Sept 4 (Nation) The Punjab govt has decided to send a high-level delegation to Sri Lanka to study their tourism industry, in a move to promote tourism in the province. An exposure visit has been arranged for officials of the Punjab govt from Sept 8-11. The purpose of the visit is to look for ways to build knowledge partnerships, share best practices and explore the opportunity for joint training to enhance culturally and heritage tourism sector in Pakistan. Since the visit is sponsored by World Bank, more..

Sept 4 (DT) The ASEAN countries are enjoying quite a lot of tourism spotlight, but if you want to stick to SAARC nations for your Eid getaway, you might just want to hop on a plane for a 2.5 hour flight down south to the beautiful tropical island of Sri Lanka. Few places in the world hold such a remarkable combination of awe-inspiring landscapes, pristine beaches, rich cultural heritage and unforgettable experiences within such a compact location. The country�s span of 65,610 kilometres hold more..

Sept 4 (CG) Central Bank has held talks with the US on the sanctions imposed on Iran. CB Governor Indrajith Coomaraswamy said that sanctions on certain items have been revoked and tea is one such item that could be now exported to Iran. However the Governor said that though tea export does not come under US sanctions, the ban on financial transactions has not yet been lifted. Coomaraswamy said that his banks officials more..

Sept 4 (Island) Sri Lanka Wood International Exhibition � 2016, scheduled to be held from Sept 9 � 11, offers a promising opportunity for the growth of the wood industry. The exhibition is a trade show in its true sense which provides an opportunity to keep abreast with the latest technology and techniques available in the wood industry and using them in application to meet global standards. These techniques, with the latest innovative technology in the wood industry, more..

Sept 4 (PTI) Six people, including an Indian, have been arrested by SL navy with over 2 kg of heroin in their possession, prompting the country to step up its surveillance on its northern seas to prevent smuggling mainly from South India. The navy arrested five Sri Lankans and an Indian yesterday from the northern district of Mannar's Pallimunai with over 2 kg of heroin. Today coastal operations have been stepped up due to increased detection of illegal transfers of mostly Keralaganja. more..

Sept 4 (MO) Hundreds of mourners attended the funerals of five friends, who drowned on a day trip to Camber Sands beach last month, in South-East London on Sunday. Kenugen Saththiyanathan, Kobikanthan Saththiyanathan, Nitharsan Ravi, Inthushan Sriskantharaja and Gurushanth Srithavarajah, who were in their late teens and twenties, died on August 24 after encountering difficulty while swimming on more..

Sept 4 (ST) Rajarata region is experiencing drought conditions that prevail during this time of the year, until October, unless there are unseasonal rains. As the drought period that began in July nears its end, most water sources, including rivers, streams, tanks and wells either have very little water or, have completely dried up. The drought, however, provides an opportunity for many in the region to engage in fishing. With very little water for fish to swim in, catching them is easy. more..

Sept 4 (ST) Eastern Province leads the nine provinces in the use of plastic lunch sheets and food wrappers. A joint survey by the CEA and Sri J'pura University on waste disposal patterns found 96% of the solid waste collected from households in Eastern Province was composed of plastic food wrapping. The survey was done in groups of 5000 households in each province around the island. In Southern Province, 80% of solid waste from households was plastic food bags. more..

Sept 4 (SO) All passengers are to undergo voluntary screening and testing for Zika at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Katunayake. Disembarking passengers will also be given leaflets on symptoms of Zika, a mosquito borne disease for which there is no vaccine, for self evaluation, and forms to indicate if they have travelled from a high risk country such as South America, Health sources said, Saturday. more..

Sept 4 (DM) Six persons had been killed and 17 were injured in five separate accidents in the past 24 hours in several places. A 58-year-old motorcyclist was killed when a van crashed on him in Chilaw on the Chilaw-Puttamal Road. He succumbed to his injuries on admission to the Chilaw Hospital. The driver of the van has been arrested by Chilaw Police. In another accident a motorcyclist was killed on the spot of an accident in Suriyawewa, when a tractor crashed into his motorcycle. more..

