Nov 30 (AD) The Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar today (30) heard the case against former President’s Chief of Staff Gamini Senarath and three others for allegedly misappropriating Rs 500 million in funds belong to Litro Gas. The case was taken up before the Special High Court 3-judge bench consisting of Justices Sampath Abeykoon, Sampath Wijeratne and Champa Rajaratne. Accordingly, court recorded witness more..

Nov 30 (FT) Forget geopolitics and its undercurrents as Sri Lanka yesterday saw the launch of India’s number one selling smartphone brand, China’s Xiaomi, which has risen to become the world’s fourth largest brand in seven years for its philosophy of innovation for everyone. The entry, seemingly aggressive with six superior quality yet affordable models launched, was via Xiaomi India and follows its foray into Bangladesh and Nepal a few months earlier. more..

Nov 30 (PSL) The Paddy Marketing board has officially started introducing the rice made under PMB brand to the market presenting the first packet of rice to President Maithripala Sirisena at President’s office today (29). Paddy Marketing Board buys paddy for a certified price in order to ensure a good price to the farmers. The purchasing is handled by 220 PMD stores in 19 districts. The Program was conducted under the guidance of Minister of agriculture, Mahinda Amaraweera more..

Nov 30 (CI) According to the new chief selector Ashantha de Mel, Sri Lanka are hoping to give some of their out-of-favour batsmen a chance by announcing an extended 17-member touring squad for the upcoming two-Test series in New Zealand. "One of the reasons for extending the touring squad to 17 players was so that we could include the likes of [Sadeera] Samarawickrama and [Lahiru] Thirimanne," de Mel said. more..

Nov 30 (Island) Govt of Japan has announced the conferment of The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays upon Late Punchi Banda Munasinghe, in recognition of his significant contribution to the promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and SL. Munasinghe, who was an active and reliable Administration Director at the Institute of Chartered Accounts of SL, had dedicated himself to establishing the Japanese Graduates Alumni Association of SL more..

Nov 30 (AD) The petition filed with the Court of Appeal seeking an injunction order preventing the incumbent President of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Thilanga Sumathipala from contesting the election for the Presidency of SLC has been postponed until 3rd Dec. The petition has been submitted by former SLC Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga, who is also contesting for the Presidency this year. Although the petition was to be taken up before the two-member judge bench consisting Court of Appeal more..

Nov 30 (Island) Minister M.L.A.M. Hisbullah lamented that the country only utilised 40% of the water it received from annual rains and the bulk 60% was lost to the sea as run off. He made the observation while speaking as the Chief Guest at the Int'l Conference on Water Protection through Rain Water Collection jointly organized by the SL Forum of Rain Water Collectors and the Ministry of City Planning and Water Supply more..

Nov 30 (AD) President Maithripala Sirisena is scheduled to hold a discussion with the MPs of the TNA later today at the Presidential Secretariat, with regard to reaching a solution to the present political crisis in Sri Lanka. Leader of the Opposition R. Smapanthan is also expected to participate in the meeting. Meanwhile the President is also expected to meet with the leaders of the United National Front (UNF) for a discussion following the meeting with the TNA MPs. more..

Nov 30 (AD) The case filed against MP Namal Rajapaksa and five others, for allegedly purchasing stocks using ill-gotten funds amounting to Rs 30 million, has been postponed to the 3rd of April 2019. The case was heard before the Colombo High Court Judge Pradeep Hettiarachchi today. The junior attorneys sought the postponement of the hearing as the senior defense attorneys of the case are slated to represent another case taken up before the Court of Appeal. more..

Nov 30 (DM) Minister S.B. Dissanayake said yesterday there would not be any change of govt and PM Mahinda Rajapaksa would continue in his post. He said that the PM would not be replaced. "There are no vacancies for a PM or ministers in the govt. No other person will be appointed to that post. This govt will continue," he said. He said Speaker could not play around with a govt appointed by the President and more..