Jan 23 (CI) Nuwan Pradeep has been ruled out of the rest of SL's tour of South Africa with a fractured hand. He sustained the injury during the shortened opening T20I on Friday night, at Centurion, when he was struck while trying to take a catch in his follow through in his first over. Farhaan Behardien hit a low full toss straight back to Pradeep, who put up his hand in an attempt to take the catch, but it served more as evasive action as the ball was heading straight at his face. more..

Jan 23 (CI) It has taken almost a month but Sri Lanka were finally made to feel welcome in South Africa on an unusually cracked, dry Wanderers surface and they made themselves completely at home. They earned their first win on the tour and leveled the three-match series by bowling South Africa out for their third-lowest score in a T20, lowest against SL and lowest in Johannesburg - but it came at a cost. more..

Jan 23 (ST) Sri Lanka Under-19s failed to overcome the African jinx that is plagued even to their senior side, as they crashed to a 39-run loss against South Africa Under-19s in the ongoing Tri-Nation Under-19s Tournament. Despite beating the third team of the competition, Zimbabwe, twice, the Lankan youth succumbed to their second straight defeat against the host nation in the sixth match of the tournament played at Paarl yesterday. Chasing a winning target of 261 runs, SL U-19s fell short by 39 runs more..

Jan 23 (DN) Since the majority of qualified Sri Lankan workers have left the country for overseas employment, there is a dearth of over 2,000 skilled laborers and IT personnel to carry out the ongoing construction work in Colombo and the other suburban areas, Deputy Finance Minister Lakshman Yapa Abewardana said. He made these remarks at a media briefingto make the announcement of conducting the Sri Lanka’s major exhibition in the construction field, Construction Expo-2017. more..

Jan 23 (FT) Sri Lanka is set to brew a fresh global campaign to promote Ceylon Tea under Lion logo targeting 12 countries from next month in an initiative worth Rs. 4.8 billion. Exercise has been long pending and will give a much needed boost to the tea industry, which also celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. Initiative will be funded through the money collected from the Tea Cess, now estimated to be worth Rs. 6.75b. more..

Jan 23 (DM) Measures had been taken to purchase 160 new railway compartments and 20 locomotive engines for the Sri Lanka Railways (SLR), Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said. Attending a function to commission a semi-luxury train service between Colombo Fort and Matale on Friday, he said the Railways Department was considering purchase of special and efficient engines manufactured in the Europe for servicing hill country lines. The purchase would be made using funds granted by India. more..

Jan 23 (DM) Venerable Rathana Thera did not achieve anything by coming into Parliament but he would be able to achieve much for the country if he resigned as a Member of Parliament, State Minister Palitha Range Bandara said. He said monks should not come into Parliament as such a thing would not benefit the people and the clergy as well. Mr. Range Bandara, who was speaking during a ceremony, said monks coming into Parliament was a hindrance to the development of the society. more..

Jan 23 (Hindu) And nearly eight years after the war, Batticaloa reflects problems that overlap with the war-torn North, as well those peculiar to the island’s Eastern Province. From coping with the legacy of a brutal war to confronting a severe drought to falling into the menacing trap of micro-credit, the Tamil-majority district of Batticaloa is faced with problems old and new. Located on SL’s east coast and flanked by Trinco & Ampara more..

Jan 23 (ENS) SL Minister Sarath Fonseka’s comments that talks are on with India for developing the Trinco harbour, has ruffl ed feathers in the island nation in the context of a growing opposition to Colombo’s policy of appeasing India by offering it big ticket projects to compensate for those offered to China. Lankan nationalists fear that their country, recovering from a 30-year-war, might become an arena of power politics, putting its hard-won peace and sovereignty in jeopardy. more..

Jan 23 (FT) An arbitrary decision taken by banana exporter Dole Lanka Ltd. to terminate current contracts with a labour supply company has given rise to concerns over job security among the workforce employed in Buttala plantation, prompting workers to take trade union action. The decision to suddenly terminate the service contract Dole Lanka had with The Southern Force Ltd. to supply labour for their Wekannda-Buttala banana plantation has created uncertainty among workers, more..

Jan 23 (FT) A SL environmentalist claimed that the Wilpattu forests were cleared by the State Timber Corporation and not by Muslims as alleged. “As environmentalists, we should not talk only about displacement of a certain ethnic group but everyone,” said Environmentalist Thilak Kariyawasam on 19 January. He was addressing a discussion forum on Wilpattu at Ramada Hotel, joined by Minister Rishad Bathiudeen. more..

Jan 23 (DM) A Dasa Sil Matha is seen sitting in front of the historic Dalada Maligawa in Kandy where she has embarked on a non-stop hunger strike saying that the present govt is trying to divide the country by amending the Constitution. She has opted to remain anonymous and will continue to protest against the high-handed actions of the govt. The Bhikkhuni, who has refused to consume any food or water, said that she will continue the fast until the Govt resigns. more..

