Oct 29 (SLA) A six-member high-level delegation of the Nigerian Army, anxious to learn more about comprehensive training modules of the Special Forces (SF) of the SL Army is currently in Sri Lanka on a 5-day long visit. The delegation, led by Major General G Oyefesobi, Director Administration, Nigerian Army includes Brigadier General G.K Nwosu, Brigadier General C.A.A Apere, Colonel T.P Opurum, Lt Colonel S.S Muhammed and Commodore E.O Ferreira, Defence Adviser to more..

Oct 29 (AD) Former head of FCID Retired Senior DIG Ravi Waidyalankara today issued a statement in response to the recent media reports on allegations of financial fraud and money laundering directed at him and his family. He claims that there had been recent negative media publications by print & electronic media, subsequent to his revelation on hazardous conditions he faced during his tenure in office. more..

Oct 29 (Island) Retired Senior Police Officer’s Association (RSPOA) has condemned the govt for treating an incumbent IGP as a common criminal in public in handcuffs. RSPOA has said: "Going by the Parliamentary Select Committee report it is abundantly clear that, apart from the IGP, several officers wielding greater powers and control than the IGP, have to share the blame. To have made the IGP a scapegoat deserves immeasurable condemnation. But for him to be publicly humiliated is more..

Oct 29 (TM) SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa today said SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa was ready to face a debate with New Democratic Front (NDF) candidate Sajith Premadasa, provided Premadasa unveils his manifesto first. Namal Rajapaksa taking to his twitter handle further said once Premadasa’s manifesto is unveiled, there would be substance for the debate. However, he said if the opposition camp insisted on the dabate, he(Namal) was ready to face Premadasa. more..

Oct 29 (AD) The Election Commission says that a gazette notification will be issued tonight extending the time period granted for voters to cast their votes at the Prez Election by one hour. Accordingly the voting time has been extended from 9 hours to 10 hours and the public will now be able to vote between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Prez Election this year. Voting was originally scheduled to end at 4.00 p.m. more..

Oct 29 (RN) The formalities over the leasing of the land where the Colombo Port city is being built to the CHEC Colombo Port City Ltd., took place before President Maithripala Sirisena today the Presidential Secretariat announced. In a statement, Sirisena said when he took office there were issues over Sri Lanka’s sovereignty that were raised because the former govt of Prez Rajapaksa had agreed to give the Chinese company a freehold over the land that was reclaimed to build the Port City. more..

Oct 29 (RN) Non-Cabinet Minister Ajith P. Perera charged today that the Rajapaksa-led SLPP plans to stay in power forever by purging their opponents after somehow winning the upcoming prez election. Minister said that under the present Govt, no public servant was ill-treated as a result of political influence. “Public servants clearly remember how certain members of the previous govt made school principals kneel before them. One Minister even tied a Samurdhi officer to a tree. more..

Oct 29 (RN) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said that all mega projects which were launched by the current govet would proceed under an administration headed by NDF prez candidate Sajith Premadasa. Addressing a forum organised by Nursing Professionals for a New SL, PM said people needed to decide whether they wanted the mega-development projects planned by the present regime to be implemented. more..

Oct 29 (AD) The Election Commission says it has received complaints regarding the display of stickers, flags depicting slogans, signs, photographs, promoting a candidate or party on private vehicles including private buses and three wheelers in contravention of election laws following the declaration of the Prez Election. “Any such act is an offence under Section 74 of the Prez Elections Act, No.15 of 1981, and therefore action should be taken forthwith to remove stickers more..

Oct 29 (AD) Two children have died while their mother survived her murder-suicide attempt. The woman named Kanthaiyya Urvasi from Nedunkerny in Vavuniya has jumped into a well along with her two kids. The deceased kids were identified as a three-year-old girl named Udayakumar Sandrasa and a two-year-old boy named Udayakumar Savendran. The remains of the kids are placed at the Vavuniya Hospital and their mother is receiving treatment at the same hospital. more..

Oct 29 (DM) The Litro Gas Lanka Ltd today said there is an understandable shortage of LP gas in the market in the aftermath of the Saudi Aramco Drone attack but assured that it would continue to supply gas to the consumers. In a statement, it said the current status of the LPG shortage could be attributed to a number of convolving factors. “First of all, in September there was a drop in LPG demand while more..

Oct 29 (NR) The US welcomes the recent Cabinet decision to approve the Millennium Challenge Corporation grant of $480 million to Sri Lanka. The grant includes investments to reduce traffic congestion in Colombo, modernize bus service, and upgrade interprovincial roads in the center of the country. It also includes support for historically under-resourced Govt of SL initiatives to improve land administration. SL will retain oversight and control of all aspects of proposed projects. more..

Oct 29 (CT) The breakaway faction of JHU, at a media briefing in Minuwangoda on 27 Oct, said it will back SLPP Prez candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa. "We cannot express support when Minister Champika Ranwaka is attempting to drag the country to destruction in collaboration with the Govt, JHU breakaway faction representative Nimal Sandaruwan said, adding that since the public has lost the opportunity to breathe freely following the 21 April incident, a decision has been taken to more..

