Oct 7 (Hindu) Tamil National Movement leader P. Nedumaran has called upon the youth and student community to boycott U.S. products in protest against the country�s resolution in the UNHRC against the interests of Sri Lankan Tamils. Mr. Nedumaran, who was on his Tamizhar ezhuchi payanam, said that the U.S. had moved a resolution in the UNHRC favouring internal inquiry into war crimes in Sri Lanka. Alleging that two lakh Tamils were massacred by the Sinhala chauvinists more..

Oct 7 (AD) Through the Gazette notification No. 1933/16 pertaining to imposing Customs duties, the govt has announced new Customs duties on Japanese motor vehicles like Toyota and others imported to Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the Customs duty on a Toyota Aqua vehicle has been increased by Rs. 770,000while the duty on a Toyota Axio vehicle has been increased by Rs. 703,000. Furthermore, the Customs duty on more..

Oct 7 (CI) West Indies' three-day practice match at the SSC has been postponed by one day due to bad weather in Colombo. The match against Sri Lanka Cricket Board President's XI, led by Lahiru Thirimanne, had been scheduled to begin on Thursday, but will now begin on Friday. The postponement means West Indies are left only two clear days between the end of the practice match and the start of the first Test which is scheduled to begin from Oct 14. more..

Oct 7 (CI) Kithuruwan Vithanage's 120 off 104 balls had set Sri Lanka A on track to chase down New Zealand A's 305, but a dramatic late collapse sparked by Adam Milne saw the hosts prevail by 15 runs at Hagley Oval. The victory gives New Zealand A a 2-0 lead in the four-match series. Sri Lanka A had required 29 runs from 33 balls and had six wickets in hand before Vithanage was caught off Milne's bowling. They had batted deep, with Niroshan Dickwella and Chaturanga de Silva more..

Oct 7 (CG) A UK based tycoon has been linked to investigations being conducted over billions of dollars allegedly stolen from Sri Lanka by associates of former President Rajapaksa, BuzzFeed News reported. An investigation conducted by BuzzFeed News said that the offshore empire of the Lycamobile tycoon Subaskaran Allirajah is facing investigation as part of a sprawling international probe into allegations that billions of dollars more..

Oct 8 (CT) The notion of a domestic investigation is a disingenuous political construct aimed to create a public impression that the investigation is free of foreign interference. In terms of its origins, most likely comprising personnel, stakeholders, and the standards the govt must uphold, the notion is a hybrid compromise between local and foreign stakeholders. The media continue to bring to light evidence of backdoor negotiations between the govt and the UNHRC, while the govt more..

Oct 8 (Island) Some of country�s top school athletes including a couple of South Asian Games medal hopefuls and junior international medal winners will be in action on day one when the Athletic Championship of the All Island Schools Games commences at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Diyagama today. While finals will be conducted only in field events some of the leading sprinters and hurdlers will be in action in their heats today. There will be as many as seven finals more..

Oct 8 (SO) Three weeks ago, on September 12, when Seya Sadewmi, the 5-year-old girl from Kotadeniyawa went missing from her home, there was a sense of urgency among the public to know the fate of the child. Media personnel, covering Seya�s story, were on the prowl: hunting for information to relay to their audiences. Eagerness for information and the demand for justice ran so high, as Seya�s body was found near more..

Oct 8 (NS) I�ve had a fantastic time reading all that�s being written about Daham Sirisena. The Big D, as I now think of him, is a fantastic creature. I mean, who wouldn�t want a walking, talking, Facebook-ing PR nightmare for a son, am I right? Let�s assume for a moment that Maithripala Sirisena actually reads this (hah! Fat chance). Mr Sirisena, here�s a question for you: ARE YOU STUPID? Look at him. JUST LOOK AT HIM. This is Daham Sirisena, Public Figure. His crowning achievements in life? more..

Oct 8 (NS) Daham Sirisena, son of President Maithripala Sirisena, today admitted that he should not have taken his father on his recent trip to the UN General Assembly after significant public backlash caused a media uproar. In a Facebook update posted few days ago, Daham said, �I was officially invited to the UN as part of the Sri Lanka delegation to participate in youth session (a.k.a. lets have chat and then go get plastered on UN expenses). Unfortunately my mother could not attend more..

