Sep 15 (DM) Dilanthi Amaratunga is a Professor of Disaster Risk Management at the Uni of Huddersfield, UK with 27 years of experience in the higher education sector. She is a leading expert in disaster resilience, currently leading the Global Disaster Resilience Centre, a global leader in interdisciplinary research, education and advocacy to improve the resilience of countries and communities. more..

Sep 15 (CT) Digital transformation, in SL, on research opportunities and challenges are on track in order to leapfrog from 2G to 3G and 4G with connectivity of 960 State institutions documenting, globalizing and harmonizing the vision to be an active member of the global village integrating world digital platforms. According to experts computing is about living and not about computers anymore; when innovations are fast moving with sharing of information digitalization has already come to more..

Sep 15 (DM) The recently concluded “Janabalaya Colombata” was a damp squib according to most of the political analysts in Sri Lanka as well as abroad. It was compared to the Arab Spring but was not at all anywhere near to this uprising which spread to most of the Arab countries in the world. I shall try to describe our Janabalaya which was mainly to harass the general public who were out trying to go for employment as well as other day to day activities. The school children were also prevented more..

Sep 15 (DM) Former president Rajapaksa’s interview to the influential Indian English daily The Hindu has caused quite a splash among political circles in SL. The ex- president was interviewed by Suhasini Haidar and Amit Baruah for the newspaper which has acquired a reputation over the years of being the most authoritative voice on SL related issues in the Indian media. Incidentally Suhasini Haidar is the daughter of maverick more..

Sep 15 (SO) As Sri Lanka’s current model of relying on debt-creating foreign inflows to fund investment is unsustainable, there is a definite need to engage in comprehensive Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in the region in order to tap into new sources of export growth and attract investments, opines a top economist. Addressing a panel discussion on the impact of FTAs on the Sri Lankan economy on Friday, Economist and Adviser to the Ministry of Finance, Deshal de Mel said that more..

Sep 15 (SO) Not surprisingly, the JO Janabalaya protest march amidst all its chaos was not without casualty. Jagath Wimalasooriya, a 39-year-old father of three from Kudagama, Hatton had travelled to Colombo on the day to extend his support to former prez Rajapaksa made the ultimate sacrifice for his political idol going on to leave behind this world and his family unexpectedly. A conductor of a private bus, Wimalasooriya had joined the protest along with Hatton - Dikoya PS member more..

Sep 15 (Island) Several Western analysts have carried out a relentless media campaign in keeping with their own geopolitical agenda to suggest that China was luring Sri Lanka into a carefully engineered Debt Trap. The PM Ranil Wickremesinghe too, has regularly claimed that Sri Lanka was in a serious Debt Trap due to Loans obtained from China, and that the Hambantota Port was actually a large swimming pool. In fact, when in Opposition, the PM and a few of his more..

Sep 15 (Island) Police have made Prez Sirisena see red. He has taken exception to the manner in which high ranking military officers are treated when allegations against them are probed and legal action instituted. There have been quite a few show arrests under yahapalana govt. Some cantankerous govt politicians publicly predict arrests, and their predictions invariably come true. This has lent credence to Opposition’s claim that police work according to political agenda, as in the past. more..

Sep 15 (Island) We have it from the leader himself. Family is the very stuff of Rajapaksa politics and governance. It is the Rajapaksa family that matters. Mahinda Rajapaksa said this in India, when asked by the Hindu whether a member of his family or an outsider would be considered a candidate for the presidency in the coming presidential election. He left no room for doubts about the family way in politics. more..

Sep 15 (Island) 1. This is a vast concern that has been addressed over the recent centuries by the best minds. The most we will be able to do is to therefore open a few doors of understanding. 2. The gist of our exploration will be to suggest how a diverse school community of persons from different backgrounds and with varied expectations spread across a wide age range and inclusive of gender, with different roles and responsibilities can achieve a shared understanding of discipline while more..

Sep 15 (FT) The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Berlin successfully concluded a bicycle rally on 1 Sept, from Alexanderplatz in Berlin city centre to the Chancery premises in Zehlendorf. The rally, which was organised in collaboration with the Federal Foreign Office is the second event organised by the Mission in celebration of the 65th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Germany. The enthusiastic participants of the event included representatives from more..

Sep 15 (CI) For most of the past 12 months, Lasith Malinga has been desperate to regain his place in the national squad. Now that he is back in, here are four questions that must be answered over the course of the tournament, if Malinga is to be a prospect for SL at the World Cup. Knees, ankles, shoulder, groin - you name a body part, and at some point in his career, Malinga has had an injury concern there. more..

Sep 15 (CI) The score of 219 has been a monkey on India's back since their botched chase of 229 in the 2017 World Cup final. During the second ODI against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, the monkey came bounding from Lord's to Galle - this time, India were defending 219. At various points during the game, Sri Lanka looked like pulling off an impressive win and keeping the three-match series alive, but each time they ran into Taniya Bhatia. The wicketkeeper-batsman, playing only her second ODI, more..

