Sep 18 (Island) In addition to Rs. 340 million sought by the SL govt for operations undertaken by its Air Force and Navy to prevent a far greater marine catastrophe, the country will seek an estimated Rs. 4 billion for the damages caused to the marine environment. Insurance Company or the owners of the New Diamond Crude Oil Tanker have to pay some Rs. 4 billion as damages caused to the environment, senior official of MEPA said. more..

Sep 18 (AD) Prez Rajapaksa has stated that the country’s common problem is the unwillingness of the people to work and highlighted the slow-moving pace of action on the part of both the govt and private sectors. He has cited the state of stagnation seen in the construction work in Colombo and suburbs as an example, PMD said. Prez has instructed each on-going construction to be completed without delay and requested all the parties to prepare themselves for more..

Sep 18 (Island) SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella said that people had a right to know who had prepared the 20th Amendment and the govt should reveal the names of its architects. He said: “Those who framed all Constitutions since 1948 are known. In 1948, we got a constitution that had been prepared by Lord Soulbury. Preparation of the Soulbury Constitution. All parties including delegations from Jaffna, Up-country and Southern provinces were given the opportunity to submit their proposals. more..

Sep 18 (CT) Youth unemployment as a proportion of total unemployment was at 49 per cent last year (2019) which shows that half of the unemployed population is youth, CSD said. Further, Central, North Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa and North Western Provinces have a higher number than the national proportion at 55.9%, 55.4%, 54.8%, 54.1%, and 51.9% respectively, higher than 50%. Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate more..

Sep 18 (DM) 12 beggars have been arrested for obstructing vehicular movement by begging on roads during heavy traffic in the Moratuwa area today. Police said two women and ten men were among the arrested and that some of them were faking disabilities. Police said that even during heavy traffic, the beggars were seen knocking on vehicle shutters asking for money causing heavy traffic. Beggars are expected to be directed to the Rideegama Rehabilitation Centre after more..

Sep 18 (CT) A video displaying former State Minister Vijayakala Maheswaran allegedly assisting Mahalingam Shashikumar alias Swiss Kumar who was one of the main suspects in the murder and gang rape of Sivaloganathan Vidya to escape, was played before the PCoI appointed to probe into the political victimisation of public officials during the tenure of the UNF led Govt yesterday. This was with regard to a complaint filed by the currently imprisoned PC Gnanalingam Mayuran who more..

Sep 18 (FT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa claimed that the proposed 20th Amendment erodes the independence of the Auditor General and delists his scope from a number of key Govt Offices and institutions. Premadasa stated that 20A removes the clause that affirms that the Auditor General is not a Govt official and does away with the Audit Services Commission. He also pointed out that the Prez’s Secretariat, PM’s Secretariat, more..

Sep 18 (AD) Wind speed can increase up to (60-70) kmph in the deep and shallow sea areas off the coasts extending from Batticaloa to Colombo via Trincomalee, Kankesanturai and Puttalam and in the sea area extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota. These sea areas can be rough or very rough at times, Dept of Meteorology said issuing an advisory this afternoon. Wind speed can increase up to (50-60) kmph in the deep and shallow sea areas off the coasts extending from Colombo to more..

Sep 18 (TOI) Indian crime branch-CID sleuths were on Thursday granted the custody of the SL policeman, who was arrested by the Ramanathapuram police for his illegal entry into the country, for four days for questioning to establish his links with the late underworld kingpin Angoda Lokka, who reportedly died in Coimbatore recently. Earlier, crime branch-CID deputy superintendent of police O H Raju, who is investigating Angoda Lokka’s suspicious death case in the district, more..

Sep 18 (AD) State Minister Arundika Fernando today spoke to reporters while climbing a coconut tree using a new kind of gear introduced by a local inventor from Warakapola. State Minister of Coconut, Kithul, Palmyrah and Rubber Cultivation Promotion and Related Industrial Product Manufacturing & Export Diversification used the invention to climb a coconut tree at his garden in Dankotuwa. Speaking to reporters while more..

Sep 18 (CT) Our country’s future is based on a Blue Green Economy, said Chairperson of Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), Attorney Dharshani Lahandapura. Addressing a Media briefing held in order to inform of the plans of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing on behalf of Int'l Coastal Cleanup Day and National Maritime Conservation Week from 19 – 25 Sept, she added that "“Citizens have an erroneous view that the environment is only trees, plants & forests more..

Sep 18 (EN) Central Bank has formulated most of its monetary policies with the well-being of banks and finance companies in mind rather than that of their customers, Minister Wimal Weerawansa said. Central Bank’s role is to protect the customers and not to swoop in and assume control of the institutions when they fall, Weerawansa said. When a finance company runs away with its depositors’ money, said the minister, CB steps in to shoulder the burden, leaving the depositors out in the cold more..

