Feb 6 (ST) After a brief recess, the Royal Turf Club (RTC) has made all arrangements to kick off its 2017 Horse Racing season with the Independence Day Race on Feb 25 at the Nuwara Eliya Racecourse. The RTC comes alive after nearly 3 months, since it had its major event in Nov 2016, with a chain of Race Days planned ahead. With the freakish cold climate not offering any assistance for Racing preparations, the RTC was faced with difficulties to keep its scheduled initiatives more..

Feb 6 (CI) After a few questions about South Africa's continued swarming of a SL side with little sting, AB de Villiers suddenly could not believe where his post-match conversation was actually going. "Guys, we are talking about bees," the captain balked. And they were. Some asked how de Villiers knew the bees had arrived at the Wanderers? "When the slips went down," was the answer. Others wondered whether the break in play affected concentration? "It was annoying," de Villiers said, more..

Feb 6 (CB) Aravinda de Silva, the legendary batsman, has come to the defence of the struggling Sri Lankan batsmen in the ongoing bilateral series against South Africa. Although he is disappointed with the overall performance of the batsmen in the series so far, de Silva also sees a few positives, one of them being Niroshan Dickwella's aggression at the top of the order. SL were whitewashed in the 3-match Test series more..

Feb 6 (Age) According to successive SL govts the only war crimes committed during the country's long civil war, from July 1983 to May 2009, were those perpetrated by the Tamils; aggressive denial has defined their response. The alienation of the minority Tamil population from the majority Sinhalese began in colonial times, when Britain sought to accentuate rivalries by favouring Tamils in administrative positions. After independence, when the Sinhala language was the official language, more..

Feb 6 (EN) A governance activist had called for the independence of Auditor General to be protected following criticisms of his actions. "My appeal arises from the public criticism, by some leaders in governance, of Auditor General, challenging the integrity, independence, professionalism, and unbiased judgment of the holder of the office of the Auditor General," Chandra Jayaratne, a retired private sector executive and activist said in a letter to Institute of Chartered Accountants. more..

Feb 6 (EN) Sri Lanka's economic policy slid deeper into state interventionism and away from the social market economy that was promised, as a budget proposal directing banks to lend to specific sectors was given effect, taking forward a legacy of ex-President Rajapaksa. CB directed banks to lend 10% each to small and medium enterprises, exports & tourism. Banks also have to lend 5% each for Youth & Women. more..

Feb 6 (ST) Consider this: On one side, there is a shortage of labour, we are told by the pundits. On the other side, the youth unemployment rate is rising – more than 20% compared to 4% of total unemployment. Add to this equation the shortage of workers in the garment sector – 30,000 vacancies in the free trade zones or 200,000 in all categories, according to the Board of Investment (BOI). Another minister recently claimed that there are 50,000 vacancies but no takers at BOI zones. more..

Feb 6 (NS) Anti-Leprosy Campaign said that among the 2000 new cases of leprosy diagnosed per annum, there were cases of patients being discriminated at places of work, education and community level. Over the past decade, there have been around 2000 new cases per year. Although many activities have been done in this regard by the relevant health authorities including the Ministry of Health, the Campaign, hospitals, health staff including medical officers of health and more..

Feb 6 (DN) COPE has decided to launch a full scale investigation into the oil price hedging deals of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) in 2007 which resulted in heavy losses to the state. COPE Chairman Sunil Handunnetti said that a similar investigation as the CB Bond transaction would be commenced on the much talked-about hedging deals. The estimated loss incurred from oil hedging deals is Rs. 14 billion as of now. more..

Feb 6 (SS) Nipun Ransika, Manelker De Silva and Praveen Jayawickrama took eight wickets between them to bowl the Coca-Cola South Africa under-19s out for 75 runs and claim a 153-run victory in the third and last Youth ODI match at Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn on Sunday. The visitors, who were two-nil down in the three-match series, ended the contest on a positive note with a strong win. Having learned from their previous encounters against the hosts, the tourists elected to bat more..

Feb 6 (ST) Creditors of bankrupt Touchwood Investments have been called for a Feb 8 meeting to vote on how they could get back their dues. A meeting of all the creditors of mahogany, vanilla and sandalwood plantations will be held at 3.00pm at the BMICH, Touchwood Liquidator Sudath Kumar said. However investors of two Touchwood plantations in Bomaragala and Ihalakanda in Ratnapura have not been called since their agreements were of a different nature. more..

Feb 6 (Island) Those who criticise the govt, while being in the cabinet are the ones who worked against us at elections and later joined us, said Minister Ravi Karunanayake in Kandy. Addressing the media after calling on the prelates of Malwatte and Asgiriya, he said that only a few criticised the govt being themselves members of the cabinet. "There is freedom for them to criticise us as we are a full democracy," he said. more..

