Oct 2 (DM) NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa today challenged the govt to prove that the unanimously adopted UNHRC resolution did not contain a proposal for the setting up of a hybrid court as claimed by the govt. He said it was a big lie to describe the proposed investigative process as a domestic mechanism because the resolution clearly mentioned that foreign experts comprising investigators and judges would be more..

Oct 2 (SL) Astonishing revelations have come to light as to how former Chairman of the BOI, Dhammika Perera had approved an application made by Ranasinghe Randunu Mudiyanselage Sheerja Udayanthi alias Shashi Weerawansa, wife of UPFA MP Wimal Weerawansa, to set up a project under the export oriented category to export waste fabric. According to BoI documents, Weerawansa had been more..

Oct 2 (DM) On top of the transfers of some senior officers that caught media headlines early this week, the Central Bank (CB) yesterday effected further transfers. Central Bank sources said over 100 officials from below senior management levels to minor officials were transferred from their positions. The transfers were effected without any prior notice, as the officers were notified of their new responsibilities only yesterday morning. more..

Oct 2 (Reuters) Srhares gained on Friday to close at a one-week high with strong foreign trade in risky assets boosting turnover though analysts said the index could move sideways until the government's budget in mid-November. The main stock index ended up 0.35% at 7,105.54, its highest close since Sept 25. Foreign investors accounted for 62.5% of turnover, though they were net sellers of 32.3 million rupees worth of shares. The net foreign outflow this year is 2.88 billion rupees. more..

Oct 2 (CT) Now that the UN Resolution on promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka has been approved by the UNHRC, a new page opens up with possibilities of looking into and dealing with grave problems that have crippled the entire justice system in Sri Lanka for several decades. What is meant by the �entire justice system� includes the investigative branches into crimes, the prosecuting agency which is the AG�s Department and also the judiciary. more..

Oct 2 (CT) It was only a few months ago that the Wilpattu National Park suffered greatly when around 2,500 acres of lush green forests and trees of 50 to 60 years old were illegally cut down to make way for displaced Muslims to be resettled. Today the Wilpattu National Park and its wild animals are once again at serious risk of being destroyed due to a proposed project as part of the metro Colombo solid waste management where garbage is to be more..

Oct 2 (CT) When 18-year-old Vithya Sivaloganathan was brutally raped and murdered in Punguduthivu, Jaffna Police took several weeks to apprehend the perpetrators behind the crime. The five suspects were identified and apprehended with the facade of immediate police work and were produced before the Courts. However, the case against them is still proceeding. When five-year-old Seya Sadewmi's mangled body was discovered on a river bank with wounds inflicted on her, police apprehended more..

Oct 2 (Island) Degree programmes would hereafter be designed to cater to the job market as Industry-University linkage was very useful, State Minister of University Education Mohan Lal Grero said yesterday Addressing the Vice Chancellors and Directors at the University Grants Commission Auditorium, he said that it had been planned to allocate money next year for establishing E-Education Centres in each university and Wi-Fi facilities in all reading rooms. more..

Oct 2 (EN) Sri Lanka is asking those who have undeclared funds stashed in Swiss bank accounts bring them back with no questions asked Minister Ravi Karunanayake said. "We want to make Sri Lanka a financial hub," he said. "The money will come through the banking system in accordance with internationally accepted rules." In addition to Sri Lankan and the diaspora, money from neighbouring countries like India was also welcome, more..

Oct 2 (Island) Two lorries containing 3,300 kilos of refuse tea were taken into custody with two suspects by the Special Crimes and Operations Unit attached to the Kandy DIG Headquarters on Wednesday (30) night. The police team made the detection near Kadugannawa on Kandy-Colombo main road. Lorries were proceeding to Colombo to deliver the refuse tea to buyers there. The bags containing the refuse tea had carried labels stating Purest Tea, police said. more..

