Aug 28 (DN) The inaugural session of the Uva Provincial Council chaired by Governor C. Nanda Mathew was held on August 26 with the participation of Chief Minister, Shasheendra Rajapaksa and the ruling party and opposition councillors. Pubudamu Nava Uva Vellassak would be the Council's master plan for the development of the province. more..

Aug 28 (CT) Ranjan Ramanayake has been unanimously appointed opposition leader of Sabaragamuwa provincial council more than a year after the election of the council. At the PC meeting yesterday, Mr. Ramanayake alleged he had not been given any of the privileges entitled to as the leader of the opposition in the province. Responding, chief minister Mahipala Herath said he had been asked by several opposition councilors not to recognize Mr. Ramanayake as the opposition leader. more..

Aug 28 (DN) Steps are being taken to create green circles at the Bio-diversity Park near the Diyawanna Oya,the Bird sanctuary in Attidiya and other areas under the supervision of the Minister Champika Ranawaka said. He said Rs. 150 million has been set apart following a proposal made by him to President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the 2009 Budget for the setting up of green circle line parks and the street beautifying projects. more..

Aug 28 (Island) Tourism Development Minister Faizer Mustapha at midnight yesterday paid surprise visits to the kitchens in five star hotels as well as leading restaurants in the metropolis. He ordered the cancellation of the licenses of two Chinese restaurants operated by foreign nationals as they didn’t conform to the standards stipulated by the Sri Lanka Tourism. Mustapha said "The cleanliness in these two restaurants was awful and disgusting and more..

Aug 28 (Island) A seven-Judge Bench, of the Supreme Court, will hear on September 24, 2009, the motion filed by Dr. P. B. Jayasundera. The Bench will include, Justice Shirani Tilakawardene and Justice P. A. Ratnayake who were on the Bench, which dealt with the affidavit issue. The Supreme Court yesterday postponed for September 24, 2009, the hearing of the motion, filed by Dr. P. B. Jayasundera, seeking to revoke an affidavit submitted by him, more..

Aug 28 (Island) SLFP (M) leader Mangala Samaraweera, MP yesterday said that though the JVP could not be considered a part of an opposition alliance against President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s regime, they could work alongside with the Marxist party on vital issues. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, he emphasised that their campaign to abolish the executive presidency was one such issue. more..

Aug 28 (Island) An authoritative source from the Defence Ministry yesterday said that the Superintendent of Police Lakshman Cooray, now in custody arrested on charges of aiding and abetting terrorism and involvement with the LTTE, had released a number of LTTE suspects from custody. The senior Defence Official said the suspect had paid special attention to Tiger cadres who were in custody and more..

Aug 28 (DM) The reason for Sri Lankan visas to foreign countries being rejected is the increase in the number of illegal immigrants. “The reason visas to other countries get rejected is the number of illegal immigrants traveling to those countries,” the ministry said. The ministry explained that the number of people entering foreign countries illegally was proving a hindrance to those hoping to visit those countries legally. more..

Aug 28 (Xinhua) At least 3 people, including a notorious underworld gang leader, were killed in a clash with the police on Friday. Police spokesman senior DIG Nimal Mediwaka told reporters that an underworld leader named Faji and two of hisacolytes were the victims. Mediwaka said the police's Special Task Force raided a spot in Central Colombo's Maligawatta area at 3 a.m. on Friday following a tip-off. more..

Aug 28 (DM) The Ceylon Electricity Board yesterday announced that all leave of its employees had been cancelled with immediate effect until further notice. The Power and Energy Ministry said the decision was taken to provide electricity without interruption as it was an essential service. The Ministry also said that all steps had been taken to ensure the safety and security of all CEB employees who report to work. more..

Aug 28 (DM) Senior Lecturer of the Sri Jayawardenepura University Dr. Janak Kumarasinghe said yesterday that the IMF loan has created a cancer in the Sri Lankan economy, though some conditions put forward may be positive. Dr. Kumarasinghe, who addressed a public lecture organized by the Patriotic National Center in Colombo, said the IMF loan would only make the government want to seek more loans. more..

Aug 28 (LBO) Sri Lanka's environment ministry is taking action to manage electronic waste with private sector support as electronic waste can become a serious problem in the near future, an official said. Increasing use of hi-tech products creates more electronic waste. The ministry of environment and natural resources says increasing electronic waste can lead to many health and environmental hazards. more..

