Sep 26 (DN) The Police took into custody a 15-year-old girl who was in employment at a nightclub in the Welikada area. The police said that the girl was forced to wear revealing clothes and dance at the night club. The police further said that the girl would be admitted to a hospital for a medical checkup to find out whether she was subjected to sexual harassment. Victim was from the Dummalasooriya Police division. They revealed that an 18-year-old girl who visited the victim�s house often more..

Sep 26 (CT) Former SL World Cup winning cricketer and former Selection Committee member Pramodya Wickramasinghe, states that ICC Anti-Corruption Unit's (ACU) decision to investigate Sri Lanka Cricket had been taken well before his TV interview or the petition to SLC by National players. He also stated that SLC is using cricketers as guinea pigs. "I made direct inquiries with the ACU who confirmed that more..

Sep 26 (Island) Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said that he will soon appoint a three member panel to implement a report that will bring in sweeping changes to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Accordingly, former SLC Chairman Hemaka Amarasuriya, former captains Anura Tennekoon and Aravinda de Silva will form the panel. The panel will help SLC to implement a report that was drafted on the recommendations made at a gathering of several leading individuals associated with the sport more..

Sep 26 (DN) Sri Lanka and Maldives must jointly promote tourism targeting both destinations, said Minister of Finance Maldives, Ahmed Munawar. He said that this will not be a completion but a compliment for both nations. He said that both countries have two different products to offer and joint promotions would help to increase arrivals to both countries. �One of the biggest advantage is the high air connectivity between the two countries.� Minister Munawar said that more..

Sep 26 (Hindu) MDMK general secretary Vaiko, who addressed the UNHRC in Geneva on Monday, said that he was gheraoed by a Sri Lankan woman and a few former army personnel for speaking about alleged war crimes committed during the last phase of the civil war in Sri Lanka. �After I completed my speech, a woman approached me and questioned my right to speak against SL when I was not a citizen of the country. more..

Sep 26 (Island) Little did President Maithripala Sirisena know while he was addressing the UN General Assembly the other day that he was being tried for crimes outside the UN Headquarters. It was, in fact, a mock trial staged by pro-LTTE groups active in the US with a Tiger sympathiser wearing a mask resembling Sirisena�s face playing the President. Three judges presided over the mock hearing with the prosecution and defence attorneys presenting their arguments. more..

Sep 26 (DM) The price of a domestic Litro gas cylinder (12.5kg) would be increased by Rs.110 with effect from midnight today. CAA sources said the decision to increase prices was approved by the Cabinet. Meanwhile, Marketing Director of Litro, Chaminda Ediriwickrema said that following a request made to the CAA and the Finance Ministry, the approval was granted to increase the prices. He said the prices of LP gas had increased in the world market since December last year. more..

Sep 26 (DM) Central Province Governor Niluka Ekanayake today said the Central Province Education Ministry Secretary should be held responsible for allowing school children to hold a 2.5 mile long bridal veil in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record as the longest sari, as he had issued the letter giving permission. �I strongly condemn the use of school children for this event during school hours and it is an irregularity. more..

Sep 26 (DM) The National Unity Govt was consolidated last week when the two major parties -- UNP and SLFP -- worked together in a thrillingly secret way to get a two-thirds majority to pass the Provincial Councils Elections (Amendment) Bill which the Speaker signing it into law last Friday. In terms of this law, the PC electoral system also will be changed with 50% being elected on the first-past-the-post system and 50% on proportional representation. more..

Sep 26 (DM) If the Aung San Suu Kyi govt in Myanmar is sticking to its defiant stand on the Rohingya issue despite worldwide condemnation of its atrocities against the Rohingyas, it is because her govt is backed by the powerful Myanmar armed forces collectively called Tatmadaw. While State Counsellor (Prime Minister) Aung San Suu Kyi has the support of the Burmese Buddhist majority, the backing of the military is critically important given the political history of Myanmar. � more..

Sep 26 (SL) To date, no daughter of any President has ever taken on the task of writing a book on their father. Chathurika Sirisena, the daughter of President Sirisena, chronicled the�personal experiences witnessed by her during the journey of Maithripala Sirisena, who began as a local political activist and finally became the President of SL. The book� Janadhipathi Thaththa, tells of how an ordinary man who was more..

Sep 26 (ST) While the latest attempt to find a solution to the SAITM crisis � the Harsha de Silva Committee � drew mixed reactions after its report was released to the public last week, the issue is still at boiling point and no nearer to a solution than what it was when the committee was appointed. The responses to the report on SAITM were mixed, Dr. de Silva said, pointing out that while the reactions were good and bad, more..

Sep 26 (EN) The Central Bank said it is holding rates at current levels of 8.75% to inject liquidity into the banking system and 7.25% to withdraw excess liquidity. Market short-term rates, however, have started to move to the lower end of the band, with the country emerging from a balance of payments crisis, budget deficits declining and banks raising greater volumes of deposits compared to credit. more..

