Nov 27 (FT) The second housing project in Colombo targeting middle class professionals with an investment of over Rs. 7 billion is set to kick off in December.�Cabinet has already granted approval to award the construction job for the project costing Rs. 7.799 billion to Yanjian Group Company Ltd, which earlier constructed the Nelum Pokuna theatre. Only two bidders, Yanjian Group Company and Maga Construction, qualified through the technical evaluation, a top official of UDA said. more..

Nov 27 (PTI) Sri Lanka's election body today announced to hold local polls on a staggered basis after the govt's proposal to hold them on a single day got stuck in legal technicalities. President Maithripala Sirisena's faction of the SLFP has been accused of delaying the election out of fear of losing them by the faction led by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa. The govt had postponed the elections for over 330 local councils in the island nation since 2015 for electoral reforms. more..

Nov 27 (Island) A delegation of civil society representatives has received an assurance from President Sirisena that the ongoing efforts to re-unify the SLFP ahead of the forthcoming elections to local govt bodies wouldn�t be at the expense of the national unity govt. Spokesperson for the delegation Gamini Viyangoda immediately after nearly two and half hour meeting said that a discussion had been sought in the wake of heavy exchanges more..

Nov 27 (DM) Two weeks before the Gujarat assembly polls, India is today at its worst as far as sanity is concerned.� �The ridiculousness of the country- wide protests against the movie Padmavati and the stoic silence maintained by the BJP and Congress leaders even after a bounty was offered on the head of actress Deepika Padukone, have rung alarm bells among the moderate Hindus and the country�s minorities. It is obvious that both PM Modi and Congress Vice President Rahul more..

Nov 27 (DM) This month the SL Govt made bold and unequivocal promises to ensure all our individual human rights are protected as equal citizens. Speaking before the United Nations, Deputy Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva, reaffirmed Sri Lanka�s commitment to the full realisation of human rights in our country. Minister de Silva was head of the delegation at Sri Lanka�s Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which is a chance for the UN to review our human rights record. more..

Nov 27 (ST) Right to Information (RTI) Commission has ordered the release of key documentation relating to the missing findings of the Commission of Inquiry Report into the death of SLMC founder and Minister M.H.M. Ashraff and fourteen others on Sept 16, 2000 in a SLAF) Mi-17 helicopter crash. Report of the one-man Commission of Inquiry constituting Former Justice L.K.G. Weerasekera had been appointed by more..

Nov 27 (Island) Twenty four youth died from January to October end this year due to careless behaviour on railway tracks. �The victims had been attempting to take selfies on the rail track when they were killed by moving trains. In the absence of last year�s data as regards selfie-related accidents, National Council for Road Safety was however not in a position to compare the situation pertaining to deaths and injuries on railway tracks. more..

Nov 27 (CT) The Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL), which had strongly objected to a Cabinet decision to obtain 100 megawatts of emergency power in order to face the 2018 power crisis, on 24 Nov reversed their decision, sources said. PUCSL was of the view that since the CEB is duty bound to implement the Least Cost Long Term Generation Expansion Plan (LCLTGEP) for 2018 to 2037, which they approved last July, more..

Nov 27 (CT) The commemoration of Maveerar Naal, or the Great Heroes' Day, for the second time since the LTTE was wiped out in 2009 is set to be held today as the clock strikes 6:06 p.m. At various burial sites in the North and East, where LTTE combatants lay buried, thousands of torches will be lit invoking blessings on them. A larger crowd than last year is expected to take part in the rituals with flowers and food offered to the dead. more..

Nov 27 (CT) It has become apparent that even a minor thing, such as an SMS, can cause severe instability in the country's petroleum sector, if the Govt does not give priority to swiftly focusing its attention on ensuring fuel security. A fuel crisis is capable of having an immediate and direct impact on the economy of the country as well as the daily routine of people. It has become apparent that even a minor thing, such as an SMS, can cause more..

Nov 27 (ST) All heart operations, except emergency cases, at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) are likely to be halted by its Cardiothoracic Team on Friday (1) due to fears of high infection rates. This tragic heart-stopping moment has befallen the NHSL, the premier heart centre of Sri Lanka, as two of its Cardiothoracic Operating Theatres (OTs) are under prolonged repair while the other two OTs are allegedly infested with more..

Nov 27 (DM) Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said he would submit a report to the Cabinet tomorrow demanding a revisit to the tax reduction on beer by the budget 2018 as the facts and figures quoted in the budget proposals justifying the tax reduction on beer were factually incorrect. He stressed that there was no evidence to prove that beer consumption would reduce the consumption of hard liquor and sale of illicit more..

Nov 27 (CI) Virat Kohli will go to South Africa without having lost a Test series as a captain after India took an unassailable 1-0 lead in the series with their joint-biggest Test win and SL's biggest defeat. As Kohli crept closer to most Test wins for India, his No. 1 matchwinner so far, R Ashwin, became the fastest man to 300 Test wickets. It is not easy to keep turning up after you have wasted all the good fortune in one Test more..

