Sep 27 (AD) A major scheme of the UNP to postpone the country’s elections was defeated by a Supreme Court verdict yesterday (25), says the Lawyers’ Association of SLPP. Its secretary, Attorney-at-Law Athula de Silva, speaking at the Association’s media briefing held today, stated that the UNP was in an attempt to postpone the Elpitiya PC election even after dates were set for the postal voting. The SC yesterday dismissed the fundamental rights petition filed seeking more..

Sep 27 (Island) Chairman of the Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya, declared that merely making a deposit to contest the presidential election did not imply that the Election Commission had accepted anyone’s eligibility. He said that only the ex facie evidence was taken into consideration on matters pertaining to qualification or disqualification would only be looked into and discussed in accordance with the Constitution more..

Sep 27 (DN) According to the latest statistics from the Galle District Secretariat, by noon yesterday, 21,638 people of 5,600 families in 18 Divisional Secretariats of the district were affected by the heavy rains that prevailed during the past few days. So far, one death has been reported and seven individuals who sustained injuries as a result of the adverse weather have been admitted to Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, Galle District Secretary Somarathna Vidanapathirana told the media. more..

Sep 27 (CT) Convener of the Truth Seekers Organisation, Premanath Dolewatta lodged a complaint with Police Dept urging it to institute legal action against UNP MP Hesha Vithanage. Dolewatta has complained that in a statement reportedly made by Vithanage, at a public rally on 24 Sept, he had vowed that once Minister Sajith Premadasa is declared the winner of the coming Prez Poll, UNP will force SLPP Prez candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa to don a prison jumper. more..

Sep 27 (DN) Tens of thousands of railway commuters, mainly office employees, were once again inconvenienced yesterday due to another crippling strike by engine drivers, railway guards, controllers, and stationmasters. However, the authorities managed to operate six trains yesterday morning to facilitate commuters and to bring office workers to Colombo even during the strike. more..

Sep 27 (EN) Central bank has bought bonds up to 2.2 years, going beyond 12 month Treasury bills beginning a new phase of money printing. The CB is now paying lip service that it is not printing money, but has injecting cash in multiple ways, to trigger several currency crises since 2015, generating instability and spooking foreign investors. The CB bought a total of 8.3 billion rupees bonds at an auction conducted on Sept 25. About 2.6 billion rupees were printed for 1 yr 7 mos at 8.6%, more..

Sep 27 (DM) UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday (26) was historic day for UNP as both its working committee and the Parliamentary Group unanimously endorsed the candidature of Minister Sajith Premadasa for the coming presidential election. “We are all happy that all in the party had stood together in deciding on our candidate,” he told a media conference yesterday. He said Mr. Premadasa’s campaign will begin on Oct 10, 2019 with a rally at the Galle Face Green. more..

Sep 27 (AD) Trade and commerce have suffered great losses under the incumbent govt, claims Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa. He made these remarks addressing the national convention on businesses at the SL Exhibition & Convention Centre in Colombo today (26). Event was held under the patronage of SLPP prez aspirant, former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa & Opposition Leader. more..

Sep 27 (Island) Solicitor General Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe, who has been interdicted over a telephone conversation she had with an accused, is not alone in her predicament. A much bigger person than she is up the creek for making a call, though the person at the other end was not an accused. Donald Trump is his name. He is faced with the prospect of being impeached, impeachment being a fate worse than death for any president, so to speak. Dilrukshi has, in a response to leaked call, more..

Sep 27 (DM) It was heartening to see protesting disabled soldiers win their demand to enjoy a full salary after retirement, which would now be offered to them till they breathe their last. Soldiers donning the green uniform earned the respect of citizens from all walks of life for the role they played in ending the 26-year civil war. There was a time when buses plying the A'pura-Colombo road played only the cassette titled Sudu Araliya Mala, especially when there were a couple of soldiers more..

Sep 27 (ST) A wave of strikes and other forms of Trade Union (TU) action caused chaos in a variety of sectors this week. With more TUs gearing up for strikes of their own, the coming weeks are shaping up to be difficult ones for the public at large. This week saw islandwide strikes by doctors as well as by employees of the SL Transport Board (SLTB). Meanwhile, employees of SL Administrative Service Association (SLASA) and more..

Sep 27 (DM) It seems all major players are ready for the Nov 16 presidential poll. While the Sinhala constituency dominates prez election, divisions at times provide Tamil and Muslim people the opportunity to decide on who the next President would be. But sadly, it’s again a Sinhala Buddhist President they can decide on. It is worth therefore to glance through how this Sinhala constituency could vote at prez election. more..

Sep 27 (Island) In case one was wondering if Sri Lanka would ever realize its growth potential, Governor of Central Bank Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy had the answer for it on Wednesday. Governor said he was confident that all politicians understand the need to step up policy support to achieve a higher rate of economic growth through structural reforms. "We can still fix our economic issues, but not if we continue like now. more..

