Oct 20 (FT) The ballroom of the New Otani Hotel in Tokyo was packed and colourful as some of the female participants wore hats and a few Untitled-3dressed in traditional kimono. Those present were not just part of a fancy crowd but were actual investors in the future of Sri Lanka. They gathered in large numbers for reaffirmation of why their investments, primarily in Sri Lanka Govt Bonds, had paid rich dividends and to hear of new opportunities in post-war Sri Lanka. more..

Oct 20 (T&L) Now that the decades-long conflict has abated, visitors�and hope�are returning to northern and eastern Sri Lanka. Samanth Subramanian uncovers the little-known treasures, from virgin forests and beaches to remarkable temples and romantic lodges, that are putting the region back in the spotlight. It was a stroke of fine fortune, rather than a feat of careful planning, that took us to the Buddhist temple at Thiriyaya at dawn. On our way there the previous afternoon, more..

Oct 20 (DM) Transport Ministry has decided to transport coal by train from Trincomalee to Mahawa from Nov 1, as it would be more profitable for both parties as well as reduce the environmental hazards, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said. Steps would also be taken to transport Cement as well as Flour from Prima company in the east in the near future. �Transportation of coal and other goods by train is more profitable and owing to this, more..

Oct 20 (DM) An unidentified man arrested on suspicion by the Wellampitiya Police has allegedly hung himself inside the police cell this afternoon. The deceased was found hanging from an iron bar of the police cell around 3.40 pm by a torn piece of sarong he was wearing. The man who had not been identified yet had been arrested by the police as he did not bear any identification papers to prove his name, age or whereabouts. ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said the Colombo Magistrate more..

Oct 20 (GDI) Sri Lanka's World Statistics Day 2015 programme includes many events targeted at increasing awareness about official statistics amongst various user groups. The event WSD forum 2015 will be held today at JAIC Hilton Hotel with the participation of State Minister Niroshan Perera, as Chief Guest. World Statistics Day is celebrated once in every five years to strengthen public awareness of the important work that national statisticians carry out throughout the year. more..

Oct 20 (DN) Sri Lanka has emerged as one of the cleanest countries in the region in a global Mid-Year Pollution Index for 2015. Ranking among the 12 cleanest countries in Asia, Sri Lanka comes far ahead of regional counterparts such as China, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Malaysia, Pakistan to rank 11th of 34 Asian countries. The Pollution Index estimates overall pollution, with the biggest weight given to air pollution. more..

Oct 20 (DN) The Police are seeking Interpol assistance to determine the truth about allegations that UPFA MP Geetha Kumarasinghe is a dual citizen of Sri Lanka and Switzerland. Kumarasinghe who is also a popular film actress, could lose her seat in Parliament if found guilty of the charge. The Police Special Investigations Unit (PSIU) probing the matter sought a report from Interpol to determine whether Kumarasinghe holds citizenship in a foreign country. more..

Oct 20 (Island) Police said yesterday that they were planning to import a large number of batons to overcome a shortage. An officer who spoke on condition of anonymity attributed the shortage of batons to the recruitment of policemen in recent times. Asked why the police didn't purchase them locally, he said the imported ones were of better quality. He said he could not tell the exact number of batons required, but tenders would be called to procure the required number. more..

Oct 20 (Reuters) Sri Lanka's budget deficit will reach 6.5 to 6.8% of GDP in 2015, up from govt's original target of 4.4%. Govt has originally estimated the deficit would be 4.4%, using an earlier base year of 2002 in calculating GDP. But it later said the estimates may have to be revised because of a change in the base year to 2010. It was not immediately clear whether govt had officially revised budget deficit using the new base year. more..

Oct 20 (DM) Former UPFA Parliamentarian Sajin de Vass Gunawardane today filed a motion requesting the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court to grant him permission to go abroad to seek medical treatment. Gunawardene, who has a court case against him for not revealing his assets, was banned from leaving the country following a court case filed by the Bribery Commission. After considering the request, Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya yesterday issued notice on more..

Oct 20 (CT) A young school teacher was abducted by an unidentified group of individuals near the Indola junction in Urubokka in the Weleyaya area early yesterday morning, said the Police Media Unit. Speaking to Ceylon Today, the Police Media Unit said that the school teacher who was 28-years-of age was abducted while she was on her way to the Welayaya School. According to the police, witnesses have stated that the school teacher was abducted by several individuals who came in a van. more..

Oct 20 (FT) Advertising industry expressed concern over the sudden cancellation of the bid for a new tourism marketing campaign but Minister John Amaratunga justified the move by saying that it was to ensure due process. Process to find a suitable advertising and marketing communication agency was to reach a crucial stage yesterday with the submission of bids by the seven shortlisted parties. more..

Oct 20 (DN) Kandy Chief Magistrate inquiring into an alleged extortion case against five persons including a state intelligence officer issued notice on the Deputy Director (Administration) of the state intelligence arm to appear in court on the next date to record evidence from him. The magistrate also ordered that summons be sent by registered post to the deputy director and a copy be submitted to the Colombo Magistrate through the fiscal officer and a report be made to him. more..