Nov 27 (Reuters) Sri Lanka will release nearly 50 acres of state-owned land in the near future for investments in Colombo�s commercial area, as SL targets a record $2.5 billion in total foreign direct investments next year. Land scarcity and strict land ownership rules for foreign investors have discouraged offshore investors so far. Prez Sirisena�s coalition govt has been gradually clearing some state lands dwelled more..

Nov 27 (NR) The Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs has informed the Kilinochchi District Secretariat to stop work on the restoration of an LTTE cemetery in Kilinochchi. Kilinochchi MP S. Sridharan had allocated 4 million rupees out of his decentralized budget to renovate the LTTE cemetery in Kilinochchi. Accordingly, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe had also informed authorities to launch an investigation to check if more..

Nov 27 (CT) A countrywide crackdown carried out by Special Police teams on the directive of IGP Pujith Jayasundara has led to the arrest of 3,700 persons in connection with various nefarious activities in the past three days. Lightning operation with the deployment of 18,127 Police personnel was carried out following the increase in criminal activities in recent months. Apart from the arrests, illegal firearms narcotics and several thousand litres of illicit alcohol were also seized in special more..

Nov 27 (FT) Delivering the Henry Steel Olcott Memorial Oration 2017 in Colombo recently, the Central Bank�s Senior Deputy Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe outlined the change of the game plan of conducting monetary policy by the bank in the years to come. That was to control inflation directly instead of controlling intermediate factors that contribute to inflation.�This novel method � known as inflation targeting or IT � has been adopted by at least 28 CBs, more..

Nov 27 (CT) President Sirisena, in assurances given to civil society representatives, has clearly implied that the prosecution of certain individuals suspected of wrongdoing was in the hands of the political leadership, namely himself and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and not necessarily a matter for law enforcement and prosecuting authorities. Gamini Viyangoda, one of the civil society representatives who had met with Sirisena to discuss moves to unify the SLFP and the possible repercussions for more..

Nov 27 (EN) Agarapatana Plantations, which is making a cash call having suffered a serious loss of capital, has managed to return to profitability with the help of resumed bought leaf operations and the recovery in tea prices. The company is trying to raise cash through a rights issue of� 227 million ordinary shares in the proportion of two for one existing share at Rs2 per share. Agarapatana aims to raise Rs454 million to settle statutory liabilities, mainly pension payments. more..

Nov 27 (DM) Christina Peiris, who was crowned Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2017, was among the top 16 (Semi Finalists) chosen from 92 participants at the 66th Miss Universe Pageant held in Las Vegas, US on Sunday.� This was the first time since a Sri Lanka participant made headway in the competition after Maureen Hingert was crowned second runner up in 1955.� Christina Peiris (23) was born in Ratmalana & studied in Holy Family more..

Nov 27 (DN) The appeal petitions filed by five accused, including former MP Duminda Silva, challenging the judgment of Colombo High Court was fixed for�March 29, 2018�by Supreme Court, today. Five accused, including former MP Duminda Silva, who was sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court for committing the murder of four persons - including former MP Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra. The five had filed an appeal petitions in Supreme Court challenging more..

Nov 27 (AD) Addressing a JO media briefing today, he said that the present govt is attempting to arrest Gotabhaya Rajapaksa driven by the wants of LTTE diaspora,but makes no attempt to arrest officers who took decisions regarding LTTTE at a same time period. �It is a commonly known fact that R. Paskaralingam actively supported LTTE to divide the country during 1980-1990 era. But he is currently working under the Prime Minister as a Financial Advisor� he pointed out. more..

Nov 27 (PMD) President Maithripala Sirisena left for Republic of Korea today commencing a three-day state visit on the invitation of the Korean President Moon Jae-in. The visit takes place in conjunction with the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Republic of Korea. President Sirisena is scheduled to meet with the Korean President Moon Jae-in at the Blue House, more..

Nov 27 (AD) There is no basis to arrest Former Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, as he has not financially misappropriated state funds, said Minister Sarath Amunugama said. �There is controversy going on about Gotabhaya Rajapaksa being arrested. But I learnt that he had not gained any personal gain by approving the estimation for the construction of the D.A. Rajapaksa Museum and Memorial.�It is a usual for Govt contracts to utilize more sums than the amount which was more..

Nov 27 (CI) Virat Kohli has been rested from the ODI series against Sri Lanka. Rohit Sharma will lead the ODI side in Kohli's absence. The squads for T20I series against Sri Lanka and the tour of South Africa will be picked around the time of the Delhi Test, which starts on December 2. Kohli will captain India at his home ground before going on break but there remains the possibility - according to a BCCI official - that he will be back for the T20Is starting in Cuttack on Dec 20. more..

Nov 27 (AD) MP Udaya Gammanpila says that regardless of political differences the entire country accepts that former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is a hardworking individual who doesn�t lie or cheat and that this is why the govt is afraid. The PHU leader claimed that they have reliably learnt that the Attorney General has already instructed the police to arrest the former Defence Secretary. more..

