Nov 28 (DM) In another tragic incident that signifies how atrocious humans can be, two men who attempted to sexually abuse a young woman in Kataragama had drowned her little infant in a barrel of water after they failed to fulfil their vicious mission. Police said two men had entered the house of the 19-year-old woman under the guise of meeting her father-in-law who was away at the time. Her husband had also gone to the temple more..

Nov 28 (CT) 13 Sri Lankans, who were employed in the fisheries production industry in South Korea, had reportedly died due to difficult working conditions, JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti revealed in Parliament. He said, "the Ministry should establish at least a mobile service to facilitate the Sri Lankan Embassy in South Korea to visit areas where Sri Lankans are engaging in fishing related activities. I have been in such areas like more..

Nov 28 (Island) Govt is planning to pay an extra allowance to teachers who teach subjects such as ICT, Chemistry, Physics for which there is a severe shortage of teachers, parliament was told. Answering question raised by MP Bandula Gunawardena, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said his Ministry would pay incentives to those who taught certain subjects. Gunawardena said most of the teachers recruited to teach more..

Nov 28 (DN) Minister Champika Ranawaka speaking of the Avant Garde issue, said the government has failed to bring politically powerful and well-connected people to justice. Pointing out that legal action was taken against a teacher who had taken a bribe of Rs. 25,000, Minister said that persons who were involved in the scandal surrounding Primary Dealer Entrust Securities, which recorded Rs. 12 billion more..

Nov 28 (EN) Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe announced in parliament that Prez Sirisena was strongly opposed to liberalising the shipping and freight forwarding sectors proposed in the 2018 budget. Samarasinghe lambasted Minister Mangala Samaraweera for announcing in his maiden budget a proposal to remove the ban on foreign ownership of shipping and freight forwarding firms. more..

Nov 28 (PMD) President Maithripala Sirisena received a warm welcome when he arrived at the Incheon Int'l Airport in Seoul this morning for a 3-day state visit to Republic of Korea on an invitation extended by the Korean President Moon Jae-in. He was received by the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cho Hyun, Chief of National Security, Chung Eyi-yong and other high dignitaries. Ministers Tilak Marapana and Daya Gamage, who arrived in more..

Nov 28 (DN) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe warned the UNP Parliamentary Group to refrain from criticizing President Sirisena. UNP MPs were specifically informed not make any statement in public which would harm the consensus of the unity govt. Addressing the UNP Parliamentary Group, PM made a special focus on a number of press conferences held by UNP MPs while he was on an official visit to India. more..

Nov 28 (CT) Crime has now run rampant that it has not only sought to endanger the survivability of a singular nation State but the entire globe. Thus, crime itself has evolved into a new monstrosity; an abomination that does not recognize boundaries, borders or the geographical vastness of the landmasses it revolves around. For transnational crimes take place not within a singular nation State but on an international scale and its implications are felt globally, thus making it more..

Nov 28 (EN) The highest land prices in SL are currently found in the Kotte, Sri J'pura area, a suburb of the capital in the Colombo district, according to a new study by the Research Intelligence Unit (RIU), a real estate consultancy. “Land prices in parts of Kotte have been escalating at well over 15%  per annum according to real estate agents operating in this area,” the report said. However, the same trend of escalating prices will gather momentum across a much wider area more..

Nov 28 (FT) Collectively the global palm oil market’s value is projected to continue to expand from $ 65.7 billion up to $ 92.8 billion by the year 2021. Given the commodity’s versatile nature, palm oil has rapidly become the world’s most widely used vegetable oil, found in a vast range of products from confectionaries and baked goods to cereals, washing powders, cosmetics and even as a first-generation biofuel. However, parallel to the global rise in demand for palm oil there has also more..

Nov 28 (DM) Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has proposed a special method for student identification, where every student will been assigned a number with a QR code verified by a fingerprint to be adhered to by all schoolchildren when they are enrolled in govt schools. “The introduction of the Unique Student Code for students who enter the school, along with a Fingerprint Identification and a Quick Response Code. It was also proposed to use this number at more..

Nov 28 (DM) While claiming that there should be a philosophy for the rulers to develop the country in addition to a clear proramme to implement it, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga on Sunday said 'there should be leaders who should have a backbone to implement the programmes at a time when the challenges exist in the society.' Addressing an event in Veyangoda the former President also said: more..

Nov 28 (DM) The postal voting applications for the 93 local govt bodies to which elections had been declared elections will be closed at 12.00 midnight on December 15 and under no circumstances will it be extended, the Elections Commission said today. It said public officials on election duty -- school principals, teachers, SLTB officials, postal workers, railway officials, police and armed forces personnel and Civil Defense Force cadres who are registered as voters of any of the LG bodies more..

