Nov 25 (CT) Isipathana captain and present Navy SC player Omalka Gunaratne will lead the Sri Lanka Under-20 squad for the Asiad Junior Rugby Championship to be held in Singapore from 13 to 19 December. He will have Peterite playmaker Kevin Dixon as his deputy. The outfit is coached by veteran Sanath Martis, who will need to come out with a plan to topple a strong Hong Kong, Taipei and Singapore in the group encounters. The winner will get an opportunity to represent Asia at more..

Nov 25 (FT) Dinesh Weerakkody last night launched his fifth book titled The Great November Revolution with President Maithripala Sirisena and PM Ranil Wickremasinghe in attendance among senior Ministers, politicians, clergy, diplomats and business leaders. The story of this book is about how civic-minded citizens, regardless of their party colour, got together with that singleness of purpose, to bring back good governance and fair play into the administration. more..

Nov 25 (EN) Central bank kept rates unchanged in November backed by heavy money printing while bank credit grew at a blistering pace, deficit spending continued unabated and the rupee fell to a new historic low. In Sept private credit growth was up 22.2% in the year to Sept 2015 accelerating from 21.3% in August. Services sector credit growth was 40.6% and industry was 24.5%. more..

Nov 25 (Island) High-quality and innovative furniture is an investment for a lifetime for both households as well as commercials. With Sri Lankan furniture industry highly evolving, Ashley Furniture HomeStore opened its first architecturally designed 10,000 square-foot showroom, owned and operated by licensee D'Décor. Located in Colombo 5, the store named Heritage House includes the latest casual lifestyle elements and complete home furniture room settings down to the final detail more..

Nov 25 (GDN) Janaka excelled with bat and ball as Lanka Lions defeated Mishal Asian Lions by 15 runs in the HBL Premier League Trophy organised by Cricket Bahrain Association. Janaka top scored with 61 runs and Shiara made 51 as Lanka Lions posted 156 runs. Mohammed Ayaz claimed two wickets for Lions. In reply Asian Lions could only manage 141 runs. Rizwan top scored with 45 runs. for Lanka Lions, Janaka claimed five wickets. BCC A edged Super Kings by 3 runs in another match. more..

Nov 25 (FT) Sri Lanka expects to get the European Union’s tariff concession facility known as GSP+ in June next year, Minister of Development Strategies and Int'l Trade Malik Samarawickrema said. In a statement to the parliament, he said the GSP+ facility will be reinstated in June. Joining in the debate on the Appropriation Bill in Parliament, Minister said that the budget has given a good opportunity for innovations. more..

Nov 25 (Island) Last week, Finance Minister announced plans to remove the 15% land leasing tax for foreign investors, and reduce the approval period for foreign direct investment requests. Foreigner-friendly budget for 2016 is expected to have great impact on the country's real estate market. Removal of land lease tax for foreigners is forecast to increase the number of international investments into SL's real estate sector. While previous laws banned foreigners from owning more..

Nov 25 (Island) Demonstrating the fact that it takes a theory to beat a theory, the Import Section of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) recently gave enough examples to prove that imports and exports are two sides of the same coin, and refuted the belief in some sections of society that imports undermine the local economy. The CCC Import Section made this point at a press briefing held recently to mark its 80th anniversary. Dinesh de Silva, chairman of the Section said, more..

Nov 25 (GDI) Maternal and Child Nutrition received a boost with the opening of an International Conference focused on evidence and innovation in addressing child malnutrition in South Asia. The conference under the theme Effective Delivery through Evidence and Innovation, is jointly organized by South Asia Infant Feeding Research Network (SAIFRN) and UN Children’s’ Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with more..

Nov 25 (Reuters) The United States has praised Sri Lanka's new govt for speeding up efforts towards reconciliation with ethnic minority Tamils after a separatist civil war which lasted nearly three decades and killed tens of thousands of people. Steps such as the return of land, efforts to find the missing and the lifting of bans on Tamil groups will help heal wounds that linger six years after conflict ended, said Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN. more..

Nov 25 (DM) Professor Sarath Wijesuriya had been appointed as the convener of the National Movement for a Just Society following a unanimous decision of the executive committee of the movement. Post fell vacant with the demise of the Ven Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, Viharadhipathi of the Sri Naga Viharaya, Kotte. Executive committee had met on Monday at the Sri Naga Viharaya and unanimously appointed Professor Sarath Wijesuriya as its convener. more..

Nov 25 (ENS) SL govt’s plan to send for rehabilitation and eventual release 217 Tamils detained for alleged links with the LTTE, has run into legal difficulties. On Nov 17, TNA MP, M.A. Sumanthiran, had said that govt would send the first batch for rehabilitation in ten days. But according to the Minister Mano Ganeshan, there may be a delay on account of the fact that some prisoners have more than one case against them. more..

Nov 25 (DN) A resident in Parasangaswewa in Anuradhapura who had planned his funeral arrangements well ahead five years ago and noted it down for family members to follow, passed away recently. He was Douglas Fernando who died on Nov 23 aged 73 years. His funeral arrangements also included a funeral oration in his own voice which had been recorded in a CD to be played at the funeral. The oration was interspersed with soft music befitting the sombre occasion and songs of more..