Sep 15 (CI) In any other major subcontinental sport, the Asian championships are a significant event. Example: India and Pakistan's consequence for not winning the Asian Games Hockey gold in Indonesia last month is having to go through a rigorous qualifying process for the 2020 Olympics. The AFC Cup is the second oldest football championship after Copa America. It gives all the sides exposure amidst a crowded club football calendar to prepare themselves for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. more..

Sep 15 (Island) The govt had infused capital into SriLankan between 2012-14 through direct Treasury bond placements with the Bank of Ceylon (BoC) at a yield rate below the market interest rate, Lasantha Premaratne, Deputy Chief Dealer, Treasury Division, BoC told the PCoI. The yield rate was beneficial to the Treasury because the govt had to pay a lower interest. "The interest rate of the treasury bonds was also determined by govt" more..

Sep 15 (CI) Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will add another chapter to their rivalry when they meet in the Asia Cup opener in Dubai on Saturday. One needs to look no further than the last time these two teams met, in the Nidahas Trophy, which was marred by a few incidents, to realise just how intense and fierce competition between the two sides has become. Which is why neither team will settle for anything less than a win, especially as Afghanistan, who have become increasingly competitive in more..

Sep 15 (CI) Danushka Gunathilaka has become the second Sri Lanka batsman to be ruled out of the Asia Cup, after sustaining a back injury during training on Wednesday evening. He joins Dinesh Chandimal on the injured list, and will be replaced in the squad by batting allrounder Shehan Jayasuriya. This is the second 50-overs assignment Gunathilaka will miss due to unavailability. He had been suspended for SL's limited-overs matches against South Africa at home in July & August, more..

Sep 15 (CT) Sri Lanka’s Iron-Woman, Lakshika Sugandhi, renewed her Sri Lanka record for the fifth time, in the process getting closer to 5,000 points with 4,911 points, at the Defence Services Athletics Championship continued at Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday. She already improved the SL record twice just within this year and will be eyeing to repeat it for the third time during upcoming Army athletics c'hip more..

Sep 15 (SLN) SLINEX 2018, joint exercise between the navies of India and SL concluded on a successful note in Trincomalee yesterday (13). The seven day exercise which comprised two phases, namely the Harbour and Sea Phase was participated by around 1,000 naval personnel from both countries. Meanwhile, the naval drill was joined by SLNS Sayurala, SLNS Samudura, SLNS Suranimila of the SL Navy and INS Sumitra, INS Kirch, INS Cora Divh together with more..

Sep 15 (Island) Indicators of the SL population's low weight -for-height, low height-for age and low weight -for age are still the same as two decades ago despite the fact that other health indicators have improved, studies related to a situation analysis of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have found. Dr. Rasanjalee Hettiarachchi- Director, Nutrition Co-ordination Division said that wasting, stunting and under weight are still the same as two decades ago as people do not always more..

Sep 15 (MC) The officers of the Malpensa Airport Border Police Bureau, Milan, Italy arrested a Sri Lankan diplomat who attempted to bring four youths into Italy by aiding illegal migration last weekend. The male, a 50-year-old diplomat who arrived from Doha together with his wife and four others — two girls and two boys of around twenty years, presented himself as a diplomat to the Immigration officials to be able to access more..

Sep 15 (Island) Sri Lanka will host the Asian Volleyball Federation Cup championship from Sept 15 to 21 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. The tournament which is played for the first time is introduced to promote competition among country’s playing in the second division. The winners and the runners up of this tournament will advance to play in the Asian Volleyball Championships. Dialog Axiata is the sponsor of the national volleyball team. The team received over 500,000 signatories from more..

Sep 15 (CI) No one can reasonably claim that SL have mightier batsmen than India or Pakistan, but their probable top four are perhaps the most watchable bunch in the tournament. Upul Tharanga has velvet offside shots; Kusal Mendis plays serenely on the legside; Niroshan Dickwella is dynamic behind the wicket; and Dhananjaya de Silva - if he plays - is the most pleasing of the lot, his cutting, driving, sweeping and pulling so languid you wonder if the whole thing is happening in more..

Sep 15 (Island) Prez Sirisena, acknowledged that the parliamentary standards had deteriorated to such an extent that the once august institution was now struggling to maintain a quorum for its sittings. Recently, parliament sittings were adjoured on 3 consecutive days for want of a quorum. Last week, parliament sittings were put off for want of quorum in the immediate aftermath of Jana Balaya Colombata more..

Sep 15 (CT) Sri Lanka stuck to their task and notched up an impressive first round victory over China, to strengthen their chances of securing a berth in the Cup semi-final of the Asian ranking Sevens Rugby tournament, at the Hong Kong Football Stadium in Causeway Bay yesterday. The Tuskers started their campaign in style as they cruised to an emphatic 31 points to nil win over China, before losing to Asian Games Silver medalist Japan 21-0 in the second game. more..

Sep 15 (FT) The Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement will be revised if the expert committee appointed deems it harmful to the country’s economy, President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday. Speaking to newspaper editors and electronic media heads, Sirisena said that he would take steps to revise any clause in the FTA which had come under serious criticism from different interest groups and was determined to have negative effects on the country’s economy. more..

