Sep 3 (Island) Some 10,000 Bohra devotees arrived at the BIA, yesterday, to take part in the Bohra Global Convention 2019 in Colombo. On Saturday, with the arrival of the Head of the Dawoodi Bohra community, His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, here, more than 21,000 Bohra community members from 40 countries arrived in Colombo. More than 40,000 devotees are expected to take part in the Convention. more..

Sep 3 (AD) Anything that Minister Sajith Premadasa says must be said with a sense of accountability, says MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka. He said Minister Premadasa must not speak like a Pradeshiya Sabha member. UNP’s deputy leader had stated that he would make the entire local community of local women millionaires, which will allow the country’s men to spend their time reading newspapers leisurely, more..

Sep 3 (EN) Hotels in east coast which has its peak tourism season from May through September was hit even worse from the Easter Sunday attacks than the rest of the country which was running through its off season. “It’s a tough time for the hotels in the area,” said Neranjan Morais, General Manager of Uga Bay in the eastern resort of Passikudah, famed for its calm beach and watersports. Trincomalee, more..

Sep 3 (GDI) Speaker of the House Karu Jayasuriya yesterday said that the future of South Asia will depend on how best it takes care of its children who make up 36% of the population. Speaker Jayasuriya made these observations officiating in the annual South Asian Parliamentarian Platform for Children which was held in Parliament yesterday. Parliament of SL, together with UNICEF, is hosting MPs from across South Asia more..

Sep 3 (TM) The head of Australia’s operation to combat illegal maritime migration called upon Sri Lankans to join in efforts to warn of the dangers and long term consequences of attempting illegal immigration by boat. In charge of Australia’s Operation Sovereign Borders, Major General Craig who was in Colombo and Negombo today said since the establishment of Operation Sovereign Borders in Sep 2013, Australia has worked with SL more..

Sep 3 (ST) At least six tons of bio solids and 18,000 cubic metres of untreated or partially treated wastewater are discharged continuously into the ground every day in the Sri J'pura Kotte area, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) has revealed. Sanitation facilities in the region are mainly on-site in the form of septic tanks combined with soakage pits or pit latrines. It is through these that bio solids enter ground. more..

Sep 3 (AD) SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa says he will take measures to provide nurses in Sri Lanka with the subject knowledge given to nurses in developed countries. He mentioned this at an event held in Colombo, last afternoon (02). A meeting between the presidential hopeful and the Public Service United Nurses’ Union was held yesterday. The event was attended by the Leader of Opp. Mahinda Rajapaksa as well. more..

Sep 3 (TM) The Govt emphasises that the proposed amendments to the People’s Bank Act never aims to privatise People’s Bank. “The only objectives are to increase the authorized share capital of People’s Bank and to enable the Bank to issue debentures without the additional requirement of obtaining a treasury guarantee,” Finance Ministry said in a press communique. As per the section 13 of People’s Bank Act 29 of 1961, more..

Sep 3 (FT) The last week has seen the public launching of two prez campaigns. At each of these widely publicised and well-orchestrated meetings, the two potential candidates presented their manifestos. One candidate, with the benefit of a teleprompter, read out a lengthy document which sounded much like a Speech from the Throne at an Opening of Parliament. The other candidate, in more strident tones, promised to implement an equally radical program of reform if he were elected more..

Sep 3 (CT) 31 years ago in 1988, it was Presidential Election year, similar to now. But 1988 was also a year of both political and bloody turmoil. The IPKF was ruling the roost in the North and East of SL and the JVP in the rest of the country. There was seemingly no Govt. Nonetheless, President J.R. Jayewardene (81), allegedly had ambitions to seek a 3rd term. If that were so the Constitution would have had to be changed as a Prez can serve only two terms in office and Jayewardene was serving more..

Sep 3 (Island) Colombo Fort Magistrate, Ranga Dissanayake yesterday handed over the custody of the four-year-old daughter of the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday attacks, Zaharan Hashim to her maternal grandparents. Dissanayake took this decision following a request made by the CID. CID said that since the girl’s mother too was in custody she needed to be placed in probationary care or had to be handed over to a guardian. The Magistrate also instructed probation officers to look into more..

Sep 3 (Island) Former Minister and founder of the Pathfinder Foundation Milinda Moragoda says that presidential candidates must face seven cold economic truths before making election promises. In a statement issued to media Moragoda says: As another Prez Election draws near, it is customary for candidates and their economic spokespersons to roll out unrealistic and outlandish promises to the electorate in a bid to win votes without addressing the serious issues we are faced with. more..

Sep 3 (DM) Prez Sirisena said a person larger than Arjuna Mahendran will stand in the bond scam witness box in the coming days with the legal documents to bring back the prime suspect of the Central Bank bomb scam had been completed. He said a certain politician said in Kuliyapitiya that the UNP made a blunder in 2015 by choosing a wrong man as the common prez candidate but this time it would not do that mistake again and more..