Jan 23 (DN) The regaining of the GSP+ facility by SL will immensely help our exporters to get back the duty free access to the European market and this will also help our youth to become globally competitive in the years to come, Deputy Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva said. He made these remarks at the EDEX Expo-2017 Exhibition opening ceremony at BMICH. A large number of present and past Royalists and students from other schools attended the opening ceremony to visit local and more..

Jan 23 (Island) CID would soon interrogate former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on the murder of former Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickrematunga. The former defence secretary would be questioned on the matters transpired during the interrogation of former Army Commander and Minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, who had been questioned by the CID last Friday for more than six hours, sources said. more..

Jan 23 (FT) Belgium Govt and heads of several European companies have promised to strengthen trade links with Sri Lanka following the European Union restoring GSP+ relief to the island.  They considered the existing investment friendly environment as another plus point and said they would take every possible effort to strengthen trade ties with Sri Lanka. Minister Ravi Karunanayake said that the representatives of Belgium Govt and several leading European companies informed him of more..

Jan 23 (DM) A large amount of money amounting to Rs.5.7 million had been stolen by two unidentified persons that had broken into an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) belonging to a State bank in Medagama, Bibila on Friday night, the Police learned this morning. Manager of the Bank said that she had loaded the teller machine with sufficient money on the same day before the bank was closed for the weekend. When the bank was opened for cleaning operations today (22) the owner of more..

Jan 23 (DM) JVP was ready to topple the incumbent Govt even before 2020 if there was an opportunity, party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today. Speaking at the forming of Diriya Samithi in Maharagama yesterday, he said people would have to punish them now if the FCID, Judiciary or the Attorney General was not going to do so. “If the FCID, Judiciary or the Attorney General was not doing it people will have to do it. more..

Jan 23 (DN) Three school boys who accompanied two other colleagues for a river bath near Dunhinda in Ethgala, Gampola on Saturday, drowned in the Mahaweli Ganga. Dead were identified as Themiya Navaratne and Chamika Navaratne of Ethgala and Gayan Bandara of Udagama. They were all students of Saranapala Maha Vidyalaya. Other two students who returned to their homes had kept the deaths a secret until the parents of the missing boys went in search of their children. more..

Jan 23 (DN) The extraordinary Gazette announcing the date of enforcement of the Right to Information Act as Feb 3 has been published. The gazette had been published last Friday. Under the RTI Act, ministries, govt departments, public corporations and private organisations carrying out public functions or services, local authorities, any department, authority or institution established by a provincial council, NGOs that are substantially funded by the govt, more..

Jan 23 (Island) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has indicated that there couldn’t be a consensus between his grouping and the SLFP under the present circumstances. He has declared that his grouping wouldn’t accept any arrangement at the expense of the party against the backdrop of the SLFPers in govt pursuing an agenda inimical to the party. SLFP-led Joint Opposition comprises nearly 50 elected MPs whereas more..

Jan 23 (CT) President is to take some strong political decisions in the upcoming week. According to sources, a Cabinet change is also to take place after PM returns to the country this week, following his visit to Switzerland to attend the World Economic Summit 2017. Also, there is a possibility that President will appoint several presidential commissions, in the course of next week, to probe some alleged large scale misappropriations that have surfaced under the present govt. more..

Jan 23 (AD) SL could not receive GSP+ concession back before because the former govt had no intention to agree for the terms of European Commission, former President Rajapaksa says. He made the observation while speaking at the NFF convention on Sunday. While clarifying that the country did not face any losses  in the absence of GSP+, he went on to say plans are now underway to implement proposals which could harm the sovereignty of the country. more..

Jan 23 (CG) President Maithripala Sirisena is to appoint a special Presidential Commission of Inquiry to probe the CB bond issue. President tweeted saying that he will appoint the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry this week to investigate CB bond issue and recommend action. “I will appoint a Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry this week to investigate CB bond issue and recommend actions,” President tweeted. more..

Jan 23 (DM) The speech by the new US President Donald Trump after his inauguration on Friday has been met with mixed reactions – those for him absolutely praising, while those of the liberal left condemning it. Anyway, this has been a hallmark of Trump from the very moment he expressed his desire to seek the Republican Party nomination.    However, most people watched the speech of Trump with a bated breath- those who love him as well as those who hate him. more..

Jan 23 (DM) A wide spectrum representing civil and political society – politicians, religious dignitaries, academics, artists, professionals, media persons, trade unionists, civil society activists and students- voted for the Common Candidate on one main issue, namely, the abolition of the executive presidency based on appeals by Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha thero of National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ), who sought a return to parliamentary form of govt. more..

Jan 23 (ST) China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), company that built the coal-power plant in Norochcholai, has proposed to set up a liquefied natural gas (LNG) power station in Hambantota as a Govt-to-Govt project. But CEB engineers have opposed the idea saying there is no provision in the country’s Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan (LTGEP) for an LNG plant in Hambantota. more..

