Sangakkara urges Mathews, Hathurusingha to sort out differences

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The rift that presently exists between Angelo Mathews and coach Chandika Hathurusingha must be repaired as soon as possible, so that Mathews can return to the ODI side quickly, the former Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara has said.

Hathurusingha and Mathews have been at odds in the past week, with Mathews expressing surprise that Hathurusingha would play a
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Issuing vehicle permits to MPs and state sector employees suspended

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The Government announced several temporary measures to be implemented with effect from midnight today (29) to ease the pressure on the Sri Lankan rupee.

Accordingly, the issuing of vehicle permits to Members of Parliament will be suspended for a period of one year while the importation of vehicles for Government Ministries, Departments,
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UN must rescind resolution on SL: Prof. Jayasumana

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Rajarata university’s senior lecturer Prof. Channa Jayasumana, who was in Geneva to counter the pro-LTTE Tamil diaspora, urged the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to rescind Resolution 30/1 on Sri Lanka.

Addressing the council earlier this week, he said the responsibility of Human Rights bodies and
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Certain people use ‘national security’ for their survival – Army Commander

Certain groups are using the term ‘national security’ for their survival, says the Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake.

He stated this addressing the media last morning (28) following a
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Fmr. President and fmr. Defense Secretary didn’t hide in fear of war – Fonseka

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Former Army Commander Field marshal Sarath Fonseka stated that neither he nor the former President nor the former Defense Minister hid away in fear of the war.

He mentioned this to the media following an annual literary festival held at the Kelaniya Divisional Secretariat last morning (28).

Responding to a journalist’s question on a statement made by
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Govt. will ensure war heroes’ honour and dignity: Prez

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President Maithripala Sirisena said the government was fully committed to safeguarding the honour, dignity and respect of war heroes from the highest ranked generals to the ordinary soldier and they would be provided with all privileges.

He said this while addressing the Sri Lankans living in the United
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JO says Police behind plot to kill MR’s family members

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The JO was of the opinion that the Police was behind the conspiracy to assassinate former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family members, JO member MP Shehan Semasinghe said today.

The CID informed Colombo Magistrate's Court on Tuesday that the
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HR groups object to provisions in counter-terrorism draft bill

Certain human rights groups have strongly objected to some of the provisions in the proposed counter-terrorism draft bill.

These groups are especially against the provisions that an arrest of suspects can be carried out by the police, the armed services or the
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Youth arrested over ‘semi-naked’ photos at Pidurangala remanded

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The three youths, arrested for allegedly taking semi-naked photographs on top of the Pidurangala rock, have been remanded until October 03 after being produced at the Dambulla Magistrate’s Court.

Sri Lankan police yesterday arrested three youths part of a group
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No concerns about China’s wider role in Sri Lanka - Malik

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Minister Malik Samarawickrama says that Sri Lanka’s relations with China are based on purely commercial viabilities and that will continue to be the case devoid of any political pressure.

A recent article in The New York Times had laid out in extensive detail how the acquisition of the port unfolded, as well as highlighting concerns
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SL should have an export driven economy to overcome economic crisis: PM

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Sri Lanka would not have been affected by the current global economic crisis if the country did not get into a debt trap like the one it has got into, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Mr Wickremesinghe expressed this sentiment at the prize giving of
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Sujeewa questions Prez. Secretariat move

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Development Strategies and International Trade State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe is reported to have questioned at the UNP electoral organizers’ meeting, as to how the President’s Office referred a complaint against his Ministry and the Board of Investment (BoI) to the Bribery Commission for investigation.

The United National Party had a meeting for its electoral organizers
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MR asks whether Mangala’s statement reflects Govt’s opinion

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Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday denounced Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s response to Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith and asked whether the response was the government’s opinion.

He expressed these views to media after a group of Catholic MPs
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Gas price increased

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The prices of Litro and Laugfs gas have been increased from midnight today.

The price of a 12.5 kg cylinder of gas has been increased by Rs.195, a 5 kg cylinder of gas by Rs.78 and a 2.5 kg of gas by
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Will support Govt. if it brings proposal to dissolve parliament: JO

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We would support the Government unconditionally if it comes out with an early proposal to dissolve Parliament, Joint Opposition (JO) said yesterday.

Addressing a news briefing, JO member MP Shehan Semasinghe said the only option left open to the Government was to go for a
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Taking semi-nude photos: Three youths arrested

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Three youths were arrested on charges of posting semi-naked photos, which they had taken while on top of the Pidurangala Rock, on social media, Police today said.

