Nov 30 (CT) I am writing in reference to a recent article appearing in Colombo Telegraph on the 27th November, 2015, entitled Minister Kiriella: Engineering At Oluvil To Be Closed And Students Shifted. I felt that this article was inimical not only to all those students pursing their studies at the university, but also to all those who have been working there as part of the university community. It seriously dents the image of the university. I believe that some of the concerns of more..

Nov 30 (ST) Even with all the crestfallen realism which now informs the public mood close upon one year into the classic curate’s egg performance of the govt, there is some cause for optimism. Hard questions of democratic governance are forcefully and publicly interrogated as opposed to earlier discussions which took place in elite circles with little impact on national debate. One of these excruciating questions concerns the role and performance of the Office of the Attorney General. more..

Nov 30 (CT) An alliance Govt with the SLFP Leader, His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena as President and UNP Leader, Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe as PM, has presented the Budget for 2016. The presentation has been done by the Hon. Finance Minister, Ravi Karunanayake. This is the first time in the country’s history that the SLFP and the UNP are together in Govt, particularly with a Member of SLFP more..

Nov 30 (CT) I am very happy that President Maithripala Sirisena and other members of the govt have been repeatedly calling on expatriates to return and contribute: My Govt will establish a special bureau under my directive to coordinate the expatriate Sri Lankans who wish to return to the motherland and we will offer a red carpet welcome to them. I would like to remind them that now it is time for us to work in unity for the betterment of the country, casting side political differences – more..

Nov 30 (Island) Asoka Yapa wrote to me from Toronto asking me to tell the readers more about the bad years and to remind our readers of the hardcore pressure tactics used by the LTTE and its fronts in Canada to raise money and gain the sympathy of gullible Canadians and amoral local politicians with their hands consistently extended for money and votes. Maybe, it is very appropriate at a time when one of the LTTE fronts the Canadian Tamil Congress has been delisted in Sri Lanka. more..

Nov 30 (CT) Minister Rajitha Senaratne said "We have the support of the entire Cabinet except for a couple of ministers. They give us the courage to continue the struggle against bribery and corruption." Q: A complaint has been filed against you in the Bribery and Corruption Commission. What is your response to the demand for your resignation? A: In that case, best way to get somebody to resign is to complain to a Commission somewhere. more..

Nov 30 (SO) And in Parliament of all places! That August House is supposed to be solemn; quiet except for speeches made with dignity, gravity and sagacity; and the governing of the land debated with decorum and rules promulgated with wisdom. And what do we get? Shouting, insults flung hither and thither, even indecent words mouthed. Recently the mace was taken away by an MP. Was it by Dinesh Gunawardena who has turned out to be the most raucous and thus the most karachchal. more..

Nov 30 (SO) President Maithripala Sirisena is currently in Malta attending the Commonwealth Heads of Govt meeting. Before the President left for Malta, a top level govt delegation – which included Ministers Mangala Samaraweera and Sagala Ratnayaka – arrived in the country to attend several side events of the Commonwealth summit. Sri Lankan delegation took Emirates Airlines flight EK107 from Dubai and they arrived at Malta’s international airport on Tuesday afternoon. more..

Nov 30 (SL) The appropriation bill or the budget as commonly known by many, for the year 2016 was presented in parliament on Nov 20th by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake. After the election of the new President the 100 day govt followed an interim budget for the year 2015. Following the general election held this August a new national govt assumed office. Nov 20th budget proposals are the inaugural budget more..

Nov 30 (Island) Minister John Amaratunga is reported to have told Parliament that some countries are planning to nominate President Maithripala Sirisena for the Nobel Peace Prize for forming a unity govt. Minister Rajitha Senaratne once tried to have the then President Rajapaksa nominated for the same prize following the defeat of terrorism and sought to place the latter on the same pedestal as Nelson Mandela. But, a little more than four years later, he joined ranks with more..