Oct 8 (NS) This week, Health is Wealth focuses on the upcoming plans of the Health Ministry. We interviewed Minister Rajitha Senaratne who stressed that the govt will increase the allocations to the health sector up to 3% of the GDP. Q: You were the Health Minister in the interim govt and you have retained the same portfolio in the new govt. How has been the work so far? A: I am glad that the Health Ministry was assigned to me more..

Oct 8 (Island) All hell broke loose in Parliament on Tuesday when a group of UPFA MPs staged a protest against the proposed war crimes investigation against Sri Lanka. They took out a banner condemning what they called a government move to set up a hybrid court in all but name. Some govt MPs tried to suppress the protest and the attendant melee caused sittings to be suspended for ten minutes. It was a supreme irony that Parliament was thrown into turmoil in that manner while more..

Oct 8 (Island) Sri Lanka maintained a massive highland soil ecosystem that was untouched until the advent of the colonial experience. The rice farming soils as well as the agro-eco system was a co-evolved system that maintained its production potential for literally thousands of years. History demonstrates that the great soil capital of this nation was lost with the advent of colonial plantation agriculture and the advent of modern agriculture destroyed the productive potential more..

Oct 8 (CT) Leader of the JVP Anura Kumara Dissanayaka says that he will expose another mega corruption deal at the next parliamentary session. Q: Is the new govt good? A: Govt must be in line with the mandate given on 8 Jan. But, they appear to be going against it. We pointed out during the presidential election campaign that govt was not to be trusted. Developments highlight the need for uniting for the rights of the people. more..

Oct 8 (CT) It is now crystal clear that the Sinhala leaders will never put forward a just resolution to the Tamil national question. Therefore, we are not prepared to place our trust in the impossible and walk along the same old futile path�. We therefore ask the international community and the countries of the world that respect justice to recognize our freedom struggle.� This is the key sections of the annual Heroes� Day statement delivered by the slain leader of the LTTE, V. Pirapaharan. more..

Oct 8 (DN) A blanket amnesty to bring money deposited in foreign banks by Sri Lankans may run into difficulties if not managed carefully, experts warn. The got will have to introduce new legislation waiving provisions of several laws including the Exchange Control Act, the Inland Revenue Act,the Bribery or Corruption Laws and developing a mechanism to build the trust of the people, in order for such a system to work, former Central Bank Deputy Governor W.A. Wijewardena said. more..

Oct 8 (FT) Japanese firms have expressed interest to invest in two city hotels cum leisure projects with talks and follow-up efforts underway with local partners. �The parties concerned have signed separate Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and are progressing with follow-up work,� NWS Holdings Group Managing Director Viraj Malawana said on the sidelines of the SL Investor Forum the company organised in Tokyo. more..

Oct 8 (Island) Charith Madawa and Christine Fernando were winners of the Culinary Cup, Pastry Cup competition respectively, organised by the Hilton Colombo as a part of the F and B Masters Hotel Level Competition held last Wednesday. Competition was held as a part of the F and B Master SEA and India- 2015. Hilton Colombo organized the "Culinary Cup, Pastry Cup and the Barista Cup for the F and B Masters Hotel level competition opening doors for the hotel's more..

Oct 8 (DN) Bank of Ceylon, sealed its debenture issue being oversubscribed 2.5 times over its initial issue of Rs.5 billion on the opening day. The Bank received applications far exceeding Rs.8 billion by 10.30 am. With this issue, total listed debentures issued by Bank of Ceylon to the market would be Rs. 45 billion. The role played by the Bank of Ceylon in developing the debt market in Sri Lanka is significant. Rated as AA by Fitch Rating Lanka these unsecured, subordinated more..

Oct 8 (Hindu) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has mooted the idea of creating a High Growth South Asia Region to tackle the scenario of low economic growth globally. The establishment of the proposed region, which would facilitate realise economic potential and bring higher living standards of peoples of constituent-countries of the region, would also have a positive impact on the medium term global economic growth. more..

