Mar 15 (CT) EPRLF Secretary and TNA MP N. Sivasakthy Ananthan said both leaders Sampanthan and Sumanthiran are taking the most crucial decisions in the TNA. They rarely discuss and obtain the opinions of others of the constituent parties. "We obtained a people's mandate assuring a suitable political solution within a merged North-East; solution for enforced disappearances, political prisoners and lands. However, since of late more..

Mar 15 (SL) Smart Patriotism is the latest of smart products put up on sale by a street smart academic-politico-diplomat Dayan Jayatilleka. It comes in line with Smart Phones, Smart Casual (Dress Code), Smart girls and boys with polkudu accents and many more things Smart, now on sale. What of the good old patriotism � Breathes there a man with soul so dead and all that like President Maithripala Sirisena declaration of�82 rebellious sons of the Uva, including legendary Monaravila Keppetipola, more..

Mar 15 (CT) When we commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the Russian Revolution, the world situation has changed quite dramatically. Capitalism, which those who welcomed the Russian revolution thought would leave the stage of human history, continues to be around, renewing its usual destructive capacities as well. Capitalism has survived many challenges modeled around the Russian revolution. Despite survival and regeneration, capitalism and its legitimacy more..

Mar 15 (SL) Yet another UNHRC session has come and gone. As always, nearer home and afar, Sri Lankan stake-holders to the ethnic issue have said their periodic piece(s). It means nothing to anyone concerned, or anyone who is concerned. There is a difference, though. Over the past years since the UNHRC got involved post-war, the international community too has got used to the mind and method of SL stake-holders. More importantly, the global players too have proved to be quick learners. more..

Mar 15 (Island) After decades of struggling against university ragging (a misleading euphemism for the systematic torture of new entrants) one contemplates the recent hue and cry over a torture house in Peradeniya with some pessimism. It looks as if the campus torture of new entrants had come to stay and might never be eliminated from our universities. One is inclined to make this gloomy prediction for several reasons. The first reason is that generally speaking university teachers more..

Mar 15 (Roar) Govt has pledged us a new constitution, an inclusive constitution, an openly drafted constitution,�a referendum approved constitution. Last year, whole Govt seemed to be participating in a thorough reshuffle of attitudes, principles, and expectations, with a minimum of stubbed toes. As�Foreign Minister, Mangala Samaraweera, stated at the 30th Session of UNHRC, The best guarantee for non-recurrence, a political settlement that more..

Mar 15 (Island) Amidst mounting pressure, on the political front, with the Joint Opposition (JO) relentlessly undermining his authority, President Maithripala Sirisena has apparently ended his honeymoon with those who had brought him to power, just over two years ago. President Sirisena has thrown a coalition that had helped him to defeat war-winning President Rajapaksa, at the presidential polls, into disarray. President made his move at the onset of 34th sessions of UNHRC. more..

Mar 15 (SLN) SL Navy�s Flagship Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), SLNS Sayura left for Malaysiathis from the Port of Colombo, to take part in the Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2017 held on Langkawi Island. The ship bade farewell in accordance with naval traditions prior to her departure from the Colombo Harbour and the occasion was attended by the Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral, Niraja Attygalle and several senior officers. more..

Mar 15 (CT) There is a risk of the Schools Badminton Association (SBA) being deprived of their vote at the SL Badminton Association AGM to be held on 24 March due to the actions of a powerful official of the Southern Province Badminton Association (SPBA). The deadline for handing over nominations was 12 noon on 10 March, but an official holding a top post in the SBA arrived 10 minutes late and handed over more..

Mar 15 (DN) Lycamobile, a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) operating in 21 countries worldwide from London is still keen to purchase Hutch mobile in SL. �We have made a very sound offer to the company and we were about to go ahead with the deal,� an official from Lycamobile said. He said they are still keen to go ahead. Lycamobile owned by a Sri Lankan first made an offer to buy the local company last year. While the deal was about to the inked SLT Mobile more..

