Oct 1 (Island) The reconstruction of northern railway track up to Kankesanthurai and Thalaimannar would be completed by December, connecting the north to the South after 25 years, Indian Govt Company, IRCON International, said. IRCON Additional General Manager V.K. Jayasankar said that his company had commenced the reconstruction of rail track from Medawachchiya to Thalaimannar and from Omanthai to more..

Oct 1 (DM) In the aftermath of the Wariyapola incident where a young woman publicly assaulted a man who is alleged to have sexually harassed her, now comes a scandalous incident where a Ratnapura policeman was videoed while brutally assaulting a woman with a wire. The shocking video went viral on the social media and was shown on television for several minutes leaving viewers horrified. more..

Oct 1 (Island) Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga said that he would raise the inordinate delay in convening the Committee on Standing Committee at the next party leaders’ meeting. MP Amaratunga was responding to a statement attributed to UPFA MP Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha in Monday’s edition of The Island. MP Wijesinha alleged that the Committee hadn’t met for four years. more..

Oct 1 (AM) There has been a series of attacks on opposition politicians with a considerable grass-root support, especially after the Uva PC election, and this can be a part of a broader govt strategy to intimidate and create a submissive opposition before a possible presidential election, CaFFE stated in a media release. CaFFE Executive Director Keerthi Tennakoon has said that last few days have seen two such incidents. more..

Oct 1 (ST) A national survey of beggars is being planned as mendicants remain on the streets despite receiving govt financial assistance and help through welfare centres. The city’s beggars disappear when international conferences are hosted in Colombo or on the arrival of heads of state or VVIPs but afterwards the familiar figures reappear, hands outstretched at traffic lights and outside shopping centres. more..

Oct 1 (Island) Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the UK Dr. Chris Nonis yesterday declined to comment on strong speculation that he had resigned from his post after being assaulted by a powerful govt MP while in the US recently. Contacted over the telephone for comment on the incident which had allegedly taken place during a function in New York, Dr. Nonis replied: ‘No Comment.’ Asked if he was back in UK, more..

Oct 1 (AM) Pakistan Naval Ships PNS NASR and SAIF will be arriving today at Colombo Port for a four-day goodwill visit. This port call is part of the strong multifaceted relationship and engagement between the defence establishments of both countries. Commodore Zahid Ilyas, is the Mission Commander of the visiting Pakistan Naval Ships. Pakistan Navy Ship SAIF is a SWORD class F22P Frigates of Chinese origin. more..

Oct 1 (PTI) Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam has urged the central govt to take concrete steps to secure the release of 20 fishermen and 75 fishing boats from Sri Lanka's custody. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday, text of which was released to the media here Wednesday, Panneerselvam cited the arrest of 20 Indian fishermen and the their boats by Sri Lankan Navy Sep 27 and 29. more..

Oct 1 (CG) The Missing Persons Commission, which conducted fresh round of sittings in the Kilinochchi District over a four day period ending yesterday, recorded oral statements from 149 people. Commission spokesman H. W. Gunadasa said that apart from the 149 oral statements recorded during the sittings, written statements were also accepted from some people. He said that in total the more..

Oct 1 (LBO) Sri Lanka's stocks closed 0.56% higher with telco and diversified stocks gaining amid net foreign buying. All Share Price Index closed 40.94 points higher at 7,293.08, up 0.56%. The S&P SL20 closed 26.81 points higher at 4,065.11, up 0.66%. Turnover was 2.65 billion rupees, down from 4.29 billion rupees a day earlier with 110 stocks closed positive against 87 negative. Arpico Finance closed 1.90 rupees lower at 160.40 rupees with an off-market transaction of 501.09 million rupees more..

Oct 1 (CT) Forget the state of Denmark—something is rotten in the state of Sri Lanka, and our enemies, the secessionists in the Tamil Diaspora must be laughing, as they well might. Three recent events indicate the future of Sri Lanka. Two are domestic and one, global. Of the two domestic events, one occurred in an international space. The three events are the Chris Nonis–Sajin Vass episode, the BBS–Wirathu nexus and the Modi-Obama meeting. Sri Lanka’s external defenses are crumbling, more..

Oct 1 (CT) The video clip that went viral on the internet showing a policeman mercilessly beating a young woman at Ratnapura a few days ago called nationwide attention, as it exposed police brutality on humans, especially on a helpless woman. The IGP should be ashamed of the cowardice and lack of professionalism of his officer involved in this most despicable act. An educated, courageous, physically fit police officer does not behave like a bully or lose control of himself when more..

Oct 1 (CT) A special agreement has been signed between the two Buddhist groups Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) and 969 movements with the motive of creating a South Asia free of terrorism and religious fundamentalism. The agreement had been signed between BBS General Secretary Galagoda Atte Gnanasara and 969 Leader Ashin Wirathu also known as the ‘Butcher of Burma’ – two controversial figures infamous for propagating anti-Muslim sentiments. more..

