Sep 3 (ST) Once he was the Chief Justice of Lanka. Bewigged in ermine and frocked in purple. Enthroned on the supreme bench of the land as the fount of justice, mountain source from which the Nile of all Lanka’s laws flowed. The final arbiter of the nation’s sacrosanct laws, whenever a conflict of high import arose. But much water has flowed under the Pons Asinorum — the Asses’ Bridge — since then. And the fall of the former Chief Justice Sarath Silva from his exalted state of grace more..

Sep 3 (Island) My love of nature, and by extension, the nature of things, comes in large part from my grandparents. Achchi and Seeya were often in and tended to our garden at home. Achchi had her routine, and I occasionally followed her around, doing nothing at all to help, but listening to what she said as she swept, weeded and watered. After they died, the challenge of tending to the various vegetable patches, plants, shrubs and trees became more apparent, and what they did daily, more..

Sep 3 (Roar) Picture a ride on what is considered one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys, which takes you through a variety of landscapes: eucalyptus and pine forests, carefully cultivated tea plantations, and mountains swathed in greenery. Colombo-Badulla railway route, which winds its way through the Kandyan hills and beyond, is famed as one of the must-dos when in Sri Lanka. What many travellers—both locals and foreigners— more..

Sep 3 (Island) A couple of days back; I congratulated my friend Imran Khan on becoming the PM of Pakistan. It has been a remarkable journey. Imran was highly successful doing the second toughest job in Pakistan – being the Test captain. I have little doubt that he will succeed doing the toughest job in Pakistan, for which the public have now elected him. Since I played West Indies only in ODI cricket during their peak, I couldn’t fully gauge what those fast bowlers could do. more..

Sep 3 (SO) China will help train Sri Lankan athletes for international meets following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the heads of the two National Olympic Committees on the sidelines of the 18th Asian Games on Thursday. Suresh Subramaniam, president of the NOC of Sri Lanka, and his Chinese counterpart Gou Zhongwen signed the historic MOU which will help facilitate the development of local athletes to the next level. “China has agreed to help train our more..

Sep 3 (ST) After a dismal performance at the 2010 Asian Games, a commission was appointed under the chairmanship of former Sports Ministry Secretary KAS Gunasekera to find reasons and recommend a way forward. As with many other Govt-appointed bodies and their reports, its proposals gathered dust without implementation. Australia did it differently in the 70s. Poor results at 1976 Montreal Olympics more..

Sep 3 (SO) With the Joint Opposition and the SLPP pledging to bring a sea of people to Colombo for its demonstration this week, the Govt has dismissed the mass rally as just another stunt by pro-Rajapaksa faction. The SLPP’s much-talked about Jana Balaya Colambata – a play on the UNP’s highly successful Jana Bala Meheyuma in 2001, will be held on Sept 5, after it was postponed once since the date clashed with the advanced level examinations. more..

Sep 3 (FT) India's diversified giant ITC Group on Friday expressed growing optimism on Sri Lanka unveiling its first ever overseas project, the luxurious The Sapphire Residences and the ITC One five star hotel opposite Galle Face Green with an investment of between $ 300 million and $ 400 million. Sapphire Residences consists of 132 spacious and luxurious private residences on a 50-floor tower and the ITC One Hotel is housed on a 30-floor tower offering 352 five star luxury rooms. more..

Sep 3 (ST) Anika Seneviratne the fourth seeded who confronted fifth seeded Anjalika Kurera in the final of the women’s singles coasted to a comfortable 2-0 win and in the process bagged her maiden national title and thus became the first hold the tiles in both forms in the games in Sri Lanka played at the SLTA tennis courts in Greenpath, Colombo. Reigning national tennis singles champion top seeded Sharmal Dissanayake made it third in a row when he clinched the men’s singles title more..

Sep 3 (DM) A collective of academics and professionals backed Viyath Maga organization headed by former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, with the objective of engaging in policy making process of a future govt. Addressing a news briefing under the banner Viyath Maga, they said their intention was not to rally behind individuals but to support the policy making process which is being carried out by Mr. Rajapaksa, to be implemented in a future govt. more..

Sep 3 (PMD) Leaders of SL and Nepal agreed to work in mutual cooperation for the benefit of the people in both countries while building close and strong relations between the two countries. Prez Sirisena, who visited Nepal to attend the 4th Summit of the BIMSTEC, met with the PM of Nepal K.P Oli, today. Prez Sirisena was warmly received by the Nepali PM when he arrived at the PM’s Office in Kathmandu. more..

Sep 3 (DN) Sri Lanka’s hopes of winning at least a bronze medal were dashed when South Korea scored a convincing 36-14 win in the third place decider of the Rugby Sevens in Indonesia yesterday. South Koreans dominated the first half with tries from Chang Younghung, Kim Jeongmin and Jan Jeongmin which gave them a 19-0 lead at the breather. However the Lankans reduced the deficit after half time when Tharinda Ratwatte scored a try which he himself converted. more..