Mar 15 (ST) Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA), the apex regulatory organisation in the Construction industry said the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation (THTF) is trying to forcefully move its (CIDA) head office to Sausiripaya, Battaramulla, by refusing to extend its lease. Despite several requests made to the THTF, it has not agreed to extend the lease. CIDA office at Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7, is situated on THTF land for the last 30 years, and more..

Mar 15 (ENS) Now that the week-long agitation over the death of young Rameswaram fisherman Britjo, allegedly at the hands of the SL navy is over and the body has been buried, Tamil Nadu�s fishermen are wanting the Central Indian govt to find a permanent solution to the problem of fishing in the Palk Strait and believe that PM Narendra Modi can deliver the goods. U. Arulanandam, President of the Association more..

Mar 15 (CT) The 2017 karting season got off to a great start for young Eshan Pieris with second place in Round 1 of the 2017 Rotax Max Asia Championships held in Sepang Malaysia. Under very warm conditions, Eshan finished the Time Trials in 4th, just mere tenths behind Indonesia's Senna Noor and Prassetyo Hardja, who took the lead. In both the semi-finals and finals, Eshan came in second behind Prassetyo Hardja and ahead of Senna Noor who has been more..

Mar 15 (Island) When then ICC Chairman Jagmohan Dalmiya admitted Bangladesh as a full member of the ICC in 2000, there were many who frowned at the decision. But 17 years on, Bangladesh are no more pushovers. Dalmiya hailed from Calcutta and his mother tongue was Bengali, so he had a soft corner for Bangladesh some may say, but it�s not hard to understand a visionary of his stature realizing the potential Bangladesh had. It�s a crying shame that Dalmiya passed away more..

Mar 15 (OBG) The latest purchasing managers� index (PMI) released by SL�s central bank showed continued expansion in manufacturing, which stood at 56.2 points in January; any PMI reading above 50 indicates growth. Since the central bank began producing monthly PMI data in May 2015, manufacturing index has been largely positive, dipping into negative territory only in April & May of last year, partly a result of adverse weather more..

Mar 15 (Island) Representatives of several social organisations, led by Kalutara District MP Jayantha Samaraweera, requested authorities to quickly find solutions to the problem of drinking water in the areas of Panadura, Wadduwa, Beruwala and Kalutara. Due to excessive mix of sea water to the tap water in the area, its users are faced with a serious risk of being infected with kidney disease and high blood-pressure. "The water distributed in the area by the water board contains salt more..

Mar 15 (CG) Minister Rajitha Senaratne has been urged to address a medical emergency situation in Kinniya. President of Muslim Council�of SL�M.N. Ameen, has written a letter to the Health Minister saying there is a major�outbreak of dengue in the Kinniya area resulting in 13 deaths. �As you are aware, there has been a major outbreak of Dengue in the Kinniya area of the Trincomalee district. 13 deaths have been reported during the past few days with today�s death toll being two. more..

Mar 15 (FT) Nearly 200 foreign delegates are scheduled to attend the first-ever Finance Asia-organised and multi-stakeholder-supported Sri Lanka Investor Summit in Hong Kong tomorrow at iconic Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Organisers said as of Tuesday around 190 foreign companies/representatives had registered for the full-day Summit. Number is likely to be higher as SL makes a serious pitch to woo investor interest more..

Mar 15 (Island) The Bar Association of Sri Lanka will hold Elections for the Post of President for the year 2017/18, today from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. at 77 polling stations including Colombo.�Solicitor General Suhada Gamalath, PC has been appointed as the Returning Officer, and he will be conducting the Elections in Colombo.�The District Judges, Additional District Judges and Magistrates will be the Presiding Officers at the Outstation Bar Polling Centres. more..