Sep 3 (AD) One persons has been stabbed to death while another was critically wounded during a clash between two groups near Sylvester Road at Ratmalana, Mount Lavinia. Police said that clash had occurred last night as a result of a heated argument between two groups of individuals spiraling out of control. Two persons had sustained critical injuries in the melee after they had been attacked with sharp objects while one of them had succumbed to injuries after being admitted to more..

Sep 3 (AD) The bodies of 2 males have been recovered from Ma Oya while floating near the Alawwa Bridge. The bodies have been discovered at around 3 pm this afternoon (03). The residents of the area had recovered one body under the Alawwa Bridge and the other 400 meters away from the bridge. The bodies are believed to be of males aged 30-35 years. However, the identity of the deceased persons or other information has not been revealed as of yet. more..

Sep 3 (EN) A new study by Census and Statistics Dept has revealed that 2.5 million of SL’s 20 million people are vulnerable to poverty. Economic shocks such as loss of jobs and livelihoods, severe illnesses and injuries have serious impacts that cause poverty, according to the DCS report done using the global multidimensional poverty index approach. This approach considers three categories; health, education and standard of living, more..

Sep 3 (RN) Sri Lanka is at risk of losing a US $480 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant due to a campaign of misinformation and political differences among the ruling coalition. The MCC grant represents the largest grant from a single source Sri Lanka has ever received and presents a valuable opportunity to fix some of the country’s constraints to economic growth, a statement from the Advocata Institute says. Despite the fact that this grant is being offered as more..

Sep 3 (Island) Police found two T-56 firearms along with other accessories at a residence in Kurunegala, yesterday. An individual riding a motorcycle had been arrested with a T-56 firearm and 10 rounds of ammunition which had been concealed inside his jacket at a roadblock on Saturday. The pillion rider was also arrested. Police said that subsequent inquiries had revealed that the 46-year-old suspect who was in possession of the firearm had been attached to the Buttala Army Camp. more..

Sep 3 (AD) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday addressed the Maldives parliament during his official visit to the country. Several agreements of cooperation in visa facilitation, water supply, youth development, vocational training, higher education and social empowerment signed on Monday would help fortify the mutual relationship, he told the People’s Majlis. “In addition, parents or guardians of students more..

Sep 3 (CT) Director Nursing of the Health Ministry, M.B.C. Samanmali said that nurses were receiving specialised training in paediatrics, intensive care, haemodialysis and emergency care, so as to strengthen the nursing services. Addressing the gathering at the inaugural ceremony to train nurses in Pain Management, Samanmali said that 42 nurses from all parts of the country would be trained initially. Sri Lanka still had only a few nurses with such specialised training. more..

Sep 3 (DM) Former Editor of the Divaina newspaper and a former member of the Editors Guild of SL Merryl Perera passed away at the age of 73 today. Issuing a condolence message on the passing away of veteran Journalist Perera, the TEGOSL conveyed its heartfelt condolences and sympathies. Merryl Perera, who began his career in journalism in 1965 from the Lake House, had then served at the Dawasa Newspaper before joining the Upali Group in the capacity of the Chief Sub Editor of more..

Sep 3 (CT) Govt has taken steps to remove Priority Bus Lanes since the Motor Traffic Act has not been amended yet and there is no law or a proper gazette to implement the bus lanes properly, claimed the President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA), Gemunu Wijeratne. Wijeratne claimed that the Govt recently removed the one and only priority bus lane which was in operation along the Galle Road. more..

Sep 3 (RN) Calling UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa the party’s best actor, UNP backbencher MP Chandima Gamage said that Premadasa is the most popular politician in the party. MP said that while Premadasa may be popular, the party will decide as to who has the political expertise and other abilities to rule a country. “Sajith Premadasa may possess both of these qualities. If we are convinced (that he is the most suitable candidate), we will nominate him as the prez candidate. more..

Sep 3 (LBO) The American Chamber of Commerce in SL calls upon the Govt to approve the Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact, considering the advantageous impact the MCC will have on the country’s economy. Releasing a statement, the chamber urged the govt to make this a priority before MCC’s Board of Directors meets on Sept 18, 2019. Full Statement: The American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka urges the Govt of Sri Lanka to consider approving the MCC Compact. more..

Sep 3 (AD) President Maithripala Sirisena says that PM Ranil Wickremesinghe is the first respondent for preventing Provincial Council elections from being held. President stated this addressing the convention held for the 68th-anniversary celebrations of the SLFP. Speaking at the event, President stated that the respondents of the Bond Scam must immediately resign from politics in SL and that more information more..

Sep 3 (CT) The country's foreign reserves were poorer by US$ 1,168.45 million on a gross basis last month (Aug), due to a combination of Govt of SL foreign debt servicing costs and/or due to Central Bank protection of the Rupee against depreciative pressure, led by foreign exits from the Treasury Bond market and/or CB downsising its swap liabilities with foreign Central Banks. Meanwhile, in July, the country's net foreign reserves, over its June figure, were poorer by US$ 521.08 million more..

