2013, more..

Jul 20 (Island) Seven persons were killed and 577,972 persons of 162,578 families were displaced owing to the prevailing stormy weather over the country and surrounding sea areas and rainy conditions over nine provinces and 20 districts, DMC sources said. They said four deaths were reported from Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts. Two girls drowned at Agarapathana and one died in a landslide at Ginigathhena more..

Jul 20 (FT) Village Biz Festival, a gathering of over 100 social entrepreneurs from across the country will showcase their products under an innovative event aimed at creating awareness on sustainable business and life patterns with the main focus on up-cycling, recycling, sustainable products. The novel event which follows the highly successful Pumpkin Farmers Festival will be held along Green Path, Colombo-7 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. today. Event is organised by Sarvodaya Dev. Finance more..

Jul 20 (Island) SriLankan Airlines launches SriLankan Travel Fest offering an amazing discount of 40% on Business Class to over 35 destinations when booked through its online channel www.srilankan.com. An upcoming promotion will also offer a discount of 25% on Economy class tickets when booked through the airline�s official online platform. This offer gives travelers the freedom to travel anytime over a lengthy period 27July 2019-15July 2020 on Business Class. more..

Jul 20 (Island) UNP has queried as to why the SLPP planned to announce Gotabaya Rajapaksa�s candidature at 2019 prez election, at its annual convention on Aug 11, as a section of the JO seemed to be hell-bent on fielding the wartime Defence Secretary regardless of concerns expressed by some SLFP/UPFA seniors. UNP named Kumara Welgama & Vasudeva Nanayakkara, both elected on UPFA ticket at last parliamentary election more..

Jul 20 (AD) State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake today (19) apologized to Mahanayake and Anunayake theros of Asgiri Chapter for the controversial statement he made regarding Buddhist monks. The prelates had requested the presence of State Minister with regard to his statement, accordingly, he visited the Asgiri Maha Viharaya in Kandy. Following a discussion held with Mahanayake and Anunayake theros and other monks of the Sangha Sabha, more..

Jul 20 (AD) Defender vehicle, which was recently involved in the attack on a van at Kalagedihena, has been found at a residence in Maharagama area, says the Police Media Spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekara. SP Gunasekara added that the Defender vehicle was taken into police custody. The driver of the Defender and another individual have been arrested after the duo surrendered to the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), police media spokesperson stated further. more..

Jul 20 (FT) Deputy Solicitor General Priyantha Nawana asserted before the Special High Court Trial-at- bar that the Govt had taken steps to return to Sri Lanka former CB Governor Arjuna Mahendran from Singapore under extradition law. He further said that the Colombo Magistrate Court had already issued a Blue Notice and a Red Notice to Interpol for the arrest of the accused and the Govt was discussing matters with Singapore Govt more..

Jul 20 (DM) It is election time again in Sri Lanka and as usual we see different party political leaders vying for nomination, though most people see most leaders as seeking mainly personnel gain or glory. More than 70 years after Independence most people say they see few if any main political party leaders who wish to serve the people sincerely, selflessly and sacrificially with the virtues of honesty and integrity, accountability and transparency. With a few exceptions, the others appear to have turned more..

Jul 20 (DM) The name Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been pestering and annoying the ruling party for a long time; the unexplained procrastination of naming the obvious choice by the brother is puzzling. Did Gotabaya Rajapaksa jump-the-gun when he announced three months ago his intention to run for the top post even before receiving the blessings of the party or family top-order? It is obvious that he expected to gallop on a racecourse with a smooth surface having no more..

Jul 20 (DM) Germany�s Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen has been elected President of the European Union (EU) commission following a secret ballot among Members of the European Parliament. She is the first woman to be elected President of the EU commission and will replace incumbent Prez Jean-Claude Juncker on Nov 1 this year. With Ursula von der Leyen�s victory, another traditional male bastion has fallen. more..

Jul 20 (ST) Sri Lanka needs to understand how critical the resources of the ocean are to an island nation�s security and end its centuries�-old apathy about protecting its maritime base, leading scientists told a conference. �As an island nation, the resources of the ocean are very important for development and changes to ocean patterns can bring bad impacts. SL needs to put more effort into developing understanding of more..

Jul 20 (ST) Private Helicopter Operators are significantly affected by impractical security restrictions in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday bombings, with flying hours down almost 70% last month, a group of aviators said. Some of the operators are finding it difficult to sustain operations due to the restrictions. The claims come in the backdrop of Govt efforts to ensure tourists that Sri Lanka is safe and open for business. more..