Mar 15 (CT) Retired Australian businessman Brian John Shaddick, giving evidence before Colombo High Court Judge R. Gunasinghe, said that he never gave Power of Attorney to Udaya Gammanpila to sell his shares in the Pan Asia Bank. MP Udaya Gammanpila has been indicted in the Colombo High Court with fraudulently selling 100,000 Australian dollars worth of Pan Asia Bank shares belonging to Brian John Shaddick. Examined by Deputy Solicitor General Dilan Ratnayaka, more..

Mar 15 (FT) With the aim of addressing concerns raised by the IMF on enhancing oversight and financial discipline of State Owned Business Enterprises (SOBE), Govt is scheduled to sign the first Statement of Corporate Intent (SCI) with five Govt entities today. Aimed at improving efficiency, five SOBEs - CEB, CPC, Water Board, Airport & Aviation Services and SLPA - will sign SCIs in the first round. more..

Mar 15 (EN) Sri Lanka has sold US$ 973.25 million of bonds in 1, 2, 3 and 5-year tenors with the bulk of it coming in floating rates after calling bids for US$ 830 million of securities. Debt office said it sold US$ 177 million of 1-year SL Development Bonds paying 254.97 basis points above the 6-month London Interbank offered rate. It sold US$ 341 million of 2-year bonds priced 319.15 basis points above 6-month Libor, US$ 74.27 million of 3-year bonds priced 373 basis points above Libor more..

Mar 15 (CT) Forged metal road direction indicator boards in the Hambantota District have been stolen and are being used in eateries to make kottu roti, Regional Engineer of Hambantota RDA, D.C. Lionel informed the Ambalantota Divisional Coordinating Committee last Monday. A significant number of restaurants in the Hambantota District have been seen using these heavy metal slabs to slice and dice kottu roti, a habit that brings on the evening Kottu Symphony to draw customers. more..

Mar 15 (DM) The Attorney General today informed the Court of Appeal that MP Geetha Kumarasinghe was still a citizen of Switzerland and according to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, a person who has dual citizenship cannot be an MP. Deputy Solicitor General Janak De Silva informed Court that, according to clause 91(1) of the Constitution, she was not entitled to Parliamentary privileges and could not be a MP. more..

Mar 15 (DC) DMK spokesperson T.K.S. Elangoan on Tuesday challenged BJP leader Subramanian Swamy to prove his allegation that DMK president M. Karunanidhi received money from former PM Indira Gandhi to agree for the granting of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka. Citing Karunanidhi's statement on 18 April last year, he said the DMK had never agreed to part with Katchatheevu and the party had opposed it very strongly. DMK had convened an all party meeting against more..

Mar 15 (AN) Saudi Arabia has pledged to support Sri Lanka by offering its expertise in the desalination sector, Minister Rauf Hakeem, said. Hakeem met with his counterpart, Abdul Rahman Al-Fadhli, minister of water, environment and agriculture, in Riyadh on Tuesday. �It was a useful and cordial dialogue with the Saudi minister where Saudi Arabia would offer technical support and advice on desalination projects that would be undertaken by the Sri Lankan govt,� Hakeem said. more..

Mar 15 (Island) Federation of National Organizations (FNO) wants the govt to commission an official assessment on OISL (OHCHR Investigation on SL) in the wake of both President and PM ruling out foreign judges in the proposed judicial mechanism in line with Geneva Resolution 30/1. FNO has produced a comprehensive report titled A factual appraisal of OISL report: A rebuttal to the allegations against the armed forces more..

Mar 15 (PTI) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe today pitched for closer cooperation among countries of the region to combat threat of terrorism, warning that maritime infrastructure in the Indian Ocean region could be a potential target of terror groups. He said non-state actors operating in the region were powerful and there was a need to work unitedly to shield the Indian Ocean Region from maritime terrorism, observing that it has the potential to disrupt economic growth. more..