The arrests were made after they surrendered themselves to the
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There were conspiracies to kill us: Gotabaya

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There had always been conspiracies to kill us. There were death threats even when Prabhakaran was alive. But we endured all these threats due to virtues we posses, former Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa said.

Speaking as the chief guest at the religious ceremony on an
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PM orders probe on semi nude pictures

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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had ordered the police to carry out a probe to determine as to who was behind the publishing of semi-nude pictures taken on Pidurangala Rock, which is a part of Pidurangala Viharaya, source close to Prime Minister’s office said yesterday.

According to sources, the Prime Minister had instructed the police
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JVP prefer referendum for 20A: Anura

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JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday that they would prefer the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution which was presented in parliament by his party was subjected to a referendum in addition to the approval of a two-thirds majority in parliament.

He told a news conference that various MPs in parliament view the
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Don't blame Trump; strengthen economy: MR

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The government should take steps to strengthen the economy instead of blaming US President Donald Trump for the depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.

He said in a statement that the role of a government was to keep
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Mangala hits out at Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith’s comments on human rights

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Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera has criticized certain controversial comments made by the Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, regarding human rights while accusing the latter of always getting things wrong in “trying to be a populist”.

Speaking recently during a morning service at a church in Ekala,
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SF gives statement to CID

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Minister Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka arrived at the CID a short while ago to give a statement over the abduction and assault of journalist Keith Noyahr in that took place in 2008.

Sarath Fonseka was the Army Commander at the time Noyahr was
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Ven. Gnanasara Thera admitted to J’pura hospital

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Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera had been admitted to the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital a short while ago after he was brought to the hospital for medical tests, BBS media unit said.

They said the Thera was brought to the hospital from the Prisons
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Taking semi-nude photos: Police to take legal action

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The Police launched an investigation into the incident where some young men and women had taken semi-nude photos and posted them on social media.

Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said the Sigiriya Police had received a complaint on this matter and assured that legal action
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Met. Dept. cautions of strong winds and thundershowers

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Showers or thundershowers will occur in the Northern, Eastern, North-central, Uva and Central provinces and in the Galle, Matara Kaluthara and Kurunagala districts after 2 pm. Heavy falls of about 100 mm can be expected at some places, according to the Meteorological Department.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in
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Govt. likely to cut imports by US$500 Mn to $1 Bn: PM

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The government may have to curtail imports by US $500 million to US $1 billion because of the current economic circumstances, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe saidyesterday.

The Prime Minister who attended the opening of D.S. Senanayake Gama in Hambantota said Sri Lanka would have to do so by
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Sniper rifle going missing is a serious matter: MR

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If a sniper rifle belonging to the Police Department has gone missing it is a serious matter, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa told the media at his Carlton residence in Tangalle yesterday after participating in a Poya Day programme.

"If such weapons go missing from institutions such as the Police it causes much concern because nobody knows against whom will be
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Arrest both Nalaka Silva and Namal Kumara : G.L.

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The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today urged the government to arrest the Terrorist Investigation Department (TID) DIG Nalaka Silva and Anti-Corruption Force member Namal Kumara in connection with the plot to assassinate President
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UNP proposal to remove Pujith!

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With a majority of MPs in the UNP wanting Pujith Jayasundara removed as the IGP, MP Hesha Withanage says he will move a proposal at the party’s parliamentary group meeting for his removal.

There are fears that the matter of the police chief will worsen and create a dispute between president Maithripala Sirisena and prime
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Namal Kumara summoned to Govt. Analyst’s Dept.

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Director Operations of Anti Corruption Force Nalaka Kumara has been requested to appear before the Government Analyst’s Department on Wednesday (26).

Namal Kumara recently revealed information of TID DIG Nalaka
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Scotland Yard training for IGP

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IGP Pujith Jayasundara, who is facing an investigation over allegations levelled against him, is scheduled to leave for the UK to undergo a training programme under the Scotland Yard, Law and Order Deputy Minister Nalin Bandara said.

Deputy Minister Bandara, Ministry Secretary Padmasiri
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This is beginning of industrialization – PM

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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says that plans are being made to commence computer-based industries and knowledge-based industries.

The Prime Minister stated this attending an event held today (23).

Stating that there are many industrial cities from Kandy to
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CC remain defunct as no quorum

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The Constitutional Council (CC), which makes recommendations for the appointments of Independent Commissions and key appointments in the State sector, remain defunct virtually as six out of seven slots reserved for nominated members have not been filled at the moment, it is learnt.