Jan 23 (SL) The good governance administration has once again messed up with its guaranteed policies within a short span of two years. The removal of the Board of Directors of Lanka Coal Company who objected to award a tender that cost the country billions of rupees shows as to how this govt is treading the way the previous regime took which led to their downfall on Jan 8, 2015. Questions are raised as to why more..

Jan 23 (DM) Asoka Peiris, the former chairman of the Delimitation Review Committee said some ministers believed that govt officials should act according to their dictates like schoolchildren -- sitting down and standing up when ordered to by their teachers. He said some ministers addressed officials as Booruwa. He made these comments yesterday while expressing his best wishes to the National delegates seminar held on more..

Jan 23 (CT) The President of Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) Anura de Silva has been removed from the Association Committee of FIFA effective from yesterday. De Silva was appointed to the seat in 2015 after former President Ranjith Rodrigo had to make way to the elected President. Rodrigo occupied the seat from 2013 to 2015 and he was the first person appointed as a member in Association Committee of FIFA. more..

Jan 23 (AJ) Sri Lanka is suffering its worst drought in four decades, according to officials, with more than a million people experiencing acute water shortages. The lack of rain last year has lowered water levels in rivers in parts of the country. With less water available to drain the sea salt, supplies have been contaminated, especially in the town of Kalutara. In the village of Kaluganga, more than 200,000 people are affected, more..

Jan 23 (EN) Sri Lanka's rice production from the main Maha cultivation season in 2017 could drop by two million tonnes or around 60% of the usual volume, from a severe drought triggered by an Indian Ocean temperature oscillation, official estimates show. Latest crop forecast estimates that the 2016/2017, Maha rice crop will fall to 1.02 million tonnes compared to around 2.9 to 3.0 million tonnes seen in a year with good rainfall. more..

Jan 23 (Island) Former Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris said the yahapalana govt had knocked the bottom out of its much touted allegation that the Rajapaksas had invested billions of US dollars in various ventures through Dubai-based Nandana Lokuwithana. Lokuwithana, who had been accused of building Dubai Marriott and acquiring Steel Corporation on behalf of the Rajapaksas was now having a cozy relationship with the govt, more..

Jan 23 (Island) In the wake of the CID recording Minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka’s statement in connection with ongoing investigations into the assassination of The Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickrematunga on the morning of Jan 8, 2009, SL Working Journalists Association will launch a fresh campaign to pressure the govt to appoint a Presidential Commission to probe attacks on the media. more..

Jan 23 (Island) CB Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy envisages an economic growth of 5.5% to 6% but this projected growth for 2017 comes with a word of caution on significant downsides from the prevailing volatile global economic climate and a possible slowdown in the agricultural sector along with limitations in power generation due to prevailing weather conditions. "It's too early to tell how significant these will be. more..

Jan 23 (CI) Angelo Mathews will be one of three players returning to Sri Lanka after the second T20 international in South Africa, with Nuwan Pradeep and Danushka Gunathilaka also flying home due to injury. Mathews' return was a prior arrangement based on personal grounds, a Sri Lanka Cricket release said, though he had also suffered a hamstring strain during his match-winning 54 not out on Sunday. more..

Jan 23 (CT) President Sirisena graced the occasion marking the 150th anniversary of the tea industry in the island and the 92nd anniversary of the Tea Research Institute, Talawakele on Saturday. Tea industry started by the British in 1867, when James Taylor along with Scotsman Thomas Lipton planted tea in just 19 acres at Loolecondera Estate a former coffee plantation, remained a key export revenue maker, along with rubber in the country. However, despite SL tea being still respected world more..

Jan 23 (NR) The All Ceylon Customs Service Union has decided to withdraw from discussions with the govt pertaining to the abolishment of the Customs Ordinance Act. In a statement released today the union said the executive committee decided to quit the talks that they allege are heading towards a new Customs Act that facilitates racketeers to drain the country’s wealth. The Union said it also decided to continue campaigning against the abolishment of the Act. more..

Jan 23 (EN) Central bank and law enforcement authorities are probing the Employees' Provident Fund, a retirement fund of private sector workers which is managed by state workers. President Maithripala Sirisena is also appointing a commission to go into the bondscam. Concerns have been raised that long dated bonds bought at rigged auction at high yields (low prices) through so-called 'bondscams' were later dumped on the EPF at low yields (high prices) during the past two years, more..

Jan 23 (NR) Minister of Health Rajitha Senaratne says the Executive Presidency will be entirely abolished under the proposed new Constitution. The Minister of Health made this statement speaking at a rally in Hiniduma. Minister Senaratne said a court case could not be filed against the President due to immunity, but now action can be taken. He said Parliament at any time can criticise the govt adding Parliament cannot be dissolved at any time unlike before. more..