Nov 29 (CT) Yesterday this newspaper reported that the rupee is the worst performer among eight SAARC currencies, having had fallen by between 2.79 and 2.90% thus far for this month alone, i.e. in a period of 27 days to Tuesday, to close at Rs 180.50/181 to the US dollar in two-way quotes. In contrast, the lowly Nepalese rupee in the review period gained by a massive 12.74% to Rs 102.10 to the dollar during the reference period. Also, the hardly-heard Bhutanese Nglutrum, too, made more..

Nov 29 (FT) Whilst Sri Lanka has been grappling on the Governance criteria in the last one month, we see how the world is passing us by � not only Singapore, Malaysia or Bangladesh but now countries like Ukraine and Algeria as per the latest data released by Brand Finance. This performance does not augur well for the country given that Sri Lanka was recently judged the number one destination to visit by Lonely Planet for the year 2019. more..

Nov 29 (DM) The UNP's Parliamentary Group had unanimously decided that its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe should be the one, who should become PM as long the party had a majority in Parliament, party sources said. This decision was made by the parliamentary group which met at Temple Trees last evening according to party sources. The group had focused on the statement made by President that he will never appoint Mr Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister again. more..

Nov 29 (DN) The case against Niraj Roshan alias Ali Roshan and six others for allegedly keeping four elephants in their possession without valid permits was yesterday fixed for Dec 5 by the Colombo Permanent High Court. The case will be taken up again on Dec 5 to ascertain whether the defence received the required documents to proceed with the trial. The Trial-at-Bar bench comprising High Court Judges Sampath Abeykoon (President), Sampath Wijeratne and Champa Rajaratne ordered more..

Nov 29 (EN) Sri Lanka's main minority party, the TNA Thursday asked President Maithripala Sirisena to restore the govt that existed prior to Oct 26 saying they support Ranil Wickremesinghe�s govt. The TNA said their 14 members will support a govt of the UNF, but stopped short of demanding Wickremesinghe�s restoration, leaving it to the UNP dominated UNF. The TNA in their letter to President Sirisena said more..

Nov 29 (EN) SL liquid petroleum gas (LPG) supplier LAUGFS Gas said it had commissioned a new cylinder repair and refurbishing plant in Bangladesh�s Mongla port where it also plans to expand storage capacity. LAUGFS Group Managing Director Thilak De Silva said the facility, known as a cylinder requalification plant, was part of its strategy to expand infrastructure in Bangladesh to support market expansion. �It will enable us to serve the B'desh market with safest LPG cylinders, more..

Nov 29 (DM) Implementing the viewpoint of the majority is not what we call democracy but democracy is to implement the views of the majority in such a way that it would not prejudice the minority, Election Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said. He said this at the Galle District Secretariat today. �We cannot call it democracy if the views of the majority are implemented at the cost of the minority viewpoint. Real democracy prevails only when more..

Nov 29 (AD) During a discussion with the Speaker, President Sirisena has agreed to hold separate discussions tomorrow with the Opposition Leader and other leaders of the UNF in order to find an immediate solution to the prevailing political situation in the country. Speaker had pointed out that the country is becoming unstable in every aspect and that, especially, the country will not be able to bear the depreciation of Rupee, more..

Nov 29 (DN) The unsung heroes of the Sri Lanka Army, the Women�s Corps (SLAWC), which has rendered an immense service to the nation with little recognition, will take the lead in creating a forum for women to discuss women�s contributions to the country under the theme Women: the Bedrock of Peace and Sustainable Development, scheduled to take place at the BMICH on December 4. This was revealed at a media briefing held at the Colombo Hilton Residences on Tuesday. more..

Nov 29 (DN) A fund to enable rehabilitated LTTE combatants to begin afresh consequent to their social re-integration will be established. Minister Douglas Devananda, on his recent tour in the Jaffna district said he will take action to help former LTTE combatants in their social integration. Under the state rehabilitation programme, close to 13,000 former combatants have been rehabilitated. He stated that the Office of the Rehabilitation Commissioner General had done more..

Nov 29 (EN) Security lapses at state-owned SriLankan Airlines operations, including through controversial Rakna Araksha Lanka (Rakna Lanka) had taken place without any punitive action, a commission of inquiry heard. Senior Security Manager Titus Kannangara, currently Acting Head of Security, testifying at a PCoI said that on five occasions since 2014, weapons such as knives and knuckledusters more..

Nov 29 (DM) The purported Government had spent Rs.840 million on the helicopter rides for the last 21 days without considering the expenses, United national Party (UNP) MP Ravi Karunanayake said in parliament. He said this while presenting the motion to curtail expenditure to the Office of Prime Minister. �We have the legitimate authority to cease these types of alleged expenses and thus we are not hesitant to take such actions,� he added. more..

Nov 29 (DM) All operations in the Temple Trees should also be stopped, when the motion to curtail expenditure to the Office of PM would be passed in Parliament, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in Parliament today. Meanwhile, JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake said President Maithripala Sirisena was responsible for the adverse effects to the country and he must apologize to the nation, said in Parliament. He said President Sirisena and the Rajapaksas should be held responsible for more..

