Jul 30 (Island) Sri Lanka Cricket is facing a protracted and possibly a costly legal battle following a directive from the Sports Ministry that all coaches of the national cricket team, who featured during the World Cup campaign in England and Wales need to step down from their roles. Head Coach Chandika Hathurusingha at the completion of the World Cup had said that he intended to see through his contract as more..

Jul 30 (CT) Western Province bagged a total of 11 medals � including 4 Gold, 4 Silver and 3 Bronze � to be crowned as Champions in the 45th National Sports Festival held on 27-28 July at the Kamburugamuwa Sports Complex, Matara. Southern Province and Uva Province placed second and third with 7 medals (3 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze) and 7 medals (2 Gold, 2 Silver, 3 Bronze), respectively. M.M.R.M. Jayasinghe of North Western Province was selected as Best Male Athlete more..

Jul 30 (CB) New Zealand have picked four spinners in their 15-man squad for the upcoming two-match Test series on spin-friendly surfaces in Sri Lanka. William Somerville and Ajaz Patel, two of the spinners picked in the squad, played decisive roles in helping New Zealand clinch a historic 2-1 series win against Pakistan in UAE last year. Patel bagged 13 wickets in the series, while Somerville snared seven in the final Test in Abu Dhabi. The duo will be joined in the squad by Mitchell Santner, more..

Jul 30 (FT) Binod Chaudhary, the Nepalese billionaire and owner of its biggest multinational conglomerate CG Corp Group with investments in Sri Lanka, this week expressed confidence that the island nation can rebound faster post-Easter Sunday setback but requires united action by all stakeholders. �We are here to stay. I am a great believer of Sri Lanka. What happened on Easter Sunday is certainly tragic but more..

Jul 30 (Island) Diversified conglomerate Sunshine Holdings PLC (CSE: SUN) announced that SBI Ven Holdings (Pte) Limited, the overseas private equity firm of SBI Holdings Inc., has invested USD 2 million in Sunshine Energy (Pvt) Ltd (SEL) to propel Sunshine Holdings� renewable energy production projects further. The strategic investment offers SBI Ven Holdings a 30% stake in Sunshine Energy Ltd. Sunshine Group began exploring the renewable energy sector in 2012 and today, more..

Jul 30 (FT) Angel Beach, a first-of-its-kind hotel and family day beach club, opened its doors to discerning travellers with a promise to serve good vibes. The opening indicates that the local tourism sector � hurting from the economic impact of the Easter Sunday Attacks �is slowly but surely turning the tide and is resilient. The property has already attracted the attention of the travel market and TripADeal, Australia�s most-awarded online travel agency when it endorsed Angel Beach, more..

Jul 30 (DM) 21 high-yielding milch cows imported from Australia in 2017 with an effort to boost local dairy production by the govt, had been traced with Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) virus infection, it was revealed at the PCoI. Director of the Dept of Animal Production and Health S.S.P. Silva, informed that in Australia the BVD virus had been identified as Dairy Industry�s Silent Killer because it is a major reproductive pathogen in cattle. more..

Jul 30 (TM) Within the first three months of the year, six cruise ships have arrived in Sri Lanka with a total combined capacity of 11,200 passengers, according to the SL Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB). The latest of these arrivals was when 3,100 tourists from Europe, Australia and Thailand arrived aboard two luxury cruise liners during the last two weeks. SLTPB said that these arrivals reflect increased interest in Sri Lanka since the launch of a new brand identity, So Sri Lanka, more..

Jul 30 (FT) Encouraged by nearly 10% growth, the apparel industry is confident of surpassing $5.5 billion export earnings by the end of the year. �During the first five months of the year exports grew to 9.4% to $ 2.25 billion. We are confident that the industry will achieve $5.5 billion by the end of this year,� SL Apparel Exporters Association (SLAEA) Chairman Rehan Lakhany said. Apparel industry recorded $5 billion export earnings last year and has set a long-term target of $8 billion by 2025. more..

Jul 30 (FT) National Police Commission (NPC) says that it had received over 5,460 complaints against Police officers including OICs in Police stations in all parts of the country. The highest number of public complaints reported to the NPC is from the Western Province which amounted to 494. Majority public complaints are lodged against Police inaction while abusing of power by Police officers listed as the second type of complaints. more..

Jul 30 (Island) Having turned down his request for a farewell game, Sri Lanka Cricket will felicitate one of their loyal servants � Nuwan Kulasekara during the third ODI against Bangladesh on Wednesday at RPS. Although SL bowlers like Muttiah Muralitharan and Rangana Herath have been top of the ICC Rankings in Test cricket, Kulasekara is the only bowler to hold the top rank in ODI cricket. A late developer, Kulasekara came into int'l scene 16 years ago and had an impact on the game. more..

Jul 30 (DN) Sri Lanka will introduce a comprehensive security system similar to that of Singapore when implementing the free visa on arrival facility to 46 countries from Aug 1, Minister John Amaratunga said. He was speaking at a press conference hosted by Walkers Tours and Spring Travels of China to mark arrivals of 110 Chinese tourist and media delegation at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo. Minister said when a prior application is made by tourists to obtain SL free Visa, more..