Sep 18 (PMD) The 156th birth anniversary commemoration of Anagarika Dharmapala was held under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The ceremony took place at Mahabodhi Agrashravaka Maha Vihara in Maligakanda today (17). Prez was received by the Chairman of Mahabodhi Society and Chief Sanghanayaka of Japan Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero at the venue. more..

Sep 18 (CT) Chairman of the UGC, Prof Sampath Amaratunga, said a prompt probe will be conducted into the recent exposé by Ceylon Today, into alleged acts of cyber ragging by a group of senior undergraduates of the Jaffna University. He said, those found guilty will be dealt with according to provisions in the Ragging Act. Prof. Amaratunga also commended Ceylon Today for the revelation of the sordid act by a group of senior undergraduates of the Management Faculty of the Uni, more..

Sep 18 (EN) SL Automobile Service Association representing automobile repair workshops around the country say they could repair old state vehicles at a lower cost and keep them on the road for longer if given an opportunity rather than limiting repairs to agents. The prohibitive costs of repairs quoted by vehicle agents under the current procurement system lead to state vehicles being condemned early, the auto service association said. “As those companies never engage in repair, more..

Sep 18 (DM) Responding to a New Delhi court case against one of its former senior officials, SriLankan airline today said it was not a party to the legal action and that an internal committee was of the view that the former Sales Executive’s complaint of sexual harassment could not be justified and her transfer to Cochin would stand. In a statement, the airline said the case in the Metropolitan Magistrate- 05, Patiala House Court, New Delhi where more..

Sep 18 (DM) SJB invited UNP to become an ally of the new alliance which is in the making and to contest the PC election together. The invitation was extended by SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara who said that the message has been already passed on to the UNP. “We invite the UNP to join the SJB led alliance which is in the making. It will also be possible for the two parties to contest the PC election together if the two parties strike a deal to become partners to more..

Sep 18 (AD) Underworld figure Janith Madushanka alias Podi Lassi was questioned by the CID for over 06 hours today at the Boossa Prison in connection with the threats issued to several VIPs, police said. He was yesterday named as the second suspect in the case filed over the death threats made in public at the Boossa Prison against the Prez, the Defence Secretary and certain high-ranking officers of the Prisons Dept. Galle Chief Magistrate had ordered to name him as a suspect in the case, more..

Sep 18 (AD) The businessman and the backhoe driver arrested over the clearing of the Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary in Mundalama, Puttalam, have been released on bail. Chilaw District Judge Manjula Thilakaratne delivered the order today when the duo was produced before courts. The suspects have been imposed two personal bails valued at Rs. 10 million. The district judge has ordered Arachchikattuwa Police to submit more..

Sep 18 (BZ) Keepers and staff at Banham Zoo in Norfolk have been left devastated by the death of the female SL leopard Sariska on 16 September following a period of illness in recent weeks. It was very clear at post-mortem that Sariska had a serious heart condition that would have led to her death within a matter of weeks. Further investigation will be carried out to try to ascertain the cause. Sariska gave birth to two cubs in June which were fathered by the zoo’s male leopard, Mias. more..

Sep 18 (Island) CSE gathered more momentum yesterday with over Rs. 3 billion turnover yet again and both indices rose in what some brokers hail as Super September. The market was strong and steady and was driven by mainly retail investors. The banking sector appeared to be more attractive which was dull for a couple of weeks. It was witnessed that banking stocks appreciated by more than Rs. 4 or more and this gave a big boost to the S and P SL20 index which rose by 3%. more..

Sep 18 (EN) The govt is vehemently denying that there has been a spate of serious incidents where protected forests have been razed and sanctuaries violated since it came to power on Aug 6. Wildlife and Forest Conservation Minister C B Ratnayake, who is in the firing line, blames the uproar on fake Social Media posts, while environmental activists said governing party politicians and their supporters are more..

Sep 18 (AD) Steps will be taken to allocate more space to three-wheelers and motorcycles which now have been restricted to the bus priority lane, says SSP Indika Hapugoda, Director of the Traffic Control and Road Safety Division. Accordingly, on four-lane roads, the first and second lanes from the left will be assigned for buses, three-wheelers and motorcycles. Further, on three-lane roads, buses will proceed on the first lane from the left, however, three-wheelers and motorcycles will be more..

Sep 18 (DM) Laugfs Gas PLC fully owned subsidiary, Laugfs Terminals Ltd., yesterday celebrated the 100th ship call for loading of LP Gas at its port-based, all weather LP Gas storage and transhipment terminal complex located at the Hambantota port. The installed cargo capacity of this Terminal Complex is 30,000 MT, which can be turnaround three times monthly to achieve 1,000,000 MT of LP Gas per annum as transhipments, by way of import, storage, more..

