Jan 25 (BN) The winner of tomorrow’s Sri Lankan presidential election must find a way to triumph in a long battle against inflation while sustaining economic growth in a nation still healing from a 26-year civil war. Voters will choose between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his former army chief Sarath Fonseka, who quit in November. Rajapaksa, 64, called the poll two years early to capitalize on last May’s defeat of Tamil Tiger rebels more..

Jan 25 (EB) Mahinda Rajapaksa, incumbent President and the ruling party’s candidate in the January 26 Sri Lankan Presidential election, has told a group of journalists that unlike the elite living in Colombo and overseas, the Tamil masses are not interested in a “political” solution to the Tamil question. “A political solution is the demand of the Tamils in Colombo, the Tamil Diaspora, and the NGOs. more..

Jan 25 (TC) The outcome of the Presidential election on the 26th of January is going to be very significant. Whatever the outcome, there will be huge implications on the people of Sri Lanka. Both main candidates will certainly have differing styles of governing. The incumbent will most likely continue with his style of appointing family members to strategic positions of power, kissing babies, attending funerals and more..

Jan 25 (EB) There is nothing wrong in releasing Nalini Sriharan, the life convict in the Rajiv assassination case, PMK chief Dr S Ramadoss told reporters here on Sunday. In reply to a question on his view on the release of Nalini that was now being considered by the State government following the reported recommendation of the Vellore Prison Advisory Board, he said the authorities should go by the rule book. more..

Jan 25 (LP) National Dangerous Drugs Control Board revealed that a majority of drug offenders arrested during the last year were in the age group 30 years or above. Only 39 percent of drug offenders were in their twenties according to their latest reports. It also revealed that the younger generation is moving away from drug abuse. The report also said that heroin addiction or abuse had decreased. more..

Jan 25 (LP) The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) will deploy around 1800 buses for election duty. When contacted the Deputy General Manager of Transport Services Lewnis Banunukulaarachchi, he said that the measures to deploy the buses were taken on a request made by the Elections Commissioner. Accordingly the buses will be deployed from the 25th to the 27th of January and more..

Jan 25 (MoD) A Colorful Passing Parade Overlooking the Thambalagamuwa Lagoon A total of 356 recruits from the 142th Regular and 100th Volunteer Course passed this morning (22) at SLAF Base China bay after completing 18 weeks of challenging training. The training focused on drill, weapon training, tactics, field craft, map reading, fire fighting, explosive handling, Humanitarian Law, Air Force Law and Combat First Aid. more..

Jan 25 (MoD) "Viru Daru Vivida Prasangaya", a children's variety show organized by Sri Lanka Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (SLEME) to display skills of their own kids was held Saturday (24) evening at the Royal College Auditorium, Colombo. The Chief Guest on the occasion was Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa, the President of Seva Vanitha Branch, Ministry of Defence. She was received on her arrival by Mrs. Manjulika Jayasuriya, the President, Seva Vanitha Army Branch. more..

Jan 25 (MoD) The CID yesterday commenced investigating Saturday's seizure of two T-56 rifles and 54 hand grenades from a temple in Maligawatte by police Special Task Force personnel. Ten people including two monks have been taken into custody for interrogation, Police Election Secretariat director senior DIG Gamini Navaratne told The Island. He said opposition presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka's supporters were also among the suspects. more..

Jan 25 (ZN) The stage is all set for what is believed to be the most closely contested Presidential Elections in Sri Lanka. With the LTTE now gone and a spurt in political violence, the stakes are high for ‘war heroes’ incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Army chief Sarath Fonseka; a fight that is being closely watched by the international community. Dr Smruti S Pattanaik, an expert on Sri Lanka, discusses the challenges faced by Rajapaksa and Fonseka, more..

Jan 25 (Island) Navy Commander Vice-Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe yesterday rejected rumours that a Navy truck seized by the Kurenagala police on Saturday evening was carrying a stock of illegal ballot boxes and ballot papers. He said police had received false information and stopped a Navy truck transporting supplies from Welisara to Trincomalee for inspections. more..

Jan 25 (MoD) Germany has provided medical equipment worth one million Euro to Chettikulam Hospital near Vavuniya. This provision has been made against the background of the longstanding commitment made by the German Red Cross to Sri Lanka. A German anesthetist is currently stationed at the hospital, training its Sri Lankan staff on the job. German Ambassador Jens Plotner, who made a field-visit to Vavuniya and Mannar to more..