Aug 28 (CI) Sri Lanka, polished by an unbroken 68-run stand between Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, bolstered their grip on the second Test with a lead of 339 and eight wickets in hand - and two days to go. A torrential downpour at 4.10 curtailed play on another day of local domination, the tone for which was set in the first session when New Zealand lost their last five wickets for 51 runs to spin. more..

Aug 28 (MO) A large number of Canadian Tamils demonstrated outside the Chinese Consulate here, protesting China's financial, economic, and diplomatic support of the Sri Lankan government. "China must stop its support to Sri Lankan regime, which is running modern-day internment camps within its borders," David Poopalapillai, National Spokesperson for the Canadian Tamil Congress said on Wednesday and more..

Aug 28 (UCAN) The five Catholic priests just released from refugee camps in the north are weighing whether they should return to the camps to serve there or work in parishes as their bishops have asked. “It is an ethical dilemma,” acknowledged one of them, Father E.S.C. Mariathas, parish priest of St Anne’s Church in Mullaitivu. Father Anthony Victor Sosai, vicar general of Mannar diocese, likewise described the priests as "now in a dilemma about their future.” more..

Aug 28 (CT) Cultural affairs minister Piyasiri Wijenayake has agreed to pay back from his personal money any losses the government has incurred due to the usage of his official vehicle as claimed by some. Mr. Wijenayake wrote to the secretary of his ministry yesterday and asked him to find out whether his vehicle WPGY 0386 had incurred expenses in excess of other state vehicles as per financial regulations. more..

Aug 28 (DM) Sri Lanka said yesterday it would protest to Britain over the Channel 4 TV station telecast of defamatory and distorted images of a Sri Lankan soldier shooting a man and a woman. Cabinet spokesman and Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa told journalists at the weekly news briefing that the Foreign Ministry would take up the matter through diplomatic channels. The Channel 4, Britain’s second largest TV station had telecast the highly damaging video footage reportedly more..

Aug 29 (CI) Sri Lanka A scripted a come-from-behind series win after prevailing in a low-scoring fifth ODI at the P Sara Oval. After restricting Pakistan A to 112, the hosts struggled with the bat but overcame the scare to win by three wickets. Sri Lanka took the series 3-2 after losing the first two games. All the Sri Lankan bowlers chipped in to bundle out the visitors within 35 overs. The openers Umar Amin and Khalid Latif began steadily, adding 32, more..

Aug 29 (BBC) The Sri Lanka foreign ministry has announced a series of new appointments, including a new foreign secretary. Romesh Jayasinghe, currently the high commissioner for Sri Lanka in India, has been appointed as the new foreign secretary by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The senior diplomat is to succeed Dr. Palitha Kohona, who has been appointed as Sri Lanka’s permanent representative to the United Nations in New York. more..

Aug 29 (LT) It is reported that 41courses in ten technical colleges have been abandoned due to dearth of teaching staff. The students say such a situation has arisen due to the shortage of 400 lecturers in 39 technical colleges. There are only three permanent principals and there is not a single permanent vice-principal in the technical colleges point out students. As there are no principals and vice-principals it has not been possible to more..

Aug 29 (LT) The Sri Lanka Independent Trade Union branch at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority has been registered as a company at the Registrar of Companies. It has been revealed that the reason for registering the union as a company is to engage in business using the Port Authority premises. Already, the SLFP union has made plans to earn profits from various businesses to be carried out in the Port authority premises. more..

Aug 29 (LT) A group of drunken UPFA supporters have attacked several JVP supporters attending a meeting held today (28th) near Tissamaharama bus stand to welcome Mr. Sisira Wahalathanthry, leader of the group of candidates of the JVP for Hambantota District and Mr. H.L. Jayasiri, Chairman of Tissamaharama Pradeshiya Sabha. Later they had attacked the JVP office at Tissamaharama inflicting immense damage to the office. more..

Aug 29 (LG) The government has reliable information that LTTE cadres have infiltrated the ranks of the IDPs in the Northern welfare centers. Until the screening process is complete and these elements are identified and apprehended we have to take utmost care in permitting even limited freedom of movement as the risk exists of LTTE cadres posing as civilian IDPs and entering the general population. more..

Aug 29 (LG) A quarter century of LTTE-led militancy and terrorism in Sri Lanka came to an end in May 2009. Some of the trends that have been and are emerging in “post-war” Sri Lanka need to be noted and considered by policy-makers in Sri Lanka, India and elsewhere. The armed forces of Sri Lanka are entitled to their happiness and pride in having “eliminated” the capabilities of LTTE to mount conventional military operations. more..

