Former Senior DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara remanded

Retired Senior DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara has been ordered remanded until Friday (Feb. 16).

The former Senior DIG was arrested last night by the CID for allegedly concealing evidence on the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge.

He was produced before Mount Lavinia Magistrate Mohamed Mihail today (14). 

Nanayakkara was the Senior DIG in charge of Western Province (South) at the time of Lasantha Wickramatunge’s murder while the area of Mount Lavinia also came under his jurisdiction. 

HNB recognized for innovation in microfinance at IFM Awards 2017

Extending a winning legacy that spans over 29 years in the field, HNB won the award for Most Innovative Microfinance Bank in Sri Lanka at the recently concluded International Finance Magazine Awards (IFM) 2017 in Singapore.

Organized by International Finance Magazine with a view to celebrating individuals and organisations in the international finance industry that have had a significant impact in their respective markets through an emphasis on value addition and innovation, this year’s awards drew extensive participation from among Asia Pacific’s most respected industry leaders.

Following a stringent round of evaluations, HNB was presented with the award for innovation in microfinance, in recognition of its remarkable, holistic efforts to extend vibrant and genuinely valuable microfinance services to the widest possible spectrum of customers in Sri Lanka.

“A substantial proportion of Sri Lanka’s economy is built on the efforts of microfinance entrepreneurs and SMEs, and we remain confident in the ability of this sector to serve as an engine of unprecedented growth, provided they are facilitated with the necessary access to finance, knowledge, skills and other advisory services for such businesses to thrive. HNB’s approach prioritizes the early identification of promising businesses with a view to forming lasting partnerships capable of unleashing and sustaining growth at every stage of the business.

“This award therefore stands as further vindication of HNB’s tried and tested approach to microfinance and we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated team of employees and field officers who have been at the heart of our success.” HNB Deputy General Manager – SME & Midmarket, Jude Fernando stated.

Standing as the very first Sri Lankan bank to enter the market with a branded product exclusively for the microfinance sector with HNB Gami Pubuduwa in 1989, the bank has utilized its invaluable experience as a true pioneer in the field to extend vital financial services to underserved communities across the island, while tailoring its approach to suite the unique conditions prevalent in the Sri Lankan market.

Coupled with an extensive emphasis on value addition, including microfinance loans bundled with life insurance cover, rural financial awareness building programmes, and the linking of rural entrepreneurs with export markets across the globe through ground breaking initiatives like HNB Avurudu Pola, HNB’s innovative microfinance model continues to set new benchmarks in the Sri Lankan market.

“Today there is a great deal of innovation and highly marketable products being created in Sri Lanka’s rural economy, however the main constraints that these businesses face is with regard to a lack of finance, technical expertise and exposure to consumers. In order to add value we have primarily focused on these areas, all based on a foundation of trust that is grown organically between our customers and our 150 field officers who are in constant contact with these businesses,’ Fernando elaborated.

In addition to working directly with individuals, businesses and communities across the island, HNB has also partnered with reputed microfinance providers like Sarvodaya Development Finance and Berendina Microfinance to arrange lines of funding that are subsequently extended to micro entrepreneurs.

Similarly, the bank works with e-commerce facilitators like local firm WebXpay and international e-commerce market, Alibaba.com, to help introduce and improve exposure for rural entrepreneurs among an entirely new and previously untapped demographic of consumers while also providing export credit facilities for those enterprises that succeed in these new markets. Moving forward, Fernando reiterated HNB’s commitment towards delivering the optimal mix of microfinance and value-added services, which the bank plans to further augment utilizing new technologies that will help bridge the gap and unleash a new wave of growth into Sri Lanka’s rural economy.

Photo Caption: HNB Senior Manager - Development Banking Vishwanath Gunawardena accepting the award for Most Innovative Microfinance Bank in Sri Lanka at the recently concluded International Finance Magazine Awards (IFM) 2017 in Singapore

Kusal Mendis to replace Kusal Janith

Sri Lanka batsman Kusal Janith Perera, who was named in the 15 member squad to take part in the upcoming T20 games against Bangladesh, has been ruled out of the two games of the shortest format, based on medical advice.

According to the medical advice, Perera needs more time to recover from the side strain, which he suffered during the 2nd match Sri Lanka played against Zimbabwe in the concluded ODI Tri-Series in Bangladesh, which the Lankans won.

Kusal Janith Perera did not leave with the T20 players, who left the country yesterday (12).

Kusal Mendis will replace Kusal Janith Perera, according to a statement issued by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

National movement against waste and corruption launched

President Maithripala Sirisena has declared his dedication towards building a country free of fraud and corruption. 

In order to implement this concept, it has been decided to seek the thoughts, ideas and the support of the people to build a widespread national movement against corruption, bribery, fraud, irregularities and wastage.

