July 10 (Island) The Catholic church yesterday alleged that public funds had been squandered on politicians and officials at the expense of the public at a time several districts were struggling to tackle fast spreading dengue. Parish priest of St. Anne’s church, Kurana, Negombo Rev. Cyril Gamini Fernando, in his Sunday sermon, lambasted the government for being insensitive to the suffering of the masses. more..

July 10 (SL) If the people’s right to live and the right to protect their environment is constitutionally accepted, the issues of the displaced will only be a temporary thing. The people’s dignity and rights will also be safeguarded. In such an environment, not only will the country’s development progress, but a sense of pride about our country will also be developed.  It is the new Constitution that will decide if environmental more..

July 10 (DM) Sealing the tills of temples was nothing new as it had happened to sacred temples in Anuradhapura as well in the 1970s, the chief incumbent of the Atamastana, Venerable Pallegama Sirinivasa Thera said over the weekend. The Venerable Thera came out with this statement when PM called on him on Saturday. "Tills in the Anuradhapura was sealed by the then Minister of Finance late Dr. N.M. Perera," Thera said. more..

July 10 (CT) A special investigation was carried out in response to a request made to the Auditor General by the COPE, into the printing of lottery tickets for the computerized lottery draws conducted by the National Lotteries Board (NLB) and a report on his observations has been submitted. The report prepared by the AG showed many loopholes in fulfilling regulations & guidelines in procurements and delivery of certain lotteries in 2016. more..

July 10 (Island) Navy Commander Vice Admiral Ravi Wijegunaratne has inspected new Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) before taking delivery of it officially. A delegation led by the Vice Admiral visited India after the Navy Chief’s visit to Saudi Arabia. The following is the text of the report posted by IHS Janes’s: Officials from the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) are now in India to familiarise themselves with a new 105 m offshore patrol vessel (OPV) more..

July 10 (ST) Sri Lanka cannot afford to reject investors merely because they did not have a public profile, BOI Chairman Upul Jayasuriya said this week. Investors behind the proposed Al-Aman World Capital Centre (WCC) have pledged US$2.4 bn towards the project and it was for the banks to determine the source of their funds. On June 30, BOI entered into a preliminary agreement with two businessmen to construct more..

July 10 (DN) A team from the WHO visited SL recently on the invitation extended by Minister Rajitha Senaratne to find a strategy to control the dengue outbreak. A total of 80,732 dengue patients and 245 dengue deaths have been reported from all parts of the country by July 7. Minister had made a special request from the WHO to formulate a quick strategy to control the dengue outbreak and to produce a report by today. more..

July 10 (NR) Chief Minister of Western Province Isura Devapriya says a 2% tax will be charged from owners of abandoned lands in the Province. He said the programme will be in effect from today. He noted the motive behind charging the tax was to bring the dengue epidemic under control. CM said if there is a plot of land under any provincial council that is not used, whether it is for vegetation and is not maintained adequately, more..

July 10 (Island) 600 complaints against police have been received by the National Police Commission in the first six months of this year, NPC Secretary Ariyadasa Cooray said. He said they had already begun probing those complaints. Last year a total of 1,800 complaints against police had been received by the NPC and investigations into many of those complaints had already been concluded, he said. Cooray said most of the complaints related to policemen not carrying out more..

July 10 (CT) A recent report released by the Nutrition Coordinating Unit of the Ministry of Health has indicated that compared to 2016, the number of diabetic patients up to now, in 2017 has doubled with even young people being diagnosed with the disease. Generally, Sri Lankans are health conscious, and the majority, are familiar with traditional food items as far as their food habits are concerned. Diabetes, a non-communicable disease, is found in one in six persons in the island more..

July 10 (FT) Economist Hema Senanayake, in a recent article, had argued cogently that the SAITM was not a private medical school, but a private monopoly. His opinion has certainly opened a pathway for anyone to analyse the issue at hand from a hard economics point. However, when delved into it deeply, one could discern two interesting revelations. One is that SAITM goes beyond a monopoly. It is a classic example for a natural monopoly in the making. more..

July 10 (CI) Before Monday's win against Sri Lanka, the last time Zimbabwe beat a Full Member in a bilateral ODI series was in 2001. 2009: The last time Zimbabwe won a bilateral ODI series away from home, beating Kenya 5-0. Between that series and the Sri Lanka one, they played 12 away bilateral series, with defeats against Afghanistan, a drawn series against Scotland and four series defeats in Bangladesh. Before the start of the series in Sri Lanka, they were ranked 11 more..

July 10 (GT) Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake, and the accompanying delegation, in Doha yesterday. Talks  dealt with relations between Qatar and Sri Lanka and means of enhancing them in addition to the latest developments in the region. HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani also met Ravi Karunanayake, and the accompanying delegation, yesterday. more..