Jul 20 (ST) The lackadaisical attitude shown by the govt and the Opposition when the JVP-led no confidence motion was taken up this week was apparent as there were many empty seats at most times during the two-day debate. No Cabinet minister spoke on the motion. It was the backbenchers on both sides who ran the show with a limited audience. JVP-led no confidence motion against the govt held that the govt failed to more..

Jul 20 (DN) UNP MP Ashu Marasinghe has made a written complaint to the acting IGP calling for an inquiry into the assault of a van driver in an incident in Kalagedihena on Thursday. He alluded to ongoing comments on social media about this incident and remarked on the rush of social media criticism of politicians in this connection although there was no evidence that any politician was involved in this incident. more..

Jul 20 (EN) Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals have increased to an average 4,000 a day in the second week of July from 3,200 arrivals a day a week earlier, recovering further from the Easter Sunday attack with more visitors from India, a top official said. "There's a significant increase in arrivals now, and we are averaging about 4,000 arrivals per day," SL Tourism Promotions Bureau (SLTPB) Chairman Kishu Gomes said. more..

Jul 20 (EN) Investigation into the alleged sterilisation of Buddhist mothers by a Muslim doctor in Kurunegala has taken a new turn with complaints of improper conduct of the magistrate hearing the case. The police CID reported to the Kurunegala magistrate Sampath Hewawasam on July 11 that there was no evidence of surgical malpractice, but the doctors was nevertheless remanded for two more weeks. more..

Jul 20 (DN) Acting IGP C.D. Wickramaratne, has advised the National Police Commission (NPC) that handing over investigations regarding Dr. Mohammed Shafi to the Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU) or any other unit will give rise to legal and practical issues, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said. He said the CID had taken over the investigations in a methodical and legal manner more..

Jul 20 (AD) Hayleys Free Zone Limited (HFZ) today denied that the company has any involvement with a shipment said to be containing garbage that is lying at the Port of Colombo. Video footage of the piles of biomedical waste shipped from the UK, recorded during the observation visit made by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), was released to the media yesterday. CEA has ordered to return the consignment of more..

Jul 20 (AT) An island-wide opinion survey by a SL youth led organization and Parliamentary group showed that 28% of Sri Lankans do not want to see any of the present political leaders to become the next Prez but instead call for a totally new face from a third political force to be the new 2020 Prez. 34% of Sri Lankans will vote for a Common Candidate jointly backed by UNP/UNF, UPFA & minority political parties. more..

Jul 21 (SO) A young man on the path of maturing adulthood, already building a family and excelling as an artiste, today languishes in jail. He has been dragged away into incarceration on charges that are only a page away from terrorism in the law books. In recent decades, others have simply been disappeared or prosecuted harshly for doing just as he does � writing and expressing their opinion and feelings. Shakthika Sathkumara�s crime is that he wrote a short story that touches more..

Jul 21 (CT) On a Sunday like today, exactly three months ago, Sri Lanka woke up to one of the most devastating tragedies in its history. For the first time since the end of the war, shock and fear permeated the social fabric. Uncertainty and panic gripped the minds of all. Hundreds of innocent lives, including dozens of children, were lost. Many more were injured, families were scarred for life. Eight suicide bombers, their minds twisted and warped by the promise of a mythical martyrdom, more..

Jul 21 (SO) On the night of May 17, 2012, the SL rugby captain was found dead in his burning car near Shalika Hall on Park Road, Colombo 05. The death seemed sinister and mysterious at the time, but Narahenpita Police ruled that Thajudeen�s death was a result of an accident. Nevertheless, rumours continued to swirl about the sporting icon�s death, especially in light of his connection to rugby, the sport favoured by all 3 of then Prez more..

Jul 21 (Island) UPFA General Secretary and MP Mahinda Amaraweera has gone on record as saying that he will move a private member�s motion for abolishing the executive presidency. Reflected in his statement is his realisation that the SLFP/UPFA has failed to secure the SLPP�s consent for fielding President Maithripala Sirisena as their presidential candidate. If Amaraweera goes ahead with his move, he might be able to receive the backing of the UNP-led got and its allies. more..

Jul 21 (ST) It is three months to the day since the despicable bombings in Colombo and Batticaloa on Easter Sunday. The defeat of the LTTE a decade ago and the relative peace that followed had lulled the country�s security apparatus � and its political leadership, into sleep mode. Much has taken place since Easter Sunday. The President made sacrificial lambs of his IGP and Defence Secretary refusing to take the responsibility for the failure to take preventive measures on early Intelligence more..