A special meeting to discuss setting up of an action plan for elimination of bribery and corruption, coordinated by the Presidential secretariat was held at the Department of Government Information, yesterday (Feb 13).

 As a powerful movement of people against corruption, bribery fraud and malpractices and to lead the country towards a prosperous era, this programme will create a broad political and social culture, empower and strengthen the administrative system and will make the judiciary system and law enforcing authorities proper and correct.

This is based on the President’s dedication towards building a country deprived of fraud and corruption, being aware of the current challenges ahead as a nation, providing vigour and strength to stand up as one nation.

Everyone is invited to join this programme as a pillar of the force that stand against fraud and corruption eliminating corruption, fraud, waste, and bribery and malpractices, the PMD said. 

The public is requested to send their valuable ideas to “National Movement Against Waste and Corruption, Presidential Secretariat, Colombo 01” before 1st of march 2018, or to the fax number 011-2431502 or to the e-mail zerocorruption@presidentsoffice.lk .

Sri Lanka’s central bank kept its benchmark interest rates unchanged on Thursday, in line with expectations, saying the island nation’s economy is operating below its potential although it’s expected to recover over the medium term.

The central bank kept the standing deposit facility rate (SDFR) at 7.25 percent and standing lending facility rate (SLFR) at 8.75 percent.

The worst drought in 40 years, followed by the most severe flooding in over a decade, curbed growth last year, while disrupting supply chains and pushing the inflation rate above the central bank’s target range of 4 percent to 6 percent. Consumer prices rose 5.8 percent in January from a year ago.

“The decision of the Monetary Board is consistent with the objective of maintaining inflation at mid-single digit levels over the medium term and thereby facilitating a sustainable growth trajectory,” the central bank said. “The economy is currently operating at a level below its potential,” but should recover from weather-related effects as trade and foreign direct investment picks up, it said.

Not my job to issue final results: EC

The Elections Commission was neither under obligation to issue final results of the LG polls nor was its job, Elections Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said today.

He added however that a booklet would be issued on February 28 including all data, statistics and information related to the February 10 polls.

He said the EC was Constitutionally mandated to issue final results only at a Referendum and Provincial Councils, Parliamentary and Presidential polls because results of any of these polls become legally valid after the declaration of the results by the EC.

At an LG election, results are declared at the polling station and all voters at the village level know the election results in a few hours after the poll. Therefore, the issue of releasing final results does not arise.

Mr Deshapriya told reporters yesterday that the drastic changes have to be introduced to the Local Authorities Election (Amendment) Act no. 22 of 2012 as the selection of members from two lists and nomination of 25% women members to Local Government bodies from each political party or independent group on election results had become a mess and in many instances, it was a difficult task.

Commenting on the delay in releasing election results to the media on Saturday night, Mr Deshapriya said there was a computer malfunctioning at the computer unit at the Colombo University after entering wrong data.

“The most progressive aspect of this poll that held under the new electoral system is the sharp drop in violence.

“There has been no report of a single violence of serious nature or a death. Therefore, we must nurture the culture of non-violence as we did at this election and apply it to all future elections,” Mr Deshapriya stressed.(Sandun A Jayasekera)

1st T20: Confident Sri Lanka look to cash in

Coming off a massive 215-run win in a low-scoring second and final Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, Sri Lanka will seek to extend their dominance at the same venue in the first T20I on Thursday (15 February).

Interestingly, Sri Lanka, like Bangladesh, are without their first-choice captain: Angelo Mathews and Shakib Al Hasan are both recovering from injuries. While Mathews has been out of action because of a hamstring injury, Shakib, who has not sufficiently recovered from a finger injury, is expected to return to the side for the second T20I.

Sri Lanka will be led by Dinesh Chandimal, their Test captain who last featured in a T20I against South Africa in January last year. A lot will depend on his ability to steady the innings alongside Upul Tharanga, with the likes of Niroshan Dickwella doing the big hitting. Sri Lanka have also found a replacement for the injured Kusal Perera in Kusal Mendis, who is coming off a good run, including a career-best 196 in Chittagong, in the Test series.

In the bowling department, they have Jeevan Mendis, the leg-spinning all-rounder who last played a T20I when he turned out against South Africa in 2013. Sri Lanka have a mix of young talented spinners too in Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay and Amila Aponso. And with Suranga Lakmal rested, young pacers Asitha Fernando and Shehan Madushanka, who picked up a hat-trick on his international debut in the triangular series final which Sri Lanka won, have been given a chance.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, will be guided by Mahmudullah, and have a host of newcomers in their side. They have four uncapped players in Abu Jahed Rahi, Ariful Haque, Zakir Hasan and Afif Hossain. Bangladesh will rely on the experience of Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman and Mahmudullah in the batting department, while Mustafizur Rahman will lead the bowling unit, which also has Rubel Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin and Abu Hider Rony, who is back in the squad after last turning out for Bangladesh at the ICC World T20 2016.