July 10 (DM) A Sub Inspector and a Police Constable, attached to the Point Pedro Police Station, who were arrested in connection with the shooting which an individual was killed when an illegal sand transporting vehicle was shot at by the Police, were remanded till July 24 by the Pont Pedro Magistrate Court today. Lorry carrying sand was shot at by the Police yesterday at in the Manalkadu area in Point Pedro after it drove through a police checkpoint disregarding police orders to stop. more..

July 10 (CI) They came to SL ranked 11th, having been defeated by Scotland in the previous month, and having lost a series to Afghanistan earlier in the year. But bowling with venom, fielding with pep, batting with intelligence, helped Zimbabwe win the deciding fifth ODI by 3 wickets in Hambantota, and stun the hosts 3-2. It is their first away series victory since 2009, and one of Zimbabwe cricket's finest moments ever. more..

July 10 (AD) Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa Monday morning (10) arrived at the Commission of Inquiry (CoI), an official said. Gotabaya was summoned to certify the fact through a Justice of Peace that the Defence Ministry granted permission to remove pieces of scrap metal at the Kankesanthurai Cement Factory.  Meanwhile, Joint Opposition MP Dinesh Gunawardena has too been ordered to appear before the CoI today. The MP arrived at the commission at around 9.30. more..

July 10 (DM) In the wake an allegation levelled against Perpetual Treasuries chief Arjun Aloysius that he had interfered with a witness who was supposed to testify at PCoI, a President’s Counsel today represented Mr. Aloysius to protect his interests at the inquiry. At the previous sessions, the Pan Asia Bank Deputy General Manager testifying before the PCoI said Mr. Aloysius had requested his support at the proceedings prior to him giving evidence. more..

July 10 (DM) Turning down requests by GMOA to be reappointed as the Chairman of Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), Prof. Carlo Fonseka cited his medical condition as the reason to do so. Referring to the GMOA strikes, Prof. Fonseka said he would not approve of strikes which demanded the extension of his term as the SLMC Chairman. “Please do not resort to a strike because of me,” he said to GMOA exec committee more..

July 10 (EN) Remittances from migrant workers abroad dropped 15.6% to US$ 487.9 million in April 2017 from US$ 578 million a year earlier. Total remittances up to April 2017 were also down 6.3% to US$ 2,221.7 million. "Adverse economic and geopolitical conditions prevailing in the Middle Eastern region continued to have a negative impact on workers’ remittances," central bank said. Sharply lower oil prices in 2016 hurt the finances of key gulf countries where Sri Lankans work. more..

July 10 (DM) The segment between Kaduwela and Kadawatha on the Southern Expressway would be closed for traffic from 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm today to enable the removal of the high tension cable which had fallen on the expressway last night. RDA Director of Maintenance and Operation S. Opanayaka said the segment had been closed since last night and was later opened for traffic this morning but would be closed between 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm to remove the high tension cable. more..

July 10 (CT) The attorneys representing Perpetual Treasuries Limited have become brazen enough to threaten witnesses, giving evidence before the Presidential Commission, stated State Minister Dilan Perera. He said, "People are concerned about two things these days. One is the bond scam and I am shocked to see that the attorneys representing Perpetual Treasuries have become brazen enough to threaten witnesses more..

July 10 (Island) Plans are underway to set up a Buddhist school in Kandy in memory of Ven. Weliwita Asarana Saranankara Sangharaja Thera, who initiated a Buddhist revival movement under the last Kingdom of Kandy, said Central Provincial Governor Niluka Ekanayake at Malwatte Maha Vihare on Saturday afternoon. The school will be built on a land at Peradeniya, the Governor said, adding that the project had received the consent of President Maithripala Sirisena. more..

July 10 (DN) A case filed alleging former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage to have purchased a house worth Rs.27 million at Kynsey Road, Colombo 7 through illegally acquired money was fixed for trial at the Colombo High Court, today.   When MP Aluthgamage appeared before Colombo High Court Judge Gihan Kulatunga, he was informed that the accused has fulfilled his bail conditions.  Accordingly, the case was fixed for trial on November 20 and 21.  more..

July 10 (DM) FSP, JVP, Hela Urumaya, JO and several trade unions today pledged their support to GMOA to form a new alliance to abolish the SAITM. In a press briefing where four political parties, trade union representatives and student unions participated, the GMOA announced the means of defeating Minister Rajitha Senaratne’s alleged move to violate the Medical Ordinance and establish SAITM by more..

July 10 (AD) MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara stated that although Minister Champika Ranawaka claimed that there is no garbage disposed on the roads in Colombo, there is evidence of illegal dumping all around the city. He added that Ranawaka does not support the functioning of SAITM, and has only pledged his support to secure his ministerial position in the current govt. He said Ranawaka believes a chaotic situation similar to that in 1988 and 1989 will occur in the future, if SAITM isn’t abolished. more..

