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Two premiers discuss gamut of issues; New Delhi keen to secure ECT deal Indian PM expresses concern over lack of progress in implementing Indian projects NEW DELHI, October 20 – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday called upon Sri Lanka to continue the ongoing discussions on all pledges given to his country. It is learnt [...]
Pussy cat, pussy cat, they’re coming for you!
Colombo City is experiencing a feline problem, with requests to the Colombo Municipal Council from the Presidential Secretariat and the National Hospital for assistance to deal with the growing cat population. The CMC’s Chief Veterinary Surgeon Dr Vipula Dharmawardena said they had a written request from the President’s Office this week, asking that measures be [...]
State bank boards remain in office; more talks soon
The Public Enterprise Ministry this week said that the chairmen and directors of the two state banks would remain in office until the President’s memo seeking the reconstitution of the boards was further discussed with the President and the Prime Minister. The chairmen and boards of directors of the Bank of Ceylon and People’s Bank [...]
Army withdraws peacekeeping team’s chief from Mali
The Sri Lanka Army will comply with a United Nations request to withdraw the Commanding Officer of its peacekeeping contingent in Mali but will appeal the decision and, if the Lieutenant Colonel is cleared of charges, seek his reinstatement, Military Spokesman Sumith Atapattu said. The UN on Friday requested the Sri Lanka Government to immediately [...]
SLFP-UNP coalition at flashpoint
With badly strained relations between the coalition partners — the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United National Party (UNP),– reaching a flashpoint, the next move by President Maithripala Sirisena has become the focal point of attention in political circles. His immediate priority, according to sources close to the presidency, is to replace Prime [...]
Submachine gun found in SLFPer’s house smuggled from Dubai
The MP-5K found in Mawanella SLFP Organiser Imtiaz Cader Mohamed’s home was allegedly smuggled into the country from Dubai, concealed in a TV set , a senior police source told the Sunday Times. The smuggled MP-5K is said to have cost the accused Rs 600,000. Mr Mohamed was arrested Thursday morning, by the Special Task [...]
FR, DS remembered
The 136th and 134th birth commemorations of F.R. Senanayake and D.S. Senanayake were held yesterday at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute. A biography of F.R. Senanayake was also launched at the event. The book was named ‘F.R. Senenayake: Illustrious Son of Sri Lanka’. Its Sinhala translation was also launched. The book was authored by Rukman [...]
Siri Ranasinghe heads Editors’ Guild
Editorial Director of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd and Chief Editor, Lankadeepa, Siri Ranasinghe, was elected President of the Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka, at the AGM of The Guild held at The Sri Lanka Press Institute recently. Meanwhile, founding members Manik De Silva (The Sunday Island) and Sinha Ratnatunga (the Sunday Times) were appointed to the [...]
Counter Terrorism Bill challenged in SC
Seven petitions challenging the constitutionality of the proposed Counter Terrorism (CT) Bill were taken up by the Supreme Court on Friday, with Counsel, including from the Attorney General’s (AG) Dept, making oral submissions. The proposed Bill was tabled in Parliament on October 9 and, if passed, it would repeal the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) [...]
UN sanctions: New regulations for financial institutions
The Central Bank’s Financial Intelligence Unit has updated its Customer Due Diligence Rules for financial institutions making it mandatory that they comply with United Nations Security Council Resolutions on targeted financial sanctions against countries such as North Korea and Iran. The sanctions are in relation to terrorism, terrorist financing, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction [...]
AG’s Dept yet to decide on appeal against Johnston Fernando’s acquittal
The Attorney General’s (AG) Dept has so far not taken a decision on whether to appeal the acquittal of former Minister Johnston Fernando and two others, in the case involving the misappropriation of Rs 52.02 million of Lanka Sathosa funds, the AG’s Dept sources told the Sunday Times. Sources further said the AG’s Dept had [...]
More import controls on the cards to safeguard rupee
The Government by Tuesday will submit another list of non-essential and luxury items to control imports and prevent the further depreciation of the rupee.Chief Economist and National Economic Council Secretary General Lalith Samarakoon told the Sunday Times that three teams from the Finance Ministry, the Central Bank and the Customs were asked to compile the [...]
Megapolis Minister promotes Lanka in London, says country will become maritime hub
In two separate presentations to potential investors and the Sri Lankan community in the UK, Megapolis Minister Champika Ranawaka spelt out the distinct advantages Sri Lanka’s strategic infrastructure development will provide investors, as the global emphasis shifts to the Indian Ocean this century. With Britain’s position in the world uncertain, as it grapples with the [...]
