Jan 8 (NS) Following the initial turbulence of establishing a so-called national Yahapalanaya (good governance) administration, which to an unassuming observer at one moment seems to teeter on the edge of a precipice with coalition partners turning on each other at the bat of an eyelid, pitting their acid tongued wit against each other and prevailing upon foes and allies alike in the Opposition while maneuvering the political riptide, and at other moments, seemingly united more..

Jan 8 (CT) Controversial Treasury Bond dealer Perpetual Treasuries Ltd's recent performance would make any blue chip company green with envy. According to its latest accounts, it has been making a clean monthly profit of Rs 1 billion. With no branches, company in the six months ending on 30 Sept 2016 made a net profit of Rs 6.82 billion. Those included a net capital gain of Rs 5.6 billion in T-Bond trading alone. more..

Jan 8 (SL) Several high-profile lawyers and leaders of Law Societies are meeting in Chennai tomorrow to join a motion challenging the Sri Lankan govt at the UN. This motion will be filed with the UNHRC stating that the 6th amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution is a violation of freedom of speech and conscience guaranteed in Articles 18 and 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Motion was initiated by Former US Attorney General more..

Jan 8 (Hindu) International Society of Nephrologists (ISN) recently honoured President Maithripala Sirisena for his extraordinary contribution to the fight against Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu). The recognition comes months after the World Health Organisation declared Sri Lanka malaria-free, a significant public health achievement in the region. Unlike in its fight against malaria, SL has a peculiar challenge even as it tries combating CKDu — an unknown enemy. more..

Jan 8 (Hindu) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday left for SL on a two-day visit at the invitation of President Maithripala Sirisena. Mr. Naidu, who left Vijayawada for Colombo en route Chennai, will be the Guest of Honour at a function on Sunday to mark the completion of two years in office of SL’s National Unity Govt. He will address the audience on the topic Prosperity for All. more..

Jan 8 (ENS) Ten fishermen engaged in fishing 15 km southeast off Kodiyakkarai near Nagapattinam district were allegedly assaulted with canes and ropes by SL navy on Saturday. The fishermen alleged that the navymen took away their GPS device, a mobile phone and 10 kg of their catch before chasing them away. Chellaiah (50), Aalamuthu (50), Kasipillai (50), Kalidasan (40), Kumar (38), Mahendran (33), Anbarasu (28), Kannadasan (25) Ravichandran (20) and more..

Jan 8 (SO) Less funding to the Ministry has resulted in the slow implementation of the official language policy in the Public Administrative Service claims Minister of National Co-Existence, Dialogue and Official languages Mano Ganesan. Responding to recent allegations of poor implementation of the policy, he admitted that while implementation has been at a snail pace, funding has been the main obstacle faced by the Ministry. "From the budget allocation what Ministry has received more..

Jan 8 (SO) Resurfacing of the runway at the BIA has cancelled only 8 flights per day while other flights have been rescheduled to land at the BIA after 4.30 pm. “We have given four options to the airlines either to go to Mattala Airport, come to BIA after 4.30 pm, reschedule their flights or cancel their flights. Earlier 10 to 15 flights had been cancelled per day, but this has now come down to 8 flights while others have been rescheduled more..

Jan 8 (ST) The Indo-Lanka Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) earlier scheduled to be finalised by end 2016, has been delayed to June this year as the third round of talks between the two countries ended inconclusively, officials said. Both sides have failed to reach a consensus on non tariff barriers, negative lists and several other matters relating to huge imbalance of trade favourable to India and movement of natural persons or personnel, etc. more..

Jan 8 (ST) A 3-member committee to ascertain the circumstances in which the state-owned Bank of Ceylon (BOC) had sold its 7.5% stake in Seylan Bank has been appointed by the Ministry of Public Enterprises Development. Kabir Hashim, the minister in charge of this Ministry said that he has appointed this committee to take necessary action as the PM has asked to carry out a comprehensive investigation. The transaction was cancelled on the directive of the PM on the grounds that more..

Jan 8 (CT) Police unleashed the water cannon treatment to break up a mob, which included the newly-formed Buddhist Monks Organization to Protect the Magampura-Hambantota Harbour, MPs Udaya Gammanpila, Dullas Alahapperuma and former Uva Chief Minister Shashindra Rajapaksa, that launched a protest demonstration at the inauguration ceremony of the Sri Lanka-China Logistics and Industrial Zone more..

Jan 8 (SO) No power cuts are expected in the coming months despite the absence of rains until April, Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy Secretary Dr. Suren Batagoda said. He said, the CEB has now deviated from its original stance to sustain power supply during the dry season. This comes in the wake of the forecast issued that rains could not be expected at least till April this year. “We were hoping that there would be rains but it seems it is not the case.” The Secretary said. more..

Jan 8 (ST) While resurfacing work on the main runway of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) began on Friday, flights and passenger movement operations were going smoothly, a Duty Manager at Airport & Aviation Services said. “We have employed additional staff to reduce congestion and so far we have been managing the situation effectively,” the manager said. Hesaid that as a result of the renovations, at least 175 commercial flights have been rescheduled. more..