Feb 6 (CT) Thieves entered the home of Sri Lanka Cricketer Kusal Mendis, at Halkanuwa Road, Gorakana in Panadura, at midnight and made away with Rs 310,000 worth of gold jewellery and cash, according to a complaint lodged at the Panadura North (Keselwatte) Police Station. In the complaint, it is stated that the robbery had taken place at night on 2 February. The robbers had taken three gold chains, four gold rings, a gold necklace of 1¾ sovereigns, 2 rings and Rs 5000 in cash. more..

Feb 6 (NS) The Presidential Task Force on Drug Prevention said that they would introduce subject matter pertaining to drugs into the school curriculum where principals and teachers will be empowered to educate students about the danger of drug use. The Task Force will be monitoring the programme educating children about the harm caused by drug use and the myths concerning the use of certain drugs including cannabis that  are believed to boost  studying. more..

Feb 6 (Hindu) Last week, when Sri Lanka’s Right To Information Act came into effect, a group of women in Batticaloa had a plan. After years of petitioning government offices and testifying to innumerable commissions, they decided to use the brand new Act, to seek information about their missing relatives. “We set out at eight in the morning, and went from one office to the other until 5.45 p.m.,” P. Deepa said over telephone. more..

Feb 6 (DN) Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne has been considering the possibility of importing a new drug which can fight against heart attacks and save patients more effectively, Health Ministry sources said. According to sources, heart patients can be saved by administering the drug within three hours of suffering the attack. The drug can be administered at any mobile clinic or at any hospital. At present, the drug is sold at a Rs.120,000. “Minister will make arrangements to more..

Feb 6 (Island) The country is heading for a series of strikes and other trade union action in the coming weeks over privatising of education and other govt ventures, trade union sources said. There would be demonstrations, token strikes and agitation campaigns by various unions in the next couple of weeks at various places throughout the country, they said adding that the people would have to undergo various difficulties and the govt should act fast to provide solutions more..

Feb 6 (ST) Debt-ridden national carrier SriLankan Airlines has been sent into a tailspin following the almost, near-crash of its much hyped A 330 air bus deal with Pakistan Airlines (PIA). After five months of the A 330 Aircraft wet lease to PIA., SriLankan Airlines is being pushed to a precarious situation as a result of PIA’s insistence to reduce the lease payment rate or else take back the A 330 already leased out to them in Aug last year. more..

Feb 6 (Island) Benefits are numerous that buildings and households in Sri Lanka can gain by switching to Solar Power. But although being a tropical country’s that has a sunny weather throughout over a half year annually only a less than 0.5% all households in the country had adopted Solar Power to their day to day electricity generation that is being consumed. Whilst the govt has also stepped in to promote Solar Power as a renewable energy source that helps creating a sustainable and more..

Feb 6 (CT) It is reported that the purchase of other institutions or the use of monies, lying in the bank account, belonging to the Perpetual Treasuries Company of Arjun Aloysius, who has been accused of being involved in the CB Treasury Bond scam, has been banned. On the instructions of the President, using the money in the Bank Account for other institutions has been prohibited. Meanwhile, it is reported that withdrawing money from that account has also been restricted. more..

Feb 6 (Island) Nagananda Kodituwakku said that thanks to the Right to Information (RTI) Act that had been endorsed unanimously by parliament, he had been able to obtain information pertaining to those who had transferred vehicles imported on duty free permits especially made available to MPs. He said that none of those who had bought expensive vehicles were legitimately entitled to obtain duty free facilities. more..

Feb 6 (DM) On Jan 20, 2017, Donald Trump assumed office as US President. He rode into power on the back of the slogan Make America Great Again. Among his campaign promises were: To ban Muslims entering the US; to lock-up his principle challenger Hilary Clinton; to build a wall along the Mexican border and make Mexico pay for it; to get rid of Obamacare; to deport all undocumented immigrants; to remove limits on coal production and to withdraw from Trans Pacific Partnership. more..

Feb 6 (DM) Corruption which was sweeping into the body politics unreservedly grabbed a fair portion of Independence; and continues to do so. Allegations of corruption, scandals and scams running into Billions that have been levelled against successive Governments in the past few decades far superseded the first 12 years, when Some Ministers were accused of accepting a bag of chilies or rice and other small gratifications, for which they had to pay the price. more..

Feb 6 (DM) Gazette notification announcing electoral wards is to be released on Feb 8 or 9, clearing the way for conducting the local authorities’ election, officials said. Local Govt and Provincial Councils ministry secretary Kamal Pathmasiri has given this assurance to the chairman of the Election Commission. He has assured him that translation errors in the report submitted by Delimitation Review Committee would be corrected today. more..

Feb 6 (ST) Homemakers are paying Rs 100 for a kilo of rice although import taxes have been reduced and they accuse traders of fleecing them. A kilo of rice should sell at Rs 70 based on the Rs 15 import levy reduction. Minister Ravi Karunanayake, said the Special Commodity Levy on imported rice had been further reduced, but it appeared the benefit was not being passed on to consumers. The reduction was applicable to more..