The CC is a body that consists of ten members. Seven are
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President to address UN Centre today

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President Maithripala Sirisena will address the Nelson Mandela International Peace Seminar at the United Nations Centre in New York today (24) on an invitation extended to him to deliver a speech at this occasion organised by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

More than 50 world leaders participating at this seminar will focus
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Wigneswaran’s new party next month!

A new coalition under the leadership of Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran is expected to be formed next month, according to political sources.

The new coalition to be formed as an alternative to the Tamil National Alliance is expected to get the support of the Tamil United
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Rupee depreciation: MR urges Govt. to find immediate solutions

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Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today urged the Government to come up with an immediate solution to address the issue of depreciation of rupee against US Dollar, saying it was the people who are being affected.

Speaking at a special news briefing held at his residence in
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Grasslands to feed wild elephants: SF

Sustainable development and Wildlife Minister Sarath Fonseka said yesterday steps were being taken to grow grasslands on 15 acres of land to feed wild elephants.

He told parliament that forest lands suitable for this purpose were
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Govt. planning to hand over Trinco oil farm to India: Anura

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Chief Opposition Whip and JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday the government was planning to hand over the Trincomalee oil tank farm to the Indian Oil Company (IOC) despite a Cabinet decision in 2016 to hand it over to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.

He told parliament that Cabinet approval had been obtained in
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Two train compartments gutted in fire

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Two train compartments at the Dematagoda Railway Yard were completely destroyed after they were gutted in fire this afternoon.

Three fire fighting trucks attached to the Colombo Municipal
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Cricketers badly hurt by FB posts: Faizer

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Sports Minister Faizer Mustapha said yesterday that the national cricket team was badly hurt due to some insulting facebook posts targeting them after the team's defeat against Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the Asian Cup tournament and appealed cricket fans not to bring down the mentality of the players.

He told this in parliament during the adjournment debate moved by
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We advised Police Chief uphold his image: Nalin Bandara

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Law and Order Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara has advised Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara to act in keeping with his status, Law and Order Deputy Minister Nalin Bandara said yesterday.

He told a news briefing that an inquiry had been launched on this
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Harsha explains reason for depreciation of Sri Lankan Rupee

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The reason for the depreciation of Sri Lankan Rupee against the US Dollar is the increase in US interest rate, according to the State Minister Harsha De Silva.

He stated that the value of the Sri Lankan Rupee against the US Dollar has depreciated from 7.7 per cent.

The State Minister made these comments joining
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Parliament suspends Wimal, Prasanna

Parliament today passed two motions to suspend MP Wimal Weerawansa from Parliament for two weeks and MP Prasanna Ranaweera for four weeks for violating the code of conduct of parliamentarians.

The motion to suspend MP Weerawansa was passed by a majority
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Eight members of 16 group removed from SLFP organiser posts

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The Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has decided to remove electoral organiser posts of eight out of the 16 SLFPers who defected to the Joint Opposition.

The decision was taken at the SLFP CC meeting which was held at President Maithripala Sirisena’s residence last evening.


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The govt. we formed treated me like a terrorist: Ravi

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Former minister and UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake said yesterday false allegations had been levelled against him by the same government which they formed.

"Is this the Good Governance? The same government, which we
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Mangala warns of further depreciation of rupee

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Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday warned of a tendency of a further rupee depreciation against the US dollar within the next few weeks.

He told parliament that not only the Sri Lankan rupee but also currencies of most Asian countries had depreciated during the
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SLFP rebels want President to take over Law and Order Ministry

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Three SLFP rebel group frontliners, MPs S.B. Dissanayaka, Dilan Perera and Thilanga Sumathipala yesterday urged President Maithripala Sirisena to take over the Law and Order Ministry immediately under his wings and remove IGP Pujith Jayasundara from his post.

They alleged that there was a real threat to the lives of President
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Police should be assigned under President – Dilan

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It is vital that the President assigns the Police under the Ministry of Defense, stated Dilan Perera of  Group of 16 in SLFP, at a press conference held today (20).

He says that the 23 SLFP MPs are suspiciously quiet on the conspiracy to assassinate President Maithripala Sirisena and former
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Group of 15 boycotts SLFP CC

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The group of 15 SLFP members have taken a decision to boycott the SLFP Central Committee meetings until the party leaves the government and none of the group of 15 members would be attending the SLFP Central Committee meeting scheduled to be held today (20) under the patronage of President Maithripala
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Education should be adapted to suit modern world – Akila Viraj

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Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam says that the education system in the country should be adapted to suit the modern world.

Initial steps required for this have already been implemented, he
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