Sep 27 (EN) Sri Lanka’s Hill Country Tamils, who for generations produced its main agricultural export, Ceylon tea, remains marginalised despite gaining formal citizenship requring remedies, a new study said. ” . . . the mere granting of formal citizenship to the community is inadequate to address and overcome the legacy of statelessness,” said the report by Verite Research, a think-tank. “A rights-based development approach requires more..

Sep 27 (HRW) The UN took a stand against impunity for war crimes this week by announcing it will no longer accept non-essential SL troops in peacekeeping missions. The reason for this unusual move is that Sri Lanka’s newly appointed army chief, Gen. Shavendra Silva, faces credible allegations of war crimes. SL govt appointed Silva in August, despite a 2015 UN investigation that found the army division he commanded more..

Sep 27 (Island) UNP MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC, yesterday, questioned how 29 UNPers, including its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, continued to function as ministers of President Maithripala Sirisena’s Cabinet as they thereby served the SLFP leader’s govt, having initiated disciplinary action in respect of five lawmakers for switching allegiance to the President in the wake of Oct. 2018 constitutional take-over. more..

Sep 27 (DM) The two-day token strike launched by the Ceylon Teachers' and Principals’ Services Union decide to temporarily call off their strike today, the Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin said. He said they did not get any discussions with a responsible person to resolve their issues. Therefore, the union had decided to call off the two-day strike from today and to start another five-day strike from Oct 5. more..

Sep 27 (FT) Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva on Tuesday emphasised that cybersecurity readiness of businesses is a strong part of the cybersecurity of a nation. “Cybersecurity readiness is vital not only for the State, but also to the businesses that operate within it, whether they are privately owned, publicly owned or State-owned,” Silva told the audience gathered at the inauguration of Cybersecurity Summit more..

Sep 27 (AD) The Head of Avant-Garde’s Maritime Security Division has been arrested by the CID this morning (27). He was arrested with regard to the ongoing lawsuit over unlawful possession of 815 automatic fire arms and 202,935 live ammunition rounds, which were taken into custody from Merchant Shipping Vessel MV Avant-Garde. The CID unit of the BIA had apprehended the suspect upon his arrival at the airport more..

Sep 27 (AD) The Presidential Commission of Inquiry to probe allegations of corruption and misappropriations in state institutions has handed over its final report to President Maithripala Sirisena. The President appointed the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate into allegations of corruption and malpractices that had taken place in state institutions from 15th Jan 2015 to 31st Dec 2018. more..

Sep 27 (FT) Whoever wins the Prez Election, it will not be a solution to the crisis SL is facing. It will aggravate the problem rather than alleviating it. With the announcement of the winner of the next Prez Election, the presidential system of governance retained so far with the transitional provisions made in the 19th Amendment will cease to operate and it will be converted into a parliamentary system of governance with a nominal president, in which the entire State power will be vested in a cabinet more..

Sep 27 (DM) Whatever the outcome of yesterday’s Working Committee meeting of the United National Party (UNP) on its presidential candidate was, the damage inflicted on the party by the feud between its leader and deputy was irreparable; particularly, efforts by the party to abolish the executive presidential mode of governance while all other parties were preparing for the forthcoming presidential poll might have created an adverse impression among the people about the UNP. more..

Sep 27 (CI) Second ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been postponed by a day owing to unseasonal rains that left Karachi's National Stadium waterlogged, washing out the first game of the series in the process. With more rain expected on the day of the second game - Sunday (29) - Pakistan Cricket Board, in consultation with the SL Cricket Board, has rescheduled the game to Monday (30). "This week's heavy rains, including on Friday afternoon, has left the outfield soggy, more..

Sep 27 (AD) Major General Palitha Fernando and four other accused in the Avant-Garde floating armoury case have been granted bail by the Permanent High Court-at-Bar. The case filed by the Attorney General’s Department over the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition inside the M.V. Avant Garde vessel anchored off the Hikkaduwa coast near the Galle Harbour, without a proper license, was taken up before the court today. Accordingly the 3-member judge bench more..

Sep 27 (AD) FCID arrested the former Director General of SL Customs Jagath P. Wijeweera and the former Customs Additional Director General Tharaka Seneviratne. The Police Spokesman’s Office said that Mr. Wijeweera was arrested at Sri J'pura Hospital and Mr. Seneviratne was arrested at the Badulla General Hospital. They are currently receiving treatment in those respective hospitals under police security. more..

Sep 27 (RN) The number of Sri Lankan female migrant workers has dropped to 28% under the present govt, Foreign Employment Deputy Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said, while professional migrant workers has seen an increase over the years. He said the Government also managed to minimise the migration of unskilled workers. “In the past, around 70% of all migrant workers were women, but it has now dropped to 28%. We took the initiative to give training to unskilled workers. more..

