Oct 10 (Hindu) The Union Power Ministry is considering laying a sub-sea power cable to transmit power from India to Sri Lanka, said a senior Ministry official here. It is learnt that the Sri Lanka requires 500 MW of power from India to meet its domestic power requirements. But in the absence of transmission connectivity between the two countries, no decision has been taken thus far. The Power Ministry is now considering sub-sea power cable technology. more..

Oct 10 (DN) Govt Information Dept Director General Ranga Kalansuriya issuing a media communique cautioned electronic media not to flout media ethics. Release was issued over a news story of a youth committing suicide, carried in news bulletin of many pvt media channels on Saturday. “The entire scene starting from the youth coming near the railway line was shown in the news. Those videos were circulating in social media thereafter. more..

Oct 10 (FT)  President’s Counsel Manohara de Silva last Friday contended that Clause 14 of the Engineering Council Sri Lanka Bill permitted Indian engineers to work in Sri Lanka without any restrictions, which would be detrimental to the profession locally. Counsel Manohara de Silva made these remarks while delivering his submission on the Bill in the Supreme Court before a bench comprising Chief Justice K. Sripavan and Justices Priyantha Jayawardane and Prasanna Jayawardane. more..

Oct 10 (DM) The battered nightclub bouncer was unable to identify the men who assaulted him on Saturday, Maradana Police said. Police sources said they had begun investigating the incident where a security personnel was assaulted by a group of men allegedly lead by the son of a VVIP politician on Saturday at a prominent nightclub in Union Place. The police is yet to record a statement from the staff at the nightclub. The group had allegedly assaulted security personnel at the nightclub when more..

Oct 10 (ENS) The TNA, the premier Tamil political group in Sri Lanka, fears that the proposed new law to replace the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) may well be old wine in a new bottle with most of the controversial provisions being retained. “It may even be worse than the PTA going by the influence of the Security Establishment on govt’s thinking on these matters,” TNA’s spokesman and MP, M.A.Sumanthiran, said on Sunday. more..

Oct 10 (DM) The 17th Summit meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held in Venezuela last September is over, done and dusted with.  As the summit proceeded, one could not be blamed if the lyrics of Eleanor Rigby made popular the Beatles …Eleanor Rigby, died in the Church and was buried along with her name… nobody came…  Unfortunately that was the story of the 17th NAM summit, nobody came. Well, almost nobody. Of NAM’s 120-member states, more..

Oct 10 (DM) Former President Rajapaksa, having won the Presidential Election, in his first address to the Nation in 2005 stated: “My policy will be to consolidate the rule of law to the maximum. The law of the country should be just. Everybody including the President of the country should obey and respect the law. I would like to state here that I would not allow anyone to subvert the law and order using political power and privileges. I believe all state institutions should strictly more..

Oct 10 (FT) Global shipping giant Maersk’s Group Senior Director – SouthAsia Julian Bevis was in SL recently to witness the historic moment where the world’s largest ship, Triple-E liner, which is 400 meters in length with a capacity of 18,000 to 20,000 TEUs owned by Maersk Line, calling at the Colombo port. He was highly impressed with the progress of Colombo Port and terms it as a great success story. more..

Oct 10 (DM) Govt MP Hirunika Premachandra alleged that former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa gave all forms of protection to the person convicted of the murder of her father Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra after the crime, and, therefore, she had her doubts about the incident. “I cannot pinpoint anyone without evidence. Yet I have doubts because the killer received protection after the crime,” she said. more..

Oct 10 (Island) More than 500,000 people in 17 districts had been adversely affected by the prevailing drought. People in Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Kurunegala, Puttalam, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya, Mulaitivu, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Moneragala, Matale, Kandy, Gampaha and Kalutara districts are facing a severe water shortage. A survey has revealed that 133,313 people in the Eastern Province, more..

Oct 10 (DM) As only few weeks are left for the second budget of the coalition govt, the Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy cautioned against populist policies creeping into the budget-making process as Sri Lanka lacks fiscal space to finance higher deficits with more borrowings, as the country’s debt dynamics have reached to absolutely worrying levels.  “So, to think that we can have business as usual with more..

Oct 10 (DM) Unemployment in Sri Lanka increased in the 2nd quarter of 2016 (2Q16) to 4.6% from 4.2% recorded in the 1st quarter (1Q16) and 4.5% Year-on-Year (YoY), owing to severe weather conditions. “The severe weather condition that prevailed, including a number of earth slips and floods during 2nd quarter 2016 may have had an impact on the employment and unemployment distribution of the country,” more..

Oct 10 (DM) Joint Opposition MP Wimal Weerawansa remarking on the fight which took place at a nightclub in Colombo alleged that the son of a VVIP was involved in the brawl. He said the son of the VVIP concerned arrived at the night club with his group at 2.00 am on the day. A majority of the people in the country wanted to make a change by electing a President whose son goes to nightclubs and engages in fights with others, more..