Jul 30 (Island) The Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) that decided on the types of tablet computers to be procured for GCE A/L students and their teachers in 2017 had held a number of meetings, including one where specifications were changed, without a representative from the Treasury, PCoI was told. Since money for those projects were allocated by the Treasury, one of its representatives had been present on TECs. more..

Jul 30 (FT) The apparel industry is encouraging the Govt to expedite formalities for the establishment of a dedicated textile processing zone. �With the assistance of Joint Apparel Association Forum Sri Lanka (JAAFSL), we have been lobbying to the BOI to provide us with a land extent of around 200 acres to setup a dedicated textile processing zone, which is useful for the industry in scaling up to next heights,� Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters of Association Chairman Rehan Lakhany said. more..

Jul 30 (FT) Court of Appeal ordered the Govt Analyst�s Department to investigate into over 1000 containers containing waste at the Colombo Port and submit a report. Some of the containers, which are yet to be cleared from the Colombo Port, have been imported from the UK and have been at the centre of a controversy for nearly two weeks. A section of these containers were released and are at the Katunayake Export Processing Zone but BoI last week ordered they be re-exported by 12 Aug. more..

Jul 30 (DN) AG�s Dept, in a special audit report, highlighted that the continuous construction delay of Colombo Lotus Tower had resulted in a revenue loss of over Rs. 5,475 million for the Govt. AG�s assessment was based on a financial feasibility report which predicted the project�s income for 15 years. Colombo Lotus Tower Project commenced on Nov 12, 2012 and was scheduled to be completed in 912 days (by May 2015). more..

Jul 30 (AD) Deputy Minister Buddhika Pathirana has been appointed as the new State Minister of Industry & Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Co-operative Development and Vocational Training & Skills Development. He took oath as the new State Minister before President Sirisena yesterday. Previously, Pathirana was holding office as the Deputy Minister of Industry & Commerce. Meanwhile, resigned Muslim ministers have taken up their previous minister posts once again. more..

Jul 30 (K24) The new Kurdistan Regional Govt (KRG) will facilitate and foster a more investment-friendly environment for foreign business interests who are looking to enter various markets in the autonomous Kurdistan Region, said PM Masrour Barzani. Barzani�s comment came during a meeting with the SL Ambassador to Iraq, Niranja Ranasinghe, in Erbil. SL envoy congratulated Barzani on the formation of his new cabinet and highlighted the importance of strengthening more..

Jul 30 (FT) Attorney General (AG) Dappula De Livera has rushed to indict and silence a former Non-Executive Director of Perpetual Treasuries Ltd. (PTL) without any evidence, just weeks before he was scheduled to provide Police with damning evidence about a vast variety of crimes allegedly involving Arjun Aloysius and his overseas assets, according to a Writ application taken up yesterday at the Court of Appeal. more..

Jul 30 (Island) The GMOA warned that it would resort to trade union action if the govt did not solve the crippling shortage of medicine at the state-run hospitals around the country. Secretary to the GMOA, Dr. Haritha Aluthge said that the decision had been taken at the central committee meting yesterday. "There is a serious shortage of medicine and the available medicines are of inferior quality. The issues regarding the quality of medicine have been highlighted by the AG�s Department. more..

Jul 30 (DN) Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake said that although the media reported that he had been summoned to testify for the second time before the PSC at its next meeting tomorrow morning, he had still not received an official intimation summoning him. Army Commander said however, he is always ready to assist any investigation if he is summoned to give evidence at any moment in his capacity as the Army Commander. more..

Jul 30 (Island) SLPP Chairman G.L Peiris urged Prez Sirisena not to allow a UNP bid to expand the cabinet contrary to 19th Amendment. He alleged that an attempt was being made to increase the number of Cabinet of ministers to 48 and non-Cabinet ranks to 45 on the basis of formation of a national govt by swearing in several new ministers. Minister Lakshman Kiriella had listed a resolution in the Order Paper for tomorrow. more..

Jul 30 (DM) Last week the world was plunged into shock when it heard the news that dozens of bodies had been recovered from the Mediterranean Sea, a day after the shipwreck that caused the deaths of up to 150 migrants. Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes in the sea, in what a senior United Nations official called it �the worst Mediterranean tragedy� this year. Fishermen told AFP they saw bodies as they waded through the wreckage searching for survivors: more..

Jul 30 (DM) Behind the SOFA is an English pop culture phrase relating the frightened reaction of hiding behind a sofa to keep away from seeing startling parts of a TV drama, with the sofa offering a hiding place, to avoid the screen threat, with the suggestion that one wants to stay in the room to watch the rest of the drama. Although the expression is sometimes employed in a serious circumstance, its use is more often than not intended to be amusing or nostalgic. more..

Jul 30 (DM) These days, there is a rather peculiar interest in the educational qualifications of the prospective contenders for the forthcoming presidential election. Minister Champika Ranawaka, an Engineering graduate from Moratuwa university has said the UNP would field a candidate who has passed the GCE O/L, A/L, and a uni degree. Last week, Minister Ravi Karunanayake challenged the UNP presidential hopeful more..

