Nov 23 (DN) Sri Lanka Customs have confirmed an export quantity of 23.3 Million kilos of tea exports for the month of October 2018, which is about 8% lower than 25.5 million kilos YoY. Teas in bulk, packet and bag exports were also lower by 12%, 6% and 5% respectively. The Jan � Oct figures too show a deficit of 5.7 million kilos with exports of 235.6 million kilos. The bulk tea quantity of 102.1 million kilos was also 2.9 million kilos less than the corresponding period a year ago. more..

Nov 23 (NR) The JVP says Parliament has failed to launch a programme to reach a solution for the present political crisis in the country. Speaking in Parliament leader of the JVP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said another political coup will lead to bloodshed. The MP noted the country was experiencing its most undisciplined political era. MP Dissanayake stressed certain Parliamentarian have accepted money not only to defect but also to remain with the party. more..

Nov 23 (DN) National Economic Council (NEC) Secretary General Prof. Lalith Samarakoon reiterated that there is no question about SL�s capacity as well as willingness to service its debt obligations on time. �There is no intention to deviate from our fiscal discipline either which we have agreed with the financial institutions in our medium term framework. If there are minor deviations with respect to revenue shortfall or increase more..

Nov 23 (AD) The appeal filed by Attorney General against the acquittal of Ven. Gnanasara Thero and 12 others over the case filed for allegedly attacking and causing damages to the Calvary Christian Center in Malabe, has been withdrawn from the Supreme Court. The appeal was taken up before the SC judge bench consisting of Justices Deepali Wijesundara and Achala Wengappuli today. When the appeal was heard before the court on previous occasions, the defense had presented more..

Nov 23 (CT) Archeologists lamented the lack of concern shown by the Govt towards the restoration and conservation of King Parakrama Bahu�s palace in Polonnaruwa, which was built during the 11th Century. They attributed this to the incompetency on the part of the project manager, as he was under qualified to handle such a major project, thus causing the entire process to come to a halt. Top officials in charge of the restoration project said the palace has rapidly deteriorated due to more..

Nov 23 (DM) Responding to criticism directed at foreign envoys for meeting with local party representatives, German Ambassador Joern Rohde said that listening to all sides was a part of their job. Speaking for his foreign counterparts, German Ambassador stated that the criticism directed at Canadian High Commissioner and members of the diplomatic community over whom they meet with was unfair. more..

Nov 23 (CT) Low cost hydroelectricity has been meeting more than half of Sri Lanka�s electricity needs at least in the past 31 days. This has been possible due to the North-East Monsoonal rains. Average costs of hydro, the cheapest source of electricity; coal and fuel oil (thermal oil)-based power generation by the CEB as at last year were Rs 2.77, Rs 9.74 and Rs 25.72 per electricity unit, respectively. Meanwhile, the average cost of electricity purchased by the CEB from more..

Nov 23 (CT) Protesting against Prez Sirisena violating the Constitution and his undemocratic conspiracy, about 1,000 trade union and civil society organization (CSO) representatives began a continuous sathyagraha unto death, under the leadership of Sri J'pura Uni Lecturer, Ven. Dambara Amila Thera, opposite the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo yesterday (21). They want the Prez to withdraw his anti-democratic, unconstitutional conspiracy and refrain from providing more..

Nov 23 (CI) In his fifth Test in charge, Suranga Lakmal has perhaps his greatest leadership challenge yet. When he led Sri Lanka to wins against West Indies and South Africa, he largely had his first-choice attack at his back, and was up against opposition that appeared seriously vulnerable. England, though, are a much sterner test. They know how to bat in spinning conditions - much better than Sri Lanka had imagined. more..

Nov 23 (AD) UPFA MP Udaya Gammanpila says that they will not recognize Karu Jayasuriya as the Speaker of Parliament hereafter if the latter refuses to recognize them as the legitimate govt of the country. Speaking at a press conference at the parliament complex today after the govt MPs staged a walkout during the session, he said that the total number of MPs Select Committee is 13, including the Speaker, and therefore the number of MPs that can be appointed to the committee is 12. more..

Nov 23 (EN) Sri Lanka's tech industry chamber SLASSCOM called for a swift end to the ongoing constitutional crisis as investors hesitate to set up or expand businesses in the island nation, it said. �We have already heard of companies who are concerned to setup or expand their business operations in Sri Lanka based on the present turmoil," Jeevan Gnanam, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Association for Software and Services Companies said. more..

Nov 23 (EN) SL's finance ministry said the govt will give a five-year tax exemption to agricultural-based small and medium industry and slash income tax rate on processing industries using local agricultural commodities to 14% from 28%. A statement said the move is to promote agricultural production in the country for exports and consumption purposes. It also announced the govt proposed to raise the threshold for more..

Nov 24 (CT) All of us, who voted to elect Hon. Maithripala Srisena as the President of SL, should apologies to each other for doing so. It may be due to our expectation that we may get rid of an evil and bring forth a man of principle who will pull us out from the den of the wicked. Unfortunately it has not been so. In fact by voting for Hon: Srisena, we have escaped from the burning fire, to a smothering fire with no escape route in sight. Similarly, all those who voted for Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, more..