Jan 25 (MoD) The emigration wing at international airports in the southern Indian state of Kerala has been directed to maintain strict vigil as the enforcement agencies have warned of the possibility of Sri Lankan Tamils boarding international flights with fake passports. Senior emigration officials said the department had been specifically asked to closely monitor passengers speaking a Tamil dialect in the wake of detention of two Lankan nationals at more..

Jan 25 (LT) A group of CID officers have visited the residence Mr. Senaka Arnold Haripriya de Silva’s mother’s house at 1.00 a.m. today (25th) to arrest him. Mr. Haripriya Silva is the chief coordinator of apolitical Common Candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka. As Mr. Silva was not present at the time the officers had visited the house again at 10.00 a.m. today. more..

Jan 25 (LT) A group of people gathered at a house belonging to Member of Western PC Thilange Sumathipala at Jawatta Road in Colombo yesterday (24th) night has discussed regarding launching a vote rigging operation within Colombo city. According to sources they have discussed to rig votes at centers that are advantageous to the opposition candidate or pour ink into ballot boxes and get the voting cancelled in such centers.

Jan 25 (LT) A group of thugs that had been apprehended by Dodangoda Police for arriving at the residence of a supporter of apolitical Common Candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka at 1.00 a.m., threatened the residents and damaged the residence has been released by Minister of Industrial Development Kumara Welgama. According to information supporters of UPFA presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse had arrived at more..

Jan 25 (LNP) The following appeal has been made to the people and the Government by the Most Venerable Agga Maha Panditha Kotugoda Dhammawasa Anunayaka Thera, President of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha with the approval of the Most Venerable Davuldena Sri Gnanissara Mahanayake Thera, Supreme Patriarch of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Sect and other Mahanayakas and more..

Jan 25 (GDI) Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayaka revealed that the Mahinda Chinthana Extended Version pledges socio-economic and cultural development. He pointed out that only one message has been brought to the venue and it is the message of definite victory. While the expected achievement will be made on one side, a record will be set on the January, turning a new chapter in Sri Lanka, he pointed out. more..

Jan 25 (LT) As intelligence sections have reported that he would be definitely defeated if the presidential election is held under the present circumstances, Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse has been acting maniacally say reports. He has instructed his election operational unit to take any measures to change the situation. Accordingly, the government has decided to withdraw all officials who don’t fall in line with the government’s plans and recall them to Colombo. more..

Jan 25 (LeN) Prageeth Ekneliyagoda and independent media personnel and a political analyst has disappeared from yesterday night (24). Ekneliyagoda is an independent media personnel and a political analyst. He lives at Homagama. People of the area have seen a white Van sans number plate stationed around his house yesterday. more..

Jan 25 (LG) President was asked several questions pertinent to some serious issues by Lakbhima News newspaper. His answers very evasive and even hurtful that the right thinking people would have assessed his inability to respond to issues in a mature political sense having been in politics for nearly 40 years. Apart from lack of substance in his comments he failed, as he was going all over and there was total disconnect between his mind and mouth. more..

Jan 25 (LG) The government side in this election seem to be feeling very lonely without Prabakaran. Had he been alive the government would have had almost all its present opponents supporting Mahinda. It would have been easy to fight lonely Ranil Wicramasinghe, who could easily have been described as the traitor that was eager to give the nation to the Tiger. The death of the Tiger seem to make Mahinda and his brother Gotabaya even more, very, very disadvantaged. more..

Jan 25 (DN) Central Environment Authority Director General Pasan Gunasena said yesterday most plastic posters and banners used in the Presidential Election campaign have been recycled. “If the stocks of posters and billboards containing PVC were burnt in the open, it could have led to environmental damage and health hazards,” Gunasena said. more..

Jan 25 (DM) A bus carrying a group of journalists on their way to cover an event at Horagolla, has been detained for some time in Kadawatha police yesterday. A photo journalist who was among the media team who covered the event said they were stopped earlier by the Military Police at Kiribathgoda and were released. He said their names and addressed were recorded by he military police. more..