Sept 4 (ST) Suicides in Sri Lanka are highest among persons of the age of 71 and above, according to data compiled by Police for the past three years. In the age category of 71 and above, 357 people committed suicide in 2013, 324 in 2014 and 307 in 2015, according to data tabled in Parliament by Minister of Law and Order Sagala Ratnayaka. Overall, suicides in Sri Lanka remain high among all age categories between the ages of 17-71, with a total of 3,058 suicides recorded in 2015. more..

Sept 4 (DM) Visiting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon while evading the issue of a presumption of War Crimes being committed in Sri Lanka, instead said the UN failed in its duty �particularly during the last stages of the conflict�. Answering questions posed to him at the concluding media briefing held at the Galle Face Hotel last evening, Moon evaded specifics and instead couched his answers with diplomatic jargon. more..

Sept 5 (CT) To pronounce indictment on Yahapalanaya as being not up to the mark leads to more concern: What have SL instead? SL is faced with a situation lacking economic performance. This is what we read. However, its ability to coordinate, what is available; human resources, capital, labour and organisational availability is proceeding well. This does not mean investments in real terms are not taking place. Although, the govt is able to borrow, it deliberately shows more..

Sept 5 (CT) A new trend seems to be emerging in the public statements and behavior of some foreign diplomats accredited to Sri Lanka. Such talk and behavior would have been unthinkable in the past. A onetime British High Commissioner in Colombo in late 1980s was almost declared Persona no grata due to some unacceptable remarks made by him. The only exception was during the tenure of onetime Indian High Commissioner JN Dixit during the turbulent days of 1985 to 1989. more..

Sept 5 (SO) The Govt last week imposed tight quality controls on water bottle plastics but two industries - water bottlers and bottle-makers - seem to be tossing the blame between each other over the use of carcinogenic and fertility damaging plastics. Last week, all bottled water companies were mandated by the law to ensure that the bottles bear the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLS) certification of the plastic used for the bottles. more..

Sept 5 (ST) Visiting UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon�s assertion that much needs to be done in order to redress wrongs of the past and restore accountability of key organizations, particularly the judiciary and the security services raises an interesting question. Post last year�s rainbow revolution, where is the focus on substantive institutional reforms? Let me delight in being as heretical as always and pointing out that, on the contrary, there appears to be a settling for more..

Sept 5 (ST) As Rajapaksa runs into Tamil protest storm in Kuala Lumpur, the President asks UN chief for more moons for reconciliation What a shame that the new joint opposition�s candidate for leadership of the new soon to be touted political party Mahinda Rajapaksa could not drop in for a spot of egg hoppers last evening at Paget Road and celebrate Maithripala�s Sirisena�s birthday after the traditional birthday cake with 65 candles on it was cut. Pity. It would have saved him a lot of bother; more..

Sept 5 (CT) Minister S.B. Dissanayake, former President Rajapaksa's absence from the SLFP Convention is not an issue, as he is only an advisor of the party; and that if he is going abroad he cannot anyway attend. Q: How are the arrangements for the 65th Party Convention progressing, Minister? A: Good. Everything is being carried out well. I believe that this will be the most successful Party Convention to be held in more..

Sept 5 (GV) Close to the Bone, billed as a theatrical collaboration between Arun Prematilleke and Isuru Kumarasinghe, was part of Colomboscope 2016 and held at the Presidential Suite, Cinnamon Lakeside. Almost exactly three years ago, Prematilleke directed Paraya, also an immersive theatre experience held as part of that year�s Colomboscope, albeit in a markedly different, much more dilapidated yet far more expansive venue. Paraya was compelling. more..

Sept 5 (NS) Desperate times need desperate measures. Is this sense of desperation we see in some of those espousing the return of former Presiden Rajapaksa? We need to pose that question in light of the reaction in social media to the arrest of two individuals, one of them a 17-year-old schoolboy, for allegedly hacking the website of President Sirisena. Some have suggested � tongue in cheek no doubt �that President sacks his information technology experts and employ more..