Oct 1 (DM) The Prison Department said steps were being taken to provide telephone facilities for the prison inmates in collaboration with SLT. A specially programmed phone-box would be installed so that the inmates in remand prison could make two calls of five munities each per month. This will be installed in Welikada remand prison as the first step. Inmates in remand prison can contact their family members & lawyer using this phone. more..

Oct 1 (DM) Sri Lanka qualified for the semi-finals of the men’s T20 competition at the XVIIth Asian Games yesterday, defeating the host team by 117 runs in the first quarter-final match, played at the Incheon Cricket Stadium. They will face the winners of today’s match between Kuwait and Bangladesh, in the semi-final encounter tomorrow. Defending a target of 173, Sri Lanka bowled out their opponents for 55 runs in 16.4 overs. All-rounder Chathuranga de Silva returned excellent figures more..

Oct 1 (GDI) 1: Creation of a mechanism for regulation of Programmes implemented with the objective of ensuring mutual friendship and trust among communities - in the recommendations made by the LLRC special emphasis has been made on promoting coexistence among communities. Various Govt Institutions are implementing programmes and projects based on the recommendations of this Commission from national level to regional level. The following proposals made by more..

Oct 1 (DM) UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella said today that a Sri Lankan High Commissioner had been assaulted for the first time in the history of this country and urged that the law should be enforced against those involved in this shameful incident. “The High Commissioner to Britain has been assaulted by a minister in the presence of the President and officials of the External Affairs Ministry. more..

Oct 1 (Island) The Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) yesterday said that it was able to perform an average of over 1000 paediatric heart surgeries and special open heart surgeries annually. Director Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Dr. Linton Padmasiri said that on an average of 900 interventional heart procedures, such as catheterization were performed annually. He said that unlike in the past the LRH had the facilities to perform complicated cardiac operations. more..

Oct 1 (AM) UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake has said that the present administration in Sri Lanka is similar to that of Tamil Nadu when Jayalalithaa was the Chief Minister. "Although Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu was imprisoned for bribery and corruption, 'Jayalalith's in Sri Lanka are walking about freely in public, avoiding the arms of law enforcement system," Ramanayake said adding that a group of "criminals" are ruling the roost in the country. He made these remarks while speaking at a more..

Oct 1 (AD) Sri Lanka is the best place to grow old among South Asian countries, according to an index of the quality of later life in 96 countries. Sri Lanka ranks moderately at 43 on list of 96 countries, where it ranked Norway as the best country to grow old, while Afghanistan is the worst. This is according to HelpAge International’s Global AgeWatch Index. It measures the social and economic welfare of those over 90. more..

Oct 1 (LP) Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said although the SLFP Executive Committee discussed the possibility of holding an election in January next year, no final decision has been taken at the meeting held on Monday. He said it is the prerogative of the incumbent govt to hold or not hold elections before completion of the term. Minister confirmed that President Rajapaksa would definitely be the UPFA candidate if and when the next Presidential election is held. more..

Oct 1 (Island) National List UNP MP R. Yogarajan has called for the Chairman of the Delimitation Committee, Local Govt bodies Jayalath Dissanayake to be dismissed from his post for "being present at the inauguration of the Secretariat for the re-election of the President set up by the SLFP and declared open by Minister Basil Rajapaksa and National Organiser of the SLFP." In a letter to the Minister of Local Govt and Provincial Councils A.L.M. Athaullah he said more..

Oct 1 (AD) As the prevailing bad weather condition is expected to continue with in next 24-hours, the DMC has issued landslide warning for Galle, Matara, Kegalle, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts. Senior Scientist at the Landslide Research and Risk Management Division says that the public living in the said regions need to give special attention on all mountain areas, manmade cut slopes, and roads within the districts. more..

Oct 1 (Island) Sabaragamuwa Chief Minister Maheepala Herath rejected a move to establish a special committee comprising UPFA and Opposition members to oversee procurement of vehicles as well as other equipment needed by the PC. UNP councillor Iflar Yehiya made a proposal in this regard at the provincial council meeting on behalf of councillors representing both sides. UNPer asserted that such a committee was needed to ensure transparency in the process. more..

Oct 1 (GDI) As it prepares for its latest investment wave, Sri Lanka largest industrial zone in South is to receive an immediate infrastructure boost. The strategic Zone, is within a mere 30 Km radius of key Southern logistics-the Magampura Harbour and the Mahinda Rajapksa International Airport (MRIA). ”Understanding the importance of the strategic location of the BAIZ zone. I am instructing my Ministry to immediately enlist regional govt officials to upgrade BAIZ access roads as a start” more..

Oct 1 (Island) Attorney General (AG) Sarath Palitha Fernando, who visited the North last week, had been asked by the Jaffna based lawyers for practical, meaningful measures to reconsider the cases pending before the courts in the North filed under Emergency Regulations and the Prevention of Terrorism Act and to consider rehabilitation rather than punitive measures for the accused as the war was over, said Deputy Solicitor General more..