Sep 15 (CT) The UK in its statement delivered at the 39th session of the UNHRC during the Sri Lanka Core Group expressed its concerns over the non-establishment of Sri Lanka’s national accountability mechanism based on the Resolution 30/1 and urged the Govt to implement it before March 2019 when the Council meets next. Core Group also noted that they hope the GoSL will establish an Office for Reparations quickly. more..

Sep 15 (DN) President Sirisena has nominated Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe as the President’s representative to the Constitutional Council (CC), Parliament Chief of Staff Neil Iddawala said. He said the new appointment is effective immediately as Minister Champika Ranawaka’s term of three years had ended on Sept 6. He said Minister Thilak Marapone was appointed to the CC as the PM’s representative some time back in place of Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe. more..

Sep 15 (DN) Petroleum Industries Ministry will shortly appoint a committee to probe into the oil spill in the seas off Muthurajawela, Ministry Secretary Upali Marasinghe said. The report of the Committee is expected in two weeks. The Committee will comprise officials representing the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), Ceylon Shipping Corporation, SL Coast Guard and Petroleum Industries Ministry. Secretary said the Committee may obtain assistance of experts more..

Sep 15 (CT) The CID yesterday, filed a case against MP Ravi Karunanayake in the Colombo Fort Chief Magistrate’s Court for having allegedly provided false evidence before the PCoI which probed the Central Bank Treasury Bonds scam. The CID told Court that as stated in the report compiled by the PCol, which probed the CBSL Treasury Bonds scam from 1 Feb 2015 to 31 March 2016 and based on its 25th recommendation, more..

Sep 15 (DM) The Chinese company, selected to carry out the Gin Nilwala Project, has complained to President Sirisena that a leading politician and a top official have attempted to solicit bribe to grant approval to carry out the work. It is a multi-sector development project aimed at providing drinking water, address irrigation needs and improve the existing irrigation systems and is also expected to generate electricity and provide drinking water to the Hambantota district. more..

Sep 15 (DM) The govt said that CID had no plans to arrest Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne as claimed by the media. “He was only requested to make a statement regarding the allegations against him,” Director General of Govt Information Sudarshana Gunawardena said. The reports said the arrest was to be made in connection with allegations of the CDS protecting a wanted Navy Officer. “Some of the print and electronic media, saying that a high ranking figure of more..

Sep 15 (FT) Prez Sirisena yesterday slammed the conduct of the CID in handling cases involving top military personnel in the country. “There are investigations going on, and arrests made, and later bailed, but no cases filed,” he said speaking to newspaper editors. Outlining a number of ongoing investigations, including the disappearance of 11 youth, Prez said that although top retired military officials had been detained for months, more..

Sep 16 (SO) Is our justice system bringing wrongdoers to trial enough or, is the system itself on trial? In our modern republic’s chequered history we have experienced much murder, robbery and, torture, in addition to the bloodshed of successive insurgencies. But how much, in repeated governmental endeavours for justice, have we cleansed our society of this uncivilised behaviour? Citizens are aware of the horror and depravities inflicted on fellow Sri Lankans and, those with more..

Sep 16 (CT) In SL’s 70½ years of independence to date, two of its leaders have been assassinated, two survived assassination attempts, while another, on two occasions, escaped attempts to either unlawfully arrest, or to kill her. The two killed were PM S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike in Sept 1959 by a Buddhist monk and President R. Premadasa by an LTTE suicide bomber at a May Day procession in Colombo in 1993. The two who survived assassination attempts were Presidents J.R. more..

Sep 16 (SO) The proposed Counter-Terrorism legislation presented to the Cabinet of Ministers last week after several rounds of revisions to the text, is human rights compliant and meets international standards, and Sri Lanka’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), legal experts told Sunday Observer, but rights activists and lawyers are concerned that progressive sections of bill more..

Sep 16 (Island) We do not apologize to our readers for repeating in today’s issue an article on Singapore written by Dr. Upatissa Pethiyagoda that was published in Friday’s issue of our stablemate, The Island. The writer, a frequent contributor to the Upali Group of Newspapers, sent it to both papers and we selected it for publication and possible editorial comment. Despite its previous appearance, we have republished it in case some of our readers had missed it earlier and also because, as usual, more..

Sep 16 (ST) The sword of Damocles continues to hang over SL at the UNHRC in Geneva. Despite the main co-sponsor of Resolution 30/1 pulling out of the Council on grounds of political bias against Israel, other Western countries, notably Britain and Germany have weighed in to continue with the big stick to get SL to be on its best behaviour as a respecter of human rights and transitional justice, reconciliation, rehabilitation etc. Sri Lanka has been given time till March next year to show more..

Sep 16 (ST) Children from poverty-stricken homes and broken families are extremely vulnerable to abuse by adults, the Woman and Child Abuse Prevention Bureau said. Inquiries by The Sunday Times revealed shocking stories of abuse suffered by children even in places where they reside for protection, such as orphanages, while in other cases abuses take place with the connivance of parents. 14-year-old Sandali, resident of Kurunegala, more..