Aug 8 (CT) In the midst of a Brexit frenzy it feels more or less impossible to think beyond our own crumbling borders. And, in this increasing insularity it is hardly surprising that the outside world has faded, slightly. But in another far-away place, seven thousand miles from Britain, life goes on in its own peculiar and misguided ways. The violence, injustice and oppression that unfold unchecked in Sri Lanka remains largely unchanged. Once I lived on its shores and its people remain my people. more..

Aug 8 (GV) These are the stories of people whose daily struggles come from witnessing and being trapped in the middle of a war that lasted three decades, who think that it would have been better for them to die when they were injured, instead of living in hell everyday. Many of the people who were affected by war in the North and East of Sri Lanka continue to live with the metal shrapnel from deadly weapons lodged in their bodies. They live with daily pain, humiliation, and frustration. more..

Aug 8 (Roar) Every year, approximately 300,000 students sit the GCE O/L exam in almost 11,000 schools across the country. O/L qualification is a prerequisite for the more academically rigorous A/L exam, which is a critical university entrance requirement. After the exams are conducted, Department of Examinations invariably conducts a survey. And the statistics show that since 2011, number of students failing all subjects more..

Aug 8 (CT) After the Easter infamy in April this year, masterminded and executed by a murderous Muslim clique schooled in Wahhabism, and in the midst of continuing violence against innocent Muslims engineered by BBS and its allied Buddhist supremacists, govt of SL, in a state of panic, has resorted to adopt band aid solutions to some contentious Muslim issues, more in an attempt to pacify the supremacists than to mete out justice to victims of infamy and BBS violence more..

Aug 8 (GV) An old Greek fable goes something like this: A dog lying in a manger who did not eat grain, nevertheless prevented the horse who approached the manger from being able to eat anything either. The situation with regards to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) in Sri Lanka is similar. The Muslim ministers in the Sri Lankan govt ostensibly represent and serve their community. As much as we dislike communal politics, politics in this country is undeniably communal. more..

Aug 8 (Roar) Although Sri Lanka’s healthcare is hailed as being both universal and free, the system is burdened with long waiting hours, limited resources and limited access to doctors. This is why it is not uncommon to see patients crowded outside national hospitals, that are often unable to provide them with anything but the most rudimentary facilities as they wait. Since access to doctors is also limited, more..

Aug 8 (DN) First Optional Protocol to the ICCPR adopted by the United Nations in 1966 came into force in 1976. The Optional Protocol I is an adjunct instrument to the Covenant, which entered into force in 1976 at the same time as the Covenant. Thus States acceding to the Optional Protocol empower the Human Rights Committee, established under the Covenant, to receive communications from individuals who claim to be victims of a violation of any of the rights set out in the Covenant. more..

Aug 8 (CT) The US decision to reintroduce death penalty for serious offenders, especially big-time drug-pushers, the right (?) liberals in Sri Lanka should be wondering, as to what had hit them. Likewise, other western diplomats in Colombo who have been overtly and overly critical of President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision in this regard, should be looking the other way, if only to hide their embarrassment and not to embarrass their American counterparts on the streets. more..

Aug 8 (Island) While the hope of sensible opinion in Sri Lanka is likely to be that the current, often emotion-laden, debate in this country relating to the States of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and the Acquisition and Cross Services Agreement (ACSA) would generate more light than heat, the conversation could be said to be having the happy effect of resurfacing issues which should have been thoroughly discussed and clarified decades ago by Sri Lanka. more..

Aug 8 (Island) Conspiracy theories about the Easter Sunday terror attacks abound. Some people tend to see more devils than vast hell can hold. Sri Lankans’ penchant for giving free rein to their imagination is only too well known. The manner in which the govt has sought to investigate the terrorist attacks and the not-so-surreptitious attempts being made at cover-ups, only lend credence to the various grassy knoll claims. But, we believe, one should not be accused of expounding more..

Aug 8 (TM) Economic uncertainty looms large after officials of the Central Bank of SL made a shocking revelation while testifying before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday attacks. Highlighting the loopholes in the existing legal provisions related to foreign exchange, the CB officials alleged that those responsible for financial crimes revealed by the Panama Papers leak had gotten away due to more..

Aug 8 (CI) TV umpires may soon become the sole adjudicators of front-foot no-balls, if planned ICC trials prove successful. The ICC will identify a number of limited-overs series over the next six months for implementing a system where the TV umpire - and not the on-field umpires - will call no-balls for overstepping. The system has been trialled before, notably in the ODI series between England and Pakistan in 2016, but it will be rolled out on a much broader scale this time. more..

Aug 8 (EN) Female workers in Sri Lanka's information communication technology sector has increased from 29% in 2013 to 34% in 2019, but males are still dominating, a survey has found. Sri Lanka's state ICT agency surveyed pure ICT companies, IT departments of non-ICT companies, govt and business process outsouring/management firms in 2018 after a gap of several years. The survey was last done in 2013. "Two thirds of ICT jobs are occupied by males," more..

