Jan 23 (MNA) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has submitted the extradition treaty between Iran and Sri Lanka to the Iranian parliament. President Hassan Rouhani has submitted the extradition treaty signed between Iran and SL to the Parliament. In the treaty's cover letter to Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani, Rouhani wrote, �Based on the proposal by the Ministry of Justice, the bill on extradition of criminals between Iran and the govt of SL was approved by the cabinet on Jan 3, 2018, more..

Jan 23 (Roar) There are several tales about the legendary King Ravana and his aircraft, or vimana�the most famous one being the Dandu monara. Of course, there is no archaeological evidence to prove that King Ravana existed, or was a pioneer of aviation, but Sri Lanka does indeed have a rich aviation history which dates back to more than a century. One very important milestone in this timeline was the birth of Air Ceylon� more..

Jan 23 (PMD) Five new Ambassadors presented their credentials to President Maithripala Sirisena at the President�s House, today. The envoys are: Mr. Sirajuddin Hamid Yousif: Ambassador of Sudan; Ms. Pham Thi Bich Ngoc: Ambassador Vietnam; Mr. Han Thu: Ambassador of Myanmar; Mr. Lee Heon: Ambassador of Korea; Mr. Cheng Xueyuan: Ambassador of China. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tilak Marapana and Secretary to the Prez, Austin Fernando were present on this occasion. more..

Jan 23 (CT) ACMC leader Rishad Bathiudeen, at a public meeting in Pottuvil, said that SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem's statement about contesting under the symbol of an elephant in order to remove the controversial statue at Mayakkallimalai in Irakkamam is ridiculous. He also went on to criticize Hakeem's statement that people should not to worry about changing symbols as long as the candidate's views are clear about serving the people. Bathiudeen was addressing a meeting more..

Jan 23 (OX) For the first time, researchers have shown that Asian elephants in SL are scared of honey bees, much like their African counterparts. Playbacks have been used for many years to explore the behavioural responses of African elephants to a suspected natural threat. However, research published in Current Biology, is the first time this technique has been used to record how Asian elephants react to sound of bees. more..

Jan 23 (CI) Sri Lanka opener Hasitha Boyagoda and left-arm spinner Haren Buddila lead a brutal rout of Kenya, of 311 runs in the ninth place playoff in Lincoln. Boyagoda racked up the highest score in Under-19 ODIs, scoring 191 off 152 balls, as he took Sri Lanka Under-19 to their highest-ever ODI total of 419 for 4. In reply, Kenya were bowled out for 108 with a four-for from Buddila. Opting to bat, Sri Lanka's openers brought up 87 runs in 11.2 overs. Boyagoda went on to stitch more..

Jan 23 (DN) The Colombo High Court yesterday fixed for February 21 to deliver its order regarding the preliminary objections raised by former MP Tiran Alles in connection with a Rs.200 million fraud that had allegedly taken place at the RADA in 2006. President�s Counsel Romesh de Silva with Nalin Ladduwahetty PC appearing for Tiran Alles alleged that prosecutors have failed to follow the provisions of Evidence Ordinance when dealing with computer evidence. more..

Jan 23 (DM) Ahead of the govt�s move to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Singapore, a collective of professional movements said yesterday there were serious violations of the law, best practices and good governance in the negotiation process of the agreement. Issuing a communique, they said they took steps to inform all the Cabinet Ministers including President Sirisena urging them not to grant Cabinet approval to more..

Jan 23 (CPI) �It is for the people of Asia to run the affairs of Asia, solve the problems of Asia, and uphold the security of Asia,� Chinese President Xi remarked at the 2014 Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia. But can the two rapidly surging Asian countries live in co-existence and collaborate with one another, respecting each party�s security and economic concerns in their quest to run the affairs of Asia? Over the years, China has demonstrated more..