Nov 29 (DM) Responding to social media reports that Roshan Mahanama would be contesting the upcoming elections, former SL Cricketer said that he has no intention of contesting any election. He said in a statement that he would never get himself involved in any kind of political activity. �To my surprise, I have been informed that a false news item is circulating on social media stating that I will be contesting in the upcoming elections. more..

Nov 29 (AD) Prisons Department says that 12 detainees will be sitting for the G.C.E. O/L exam for year 2018. Accordingly, 11 detainees from the Welikada Prison and one detainee from the Magazine Prison will face the exam this year. Reportedly, the candidate from the Magazine prison will face the exam in Tamil medium. Department of Examinations has planned to establish a special examination hall for inmates who face such exams, within the Magazine Prison in Colombo, more..

Nov 29 (CT) The appointed Cabinet of Ministers on 27 Nov approved a proposal to allocate the provisions to provide facilities, including medical equipment, required to implement projects related to the prevention of kidney disease, from 2019 onwards. Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said the Cabinet had given its approval to a proposal submitted by Prez Sirisena. The said provisions would also be for the construction of an Information & Research Centre affiliated to Kelaniya Uni more..

Nov 29 (CT) Lawyers Collective warned that the present political crisis will lead to a situation where SL will be suspended from the Councils of the Commonwealth over anti-democratic actions taken by Prez Sirisena. President�s Counsel J.C. Weliamuna said if the Prez doesn�t restore democracy, SL will have to face dire consequences in the near future. �Suspension is the most serious punishment that can be administered to more..

Nov 29 (ER) Lawyers Collective warned that the present political crisis will lead to a situation where SL will be suspended from the Councils of the Commonwealth over anti-democratic actions taken by Prez Sirisena. President�s Counsel J.C. Weliamuna said if the Prez doesn�t restore democracy, SL will have to face dire consequences in the near future. �Suspension is the most serious punishment that can be administered to Members of Commonwealth and it can be humiliating,� more..

Nov 29 (DM) Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe today requested Speaker Karu Jayasuriya in Parliament to grant the ruling power to the party who has secured majority in parliament and thereby to end the prevailing political turmoil. �I believe that you as the Speaker have the potential and capacity to intervene into this by even temporarily halting the parliamentary procedure and discuss the issue with the President,� he said. While the speaker appreciating the statement made by more..

Nov 29 (AD) Colombo Additional Magistrate Isuru Nettikumara today ordered the CID to arrest the suspects, if any, who can be charged over the murder of former Sri Lankan rugby player Wasim Thajudeenand to produce them before the court. When the case was taken up for hearing today, the CID � submitting a report- had informed the court that there is a possibility to bring charges against the former Crimes OIC of more..

Nov 29 (ST) A classical piano medley of Queen songs done by Singapore-based Lasalle College of the Arts graduate Eshan Denipitiya, 23, has caught the eye of the British band's guitarist Brian May. The Queen guitarist posted a segment of the video on his Instagram page on Nov 25. "Beautiful interpretation," May wrote in the caption. "How wonderful that Freddie's Magnum Opus is still inspiring artists all around the planet." The post has since been viewed over 156,500 times. more..

Nov 29 (NR) An Appeal for National Stability from Religious leaders the President and Leaders of political parties: This statement is being issued by a multi-religious group of SL citizens, including several religious leaders, with no vested interests. We have been compelled to come together to speak with one voice as we are extremely concerned and are in fear of what our country is facing today. Since the 26th of Oct the citizens of this country have been plunged into a state of confusion, chaos, more..

Nov 29 (EN) President Maithripala Sirisena indicated a softening of his stance and agreed to end the constitutional deadlock by recognising the UNP as being the largest single group to form a new govt, official sources said. Talks between him and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya ended on an optimistic note, Speaker�s office said without giving details of their closed-door talks with the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. more..

Nov 30 (CT) The sittings in Parliament during the last two weeks have been symptomatic of a deep crisis in parliamentary democracy, and in the political system in general. These are undoubtedly leader-made, and not at all people-made crises. The culpable key leaders can be identified as Maithripala Sirisena (the President), Ranil Wickremesinghe (dismissed PM), Mahinda Rajapaksa (former President and newly appointed PM) and Karu Jayasuriya (the Speaker). more..

Nov 30 (CT) First ever National Art/Poster/Poetry Competition organised by Stop Child Cruelty, a Colombo-based social organization dedicated to ending corporal punishment in schools by 2020, was a resounding success with over 2000 entries submitted by children from throughout the country. Despite the current political turmoil and the general air of doom & gloom in the country, this exhibition proved that children were crying out to stop abusing them and to treat them instead with love more..