Jan 25 (LNP) Sri Lankans vote tomorrow at the sixth presidential election. The voter turn-out is expected to be high in most areas, though in the war-ravaged zone where people`s priorities are different apathy seems to have set in. Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake himself told the media last week that he did not think the people in those parts of the country were keen to vote. However, all in all, tomorrow`s election will be a keenly contested one. more..

Jan 25 (DN) Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal speaks to Daily News Business on the economic development that country has gained during the past four years. Q: Governor, what could you say about the economic development that country has gained during the past four years? A: There has been a tremendous economic growth during the past four years in the country. more..

Jan 25 (DN) Most children of parents who are at elders’ homes do top jobs, a survey has revealed, said Provincial Social Welfare, Probation and Childcare and Women’s Affairs Minister Neranjan Wickremesinghe. The Minister was addressing members of Adult societies at a meeting at the Sir John Kotelawala Maha Vidyalaya, Kurunegala auditorium. “There is a saying that the present is built by the past. more..

Jan 25 (LG) The election for the executive president of Sri Lanka takes place tomorrow, the 26th January, 2010 and the recent campaign has many unique features when compared to recent elections and those of the past. In all recent elections the major concern was the anti-terrorism factor. The presence of the LTTE as a formidable force and the methods of dealing with that issue preoccupied the electorate. more..

Jan 25 (Island) About 80 percent of the voters are expected to cast their votes tomorrow as Sri Lanka holds its first islandwide election after the defeat of the LTTE. An estimated number of 14,088,500 voters will cast their votes at 11,098 polling centres at the Presidential election. The final result could be announced on Wednesday morning if any candidate has obtained more than 50 percent of the total number of votes polled, more..

Jan 25 (Island) A Citigroup report on presidential elections to be held tomorrow says the promises made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his rival Rtd. General Sarath Fonseka to increase public sector wages and subsidies may prove to be difficult to implement given the state of the country’s public finances — a warning often repeated by economist and analysts with the Central Bank being more vocal. more..

Jan 25 (Island) Rarely seeing eye-to-eye on many issues, a government minister and opposition member of parliament pledged that their presidential candidates would so the same thing — increase public sector wages, bring down the cost of living while not increasing the tax burden. Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama and opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake addressed a form organised by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) last week and more..

Jan 25 (DM) Elections Commissioner yesterday told independent election monitors that he would prevent possible collection of National Identity Cards (NIC) of voters by some elements. Representatives of the PAFFREL and the Transparency International met the Commissioner Dayananda Dissanaike yesterday to discuss the poll related issues, and they took up the complaint that NIC cards had been collected in some areas, by gangs in some areas. more..

Jan 25 (AT) Given changing geopolitical alliances and the increasing importance of Sri Lanka's strategic location in the Indian Ocean, the outcome of the presidential elections on Tuesday will be decisive domestically, regionally and internationally. Sri Lanka provided the prototype of 21st century terrorism. According to the United States FBI, "The LTTE perfected the use of suicide bombers, invented the suicide bomb belt, more..

Jan 25 (LP) The Government of Sri Lanka has declared Wednesday, January 27, 2010 as a Public, Bank and Mercantile holiday. According to the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration government has declared Wednesday the day after the elections, a public and bank holiday. The Presidential Elections is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, January 26th.

Jan 25 (DM) We can heave a sigh of relief that the presidential election campaign has come to an end. Not only because we can finally have our air waves de-congested of allegations and counter allegations of corruption, traitorous acts and personal faults and the walls can return to realm of advertisements for commercial products or even stay clean of posters, but mainly because we will hopefully see an end to the violence that more..

Jan 25 (BBC) Sri Lanka is gearing up for a presidential election on 26 January. But for the Tamil and Muslim electorate of eastern Sri Lanka, disenchantment prevails. This stems from a widely-held perception that neither of the main candidates will address their concerns. This part of the east used to be a Tamil Tiger stronghold - the rebels were defeated here in 2007. The main issues for people here are the rehabilitation of displaced Tamils who more..

Jan 25 (DN) President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the final election rally on Saturday, ahead of Tuesday’s Presidential poll, vowed to protect democracy and ensure a brighter future for the country. He emphasized that it was not the time to harp on differences or usher fresh divisions within the country but to forge ahead with new resolve to build on the hard earned victory. more..