Sept 5 (ST) The game of volleyball has been a part of Sri Lankan sports culture for the past one hundred years. Then since 1990, the game also enjoys the that elevated status of being the National Game in Sri Lanka � and the only country to recognise that sports at that level in the world. Yet, what have we done or got return? The game of volleyball had failed to live up to expectations. In 1976 Sri Lanka men�s team won the Bronze medal at the Mohammed Ali Jinnah tournament and more..

Sep 5 (Island) Some of the new economic initiatives announced by the SL govt about integrating the economy with the wider world, initially acquiring land to create special economic zones where large scale investment projects from India and China are to be invited to locate, are a refreshing departure from an economically dysfunctional post-independence mindset of nationalist pre-conception of the national interest as a zero sum game with the world beyond: their gain is our loss & our gain is their loss. more..

Sept 5 (SO) Last week, a 17-year old schoolboy from Kadugannawa made headlines when he was arrested for allegedly hacking the President�s website. The suspect posted a message calling for the postponement of the A/L exam. After arrest by police, the student, as a minor, was put under probation and later released on bail. In the past, a considerable number of non govt and govt websites were hacked. It is interesting to note that more..

Sept 5 (CI) Since the last match, in which four Pereras played, Sri Lanka's selectors performed a Pererectomy - cutting out Thisara from the squad completely, and removing Angelo from the XI. The remaining Pereras did still manage one excellent moment of synergy in this match. A Dilruwan delivery took Matthew Wade's glove on its way to keeper Kusal. Umpire Aleem Dar ruled not out originally, but SL reviewed upon Kusal's insistence, and first dent in Australia's chase was made. more..

Sept 5 (CI) Chris Lynn and Aaron Finch are the latest Australians to be injured on the Sri Lanka tour. They joined Shaun Marsh (broken finger) and Nathan Coulter-Nile (back injury) on the injury roster, and will not be available for the two T20Is later this week. "Chris dislocated his left shoulder whilst diving during a fielding drill at training today," Australia's physiotherapist David Beakley said. "Consequently he will be unavailable for the remaining matches and instead will return to Brisbane to more..

Sept 5 (CI) For the 5th time in the series Sri Lanka batted first and a vaguely familiar match played out as Australia ran down the hosts' 195 in the 43rd over, zipping up the series 4-1. Mitchell Starc was denied his customary early wicket this time, but Sri Lanka's middle-order collapse happened anyway, as it often has in the past two weeks. Australia's top order then delivered another consummate performance on spinning track; more..

Sep 5 (Island) Ruling pigs�in the Orwellian sense�under any govt are more equal than other animals in kapati suit in this country. They enjoy legal impunity. The present administration consists of self-proclaimed messiahs who secured a popular mandate to savour power again by promising to eliminate bribery and corruption and restore the rule of law and democracy among other things. But, the special police units and the obnoxiously politicised CID are not called in to probe corrupt deals more..

Sept 5 (FT) The Court of Appeal on 29 Aug further extended the Interim Order till 27 Sept suspending the impugned transfer of a lady graduate teacher from Kurenegala to Monaragala district at the alleged malice on the part of the Education Minister. Bench comprising Justices Vijith Malalgoda (President of CA) and P.Padman Surasena fixed the matter for argument on the Stay Order on 26 Sept. The aggrieved teacher who was serving at the Wayamba National College of Education, more..

Sept 5 (FT) Monetary Board Secretariat on Friday directed the Company Secretary to oust the Lankaputhra Development Bank (LDB) Chairman after considering the opinion of Attorney General in terms of the Section 42 (7) of the Banking Act. Accordingly, Monetary Board Secretariat in a letter dated 2 Sept 2016 directed the Company Secretary to bring it to the immediate notice of the Board of Directors of LDB that more..