Sep 26 (GDI) Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said that he plans to use trains for fuel transport - which is more profitable than using bowsers for transporting of fuel. He made these comments during an observation tour of the Central Province regional office of the CPC. He said that steps are being taken to expand the regional fuel storage complexes and as the first step it is planned to expand the Peradeniya fuel storage complex. more..

Sep 26 (DM) The UNP will have a meeting today to discuss the spat between MP Ravi Karunanayake and former MP Joseph Michael Perera who confronted each other at a youth workshop at Weligampitiya in the Gampaha district during the weekend. Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told Daily Mirror that PM Ranil Wickremesinghe would meet them at Temple Trees this evening in an effort to resolve this matter. more..

Sep 26 (ST) The Treasury may have to pump several billion rupees to fund the latest salary increase for CEB employees who ceased their trade union action as part of a compromise deal this week, a senior official acknowledged. While the cost of the salary increase is still being computed, Power and Energy Ministry Secretary Dr B.M.S. Batagoda said, it will definitely be in excess of Rs 1 billion. �We�re still calculating, but more..

Sep 26 (DM) Minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka rejected reports that he was not included in the UN Delegation headed by President Sirisena to New York. The Field Marshal said he couldn�t go to the US because his visa was denied. �I could� t go to the US because my visa was rejected. This was the third time that my US visa got rejected this year. I was not granted Visa to attend my daughter�s graduation as well. more..

Sep 26 (DM) What happens in the Indian Ocean will ultimately affect Sri Lanka which is a small country on the maritime trade route, Navy Commander Travis Sinniah said yesterday. He said there was competition for the Indian Ocean and major countries such as the US, China and India were interested in it. "These are challenges that Sri Lanka has to face as we are a small country. We depend on the sea. more..

Sep 26 (Island) The GMOA warned it would resort to trade union action if the govt tried to sideline the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) and legalise Minimum Standards for Medical Education (MSME).�GMOA Secretary Dr Haritha Aluthge, warned of a plot to sidetrack the SLMC, which had been established under the Medical Ordinance to ensure that standards of medical education were maintained by all state run medical faculties. more..

Sep 26 (DM) TNA Provincial Councillor M. K. Shivajilingam told the UNHRC in Geneva since Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka- the then army commander- had admitted to the SL Army committing war crimes, an investigation should be launched through an international court to probe the charges. Addressing the UNHRC sessions in Geneva on Friday, Mr. Shivajilingam said Mr. Fonseka had stressed that he was more..

Sep 26 (CT) The news that the ICC has begun an investigation into allegations of corruption in Sri Lankan Cricket is shocking. For weeks there have been various rumours floating around as Sri Lanka barely managed to tie with Bangladesh, lost an ODI series to the lower-ranked Zimbabweans and went down with barely a whimper to the rampaging Indians nine games to nothing. Eventually there came the allegation of pitch-tampering made by Lasith Malinga and the very public comments more..

Sep 26 (FT) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe speaking at Int'l Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Annual Committee held in Colombo said for SL to promote exports and investment, Govt will soon introduce several laws including possible new legislation to improve the ease of doing business. He acknowledged 2018 and 2019 would be crucial years for Sri Lanka, but sounded very upbeat over the economic prognosis due to reforms and expectations of increased investment. more..

Sep 26 (DN) Minister Rajitha Senaratne has ordered Health Services Acting Director Dr. Jayasundara Bandara to appoint J.A. Malwattage as the Acting Chief Medical Officer of the Welikada Prison Hospital. Minister has also given instructions to conduct an investigation on the incidents which took place at the Welikada Prison Hospital in the past. Senior retired Civil Servant and Diplomat Lionel Fernando and Senior Assistant Secretary Rohana de Silva will be appointed for the purpose. more..

Sep 26 (DM) The group of 30 Rohingya refugees, who were detained at a house of UNHRC in Mount Lavinia, had been taken into the Police custody for their protection, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said. He said the refugees who were apprehended by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard officials in April this year were initially detained at the Mirihana Detention Centre. Later, they were handed over to the UNHRC and the UNHRC officials had detained them at a house in Mount Lavinia. more..

Sep 26 (DN) A tense situation arose in Kurnegala last evening when govt officials and Ministers met to discuss issues regarding the Central Expressway at the Nailiya Viharasthanaya. The officials and Ministers had to be escorted out of the premises under police security as negotiations turned into a protest. The discussion was with regard to the section being built from Pothuhera to Kurunegala. Around 200 residents from more..

Sep 26 (EN) P S M Charles, a special grade officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service has been appointed the director general of customs, by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera. She was govt agent Batticaloa, the finance ministry said in a statement. It has been a practice to appoint senior administrative officer, who had not been customs officers as the customs director general. Charles is a Graduate of the University of Jaffna and has also obtained two Masters Degrees more..