Jan 25 (BBC) A recent cartoon depicts Gen Sarath Fonseka, at a lectern, declaiming "I promise to give you..." But in the cartoon by Dharshana Karunathilake, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, on the opposite lectern, interrupts: "Whatever he promises, I promise to give you all those!" It is a sign of how completely the dour, retired general has upset the previously monolithic Sri Lankan political scene and given voters a genuine choice. more..

Jan 25 (LMD) It is commonly held that war crimes trials are the prerogative of the victor. For example, at Nuremberg there was no consideration of the fire-bombing of Dresden, 65 years ago this February. Original estimates put deaths at 250,000; now they are nearer 40,000. Some historians argue that the allies had no military justification for the attack, making it a horrendous war crime. With Sri Lanka, the reverse is true: there seems to be greater interest in the alleged crimes of the victors than of the losers. more..

Jan 25 (DM) The Colombo Magistrates court today refused to grant a search warrant requested by the Criminal Investigations Department to search UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s office and the Biyagama press of Wijeya Newspapers, publishers of Daily Mirror. IP Chandana of the CID filing a report before the Colombo Additional Magistrate Chandani Meegoda submitted that the IGP had complained to the Director of the CID about the printing of defamatory literature and more..

Jan 25 (DM) Northern Province Senior DIG Nimal Lewke has been directed by the IGP Mahinda Balasuriya to carry out his duties from the Police Field Force Headquarters in Colombo, while OIC of the Vavuniya police headquarters has been transferred to the Police Welfare Division. Senior DIG Nimal Lewke speaking to the Daily Mirror said he had been asked to contact the Police Headquarters with immediate effect. more..

Jan 25 (AD) Polls monitoring body PAFFREL says that IGP Mahinda Balasuriya had informed them that the transfers of Northern Province Senior DIG Nimal Lewke from Vavuniya to Colombo and Vavuniya OIC Saman Sigera to the Police Welfare Division by the IGP have been cancelled. Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake had reportedly cancelled these transfers after being informed by PAFFREL. more..

Jan 25 (Age) A heavily pregnant asylum seeker says she is prepared to have her baby on board the crowded vessel where about 250 Sri Lankans have been engaged in a stand-off with authorities at the Indonesian port of Merak. After more than month living in the jungles of Malaysia waiting for a boat, and then more than three months in the squalid conditions at port in Merak, Piramila Vijeratnan yesterday remained defiant. more..

Jan 25 (AFP) Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse vowed Monday to ensure the first post-war nationwide election goes off peacefully, as he prepared to face his former army chief after an acrimonious campaign. Rajapakse urged the authorities to conduct a free and fair vote on Tuesday, seeking to counter opposition claims that he would launch a coup to cling on to power if defeated at the ballot box. more..

Jan 25 (AP) When Sri Lanka's president decided two months ago to call this week's snap presidential poll, his re-election appeared assured — until his former army chief joined the race. President Mahinda Rajapaksa's popularity within the country's Sinhalese majority was sky-high in November after government troops crushed the Tamil Tigers' decades-long insurgency, setting the stage for Tuesday's first peacetime election in decades. more..

Jan 26 (LBO) Sri Lankan banks have opened 25 branches in former war torn areas in the north and the east of the island since the end of an internal conflict, while the Central Bank has given the nod for another 53 branches, an official said. A 30-year war with Tamil Tiger separatists ended in May 2009. By April 2009 there were 89 bank branches in the East and 61 in the north. The East also had 69 bank extension offices and the North 20. more..

Jan 26 (Diplomat) For many, the defeat of the LTTE, which brought to a close over two decades of civil war that claimed tens of thousands of lives, marked a welcome end to the darkest and bloodiest era in Sri Lanka’s post-independence history. But the defeat has also left a void in Tamil politics. The LTTE’s intolerance for democratic processes and dissident Tamil opinion saw it spearhead a sustained campaign to eliminate rival Tamils that is widely believed to have included the more..

Jan 26 (SMH) The Tamil Tigers called it the Martyrs' Sleeping House - a place to bury the thousands of young cadres who died fighting for a separate Tamil homeland in Sri Lanka. The neat rows of graves are now shrouded by waist-high weeds; the blue tiles that once covered them have been stripped away. Most of the black name plaques identifying the dead have also been removed. more..