Sep 18 (AD) Appropriation Bill for the year 2021 is scheduled to be tabled in the Parliament in the second week of October. During the Cabinet meeting held yesterday, PM Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Finance presented the policy framework to be followed in preparing the budget for the year 2021. As per the proposal the following facts are be prioritized in preparation of the budget for the year 2021: more..

Sep 18 (DN) Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said the draft 20th Amendment to the Constitution was prepared by the Govt Legal Draftsman’s Department. The govt will abolish the 19th Amendment as a matter of priority and then work on a new Constitution, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said. He said the overwhelming mandate of a two-thirds majority was given to abolish the 19th Amendment and if that was not fulfilled voters will definitely consider us as traitors. more..

Sep 18 (Island) Former Chief of National Intelligence (CNI) Sisira Mendis had heard of the Easter Sunday attacks from one of his relatives the PCoI was informed yesterday. Mendis also said that no one from the CNI Office had called him to inform of the attacks. The witness added that he had only received a report dated the Apr 7, 2019 sent by former SIS Director SDIG Nilantha Jayawardena on April 8. April 7 was a Sunday and Mendis usually did not visit the CNI office during weekends. more..

Sep 18 (FT) There is an emerging trend in nationalism that warrants closer inspection. Not that the phenomenon hasn’t raised its head to crow before, like a mad rooster on a sordid dunghill. But this time, it’s a thing of some truth and beauty. And now, if only we can include justice and goodness in chanticleer’s clarion, we would be one step closer to being that all-inclusive island-race... as well as the classical definition of what it takes to be human. Some champions of this new version of more..

Sep 18 (FT) It has been my observation for a long time that Sri Lanka was moving towards a major collapse and in the process it will plunge into a state of anarchy. It was not my wish, but an observation made after analysing carefully the affairs of the country and the way things had been happening. Ethnic, caste and religious differences had been left to perpetuate without finding solutions for them. The resulting clashes did not stop at wreaking havoc on lives and property and continued to debilitate more..

Sep 18 (Island) A CID officer involved in a number of investigations into Islamic extremism had made a six-minute phone call to Nihal Fernando, MP Harin Fernando’s father on Apr 20, 2019 and probably warned the latter of the impending suicide bomb attacks, PCoI investigating the Easter Sunday attacks was informed. Nihal Fernando was in the ICU of Nawaloka Hospital when he had received the call. more..

Sep 18 (Island) Awrit application filed in by Ranjith Aluwihare of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), in the Court of Appeal, calling for a recount of the SJB’s preferential votes polled in the Matale District at the general election on Aug 5, 2020, was taken up yesterday. Notice was issued on the respondents, returnable on Nove 5, 2020. The SJB won one seat in the Matale District. It went to Rohini Kaviratne. Rajith Aluwihare of the SJB lost by 416 votes. The petitioner Aluwihara has called for a recount. more..

Sep 18 (AD) Police have arrested the main suspect involved in the attack on several police officers at Atulugama, Bandaragama. The suspect identified as Mohamed Sharif Rifai alias Gotukola Rifai was arrested in Bandarawela. On Sept 9, five individuals including females were arrested over an assault on several police officers who had carried out a raid at a house in Marawa, Atalugama. During the raid, which had been carried out based on a tip-off that a drug racket was operating from the said house, more..

Sep 18 (Forbes) Reports in Sri Lankan media suggest that a misstep by the SL Govt could have cost the country up to $25 million following a major fire on the Panama-flagged oil supertanker, the MT New Diamond. This is all due to a little known quirk in an obscure shipping law. Sri Lanka’s Attorney General has since reached out for $2 million from the owners and insurers of the vessel on 16 Sept, an amount ten times less. more..

Sep 18 (DM) The quality of air in Colombo and suburbs in the coming days is to remain at Good Level where the air is not vulnerable to be high pollution, Senior Scientist at NBRO, H.D.S. Premasiri said. According to data on air visual. com, the air quality in Colombo will be at Good Level until the end of September indicating the Air quality index between 20 US AQI to 50 US AQI. Mr. Premasiri said that the reason for the improvement of the air quality was the incessant rains more..

Sep 18 (CT) JVP Member Samantha Vidyaratna, yesterday (17), called on the Chief Prelates of the Asgiriya and Malwatta Chapters of the Siam Sect to brief them on the decision taken by the Govt to grant 65,000 acres from Uva-Wellassa and Bintenna to grow sugarcane to a multinational firm. He informed the Chief Prelates that these lands were in Ampara, Moneragala and Badulla Districts and had charged that attempts had been made to hand over the lands to a British firm since 2006. more..