Jan 23 (DM) The CEYPETCO yesterday sealed the fuel dispensing pumps and the underground petrol storage tank of the Gamsabha Junction filling station over complaints that it had sold kerosene-adulterated petrol. The raid was carried out by the CPC Special Raids Division. �A sample was referred to the laboratory for testing and further action will be taken after the results,� the CPC said. CEYPETCO sealed the Nawala filling station last Wednesday after it was found to have pumped kerosene more..

Jan 23 (DM) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the IGP was indirectly involving in propaganda work requesting to vote for the Yahapalana Govt. Addressing an election meeting in Mahiyawa, Kandy, Mr. rajapaksa said the IGP was addressing Police Officers in Vavuniya asking whether the Yahapalana Govt is good? And two police officers who went there from Colombo said Yes Sir by approving IGP�s speech. more..

Jan 23 (Island) Ceylon Teacher Service Union demands that Uva Chief Minister Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, who is accused of having forced a female principal to kneel before him, be sacked immediately. General Secretary of the CTSU, Mahinda Jayasinghe said: "Not only the Chief Minister but also the Provincial Education Secretary, Provincial Education Director and Zonal Education Director unashamedly sided with the CM to cover up this ugly incident too should be sacked. more..

Jan 23 (NR) Colombo High Court today ordered Registrar to launch an investigation into the misplaced key of a safe containing gold jewellery worth billions belonging to the wife of large scale drug racketeer Samantha Kumara alias Wele Suda at a state bank in Nugegoda. The key was reportedly misplaced at the office that contains court produce at Colombo HC. The order was issued by HC Judge when the case against Wele Suda, his wife and his sister was taken up for hearing more..

Jan 23 (LT) Ranil-Maithri-Mahinda clique that took steps to break up the state service has no right to ask for votes from state employees and the govt has not taken any action to increase the salaries of state employees by Rs.5967.00 according to the increase in the living index up to Nov 2017 says the General Secretary of the JVP Tilvin Silva. He said this speaking at a press conference held at the head office of the JVP more..

Jan 23 (AD) Uva Province Chief Minister Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, who surrendered to police in connection with the allegations that he allegedly forced a female school principal to kneel, has been granted bail by the Badulla Magistrate�s Court. He had surrendered to the Badulla Police Station through a lawyer this morning (23) in connection with the incident. He was produced at court under the police �B report� as charges have not been filed against him, Ada Derana reporter said. more..

Jan 23 (AT) Tamil pop singer and actor A.E. Manoharan passed away yesterday at Chennai. He has acted in several Indian and Sri Lankan films. He is known worldwide for singing Sinhala mixed pop songs Chinna Maamiye and Surangani Surangani. Although A.E.Manoharan is famous today as a pop singer few will know that he began his entertainment career by acting in dramas and locally produced films in the �50s and early �60s. Manoharan�s singing career began in Colombo in 1970 more..

Jan 23 (AD) Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development has taken steps to draft a Bill for amending the Fisheries Act No 59 of 1979 (Foreign Fisheries Boats Regulation Act) and it will be presented to the Parliament for approval. Act will be amended to prevent illegal fishing activities in the SL waters and protect the fisheries and aquatic resources of the coastal belt of SL. A number of articles have been revised in the Act. more..

Jan 23 (EN) Sri Lanka can buy at least US$ 150 million US a month from forex markets to end the year with around US$ 10 billion in forex reserves, Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy said. He said the central bank had to buy about a 100 million dollars a month under an IMF program, but it could buy about 150 million dollars, from forex markets a month in 2018. "We feel we can purchase about US$ 200 million a month," Coomaraswamy told a forum at CCC in Colombo. more..

Jan 23 (NR) The report of the PCoI to investigate and Inquire into the Issuance of Treasury Bonds and the 34 reports of the PRECIFAC were officially tabled in Parliament today. A party leaders meeting was also held today to decide on a date to hold a debate on the reports. The reports were handed over to the Parliament Secretary General last Wednesday. The PRECIFAC reports contain investigation reports into 17 incidents of corruption. The report contains recommendations more..