Oct 29 (DM) SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara today questioned the rationale behind the NDF releasing its manifesto after the start of postal voting and said it was an indication that the NDF had neglected 1.5 million public servants. He said this was the first time that a major political party in Sri Lanka had failed to do so and that he hoped Prez Sirisena would be on Gotabaya Rajapaksa's stage at least at the last moment. more..

Oct 29 (AD) Executive Director of PAFFREL organization Rohana Hettiarachchi says that 14 incidents of election violence have been reported so far. Speaking at a press conference in Colombo today (28), he said over 100 international observers are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka for the prez election. Meanwhile, the Truth Seekers Organization today visited the Elections Commission and lodged two complaints of election violations. A group of residents of Maligawatte Railway Housing more..

Oct 29 (CT) Commissioner General of Dept of Motor Traffic (DMT), Jagath Chandrasiri, has suspended the one-day service for issuing vehicle registration certificates. He said they had to suspend this service due to certain confidential investigations. "We have temporarily stopped providing the service for the vehicles under category numbers 64, 65, 32, GA-GZ, HA-HZ and JA-JZ," he said. "I have also informed the Dept to temporarily stop the one-day service of issuing vehicle registration more..

Oct 29 (DM) NDF prez candidate Sajith Premadasa has pledged to provide sanitary hygiene products free of charge to young girls until cost-effective alternatives are found to resolve the issue of the social stigma they suffer. “If we are serious about women's betterment, this is a basic place to begin. More than half of adolescent girls in SL miss school when on their period according to UNICEF which had said it has an impact on more..

Oct 29 (NR) Leader of the Opposition MP Mahinda Rajapaksa says the people have no faith in the present govt. Speaking at a rally the Opposition leader said the actions of the govt have severely affected the country’s economy. The MP noted that the prices of all goods has increased adding that the govt achieved nothing during the past four years apart from selling off resources that was constructed during previous UPFA govt’s tenure. MP Rajapaksa claimed a win was certain for the SLPP. more..

Oct 29 (CT) Former Northern Provincial Councillor, M.K. Sivajilingam, claimed the TNA will definitely support NDF Prez candidate, Minister Sajith Premadasa, ahead of the Prez Poll. He said that talks between the TNA and Premadasa were currently taking place, and asserted that he will vouch for the soon-to-be extended backing for Premadasa by the TNA. Sivajilingam stressed that whatever stance taken by other MPs of the TNA, its Leader R. Sampanthan and more..

Oct 29 (TM) The Cabinet today approved the $ 480 Million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant. The MCC proposal was put-forth by Minister Mangala Samaraweera. Since the MCC agreement was placed before Cabinet in April, Prez Sirisena has refused to endorse its signing, pointing out that it had to be studied before it was finalized, as opposing views have been expressed on the matter. In August, Sirisena told the Cabinet more..

Oct 30 (DN) Driving along Marine Drive, especially on a wet rainy day, is a depressing experience. It was early last Sunday evening; the rain swayed wildly to the strong gusts from a restless sea, visibility was dangerously low, motorcyclists and Tuk-Tuks zig-zagged recklessly; adding to the misery, not a single street light was on along the entire stretch from Kollupitiya to Bambalapitiya! Once touted as a Colombo showpiece, the Marine Drive has become yet another testament to more..

Oct 30 (CT) This has been among the most promising elections if the number of election promises that have been made are counted. Prez candidates seem to be determined to outdo the other when it comes to the promises they make in their election manifestos. If one promises free fertiliser for paddy production another will promise it free for all agricultural production; if one offers a salary hike to the working class, the other promises more. more..

Oct 30 (CT) Minister Gayantha Karunatileka, says he told PM Ranil Wickremesinghe to give him a ministry where he can give out jobs, when ministries are being allocated in the next govt. Q: Political critics say during 2001-2019 the UNP foundation of votes at Elpitiya were eroded. As the Chief Organiser of Bentara-Elpitiya, you have a responsibility here too, don't you? A: This was the election of this village. more..

Oct 30 (SO) This is a tale of two politicians, Kumara Welgama and Wasantha Senanayake. What do these worthy individuals have in common? They have both been ministers. Other than that, Welgama, SLFP stalwart for decades, has declared he would not support the presidential candidacy of Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Senanayake, with strong family ties to the UNP, announced he would not support Sajith Premadasa. We have been hearing about Welgama’s dissent for some time. more..

Oct 30 (SO) The Parliamentary Select Committee report on the Easter Attacks reads like a conspiracy theory. A lead investigator is on the trail of a terrorist, but there’s something bigger going on, and it goes all the way up. The investigation is shut down. The investigator is arrested. As he rots in jail, further reports are buried. The terrorist gets close to his goal, with seeming protection from the very top. Then the bombs go off, and an anti-terrorism candidate starts his own run for Presidency. more..

Oct 30 (TM) Concerns have now been raised over the uncontrolled, illegal hotel constructions mushrooming in Ella – the most popular tourist destination this year – with more than 700 hotels yet to be registered with SLTDA. Ella Hotel Association (EHA) President Malith De Silva said that only around 20 hotels were operating in Ella several years ago, before it was transformed into a more prominent tourist destination. more..

