Aug 11 (Hindu) The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has planned a fortnight long trip to Colombo as a pre-season outing for its Ranji squad. Laxmi Ratan Shukla will lead the 15-member Bengal squad which will play two four-day and three one-day matches against a Sri Lanka combine from Aug 30 to Sept 13. Sairaj Bahutule, the newly-appointed Bengal coach, is scheduled to take charge on Aug 16 ahead of a 10-day conditioning camp planned at the JU second campus ground in Salt Lake. more..

Aug 11 (CI) Virat Kohli, 26, strides purposefully to the crease, reputation always preceding him, collar often popped, a sharp tongue cocked, ready to return fire. Angelo Mathews, 28, ambles to the middle, impervious and imperturbable, lost somewhere in his own universe. Both are gifted batsmen, leading young teams into an important series. That is about where the similarities end. If he was a general in your army, Kohli would be more..

Aug 11 (CT) Lanka Hospitals has reported an outstanding performance in the first half of their current financial year, with an 81% increase in group profits. Group Profit before Tax (PBT) stood at Rs 428 million for the first six months of the financial year 2015, compared to Rs 236 million recorded in the corresponding period of the financial year 2014. "Revenue for the first half of the financial year 2015, increased by 20% to Rs 2.65 billion compared to Rs 2.2 billion recorded during the corresponding more..

Aug 11 (DN) Hayleys recorded a 9% increase in its Profits Before Tax (PBT) for the first quarter ending June 2015. PBT for the quarter was recorded at Rs. 1.2 billion, up from Rs. 1.1 billion during the same quarter in the previous year. Transportation and Logistics Sector sustained its strong growth momentum during the quarter with continued improvements to its benchmark on service delivery and new business innovations. Sector PBT rose 98% to Rs. 372 million in the quarter more..

Aug 11 (FT) UPFA yesterday claimed that recent public surveys had predicted that the UPFA would obtain between 114-118 seats at the upcoming General Election. UPFA Media Committee Chairman Dilan Perera noted that the UPFA was already confident about winning the General Election. �A group of professionals, university lectures and lawyers have conducted three different surveys about the victory and more..

Aug 11 (EN) Aitken Spence conglomerate said June 2015 quarter net profit fell 44% to 420 million rupees from a year ago mainly owing to a downturn in its hotels and a loss in its energy business. Sales of the group fell 39% to 5.9 billion rupees during the period. Earnings per share fell to 1.04 rupees in the June 2015 quarter from 1.84 rupees a year ago. Its 100 MW Ace Power Embilipitiya unit ceased operations in April 2015 after the end of its 10-year power purchase agreement with CEB. more..

Aug 11 (DN) Documents exclusively obtained by the Daily News show the manner in which ministers and deputy ministers of the previous govt requested Ex-MP Namal Rajapaksa's permission to recruit workers for govt jobs. Ministers had requested ex-MP to recruit SLFP activists for govt jobs in violation of standard procedures of the govt. When the UPFA govt was in power, Rajapaksa did not hold any official position that allowed him to take measures to recruit workers for govt. more..

Aug 11 (FT) Forensic teams exhumed the body of Wasim Thajudeen at the Dehiwala Muslim burial grounds on orders by a Colombo Court yesterday, as the CID continues to dig deeper into the alleged murder-cover up. The exhumation was supervised by the Colombo Chief Judicial Medical Officer, Dr. Ajith Tennakoon, after Colombo Additional Magistrate issued an exhumation order when the CID told Court more..

Aug 11 (CT) The Council, Executive Committee and staff of Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) were deeply saddened by the news of the passing away of Prof. Uditha Liyanage yesterday. A giant in the field of marketing, his efforts greatly supported SLIM's vision of elevating marketing in Sri Lanka. His achievements were recognized by our Institute when he became the first ever Sri Lankan Honorary Fellow of SLIM. He was also a member of the Board of Study and held the position of more..