Sep 27 (TM) Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed by Dr. Mohamed Shafi over his unlawful arrest and detention with regard to alleged illegal sterilization of over 4,000 Sinhalese Buddhist women will be taken up on the Jan 24th, 2020. The FR petition was taken up before SC judge bench consisting of Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare and Murdu Fernando today. However State Counsel, speaking up before the judge bench, requested for more time to submit several reports pertaining to the case. more..

Sep 27 (DM) Bar Association of SL (BASL) said if the telephone conversation between the interdicted solicitor general Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe and former head of Avant-Garde Security firm, Nissanka Senadhipathi was found to be authentic, it would raise serious concerns about public confidence in the legal system. It said undoubtedly such concerns would include the questionable prosecutions instituted by CIAOBC. more..

Sep 27 (AD) The carcasses of three wild elephants, that are believed to have died under suspicious circumstances, have been discovered near a tank bund at Hiriwadunna, Habarana. Wildlife officers state that the dead elephants include one pregnant elephant. The wildlife officers suspect that the elephants might have been killed by injecting them with some kind of poison. Sigiriya wildlife officers have launched an investigation into the suspicious deaths of the elephants. more..

Sep 27 (RN) A special cabinet meeting convened by Prez Sirisena is now underway to discuss the ongoing railway strike which entered its second consecutive day today. Railway employees launched trade union action earlier this week citing unresolved salary anomalies. Employees complained that the promised salary increase of Rs. 3,000 was never delivered by the Ministry of Finance. Locomotive Engine Operators’ Union (LEOU) Secretary Indika Dodangoda said that strike will be carried out more..

Sep 27 (Island) Secretary to the Ministry of Power, Suren Batagoda had attempted to strike a deal with representatives of Lakdhanavi Limited to prevent them from contesting the tender awarded to construct a 300 MW LNG power plant at Kerawalapitiya by him, was revealed at the PCoI. At a meeting held on June 13, 2017 Secretary to the Ministry of Power, Suren Batagoda told Chairperson of Lakdhanavi Ltd, to withdraw their bid for more..

Sep 27 (CT) SL's temperature is likely to increase between one degree centigrade and between 1.1 degrees centigrade (1°C-1.1°C) by 2030 led by climate change, ADB in a study released this month said. Additionally, the temperature is likely to further increase by between 2.3°C-3.6°C by 2080, it said. Further, precipitation is likely to increase by 3.6%-11% by 2030 and 31.3%-39.6% by 2080. Studies also predict higher frequencies of high intensity rainfall events causing floods and more..

Sep 27 (Island) Sri Lankans must explore all means of uniting communities while respecting diversity without exploiting the widely condemned 21/4 suicide attacks to aggravate divisions within and between communities. Words such as Arabisation and Wahabism are newly branded products from the lexicon of conflict creators and war mongers aimed at broadening the gulf amongst communities. Violent extremists are extremely few. This was stated by former MP M.M. Zuhair in a statement. more..

Sep 27 (NR) The govt says stern action will be taken if protesting railway employees do not suspend the strike action and return to work by Monday. Deputy Minister Ashok Abeysinghe speaking at a media briefing said discussions will be held with the Prez in order to make Sri Lanka Railways an essential service once again. He charged that railway employees have turned the train strike into a game, more..

Sep 27 (NR) Postal voting for the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha Election concluded successfully today. Galle District Returning Officer said voting commenced at 9am and concluded at 4pm while no incidents of violence were reported. He noted government officers who were unable to cast their postal vote today can visit the elections office in the area they serve in, and cast their vote on the 4th of October. Postal voting for the Elpitiya PS Election took place at 269 polling centres more..

Sep 27 (CT) Social media is something we should not ban, but is an element that should be manipulated well for our own purpose, without allowing it to manipulate us, said Election Commission (EC) Chairman, Mahinda Deshapriya. Speaking at an event to mark the fifth death anniversary of former Director - Monitoring and Review of the Human Rights Commission of SL, Thusitha Samarasekara, Deshapriya yesterday said the misinformation and disinformation in more..

Sep 27 (DN) The alliance supporting Sajith Premadasa stretches across the religious, ethnic and ideological spectrum, encompassing Buddhists, Tamils, Muslims and Christians. The nomination is expected to be endorsed by the alliance partners in the UNF, including Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) and Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU). more..

Sep 27 (AD) Prez Sirisena, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has promoted 40 Lieutenant Colonels to the rank of Colonel, the Sri Lanka Army said today. The promotions are with effect from 10 Sept 2019. This has been done on the recommendations of the Ministry of Defence and the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva. Full list of promoted Officers: Lieutenant Colonel KC Prathapasinghe SLSC; more..

Sep 27 (DM) Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said Minister Sajith Premadasa was not a challenge to them at the prez election and asked how a person who could not even win the Tissamaharama electorate and Hambantota, could win the entire country. He expressed these views in response to the questions asked by journalists at the Opposition Leader’s Office. When asked for his comments over the UNP Working Committee nominating Minister Sajith Premadasa's name as prez candidate, more..