Oct 10 (Island) IGP Pujith Jayasundara said that there were a few errant police personnel in the department and they would be severely dealt with. They might even be sacked he said. IGP Jayasundara said so at the opening of the new police station at Welamboda in Udunuwara. The IGP said the duty of the police was to protect the life of people and their properties. In order to eliminate crime the police should more..

Oct 10 (ST) SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ajith Dias and CEO Suren Ratwatte held a news conference this week. A journalist asked what action the airline management took on the J.C. Weliamuna probe on the national carrier’s activities during the previous regime. “It is not within our purview,” replied Mr. Dias. Another asked what action was being taken against a female flight attendant who had then been assigned to more..

Oct 10 (CG) President Maithripala Sirisena said that Sri Lanka considers the development of science and technology  important features to promote economic development. “I am pleased to inform you that Sri Lanka will take the lead as a prime mover on the pillar of science, technology, and innovation,” he said. Speaking at the Second Summit of the Asian Co-operation Dialogue in Bangkok today, he said that more..

Oct 10 (LBO) Water Supply and Drainage Board has decided to limit its pump water supply in the island due to the prevailing drought condition amid increased consumption. Alahudeen Ansar, chairman of the board, said that water consumption in the Colombo District alone has increased by about 15% in the recent past. Ambatale Water Treatment Plant is the main plant that supplies water to Colombo city and suburban areas. more..

Oct 10 (CT) In its most simple form, health means to be well or contented in the key dimensions of life (i.e. physical, mental and social dimensions). In other words, all our struggles, investments and conflicts are ultimately aimed at living a good quality life to a maximum. These are the fundamental goals of human existence from a secular point of view. It is therefore essential that such a basic dimension of existence should be included and enshrined as a fundamental human right in our more..

Oct 10 (Reuters) Sri Lankan stocks edged down on Monday, led by blue chips on profit-taking, while trading volume fell to a three-week low as investors stayed on the sidelines awaiting direction from the budget and September-quarter corporate results. The benchmark index of the Colombo Stock Exchange finished 0.3% weaker at 6,562.50. Turnover was 336.2 million rupees, the lowest since Sept. 19, and less than half of this year's daily average of around 751 million rupees. more..

Oct 10 (CT) Sri Lanka is described as the pearl of the Indian Ocean not only for its geographical importance, but for the role played by the island nation towards maintaining international as well as the regional relations in a dignified manner. Minister Mangala Samaraweera quoting former President J.R. Jayewardene's speech on strengthening SAARC, reiterated that Sri Lanka would never let down SAARC and pointed that Sri Lanka would do its utmost to safeguard regional integrity. more..

Oct 10 (DM) Former MP Duminda Silva, who is currently serving a death sentence at Welikada Prison, has been sent to Prisons Hospital to be treated for yellow fever. After being sentenced to death on Sept 8 this year, for Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra killing, he has filed an appeal while in a special section of the Chapel ward in the Prison. When asked Prisons Commissioner, he said the former MP was admitted to the Welikada Hospital as he suffered from yellow fever. more..

Oct 10 (AT) In what could signal a new phase in Sino-Indian economic relations, China has invited India to help in developing Sri Lanka, including taking part in the multibillion dollar Colombo International Financial City funded by Beijing. Addressing a forum in Colombo, Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Yi Xianliang said the project was open for collaboration with India and that his country welcomed constructive partners. more..

Oct 10 (AD) Govt of Sri Lanka and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) today signed a loan agreement for an amount of JPY 10,000 million (Rs 14.45 billion). The signing of the loan agreement took place today between Ms. Chandra Ekanayake, Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, and Hidetoshi Irigaki, Vice President of JICA at Ministry of Finance. Development Policy Loan (Private Sector Development, Governance Improvement, & Fiscal Consolidation), more..

Oct 10 (Island) Police are looking for young actor and singer Thivanka Vidusha alias Chilie for allegedly assaulting a 57-year-old man last Friday night at Pelawatte. Victim is being treated at the Thalangama hospital. The incident had occurred when the suspect was unable to drive his car ahead due to traffic congestion on a narrow road as there were vehicles parked on either side of the road and the victim was walking on one side of the road ahead of the former’s car. more..

Oct 10 (CG) The UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Rita Izsák-Ndiaye, commenced an official visit to Sri Lanka today, the Foreign Ministry said. Rita Izsák-Ndiaye will be in Sri Lanka till October 20 to assess the current situation of national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities in the country. At the commencement of her visit the UN Special Rapporteur had talks with Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, more..

Oct 10 (Island) Joint Opposition (JO) had the freedom to hold meetings in Ratnapura or anywhere else, but they could not shake the govt of President Sirisena and PM Wickremesinghe, said Minister Arjuna Ranatunga after meeting the Mahanayake Theras of Malwatte and Asgiriya. He said that the two leaders had won the confidence and support of the international powers and that the govt had gained much strength so much so that the JO could not unsettle the incumbent administration. more..

