Aug 13 (DM) Imported Japanese vehicle prices would increase due to Japanese Yen and US Dollar appreciating against the Rupee, Vehicle Importers Association of SL (VIASL) Chairman Ranjan Peiris said. The exchange rate of Japanese Yen had increased from 1.62 to 1.70 in comparison to SL Rupee. As a result, the price of vehicles imported from Japan would be increased in range of Rs 50,000 to 500,000. more..

Aug 13 (FT) Tourism Development Ministry has decided to re-tender the global promotion campaign following a discussion with PM Wickremesinghe last week along with officials of the Attorney General’s Department. Accordingly, the crucial short-term global marketing and public relations campaign to revive Sri Lanka’s image will now go for a fresh and proper tender process. If the new initiative takes a longer time than is anticipated, the two-month PR campaign is likely to be dropped, more..

Aug 13 (DN) Former National Badminton Champion Chandrika de Silva excelled at the World Senior Badminton championships held in Poland on Sunday when she bagged the women’s singles silver and women’s doubles bronze medals to bring honour and fame to the country . Chandrika who participated in the over 40 age group was the only medal winner for SL in this competitive tournament in which 29 countries took part. This was Chandrika’s 2nd silver medal in this c'ship more..

Aug 13 (TM) Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka (DCSL), SL’s largest hard liquor manufacturer, and Lion Brewery PLC, the country’s biggest beer supplier, have threatened to close their operations down entirely, if the Govt proceeds with plans to enforce a new sticker requirement from next week. Ministry of Finance and Department of Excise received letters from the companies informing of their intention to shut down operations more..

Aug 13 (TM) Forty-six secondhand wheelchairs that were repaired by high school students here have been delivered by sea to injured victims of the coordinated bombings in April that killed at least 250 people in Colombo. Omori Gakuen High School in Tokyo's Ota Ward has been participating in a volunteer program called Sora Tobu Kurumaisu o Oen Suru Kai (Group that supports wheelchairs that fly in the sky), which repairs wheelchairs no longer being used at welfare facilities and hospitals more..

Aug 13 (DN) Colombo Business Association (CBA) which consists of retail and wholesale merchants and traders of Pettah Market hub is vying for a bigger domain as the organisation plans to ink many Chamber-to-Chamber MoU’s and also to venture into global trade. “Once we link with the Chambers by affiliation, we will go to international affiliations,” President of Colombo Business Association (CBA) Dr. D. Venkateshwara said. He was speaking after the launch of Pettah Fiesta 2019 in Colombo more..

Aug 13 (BBC) Until a few months ago, Mohammed Iliyas, was doing a thriving business in his hardware shop in western Sri Lanka. Now trade has plummeted and his losses are mounting. His shop stocks everything from paint tins to electric bulbs and is one of the better known in and around Kottaramulla village, about 90 km from Colombo. Minority Muslims live among the majority Sinahalese community in this area. more..

Aug 13 (TM) In what can be termed a startling revelation, one of the leading social media admins in SL, the award-winning Facebook administrator Hamza Haniffa of the popular Sinhala-language Fcaebook page titled Bro said in an online interview last week that they influence National team selections and cause sacking of SL skippers as well. In an interview with popular TV presenter Lahiru Mudalige of a web channel named Hari TV, Hanifa reveals the very much unknown more..

Aug 13 (Island) Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has violated the Constitution of the SLFP by taking over the leadership of the SLPP and the Constitution of the country by fielding a US citizen as the party’s presidential candidate, Chairman of the UNP, Minister Kabir Hashim said. Hashim said in a media statement: "Mahinda Rajapaksa was elected to Parliament from the UPFA. He is a member of the SLFP. But he formed the SLPP with his brothers and became its leader on Sunday. more..

Aug 13 (DM) No discussions are to held between Prez Sirisena and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa this week though reported by certain media institutions, SLFP General Secretary, MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said. He said with the SLPP naming Gotabaya Rajapaksa as its presidential candidate, the SLFP would reconsider the rationale of continuing talks with the SLPP aimed at choosing a common candidate. more..

Aug 13 (DN) A European Union delegation comprising of Policy Officer Democracy and Electoral Observation Riccardo Chelleri and Deputy Head,Political, Trade, Communications Section Anne Vaugier Chatterjee and others met TNA Leader R.Sampanthan in Colombo yesterday. Briefing the delegation, Sampanthan highlighted that the people in this country since 1994 have repeatedly voted for the abolition of the Executive Presidency, which has been the verdict of more..

Aug 13 (FT) The SLPP said talks between President Maithripala Sirisena and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, likely to be held in the next two weeks, is crucial to decide the former’s role in a coalition formed between the two parties. MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena said the discussion between Prez Sirisena and Opposition Leader Rajapaksa will be crucial for the future of the relationship between the SLFP and SLPP as discussions might lead to a common role by the parties and its members. more..