Jul 21 (CT) As a country that has faced the loss of over 32 lives due to the collapse of the Meethotamulla garbage dump in 2017, together with the loss of livelihood for over 1,765 individuals, concerns that have arisen over the import of containers loaded with waste over the recent past, are justifiable. Encompassing the risk it imposes on both public health and the environment it is a serious cause for concern. more..

Jul 21 (ST) My dear Kane and the New Zealand cricket team, It is not often that we talk about you and it is even less often that we write to you but this week we feel we must, after the stunning World Cup final which you supposedly lost last week. History was made in many ways that day and many felt that there will be no other final like that, ever. From our own point of view, although we were champions in 1996 and runners-up twice in 2007 and 2011, we have now been reduced to spectators who more..

Jul 21 (ST) Serapina, the more-fun loving person in the triumvirate, came dancing into the garden singing Singali None to join Kussi Amma Sera and Mabel Rasthiyadu under the Margosa tree. "Mokakda me kellata vela thiyenne (What has happened to this girl)?� asked Mabel Rasthiyadu. �Aluth sinduwak, Akka � aluth sinduwak (New song, sister, new song),� Serapina said, continuing to sing the infectious tune, with some Portuguese lyrics, which has become a hit on social media. more..

Jul 21 (Island) One of the matters under discussion at this point in time is whether the long delayed Provincial Council elections should be held before the presidential poll this year. This debate is driven largely by one man - the Chairman of the Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya, who has said that he will resign from the Chairmanship of the Commission unless the PC elections are held before the Presidential election. Everybody else in the country, politicians, general public and more..

Jul 21 (Island) Sri Lanka�s cricketers came home prematurely. Hardly a surprise given the inexplicable selections, infighting and terrible performances lead up to the World Cup. Many agree that Avishka Fernando was the find of the tournament, the stats back him up. However, few will disagree that there was no one in the team who played with more passion, commitment and enthusiasm than Isuru Udana. Unfortunately, no measure exists to quantify the three attributes. more..

Jul 21 (CT) As it completes three months to the bloodiest Sunday, Sri Lanka had in the past decade, President Maithripala Sirisena vowed he would declare a National Day of Mourning if a Bill to abolish the death penalty was brought before Parliament. The President stressed that it was criminals and drug dealers who would benefit by this Bill. He reiterated his commitment towards re-introducing capital punishment in the country more..

Jul 21 (TM) Those who take a liking to the arts are aware that it could be utilised to reflect contemporary issues faced by the oppressed and even the public at large. The British Council in collaboration with the Post Graduate Institute of English (PGIE) conducted an extensive research-based initiative which essentially strives to be beyond its purpose, whilst intertwining arts amidst chaos. The uniqueness of the project distinguishes it from the mundane, as it is presented as more..

Jul 21 (SO) Trinity Lion Niroshan Dickwella is another promising cricketer gifted to Sri Lanka cricket through the Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contest which has remained as undisputed leader in rewarding schoolboy cricketers for over 40 years. The attacking left-hand and unorthodox wicket keeper-batsman first came to the limelight when he won Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2012 after a splendid school season for Trinity College, Kandy. more..

Jul 21 (ST) Veteran seamer Lasith Malinga will end his ODI career on July 26 when SL play Bangladesh in the first game of a three-match series. He will continue to be available for T20 cricket. Sri Lanka will have three matches against Bangladesh on July 26, 28 and 31 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo but Malinga will only appear in the first one, a decision he reached during the World Cup in England. more..

Jul 21 (AD) SL Govt says that compensation amounting 265 million Rupees in total has been paid so far to the victims and their families in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday terror attacks. Development Communications Unit of the PM�s Office today issued a press release on the progress of the compensation payments to the victims of the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. According to the data issued by the Office for Reparations on July 18, Govt has paid 265 million Rupees so far more..

Jul 21 (ST) The 2019 Cricket World Cup may not have lived-up to all the pre-tournament hype, failing to be the six-hitting carnival some had hoped for and dampened for a while during the group stages by poor weather, but no previous edition has witnessed such an amazing finale. It was a vintage final that gripped all those present at Lord�s with unbearable, nail-shredding tension. The MCC benches in the Pavilion � filled with some who will have also watched 1975, 1979, 1983 & 1999 editions more..

Jul 21 (SO) Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan 5-4 in a thrilling game to win the West Asia Baseball Cup at the Japan-SL Friendship Stadium in Diyagama yesterday. Sri Lankans got off to flying start when they opened the first inning collecting three runs. The victory also paved the way for SL to play in the Asian Championship scheduled to be held in Japan later this year. Pakistanis who took the field with high hopes being ranked more..