Sri Lanka hold a good record against Bangladesh in T20Is, having won five of the seven head-to-head encounters, but, importantly, Bangladesh have won their only face-off in Dhaka, in February 2016 during the Asia Cup.

Key players

Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh): Known for his incisive death bowling, the 22-year old paceman is one of the best in the shortest format of the game even if he has been a little below his best since coming back after a shoulder surgery. In 17 T20Is, Rahman has 27 wickets at an average of 14.92 with an economy rate of 6.16. The Sri Lankans will be watching out for his famous off-cutters, while he will hope to strike early and strike late with them.

Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka): The all-rounder's presence in the lower middle-order provides depth to Sri Lanka's batting. He is capable of hitting the ball long and hard and is a reliable finisher. He also provides his team with an extra bowling option, making him a valuable asset. In his 66 T20Is, Thisara has taken 48 wickets to go with 794 runs.

Squads

Bangladesh: Mahmudullah (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Abu Haider Rony, Abu Jahed Rahi, Ariful Haque, Mehidy Hasan, Zakir Hasan, Afif Hossain, Nazmul Islam Apu.

Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Thisara Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Shehan Madushanka, Jeffrey Vandersay, Akila Dananjaya, Amila Aponso, Jeevan Mendis, Asitha Fernando.

Minimum Test pay the way to stop T20 takeover: Sangakkara

Sri Lankan veteran Kumar Sangakkara has called for Test cricket to introduce a minimum match fee for all countries to stop young players ditching the long-form for lucrative Twenty20 leagues.
Sangakkara, the fifth-highest run scorer in the history of Test cricket, retired from the first-class game last year but has continued playing for domestic T20 franchises around the world, including in this week's Hong Kong T20 Blitz.
The 40-year-old praised the shorter format for spreading the game's popularity to new markets but warned that without change Test cricket could face a battle to remain relevant for young players and fans.
“T20 is the ideal format to introduce — you talk about the Americas, with China,” Sangakkara told AFP on Wednesday. “Since its inception, it's been a huge pillar of strength for world cricket. But there are a few negatives ... a lot of young players taking up T20 instead of playing international cricket.
“There are various things that have been discussed, about parity of pay, especially when it comes to match fees for Test cricket. Shouldn't there be a blanket minimum pay for Test cricketers? The top countries are being paid a certain Test match fee — shouldn't that be reflected all throughout the Test-playing countries?”
Currently, international match fees paid to cricketers from different Test nations vary wildly, with the sport's so-called “Big Three” — India, England and Australia — far ahead of the rest.
According to a survey last year by ESPNcricinfo, Australia's captain Steven Smith was due to earn $1,469,000 in 2017 while Zimbabwean skipper Graeme Cremer pocketed just $86,000.

Twenty20 competitions have sprung up around the world, from Australia's Big Bash League and India's IPL which stretch out over many weeks to smaller competitions in Hong Kong, Bangladesh, and the UAE which last just a few days.
Players from poorer nations can often earn more in the Twenty20 world than by representing their countries at Test level.
The MCC world cricket committee last month endorsed calls for wage reform at its annual meeting.
Fans as well as players need to be canvased on the changes required to keep Test cricket as the sport's pinnacle, including day-night and four-day Tests, said Sangakkara.
“We need to understand what Test cricket means to players and what it is to fans,” he said. “Relevance in sport is so important in terms of not just growing the sport but also sustaining it. I think international cricket is very strong still. For any player, I think the honour of representing their country be it in Test, one-dayers or T20 cricket, it's still the pinnacle of the game.”
Sangakkara, who is appearing for Galaxy Gladiators Lantau in this week's Hong Kong tournament, also praised the shorter format for extending his career.
“T20 is definitely the easiest format at my age to stay competitive in,” said Sangakkara, who retired from the first-class game in September.
Sangakkara went out at the top with a remarkable final flourish for Surrey in the English county championship, finishing as the competition's top scorer with 1,491 runs at an average of 106.50.
“I'm definitely a has-been!” he joked.
-afp

Some SLFP Ministers to join UNP

Some Ministers belonging to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) are planning to team up with the United National Party(UNP) to form the new coalition government, while others are trying to align with the opposition.

The two parties are trying to part ways, in the aftermath of the electoral defeat at the local government polls. However, some SLFP ministers will throw their weight behind the UNP while the others will sit in the opposition as a separate group. They also have plans to rally behind other political forces in the opposition.

Some of them seek to join hands with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna which won the elections concluded last Saturday. However, the SLPP has laid down conditions for it. 

UPFA and SLFP request President to appoint new PM

UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera and the SLFP National Organiser Susil Premajayantha had requested the President in writing to appoint a parliamentarian who commands majority support in parliament as the new Prime Minister.