Nov 28 (AD) The bodies of two siblings who were reported missing in Maskeliya since Sunday (26), were recovered by the SL Navy  a short while ago. The deceased were identified as Subramanium Mahendran (28) and Parameshwari Mahalechchami (18) residents of one of the line houses of Gatmore Tea Estate. The siblings had returned home from their workplace in Ganemulla on Saturday, to participate in a family celebration. Subramanium Mahendran had reportedly left home last more..

Nov 28 (PMD) President Maithripala Sirisena received an unexpected warm welcome from Korean President Moon Jae-In today , a day ahead of the scheduled official meeting. President Sirisena, who arrived in Seoul this morning visited the famous Buddhist place of worship, Jogyesa Temple and was surprised to find President Moon waiting to receive him together with the Most Venerable Seol Jeong, head of Jogye Order, more..

Nov 28 (Island) Kalutara District UPFA MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena brought in a sprat, a red onion and a green chilli to the Chamber to be displayed during his speech during the third reading stage debate on budget 2018 under the expenditure heads of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs yesterday. Abeygunawardena said the prices of essential food items had gone through the roof and housewives found it difficult to make ends meet. Displaying a green chilli, the MP said: more..

Nov 28 (NR) The JVP today charged that the govt has failed to make progress and take action based on 17 investigative reports compiled by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry. Speaking during a media briefing held in Colombo today, JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said 17 investigative reports have been handed over to the President. The JVP Leader noted that the govt has not made an effort to take action against perpetrators based on the reports. more..

Nov 28 (DM) A ministerial committee chaired by PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and an official committee headed by Treasury Secretary R.H.S. Samaratunga have been appointed to look into the restructuring of SriLankan airlines govt source said. Two committees have also been tasked with the selection of a suitable strategic partner and investor to operate the national carrier. They are expected to submit their reports more..

Nov 28 (Island) All-Island Private Pharmacy Owners’ Association (AIPPOA) said some of its members were in a dilemma as the amended licence fee had not been gazetted yet. AIPPOA Chairman Chandika Gankanda said about 1,500 members of the association were waiting for the renewals of their licenses in keeping with the revised fees. The union has a 3,500 members. Gankanda said the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) had amended the annual pharmacy renewal fees more..

Nov 28 (AD) The Supreme Court today dismissed the fundamental rights petition filed by Shanil Neththikumara, seeking a court order preventing his arrest for allegedly threatening a witness in the Treasury Bond investigation. The businessman had filed the motion last week stating that there is an attempt to arrest him for allegedly threatening Anika Wijeysuriya for testifying against former Minister Ravi Karunanayake at the PCOI probing the treasury bond scam. more..

Nov 28 (AD) Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation in collaboration with Sri Lanka Evaluation Association (SLEvA) has organized a national workshop to develop a Reconciliation Results Framework and Scorecard, a felt requirement for national integration and reconciliation. The purpose of this national workshop is to develop a reconciliation results framework with Key Performance Indicators to track progress more..

Nov 28 (AD) No partnership between India and Sri Lanka is as strong as the historic Indo-Lanka trade pact inked way back in 1998. “Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement was the most significant Indo-Sri Lanka partnership we have realised on the commercial front” said the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen on 18 Nov in Chennai. He was addressing the inaugural event of the UEF Trade Summit 2017 at the Chennai Trade Centre, Tamil Nadu on 18 Nov. more..

Nov 28 (AD) A protest was recently staged in front of the Kegalle District Secretariat against the Palm oil plantations by residents, religious leaders and plantation workers from Veniwelwatta and Hindella estate in Warakapola. The protesters state that the switch from rubber plantation to palm oil plantation had given rise to various issues. They say that palm oil plantation is causing water springs to dry up which has in turn affected agricultural activities in the area.  more..

Nov 28 (Xinhua) Sri Lanka has the potential to grow into a regional hub with more Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) from other countries including China, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice President Zhang Wencai said. Zhang said Sri Lanka's present economic growth was between 4.5 to 5%, but the island country had the potential to grow faster with more private sector investments. Zhang said Sri Lanka had great potential but more..

Nov 28 (Xinhua) Sri Lanka will modernize its age old railway sector by purchasing over 100 new railway carriages and engines, and developing railway stations, Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva, said. De Silva said this will also help the govt to strengthen the country's public transportation sector as a majority of Sri Lankans depended on public transport on a daily basis. These plans were part of the Colombo suburban railway project which is to be funded by the ADB. more..

Nov 28 (CI) Rangana Herath has been ruled out of the third Test against India. Sri Lanka are likely to name legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay, who is uncapped in Tests, as the replacement for the Test that starts in Delhi on December 2. Herath went wicketless in the first Test on a seamer-friendly pitch in Kolkata but contributed with a handy 67 to hand Sri Lanka a crucial lead of 122 runs in the first innings. In Nagpur, where the Indian spinners picked 13 wickets, Herath finished with figures more..