Jan 8 (ST) President Maithripala Sirisena vowed Tuesday to continue the alliance between the SLFP and the UNP. He told a special meeting of SLFP ministers that he would have no truck with former President Rajapaksa or his supporters within the party. These ministers were summoned after the weekly ministerial meeting to be told of his plans for 2017. Sirisena who completes two years in office today, enters the third from tomorrow. more..

Jan 8 (Island) Even the most ardent supporters of the Sirisena-Wickremasinghe govt would have been disappointed with the govt’s performance in 2016, and many of them would be hoping for some positive turnarounds in the New Year that is just starting. The govt’s meandering ways over the last two years are arguably the result of the mismatch between the unique expectations that were created and confirmed by the 2015 January presidential election, on the one hand, more..

Jan 8 (Island) PM Ranil seems to be edging to a Deng Xio Ping - Lee Kwan Yew interventionist state overview of the economy if one takes the Development (Special Provisions) Bill gazetted on 26 Nov 2016 at face value. Both domestic capital and foreign investors have left him high and dry, so he has no other option. Whatever road he takes to Rome, it will be good news if he gets there. I am cautiously supportive. Why cautious, why not enthusiastic? more..

Jan 8 (Island) The adage is common to many cultures, the condition it refers to a universal one. Madness is often the prelude to end times, private and public, individual, institutional and systemic. But before madness comes blindness and deafness, wilful and self-imposed; suicidal absence of sanity is foreshadowed by a perplexing refusal to see, hear or acknowledge the obvious. It’s a rare govt which lives up to its initial promise. more..

Jan 8 (CI) In the days before the 1996 World Cup Final the host city of Lahore had unequivocally declared its support for Sri Lanka, and Ramiz Raja popped by the team hotel. A veteran of the city's cricket circuit, he brought with him a question: "What's the wicket you guys want?" The answer didn't require much thinking. "Plenty of turn please, medium bounce, but also not too slow in the second innings." more..

Jan 8 (SO) Amidst speculation of deforestation taking place in many parts of the country, the Forest Department will soon launch a program to monitor the changes taking place in the forest cover through a web portal and also by installing forest watcher cameras. Forest Department will launch this program soon with funding from the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Chinese Govt. more..

Jan 8 (ST) Thousands are riding without licences, they commit tens of thousands of traffic offences and Sri Lanka’s motorcyclists have gained the dubious honour of being among the leading killers on roads across the island. Motorbike riders are responsible for causing the deaths of at least three people every day. Many who die are the riders themselves. Most are reckless and young. Latest police data show that motorcyclists more..

Jan 8 (CT) All the trade unions of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) have decided to launch a massive strike next week in case the oil facility at the Hambanthota Port is given to the China Merchant Company. "Tomorrow, we will make our demands known to Minister of Petroleum Chandima Weerakkodi. If our demand is not heeded we will begin a strike without informing the relevant authorities," Convenor of Trade Union more..

Jan 8 (SL) Today marks the 8th death anniversary of the founding Editor of The Sunday Leader, Lasantha Wickrematunge. Recently two telephone conversations between Wickrematunge and former President Rajapaksa were leaked. The following are chronological extracts of editorials throughout the history of The Sunday Leader, wherein Wickrematunge personally addressed Rajapaksa. more..

Jan 8 (ST) An Italian company that was reported to be investing in a US$ 75 million (Rs 11 billion) tyre production plant in Sri Lanka under the BOI has distanced itself from the project. Marangoni is only involved indirectly in the possible US$75 million investment in Sri Lanka, the company says in a statement on its official website. What has been discussed is only a “hypothetical transfer of technology to a SL-based investor” as part of more..

Jan 8 (CG) The authorities were today accused of attempting to stall investigations into the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickremetunga, eight years after his death. Attorney-at-Law Athula Ranagala, who has been appearing in the case, said that much progress was made in the fresh investigations launched after the new Govt took office. However he said investigations have now stalled and he urged the authorities more..

Jan 8 (ST) Colombo’s Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne has directed that the bank accounts in Sri Lanka of Udayanga Weeratunga, former Ambassador to Russia, be frozen. The move follows an application to Court made by the FCID, which gave details of the account numbers and the balances remaining in each one of them. Mr. Weeratunga had 14 different accounts in the Commercial Bank and two in the HSBC. more..

Jan 8 (SO) President Sirisena is expected to make his position known on the recommendation of a hybrid court by Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms, at an event commemorating his second year in office at BMICH today. Consultation Task Force (CTF), after concluding hearing of public views has recommended that Sri Lanka should have hybrid courts with at least one international judge more..