Oct 2 (CI) Lahiru Thirimanne will lead the Sri Lanka Cricket Board President's XI in the three-day encounter against the West Indians, at SSC. Batting allrounder Milinda Siriwardene, and seamers Suranga Lakmal and Vishwa Fernando, all of whom are in contention for Test call-ups, have also been named. Seamer Nuwan Kulasekara, offspinner Suraj Randiv and spinning-allrounder Sachith Pathirana find places in the Board XI squad as well. With Sri Lanka's A team overseas, a younger crop of more..

Oct 2 (DM) The loan-to-value ratio on vehicle imports has been increased to 90% from Monday, Oct 5 from the earlier 70%, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said today. �Too many vehicles are on the roads and we�re being criticised, but it�s an individual freedom,� he said. The artificially created low-interest regime had allowed financial companies to provide 100% lease financing on motor vehicle imports until more..

Oct 2 (CG) Ministry of Foreign Affairs says attention has been drawn to news reports and commentaries appearing over the past few days suggesting that the statement made by SL�s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha at the 1st informal meeting on the draft resolution on Sri Lanka held on 21 Sept in Geneva, and the subsequent moving of amendments to the draft resolution at the 2nd informal meeting by SL delegation, more..

Oct 2 (CI) Mahela Jayawardene, the former Sri Lanka batsman, will play for Central Districts in the upcoming Georgie Pie Super Smash, New Zealand's domestic Twenty20 competition. Jayawardene, who retired from international cricket after the World Cup in March, has recently played domestic T20s for Sussex in England and Jamaica Tallawahs in the West Indies. While the tournament starts from November 5, Jayawardene will play his first match for Central Districts on Nov 19, more..

Oct 2 (PTI) Coming out strongly against a UN resolution that endorsed a domestic probe in Sri Lanka over alleged war crimes, TN Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today expressed deep disappointment and anguish while DMK chief Karunanidhi termed it shocking. Also, both Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi blamed the Centre for not acting on a Sept 16 resolution of the TN Assembly seeking an international probe. more..

Oct 2 (Hindu) A group of 10 Sri Lankan Tamils housed in the special camp here observed fast on Thursday demanding their release. Police sources said the Lankan Tamils against whom cases were pending resorted to the step in the morning hours. Those in the camp have been booked in various cases including human trafficking and under Explosives Act. The fasting Tamils maintained that they would face the cases remaining outside the camp. Situated close to Tiruchi Prison, more..

Oct 2 (Stuff) A 146-run opening partnership saw Sri Lanka cruise to a seven wicket victory over the New Zealand Winter Training cricket squad at Lincoln on Friday. New Zealand reached 270-9 off 50 overs following a hard-hit 110 by all-rounder Mitchell Santner, who clubbed 12 fours and the only two sixes of the home side's innings. Neil Wagner also chimed in with an unbeaten 45 at No 9 for New Zealand while Nisala Theraka took four wickets for 59 runs for Sri Lanka. more..

Oct 2 (AD) Terming the resolution adopted at the UNHRC as an exciting and brave step for Sri Lanka to have taken, the UK says that while the process of asking and answering the questions is difficult and can be painful, it is important in instilling confidence and trust between communities which is necessary for countries to move forward. The passing of the UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka, more..

Oct 2 (PA) Bangladesh kicked off their mission of AFC U-19 Championship qualifiers with a comfortable 2-0 win against Sri Lanka in second match of Group A Qualifiers at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Friday evening. Bangladesh came close to a strike in the 28th minute. Forward Rohit Saker�s corner was pushed forward by winger Md. Ibrahim, Sri Lnakan goalie Rishad Mohammed punched the ball unmarked forward Mannaf Rabbi found the rebound but the ball went more..

Oct 2 (AD) Galle-Matara stretch of the Southern Expressway has been reopened for vehicular movement. The section of the expressway was closed from the 114km post twice since yesterday due to the risk of earth slips. The section between Kokmaduwa and Imaduwa was initially closed last night and reopened at around 6.30am this morning. However, due to the prevailing inclement weather condition in the areas authorities had decided to close expressway once again this morning. more..