Aug 8 (PMD) President Maithripala Sirisena who is on a state visit Cambodia, on an invitation extended by the Govt of Cambodia, attended a Business Forum organized by the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce, today (7) in Phnom Penh. Cambodian PM Samdech Akka Moha Sena Pakdei Techo HUN SEN also attended this event. Broad attention was drawn to enhance trade and commerce relations between two countries more..

Aug 8 (FT) The Govt has decided to provide a six-month deferral period for the hotels registered under SL Tourism Development Authority to pay their 1% levy on turnover. The Cabinet approved the proposal presented by Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga to grant a six-month deferral period from 1 January 2019 for the payment of Tourism Development Levy (TDL) and to recover the lease amount in 12 equal instalments, more..

Aug 8 (FT) Chinese Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan last week hosted a grand reception for Members of the SL Parliament at Waters Edge, to celebrate the successful conclusion of their series of visits to China. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, dozens of Ministers, MPs, as well as Parliament staffs and journalists, attended the event and expressed their appreciation to the Chinese side for the familiarisation-visits arrangement. The familiarisation-visit mechanism between more..

Aug 8 (FT) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday rejected the Opposition’s request to provide the Rs. 2,500 interim allowance to employees of semi-Govt organisations, citing administrative and procedural issues. Highlighting the reasons for employees of semi-Govt organisations not being given the new interim allowance, PM said: “The salary structure of semi-Govt organisations, including Corporations, Boards, and more..

Aug 8 (DN) SLC president Shammi Silva admitted that appointing Chandika Hathurusingha as head coach of the national cricket team was a mistake. “We didn’t want to change the coach because of the World Cup but we have found that we need to change. It is the media that made a loud noise to take Hathurusingha and it is the media that wants him out. We don’t take views from anyone. We looked at the performances of the team over the last 1½ years and we have taken the decision to more..

Aug 8 (DN) The Sri Lanka Business Council in Japan (SLBCJ) under the patronage of the SL Embassy in Tokyo, organised the 15th edition of Sri Lanka Festival in August in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo. During the opening session of the Festival, Ambassador Prof. Dammika Dissanayake highlighted the importance of this timely event to promote Sri Lanka after the Easter Sunday attacks. He also mentioned that Sri Lanka is a country that never gives up and rises every time she falls. more..

Aug 8 (Island) SL and NZ will commence their journey in the ICC World Test Championship playing Two tests in the island nation from 14th Aug. The Kiwis, despite being number two in the Test rankings will have a massive challenge in overcoming Sri Lanka in their own conditions. The first match will be played in Galle on 14-18, followed by the 2nd and final game in Colombo at P. Sara Oval on Aug 22-26. more..

Aug 8 (Island) A cutting-edge Centre for Technical Excellence of Tokyo Cement Group, was inaugurated recently in Trincomalee. The Centre of Excellence will house the technical operations, R&D facilities and quality control operations of the entire local manufacturing process of Tokyo Cement Group, solidifying the company’s commitment towards maintaining superior quality. Tokyo Cement Centre for Technical Excellence was declared open by Mitsuo Ono, CEO of UBE Industries Ltd., more..

Aug 8 (TM) Two wild elephant deaths were reported from the area bordering Galkiriyagama Wildlife Sanctuary, with the first death reported from Hinguruwelpitiya in Galkiriyagama and the second from Shasthrawelliya in Kekirawa. The deaths had occurred due to poisoning and the post-mortem on the most recently dead elephant had been conducted by wildlife veterinary surgeon Isuru Hewakottage on 2 August. The cow elephant’s carcass was located in a baron paddy field more..

Aug 8 (AP) A high-powered four-member security delegation from SL visited National Stadium in Karachi to assess the possibility of staging a two-match test series in October. "We had a very fruitful discussion, briefing about the arrangements made for the test match here from the top brass (of Pakistan security officials)," the head of the delegation, Mohan de Silva, said. "They made some very comprehensive presentations more..

Aug 8 (AD) The decision of National Police Commission (NPC) to cancel the transfer of Kurunegala DIG Kithsiri Jayalath to Trincomalee Division was criticized by the former Western Province Governor Azath Salley. “When the IGP had already given directions to remove DIG Kithsiri, the NPC once again asks the IGP in the morning whether or not to carry out the order. Then by afternoon, the decision of the transfer is revoked. Commission (NPC) is not suitable to sit there. more..

Aug 8 (DN) SL's trade with Asia’s fastest growing economy, Bangladesh is set to surge when both countries meet for Ministerial trade talks later this year -after almost three years. “The fifth session of the Joint Economic Commission between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka was held in Colombo in 2016. Therefore time has come for the sixth trade session between both countries,” said Minister Rishad Bathiudeen on 6 Aug in Colombo addressing the High Commissioner of Bangladesh more..

Aug 8 (FT) Moving an adjournment motion, the JVP proposed the govt acquires the Batticaloa Campus Ltd. and its properties to be used as a faculty complex for the Eastern University. Highlighting the adverse impact on national harmony created by the Batticaloa Campus Ltd., JVP lawmaker Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa presented the recommendation to Parliament. “Batticaloa Campus Ltd., established using political support, more..