Sep 3 (ST) In a short term strategy to maintain stable domestic coconut prices, the Finance Ministry has increased the Special Commodity Levy for palm oil by Rs.20 to Rs. 175 recently. Palm oil imports increased by 41% YoY to 89,959 metric tons as a result of bringing down the SCL previously, Finance Ministry data revealed. The move is aimed at protecting the local coconut industry a senior Treasury official said adding that several desiccated and oil mills in the country more..

Sep 3 (Island) Consumer rights protection activists demand Power and Energy Ministry secretary's immediate resignation or removal for what they call violating the Electricity Act and attempting to mislead President's Office into pressuring the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) to extend controversial power purchase agreements with three privately owned power stations for three years. more..

Sep 3 (SO) Refuting claims of wasting public money, Chairman of the Delimitation Committee clarified that their expenses were way less than what was originally allocated for their mandated task - demarcation of electorates for the Provincial Council elections. Chairman Dr K. Thavalingam said the fat figures given wide publicity by the Opposition included the salaries of the regular staff of the Delimitation Commission who assisted with the administrative, technical and secretarial work more..

Sep 3 (AD) The accusation that underworld activities increased under the current govt is baseless, says Minister Sarath Fonseka. He stated that all the persons publicized as underworld gang leaders today, have become gang members 10 years back. Minister says that a university student who was with him was also arrested to insult him, under the guise that he was an underworld figure. Commenting on imprisonment of Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, he says that he should receive punishments more..

Sep 3 (EN) Arrangements are in place for the long-awaited arrest of SL’s senior-most military officer in connection with an extortion racket and the horrific murder of 11 young men, official sources said. Colombo Fort magistrate on Wednesday ordered the arrest of Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne after the CID said it had evidence of him shielding the main suspect, a navy intelligence officer. more..

Sep 3 (AD) Following the Galaha incident, residents of the area have engaged in a protest demanding the reopening of the Galaha Hospital. The protest which commenced this morning (02) lasted for around one hour, according to the Galaha Police. A tense situation had prevailed at the Galaha Hospital on August 28 following the death of a one-and-a-half year old infant who had been admitted to the hospital. A large number of people had gathered at the hospital premises, more..

Sep 3 (Island) Former Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms of Parliament Narendra Fernando has been promoted to the rank of Serjeant-at-Arms. He is the Sixth Serjeant-at-Arms of SL parliament. The official ceremony to mark the handing over the Mace and official sword to new Sergeant-at-Arms took place according to the parliamentary traditions opposite the Silver Door at the main entrance to the Parliament Chamber in the presence of former Assistant Serjeant-at-Arms Kushan more..

Sep 3 (CT) Chinese-based Seismic Vessel BGP Pioneer has arrived at Colombo Port to conduct a Modern Broadband 2D seismic survey for hydrocarbon exploration in the country. The inauguration ceremony to commence the operations was held yesterday, with the patronage of the Minister Arjuna Ranatunga. The company plans to conclude the Survey within three months. Speaking at the event the Minister said that more..

Sep 3 (CT) Sinhala-Muslim riots that occurred in 1915 had been repeated 103 years later and consideration needs to be given to whether the Police acted as impartially, as they had in 1915, during the present riots, Additional Solicitor General President’s Counsel (PC) Yasantha Kodagoda said. Kodagoda expressed these views at a book launch in Colombo for the 152nd anniversary of the SL Police. He added that although the Police had successfully arrested and produced more..

Sep 3 (DM) A special tsunami drill scheduled to be held on Wednesday (5) in Ampara, Mullaitivu and Galle districts inline with the International Tsunami exercise participated by 28 countries, State Minister Palitha Range Bandara said. He said that the exercise would be held under the supervision of both state and international bodies. State security services including police, health services, govt and NGOs and the residents of the selected areas to be participated in the event. more..

Sep 3 (CT) The death of five elephants at the Somawathi National Park, caused by drowning in a marshy land, might have been the result of a shift in elephant migration due to the rainfall pattern alteration, Centre for Conservation and Research (CCR) said. Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando, chairperson of CCR, noted that due to the climate change, as a result of human activities contributing to natural phenonmenon, more..

Sep 3 (Island) Using Temple Trees for Minister Rajitha Senaratne’s son MP Chatura’s wedding ceremony was proof that the rulers of the country were using people’s money to celebrate their weddings, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. He said: "Ordinary people held their weddings with their own or borrowed funds. But the govt leaders misused public funds for that purpose, too. Dissanayake said that JVP- affiliated VAC’s convenor Wasantha Samarasinghe had more..

Sep 3 (FT) Earnings of listed companies have been up 4% in the Second Quarter and 11% for the 12 months despite challenging times. According to broking firm CTCLSA, market earnings in 2Q2018 grew +4% by Rs. 50.25 billion as against Rs. 48.236 billion a year earlier. However the 2Q2018 figure is lower compared with the Rs. 74.69 billion achieved in 1Q and Rs. 79.6 billion posted in 4Q of 2017. In 2Q2018, earnings were driven by the Banks Finance and Insurance (BFI), Beverage Food and more..