Aug 13 (DM) CMC has introduced a set of guidelines to be followed by all the food deliverers, who are on the rise in the city. The officials of the Municipality's Health Dept had drafted the guideline to food deliverers in line with the Food Act under the guidance of Mayor Rosy Senanayake and the instructions of Chief Medical Officer Dr Ruwan Wijayamuni. City Food Safety and Hygiene Promotion Unit, Dr Subash Mendis said more..

Aug 13 (CT) The Veddah Chieftain Uruwarige Wannilaaththo says that the people have requested him to contest the Presidential Election as they are disgusted with the current political situation. He said this during his visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic on 12 August to offer honey to the Relic. "Even I don't like to talk about politics. However it is clear that the people need a different political leadership. If a person wants to serve the people, there is no need to fight with each other. more..

Aug 13 (Xinhua) Over 1,700 houses have been damaged from days of strong winds and heavy rains which lashed out across Sri Lanka since last Thursday, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) said in its latest update here Monday. The DMC said 1,747 houses were partially damaged while 22 houses were fully damaged. The highest number of houses damaged was from the central highlands of Nuwera Eliya district. Over 50 people from the district were also evacuated to safe shelters. more..

Aug 13 (FT) UNP Deputy Leader and Minister Sajith Premadasa was confident of having the people’s support to be a presidential contender promising to focus on inclusive development to bring prosperity to SL. Insisting he was ready to even die for his motherland, Premadasa outlined broad proposals to develop the economy by slashing middle class taxes, supporting Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs), more..

Aug 13 (DM) It is essential for the youth to play a key role in major issues such as poverty alleviation through a more equitable distribution of wealth and resources, the battle against global warming or climate change and disarmament especially the dismantling of nuclear weapons. In Some countries the young people including teenagers are indeed playing major roles. For instance the Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg is giving leadership to the world in the battle against climate change more..

Aug 13 (DM) The Pohottuwa’s inaugural national convention held on Sunday was plain-dealing, so to speak. Ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa took over the leadership of the SLPP and then announced that his younger brother Gotabaya would be the party candidate for the forthcoming presidential election. No one fretted about internal party democracy or the lack of it. None cried wolf over nepotism. Almost every soul in the audience listened religiously as the two brothers spoke. Patriotism oozed. more..

Aug 13 (DM) Non-Cabinet Minister Dr Harsha de Silva, shares his views on the current status of the economy and political situation of his UNP as far as the presidential election is concerned. Dr. de Silva is a proponent of the candidacy for Minister Sajith Premadasa. Q: What is your general assessment of the economic situation? A: I am happy to note the faster-than-expected rebound after the Easter Sunday attacks. more..

Aug 13 (ST) Concern is growing over multiplying deaths caused by private buses charging up and down the country, many allegedly driven by inexperienced men hired cheaply, with drivers forced to meet ruthless profit-driven timetables that ignore basic needs. “When there aren’t two drivers for long-haul runs, sometimes the bus drivers urinate into bottles in their seats because they don’t want to lose time stopping to use more..

Aug 13 (TM) UNP MP and Minister Harin Fernando asserted that Sajith Premadasa was the best UNPer to be nominated as their prez candidate. Q: Should the UNP go for an alliance? A: Of course. I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t form an alliance. As our name says, we are the UNP; we have been able to form successful alliances in the past, brining in different political parties with their unique policies, all united under one banner. more..

Aug 13 (RN) If there is one key takeaway from yesterday’s spectacle at the Sugathadasa Stadium is that, no matter who sits on the throne come January 2020, in the eyes of many, Mahinda Rajapaksa will always be king. It was written in the way he entered the Walauwa-style stage, flanked as he was by traditional dancers and drummers, looking more presidential than ever. It was written in the seat he was in, bigger and more..

Aug 13 (CT) Minister and the Leader of the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Mano Ganesan said that he is not ready to go to the cemetery with the UNP if they do not take a correct decision. He said this while attending to an event held in Deniyaya, Matara. "We don't want to form an alliance by force. There is no connection between the forming of the new alliance and appointing the Presidential candidate. more..

Aug 13 (AD) There is a sense of frustration among the citizens of Sri Lanka as the greater progress has not been made in the areas of good governance and transparency, says Outgoing British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka James Dauris. He stated this joining @HydePark programme on Ada Derana 24, his final interview before bidding farewell to the country. However, the country has made progress in the areas of more..

Aug 13 (DN) Within hours of Opposition Leader and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa taking over as Chairperson of the SLPP, the leadership of the SLFP, which is Rajapaksa’s original political party, was warning of disciplinary action against him, a threat that could result in unseating the former President from Parliament. SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara on Sunday declared that SLFP would take strict disciplinary action more..

Aug 13 (DM) The price formula committee is scheduled to meet this evening for the monthly fuel price revision, the Finance Ministry said. It said the committee was scheduled to meet at the Ministry at 6 p.m. today. This pricing formula would reflect the costs involved in pumping, storage and maintenance, and the taxes levied on crude and refined fuel imports. This new method was introduced on May 11, 2018. more..