July 10 (CI) Zimbabwe's abysmal recent record and Sri Lanka's historic dominance at home didn't stop Graeme Cremer's men from breaking new ground. A 16-year drought has ended: This is the first time Zimbabwe have won a five-match ODI series away from home in their history, and just their third bilateral series win away against a Test-playing nation. The last time they won any away series was against Kenya in 2009, before which they had beaten Bangladesh and NZ in 2000-01. more..

July 10 (PSL) “If I can’t face challenges and criticisms, I wouldn’t have come out of the former govt in Nov 2014. The govt will move forward without any fear of the challenges and criticisms, for the betterment of the people of the country”, says President Maithripala Sirisena. “How many humiliations and insults Mahatma Gandhi faced during his struggles? But today the entire world is respecting him”, he said. more..

July 10 (DM) Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) together with the Ministry of Education hosted a ceremony on 4 July at Wijerama Maha Vidyalaya in Udahamulla, Nugegoda to highlight the importance of school gardens for child nutrition and life skills. The event took place in the context of the project on Scaling up Nutrition through a Multi-Sector Approach, jointly implemented by FAO and World Food Programme (WFP) in collaboration with Govt of SL. more..

July 10 (PTI) The arrest of three state fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy is disappointing and shows high-handedness by the island nation, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami said today. In a letter to PM Narendra Modi, he said yesterday's arrest and the recent legislation enacted by the Sri Lankan Parliament regarding impounding of boats and imposing huge fines on Indian fishermen cause a sense of fear and unrest among the fisher-folk. "When the Govt of India as well as more..

July 10 (AFP) Sri Lanka's hardline monks on Monday broadened a growing campaign by the Buddhist clergy against the govt, threatening street protests if the island's Tamil minority is granted greater autonomy. Radical monk Maagalkande Sudaththa said hardline Buddhists were mobilising Sri Lankans from the majority Sinhalese ethnic group to resist a new power-sharing arrangement being drafted by govt. more..

July 11 (ST) Massive trade deficits have been the fundamental weakness in the balance of payments and the underlying reason for balance of payments crises. Large remittances from abroad and significant earnings from tourism have been the strengths in the balance of payments. However, these remittances from abroad and earnings from tourism that offset the trade deficit have been weakening this year. The emerging balance of payments situation is of serious concern. more..

July 11 (ST) It was the Venerable Sobitha Thera’s battle cry for real change; and the joint opposition candidate Sirisena’s spring board to power to gain the presidency and then turn it into a eunuch to serve the needs of a parliamentary harem. But the fondest hope of the noble monk to see Sirisena birth a new constitution that will do away with the executive presidential system in the country and Sirisena’s promise in his manifesto which was released on Dec 19, 2014 at Viharamahadevi more..

July 11 (SO) Three wheelers, popularly known as tuk tuks are one of the most widely used forms of public transport in Sri Lanka. More convenient than the often overcrowded buses and trains while being cheaper than cabs, three wheelers play a vital role in urban transport. However, US Embassy’s decision last week to warn its female citizens visiting Sri Lanka against travelling alone in three wheelers after a spate of alleged sexual more..

July 11 (CT) President Sirisena’s visit to meet with the Mahanayakes of the Buddhist Sangha in Kandy may turn out to be the pivotal move in the constitutional reform process. A week earlier they had publicly announced in a joint statement that there was no need to bring in new Constitution and that a new Constitution will create more conflicts in the country. As the Buddhist clergy is very influential with the 70% who are Sinhalese Buddhist especially on issues pertaining to identity, more..

July 11 (CT) Gnanasara‘s spittoon filling Mahanayakes have come out to dabble in politics and governance. Now, there is no need for a govt, cabinet, or a parliament. They can dictate terms to the President Sirisena would bend backwards, oblige and implement their dictates. They have become dictators overnight to the govt on policy issues that they do not posses an iota of knowledge of. Is it the Avant Garde funds of Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe that is doing the trick or more..

July 11 (CT) Chairman of HVA Farms Rohan Fernando asserted that lands belonging to the group were acquired through the Supreme Court, and permission was granted to conduct farming. He made this comment in response to an allegation made by environmentalist Sajeewa Chamikara, who claimed that the HVA farms procured lands through illegal means. Fernando added, it was the govt that more..

July 11 (GV) We are moving into very dangerous times. The statement above, underscores the importance of differentiating between the biotic and non-biotic compounds that we add to the atmosphere. This is an observation that should have been incorporated into planning and costing responses to climate change. We should be informed of the emerging data and planning responses. We know that the mean temperature will rise, but the speed of that increase may be more..

July 11 (GV) Mewa dakala danwath meka nawaththuwoth monawa nathath, eka mokakhari (If they see these and put an end to this, if nothing else, that’s something). The words of a Muslim man I met on my visit to Aluthgama, two weeks after the violence broke out in 2014 rang hollow as I returned to Aluthgama a few weeks ago, three years later. Kauruthma hitiye na geval wala… Raththarang badu okkoma aragena, vatina deval, deed okkoma aragena api giya. Api Gihilla sathiyak withara more..