Sep 3 (AD) An Extraordinary Gazette notification has been issued confirming that the election for the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha will take place on October 11, 2019. The gazette has been issued by the Returning Officer of Galle District, Somarathna Vidhanapathirana. The notice amends the date of poll of the Elpitiya PS fixed for 10.02.2018 by notice published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2051/3 of 26.12.2017 under Section 38(1) of the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance (Chap 262) more..

Sep 3 (RN) The SLFP will once again prove to be a decisive force in SL’s political future and will soon become the biggest party in the country, SLFP Vice President Mahinda Amaraweera said. Speaking at the 68th annual SLFP convention in Colombo this afternoon, Amaraweera said the SLFP is the party of the underprivileged and will continue to represent all peoples. “The SLFP has ruled this country for the past 20 years. more..

Sep 3 (AD) The COPE has instructed Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to suspend operations of Cricket Aid until the AG submits an audit report within two months. The officials of the cricket governing body in the country were called before the committee, which convened today chaired by MP Sunil Handunnetti. COPE is investigating allegations levelled against SLC officials on transferring money to foreign accounts, maintaining 15 Cricket Aid accounts and irregularities in the contract of former Coach more..

Sep 3 (DM) The govt’s decision to release a huge amount of dollars to artificially stabilise the rupee value will result in grave financial repercussions, Opposition MP Bandula Gunawardena said today. He told a news conference that for this purpose the govt had released US$75 million since Aug 20. The MP said one of the main reasons to the devaluation of the rupee was that of foreign investors pulling out their investments from bonds because of the lack of trust in fiscal policies. more..

Sep 3 (AD) State Intelligence Service has submitted 97 intelligence reports on National Thowheed Jama’ath leader Zahran Hashim to the IGP and the former Defence Secretary, from 2016 to April 21 this year, Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) told the Supreme Court. President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayewardene stated this speaking on behalf of the BASL today. Twelve Fundamental Rights petitions filed against former Defence Secretary more..

Sep 4 (CT) In recent months, there has been a lot of attention paid by sections of the Sri Lankan community at home and abroad in regard to alternative political groups that are critical of established political parties and their activities since independence. Mr. Nagananda Kodithuwakku supported by Vinivida Foundation has been making a critique of the existing legislature, judiciary and the executive along with the main parties such as the UNP, SLFP and Podu Jana Peramuna. more..

Sep 4 (CT) When the govt was elected in 2015 there was heady anticipation of large inflows of economic resources from Western countries into SL that would boost economic growth and bring prosperity to the general population. This expectation was strengthened by the govt’s positive response to international pressures to improve the human rights situation within the country. The previous govt had confronted the int'l community led by Western countries to its detriment on these issues. more..

Sep 4 (CT) For Sri Lankans, the opening of a hospital, no matter whether it belongs to the State or the private sector, is something to celebrate because although they are benefited with 'free health' facilities, lack of resources and congestion in State hospitals force them to go through many hardships. However, that happiness did not last long when it comes to the Dr Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital (NFTH). more..

Sep 4 (DN) Professor Carlo Fonseka ushered in an episode rare in its own right. He always stood for what he thought was just. Not merely a physician cum academic, Fonseka established his turf far beyond the general boundaries as a political activist, rationalist, creative artiste and many more roles. His academic prowess was a remarkable factor, yet his wit fused with wisdom generously applied in writing as well as orations was significant. The Daily News got in touch with three renowned academics more..

Sep 4 (DN) Measures will be taken in the future to announce the names of all schools where dengue-breeding sites are identified. Naming and shaming is an effective way to encourage all citizens to keep their premises free from dengue mosquito breeding sites, Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe said. Health Ministry will take stern action against all dengue breeders in order to save human lives. “In the future, the Health Ministry will announce the names of the institutions with more..

Sep 4 (TM) The tragedy that occurred at the Ella Rock region gave much-needed attention to an annually occurring scenario. The timing of the tragedy, which was parallel to the wildfires in the Amazon Rainforest, also drew attention, especially of the international community. The cause of the recent fires still remains a mystery. The Dept of Wildlife Conservation stated that the fire erupted from an uninhabited area. more..

Sep 4 (SO) The major leftist political party in SL, JVP has announced that its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake would be contesting the next Prez election. That makes the JVP only the second major political party to announce its Prez candidate, after the SLPP - and that too, at a time when the traditional rivals, UNP and SLFP are struggling to get their acts together. JVP’s decision to contest the polls is most welcome. It has come a long way since it was first outlawed in the aftermath of more..

Sep 4 (SO) We Anglicans belong to a brotherhood of independent national churches where the Archbishop of Canterbury is primus inter pares – the first among equals – among the Archbishops of the national Anglican Churches. Formally he is The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury. Upon arrival the Archbishop was greeted at BIA by church elders and govt leaders such as Minister John Amaratunge. It was with great excitement that we welcomed more..