Sep 3 (DM) Amidst speculations about a possible split of the TNA, its leader R. Sampanthan has sought an immediate meeting with Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran on Sept 7 apparently to explore the possibility of patching up differences, it is learnt. There have been open confrontations between Mr. Wigneswaran and TNA MP for the Jaffna district M.A. Sumanthiran giving credence to more..

Sep 3 (DM) Some days ago, journalist Uditha Devapriya posted on Facebook a thought-provoking post. It highlighted a disturbing realty in modern-day South Asia. His post highlighted the killing of a leopard by irate villagers in Killinochchi on 21 June, rape of an 38-year-old woman also in Killinochchi earlier this year and the reaction which followed. A source in the print media described the killing of that particular leopard as Mob-style leopard killing & described it as Lanka’s day of shame. more..

Sep 3 (DM) For close to three decades, the people of the North and East were wedged in by war, uprooted from their lands by multiple displacements, and shut off from the market, being forced to survive on subsistence production and humanitarian subsidies. Once the war ended, they were thrown without preparation into a monetized and financialised market economy. Economic reintegration has been fraught by exploitative loan schemes and unrealistic state or donor-led more..

Sep 3 (DM) When Sri Lanka known then as Ceylon obtained full freedom from British rule on Feb 4th 1948, the second largest ethnic community in the island were the Tamils of recent Indian origin and not the SL Tamil community. The 1ast official census before Ceylon got Dominion Status and then Independence from the UK was taken in 1946. According to the 1946 census, the island nation had a total population of more..

Sep 3 (DM) Falling sick could be one of the most expensive things that could ever happen to your life. With the soaring prices of medicines, channelling fees and hospital charges, people try their best to avoid falling sick. But your immune system may not be that strong in certain instances. In terms of the prices of medicines Sri Lanka has been struggling to regulate the prices of essential medicines and streamline the importation of more..

Sep 3 (CT) The National Police Commission (NPC) is ready to take up some 100-plus cases, when it meets the Speaker and members of the Constitutional Committee sometime later this week, although the exact date has not yet been confirmed, a senior official disclosed. He said that the cases, half of which relate to political victimization and the rest relating to promotions and transfers from the lowest rank more..

Sep 3 (CT) The Cabinet is scheduled to take up for discussion this week the proposal to roll back the Family Background Report (FBR) that is required for women, with children under the age of five, who seek employment overseas. A Cabinet Subcommittee, comprising Ministers Harin Fernando, Thalatha Atukorale, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Sarath Amunugama and Chandrani Bandara, appointed to look into the issue, more..

Sep 3 (CT) The UGC has seen 1,900 dropouts of registered students from all 15 State universities in the country, and beyond all reasonable doubt, believes this is due to severe sexual harassment and abuse committed on freshers as part of ragging by their seniors. The number of students registered in 2016-2017 was 28,000. Director of UGC’s Centre for Gender Equity and Equality, Prof. Uma Coomaraswamy said, in the last two years more..

Sep 3 (AM) The Kurunegala High Court remanded three people including former Minister Johnston Fernando until Sept 11 over misappropriation of public funds. The case has been filed with regard to misappropriations at Sathosa when Fernando was the Minister in charge of the subject. The case will be heard before the Kurunegala High Court on a day to day basis. Attorney General has filed indictment against more..

Sep 3 (CT) At least 8 to 10% of the schoolchildren of different age groups, have been afflicted with the dreaded Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown origin (CKDu) in the Anuradhapura District. The figure is expected to rise if the Authorities fail to address the issue soon, a top regional Academic warned. A team of specialists from the Raja Rata University, headed by Professor Channa Jayasumana, carried out a random survey on more..

Sep 3 (EN) Sri Lanka's state workers could arbitrage taxes of around 15 billion rupees by re-selling duty-slashed permits that have been given to them in the latest round, based on secondary market prices. The tax slashed car permits a given as a neo-feudal discriminatory privilege to state workers while the ordinary man on the street is hit with massive taxes on motorcycles and three wheelers as well as cars. more..

Sep 3 (EN) Sri Lanka recent fiscal reforms and automatic pricing of fuel will improve state finances and debt, but political uncertainty has heightened following recent regional polls, Fitch, a rating agency said. "Sri Lanka’s rating balances an improving policy framework, which supports macroeconomic stability and rising govt revenues, against a challenging external debt servicing outlook and high govt debt," Fitch Ratings said Monday more..

Sep 3 (SMH) The man accused of plotting an IS-affiliated terror attack on Sydney while he worked at UNSW is an "open-minded Muslim" who has been framed, his brother has said. Kamer Nizamdeen, 25, was arrested in his office high above the university campus on Thursday and charged with making a document to prepare for terrorism that allegedly included high-profile targets such as Malcolm Turnbull, Julie Bishop and more..