Feb 6 (FT) President Maithripala Sirisena said that religious education in the country could play a pivotal role in building national reconciliation and peace. He made these remarks while attending the Dialogue on Inter-Religious Education, held at the BMICH on Friday. This program was organised by the Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation with the aim of integrating the concept of national integration more..

Feb 6 (SL) The plot to assassinate TNA MP M. A. Sumanthiran was hatched in France, investigators said. Suspected former LTTE members who had undergone rehabilitation had attempted to assassinate Sumanthiran but the plan was foiled by intelligence agencies last month. The plot had been uncovered after the TID had arrested four former LTTE cadres who had been led by an LTTE leader from France. more..

Feb 6 (LBO) SL’s securities regulator has introduced a new fee structure for all share transactions following a request from the CSE to review the transaction fees applicable to CSE and CDS. The CSE proposed adopting a step-up fee structure rather than the present flat fee structure when consolidating transactions for the purpose of computing fees. CSE has also proposed to increase the threshold for the two-band fee structure more..

Feb 6 (Island) Non academic staff members numbering around 14,000 in countrywide universities would step out of their work places tomorrow to mark the resumption of their union action demanding the govt to adhere to its pledge to increase their monthly compensatory allowances. "We will stage the boycott on Feb 07 and meet again on Feb 12 to decide the next course of action," Co-Chairman of Inter University Trade Unions’ more..

Feb 6 (DM) President Maithripala Sirisena has decided to postpone the Cabinet reshuffle which was to take place in few days time, informed sources from the government said yesterday. They said the president had decided to postpone it for several months after a discussion he had had with several UNP seniors on February 3, 2017. He had earlier decided to change some ministers who faced certain charges. more..

Feb 6 (AM) The Auditor General, has accused the PM's office of attempting to sabotage the National Audit Act, by altering its key provisions.  He also said he came under pressure from various political elements over his department's report on the controversial Treasury bonds scam. "What I calculated in relation to the bond issue was the loss incurred in one day. It's long-term loss cannot be calculated," he said. more..

Feb 6 (DM) COPE Chairman Sunil Handunnetti said he had not still decided whether to appear before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) to testify on the Central Bank bond issue. He said it was not yet clear as to how the PCoI would conduct the investigations on this matter. “It is yet to verify whether its investigations will be based on the COPE report or whether it intends making COPE members respondents. more..

Feb 6 (GDI) The Sri Lanka National Day was celebrated at the Sri Lanka High Commissioner’s Official Residence in Canada with the presence of over 160 guests who braved a wintry day to be present on the occasion. The message of President Maithripala Sirisena was read by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Canada, Ahmed A. Jawad, while those of PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs were read more..

Feb 6 (CT) STF has been deployed to strengthen law and order in the Jaffna Peninsula. A recent cinematic style attack carried out at a shop in Arasadi Road, Jaffna by a sword wielding gang has clearly indicated the sad state of the law and order in Jaffna. Incident has been recorded in a CCTV camera installed at the shop which was attacked. The video footage of the attack shows the manner the gangsters carrying swords and axes coming in three motorbikes attacking the shop. more..

Feb 6 (CT) The GMOA, the Medical Faculty Students’ Union, and Inter University Students Federation are probably in contempt of court over their continued protests and trade union action against the judgment of the Court of Appeal on the registration of students of the SAITM with the Sri Lanka Medical Council. The landmark judgment delivered by the Appellate Court on 31st Jan 2017 confirmed that SAITM is legally eligible to grant medical degrees to its students. more..

Jan 6 (EN) Yahapalanaya administration has tarnished the UNP’s reputation for good economic management built up over the years, with some damaging interventions, just as Donald Trump has started to do in the US. Donald Trump’s interventions are in different areas compared to Sri Lanka, but if the bad interventions overshadow any good liberalisations, people from both countries will suffer in the longer term. Two of the most damaging policies that hurt the poor are minimum wage more..

Feb 6 (GDI) In the event the Trade unions stop fighting and work with one another we would be able to provide a better train service to the people said Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Nimal Siripala De Silva. He made these comments on the occasion of extending the double line from Kalutara to Payagala and the handing over of the newly purchased motor trolleys which cost Rs 134 million. At present only 7% commute by train and there is a necessity of increasing it to at least 25%. more..

Feb 6 (CT) The much hyped Special Presidential Commission appointed by President last month to investigate the bond scam at CB is a Yahapalanaya white elephant sans necessary powers. Three member high level committee comprising of Supreme Court Judges Kankani Chitrasiri, Prasanna Jayawardena and retired deputy AG Velupillai Kandasamy, has only been tasked to inquire into the bond scam, and does not more..

Feb 6 (AD) Amid fears of possible revival of LTTE, the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) on Monday urged the govt to provide former President Mahinda Rajapaksa with the security that was allocated for him in the first place. PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila expressed this view while speaking to reporters at a press conference held in Colombo. “What about Mahinda Rajapaksa, if M. A. Sumanthiran faces death threats though he backs a federal solution,” Gammanpila added. more..