Aug 8 (FT) A Special Petition was filed before the Supreme Court by Professor Kamina Gunaratne, requesting for the Private Members Bill presented to Parliament to be declared constitutional, and for that decision to be conveyed by the Supreme Court to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya. Petition comes after President Sirisena on Monday said the Attorney General has informed him that the Bill to abolish the death penalty, presented to Parliament last week as a Private Members’ Motion, is not legal. more..

Aug 8 (CT) Cabinet agreed to lease seven acres of land in Yala, Palatupana Tourism Zone to Dubai-based One Nature Hotels and Resorts, on a 50-year agreement to develop a resort comprising 28 chalets. Land will be leased at the price determined by the Govt Valuation Department under an agreement of recovering lease value and advance from the company. Cabinet Paper was submitted by Minister John Amaratunga. At present, One Nature Hotels and Resorts operates one resort at more..

Aug 8 (Island) Ministry of Defence had ignored PM Ranil Wickremesinghe’s request in Sept 2015 for giving priority to the Ministry of Agriculture, which had to shift, when allocating space at the newly constructed Suhurupaya Building in Battaramulla, PCoI was informed. PCoI again looked at the lease agreement signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and D.P. Jayasinghe Company in 2016 on renting a building for the Ministry. more..

Aug 8 (Island) Alleged obstruction of hijab-clad Muslim female students sitting the ongoing GCE A/L exam was raised in Parliament. UNP MP Mujibur Rahuman, participating in a debate on a motion against Sharia University in Batticaloa, said that some female Muslim students had suffered harassment at exam officials. "The female students had gone to the examination centers, wearing the hijab in accordance with the specifications outlined in a circular issued by Ministry of Education. more..

Aug 8 (DM) Sri Lanka’s upcoming hotels need to allocate 0.5 percent of their capital investments into sustainability initiatives to avert future costs to the environment and to the society, according to a UNDP official. “My colleague in my project (BIOFIN Sri Lanka) says if each of these projects that were pitched in 2018 or started in 2018 were to just invest 0.5% of their capital investment into sustainable initiatives, they can avoid future damages of around US $45 billion,” more..

Aug 8 (FT) Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said he will send letters to President Sirisena and PM Wickremesinghe to appoint an independent commission to investigate the Easter Sunday attacks as the Opposition has no confidence in the ongoing Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to hold those responsible to account. Opposition MPs loyal to Rajapaksa earlier rejected the PSC process, and refused more..

Aug 8 (Island) A large number of Hindu devotees gathered at the Sri Kannagi Amman Kovil, Mullaitivu, over the weekend, and held a special pooja seeking divine intervention to ensure that Minister Sajith Premadsa be made the UNP’s prez candidate. The devotees also smashed 1,000 coconuts as a part of the pooja. Event was organised by the Hindu Society of Mullaitivu and a number of local councilors of the TNA also took part. The chief priest of the Kovil said that Premadasa had built more..

Aug 8 (AD) A private bus heading towards Kandy collided head-on with a van heading towards Colombo in Kalalpitiya on the Colombo-Kandy main road. The driver of the van, 3 women and a man traveling on the van had been admitted to the Wathupitiwala Hospital with critical injuries from the accident. However, the van driver and two females had succumbed to their injuries upon admittance. The deceased have been identified as the 22-year-old driver of the van, his 47-year-old mother more..

Aug 8 (FT) Lawmakers of both sides of Parliament openly dished out criticism to Prez Sirisena, for going public with the emolument details of MPs, in what MPs alleged was an attempt to tarnish their image in the public eye. UPFA MP Wimalaweera Dissanayaka, referring to a news report based on a statement made by Prez, held it unfair to give the wrong impression to the public, when MPs are struggling to make ends meet. more..

Aug 8 (DM) On the threshold of a presidential election, the political climate in Sri Lanka is plagued with uncertainty with the mainstream political parties having come up with various dates to announce their presidential candidates but keep delaying to do so for reasons best known to them. SLPP led by former president and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa will in all probability name Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the party’s presidential candidate at the party convention now fixed for August 11, more..

Aug 8 (DM) Politics is about the clash of ideas, debates and discussions about policy, the turning of notions into ideas, ideas into ideologies and laying it all before the people for decision. Elections are won and lost based on the strength or otherwise of competing programes. Alright. Let’s get real now. This is Sri Lanka. The year is 2019. Let’s ask a simple question: when last did ideology count? Politicians are not stupid and neither are the people. Rational choices are made but more..

Aug 8 (DM) The political environment is getting interesting by the day as the Presidential Elections are approaching. For the political camp led by SLPP, days roll by with preparations for its first ever convention on Aug 11, primarily meant to install Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa as its leader and to announce his brother former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the presidential candidate. more..

Aug 8 (DM) “I have a squint by birth, but my seniors don’t understand that. They asked me to remove my glasses and look straight. Even though I did, they thought I was looking elsewhere. Then they referred to me as a pottaya and questioned as to why I came to university if I can’t see properly. They said that I’m lying and hit me in my ear. After getting beaten up, I attended lectures. Dear sir, I study during daytime because more..