Nov 30 (ST) In a few weeks, if not in a matter of days, a Lankan woman who had been working as housemaid in Saudi Arabia for three years will be dragged out of her Saudi jail and forcibly led to a downtown public square in Riyadh. This is the place commonly known as chop-chop square, where public beheadings are generally carried out nearly every Friday. But for this Lankan mother of four, it will not be a brief tryst with the executioner; to feel the sudden swish of sword as it swiftly slices more..

Nov 30 (Island) Ceylon Teachers’ Union played a prominent role in bringing the present govt into power. Some of the Yahapalana pledges made during the last presidential election were specifically aimed at the trade unions that were allied with the cause. In this interview, Joseph Stalin the General Secretary of CTU speaks about the first fully fledged budget of the present govt. Q: What are your first impressions about this budget? more..

Nov 30 (Island) The budget proposes to establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), implying a fully-owned subsidiary of CEB to own and operate the Norochcholai power plant, and goes on to say that it will improve CEB’s financial position (para 393). What kind of logic is that? An SPV certainly will separate the accounts of this power plant, will allow anyone to know how much it actually costs to produce a unit of electricity from that power plant, but is that all that is required to more..

Nov 30 (ST) Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is alarmed over Treasury moves to stop direct tax collections into the four state institutions from the sector, following budget proposals to withdraw such payments. Two key industry associations, the Tourist Hoteliers Association (THASL) and the Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) in a letter to the Treasury Secretary Dr. R.H.S. Samarathunge have urged that in the event that the Tourism Development Levy (TDL) and more..

Nov 30 (DN) Lankaputhra Development Bank (LDB) has to recover over Rs. 1.9 b from a handful of defaulters. Nearly 99% of these loans were issued during the last govt on political influence. LDB Chairman Lasantha Goonewardane said that one loan in particular was released almost over the counter on political influence. Value was over Rs. 580 million. He said there so many such advances and now no such calls are made to him more..

Nov 30 (DN) Local business leaders and retail professionals have joined forces to form the Sri Lanka Retailers’ Association, a first of its kind in the country. The inaugural meeting was held recently with the participation of several industry professionals and business owners from a cross section of leading retailers including Keells Super, Abans, Cargills Food City, Laughs, Healthguard, Hatton National Bank, Ceylinco General Insurance, Rainco, EAP Group, Hameedia and more..

Nov 30 (ST) Sri Lanka’s international promotions that were done through different ministries will in future be carried out jointly by a single, umbrella organisation. It will be coordinated by the Ministry of Policy Planning and likely to be executed by the Ministry of International Trade in a major public relations drive that will strive to promote and build the country’s image, officials said. “There will be a cohesive effort in future when branding the country. Such an effort will carry more weight,” more..

Nov 30 (PTI) Hours after Sri Lankan Navy arrested eight TN fishermen and seized their two boats, CM Jayalalithaa urged PM Narendra Modi to secure the release of a total of 37 fishermen and 55 boats, including those held today. Stating that eight fishermen had set out for fishing in two mechanised boats from Ramanathapuram and Pudukkottai districts, she said they were apprehended by SLN in early hours of today. more..

Nov 30 (FT) John Keells Holdings has raised Rs. 8 billion at zero cost with 2015 warrant holders exercising their conversation, while the premier blue chip also delighted its over 11,000 shareholders with a surprise Rs. 4.50 per share interim dividend for FY 16. With 2015 warrants concluding the period for conversion to ordinary shares last week, around 49.25 million shares were added to JKH’s number of shares in issue making it a total of 1.1894 billion. The 2015 warrants were part of more..

Nov 30 (CI) Mahela Jayawardene's 59-ball 97 eased Central Districts to an eight-wicket win against Northern Districts in New Plymouth. Jayawardene's second consecutive fifty meant Central Districts crossed their target of 153 in the beginning of the 18th over. It is the third win for Central Districts from eight matches and they are second from bottom, while Northern Districts sit second behind Otago. George Worker and Jaywardene put on a massive opening stand of 137 in 15.3 overs, more..