Jan 23 (DM) Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said today the date of the debate on the PCoI and PRECIFAC reports would be decided at tomorrow's party leaders meeting. JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the debate should be held before Feb 10. "PCoI report has referred to the actions of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe on the appointment of former CB governor Arjuna Mahendran to the post," more..

Jan 24 (DN) Human beings in the process of getting civilized and cultured through education, get enlightened; and in addition to being lawful in public conduct also become urbane, refined, formal, gracious, cordial, suave, sober and self-denying for the sake of others. Yet life in the context of modern society is made miserable by public servants among whom are politicians, who abuse their position. They twist the truth of many a situation to create problems for citizens and thereby make unlawful gains. more..

Jan 24 (CT) That is the approach Australian authorities use in their health and safety messages to women. There are some similarities in the way alcohol affects humans, both men and women; there are differences too. Drink the same amount of alcohol, yet the woman�s blood alcohol level will be almost always higher than that of a man. Yet, many women are in denial with regard to how alcohol affects their bodies. Nonetheless, this is not a concern limited to women only. more..

Jan 24 (SO) Leader of SLPP Prof. G.L. Peiris says, his party whose ideology mirrors that of the SLFP is heading for a landslide victory at the LG elections. Denying allegations that former Minister Basil Rajapaksa�s role within the SLPP had been a subject of contention or concern, Peiris said, he has considerable strengths with regard to organization and logistics, therefore, his contribution is respected by the membership. more..

Jan 24 (CT) Prez Sirisena's query, from the SC, as to whether he is entitled to a 6-year term, was both sad and silly. It was sad because it suggested that he was anxious to go on for longer than the reduced period laid down in the 19th Amendment, for which he had claimed great credit. Since his raison d'�tre, as it were, was reducing the excessive power of the Presidency, he has rather shot himself in the foot by seeming to want to restore some of what which he claimed that he has freely given up. more..

Jan 24 (CT) It is astonishing that the Joint Opposition had not picked on State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Wasantha Senanayake's, bitter observation that Sri Lanka's foreign policy is being crafted overseas. Senanayake made these remarks whilst speaking at a public function commemorating his great-grandfather F.R. Senanayake. He revealed that the Foreign Ministry must now work with those determined to enact the Geneva Resolution that is inimical to Sri Lanka. more..

Jan 24 (CT) Minister Malik Samarawickrama says even if there are slight differences of opinion between President and PM, they will solve it and work in cooperation. Q: Bond Commission Report is out, now. It is against the UNP that the gravest charge is directed Vis-a- Vis with regard to the Bonds deal. UNP MPs are said to be behind it. Will this not affect the UNP's future? A: Nowhere it is mentioned in more..

Jan 24 (DN) With a three-way race for the local govt polls well underway, actually a five-party race if one considers the official opposition JVP and the TNA as well, President Sirisena at a political rally late last week in Kosgama, called on the people to prevent a return to the past. He urged the people to not leave room for the return of white vans, fear, humiliation and ethnic disharmony. When Sri Lanka was fast becoming a near pariah state on the world stage and where rampant corruption by kith & kin of more..

Jan 24 (Island) The SLFP, under the stewardship of its founder leader S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, mobilised what came to be known as the Pancha Maha Balawegaya or Five Great Forces (Buddhist monks, physicians, teachers, farmers and industrial workers) in a bid to achieve its goals. But, over the years, the SLFP has accommodated within its ranks various evil forces; some of these anti-social elements have even secured key positions in the party. more..

Jan 24 (CT) One of the objectives of the regime change that took place on January 8, 2015 was to create a new political culture that would be consistent with a civilized democratic society. It would not be far wrong to say that the Yahapalana Govt has taken some steps in this direction. With the opening up of democratic space people are not afraid to give expression to their views and to critique the Govt and even the President and the Prime Minister in the strongest terms. more..