Nov 24 (CT) A friend of mine, who suggested on Facebook that democracy touting Colombo 7 liberals have been calling Maithripala Sirisena a gamarala and a gramasevaka, got the following reply from an irate Colombo citizen: Those insults came from the SLFP when he contested. This same friend, when he suggested that Colombo 7 wants democracy but not elections, got an even pithier response: Aren�t they Sri Lankan citizens too? To which the friend retorted: Supposedly. more..

Nov 24 (FT) The SL Legislature has witnessed many controversial happenings over the years. The august assembly�s humdrum existence and insipid routine has often given way to bursts of excitement by the unusual, irreverent conduct of its members. A former PM once tried to enter the House clad in amude (loin cloth) to draw attention to the price rise in clothes. Opposition Party members drove bullock carts more..

Nov 24 (DN) When late in the blustery evening of Oct 26 Prez Sirisena swore in Mahinda Rajapaksa as PM he set in motion a constitutional crisis of an unprecedented intensity. To say it was a surprise move is an understatement. There was a sitting PM; the Prez offered no public explanation, prior or even immediately after, for his drastic move. A few days later, the President went on air explaining the difficulties of working harmoniously with the incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe, more..

Nov 24 (CT) The takeover of Czechoslovakia by the Communists in 1948 is an example of how a party having minority support in Parliament, but aided by a weak President, could topple a democratically elected Govt. A year after World War II, in 1946, Czechoslovakia held a Parliamentary Poll. That was to be its last free poll for 44 years, until 1990, coinciding with the breakup of the Warsaw Pact after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, a year earlier, in 1989. more..

Nov 24 (SO) In our continuing series of the Sri Lanka Railways, today we highlight the role of the Railway Guard. These men represent a long and proud tradition from as far back as 1864. They have and continue to work on every single train that runs across the country. Their main operating office is located at the Maradana Railway Station, Platform No 5. I met up with the Guards Inspector Janaka Fernando, who counts 33 years of service. more..

Nov 24 (SO) The humble saint clad in a brown habit (cassock) and tonsured head, has drawn the affection of millions of Catholics globally. St. Anthony of Padua, a Franciscan friar is probably the most popular figure in the galaxy of venerated saints. There are many shrines, chapels and churches dedicated to this prudent priest. One such church is in Colpetty. During 17th century this area was a village called Barandeniya. Its radical name change is linked to a Kandyan Chieftain. more..

Nov 24 (Island) Prior to end October and the controversial sacking of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe by President Sirisena, the general focus of the political debate in Sri Lanka was on the upcoming presidential elections, the next national elections that was due, nominations for which would be called by this time next year. Joint Opposition (JO) did make noises about the provincial council elections, wanting to follow up their performance in the February local govt elections, more..

Nov 24 (DN) Agro-based industries are important for a developing country for its economic prosperity. It leads to the creation of forward and backward linkages in the development process on a large scale by making agriculture and industries mutually beneficial to each other. On the other hand, the development of agro-based industries can help realise various linkages or inter-relationships between industry and agriculture. This article explains the nature and classifications of more..

Nov 24 (FT) Much has been made of Sri Lanka being a sort of anti-Cloud Cuckoo Land� a nation in a state of absurdly overoptimistic fantasy or unrealistic idealism where everything is perfect. And once upon a time, this was never if ever true. But things change. And thus, we do too. If our position seemed partisan before the contretemps, it was because we loved the state of Rome more than its republicans. Today, though, if we can ever again claim to be in the ranks of Tuscany � more..

Nov 24 (Roar) Digital technology is fast becoming the foundation of the future of our society. Setting alarms, trips to the bank, calculations, finding directions on maps; we can do all of these on a single device. Our phones. And it isn�t restricted to phones. From the govt to the military, to private and public businesses as well as individuals, all factions of society are becoming increasingly dependent on technology and using digital means to more..

Nov 24 (Island) Since independence, our country has been ruled by Right and Center-Right parties. The latter was, however, mistaken as Center - Left on account of its association with some Left parties. In all such instances the major partner in the alliance used the Left to strengthen their power, at the expense of the Left. Their easy subordination and willingness to refrain from asserting independence led even the conservative Right to use the Left to strengthen their power. more..

Nov 24 (Island) The GCE O/L exam will commence on Dec 3 at 4,661 centres countrywide and go on till Dec. 12. A total of 656,641 candidates including 233,791 private applicants will sit the exam. Commissioner General of Examinations B. Sanath Pujitha said that special exam centres would be held at the Magazine Prison in Colombo for prisoners, at Tangalle and Ratmalana for the visually handicapped children and at Matara and Chillaw for children who needed special care. more..

Nov 24 (Island) Mr. Johnston Fernando says he did not throw the Bible during last Friday�s violent session of Parliament. He also says he is one who respects the religion, and would not do such things. Makes one think that this talk of Bible throwing by him is only an Opinion, which is very important these days, by those of the UNP who are opposed to him. Whatever we think of Bible throwing by him or any other wild politician, more..