Oct 20 (DN) The CID officers, conducting investigations into the murder of former MP Nadaraja Raviraj is seeking help from the Swiss govt to arrest a suspect named Charan According to sources, Charan who fled Sri Lanka is currently living in Switzerland. He is said to be a close ally of the former Eastern Province Chief Minister S Chandrakanthan alias Pilleyan. According to Police sources, the firearm used in the murder of Raviraj had been given by a military officer. more..

Oct 20 (Island) The joint opposition yesterday challenged President Sirisena and PM Wickremesinghe to make public all documents related to the UNHRC report on Sri Lanka�s alleged war crimes. Addressing a well-attended rally at Viharamahadevi Park, organised by the joint opposition, MEP leader Dinesh Gunawardena said that the President, PM and Foreign Minister had betrayed Sri Lankan forces in Geneva by more..

Oct 20 (DM) It is not clear whether the Tamil remand prisoners languishing for years in various prisons in the country started their hunger strike on Oct 12 spontaneously calling for their immediate release or whether advised by the legal eagles within their community to do so. Whatever it is, it seems to be the opportune time for an agitation of this nature in the wake of the government working hard to get into the good books of the UNHRC after the regime change in January while more..

Oct 20 (DM) 7th commemoration of Sri Lanka�s foremost film music composer and pioneer of Sinhala opera Premasiri Khemadasa took place at the SL Foundation Institute on Friday Oct 1. Event was managed and hosted by film maker Sugath Mahadiwulweva, and among those present in a packed auditorium were Khemadasa�s family, including daughter Gayathri, fans, former colleagues, academics, and many artistes from spheres ranging from film making, theatre, more..

Oct 20 (SL) Although the CID recently called on the general public to provide information related to the slaying of The Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, questions have been raised as to why the investigators have failed to question former Minister Mervyn Silva and UPFA MP Keheliya Rambukwella, who have openly stated they are aware of Wickrematunge�s murderers. It is also questionable as to why more..

Oct 20 (CT) As drug kingpin Samantha Kumara alias Wele Suda was sentenced to death this week, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) held a meeting of senior drug enforcement officials of the Indian Ocean region. These two events are closely interrelated as authorities start to question the importance of Sri Lanka in drug trafficking via Indian Ocean. As the country had a sigh of relief at the sentencing more..

Oct 20 (CT) MPs, Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila and Dinesh Gunawardena will carry out an all-out attack on the UNHRC Resolution in Parliament on 22 and 23 Oct, Centre for Human Rights and Research (CHR) noted. Talks of reconciliation and transitional justice is pointless without the release of Udalagama and Paranagama Presidential Commission of Inquiry reports to the public domain, CaFFE and the CHR opined, more..

Oct 20 (EN) Foreign investors in large projects will be able to buy land with less restrictions reverting equal to a situation that prevailed pre-2012 Minister Ravi Karunanayake said. Sri Lanka's ousted nationalist Rajapaksa administration brought additional taxes on land leases and also stopped the drawing up of freehold land deeds on behalf of foreign investors. Before that firm could buy freehold land after paying an extra transfer tax. more..

Oct 20 (BN) Sri Lanka�s central bank kept interest rates unchanged for a sixth straight month and Governor Arjuna Mahendran said the govt will focus on boosting revenue in its budget due November. Central Bank left its standing lending facility rate at 7.5% and standing deposit facility rate at 6%, Mahendran said in an interview with Bloomberg on Tuesday. All four economists in a Bloomberg survey had predicted no change. more..

Oct 20 (Island) A large number of foreign investors would arrive in Sri Lanka by January next year to launch large scale industries, University Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella said at the annual convocation of the Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy (SLBA) Pallekele last Friday. Minister Kiriella was the chief guest of the ceremony. He said that foreign investment was a prerequisite for a country�s development. more..

Oct 20 (LR) Liberal candidate Gary Anandasangaree was elected MP for Scarborough Rouge Park following a Liberal landslide in Canada. Liberal leader Justin Trudeau will be the next PM of Canada, ending nearly a decade of rule by Conservative PM Stephen Harper. In an epic 11 week campaign, the third placed Liberals who only secured 34 seats in the 2011 election, staged a dramatic political comeback securing more..

Oct 20 (ST) Govt�s new taxes on alcohol discriminate against milder beverages, giving a competitive edge to stronger spirits, industry sources said this week. A similar trend has been observed over the past five years. The excise duty on mild beer was recently increased by 27%, strong beer by 32% and arrack by just 7%. In 2010, the excise duty on mild beer was increased by 67%, strong beer by 50% and arrack by 33%. more..

Oct 20 (CG) Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) says investigations over allegations that an SLRCS technical officer requested sexual favours for faster process of payments of a cash grant to rebuild a house in the North, did not find credible evidence to back the clims. SLRCS said that it has handed over a report and documents from the inquiry over the alleged request for sexual favours to Ministry of Law and Order more..