Project allocations available in full prior to commencment
In future, allocations for construction projects will need to be made available in full, ahead of commencement of the work, the Cabinet has decided. The proposal aimed at reducing issues in the construction industry and delays in projects, will be put into place as soon as a 5-member Cabinet appointed Committee finalises the mechanism to [...]
Dengue prevention: Three-day conference with a difference
Dengue prevention through drones is just one aspect that will make a three-day conference organised by the College of Medical Administrators of Sri Lanka from October 24-26 in Colombo different. There will be much more – a light bulb that may kill influenza viruses; rice fortification with zinc; value addition for graphite; more drones to [...]
Charges dropped against Lankan, no apologies from Aussie police
Police say they won’t apologise after dropping terror charges against Mohamed Kamer Nizamdeen, a university student who was accused of an assassination plot targeting Australian politicians. Nizamdeen, a 25-year-old PhD student, was arrested in August and accused of plotting Islamic State-inspired lone-wolf attacks targeting the Opera House, other notable landmarks, and the former prime minister [...]
Vasantha says he is ‘disillusioned’ with the state of affairs
Foreign Affairs State Minister Vasantha Senanayake said yesterday that he was “disillusioned” with the present state of affairs in the country, though he did not believe the Yahapalanaya Government to be a failure. Addressing a media briefing convened to announce his proposal for a 21st Amendment to the Constitution, he said he did not see [...]
Alternatives examined after landslide sweeps away road section
Geologists are considering either building a bridge or a diversionary road in Norwood area after a landslide swept away a part of the road between Hatton and Maskeliya, along with some homes. The National Building Research Organisation, geologist, Samantha Bogahapitiya told the Sunday Times that the investigation is still in its initial stages and borehole [...]
SriLankan GSA in Russia operated thro’ Lankan embassy: Witness
When SriLankan Airlines decided on a General Sales Agent (GSA) in Russia in 2011, the then Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga interfered in the process by introducing an unregistered company which had business affiliations with him, and all the business transactions were processed through the Lankan Embassy in Moscow, it was revealed at [...]
Mangala’s oil pricing formula does not hold water, say critics
The Government’s decision to make its fuel pricing formula public this week has failed to avert criticism over its authenticity amid questions over why it was not made public earlier. Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, who had earlier told the media that even he could not fully comprehend the fuel pricing formula, showed the media what [...]
Prosecution insists Tiran’s lawyers cease postponing case sans justifiable reasons
The Attorney General’s (AG) Dept this week insisted that the Defence Counsel representing former MP Tiran Alles and the other accused in the case of misappropriation of funds at the Reconstruction & Development Agency (RADA), should cease postponing the case without justifiable reasons. Mr Alles and three others are charged with criminal misappropriation of Rs [...]
Alternatives examined after landslide sweeps away road section
Geologists are considering either building a bridge or a diversionary road in Norwood area after a landslide swept away a part of the road between Hatton and Maskeliya, along with some homes. The National Building Research Organisation, geologist, Samantha Bogahapitiya told the Sunday Times that the investigation is still in its initial stages and borehole [...]
Let’s add ‘life’ to the years of the elderly
Are we, as a country and a people, ready? This is the crucial question being posed in the light of a rapidly ageing population, by the President of the Sri Lanka Association of Geriatric Medicine (SLAGM), Dr. Padma S. Gunaratne. She is turning a strong focus on ‘The ticking time bomb of ageing Sri Lanka’ [...]
Explosion of noise is slowly killing us
Laws governing noise pollution have largely not been updated for 22 years although industrialisation has driven noise levels to a pitch that is making humans and animals ill and phobic. Escalating sound pollution is causing widespread intense frustration along with dire warnings from medical professionals of short and long-term damage to health. The biggest population [...]
No drugs please: Police keep an eye on Facebook parties
Police are becoming extra vigilant over so-called “Facebook parties” following complaints of illicit drug use by party-goers. On more than six occasions so far this year, police have stormed parties organised via Facebook following tip-offs that drugs were used by revellers. Several people have also been arrested on charges of possessing illegal drugs. The latest [...]
Freedom to choose when, who and how they marry
Rifana was 14 years when she was given in marriage; she is 23 now, with three children to provide for following her husband’s desertion, and is battling to obtain maintenance from her spouse through the discriminatory Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA). “It has been one year since he left me, and he has been [...]