Jan 9 (CT) Many people are remembered long after they have passed away. Some for the enduring legacy they leave behind and others for the infamous reputations. Lasantha, even after eight long years is remembered for championing the rights of the voiceless and for showing up those in authority who stooped to pilfer from the people, warts and all. He could very well have practised Law and made a comfortable life for himself and family. He spoke of a calling. Far higher in virtue more..

Jan 9 (CT) Anniversaries are important. They help us recall events of history associated with experiences that hold some resonance and meaning for us. Anniversaries subject us to merciless, unforgiving scrutiny of hindsight. Hindsight is good at pointing to where we erred. It helps us to learn the truth about what we thought we knew. Yet, it does not tell us where we should go. So, these are meandering thoughts. Power can be good. Stupidity is harmless. Together it is a catastrophic. more..

Jan 9 (CT) The idea of a common Presidential Candidate was not new in itself – it was tried at the 2010 Presidential Election – but at the tail end of Nov 2014, a revolution took place in Sri Lankan politics that would rewrite history. Just a few months earlier, the situation looked hopeless as no candidate who could challenge the incumbent President seemed to be emerging. A candidate did indeed emerge in Nov 2014. more..

Jan 9 (ST) From the reports of the Disappearances Commission in the 1990’s to the findings of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (2011) to the most recent report of the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation (2017), it has been a long and undeniably hopeless ride for Sri Lanka’s victims. Throughout that process, which has also been littered by many other commission reports of greater or lesser importance, the overriding message was simple; more..

Jan 9 (ST) Coups, even bloodless ones, to topple people elected popular govts are generally planned under cover of darkness and executed with lightning speed to take all by surprise to ensure its success. But not so, it seems, for former president Rajapaksa. When he fancies overthrowing regimes, he gives one year’s notice and trumpets his intended bravado from the front pages of the world press. Last Thursday in an interview with the Colombo-based foreign correspondents, more..

Jan 9 (CT) UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa says a UPFA govt will one day reclaim the Hambantota Port like the way his father reclaimed SriLankan and the Insurance Corporation. Q: Why is there so much protest against the Hambantota Port deal? A: Implementing a development project is not a problem. But, basically, the plan to lease out the Hambantota Harbour is now afoot. The basic plan was signed in Oct. Did they consult the AG? more..

Jan 9 (SO) Truly frightening, spine chilling, speeding up the heartbeat through abject fear. This and more negatives were what this cat felt when she heard the ex-Prez, Mahinda Rajapaksa, announce to media persons at a meeting he summoned that he and his cohorts will take over the govt of the Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka this year, yes, 2017. How can that be in a democratic country, any idiot will ask. A govt is taken over after a general election, fair or otherwise. more..

Jan 9 (Island) The yahapalana govt’s development partnership with China got off to a bumpy start on Saturday in Hambantota. The launch of a Chinese industrial zone was marred by a mini battle in the area. Riot police, backed by heavily armed STF commandos and water cannon, cracked down on thousands of people protesting against the handover of the Magampura port and 15,000 acres of land to the Chinese. Govt leaders put on a brave face on Saturday’s protests. more..

Jan 9 (SO) The government-appointed Consultation Task Force (CTF), comprising civil society members and academics, this week released their comprehensive report; a roadmap for the government to proceed with its plans for reconciliation and accountability. The CTF appointed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in January 2016, held public consultations across the country to seek the view of the citizenry and those affected on future measures towards reconciliation. more..

Jan 9 (Island) As it enters Year 3, the Yahapalana govt’s crisis-management option seems to be a return to the worst follies of Mrs. Bandaranaike and JR Jayewardene. It is planning to restore the Criminal Justice Commission, frame the Rajapaksas (including Gotabhaya) and remove their civic rights. This is combination of a Felixian instrument, the CJC, and a JR move, the removal of civic rights. One recalls that the two most honorable men in the 1970 parliament, more..

Jan 9 (Stratfor) A central tenet of geopolitical analysis is that place matters, and perhaps nowhere is this clearer than in Sri Lanka. The island nation lies just off the coast of southeastern India at the midpoint of the Indian Ocean, occupying a vital sea-lane and trade corridor between the Middle East and East Asia. For centuries, its location — plus its deep natural harbors and its wealth of resources such as tea, rubber & cinnamon — more..

Jan 9 (Island) Maithripala Sirisena, elected the 6th executive President of SL on Jan 8, 2015, was the victor over a highly popular and seemingly invincible opponent. Nevertheless, it was a victory of the people of Sri Lanka, as President Sirisena himself has often said. It became a people’s victory because the battle was between a political ideal and a personality. Ranil Wickremesinghe, for example, had to sacrifice what in retrospect seems to have been a good chance to be president. more..

Jan 9 (GT) China's ambassador to Sri Lanka said that no negative energy can stop the practical cooperation between the two countries, following a protest on Saturday against a cooperative project in Hambantota. Hundreds of demonstrators protested against a planned investment zone in the southern district of Hambantota on Saturday, saying the Sri Lanka govt is trying to evict thousands of families to provide 6,070 hectares of land in the projected industrial zone. more..