Oct 20 (PMD) President Maithripala Sirisena says Sri Lanka is ahead of other countries in South Asia in protecting environmental standards. �My aim is to take Sri Lanka at least to 25th position of the Index of Protecting Environmental Standards, from its current position of 69�, he added. President was addressing the 9th Annual Summit of the Institute of Environmental Professionals of Sri Lanka (IEPSL), held today at Waters Edge Hotel, more..

Oct 20 (Reuters) Shares rose on Tuesday, recovering from a more than three-month closing low in the previous session as investors snapped up stocks after central bank held its key policy rates at record lows for the sixth straight month. The main stock index ended 0.34%, or 23.91 points, firmer at 7,041.26, after closing at its lowest level since July 13 on Monday. Economy should grow 6-6.5% this year given strong credit growth after key policy rates have been held at record lows since April, more..

Oct 20 (Island) Harin Fernando said that he hadn�t known what digital infrastructure meant until he was appointed Digital Infrastructure Minister. He made the disclosure while addressing a public meeting at Wellawaya. "I only found out about it after becoming the Minister," he added. "With the technology available today I am able to predict what time it would rain in Wellawaya or the weather forecast today, all because of modern technology," the minister said. more..

Oct 20 (CG) Parliament today approved a proposal by the Government to increase the limit by Rs. 400 Billion. The proposal was initially defeated by Parliament when it was presented in April by the same Govt. The 225-member legislature in April defeated the resolution under the Local Treasury Bills Ordinance with 31 in favor and 52 against when the division was taken after an extensive debate. The govt had tabled the proposal to raise funds required to meet the spending commitments more..

Oct 20 (CI) The strikes down the ground are high and sweet. His pull is whiplash-quick and the cut severe. So it's not his stroke-play Jermaine Blackwood seeks to sharpen in Sri Lanka. It is his instinct to survive. "If I'm at the crease for a long period of time, I'll be making runs," is his belief. Blackwood has been among West Indies' brightest emerging talents over the past 18 months, in which he has put together an encouraging record spanning 11 Tests. more..

Oct 20 (PMD) President Maithripala Sirisena expressed deep appreciation to China for providing continuous assistance for development of Sri Lanka. He made these remarks when he met with a group of senior delegation of the Communist Party of China, headed by the Party�s Deputy Leader and Mr Zhang Baowen, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People�s Congress of China, more..

Oct 20 (EN) Sri Lanka is to abolish a 15 percent stamp duty on foreigners leasing land in an effort to encourage foreign investment in the island, the head of the investment promotion agency said. The stamp duty introduced in November 2014 discouraged foreign investment and created a bad image, said Upul Jayasuriya, chairman of the Board of Investment. �The imposition of unequal treatment to foreigners on land lease was not a step in the right direction.� more..

Oct 20 (Island) Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has instructed the National Road Safety Authority to take immediate steps to reduce the rate of road accidents in the country as there has been a spike in road death during first nine months compared to the previous year. Minister De Silva said that according to statistics, 349 more deaths had been caused by road accidents during the last nine months when compared with the corresponding period in 2014. more..

Oct 20 (AD) Colombo Magistrate�s Court today allowed former UPFA MP Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, whose passport was earlier seized, to go to Singapore for medical treatments. The passport was released for five days upon a request made by a Counsel who appeared on behalf of the former MP. Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption had earlier issued a directive to Department of Immigration & Emigration to more..

Oct 20 (PMD) President Sirisena instructs the IGP to carry out a proper investigation regarding the disappearance of Police Sergeant Mr. Gunathilaka who worked in special raid unit of the office of DIG of Police. He gave this instruction to the IGP N.K. Illangakoon, after seeing a report titled �What happened to Police Sergeant after the verbal statement on treasure hunting � President uncle, please find our father�, published in a Sunday national newspaper last week quoting more..

Oct 20 (EN) Sri Lanka may have to repay taxes imposed by gazette which has not been approved by parliament during the specified period, Bandula Gunewardene, a legislator and former deputy finance minister warned. Sri Lanka's current administration, imposed several taxes by midnight gazette, literally while the citizenry were sleeping. The shoot-first ask questions later style taxation has been widely used by Sri Lanka's interventionist rulers for decades. more..

Oct 20 (LBO) Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake told Parliamen that the govt is in search for big companies that are not paying bonus payments to employees. �I was disappointed with some of the companies that pretended to be paying Super Gains Tax and stop certain payments,� he said. �There is no right for any of them to deprive any money going out to the hard working employees of their company.� more..

Oct 20 (PN) Wilkins Spence Packaging Lanka, a subsidiary of The Wilkins Group, is situated in Mawaramandiya, featuring a 12,000sqm factory built to the Green Building Council Standards. The site will will produce swing tickets, labels, collar cards, men�s boxer short packs, staggered packs and boxes for bras and other packaging products. Over the last 10 years The Wilkins Group has opened manufacturing hubs in Eastern Europe, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India & China with more..