Aug 11 (GDI) A delegation headed by Chairman of BOI Upul Jayasuriya consisting of Dilip Samarasinghe, Director of BOI, Keizo Tsuchiya JICA Advisor to BOI and Dhammika Basnayake, Assistant Director, held discussions with two Japanese Mega Banks with whom BOI had entered into agreements in 2014. Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi and Mizuho Bank signed agreements in Colombo with the BOI before and during the visit of PM Shinzo Abe to Colombo in 2014. more..

Aug 11 (CT) Commander of the Commando Regiment Major General Prasanna De Silva, who got involved in a white van controversy recently, is to be transferred out of the unit, according to reliable sources. He is to be replaced by Brigadier Ralph Nugera. The transfers will be effective from the 19th of this month according to sources. On July 22, three civil-clad army soldiers were arrested by the police while they were more..

Aug 11 (Hindu) The TNA, which won a majority of parliamentary seats in the Northern and Eastern Provinces in the last three general elections, is facing a stiff challenge from multiple players this time. Five years ago, the fight was essentially between the TNA and the UPFA, which had the EPDP as a major constituent in the provinces. At that time, the UPFA was in power and Mahinda Rajapaksa had just begun his second spell as Executive President. more..

Aug 11 (LBO) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said there are people in other political parties to support them in the event of a shortage to form a new govt. �I�m quite confident of getting 117 seats, but if it is less than 113 seats, there are people in other political parties who will support us.� Rajapaksa said in an interview with a local TV station. Recent analyses show that it is hard to secure a majority for any political party in the forthcoming general election. more..

Aug 11 (Reuters) Sri Lanka is offering a compromise that could allow a major Chinese-backed real estate project to restart after months of delays, Minister Ravi Karunanayake told Reuters. Minister�s comments come a week before a parliamentary election in which the ruling party has an edge over an Opposition led by Mahinda Rajapaksa. China-friendly ex-president, who was ousted in January, is attempting a comeback. more..

Aug 11 (Island) EC Mahinda Deshapriya has told the general secretaries of political parties contesting the forthcoming election that it is wrong to gain political mileage out of the exhumation of ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen�s body. Polls Chief said that he had received complaints that some people were trying to capitalise on the issue at the expense of some others contesting the election. It is wrong to politicise the issue which could not be permitted to be used as election propaganda. more..

Aug 11 (CT) Former LTTE cadres led Crusaders for Democracy (CFD) Media Coordinator Ganeshalingam Chandralingam said his party members are ready to give an explanation for the charges on war crimes against LTTE if there is an international war crimes probe. Chandralingam added: "Being former LTTE cadres, now we have stepped on to the democratic path to serve the people as some main Tamil political parties in the North and the East have failed to address more..

Aug 11 (DN) The Criminal Investigation Department�s investigations into the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda made a vital breakthrough with the Sergeant Major who was arrested by the Police on Sunday confessing that he interrogated Eknaligoda at the Girithale Army camp. Sergeant Major believed to have been involved in the mysterious abduction of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda was taken into more..

Aug 11 (CT) Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya was re-elected as the President of the Govt Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) at the GMOA annual election held on the 8 August. Dr. Padeniya had obtained 3,435 votes, while his competitor Dr. T. Vidanagama had obtained only 223 votes. Meanwhile, Dr. Nalinda Herath who was the former Assistant Secretary was elected as the Secretary of the GMOA and Dr. K. Kudagama and A. Tennakoon were elected as Vice Presidents. more..

Aug 11 (AM) ASP Ruwan Gunasekara told Asian Mirror that legal action will be taken against several Buddhist monks including Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera for allegedly violating election laws and obstructing the police. The alleged incident occurred on Saturday evening at Andawela in Welipanna Police Division. According to Police, permission was sought and granted for a meeting of the Bodu Jana Peramuna in the area on that evening. more..