Oct 8 (FT) Two loan agreements were signed between the Government of Sri Lanka and the French Development Agency (AFD) for two projects amounting to EUR 30 m and EUR 22 m. Treasury Secretary Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga and AFD�s Director for Asia Pascal Pacaud signed the agreements at the Ministry of Finance, the organisation said in a statement. Signature of these agreements is a result of an in-depth appraisal aimed at improving the quality of electricity more..

Oct 8 (Island) The fundamental rights violation petition filed by D. E.W. Gunasekera, General Secretary of the CP, against the appointment of defeated candidates as National List members of parliament will be supported today in the Supreme Court. It will be called before the Chief Justice. The Court will decide whether a fuller bench should be appointed or not. The petitioner has said that it is a violation of the people�s franchise to appoint to Parliament defeated candidates. more..

Oct 8 (DN) Former Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge and former TRC Director General Anusha Pelpita who appeared before Court on notice were yesterday released under strict bail conditions by Colombo High Court in connection with a criminal misappropriation of Rs 600 million belonging to the TRC during the presidential election campaign. While ordering to release each accused on a cash bail of more..

Oct 8 (CT) Former Vavuniya DIG and a Chief Inspector who were arrested in connection with an incident of illegal excavations carried out in the Kudakachchakodiya area were further remanded by the Vavuniya Magistrate's Court. Former Vavuniya DIG, U. K. Dissanayake and Chief Inspector Sujeewa Priyadarshana were further remanded until 21 October. The DIG, who allegedly chaperoned a group of individuals to carry out the illegal excavation in search of buried treasure, more..

Oct 8 (CT) Padukka Police said, the deceased was a resident of Koodaluvila in Thunnaana. During the argument, the husband had threatened to leave the wife and subsequently the woman had set fire to herself. According to the police, the 35-year-old deceased was in the habit of making impulsive decisions. Police sources added that the husband, who is known to have a mild temperament, had suddenly got into an altercation with the deceased on the day of the incident. more..

Oct 8 (AFP) A Sri Lankan court on Wednesday sentenced four govt soldiers to 25 years in prison each for the gang rape of a 27-year-old Tamil mother of two in the island's former war zone in 2010. The High Court in Jaffna, the capital of the battle-scarred northern province, ordered the men each to pay half a million rupees to the victim as compensation. "A lengthy jail term was given because more..

Oct 8 (Island) The lucrative gem and jewellery sector faces a major challenge as many traders take foreign buyers for a ride to earn fast bucks, killing the entire sector, which is a highly price sensitive market. "Sri Lankan gem and jewellery sector grapples with several threats because of fake, substandard and synthetic stones being sold to buyers as genuine ones, especially to foreigners, by quoting high prices similar to those of high quality gemstones, Director, EDB Ashan Refai said. more..

Oct 7 (WSJ) Last Thursday, the UNHRC passed a resolution that seemed, once again, to promote postwar reconciliation and express a broad international consensus for ensuring those who committed serious human-rights violations during the end of Sri Lanka�s civil war are held accountable. The problem is the resolution�s overly diplomatic and, at times, vague language still leaves Colombo with the leeway to continue disregarding the demand for accountability and justice. more..

Oct 8 (DM) Navy Commander said the Navy had launched an investigation into SL-flagged ship carrying a stock of 810 weapons taken into custody after being spotted in the sea some 12 nautical miles off Galle on Tuesday. �The ship is being anchored at the Galle Harbour until we finish our investigations. Initially we are focusing on whether the ship had maintained proper records and whether it had a license for the weapons found on board,� more..

Oct 8 (FT) In a bid to ensure Sri Lanka tourism and aviation achieves greater heights, the Govt is considering the implementation of an open sky policy. �I can assure you that this open sky policy will soon come into place. You will see the reflections of that open sky policies in the next Budget,� Minister Ravi Karunanayake said. The Govt will look at easily connecting everyone and make the country a regional hub not only for SAARC countries but to the Asian region as a whole. more..