Nov 25 (CT) Ministry of Health has decided to allocate more funds in the Budget for 2016 to enhance facilities to the medical sector in the North and East Provinces according to the Minister of Health Dr. Rajitha Senaratne. He was addressing an event to open a cancer hospital in the Batticaloa district. This second cancer hospital has been constructed at a cost of Rs 200 million and was declared open at the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital by Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne recently. more..

Nov 25 (FT) Opposition Lawmaker Selvam Adaikkalanathan moved the third day of the Appropriation Bill 2016: Second Reading Adjourned Debate with a critical tone over the Govt showing little interest to solve the issues of the Tamil speaking population. “Last govt failed to live up to the expectations of the Tamil people. So, the people elected the current govt with much hope. During the 100-day program some progress was seen more..

Nov 25 (Island) Minister Mohan Lal Grero said that govt would be able to allocate 6% of GDP to education sector within next five years. He said that funds for education would be increased gradually. Minister was addressing students after opening the newly constructed male hostel in Vavuniya Campus of the Jaffna University. Regardless of what various interested parties said, vast majority of people were happy with the govt higher education policy and the way contentious issues were being tackled, more..

Nov 25 (CT) Forest Department officials are engaged in sightseeing on the border villages of the Batticaloa and Polonnaruwa districts; while trees in the forest reserves are being destroyed by members of the majority community, alleges the EPC Minister of Agriculture K.Thurairajasingam. He was addressing an event presided by District Director Udayaranee Kugendran, of the Department of Animal Husbandry, at Chengkalady in Illupaiyadichchenai. more..

Nov 25 (CT) TNA leader R. Sampanthan emphasized the need for US assistance to find a political solution to the Tamil question, as well as to ensure the implementation of the UNHRC Resolution. The TNA delegation led by Leader of the Opposition and R. Sampanthan met the US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power on Monday and discussed extensively on various issues that still remain unresolved in the North and East. more..

Nov 25 (CT) State Minister of Children Affairs Vijayakala Maheshwaran requested to build international universities in the Northern Province. She made this statement at the opening of a new hostel building for Jaffna university students on Monday. Ministers Lakshman Kiriella, Mohan Lal Grero, Secretary to the Ministry of Children's Affairs Dissanayake, Chairman of the UGC Professor Mohan De Silva and several other officials were also present at this event. more..

Nov 25 (CT) Popular actress Ritu Aakarsha who was arrested by Talangama Police on Monday evening on allegations of causing damage to several security cones on the road to Parliament in the early hours of the same day was enlarged on personal bail of Rs 100,000 ordered by the Kaduwela Magistrate. She was summoned to the Talangama Police station on Monday and placed under arrest subsequently. The case was fixed for 16 Jan 2016. When the suspect was returning after acting more..

Nov 25 (DN) Dissident SLFP MPs who met President Maithripala Sirisena voiced concern over the budget proposals noting that they were based on the policies of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and not that of the President. SLFP MPs representing what they call the joint opposition in Parliament met President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday to air their views concerning Budget 2016 that was presented in Parliament by more..

Nov 25 (Island) The ongoing five-day protest march from Peradeniya to Colombo launched on Monday by the IUSF reached Nelundeniya yesterday. IUSF Convener Lahiru Weerasekera said that the march was expected to reach Ward Place in Colombo on Friday. The IUSF said that protests would continue until they achieved what he called their reasonable demands. Weerasekera said: "We want the Malabe Private Medical School (South Asian Institute of Technology & Medicine: SAITM) abolished, more..

Nov 25 (DN) Transport Ministry referring to the tense situation which erupted at the Ragama Railway station which delayed train services on Monday right said commuters had assaulted the train driver under the wrong impression that he was under the influence of liquor. Doctors who examined K.D.A.K. Dissanayake, the driver of Train No. 183 in question had reported that he (driver) was incapacitated due to his high blood sugar level since he was a diabetic and suffered from high blood pressure. more..

Nov 25 (Island) Education Minister Akila Wiraj Kariyawasam yesterday told Parliament that a committee headed by PM Ranil Wickremesinghe would soon decide on issues related to the Grade Five Scholarship exam. He said that the committee would examine a spate of recent assertions that the Grade Five Scholarship had become a very heavy burden on both students and parents. more..

Nov 25 (DM) In the aftermath of the night of horror on Friday the 13, world leaders will gather in Paris, the city of light, from November 30 for a climate summit which hopefully would agree on the guidelines and direction for Planet Earth to make a 180 degree turn from the suicidal path of self-destruction. The world leaders including religious leaders, people of all races and religions need to sincerely turn the searchlight inward and come to the awareness that sophisticated forms of more..