Jul 30 (DM) UNP MP for Anuradhapura District Chandima Gamage mentioned Public Enterprise Development Minister Lakshman Kiriella as yet another possible presidential candidate alongside PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa. He said the party had four eligible candidates, and a final decision would be made in the future at the appropriate time. more..

Jul 30 (Island) TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran has appealed to Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, to stop bluffing and not disown the promises he had given on devolution to SL Tamils and India. He said on Friday that there was no difference whatsoever in what Mahinda Rajapaksa when President, had told the Tamil people and the world, especially India, on how he would devolve power to the provinces and more..

Jul 30 (Island) JO MP Udaya Gammanpila told media in that a proper investigation had not been conducted into the very serious allegations levelled against Rishad Bathiudeen. The JO is against the reappointment of Bathiudeen as a minister and it would move a no faith motion against him, Gammanpila said. Meanwhile JO sources said the old vote of no faith against Bathiudeen would be updated and presented to Speaker shortly. more..

Jul 30 (ST) The Govt is to award a multi-billion rupee contract to a United States-based company to modernise the Sapugaskanda oil refinery, a senior official said. Petroleum Resources Ministry Secretary Sunil Hettiaarachchi said the contract amounting to US$ 100 million (Rs 17 billion) would be awarded to Honeywell UOP, formerly known as UOP LLC or Universal Oil Products, multi-national company. more..

Jul 30 (AD) The Supreme Court today ordered the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) to register 82 SAITM medical graduates as medical practitioners within three weeks of time, says Ada Derana reporter. The Supreme Court delivered the order considering a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition submitted by three graduates of SAITM, S.M. Halpe, D.T. Panduwawala and K.P. Marapana. more..

Jul 30 (EN) Sri Lanka's rice prices have fallen, partly helped by greater competition from revived smaller mills that were going out of business, Economic and Public Distribution Minister Harsha de Silva said. "The selling price of popular varieties of rice like Samba have fallen from 108 a kilogram to about 95 rupees now," de Silva said. "While it is newsworthy when food prices go up, not much attention is paid when prices go down." more..

Jul 30 (AD) Several Muslim women have revealed to the media in recent days that Muslim women are being treated unfairly by Kadi courts which handle the law related to Muslim marriages. Two Muslim women who arrived at Derana head office and revealed that women are being treated in an insulting manner at court proceedings. Two women revealed the injustice done upon them and claimed that Kadi courts take the man�s side more..

Jul 30 (DM) A certificate distributed yesterday purporting to show that former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has renounced his US citizenship has been debunked as a forgery, the Daily Mirror learns. The purported Certificate of Loss of Nationality of the US was distributed widely on social media groups yesterday morning by parties close to the former Defence Secretary�s emerging presidential election campaign. more..

Jul 30 (RN) The FUTA is warning that the proposed Higher Education Bill on Quality Assurance and Accreditation will have adverse consequences to the state university system. Prof. Dileepa Witharana said that this bill is the first step in making the UGC redundant. The bill will hand over the role of quality assurance and accreditation functions of both state universities and private higher education to a commission which is highly politicised. more..

Jul 30 (FT) A political wag, referring to the controversial import of garbage from the UK, quipped that the entrepreneurial exercise was similar to bringing coal to New Castle, there being no shortage of slush in this country. He was not referring to discarded hospital mattresses, our underfunded govt hospitals probably don�t have sufficient mattresses. The comment was meant allegorically, mainly in reference to the deplorable conduct of our public figures and their more..

Jul 30 (CT) It needs to be asked whether the Cabinet of Ministers was comprehensively briefed and whether approval was obtained before Sri Lanka signed a wide ranging MoU with the Executive Governor of the Chinese Hainan Provincial Govt, opening the way for China�s Hainan Group to enter SL with investments running into billions of dollars. News is that the Hainan group would enter Sri Lanka with initial investments in 3 regional plantation companies owned by more..

Jul 30 (AD) The non-academic staff members of universities have launched a one-day token strike today (30). The strike action is based on several demands including existing salary anomalies. Co-chairman of University Trade Union Joint Committee Dhammika S. Priyantha said the non-academic staff members across the island have joined the token strike. He stressed that the staff members would resort to indefinite trade union action if the authorities do not heed their demands. more..

Jul 30 (SLN) SL Navy intercepted a fishing dhow carrying 06 Indian nationals with 2379kg of beedi leaves, in northwestern seas of Sri Lanka on 29th July 2019. SL Navy Ship Sagara had spotted a suspicious dhow entering Sri Lankan territorial waters crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line from Indian waters. Accordingly, SLNS Sagara with the assistance of SLNS Suranimila on patrol had intercepted the suspicious dhow in seas off the St. Anne's Church, Thalavila. more..

Jul 30 (DM) Excise Department has banned the sale of all brands of imported liquor without its new foolproof sticker introduced recently. As such, the possessing, transporting, storing and selling imported liquor is illegal unless this new sticker is affixed on containers of foreign liquor. Excise Notice No: 4/2019, which was published under Gazette Extraordinary No: 2128/30 issued by Minister Mangala Samaraweera in this regard more..