Nov 30 (ST) Set amidst the crush of tiny and big shops in the hustle and bustle of Pettah with the Colombo harbour as its backdrop, there is a stunningly beautiful sanctuary to where once you step in, serenity and tranquility enshroud you like a mantle. Unique are many of the facets of the Red Mosque from its very colour to the shape of its domes, designs of its hand-painted bricks and the number of people who enter not only to pray more..

Nov 30 (DN) The country�s constitutional issues continue to dominate headlines while the stand-off between the Executive and Legislature evolves, with the battleground now shifting from Parliament to formal judicial processes. Current state of play is one of claims and counter claims, with the opposition claiming that it has passed three votes of no confidence on the govt and the govt rejecting them on the basis that they were procedurally flawed & not in keeping with parliamentary traditions. more..

Nov 30 (CT) After much consideration, I decided to write this article on the above subject, as I have extensive experience in constitutional law, legislative drafting, and statutory interpretation. I conduct lectures on legislative drafting and statutory interpretation at the Sri Lanka Law College and draft legislation for various international organizations and statutory boards in Sri Lanka and abroad. Since attaining Independence in 1948, SL had three Constitutions, namely, more..

Nov 30 (CT) Former Minister Mangala Samaraweera MP says the judiciary has once again proved that whatever influences are brought to bear upon them, they stand up for the truth, �The verdict given to postpone the election was also a historic verdict. I believe that the Chief Justice will give a solution, which not only us but definitely the world can also accept.� Q: Are you still not prepared to accept the new Govt appointed by Prez more..

Nov 30 (CT) �In whatever direction the decision-makers may wander, it shall not be a shock to realize that it is the naked truth that we do not still have a genuine national master plan, which should be utilized no matter who rules the country. It is this aimless wandering that had stagnated our economy first and then has started a negative trend that has resulted in the obvious deterioration. It is the pathetic capacity of the master brains that has turned a whole Nation of citizens, more..

Nov 30 (Island) Chairman of National Election Commission (NEC) Mahinda Deshapriya is reported to have said his outfit is planning to introduce an electronic voting system. Much has been spoken about the proposed project for many years and whether it will see the light of day in the foreseeable future is in doubt. The problem, however, is not the existing voting system but the fact that the people have been denied their right to exercise their franchise due to postponement of PC polls. more..

Nov 30 (DN) When a country has a strong Executive Branch, alliances matter. But when a country has an Executive Branch that doesn�t use that considerable Executive power in deference to the head of the Legislature, alliances should matter much more. An orphan needs a father, and ex PM Ranil Wickremesinghe�s immediate reaction to the memorable failure of his government, is try to father the failure on the President. He said the president is responsible, and should be included more..

Nov 30 (ST) My attention has been drawn to an article on October 21 in the Business Times under the title of ways to revive the crisis-hit RRI by P.H. Sarath Kumara, who says he is an advisor of rubber in Liberia and former Research Officer of Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka (RRI). Since Mr. Kumara has made some serious allegations against the Rubber Development Department (RDD), where I serve as the Head of the organisation, this is a response to his allegations. more..

Nov 30 (Roar) For centuries Sri Lanka has been a desired stop for travellers, from the times of kings to great figures in modern times. One such figure, that seems almost forgotten, is the last tsar of Russia; Nicholas the Second. Three years before he ascended to the throne, Tsarevich (a title given to the eldest son of an emperor of Russia) Nicholas visited Ceylon as part of his great Eastern Journey from Nov 1890 to August 1891. more..

Nov 30 (Island) Today, we look back on a heroic struggle that our ancestors waged 200 years ago against the mightiest empire that the world had known up to that time, to regain their freedom and that of a nation that had remained unbowed for over 2300 years. Unfortunately, it was a heroic but unequal struggle with a much more powerful and vengeful colonial power which had also through unscrupulous manipulation succeeded in splitting the Kandyan people into factions suspicious more..

Nov 30 (Island) "Generally women are better than men -- they have more character. I prefer men for some things, obviously, but women have a greater sense of honor and are more willing to take a chance with their lives." So pronounced Lauren Bacall and she should know, the sultry temptress of old Hollywood, counting many as her He-Men including Humphrey Bogart since she first met him at 19 years of age. We women of maturity agree with her. This fact is proven over & over more..

Nov 30 (ST) Around 10-20% of the agriculture harvest in Sri Lanka is lost today due to wild animals rampaging farm lands which has become a grave problem, according to Additional Secretary Ministry of Agriculture I.U Mendis. He was speaking at a media briefing held at the Hilton Hotel Colombo recently on empowering innovative farmers by Dave Tractors, distributors for John Deere agricultural equipment in SL. more..

Nov 30 (Island) Jaffna International Trade Fair, the multi-faceted gateway to the North, will bring together some of Sri Lanka�s favorite brands and services. The wide range of products for sale and display will give an opportunity for all stakeholders to enter one of SL�s largest untapped markets. The 10th edition of JITF is to take place from Jan 25th � 27th, 2019. Aptly named The Gateway to the North, the event will be the meeting hotspot for traders and business, both local and international. more..