Sep 27 (TM) Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha yesterday underscored the relevance of the Bandung Principles at the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held in New York. NAM was held on the sidelines of the 74th Session of the UNGA. Bandung Principles were advocated by Sri Lanka at a time when global multilateral mechanisms are under strain. The core principles of the Bandung Conference 1955 more..

Sep 27 (IT) There is no doubt that Lasith Malinga is one of the all-time greats of limited-overs cricket. Having retired from ODIs in July 2019, the 36-year-old gave everyone ample proof of his greatness by picking 4 wickets in 4 balls in a T20I against NZ on Sept 6. No doubt, the bowler has inspired many young turks with his slinging bowling action, funky hairstyles and the hunger for wickets. In a video which has recently surfaced on the internet, it is claimed that a 17-year-old SL pacer, more..

Sep 27 (TM) China has donated several equipment including drug and explosive detectors worth Rs. 750 million to Sri Lanka. Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Cheng Xueyuan officially handed over the equipment to Prez Sirisena at President�s Office today. These modern apparatus was donated to Sri Lanka upon a request made by President Sirisena. This is the first occasion where such high-tech machines have been used for public security and drug apprehension activities in Sri Lanka. more..

Sep 27 (LBO) Sri Lanka needs to invest in people to unlock its productive potential, a senior official said. �People are the most valuable resource in any country and investing in people is smart economics,� said Idah Z. Pswarayi-Riddihough, World Bank County Director for Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives. �Technology and automation are radically changing the very nature of work and reshaping industry. more..

Sep 28 (CT) To the Buddhist Sinhalese in particular, the civil war victory in 2009 had a profound impact by overturning the hitherto menacing psychological fear of an invasion from the northern neighbour in support of local Tamils and partitioning the island, into a hope of achieving total dominance over Sri Lanka�s territory and polity. The rise of supremacist parties and pressure groups, such as, JHU, BBS, Ravana Balaya, Mahasohon Balakaya, Sinha Le and so on, represent that hope and more..

Sep 28 (CT) The long-drawn and futile battle of Ranil Wickremesinghe to deny Sajith Premadasa, his deputy, the rightful place in the prez race finally ended yesterday. Ranil fired all his ammunition to eliminate Sajith. But Sajith fought back strategically to outwit Ranil and end the 27-year-old reign of a cardboard leader who led the UNP to nowhere. The inner struggle for power was between the popular will of the UNP represented by Sajith and Ranil�s one-man will backed by Working Committee more..

Sep 28 (Roar) Election season is approaching, and soon campaigning will begin in earnest, and posters and billboards bearing the smiling visage of politicians will be up across the country. Colourful public rallies featuring popular musicians, magniloquent speeches, brazen braggadocio, and political rhetoric will increase in volume as the day the humble voter becomes kingmaker draws near. None of this is out of the ordinary during more..

Sep 28 (CT) When the 8th Prez Election is around the corner, all the candidates have started once again to reveal their plans and strategies of economic development. Ranil Wickremesinghe has courageously put forward his unadulterated neo-liberal economic views, their dismal failure in the last five years under his Yahapalana Govt notwithstanding. As his promise of one million jobs generated by private sector investment was not materialised, he had to depend finally on more..

Sep 28 (CT) With a view to improve Sri Lanka's ranking in the Global Food Security Index and in the Global Hunger Index, through the initiative of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), four food value chain development proposals via: Innovation Driven Development Plan for Aquatic Plants-based Food Industry, Integrated Development Plan for Tree Crops-based Food Industry, Development Plan for Tuberous Crops-based Food Industry and Integrated Development Plan for more..

Sep 28 (SO) It all started after a near-fatal crash in Kantale. Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva, who was an Opposition MP then and his friends were driving from Trincomalee during heavy rains when one of their vehicles crashed. A friend was seriously wounded and needed immediate attention. With no help in sight, the politico and clan had to make a swift decision. For their luck among the group was more..