Aug 29 (FIFA) Kyrgyzstan finished their failed campaign in the Nehru Cup on a high, defeating Sri Lanka 4-1 in their last league match at the Ambedkar Stadium in Delhi. First-half goals from Anton Zemlianuhin and Amirov Ildar and second-half efforts from Mirlan Murzaev and Rustem Usanov not only ensured a convincing win for Kyrgyzstan, but also ended Sri Lanka's slender chances of progressing. Sri Lanka needed victory by a large margin to stay in contention, more..

Aug 29 (CI) Rangana Herath, the left-arm spinner, believes that he is good enough to hold down a regular spot in the Sri Lankan side in Test cricket as well as the limited-overs forms of the game. He hasn't been a regular in the Sri Lankan set-up, often being behind Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis in the pecking order. Herath was unlucky to be left out of the first Test against New Zealand in Galle - Mendis was preferred - despite capturing 15 wickets in the series against Pakistan. more..

Aug 29 (CI) Last week, the Numbers Game spotlight was on Tillakaratne Dilshan; this time the focus shifts to his Sri Lankan team-mate, Thilan Samaraweera, another batsman who has returned from international wilderness and suddenly found a whole new dimension to his game. There's a lot more the two batsmen share than the country they represent - Samaraweera is the older of the two by just 22 days, and their Test numbers are pretty similar too. more..

Aug 29 (LNW) JHU Western Province Minister Udaya Gamanpila has criticized and attacked the JHU’s theoretician, Minister Champika Ranawaka in the August issue of the party’s official newspaper, Sakhanda. The article published under the title, “Unitary or federal?” states, “… ‘The Supreme Court after looking into the amendment has said that if at least a decimal point of additional powers is vested from the 13th amendment, a federal state could be formed.’ more..

Aug 29 (LNW) The President has issued a gazette to ensure that Shasheendra Rajapakse could continue to serve as the Basnayake Nilame of the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala while holding the office of Uva Province Chief Minister. The gazette number 1614/30 issued on August 14 states, “By virtue of the powers vested in me by Section 3 of the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance (Chapter 318) as amended by Act, No. 3 of 1992, read with Article 44 (2) of the Constitution, more..

Aug 29 (AFP) A United Nations expert on Friday urged the Sri Lankan government to set up an independent probe into the authenticity of a video clip aired in Britain allegedly showing Sri Lankan troops executing prisoners. Philip Alston, the UN Special Rapporteur on extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary executions, said Colombo had categorically denied the allegations, but stressed the need for an investigation. more..

Aug 29 (AT) The Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Sri Lanka Udayasri Kariyawasam has been invited to deliver a key note address at the 27th International Symposium on Economic Crime which is to be held from August 30 to September 06. This year symposium is titled “The Enemy Within – Internal Threats to the Stability and Integrity of Financial Institutions” with particular attention given to the risk of penetration by organized crime and more..

Aug 29 (AT) The article by P. C. Vindo Kumar in the Tehelka has prompted me to write my comments on what he says. The sum total of what he says amounts to Sri Lanka being an ungrateful neighbour for all the help India has given us and is now entertaining, doing business and providing facilities to her enemies China and Pakistan. With regard to doing business Vindo Kumar points out to several engineering projects that China is carrying out for Sri Lanka more..

Aug 29 (GDI) Several programs are underway to encourage and motivate children and youth in the North to engage in Sports activities, said Minister of Sports and Public Recreation Gamani Lokuge. Minister Lokuge made this observation at a ceremony organized to distribute Sports equipments to children and youth in welfare centers in the Chettikulam relief villages. He said that three large sports grounds will be setup in Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Vavuniya respectively. more..

Aug 29 (GDI) A new branch of the Auditor General’s Department to administrate the audit functions of the offices in North officially commenced its activities today in a new office structure in Trincomale. While commending the efforts of the Governor of the Northern Province, Major General G.A. Chandrasiri for his commitment to establish a branch of the Auditor General’s Department for Northern region, more..

Aug 29 (PRIU) The All Ceylon Hindu Congress (ACHC) has welcomed the action taken by the Government to release Hindu priests and their families from IDP welfare villages. "We wish to record with appreciation the arrangements made by Basil Rajapaksa MP, to release 177 Hindu Priests including 573 family members from the camps to All Ceylon Hindu Congress (a Federation of Hindu Religious Associations and Temple Trusts in Sri Lanka), more..