Nov 24 (Island) The Sirisena-Rajapaksa govt has been fighting shy of accepting the challenge, from the Opposition, to prove that it has a working majority in Parliament. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has held that he does not recognise PM Mahinda Rajapaksa (as well as the govt) because the latter does not command the confidence of Parliament. The parties, opposed to the govt, have shown that they have 122 members. Having declared that there is no govt, the Speaker continues to use his more..

Nov 24 (CT) Leader of CWC and Minister, Arumugam Thondaman has urged estate workers to go on a token strike on 26 Nov as the discussion of plantation companies with the Finance Ministry over the Rs 1,000 per day wage for estate workers proved futile. He noted that discussions between the Ministry and plantation companies did not reach a consensus in resolving the worker�s wage issue. �Regional plantation companies refused to increase the Rs 600 per day wage to Rs 1,000,� more..

Nov 24 (CI) In general, umpires do not need an excuse to do their job badly in Sri Lanka. Over the last four years, there has been an abundance of botched decisions, over-officiousness, as well as a banning of papare bands in the stands while the over is in motion, so that the umpires can supposedly hear edges better. Not that stopping the bands has helped them. Replays have demonstrated several out decisions in which more..

Nov 24 (CT) A consultation forum on democracy titled �Act Now� was not approved at the last minute by the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute (LKI) of Int'l Relations and Strategic Studies, several civil society organizations lamented. The LKI comes under the purview of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the current Chairman of the Institute is Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Sarath Amunugama. On 19 Nov, a group of civil society activists called the LKI to book the auditorium for the Act Now Forum. more..

Nov 24 (CT) The National Shooting Sports Federation (NSSF) has brought down Elham Hashemi Masoumi, an 'A' Grade ISSF Licensed coach, to conduct an assessment and training programme for the Sri Lankan Rifle shooters. The two-day project, conducted at the Scorpion Rifle Shooting Club range in Malabe, was held on Friday and Saturday, and depending on the report provided by Elham, the NSSF will move forward in obtaining the expertise of Elham as a foreign coach. more..

Nov 24 (DN) After a successful appeal by CH & FC regarding foreign player participation only to the bottom four clubs (CR & FC, Army SC, Police SC and Air Force SC) of the Dialog Rugby League, an injunction order has been issued on Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) to suspend the foreign player representation for the ongoing SL rugby season with immediate effect. The injunction order came in the morning ordering the bottom four more..

Nov 24 (FT) Ambassador of Sri Lanka to France Buddhi K. Athauda met members of the France-SL Friendship Group of the French Senate, last week at the Luxemburg Palace in Paris. Jo�l Guerriau, the President of the Senate Group, warmly welcomed the Ambassador and expressed their wish to strengthen bilateral relations with Sri Lanka in various spheres with the main focus on economic relations. Ambassador Athauda briefed the Senators about the current political situation in SL more..

Nov 24 (Island) "Preventing the threat of use of biological agents is a key priority for Sri Lanka", stressed Sri Lanka Permanent Representative in Geneva Ambassador Azeez, addressing the International Seminar convened by the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) and the Implementation Support Unit (ISU) of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) on the importance of disease surveillance and alert mechanisms: lessons for the BWC held on 20 November. more..

Nov 24 (CT) Attorney General�s Department has called for a full Bench to hear the case against the dissolution of Parliament, when it is taken up for hearing on 7 Dec. Following President Maithripala Sirisena dissolving Parliament, the Opposition Parties and their Leaders challenged the dissolution in the Supreme Court stating that it was unconstitutional. The application was taken up for support on 12 and 13 of Nov together with more..

Nov 24 (FT) UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera called on Prez Sirisena to resolve the impasse in Parliament and allow a Vote on Account that could assist in reducing economic uncertainty by organising public finances for 3 months. Highlighting the graveness of the anticipated economic crisis Sri Lanka is heading towards, MP Samaraweera said: �A legitimate govt with an adequate majority in Parliament would have had the opportunity to present at least a Vote on Account, more..

Nov 24 (DN) Veddah Chief Uruwarige Wannila Aththo said the country needs to go for an election now to untangle the current political impasse. Wannila Aththo stated this when a group of academics met him to discuss the prevailing situation in the country yesterday. �At this juncture, where the entire country is in a crisis, it would be better to give the people an opportunity take a decision for the country than giving it to the 225 public representatives in Parliament,� he said. more..

Nov 24 (Island) Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday challenged the govt to bring in a no-confidence motion (NCM) against him if it believed he was not suitable to function as the Speaker. Reiterating his commitment to upholding the stand taken by 122 lawmakers from four political parties that the incumbent administration wasn�t acceptable to them under any circumstances, Speaker pointed out more..

Nov 24 (EN) Sri Lanka's will look to alternative sources to re-finance maturing debt of over US$ 4 billion in 2019, as yields in capital markets have spiked amid political uncertainty and a credit downgrade, an official said. Lalith Samarakoon, who heads an economic council convened by President Sirisena said the most important concern were sovereign bonds. There were about 5.4 billion in forex debt, including about a billion US dollars of domestic dollar debt, he said. more..