Aug 13 (NR) Election Monitoring bodies have drawn attention to initiating a series of programs to encourage voters to mark their second and third preferential vote at the next Prez Election. Executive Director of the Peoples Action for Free and Fair Election, Rohana Hettiarachchi said the Elections Commission had also been informed of the matter. 2nd preferential vote will be taken into account if a candidate is unable to gain over 50% of votes more..

Aug 13 (GDI) Ahead of the national elections scheduled to be held by end of this year, the Election Commission (EC) is reportedly hoping to initiate discussions with representatives of Facebook to work out a mechanism to contain unlawful election propaganda. The EC has shared its views on this matter with the representatives of political parties when they raised concerns about the impact of hate speech, scurrilous & unlawful more..

Aug 13 (FT) “All happy families are alike, but an unhappy family is unhappy after its own fashion” opens Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy’s monumental novel, acclaimed by many literary critics to be the greatest novel ever written. With a masterful grasp of the wrenching historical processes that defined the lives of its characters, Tolstoy’s epic works are set against the widest possible canvas, the mind-boggling immensity of Russia. Of surpassing humanity, to this day his novels are held out more..

Aug 13 (CT) When the SLPP officially appointed former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Leader of the SLPP on Sunday (11), his tones in introducing his brother Gotabaya as the nominee of the SLPP's for the coming Presidential Election were not in any way symptomatic of any great vehemence of purport. Hard fact left unsaid was that the country's once exceedingly exuberant Defence Secretary was being handed a job at which the handling of money, the changing of people's lives, more..

Aug 13 (CT) Prime Minister, Yesterday, in a political speech, you referred to my father, and your close friend, Lasantha Wickrematunge, who was murdered on 8th Jan 2009. Responding to a claim by Gotabaya Rajapaksa that as president, he would create an environment without fear, you asked whether Rajapaksa would apologise for my father’s murder and several other gruesome crimes. Let me put your mind at ease. No. Gotabaya Rajapaksa will never apologise for my father’s murder. more..

Aug 13 (Island) Are you planning on buying a land, building a house, or thinking about purchasing an apartment? Don’t think too much. Prime Group is taking the worry - away from you. Launching on Aug 6, - Prime Group is introducing Prime Hot Deals - SL’s first ever real estate e-commerce website that will revolutionize the real estate sector of the country. Imagine being able to view and walk through your preferred property via a 360° virtual view and booking it online without moving more..

Aug 13 (AD) Minister Navin Dissanayake says he personally believes that Tamil people must be granted the powers of land and police vested by the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Addressing an event held in Mullaitivu, the minister stressed Sinhalese leaders must heed the demands of the Tamil people. If their demands are not attended to, the country will have to face a tremendous issue in the future, more..

Aug 13 (AD) The water levels of several main rivers are on the rise due to the prevailing heavy rainfall, warned the Disaster Management Center (DMC). Accordingly, the water level of the Kelani River has risen from Deraniyagala and the water level of the Kalu Ganga has risen at the Ratnapura area. Additionally, the water level of Ging Ganga has risen at the Thawalama area, stated DMC. The Disaster Management Center urges public residing downstream of these rivers to be vigilant. more..

Aug 13 (AD) Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera had been summoned before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate and inquire into serious acts of fraud, corruption and abuse of power, today. This was to record a statement on an alleged fraud case with regard to the Mahapola Scholarship Trust Fund. However, Minister Jayawickrama Perera had informed the Commission that he is unable to appear before the Commission today. more..

Aug 13 (RN) General Secretary of SLFP Dayasiri Jayasekara says his party is divided and destroyed. This he said is because after 2005 the SLFP has failed to produce a proper leader for the party. “Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga gave the leadership of the party to Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2005 but after that, until 2015 SLFP could not produce at least one leader for the future of the party,” he added. more..

Aug 13 (DM) Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said Gotabaya Rajapaksa was selected as the SLPP prez candidate as its leaders clearly understood the current security situation in the country. “There is a question about the current security situation in the country. That is the reason why there was a demand from that side. They think Gotabaya is the best person to solve that problem. I’m not going to talk about his abilities and disabilities. But they have selected him as the best person, more..

Aug 13 (DM) One of nine Chinese-made S14 power-sets which were specially designed to operate in the hill country arrived from China last morning, the Transport Ministry said today. It said the nine power-sets were built at an estimated cost of Rs.1839.5 million. Each train consists of two S14 power-sets, two air-conditioned compartments, three third-class compartments, two-second class compartments and a compartment for the buffet. Power-sets would be used for the hill country railway services more..

Aug 13 (FT) Minister Harin Fernando yesterday pledged to make UNP Deputy Minister and Minister Sajith Premadasa the next prez candidate, describing him as the bullet needed to win the presidency and insisting no battle begun from Uva-Wellassa has ever failed. Fernando who organised a rally in Badulla to support Premadasa for the presidential candidacy of the UNP without the sanction of party seniors on Monday, more..