Mar 15 (ST) The tender for the supply of Electronic National Identity Cards, has run into a storm, after the lowest bidder was allegedly left out. Of the 12 bidders, the lowest bidder, an Indian company bidding with a local company, had offered to supply an eNIC at Rs 48, but the company selected had quoted Rs 70 per eNIC. The Technical Evaluation and Procurement Committee claimed that the lowest bidder had not provided the Business Registration Certificate of the company, but more..

Mar 15 (CT) Commission investigating the issue and sale of bonds, which examined the relevant file, pointed out, to CB Micro Finance Director Dhammika Nanayakkara, that when appointing the primary dealer, eligibility requirements had not been taken into consideration. Based on files and records, the Director of that Company was Shiromi Wickremesinghe, sister of former CB Governor, Nivard Cabraal. more..

Mar 15 (DM) Today is world Consumer Rights Day and the Consumers International Movement says the theme for this year will be consumer rights in the digital age, considering its contemporary significance for developing and developed countries. The CI says that more than 3 billion people or some 40% of the world�s population is online now, compared with only 1% in 1995, with projections indicating the number will continue to rise. Although this still leaves many consumers more..

Mar 15 (DM) Many of our recent problems stemmed from our inability to accept our geographic reality- that is our immutable placement a few dozen miles from India. That presence has not always been a blessing. But, if we appreciated out existential reality, and also the capabilities and sensitivities of our northern neighbour that harm could have been lessened and even some benefits might have been accrued. Obviously, had it not been for the Indian involvement, we would not have a terrorist more..

Mar 15 (DM) Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardane, says that the Govt has undertaken over 300 major development projects. He says democracy flourishes today in the country. Q: National Unity Govt will complete its second anniversary this year. How do you look at its performance? A: Most of the people are not used to this novel experience in politics. With the past experiences, they believe in reverting to the old system. more..

Mar 15 (Island) Minister Malik Samarawickrama has discussed prospects of increasing bilateral trade and investment from the European Union during discussions with European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstr�m on Monday (13) in Brussels, especially in light of Commission recommendation to restore the GSP+ facility to Sri Lanka. Minister Malik Samarawickrama accompanied by Ambassador Rodney Perera more..

Mar 15 (DM) Talking about the UNHRC process and its implications on Sri Lanka, former External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris in an interview said the govt had committed to implement the provisions of the resolution, and that it had placed the country in a serious situation. How do you compare and contrast the processes undertaken at the UNHRC during your time and the current rule? A: There is a huge disparity between more..

Mar 15 (ST) While a lawmaker who represents people of Meethotamulla says he has been told that Colombo�s municipal officials will look for an alternative site to dump garbage from Saturday, the head of the CMC insists that waste will continue to be hauled to the foul mountain regardless of resident�s warnings to stop the dumping. The garbage mountain at Meethotamulla has swelled to 180 feet with more..

Mar 15 (GDI) Along with Sri Lanka�s 34th World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) celebrations, the country is also launching its first consumer oriented digital platform service today. President Maithripala Sirisena and Minister Rishad Bathiudeen are scheduled to unveil the first consumer oriented national social media platform by the country�s apex safeguard agency, Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) this afternoon at Nelum Pokuna more..

Mar 15 (DM) Included in the repertoire of Victor Rathnayake�s cherished songs is Daivayogayakin Novedo Hamuwune Api Hamuwune, Daivaye saradam labannata Kima Mese Apa Hamuwune, a song which narrates one�s own fate. Victor Rathnayake sang this accompanied by several acoustic guitars at almost all of his SA concerts. With such a soul-stirring melody the song became an overnight success, hummed by more..

Mar 15 (PSL) A religious ceremony to open the newly built seven-storey building comprising Sangawasaya, Dana Shalawa and Seemamalakaya, at the Makutaramaya Myanmar Temple in Dematogoda, was held with the participation of President Maithripala Sirisena, yesterday (14). The religious ceremony was held under the patronage of Supreme Mahanayake Thera of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha, more..