Nov 25 (DM) Non communicable diseases such as childhood obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure are rapidly plaguing the health of youngsters while many health critics claim that advertising unhealthy food, targeting school children is the root cause for such ailments. Speaking at a seminar titled Unethical and Harmful Food Advertising and Promotion organized by Sri Lanka Medical Association, President of SLMA Dr. Jennifer Perera said that food industries have developed a more..

Nov 25 (DM) Friends of Yahapalanaya (good governance) are hard to find and an extinguished breed. Needs to search vainly among the coterie enjoying the spill-offs from the gravy train to spot an unseen, unheard chump. Most holding appointments are not the squeaky clean. The genuine good governance supporters have left in dismay after watching it sorrowfully unfold. Easy as train spotting. more..

Nov 25 (ST) Vegetable prices are soaring well ahead of the Christmas season with heavy rains affecting cultivation and harvesting, traders and farmers said this week. Vegetable prices have gone up by more than 50 per cent compared to last month: Limes and green chillies are topping the list at Rs. 1,000 a kilo. Tissa Kumara, a labourer, said he could barely feed his five-member family with the Rs. 1,500 he earns a day. more..

Nov 25 (SL) In the wake of the re-election of the new government, instances of illegal sand mining allegedly carried out by several influential politicians of the previous regime has come to light. The illegal sand mining and the land distribution to a few favourites of some politicians have reportedly created chaos among the villagers who still are in need of a piece of land in the Kurunegala area. more..

Nov 25 (DN) Supreme Court directed the Attorney General to inform Court regarding the practical solutions and relief measures taken by govt to solve the hardships faced by people due to Uma Oya multi-purpose project. The Supreme Court made this direction sequent to a fundamental rights petition filed by Centre for Environmental Justice, and four individuals, including M.D.P. Manatunga, who are residents of the Bandarawela area who more..

Nov 25 (PSL) President Maithripala Sirisena says the aim of the new govt is to end the competition for school admissions of children soon. He said the new govt’s objective is to develop human and physical resources by providing similar privileges and facilities to all the schools. He added the govt has allocated a huge amount of funds from its first budget on this regard. President was addressing the gathering of the prize giving more..

Nov 25 (Island) TNA said that it would withdraw its support for the govt unless the latter addressed grievances of Tamil speaking people. The warning was given by TNA MP and Deputy Chairman of Committees Selvam Adaikalanathan (former TELO commander) opening the budget debate. MP reminded the govt that those living in Northern and Eastern Provinces had exercised their franchise in support more..

Nov 25 (Island) Alleging that the Budget 2016 had betrayed the working class, the NTUC has vowed to thwart controversial proposal to introduce a contributory pension scheme for those joining the public sector with effect from Jan 1 next year. NTUC, affiliated to the JVP stressed that it had scuttled a previous attempt by the UNP-led UNF to introduce a contributory pension scheme from 2001 to 2004. more..

Nov 25 (DN) BBS General Secretary Galagodatthe Gnanasara thera said his organisation has decided to refrain from attending any courts in the future. Thera said so while denying allegations that there is no religious freedom in Sri Lanka. Thera supporting this stand said he was prepared for a debate with anyone who claimed that there is no religious freedom in SL and prove that there is 100% religious freedom in the country. more..

Nov 25 (EN) Sri Lanka's power, water and telecom remains exempted from value added tax and there need not be any price increases due to the budget, the Finance Ministry said. Since the wholesale and retail trade has been exempted from VAT, which was previously taxed at 11%, prices of many goods should fall. Exempting wholesale and retail trade from VAT is seen as a setback by some economists. more..

Nov 25 (News) Sri Lanka has so much packed in to a small area — endless beaches, timeless ruins, plenty of elephants and fantastic food. Home to 20 million people, much of Sri Lanka and it’s surrounding islands lay untouched by tourism, so it’s the perfect alternative to well-trodden routes through other nearby Asian destinations, such Thailand and Indonesia. In Sri Lanka (formerly referred to as Ceylon when the country was more..

Nov 25 (CT) Importance of media and its role in the modern world was stressed by the President of the Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF) N.M. Ameen at the closing session of a two-day workshop for students of the advanced level form and school leavers organized by the SLMMF, in collaboration with the All Ceylon Muslim League Youth Front, at Polonnaruwa Kaduruwela Muslim Central College, last week. Under SLMMF's moves of promoting media and journalism, among the students more..

Nov 25 (EN) Budget for 2016 had proposed the expropriation of money lying in dormant bank accounts from Jan 2016. "…I propose that the monies lying in dormant accounts of commercial banks to be remitted to the Consolidated Fund, by 1 Jan, 2016," text of a budget speech. Budget did not specify how accounts that had been dormant for how many years would be taken over by the state. Ousted Rajapaksa administration came under fire when CB took over dormant accounts. more..

Nov 25 (CT) To protest, demonstrate and the occupation of public space is the mildest form of anarchy. It's sole purpose to inconvenience a selected group of people; be it the general populace or the Govt officials. Anarchy has however become an abhorrent to this country with its memories of a bloody revolution and insurgencies of days gone by. It has gone to such a point that anarchy, rebellion and revolution has become clichéd terms that are associated with schoolchildren with more..