Jan 24 (Island) Island editorial of Monday (15) paid a glowing tribute to the incumbent Veddha Chief Uruwarige Wannialaeththo, describing him as the one true leader we still have, and further suggesting that he is perhaps the last of the Mohicans. Both descriptions are, no doubt, exaggerations prompted by the editor�s desire to express his deep moral indignation at the well known propensity of some of our average politicians towards rank corruption and crude behaviour in Parliament & outside of it. more..

Jan 24 (CT) According to the decisions and events, which are contradictory to each other, within the Power and Energy sector in Sri Lanka, it is apparent how totally messy the field has become. It was two weeks ago that engineers of the CEB warned of a huge electricity supply crisis which could arise in the months of March and April. While the Govt suddenly halted the construction of the Sampur Coal Power Plant, more..

Jan 24 (CI) Zimbabwe made a complete hash of their 217-run chase against Bangladesh in Mirpur, as they were bowled out for 125 and lost by 91 runs. In the process, they also lost control of their path to the tri-series final. Sri Lanka now have a chance to overtake them on the table if they beat the home side in the last league game on Thursday. Bangladesh's spinners and medium-pacers combined impressively to bowl Zimbabwe out in 36.3 overs, helping their side to more..

Jan 24 (Island) Recently we, as concerned and honorable citizens who have placed in the members of the present Parliament our highest hopes and considering them icons of integrity, were utterly disillusioned, dismayed, shocked and frustrated at the ugly scenes of erratic behavior that were orchestrated and the pitiable chaos that followed such childish demeanor of our peoples� representatives. This is an unprecedented event that superceded even the unruly incidents when more..

Jan 24 (DN) CEB, Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL), North Western Provincial Environmental Authority and Environmental Foundation Limited will sign an agreement on measures to address the environmental concerns at Norochcholai Coal Power Plant. Agreement is comprised of an action plan with long term and short term solutions to environmental pollution from fly ash and coal dust at the Lakvijaya premises. more..

Jan 24 (Island) Vidyartha�s Dinesh Kavishka and Visakha�s Hansani Piumila won the awards for the Most Outstanding Players at the Junior National Table Tennis Championships worked off at the Kandy Municipal Council Indoor Stadium. Kavishka, together with fellow Vidyartha players Udaya Ranasinghe, Prasad de Silva and Krishan Wickremaratne have been dominating their age-group events even at National level. Kavishka�s strong-point is that he produces different more..

Jan 24 (DN) Wins by the SL cricket team in the one-day format have today become so few and far between that any win is looked forward to with eager and anticipation that with it the side would come out of the rut it has fallen into. Two back to back defeats in the ongoing Bangladesh one-day Tri-series was not the ideal start for the New Year for SL who had gone through a rather lean period in 2017 losing 23 of the 29 ODIs played. However with their backs against the wall and facing an early exit more..

Jan 24 (FT) An upbeat PM yesterday backed economic liberalisation focused on investment but also acknowledged stronger policies were needed to protect local businesses with the anti-dumping bill earmarked to be debated in Parliament today. Speaking at the 59th AGM of National Chamber of Commerce, he said one of the aims of govt�s outward-looking economic policy was to develop SL business on a global scale. more..

Jan 24 (CT) National Olympic Committee (NOC) sent the official notification to the member clubs confirming the four-year delayed AGM will be held on 23 Feb. According to the constitution, Membership has to be informed 30 days ahead of the AGM. As per the notice signed by NOC President Hemasiri Fernando, Nominations will close at 4 pm on 09 Feb, 14 days prior to the election. Member clubs have also been told to inform the NOC before 5 February as to who more..

Jan 24 (CT) Former Wesley College Colombo Rugby master-in-charge and schools rugby's renowned administrator, Nihal Mudannayake (68), passed away on Sunday following a cardiac arrest. One of the important figures in the schools' rugby arena, Mudannayake is well known among the schools rugby fraternity for the past three decades. His association with rugby started from Wesley College where he was the master-in-charge for 22 years. Later he became the first Treasurer of more..