Feb 16 (GDI) Sri Lanka Railway department for the first time since its inception incolonial period in 1864 will commence a modernized coastal trainservice at the speed of 100 KMPH from Wednesday. The coastal railway line between the southern towns of Matara and Galle has been fully modernized with the Indian technical and financial assistance. Trains in this modernized railway line between the two stations will ply at the speed of 43 KMPH more..

Feb 16 (LG) I refer to your article published under the above heading. It was forwarded to me by an Australian of Sri Lankan origin. To me, the person forwarding the information is as important as the information. You state in concluding the above article, ‘The situation of “valuing stability over freedom” is only worsened when personal relationships deepen the coziness. It is not just that a layer of complexity is added, but that a different ethical dimension enters into play. more..

Feb 16 (LG) The UN has announced that it will increase its international appeal for flood relief from the USD 51 million it made after the first spell of floods in January to take into account the additional damage done by the second onslaught in February. The flash appeal was for humanitarian assistance to enable international partners, including local and international NGOs, to support the government in addressing the needs of more than one million more..

Feb 16 (BL) Dismissing the recent opinion made by opposition political parties that the issuance of the new Rs.5, 000 note signified that the government had also accepted there is inflationary pressure in the market, the Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal last week said the new note was only introduced to make cash transactions more simpler and to cut down costs on money printing. more..

Feb 16 (LG) Crafty or fortunate, Augusto Pinochet timed his departure as impeccably as he did his arrival. He engineered his own exit on terms most advantageous to him. If he did not, he may have been forced out by his own people. Of course, during the long nightmare of dictatorship, Chileans did not succeed in mounting a significant challenge to Mr. Pinochet’s rule. But when the plebiscite he obviously hoped to win produced the opposite result, he had the sense to more..

Feb 16 (LG) Disaster brings memories of more disasters. At least, when the floods are searing the collective conscience of the nation, a column penned by this columnist which appeared in a national newspapers in 2005 serves as a good reminder that disaster is not uncommon - nor are disaster responses. The verbatim column which appeared on 9 January 2005 speaks for itself: Post-tsunami: A ‘changed state’, not a failed-state. The tsunami changed everything. more..

Feb 16 (MoD) Ground troops of the Army under the Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni, (SFHQ-W) have completed repair and restore 329 tanks in the Anuradhapura district which was devastated by recent floods. Of them, more than 27 tank bunds with widths of about 20-50 meters, were completely destroyed in some instances while 302 more bunds were partially damaged, prompting them to burst at any given moment. more..

Feb 16 (DM) For a people wedded to superstition, traditions and astrology, UNP Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s reasons for the unceasing and unprecedented rains and floods in Sri Lanka should not surprise anyone. According to him, “God has unleashed rains on the people of Sri Lanka for the wrong-doings of their ruler.” It’s a mythological reason that has often been proffered in modern times when desperation and defeatism have often defied patience for scientific explanation more..

Feb 16 (DM) My dear Mahinda Ayya, Ayubowan, Wannakham and Assalam Allaikum, as Sri Lanka goes through raging waters with consequences that could lead to blazing fires. The second major deluge within a month affected hundreds of thousands of people in 17 districts with thousands still struggling in camps as the cost of living soars throughout the country. Some observers are saying this second devastating flood is even worse than the 2004 Tsunami because more..

Feb 16 (TC) Sri Lanka and the rest of the eastern world awoke to scenes of jubilation in the Egyptian capital Cairo, where 18 days of largely peaceful pro-democracy protests finally saw President Hosni Mubarak, being compelled to step down and give in to the fierce demands of his people. The military, which played a pivotal role in ensuring that the three week protest did not descend into a bloodbath on the streets of Cairo more..

Feb 16 (DM) Today we find that an almost complete metamorphosis has occurred among most of officers in the public service. They are no longer public servants but rather they are servants of politicians. A politician just has to say something or ask for some extra privilege and many of the bureaucrats are every ready to please them. But as for the public who cares about their woes after all most public servants have forgotten that many of the perks they enjoy accrue form more..

Feb 16 (DM) When a US President passes judgment on anything, I’ve conditioned myself over the years to take him seriously and do my best to read between line, words and letters. So when Barack Obama announced that ‘today belongs to the people of Egypt, the underlined, bold, big-font, italicized word that jumped out was ‘today’. Leaving alone the contention that the day actually belongs to the ‘people of Egypt, Obama’s statement implied two important things. more..

Feb 16 (SO) Neil Buhne, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Sri Lanka, said Sri Lanka, having ended the decades-long battle against terrorism, has all the building blocks, including an efficient administrative structure, a good education system and a dynamic private sector, for a sustainable future. He assumed duties as the UN Chief in Sri Lanka in July 2007 at a time the Sri Lankan Government launched the military push against LTTE more..

Feb 16 (SL) I was once sitting with a suddha-looking gentlemen who told me he was actually Saudi. He even showed me his passport. Without thinking, I said Saudi was a hole. I actually said it more colourfully, but this is a Sunday paper. He was quite hurt and we had an awkward rest of the night. At that time I was like, “What? Saudi Arabia is a hole.” It’s a repressive dictatorship that won’t let women drive, arrests couples for talking in public, lets people abuse and rape servants with impunity, etc. more..