Oct 2 (Reuters) Sri Lanka has imposed a 100% margin on letters of credit (LC) for motor vehicles with immediate effect to discourage unnecessary imports, Minister Ravi Karunanayake said on Friday, in a move to prevent dollar outflows and further weakening of the rupee currency. "We have information that there are unnecessary vehicle imports taking place. From this moment onwards, there won't be margin for LCs. more..

Oct 2 (EN) Sri Lanka plans to give more freedom for plantations to diversify and use their land and other resources for more productive uses, a top official said, relaxing some of the state controls that have prevented the country's progress. "Today we had a discussion on diversification in regional plantations companies," R Paskaralingam, advisor to PM Ranil Wickrmesinghe told a business forum at Finance Ministry in Colombo. "Four committees will identify tea and rubber land that are not productive. more..

Oct 2 (Island) Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka thera of the National Patriotic Movement said the Wickremesinghe-Sirisena govt had undertaken the US contract to force a war crimes probe on Sri Lanka and urged the masses to force the govt to seek approval of the Parliament and go for a referendum without giving into machinations of the West. The Thera said if any MP votes in favour of the UN resolution against Sri Lanka, he or she should not be allowed to return to electorate more..

Oct 2 (SLA) Sri Lanka-India bilateral Exercise-Mithra Shakthi, now an annual feature with the participation of Special Operation Forces (SOF) of both Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army is underway in the general area Aundh Military Station, Pune, India for two weeks. Four officers and forty one Non-Commissioned Officers from Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment (SLLI) and the troops from Indian 2 MHARA Infantry Regiment are more..

Oct 2 (CT) Batticaloa District Secretary P.S.M. Charles said at a meeting held in Kalladi Beach, that today's society has the full responsibility to safeguard the future generation and the resources of the nation. Sri Lanka is located in the Indian Ocean without any border dispute but the people have been misusing and destroying their own resources. Youth community should be enrolled in resourceful development projects and safeguard their livelihood. Social responsibility means all should realize more..

Oct 2 (CG) IGP N K Illangakoon has ordered an investigation into claims the Kotadeniyawa police had tortured a 17 year old youth who was released after being arrested on suspicion in connection with the murder of 4 1/2 year old Seya Sadewmini in Kotadeniyawa. ASP Ruwan Gunasekera said that the IGP had issued the order after a complaint was lodged against the Kotadeniyawa police. The Minuwangoda Magistrate this week ordered the release of two suspects, including 17 year old more..

Oct 2 (CI) Jayananda Warnaweera, the Galle Cricket Stadium curator, has resigned from Sri Lanka Cricket's interim committee with immediate effect, SLC has announced. Warnaweera handed over a letter of resignation to interim committee chairman Sidath Wettimuny on Friday. "In the letter he said he said he was resigning for personal reasons," Wettimuny said. Warnaweera remains the Galle stadium curator and more..

Oct 2 (EN) Sri Lanka needs to be wary of supplier-driven solutions for its urban mobility problems and not bring in modes of transport not affordable by the poor which require state subsidies, a transport expert said. The right technology must be brought in, said Amal Kumarage, Senior Professor of the Moratuwa University�s Department of Transport & Logistics Management. �We need to be technically wise and sharp to know what�s suitable for us and not bring in modes of transport that are more..

Oct 2 (CT) A spokesman for the Hakmana DS said that a mound of earth had fallen on to a house in Hakmana, causing partial damage, as a result of the incessant heavy rain which prevailed islandwide. As of now, 22 houses have been completely inundated and the number of houses which are partially damaged stands at 172. Also, villages in Ketanwila, Bangama, Jamburegama and Kokmaadhuwa, have been affected by floods. As a result of these floods travel has also been obstructed. more..

Oct 2 (DM) The govt will soon start a dialogue to change people's lifestyles which might include changing school hours, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Thursday. Speaking during the annual academic sessions of Endocrine Society of Sri Lanka, he said a national dialogue on changing the lifestyle of the people was essential to prevent diseases such as diabetes which he pointed out was spreading rapidly in Sri Lanka. more..