Aug 11 (AD) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says that he did summon the Attorney General and the heads of security forces to Temple Trees in the early hours of January 09. Following President Maithripala Sirisena�s victory at the election on January 08, Ministers of the new govt had levelled allegations against Rajapaksa that he attempted a coup to remain in office after it became clear that he had lost. more..

Aug 11 (DM) he patriotism professed by Sri Lankan politicians seems to be at a time seasonal while at another party based. They talk about secessionist threats during elections and then maintain a deafening silence until the next election is announced. In the meantime some of them unflinchingly and unashamedly team up with the forces which they had accused of separatism. Another group in the other end of the island would shout at the top of their voices about more..

Aug 11 (DM) President Abraham Lincoln had said The Ballot is stronger than the Bullet. Sri Lankans using the ballot elected the present President - for a change - to establish good governance and rule of law as a peace dividend for the betterment of the people. The President has already taken certain steps to fulfill some of the pledges given during the Presidential election campaign � 19th Amendment is a major step in that direction. It looks some voters do not seem to understand more..

Aug 11 (SL) Despite winning the so-called second Independence by eradicating terrorism in 2009, the worst and most brutal form of terrorism ever experienced in Sri Lanka � state-sponsored terrorism � continued to raise its head unscathed and unhindered during the last 10 years under the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime. Although the regime was defeated on January 8, the tentacles of the power-hungry and corrupt dictators along more..

Aug 11 (LBO) Sri Lanka�s govt will get a 26 billion rupee concessional loan from the Japanese govt through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA to develop its national power transmission and distribution network. The agreement was signed, Tuesday on behalf of the Sri Lankan govt by R.H.S. Samarathunga, secretary, Ministry of Finance, and Kiyoshi Amada, Chief Representative of JICA Sri Lanka Office. more..

Aug 11 (DM) Rosy Senanayake, State Minister of Children�s Affairs has been an active woman politician for many years. Contesting from the UNP from the Colombo District for the upcoming general elections, Rosy has a clear action plan to work on for the next few years. Being an active women�s rights activist, she believes that women can conquer the world if they are allowed to work in their capacity. more..

Aug 11 (DM) A veteran leftist politician and former COPE Chairman D.E.W Gunasekara spoke of the economic policies of former govts and the controversial COPE report on the bond scam which was never published. Q: What are your views of the UPFA and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa contesting the general election from Kurunegala? A: After Maithripala Sirisena was sworn in on Jan 9, he met Mahinda at Speaker�s more..

Aug 11 (ST) A doe and her fawn were killed last week by a speeding vehicle near Yala. Although roadkill is frequent in wilderness areas this accident brought tears to all those who shared the images of helpless animals lying gasping for breath on the side of the road. A man who saw the dying animals a few minutes after they were hit said the accident occurred around 8.45 a.m. on July 27. Vehicle sped off, leaving mortally-wounded more..

Aug 11 (DM) Secretary of Democratic Party (DP) and wife of Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka the leader of the DP, Ms Anoma Fonseka was interviewed on the role she plays as a candidate from the Gampaha District representing the DP. Q: Do you think that your party propaganda had reached the people. A: We are satisfied that our campaign had reached the people, and we put to best use the time allocated for our more..

Aug 11 (CG) Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) slammed former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, over allegations he had made in a television interview regarding the BBS. Rajapaksa had claimed that the BBS was part of a conspiracy created with international backing to remove him from power. He accused Norway of being part of the conspiracy and said that details regarding this have been made public in a book released in the market. more..

Aug 11 (DM) The Supreme Court directed the Attorney General to submit a the Security Assessment (SA) report issued by the State Intelligence Service on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The SC issued this direction when the fundamental rights petition -- urging the removal of the perks and privileges enjoyed by Mr. Rajapaksa as former president now that he is a candidate at the general election -- was taken up for hearing. more..