Nov 28 (DN) Central Bank is currently investigating into some suspicious dealings of two more primary dealers connected to the CB Bond issues, Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Commaraswamy said. He said the Monetary Board would shortly make an announcement about the future action to be taken against Perpetual Treasuries Ltd and Pan Asia Bank whose transactions have been already suspended. more..

Nov 28 (NR) Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa today filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal, requesting an order to prevent his arrest on charges of misappropriation of public funds. Former Defence Secretary is accused of misappropriating a sum of 91 million rupees for the construction of the DA Rajapaksa Museum in Weeraketiya. Attorneys representing Rajapaksha today filed submissions claiming that the case cannot be filed under Public Property Act. more..

Nov 28 (IC) On this island, where mediocrity is the norm and conservatism is ingrained in the DNA of the populace, where even a semblance of temerity is frowned upon, there stood out a rookie whose counter-attacking batting breathed fresh air into the dying brand of Sri Lankan cricket. Kusal Mendis has turned matches Sri Lanka's way with his skilful batting in his brief career. Who remembers how he tamed Australian bowlers last year to help Sri Lanka come-from-behind and more..

Nov 28 (NR) The JVP today questioned the mandate of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority to sanction the construction of a cricket stadium in the country. Speaking in Parliament, JVP MP Nalinda Jayatissa said the then Sri Lanka Cricket Board did not recommend to construct the Sooriyawewa International cricket stadium. He said, “Ports Authority constructed Mahinda Rajapaksa Sooriyawewa Int'l cricket stadium. more..

Nov 29 (CT) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) was founded in 1949 by C. N. Annadurai (affectionately called ‘Anna’ – elder brother, by Tamils all over). Federal Party (ITAK–FP) was set afloat in Ceylon in the same year. The Congress Party was in power in Tamil Nadu (then, Madras State). DMK entered the hustings in 1957 and had since incrementally increased its presence in the Madras Legislative Assembly of 235 members. At the 1967 elections Anna dealt a knockout more..

Nov 29 (CT) Let’s start with a question. How do/did you feel when you get low marks during your school exams? And how do/did you feel when your best friend also got the same marks? My life has ups and downs. Very few ups and so many downs. And it is always comforting to see that I am not the only person in a chaotic situation. My dear Colombo Telegraph readers, let me introduce Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, the president of Sri Lanka, a, who is in a complete chaos and openly announced that more..

Nov 29 (SO) I remember. A face lined with age, worry and shame. Silent tears, streaming down. A body, thin and frail. Laying at the gate. With no strength, even to stand just to open it and enter. A teacher by profession - who singlehandedly raised a son and a daughter into adulthood after the demise of her husband. Beaten, kicked out and dragged by hair up to the main road – by the very person whom she raised with more..

Nov 29 (DN) Govt Clerical Services Union (GCSU) in 1947 was a powerful white-collar Trade Union. Since the 1920s, it had struggled with colonial rulers and local politicians in order to protect clerical workers’ rights. They were not affiliated with any political party but most of the GCSU members were inclined towards ideologies of the two leftist parties of LSSP and CP. Dr. N.M. Perera and Pieter Keuneman - two Marxists supported and guided the activities of the GCSU from the mid-1930s. more..

Nov 29 (DN) Minister Gayantha Karunaratne revealed in Parliament recently that 3,017 people had been killed in 39,199 road accidents last year. Of these accidents, according to Transport Ministry sources, 11,300 were critical accidents. Minister also confirmed that there had been an increasing trend in road accidents, when compared with the previous years. For example, between 2009 and 2016, there has been an increase of 58% of accidents and 20 percent of the people who were killed. more..

Nov 29 (CT) An enormous anti govt force has arisen which is spearheaded by the public who are disenchanted by the onslaught of corruption orchestrated by the incumbent govt, said JO member Mahindananda Aluthgamage. He went on to note that, as long as the SLFP is part of the govt, the party will not be able to rally the support of the public for the forthcoming local govt polls and that the people of the country have envisioned a more..

Nov 29 (Island) Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana would have us believe the govt is planning to make use of Lord Naseby’s statement contradicting UN figures as regards the number of people killed in the Vanni, when it thinks the time is opportune for doing so. Naseby maintained in the British House of Lords a few weeks ago that the number of war dead in the Vanni should be brought down from 40,000 to between 7,000 and 8,000. He supported his argument with facts and figures. more..

Nov 29 (CT) The following are extracts of the speech delivered by the Leader of Opposition and TNA leader Rajavarothiam Sampanthan during the Budget debate in Parliament on 16 Nov. I want to commence my speech by congratulating the Minister, Mangala Samaraweera who has presented his first Budget at a time when the country's economy is in much difficulty. Minister is an old, sincere friend who has always been very progressive in his views on crucial issues, more..