Oct 1 (AM) UNP Leadership Committee Chairman Karu Jayasuriya has said that President Rajapaksa cannot ‘legally’ compete for a third time for the presidency. In a meeting held in Colombo he has said that the UNP has done comprehensive ground research on the matter as to whether President Rajapaksa can contest for a third time. “We agree with former Chief Justice Sarath N Silva’s statement that Mahinda Rajapaksa cannot legally contest in the upcoming presidential election. more..

Oct 1 (CG) The girl seen on a video being assaulted by a policeman, today filed a complaint at the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka against the police and is to also file a case in court. A police officer attached to the Ratnapura police station has already been interdicted for assaulting the girl on the street. The policeman was identified after the video of the assault incident went viral on social media. In the video, the girl in seen being assaulted by the cop in the presence of onlookers, more..

Oct 1 (DM) October 6 has been declared a Public and Special Bank Holiday in lieu of the Hajj Festival which falls on October 5, the Govt Information Department said. It said according to the Colombo Grand Mosque, it had not received reports from anywhere in the Island of having sighted the Full Moon on September 25 and as such the Hajj Festival had been fixed for October 6. As such October 5 would not be a Public and Bank Holiday.

Oct 1 (Island) The Public Utilities Commission has waived the Fuel Adjustment Charge (FAC) with effect from Sept 16. A spokesperson for the CEB said that the removal of the FAC would bring relief to electricity consumers. Those who consumed up to 30 and 60 units were charged 25% and 35%, respectively. Consumers who utilised units from 61 to 90 charged 10% and those who consumed 91 to 180 were charged at the rate of 40%. However, there has been no change in either unit or more..

Oct 1 (Island) National Cancer Control Programme (NCCPP) of the Health Ministry said that out of 100,000 Sri Lankan women about 22 them suffered from breast cancer. Director of the NCCP Dr. Neelamani Paranagama said that the disease was responsible for the highest mortality rate among women––4.7 per 100,000 women. Dr. Paranagama announcing the Breast Cancer Awareness month held in the month of October said that the chances of recovery were greater if the disease more..

Oct 1 (DM) President Rajapaksa is reported to have told the Cabinet meeting that his discussions with US Secretary of State John Kerry had made him realize that the US had softened its stance on Sri Lanka. President had said the meetings he had with Mr. Kerry and Indian PM Narendra Modi on the sidelines of UNGA in New York were fruitful. Describing the meetings as highly successful, he said India would not act in a more..

Oct 1 (DM) Twelve Sri Lankan fishermen on board two fishing boats were taken into custody last morning at Tutucorin in Chennai while on their way back passing through the maritime boundaries of India and Malaysia, Fisheries Ministry Assistant Director Lal De Silva said. “Usually fishermen have to pass through the maritime boundaries of India and Malaysia after fishing in Arabian seas. Countries have different laws relating to their International Maritime Boundary Lines (IMBLs). more..

Oct 1 (CG) UNP says it will have talks with other opposition political parties in order to face a National election. UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella said the UNP was banking on a clear indication from the Govt if a Presidential or General election will be held next year. SLFP Central Committee met on Monday and Kiriella said UNP expected an announcement at that meeting regarding the polls. However it was later reported that there was only talk of a National election being held next year more..

Oct 1 (CG) A 40-page briefing submitted to the UN Human Rights Committee has raised concerns on Sri Lanka, including the alleged persistent climate of impunity. Amnesty International has submitted a 40-page briefing on Sri Lanka to the UNHRC in connection with the Committee’s review next week of Sri Lanka’s fifth periodic report on its implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. more..

Oct 2 (CT) When I began this series, over four months ago, the title may have seemed excessive. And even my good friend Dayan Jayatilleka thought I was being unduly pessimistic about the President’s pulling power when I said that the UNP would poll at least 40% in Badulla. But the results there have shown that the threat is even more serious than I had thought. Over the next few weeks I will explore how the threat might be averted. But I suspect that that will serve no purpose, more..

Oct 2 (Island) "There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children," Nelson Mandela once observed. Toddlers dashed against rocks to teach an estranged spouse a ‘lesson,’ children strangled for wetting the floor, thrown in the sea by none other than their own mother or father are not scenes from a horror movie. It’s the tip of an iceberg of increasing violence against the children of our own nation. Small girls with no family security raped and strangled more..

Oct 2 (SO) Minister and veteran leftist leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara said that contrary to what the opposition claimed, the Govt got a comfortable victory in the Uva PC polls to form the administration. The little reversal was because of the people's anger, wrongly directed at the govt, for their grievances due to the long-drawn-out drought in the province. The people have a commitment to the left-centred political tradition of the Govt and more..

Oct 2 (NS) UNP Chief Ministerial candidate at the recently concluded Uva PC elections Harin Fernando said that it was too early to comment on the status of the Leadership Council, but added that its future role should be discussed. “My view is that they should not scrap the council just because there are changes happening within the party. However, I feel that the role of the council in future needs to be discussed. Aspects such as the powers that needed to be vested with the council need to more..