Sep 26 (DM) Political party leaders in Parliament will meet officials of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) to discuss the process followed in approving the Provincial Council Elections (Amendment) Bill recently, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said today. He said this in response to a question asked by joint opposition parliamentary group leader Dinesh Gunawardane. "The BASL has said the process followed by the govt in enacting the PC Election (Amendment) Bill was wrong. more..

Sep 26 (LT) �An Audit Service Commission was established through the 19th amendment to the Constitution 20 months ago. However, the Bill that would allow the Audit service commission to function has not been adopted yet. Now, a new situation has surfaced. It is to audit the Audit Service Commission. For, a staff has been appointed; they have been paid, provided facilities but no action has been carried out by more..

Sep 26 (PMD) �My warmest congratulations and sincere best wishes to you on your unprecedented re-election for a fourth term as leader of your country,� President Maithripala said in a congratulatory message to German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He said that her electoral victory is a tribute to her able leadership and testimony to the trust and confidence reposed in her stewardship by the people of Federal Republic of Germany. Following is the full text of the Message more..

Sep 26 (EN) Foreign investors in SL's rupee bonds may not have to pay taxes after April 2018, Deputy CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said, amid some uncertainty in markets how a new Inland Revenue law will be interpreted. SL lifted a 10% withholding tax govt bonds from April 2017 which was earlier paid up front and a tax credit was available for domestic investors. He said generally the principle was to tax residents of a country. Taxes are usually paid in the country of residence, more..

Sep 26 (PSL) President Maithripala Sirisena says that the National Economic Council expects to take immediate steps to stop importing of all non-essential food items as well as unhealthy foods into the country. He made these remarks at the opening of the Agricultural Exhibition held at the at the Training Institute of Department of Agriculture in Bombuwala, Kalutara. The exhibition was organized by the Western Provincial Ministry more..

Sep 26 (NR) The number of SL women leaving for foreign employment has significantly decreased. SL women who migrated as housemaids within the first 8 months of 2017 totalled to 37,002. However, the number stood at 73,226 in the year 2015 and dropped to 65,023 in 2016. Foreign Employment Bureau said it believes the number will reduce further in the years to come. During the first eight months of this year, 142,725 SL workers have migrated, out of which 48,374 are women. more..

Sep 26 (DM) The price of lunch packets will be increased in the wake of the price of a domestic LP gas cylinder going up by Rs.110, All Island Canteen Owners Association Chairman Asela Sampath said today. He said the price of lunch packets should be increased and lunch packets should be gazetted as an essential food item. �Lunch packets should be named an essential food item by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) and should have a controlled price. more..

Sep 26 (Island) Parliament alone can judge its members. Courts of law could not disqualify MP Geetha Kumarasinghe as she never applied for Swiss citizenship. She married a Swiss national. She was conferred Swiss Citizenship involuntarily, said President�s Counsel Romesh de Silva in the Supreme Court.�He supported an application of appeal filed by Geetha Kumarasinghe of the UPFA, who was disqualified from more..

Sep 26 (FT) Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) in a statement said it was alarmed by the lack of consultation and procedure adopted in the passage of the Provincial Councils Elections (Amendment) Act.��In making substantial committee stage amendments, a key democratic check has been sidestepped as there is no opportunity to assess the constitutional conformity of the amendments,� TISL said. TISL is of the position that committee stage amendments should only be more..

Sep 26 (Island) Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has found fault with the govt for following a non-transparent and rushing the passage of Provincial Councils Elections Act in Parliament, insisting that "the govt engages in law-making in a transparent manner that respects citizens� rights as well as the role of Parliament, particularly in relation to constitutional issues." The CPA has, in a statement, called on the govt to honour its promise and ensure that all necessary steps are taken to conduct more..

Sep 26 (CI) Players could be sent off for the first time in cricket, starting with Test matches in UAE and South Africa this week, as new regulations come into force. Changes governing umpire referrals and bat sizes will also come into force on Thursday when Sri Lanka play Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and South Africa host Bangladesh, said the sport's governing body the ICC. Decision Review System (DRS) - in which a TV umpire more..

Sep 26 (MoD) The 4th round of Staff Talks between the Armies of Sri Lanka and Pakistan was held on Saturday (23). According to Army media, discussions were held at the Sri Lanka Signal Corps (SLSC), Regimental Centre in Panagoda. The six-member Pakistani delegation was led by Major General Hafeez Ur Rehman, Director General Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence Directorate at the General Headquarters of Pakistan Army. more..

Sep 26 (EN) Sri Lanka's economic growth may be around 4.0 to 4.5% of gross domestic product in 2017, with higher growth in the second half, Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy said. In the first half growth slowed to 3.5%, with a drought slowing agriculture. Governor Coomaraswamy said exports from GSP+ trade concessions will contribute in the fourth quarter. Rains have also started which may help agricultures. "Overall there will be some pick up," he said. more..