Nov 30 (DN) President Maithripala Sirisena arrived in Paris last morning, to attend a critical global climate meeting commonly known as COP 21. The summit is aimed at striking a long term deal to limit carbon emissions across the world in a bid to find a lasting solution to global climate change. Along with President Sirisena, MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera and a high profile Sri Lankan delegation also visited Paris. more..

Nov 30 (FT) Having ended 2014 on a very high note, not only surpassing Rs 1 Tn Balance Sheet but also amassing a number of global accolades, the third quarter results for People’s Bank points towards the closing of a very successful year by end 2015. The Bank has gained the best results ever posted in any 3Q and all key performance indicators notch consistent growth paradigms, a testament to People’s Bank’s commitment to maintain an ethos of stability, strength and sustainability. more..

Nov 30 (Island) With the govt’s Smart cities vision in the pipeline and other ambitious economic plans, Digital Infrastructure Ministry and the ICTA are exploring ways to adopt future-ready technologies to create new economic opportunities for the people, Roshan Nugawela, country manager, Dell SL said. "We spoke to Minister Harin Fernando and officials of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) and learnt about the amazing prospects in the country for IT projects. more..

Nov 30 (DN) Sri Lanka will construct an International Financial Centre spelled out in the budget proposals for 2016, at D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha Colombo on a 300,000 square foot area. This will be opened next April. Govt hopes to attract nearly 50 local and foreign banks to be set up in this area similar to the Dubai financial centre in UAE. “We want tourism numbers to increase and that is why we are planning to open shopping malls more..

Nov 30 (Island) Four persons including a man and his son were drowned in two separate incidents when they got into Dandugam Oya at Seeduwa and Thun Okidha Opya at Nittambuwa. Five teen friends had gone to bathe in Dandugam Oya yesterday and of them, two had been dragged away by underwater currents. Navy divers had been searching for the bodies until last evening. The victim were identified as 19-year-old Nuwan Maduka Welagedara of Udammita and 18-year-old Magen Lakminna more..

Nov 30 (DT) In a manifestation of the strong political, diplomatic, economic, cultural, and defence ties between the two friendly countries, Pakistan Navy ship Shamsheer will reach Sri Lanka on a four-day goodwill visit from Nov 30 to Dec 3. Pakistan Navy ships pay port calls to Sri Lanka on frequent basis, with the aim to further strengthen the existing strong relationship between the two countries. Shamsheer is a special type of sabre with a 5-15 degree curve from top to tip. more..

Nov 30 (DM) The UNFGG parliamentary group which met PM Ranil Wickremesinghe in Bentota had come up with a proposal to provide a special grant to public servants to purchase vehicles. Group had decided on this in the wake of criticism of budget proposal to stop issuing duty free vehicle import permits to certain categories of people. Many MPs had been of the opinion that this budget proposal should be revised. more..

Nov 30 (CT) Wife of former DIG Vaas Gunawardena, Shyamalee Perera, said that she will appeal the decision of the Court to sentence her husband and son to death in connection with the assassination of businessman Mohammad Shiyam. She added that even the father of Shiyam said that Gunawardena is not responsible for the abduction and assassination. He later retracted his statement. Gunawardena, his son and four others were convicted by a 3-member panel of judges. more..

Nov 30 (FT) With the end of the conflict in the Northern Province, many concerted and coordinated efforts are being made by the Govt to move forward the reconciliation process to ensure sustainable peace in the country. In this context, the Govt, in consultation with the NPC, identified and decided to implement a high impact project which could significantly contribute to improving the quality of life of resettled people and enhance their livelihood and income generation opportunities more..

Nov 30 (FT) Questions are being raised over the craving by Mobitel, which is listed for sale by the Govt, for Hutch Sri Lanka’s operations at an exorbitant price. In the unity Govt’s maiden Budget presented a fortnight ago, Mobitel was included among state companies which will be divested via the Colombo stock market. Despite pending state divestiture, Mobitel via its parent Sri Lanka Telecom, is apparently pursuing plans initiated under more..