Oct 8 (DN) Japan will spend 45 billion yen for the extension and development of the Katunayake International Airport under an agreement signed in Tokyo on Oct 6 to coincide with PM Ranil Wickremesinghe's five day official visit to Japan. The agreement was signed, in the presence of Japanese PM Shinzo Abe and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, by Japanese Ambassador Kenichii Suganuma on behalf of Japan and SL's Ambassador in Japan Prof Ganganath Dissanayake on behalf of SL. more..

Oct 8 (Island) Students from outstation schools have obtained highest marks at the Grade 5 Scholarship examination. Kavinda Unantenna of Gangasiripura Vidyalaya in Gampola, Kavishka Wanigasekera of Makura Kanishta Vidyalaya in Malmaduwa and Melani Wijesinghe of Sri Sumangala Kanishta Vidyalaya in Ussapitiya, Mawanella have scored the highest marks at the 2015 Grade 5 scholarship examination. more..

Oct 8 (FT) Govt recently conducted a bilateral discussion with the French Govt in order to get its support for Sri Lanka�s rapid development. Discussion held between State Minister of National Policy & Economic Development Niroshan Perera and Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka Jean-Marin Schuh mainly focused on the development of power, construction and health sectors. Hydro power, construction of bridges and road system reconstruction, water supply systems, more..

Oct 8 (DN) SAGT is recognized by the Journal of Commerce (JOC USA) in its annual Terminal Productivity Ranking 2014 as being the No. 1 ranked in South Asia and No. 4 in the world. SAGT is the first private container terminal operator in the Port of Colombo commencing in 1999. It consists of four shareholders - John Keells Holdings, APM Terminals, Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Peony investments (Evergreen Group subsidiary). The 14.2m draft, 3 berth terminal transformed more..

Oct 8 (Island) Minister Rauff Hakeem informed Parliament that the govt had suffered a loss of 134.5 million owing to the contamination of Kelani River by the toxic waste released by Coca Cola Company. But, there was no evidence of the toxic chemical 4-Methylimidazol of having been released to the waters of the Kelani River, he said. He was responding to a series of questions raised in a statement to Parliament by JVP leader, more..

Oct 8 (CT) Colombo Chief Magistrate authorized the CID yesterday to detain for a period of 90 days for lengthy questioning two LTTE members who were taken into custody in connection with the shooting and assassination of former MP of the Batticaloa District, Joseph Pararajasingham. The two were arrested 10 years after the incident taking political refuge in Zurich, Switzerland, the permission of the Court of the country is required in order to hand him over to Sri Lanka. more..

Oct 8 (Nikkei) Sri Lanka will seek international competitive bids to select operators for its first urban railway project, the head of the country's investment agency said. Upul Jayasuriya, chairman of BoI, spoke to The Nikkei while on a visit to Japan about Sri Lanka's urban railway project. The plan is for a 30-kilometer commuter railway connecting the center of Colombo with its suburbs. The operation would start by 2019. The govt is considering of introducing either monorails or subways, more..

Oct 8 (CT) Presidential media division issuing a communique justified the spending of Rs. 180 million to carry out the repair work of new President�s Residence. Building had to be renovated by merging two old houses in order to lift it to the standards suitable for a President�s living. Quoting President�s Secretary, PMD said garages and residential quarters to house the presidential security personnel had to be fully renovated. more..

Oct 8 (CT) Commissioner General of Prisons Rohana Pushpakumara said, 17 prison officers of the Magazine Prison, who have been identified as having received money from drug kingpin Wele Suda through the 'eZ-Cash' system, were interdicted with immediate effect. The Commissioner General said this step was taken in accordance with a list of names sent by the CID to Prison Headquarters. He further said, the CID informed him that no high-ranking officer had been involved in this more..

Oct 8 (DN) Four employees of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), who were alleged to have helped human smugglers, have been suspended with immediate effect on the orders of Minister Thalatha Athukorala. SLBFE officers who were suspended from duty had been working at the Katunayake airport. Four officers were alleged to have helped racketeers runing a lucrative human smuggling racket where Sri Lankans, especially women had been sent overseas on more..