Aug 29 (ICP) Four days after the UN said of the death of Shyamlal Rajapaksa in Tanzania that the "findings is that he has been murdered," on Friday UN Spokesperson Michele Montas said that she had been in error, and that Shyamlal Rajapaksa's death was "linked to his previous health condition." Inner City Press, which on August 24 has asked Ms. Montas for the UN's response to Shyamlal's mother's claim that the UN was covering up her son's death, more..

Aug 29 (AT) People called “Give me a Sunlight” since early days when they purchased soap though the company which Sunlight was manufactured was not known earlier, but it has been ‘the name’ for soap in Sri Lanka. This was the glowing tribute paid to Uniliver Sri Lanka Ltd makers of Sunlight Soap etc by Gamini Wickramapala, Director, Sri Lanka Samurdhi Programme at the Awards Ceremony of the Sunlight Saubhagya Scholarship Scheme to more..

Aug 29 (Goal) The Sri Lankan management have repeatedly said that they are taking part in this tournament to prepare for the 2009 SAFF Games. After going down 1-4 to Kyrgyzstan they finished at last place which has disappointed Walpola and the rest of the team. But he said that they would take the positives from this tournament. He said, “Firstly I would like to thank the sponsors and the AIFF for inviting us in this tournament. more..

Aug 29 (Hindu) Post-May 19, Sri Lanka has gained a new face. Around 500 families have flown back to the island nation in the last one month and it is a positive sign, said Vadivel Krishnamoorthy, Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner in Southern India on Friday. Mr. Krishnamoorthy explained the various welfare measures initiated by the Sri Lankan government in the North and North Eastern Provinces after the end of civil war. more..

Aug 29 (Xinhua) The number of Dengue cases has risen to 24,629 while 245 people have died of the disease in Sri Lanka so far this year, the Epidemiological Unit of the Health Ministry said on Friday. The Epidemiological Unit said in its latest statistics that of the 24,629 cases, the highest number of patients were reported from June totaling 7,048. It is followed by July with 6,858 cases being reported. more..

Aug 29 (LBO) Sri Lanka is looking to protect its economic interests in the ocean with the navy playing bigger role after the end of the ethnic war to ensure terrorism does not recur, a senior defence official said. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, secretary to the defence ministry, said the navy has to ensure protection of the coast to prevent arms smuggling and infiltration from overseas. more..

Aug 29 (LBO) Rohan Samarajiva, who writes Lanka Business Online's 'Choices' column has been shortlisted for the 2009 Bastiat Prize for online journalism along with two others who write for Britain's Telegraph and US based Forbes. The annual prize is awarded by the UK-based International Policy Network (IPN). IPN encourages better public understanding of the role of the institutions in social and economic development. more..

Aug 29 (TC) International Development Minister Erik Solheim requires that the UN investigating charges of war crimes in Sri Lanka. - "This is something I will discuss with Ban Ki-moon when he comes, " he told Aftenposten.no. Aftenposten.no wrote Wednesday about a gruesome video that allegedly shows how government troops execute ten bakbundne and naked prisoners. more..

Aug 29 (TC) Mr. Upali Cooray – Comrade Upali Cooray to the many who worked with him from the left of the political spectrum – relentlessly campaigned against all oppressions and abuse of power in Sri Lanka. He formed The Committee for Democracy and Justice in 1988 and worked with several political organisations and trade unions and defended democracy, justice and pluralism in Sri Lanka and outside. more..

Aug 29 (GDI) The Police continues to hunt for more under world kin pins and gangsters to eliminate the dangerous phenomenon in a democracy called the 'under world'. The Inspector General of Police, Jayantha Wickremeratne on the orders of defence authorities ordered a crack down on the under world two months ago and a number of leading under world figures were killed by the police in retaliatory action. more..

Aug 29 (CT) Vidasa, a programme bringing global knowledge to the villages, is now telecast on ITN every Saturdays at 6.30 pm. Sponsored by Sri Lanka Telecom, it explains to the viewers in a simple way all the basics of information and communication technology. The first programme was telecast on August 15 this year. It also focuses on GCE OL ICT, GCE AL GIT and GCE AL ICT Examinations conducted by the Department of Examination. more..

Aug 29 (GDI) As peace returned to the once war torn Northern theatre, the people of the North today witness development projects in their areas,hitherto never ever witnessed since independence, Political Observers disclosed. The government through the concept of 'Uthuru Wasanthaya" (Northern Spring),spearheaded by by Basil Rajapaksa, has launched an extensive development effort in the North covering every aspect close to the needs of those people. more..