Sep 28 (SO) One of the beautiful memories of our childhood was the arrival of the bombai muttai seller down the lane, a Moor vendor walking briskly in the sun, ringing a small brass bell that proclaimed his presence. He carried a glass box with wooden frames wherein was a small quantity of sweetness that appealed to both adults and children alike. When he opened the circular lid the delightful aroma of the sweet candy floss would permeate the air. Piled onto a thin edible wafer this small treat more..

Sep 28 (CT) With a view to improve Sri Lanka's ranking in the Global Food Security Index and in the Global Hunger Index, through the initiative of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), four food value chain development proposals via: Innovation Driven Development Plan for Aquatic Plants-based Food Industry, Integrated Development Plan for Tree Crops-based Food Industry, Development Plan for Tuberous Crops-based Food Industry and Integrated Development Plan for more..

Sep 28 (CT) Apparently Prez J.R. Jayewardene would have been happy if the Executive Presidency is abolished some day. It could be true because at end of the day he brought devolution, equality to all three languages and threw caste and creed into the dustbin making it possible, for appointing R. Premadasa as His Excellency the Prez. Also that confirms in reality, he was disconnecting from the pathway that brought him to power. Parliamentary system relies on collective power at more..

Sep 28 (DM) Over the past few centuries we have seen the emergence of four pillars of democracy. They are the Executive which is expected to be blessed with the gifts of honesty and integrity, accountability and transparency, a like-minded Legislature, an independent Judiciary and a free media. The free media�s role cannot be underestimated as long as it is committed to the values of free and fair, balance and accurate news reporting or feature writing. more..

Sep 28 (DM) Sixty years ago on Sep 25, 1959, Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike (SWRDB) the PM of Sri Lanka then known as Ceylon was shot and seriously wounded by a Buddhist monk named Ven. Talduwe Somarama Thera. PM SWRD Bandaranaike succumbed to his injuries the following day. Fourth PM of Independent Ceylon/SL passed away on Sep 26, 1959 exactly 22 hours after he had been shot. more..

Sep 28 (Island) Jude Fernando, Vice President of the Insurance Association of Sri Lanka (IASL) recently spoke about trends that have been seen in insurance industry. He highlighted how continuous customer engagement, coupled with the growth of digitalization, could ensure a fruitful future for the SL insurance industry. Reproduced below are some of the comments he made during the discussion. "The lives of customers are subject to constant change; thus their needs evolve as well. more..

Sep 28 (CT) A team of eight promising SL shuttlers left for Kazan, Russia where they will compete in the 21st BWF World Junior Championships. The premier junior badminton tournament will be held from 30 Sep to 13 Oct. The team, coached by former national champion and double Olympian Thilini Jayasinghe, includes Lochana de Silva, Viren Nettasinghe, Chamath Dias, Thulith Palliyaguru, Dilmi Dias, Panchali Adhikari, Chamudi Abeywickrema and Anurangi Masakorala. more..

Sep 28 (AD) President Maithripala Sirisena held discussions with senior police officers at the Presidential Secretariat today (27). The meeting was held under the initiative of the President to address the long standing problems of the Police Department and to establish a better quality police service. The President convened the monthly meeting and reviewed the progress of the decisions taken at the last meeting. more..

Sep 28 (DN) Sri Lanka will be gunning for a top-four position playing on their home turf in the third leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series at the Racecourse grounds in Colombo this weekend. Kick-off is at 1.30 p.m. on Saturday and 10.00 a.m. on Sunday as the region�s best men and women rugby teams aim to put their best foot forward in the final leg of the series. Sri Lanka have been drawn in pool A with Hong Kong, Korea and UAE while pool B comprises China, Japan, Chinese Taipei & Philippines. more..