Aug 11 (Island) The UPFA is apparently in frenzy with the election defeat staring on their faces, Housing Minister Sajith Premadasa says in a statement issued to media. He says: "This is vividly demonstrated by the theatrics the UPFA resorts to at press briefings. On one occasion bottle of poison are brought to media briefings. The latest drama is the display of empty pots. It show the UPFA�s political bankruptcy. more..

Aug 11 (CT) Commissioner of Elections, Mahinda Deshapriya has asked the FCID not to summon any candidate for questioning until after the 17 August, the day of the general election. He told General Secretaries of political parties that he has received a number of complaints from candidates stating that they are being summoned to the CID and that is affecting their campaigning. more..

Aug 11 (CT) With a crucial general election six days away, election violence to date has seen at least three deaths, the victims, ostensibly supporters of the ruling UNP Govt. The first killing reported was that of Upul Devalagama, a supporter of Minister Thalatha Athukorala. He had been hacked to death by a group of unidentified men at Nivithigala six weeks ago on 29 June. The other killings that took place were when unknown gunmen brandishing automatics fired at Minister Karunanayake's more..

Aug 11 (CT) Jaffna in the postwar context remains a troubled space. Yes indeed, there is no longer an embargo, and one can take the train, bus or fly easily. Yes, there are new super markets and people can walk around more freely. However, the scenario of domination and oppression continues in other ways. During a recent visit, forms of violence and domination were clear not only in the large number of Navy and military camps still there, in the ways they have become permanent installations more..

Aug 11 (CI) We're both young teams, has been the phrase of the tour so far. Both teams are rebuilding, captains, players and team directors have said. All of this is another way of saying neither team is particularly good at present. There is a lot of chatter about potential and talent. Less about Test form and recent record. India are further down the transition track, and so appear the more polished outfit. more..

Aug 11 (Reuters) Shares rose more than 1% on Tuesday to end near their highest level in nearly seven months as hopes of political stability and improved corporate earnings in the April-June quarter boosted sentiment. However, some foreign investors sold off risky assets. Main stock index ended 1.1% up at 7,458.92, its highest close since Jan. 16. The gain helped raise the market capitalisation by 34.4 billion rupees. Bourse has gained 7.73% in a month through Tuesday. more..

Aug 11 (CI) 22: Years since India last won a Test series in Sri Lanka. Their 1-0 win in 1993 was their first and only Test series victory in Sri Lanka. Since then, they've drawn 0-0 in 1997, lost by identical 2-1 margins in 2001 and 2008, and drawn 1-1 in 2010. 3-3: Sri Lanka's win-loss record in home Test series since 2010. They've beaten Pakistan (twice) and Bangladesh, lost to Pakistan, South Africa and Australia, and drawn against India, West Indies, England and New Zealand. more..

Aug 11 (CI) Kumar Sangakkara has said being relieved of the gloves in Tests was the best thing that happened to his career. "I didn't like it when they stopped me keeping," he said. "But the selection committee spoke to me and said: 'What we're trying to do is improve your batting and to get you scoring more runs for the team. We are asking you to do this. It will be better for the team and better for you. more..

Aug 11 (EN) Govt will sign a deal with Volkswagen this week to make vehicles for export, just one month after staring talks with the German firm which this year overtook Toyota as the world�s largest carmaker by sales. �From the day Volkswagen said they wanted to invest in Sri Lanka to signing an agreement with them this govt took just one month,� Deputy Minister Eran Wickremaratne said. �This is the difference. This is the attitude we have,� he told a news conference. more..

Aug 11 (Island) The Maldives proposed collaboration in the Meetings Incentives Conferences and Exhibition (MICE) industry with Sri Lanka. Minister Mohammed Saeed speaking to The Island, after having declared open the Food and Hospitality Asia Maldives (FHAM) 2015 International Culinary Challenge and Exhibition in Male, said that Maldives and Sri Lanka with their close cooperation in almost every sector, could benefit by extending it to MICE sector as well. more..