Nov 30 (DN) Former DIG Vass Gunawardena who was sentenced to death by courts on Friday for the murder of businessman Mohamed Shiyam had been admitted to the Prisons Hospital after complaining about chest pains yesterday. However sources said Gunewardena was not in any serious health risk. Courts on Friday sentenced Gunawardena and his son Ravindu over the killing of Shiyam. Shiyam was abducted from Bambalapitiya and subsequently found murdered on May 22, 2013 at Dompe. more..

Nov 30 (CT) Independent Trade Union Alliance (ITUA) has requested a meeting with the Minister of Labour and Trade Union Relations in order to express their opposition to certain recent Govt budgetary plans. General Secretary of the Ceylon Mercantile, Industrial and General Workers' Union (CMU – which is an affiliate of the ITUA) Sylvester Jayakody said that at the meeting, they would protest against the Govt's plans put forward in the Budget 2016 concerning the EPF and ETF. more..

Nov 30 (CT) Ten members of the Joint Opposition, including three former Cabinet Ministers are tipped to join the Yahapalana Govt in January. Negotiations are already underway with three of the five of them who have held senior Cabinet positions in the Rajapaksa Govt for them to join the current administration, while remaining within the SLFP. Of the three former Ministers, one is from Kandy District, while the other two are more..

Nov 30 (DN) British PM David Cameron is to visit Sri Lanka mid next year, Foreign Ministry sources said on Saturday. The British PM, during his visit, will largely focus on Sri Lanka’s measures towards adopting a credible mechanism to probe into alleged war crimes during the final phase of war in Sri Lanka, they said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Cameron met President Maithripala Sirisena in Malta on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Govt meeting on Friday afternoon. more..

Nov 30 (DN) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe following a request by Minister Ravi Karunanayake and a group of UNP MPs, agreed to conduct an investigation as to whether money had been given to the LTTE to change the public opinion in the northern province at the 2005 presidential election. At that election Mahinda Rajapaksa won the election with a majority of only 186,000 votes after a tight contest between him and Wickremesinghe. Minister Karunanayake and the group also informed the PM that more..

Nov 30 (Island) Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, rejected calls for cancelling the appointment of a retired High Court judge as High Court Commissioner to expedite hearing of cases pertaining to the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) as well as Emergency Regulations. He was responding to the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) call to cancel the controversial decision. more..

Dem 30 (DM) Today is perhaps the most important D-Day in the history of the world. As more than 130 world leaders -- inspired by the exemplary leadership of Pope Francis -- meet in Paris for the 21st Climate Summit. We are confident this D-Day would not lead to doom or disaster but to a day of destiny for a turnaround and transformation, whereby, individually and collectively we become just towards Mother Nature and Planet Earth. Hopefully this new spirit of selfless, sincere more..

Dem 30 (DM) The festival season has come and Christmas is just around the corner, making us imagine of all those lovely Christmas goodies, presents, the iconic Christmas tree which is a treat to the eye, the shops and streets decorated with colourful lights and Christmas decorations, what with holy leaves and colour bells, giving vivid thoughts about everything which is connected to Christmas. And what makes it more special and important is, that Christmas depicts the birth of a saviour, more..

Nov 30 (DM) Daily Mirror was in conversation with Deepal Sooriyaarachchi, who has been invited to deliver IESL Ray Wijewardene Memorial Lecture, today presented by Ray Wijewardene Charitable Trust together with the Institute of Engineers SL, in memory of the late Sri Lankan innovator. He is a business professional, who was the Commissioner of the Sri Lanka Inventors’ Commission more..

Nov 30 (SL) The inability to pay back loans, unemployment and the political prisoner issue has gripped the North ahead of the New Year. Minister Mano Ganesan, under who the subject of non-recurrence falls, said that the issues in the North could pose a threat to non-recurrence. Among the issues, a serious debt culture is beginning to take shape in the North with people borrowing money but unable to pay back. more..