Sep 28 (DN) SL Army�s BAS Dilhani finished as the women�s race day one winner at the SLT Speedup Cycle Sawariya yesterday. Ayesha Madhushani of SL Navy and Panchali Sulochana of SL Air Force finished as first and second runner-up respectively. The women�s race started in front of SLT head office, Colombo and travelled through Peliyagoda, Kiribathgoda, Kadawata, Nittambuwa, Warakapola, Polgahawela and reached the finishing point at Kurunegala covering a distance of 90km. more..

Sep 28 (RN) Going on the offensive against newly-anointed UNF prez candidate Sajith Premadasa, leaders of the opposition alliance backing the SLPP launched a scathing attack on his character today (27). Speaking to reporters in Colombo, MPs Dullas Alahapperuma, Wimal Weerawansa, Vasudewa Nanayakkara and Udaya Gammanpila questioned Premada�s credentials and suitability for the presidency, more..

Sep 28 (CT) The Sri Lanka Women's Cricket Team that is touring Australia made a great start, that would give them much strength in future games, when they went on to beat the Cricket Australia XI in a super over win after the scores were tied at the end of the 20 overs. Winning the toss the Sri Lankans decided to bat first with captain Chamari Atapattu and Yasoda Mendis opening the innings. Sri Lanka finally went on to score 133 in their allotted overs. more..

Sep 28 (Hindu) In fielding Sajith Premadasa, UNP has chosen arguably its strongest candidate to take on former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the prez election to be held on Nov 16. The party chose to back the claims of Mr. Premadasa, its deputy leader, over those of Ranil Wickremesinghe, its leader and the PM. The party may have reckoned that Mr. Premadasa, son of the late Prez Ranasinghe Premadasa, with a lineage not drawn from the urban elite, is its best bet while more..

Sep 28 (AJ) A harsh and dangerous crackdown on Sri Lankan Muslims following deadly bombings on Easter Sunday poses a major threat to the Sri Lanka's peace and security, a think-tank has warned. The assailants behind the church and hotel bombings in April were fringe actors, but politicians and Sinhalese nationalists have used the attacks to "justify actions that have harassed and humiliated the broader Muslim community", more..

Sep 28 (DN) Former Kandy SC and SL Sevens star Saliya Kumara will be aiming to turn around the fortunes of the SL Women�s team in the final leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series at Racecourse grounds this weekend. Kumara took charge after former Police and SL scrum half Sudath Sampath quit as head coach following their dismal performance in the China leg where they finished in eighth place. SL are in pool C with Japan, Hong Kong, and Thailand while pool D comprises more..

Sep 28 (Island) Hayleys PLC showed exemplary leadership by investing over Rs.2.3 billion across the group following the tragic events of Easter Sunday reiterating confidence in the country's potential. Group's leading producer of value-added coconut-fibre products, Hayleys Eco Solutions, committed Rs. 500 million towards enhancing its value-added manufacturing capacity. Importantly, the sector recently invested Rs. 225 million towards the commissioning of its first Polyurethane more..

Sep 28 (DM) SLPP prez candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he would not only lessen the tax burden imposed on the people but would also introduce a stable and a simple tax system in order to create a conducive environment for the business community. Speaking at the National Convention of Representatives of SLPP Business Community, Mr. Rajapaksa said the incumbent govt had imposed an alien tax system more..

Sep 28 (FT) The National People�s Movement (NPM), with a collective of like-minded groups will announce their candidate for the upcoming presidential election this Sunday, the NPM said. Source indicates that former Army Commander Maj. Gen (Rtd.) Mahesh Senanayake is tipped to be the NPM candidate. NPM officials declined to comment on who their candidate was. However, a senior member conceded that Senanayake is being considered and was like to be NPM choice. more..

Sep 28 (CT) The remains of the Batticaloa Zion Church bomber was placed inside an unmarked grave at a Muslim cemetery in Kattankudi yesterday, officials said. They said, the decision was taken after locals and religious heads refused to provide a space in other burial grounds and urged authorities to look elsewhere. Earlier, the remains were placed inside a Hindu cemetery but authorities were later forced to exhume it following widespread backlash by residents across religious & ethnic divide. more..