Nov 27 (DM) TNA MP Shanthi Skandarajah today requested the govt to allow those in the Northern Province to�commemorate�their war heroes by visiting the cemeteries in which they were�buried. Ms Skandarajah who was speaking during the committee stage debate in Parliament today�said residents in the Province should be allowed to visit cemeteries and commemorate�their war heroes. She also stressed the need to restore�cemeteries in which the war heroes were�buried. more..

Nov 27 (DN) A case filed against former Akuressa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Saruwa Liyanage Sunil who was indicted for raping an underage girl at his own guesthouse in 2012 was fixed for�tomorrow. Colombo High Court Judge Sampath Wijeratne made this order, when the case against former Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman was taken up for trial. The Attorney General indicted Saruwa Liyanage Sunil party for sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl on or around 23 May, 2012 to July 2, 2012. more..

Nov 27 (AP) Police said Monday that they have arrested 22 people who were attempting to migrate illegally to Australia by boat. The suspects were arrested on a tip Sunday in the coastal town of Puttalam. They were to appear in court on Monday. Sri Lankan and Australian authorities are cooperating to combat human smuggling. No Sri Lankan asylum seekers have reached Australia by boat since 2013. more..

Nov 27 (NR) Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga says the govt should launch a new programme to develop the country. The former President said the government should maintain a clear vision and a process in order to develop the country. Speaking at an event in Veyangoda the former Head of State said leaders focused on helping the public and ensuring their welfare should be appointed from the Cabinet of Ministers to Local Govt bodies. more..

Nov 27 (DM) The Danish pump giant, Grundfos, which has been in Sri Lanka for a quarter-century, sees ample opportunity in the island nation as the demand for water across drinking, agriculture and industrial use, is on the rise. �Grundfos sees plenty of business potential in the country. We expect to continue experiencing double-digit growth in Sri Lanka,� Grundfos Singapore and Export Markets (Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Myanmar) Country Manager Andy Tan said. more..

Nov 27 (NDTV) Nic Pothas urged senior pro Angelo Mathews to do some soul searching as he can only come up with solutions to his wretched form as Sri Lanka lost fourth time to India inside three and half days in the last five Test matches. Sri Lanka interim coach Nic Pothas on Monday blasted his players after the poor show against India in the second Test at Nagpur and said that his team should be embarrassed after more..

Nov 27 (AD) Attorney General today submitted a motion with the Court of Appeal requesting to call the petition, filed against the delimitation Gazette notification, on Nov 30.� A stay order had been issued preventing the implementation of the Gazette notification, when the petition seeking to invalidate the Gazette notification issued on the Demarcation of wards of Local Authorities was taken up by the Appeals Court on Nov 22. The petition was scheduled to be taken up again on Dec 4.� more..

Nov 27 (Island) British All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils called on SL�s govt to allow Tamils to freely remember their war-dead in the North-East. During the war, the LTTE held week-long celebrations in the last week of November with Prabhakaran making his policy statement. Condemning the destruction of cemeteries in the North-East, cross-party group of British MPs said they stood with the Tamil community as they rebuild their destroyed cemeteries as part of more..

Nov 27 (DM) A twelve-member committee chaired by Prof. Ravindra Fernando, Head, Department of Forensic Medicine of Colombo University has made far-reaching proposals on the Policy and Legal Framework pertaining to the Law on Inquests into Deaths. Proposals include a Postmortem Examination shall be mandatory for certain types of deaths such as un-witnessed suicides, deaths of multiple more..

Nov 27 (NR) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe today reiterated that the L Election will be held in January as agreed. PM had expressed his views during a party leaders meeting that took place at the Parliamentary complex today. The interim injunction issued against the implementation of the gazette on delimitation was discussed at length during the discussion. The party leaders had unanimously agreed that the Local Got Election should not be delayed under any circumstance. more..

Nov 27 (DM) National Organizer of the Joint Opposition Dalles Alahapperuma said it is with disgust that the Joint Opposition rejects the shameless attempt being made by the govt to postpone the elections of local govt bodies for about 2 years and 7 months. We take this opportunity to sound the death knell of the politics of govt. He said, "When delving into the history of postponement of elections, it is the main partner of this govt, UNP that has become unpopular. more..

Nov 27 (EN) The number of fixed internet connections in SL grew rapidly in the first half of 2017, exceeding that of mobile connections. Telecom sector performed well during the first half of 2017 with improved telephone density and rapid growth in internet services. By end June 2017, fixed telephone penetration (connections per 100 persons) and the mobile telephone penetration stood at 11.7 and 131.3, respectively. more..

Nov 28 (CT) Crisis is escalating and proliferating daily. It is a crisis of the Yahapalana model and strategy. It is a crisis created by UNP�s unacceptable cosmopolitan neoliberalism with its program of foreignization of the economy, combined with the provocative proto-secessionist behavior of the NPC that has generated a reactive social groundswell, which in turn has impacted upon the base of the SLFP and caused a crisis of the unity govt, all of which has deadlocked the state machinery more..