NMRA responds to story on withdrawal of essential drugs
In response to The Sunday Times Page 1 story last week on the possible withdrawal of essential drugs, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority has issued the following statement: The title of the article ‘Many essential drugs being withdrawn from Sri Lank (14 October issue) itself is misleading. It appears the writer aimed to sensationalise a [...]
In the best interest of patients, we give all sides of the story
The Sunday Times replies; Requests by the Sunday Times for one-on-one interviews with the Health Minister and the Chairperson of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) failed to elicit a response from either. In the rebuttal by the NMRA team, however, it is claimed that the article is based on information purportedly obtained from “unnamed [...]
Buddhist Business Forum: Speakers stress importance of revisiting Buddhist teachings
In the ever-changing globalised setting, the need to practice and propagate the teachings of Lord Buddha in every domain of society is unprecedented, and the world of business is no exception, Speaker, Karu Jayasuriya said on Tuesday. He was speaking at the Buddhist Business Forum 2018 which was held at the BMICH. The forum held [...]
Victims and Witnesses Authority carries out duties in spite of hurdles
Sri Lanka’s victim and witness protection mechanism has granted safety to six persons since 2016 but lacks a functioning ‘protection directorate’, cannot hire investigation or protection officers for want of space and needs more monies for a fund it created to pay compensation to victims. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) has granted the National Authority [...]
Sampanthan reflects on the ‘great mistake’ of the Tamil people
Preoccupied as the country is, with the daily unfolding sensationalism that takes centre stage in our media, one of the most significant pronouncements made by a politician in recent times, has escaped attention. Leader of the Opposition and TNA Leader R. Sampanthan speaking in Parliament on October 12, during the adjournment debate to commemorate Mahatma [...]
Pick of the Pix
Pix by M.D.Nissanka, M.A.Pushpa Kumara, Shelton Hettiarachchi, Hiran Priyankara and Jayarathna Wickramarachchi
Lawyers, scholars call for immediate release of B’desh journalist
More than 50 lawyers, academics and scholars from various universities across 10 countries have signed a petition addressed to Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazad, demanding the immediate release of jailed photojournalist Dr. Shahidul Alam. The petitioners strongly condemned the detention of Dr. Shahidul Alam, Managing Director of the Drik picture library, since August 5, [...]
Sri Lanka’s first Palliative Care Hospital to come up in Anuradhapura
A two-acre property in Anuradhapura will be the location of Sri Lanka’s first Palliative Care Hospital which will be completed by end 2019 as a collaboration between the Health Ministry and Shanthi Foundation, a registered charity. The MoU was signed between the parties in August last year and Cabinet approval was given this week for [...]
PCASL marks World Hospice and Palliative Care Day
The World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2018, under the title, ‘Palliative care – because I matter’ was held by the Palliative Care Association of Sri Lanka (PCASL) on Saturday, October 13, at the Dr. Prathap C. Reddy Auditorium of Lanka Hospitals in Colombo. The annual Mallika Rani Khoja oration titled ‘melodies for maladies that [...]
Defence Counsel calls for acquittal of accused sans defence
Defence Counsel for UPFA Ratnapura District MP Premalal Jayasekera, alias ‘Choka Malli’, and 6 others indicted for the murder of one person and causing grievous injury to two others, have called to acquit the accused without stating their defence. The Prosecution closed its case earlier. The Defence Counsel said they would make submission on this, [...]
Local orange growers complain over lack of markets
Maha Andarawewa in the Navagaththegama Divisional Secretariat, of the Puttalam District is home to 100 orange orchard owning families, with over a hundred acres of land presently under orange cultivation. Dingiri Banda an orange cultivator and seller says conditions in the village are ideal for orange cultivation and the harvest is bountiful. Unfortunately, he lamented, [...]
Cases of encroachment in reservation lands slows down: FCD
The Forest Conservation Department (FCD) said nearly five acres of the proposed forest conservation lands reserved under the government’s forest conservation plans in the Ratnapura District had been cleared this year. According to the Department, reports of a land exceeding half an acre in extent government reservations in the Ratnapura Distrct and about 1.5 acres [...]
The heartless and our elders
1st October is the date set apart to honour and celebrate elders the world over. Unfortunately while politicians marked the day with official ceremonies, on the streets of our country another tragedy is playing out. Elderly persons –somebody’s parents- are being abandoned on the street opposite the Fort Railway Station. According to the authorities, an [...]