Sep 28 (FT) Exports in July declined by 7% after posting steady growth for more than a year, which expanded the trade deficit to $ 717 million but in carminative terms the deficit for the first 7 months of the year contracted by $ 2 billion in the first 7 months. Trade deficit widened in July as exports fell more than the decline in imports. Export earnings recorded a decline of 7% (yoy) after a steady growth for several months while more..

Sep 28 (Island) Fitch Ratings has affirmed Sri Lanka's Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'B' with a Stable Outlook. SL's 'B' rating balances high government debt and contingent liabilities, a challenging external financing profile and subdued economic growth against higher human development standards and per capita income levels compared with peer medians. The policy environment has improved after the resolution of last year's political standoff. more..

Sep 28 (CT) Sri Lanka's 700 multi-day fishing craft expends imported artificial bait costing Rs 1.47 billion per journey, Fishery Ministry said on 20 Sept. These artificial fishing baits are mainly used to catch cuttlefish, it said. Cuttlefish are found outside SL's 200-mile exclusive economic zone, in int'l waters, it further said. Currently, a kilo of imported artificial fishing bait is sold to fishermen at a subsidised price of Rs 300 a kg, with the Govt incurring a loss of Rs 50 on each kg of such bait sold more..

Sep 28 (FT) Supreme Court (SC) yesterday deferred until 9 Oct the Fundamental Rights petition contesting the Extraordinary Gazette notification which brought Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) under the purview of Prez Sirisena. Bench comprising Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare and Murthu Fernando deferred for granting of Leave to Proceed as the Bench was not properly constituted. more..

Sep 28 (AD) Cabinet of Ministers have decided to appoint a sub-committee to look into salary anomalies in government institutions and recommend solutions. Accordingly a five-member committee comprised of ministers is to be appointed on the matter. A special Cabinet meeting had been called at the Prez Secretariat at 6 p.m. today (27). It is reported that the ongoing trade union actions in several sectors had been discussed at the meeting. Railway employees, teachers, principals and more..

Sep 28 (FT) Cabinet this week gave approval to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority to allocate Rs. 300 million for the development work of Galle Face Green. This money will be disbursed from the Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) Budget for the year 2019/2021. The development activities will be undertaken in stages within a period of nearly 18 months and is a continuation of SLPA�s development work at Galle face Green with its CSR funds under the approval of the Cabinet in 2007, more..

Sep 28 (DM) State Minister Ashok Abeysinghe said he requested Prez to make the railways an essential service again, during the cabinet meeting. He said the Gazette notification was issued earlier declaring the railways as an essential service under the Essential Services Act, under Emergency Regulations, but after removal of emergency regulations, Prez did not wish to continue keeping the railways as an essential service, more..

Sep 28 (APA) Ukraine and Sri Lanka have signed a visa waiver agreement for citizens who use diplomatic or official passports. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko met with Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of SL Ravinatha Aryasinha as part of the 74th session of the UNGA. "Prystaiko and Aryasinha have signed an agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Govt of Sri Lanka on visa exemptions for citizens who use diplomatic or official passports" more..

Sep 28 (FT) Court of Appeal yesterday dismissed without costs the petition filed by Basil Rajapaksa seeking to transfer his High Court proceedings to another Colombo High Court. Bench comprised Justices A.L.S. Gooneratne and Mahinda Samayawardhana. Petitioner stated a relentless campaign of vilification was being carried on by certain elements of the present Govt, demanding the launching of investigation and cases as well as carrying out of arrests and the remanding of more..

Sep 28 (CT) United Left Front (ULF), the alternative group of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party led by MP, Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne, has withdrawn from the United National Front (UNF) in protest over the decision taken to nominate UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa as the candidate to contest Prez Election, on the UNF ticket. Following its withdrawal from the UNF, ULF decided to ally with National People's Power (NPP) more..