Oct 30 (DN) These days we hear of the attractively presented promises of development from election platforms. They are made to certain communities and also to the whole country. Whether they are plans realizable and sincerely made is another matter. There are many central issues that have been long neglected by all political parties. Candidates may have no clear vision as to what needs or could be done. In one way or another, directly or indirectly political decisions affect more..

Oct 30 (Island) Zillions of millipedes are said to have invaded some villages in the North Central Province much to the annoyance of hundreds of people who are crying out for help, but in vain. This problem is thankfully confined to only a few areas and looks manageable, but unlike those harmless creatures, political leeches have become a huge problem to the entire country. There are about 8,000 local govt members, and number of Provincial Councillors will double if electoral reforms are implemented. more..

Oct 30 (CT) The Parliamentary Select Committee that investigated the Easter Sunday attacks submitted its report to the parliament on Oct 26, 2019. This report is important from a number of angles. Obtaining evidence from 55 persons (mostly members of the security establishment, politicians and Muslim community leaders) over the period from May to Oct 2019, it provided the first ever official account of the brutal Easter Sunday attacks targeting Christian churches at the time of more..

Oct 30 (Island) Palaly was always the centre of all security operations in the Jaffna peninsula till the military brought the Jaffna, electoral district under its control, in early 1996. Both the SLAF Palaly and the Security Forces hq, Jaffna, were located within the Palaly High Security area. Expansion of Palaly base began in the aftermath of LTTE resuming hostilities in June 1990. Legendary ground commander Vijaya Wimalaratne had been among those who functioned as the SF Commander, Jaffna. more..

Oct 30 (CI) Sri Lanka are likely to become the first team to resume Tests in Pakistan, in December. This time, they appear prepared to send what will be very close to a full-strength team. Two SLC officials described progress on the tour as very positive. Board CEO Ashley de Silva also said that players - even the seniors who had pulled out of the recent limited-overs tour - have consented to touring, following internal discussions. more..

Oct 30 (ST) Advantis Engineering, an industry leader in rapid, innovative, bespoke space solutions which are a step ahead of its time, utilised its technical expertise in large scale modular construction to facilitate the design, fabrication and assembly of critical infrastructure facilities at the Jaffna International Airport (JIA) in Palaly, including the airport terminal, air traffic control observation tower and the fire and emergency response complex. Consisting of converted containers more..

Oct 30 (CI) Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has been banned by the ICC for two years, with one year suspended, for failing to report multiple approaches made to him by a bookie. Under the provisions of the ICC Code, Shakib chose to admit the charges and agreed to the sanction with the ICC in lieu of an Anti-Corruption Tribunal hearing. Subject to him satisfying the conditions in respect of the suspended part of the sanction, he will be free to resume international cricket on Oct 29, 2020. more..

Oct 30 (DM) The imported new S14 Chinese Power Set named Denuwara Menike would be operating between Badulla and Colombo Fort from November 1 for use in the upcountry railway service. The train consists of two AC compartments, two-second class compartments and three third-class compartments including a buffet car. Denuwara Menike train leaves from Colombo Fort from Nov 1 at 6.45 a.m and more..

Oct 30 (FT) The excessive delay in the release of the 2018 Annual Report of the SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the apex body of the country’s tourism sector, has stirred frustration among many within the industry. These stakeholders pointed out that the annual report of the SLTDA was supposed to be released by the end of April following the collection of additional data from the CB Annual Report, although according to the law it is to be presented at the end of each fiscal year. more..

Oct 30 (CI) An upbeat Sri Lanka went to Australia threatening to continue their outstanding Pakistan form, but like a skyrocket that veers off and flies through the neighbour's open window, they only managed to wreak the most alarming - though spectacular - type of damage. It is difficult to imagine how the Adelaide match could have gone any worse. Kasun Rajitha's record 0 for 75 made headlines, but the spinners also went at more than 10 an over, and Lasith Malinga went wicketless. more..

Oct 30 (ST) The quality of cricket being played at the domestic level in Sri Lanka has been a major talking point for a prolonged period of time. However despite calls for urgent revamp of the domestic cricket structure to make it on par with the standard required at the highest level of the game, the officials have done too little make the change required. Sri Lanka has 24 first class teams–the highest in the world at present– more..

Oct 30 (DN) Indian Women emerged champions of the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup tournament when they defeated Sri Lanka Women by 14 runs under the D/L system in the final played at the R Premadasa Stadium yesterday. Sri Lanka Women missed a golden opportunity of turning tables on the strong Indian side when they had them reeling at 90 for seven in 31 overs after India had won the toss and decided to take first strike. However a fine rearguard action from Tanushree Sarkara more..

Oct 30 (CT) Though there is an increase in the number of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka month on month basis after the Easter Sunday attacks, the Japanese market still seems to be unsteady and growing in a sluggish manner, a leading tour operator said. One of the biggest Japanese tour operators in Sri Lanka, Karusan Travels (PVT) Ltd, CEO M.D. Karunawansa said that they had a very bad time with sales after the Easter bombings in the country until very recent. more..