Oct 10 (DM) FCID recorded a statement from MP Lohan Ratwatte in connection with alleged irregularities which occurred during the construction of Diyagama Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Complex. MP said he had given statement to FCID as he was a director of the Mahinda Rajapaksa Foundation where the constructions of the sports complex was carried out. He said President Sirisena had sent a letter to FCID to commence an investigation into the construction of sport complex alleging more..

Oct 10 (MNA) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani while calling for further Tehran-Colombo ties, voiced Iranian companies’ readiness to participate in development plans in Sri Lanka. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani made the remarks in a Monday meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart Maithripala Sirisena that was held on the sidelines of Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) summit in Bangkok. more..

Oct 10 (AM) UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa filed a case at Colombo District Court demanding Rs 200 million from two officers of the FCID for damages caused by his arrest on an allegedly baseless complaint. Rajapaksa said in his petition that he was arrested over Krrish deal on a complaint filed by JVP Provincial Councilor Wasantha Samarasinghe and that he was remanded for a week. He demanded Rs 100 million each from OIC of FCID and another SI for the damages caused to his reputation. more..

Oct 10 (Island) Five persons and 17 kilos of C4 and TNT explosives were taken into custody following a joint operation conducted by the STF commandos and Special Operation Unit members of the Trincomalee Police on Saturday. The explosives had been hidden in two houses at Muttur and Sampur areas, police said. They were recovered following a tip-off received by the SOU of the Trincomalee police. SOU members raided a house at Muttur on the tip off and found 7 kilos of C4 explosives. more..

Oct 10 (NPR) Even if you knew nothing about Vijaya, her haunting portrait would likely give you pause. She peers out of the page, unsmiling, her silver hair pulled back and her eyes conveying an unspoken anguish. From the accompanying narrative, we learn that a few years ago, almost overnight, Vijaya became her granddaughter Anjali's primary caretaker. Her daughter, Gayathri, set out to find nutritious more..

Oct 10 (DM) A top level parliamentary delegation led by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is reported to have travelled to China on Sunday as part of the initiatives to strengthen relations between the two countries. It is also reported to have facilitated visits by the 225 parliamentarians in batches with two delegations having visited China country after the inauguration of the new Parliament. The delegation currently in China comprises Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan, Chief Opposition Whip more..

Oct 10 (DM) Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa and former IGP Mahinda Balasuriya arrived at the PRECIFAC to give statements over two separate allegations. PRECIFAC summoned Mr. Rajapaksa to record a statement in connections with the alleged misappropriation of funds which occurred at the Upcountry Development Authority during the previous govt. Meanwhile, former IGP Balasuriya has been summoned by Commission in connection with misappropriation of Rs.30 million more..

Oct 10 (LBO) Minister of Digital Infrastructure and Telecommunication says that the island needs to look at ways of reducing it’s telecommunication providers as it is over crowded. “We have five companies in Sri Lanka which is too much,” Minister Harin Fernando, said. “We are trying to look at ways that they can merge and bring it down to two or three operators so that a better service could be provided,” he said. more..

Oct 10 (LBO) A 27 member delegation of Sri Lankan Army PACES (Pakistan Army Physical Agility and Combat Efficiency System) met with High Commissioner of Pakistan in SL, Maj. Gen. (R) Syed Shakeel Hussain at the HC of Pakistan today. The delegation is travelling to Lahore, Pakistan to participate in International PACES Competition starting from 18-26 Oct. While, addressing the delegation, High Commissioner highlighted that Pakistan and Sri Lanka have more..

Oct 10 (ENS) Come January, when Tamils around the world will celebrate Thai Pongal, the whole of Canada will celebrate it as Tamil Heritage Month. Festivities for the inaugural Tamil Heritage Month across Canada will commence in January 2017, which coincides with the Canada 150 celebrations. The House of Commons of the Canadian Parliament unanimously adopted a motion in this regard earlier this week, much to the delight of the strong Tamil community there. The motion was moved by more..

Oct 10 (DM) The Board of Management of SAITM said today it had secured approval both from the Police and from the Kaduwela Pradeshiya Sabha keep specimens of human body parts and bones for teaching purposes. In a statement on the ongoing CID investigations into Wasim Thajudeen's missing body parts, institution said its request for bones for educational purposes was made in 2011, much earlier than more..

Oct 10 (DM) SLFP Organizer Mahinda Amaraweera said the party leadership had no intention of taking disciplinary action against members who work with the Joint Opposition and organize meetings and gatherings against the current govt. “We don’t really care about small meetings and gatherings organized by the JO because it is a normal phenomenon seen in an opposition party. President Maithripala Sirisena and I will never leave room for members to divide the party or leave it,” Minister said. more..

Oct 10 (KT) Sri Lanka is set to see an influx of foreign visitors in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, said Charitha Yattogoda, Consul-General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and Northern Emirates, at a formal gathering of travel agencies under the Meet in Sri Lanka banner last week. "Sri Lanka now enjoys absolute peace and because of that, we can see a big impact on tourism, with numbers increasing in a grand way. Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority more..