Oct 3 (CT) His name was Priyankara. Priyankara Hewawasam was born in Kalutara. He was a bachelor and lived a peaceful life with his parents close to Kalutara town at the ancestral home. As Priyankara was an only child, he felt no burden. His father had made enough money for him to enjoy his youth. His father built him a house and bought him a three-wheeler, fulfilling his dream of owning a three-wheeler. From then onwards Priyankara spent most of his time driving the three-wheeler. more..

Oct 3 (Island) Govt is mulling over a novel method to curb the high incidence of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs); it is planning to bring down the national consumption of sugar, edible oil and salt, we are told. A national effort is certainly called for to tackle these insidious killers responsible for seven out of ten deaths in this country. Desperate diseases, the proponents of this move may say, must have desperate remedies. Sri Lankans are known the world over for their sweet tooth. more..

Oct 3 (CT) Poison prevention week of 2015 is declared from 14-20 Sept. This year the theme of the programme is prevent household poisoning. The reason for the selection of this theme is the alarming increase in cases of household poisoning within the period of 2013 in comparison to yester years. Household poisoning was discussed in detail previously under the headline A poisonous abode on 10 May 2015. more..

Oct 3 (CT) The US first brought its resolution to the UNHRC on Sri Lanka in 2012. Rajapaksa regime had sent plane loads of jokers to Geneva spending millions of rupees to campaign against the American move. As transporting people in busses for election rallies in the Island, Rajapaksa regime with its frog in the well thinking had even spent enormous amount of money for the accommodation in Geneva of its stooges who had returned to the Island empty handed with the US bringing out more..

Oct 3 (CT) The Transnational Govt of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) thanks the UNHRC for keeping Sri Lanka on its agenda for its consideration of the mass crimes committed in the island of Sri Lanka, but expresses disappointment at the dilution of principles of justice. The world witnessed two visions of justice at the 30th Session of the UNHRC this month. One vision of justice which States are willing to dispense�a justice that is in direct contradiction to the unequivocal findings of the OHCHR report� more..

Oct 3 (CT) Ladies and Gentlemen, The purpose of this eminent gathering is to unveil a document that is a roadmap to prosperity and liveability in South Asia. The opportunity to address you on this occasion gives me immense pleasure. The title of the report prepared by the World Bank says it all. Leveraging Urbanization in South Asia: Managing Spatial Transformation for Prosperity and Liveability. I have been asked to speak on more..

Oct 3 (NS) What does it take to defeat terrorism? Well, the answer will vary depending on who is being asked the question. Here in Sri Lanka, for years, no decades, the dominant cry was address and eliminate the conditions which cause people to take up arms. In other words, it�s like cleaning up breeding grounds to deal with the Dengue mosquito. If those, who consider methodologies such as suicide bombers, human shields and of late summary execution that is videotaped and more..

Oct 3 (NS) There�s something in politics called context. Words are defined and redefined endlessly, and as such how one word holds true for one political moment may be quite different to how it�s defined in another. Relevance factors in, too, which is probably why countries have multiple meanings for ally and enemy; those terms being defined according to geopolitics and not to how saintly or beastly countries are in their dealings. Nepotism is different. It�s timeless. Space-less. more..

Oct 3 (NS) Fast rising off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal has been cleared of bowling his off-breaks but not his doosra which the ICC feels is not within the legal parameter of 15 degrees. However Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is of the view that by working proactively with the ICC and other biomechanical experts Kaushal has a good chance of getting this particular delivery also cleared. This new found confidence comes from the report more..

Oct 3 (CT) All good hopes will be dashed if the good-governance govt failed in economic governance. Establishing democracy is good but it is not everything; people hope for better economic governance too. In New York, I just got two minutes to explain this to President Maithripala Sirisena in a formal event when he was in New York in order to attend the UN�s General Assembly. He was so attentive and quite a few times nodded in assenting during my speech. more..