Sept 5 (DM) A new forensic laboratory would be established within this year for the use of SL Police to help sleuths to analyze evidence during their investigations, DIG Priyantha Jayakody said. This move coincides with the 150th Anniversary celebrations of the SL Police. DIG Jayakody said the setting up of a forensic laboratory was an idea mooted by IGP Pujith Jayasundara, who encouraged his officers to utilize the latest technology in police investigations to ensure more..

Sept 5 (Xinhua) Foreign Ministry condemned an act of violence on its high commissioner in Malaysia. Ministry confirmed that High Commissioner to Malaysia Ibrahim Ansar had been assaulted by a group of people at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Ansar is receiving medical attention in Malaysia. Foreign Ministry said High Commission of SL in Kuala Lumpur is coordinating with local law enforcement authorities and other relevant local authorities to identify perpetrators more..

Sept 5 (CT) Govt will set up four more institutions, before the end of 2016, as a part of the ongoing reconciliation process, in a bid to find a lasting solution to the ethnic crisis which has lasted for over five decades. There will be a Truth Seeking Commission which will deal with what happened during the war, a Reparations Commission to deal with compensation for the victims of crime and a Accountability Mechanism as well in more..

Sept 5 (DN) Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) has every reason to lodge a formal protest over the poor refereeing in the Asian Rugby Sevens Series first round final against Hong Kong where Sri Lanka were robbed of a certain win. Sri Lanka lost the final 22-17 but it could easily have been 17-15 in favour of Sri Lanka had it not been for a blunder on the part of the Australian referee. There is a saying that pictures don�t lie. The picture depicted here shows clearly that more..

Sept 5 (EN) Lee Hedges, a publicly traded company in Sri Lanka said it will build a 2.8 billion rupee multi-storied serviced apartment project in Colombo. Board of Directors had formally approved the decision on August 26, the firm said in a stock exchange filing. "Although there is an increase in the supply of residential apartments, the demand for property in prime location such as ours is likely to be steady," Chairman S R Vamadevan told shareholders in March 2016. more..

Sept 5 (Island) Wartime Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama alleged that the outgoing UNSG Ban Ki-moon had caused considerable damage to Sri Lanka ahead of forthcoming judicial inquiry into war crimes allegations by comparing the offensive against the LTTE with genocide in Ruwanda and Srebenica in the 90s. UNSG�s comments couldn�t have come at a worse time for Sri Lanka, he said. more..

Sept 5 (FT) President Sirisena says the Cabinet of Ministers should take steps to quickly approve the proposal tabled by him to increase the tax on tobacco products to 90%. President requested all Ministers and MPs to avoid postponing their duties and making a whole country ill. He made this request while participating in the opening of the newly-built building complex at Maharagama Apeksha Cancer Hospital, on 3 Sept. President also engaged in the distribution of food to more..

Sept 5 (ST) �Besides the beautiful landscapes and beaches that Sri Lanka has to offer, we are also looking for security. This is why we decided to hold Miss Intercontinental in Sri Lanka because it�s a safe place and we feel very secure here,� said CEO of the Miss Intercontinental Organisation Detlef Tursies. For Sri Lankans who have suffered the effects of a 30-year long war, hearing Sri Lanka declared as a safe place to hold a major beauty pageant is heartening. more..

Sept 5 (CT) Several Board members of the People's Bank, which carries the slogan Pulse of the People, by last week took it upon themselves to bring it to the notice of relevant govt hierarchies of a massive corrupt deal behind the Bank's much ambitious digitization project. People's Bank in a bid to become SL's first digitized bank started its required process back in June 2015, yet all that was projected as good for the bank more..

Sept 5 (CT) One out of every five houses has a dengue breeding site and the public should pay more attention to destroy them prior to the upcoming North West monsoon season, Consultant Community Physician, Dengue Control Unit, Dr Preshila Samaraweera said. Dr. Samaraweera said that so, far in 2016, 62 deaths have been reported due to dengue. She noted that the major reason for the spread of dengue is the ignorance of the people regarding destroying dengue breeding sites. more..