Feb 16 (DM) The Election’s Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake’s issuance of ‘strict orders’ to Heads of Government institutions to desist from the abuse of state resources is commendable and very timely. In a recent circular the Commissioner has instructed government officers against conducting mobile services, exhibitions or other state-sponsored events with the participation of political party or independent candidates in the run up to the March 17 local council elections. more..

Feb 16 (Island) Who says our politicians are not capable of being united? They may kill one another at fiercely fought elections and remain divided on burning issues the people are faced with, but they are at one with each other when they plunder the public wealth to feather their nests. They never quarrel over foreign junkets, duty free vehicle permits and heavily subsidised meals. MPs trade abuse and resort to fisticuffs at the drop of a hat in more..

Feb 16 (SO) The much talked of and long anticipated New Marine Drive is now getting ready for a comfortable and breezy drive. A project in the pipeline for nearly a decade is gaining momentum as construction has begun and the blueprint has got the green light. The Marine Drive was constructed with the prime objective of easing traffic congestion on Galle Road and evenly distributing it to both roads. The stretch from Bambalapitiya to Kollupitiya parallel to the Galle road, is now open and more..

Feb 16 (TC) The Citizens Peace Award for 2010 of the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka has been awarded to Dr Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives. Dr Saravanamuttu was selected from 52 nominations received after the award was announced in November 2010. The National Peace Council is happy that its inaugural selection should be of a person who holds a leading position in more..

Feb 16 (SO) The countdown for the biggest cricketing event in the world has begun. Within five days the entire South Asian region will boom with cricket fans as India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will co-host the 10th ICC Cricket World Cup to be unfolded in Bangladesh on February 17 with the opening ceremony to be held at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka. For the 12 matches that are to be played in Sri Lanka, R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium, more..

Feb 16 (UCAN) Sri Lanka’s national cricket team has received divine blessings ahead of the upcoming cricket world cup to be held in South Asia. The country’s two most senior Buddhist monks, Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayake thero and Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Mahanyake thero gave the team their blessings when Sri Lanka all-rounder Thilakaranthne Dilshan visited them recently. “They blessed the whole team,” Thilakaranthne Dilshan said. more..

Feb 16 (DN) A special University will be established where the Deyata Kirula Exhibition was held in Buttala, Moneragala aiming to get the maximum outcome of resources, Uva Province Chief Minister Shashendra Rajapaksa said. The land where the exhibition was held, had been abandoned until the Deyata Kirula 2011 Exhibition was held. A University will be built in this land on the President's advice. The UGC of the Higher Education Ministry is evaluating the action plan forwarded by more..

Feb 16 (DN) UNP National List MP Dr. Harsha de Silva rubbished suggestions that the UNP was painting an apocalyptic picture in the country on major issues concerning the people. He stressed that the country had been ruined under successive SLFP led regimes since 2005. He affirmed that there was no necessity for the UNP to paint ‘apocalyptic’ pictures with the people themselves having begun to fire salvo after salvo at the govt for more..

Feb 16 (DN) Public servants affected by floods and landslides receiving distress loans as a measure of relief from the state will be given an extended period of 24 months to repay the loans’ instead of the usual 10 months. This decision was taken at a meeting held at Temple Trees presided by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and attended by Trade Union representatives yesterday, said a press release issued by the President’s media division. more..

Feb 16 (Island) Provincial level politicians are making it difficult for investors to set up mini-hydro power plants demanding exorbitant bribes and resorting to threats, choking efforts made by the Sustainable Energy Authority in achieving its target of increasing power generation through renewable sources. Sustainable Energy Authority, DDG, Harsha Wickramasinghe said that the development of mini hydro power plants in Sri Lanka was being hampered for political reasons. more..

Feb 16 (AP) Captain Kumar Sangakkara tuned up for the World Cup with a gritty half-century as he guided Sri Lanka to a four-wicket victory over the West Indies in a warmup match at Colombo overnight. Sangakkara hit 71 off 89 balls while Tillakaratne Dilshan (62) and Thilan Samaraweera (55) also showed good batting form. Sri Lanka secured 282 runs for the loss of six wickets in 47.3 overs in reply to the West Indies' effort of 281 all out. more..

Feb 16 (TN) Tamil youths who are reported to have left the LTTE and returned to normal life after marriage are being arrested by the Sri Lanka Police in the Batticaloa district. Such arrests are said to be on the increase in Paduvaangkarai region. Tamil residents are not coming forward to make complaints to higher authorities due to fear and reprisals. The SL Police and its intelligence unit are said to be collecting information about Tamil youths who have left the LTTE and more..

Feb 16 (NF) They demanded a fence to keep off elephants but all they got was a baton charge from police. The villagers of Galkada bordering the Maduruoya National Park were protesting this morning on the Padiyathalawa – Ampara road demanding that an electric fence be erected to stop marauding elephants from entering their village. They claimed that they had been agitating for these precautionary measures for the last 30 years. more..

Feb 16 (Island) The UNP yesterday called on the Elections Commissioner, Dayananda Dissanayake, to take immediate action against the UPFA’s Central Provincial Council Chairman Salinda Dissanayake, who has threatened to dissolve all Local Councils that the UNP wins at the forthcoming elections. UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake told a news conference in Colombo that considering the Mahinda Rajapaksa government’s track record more..

Feb 16 (BBC) Madras High Court has reserved orders on a public interest litigation petition demanding compensation for the families of those fishermen who died at the hands of the Lankan Navy and also necessary measures to protect the interests of Tamil Nadu fishermen. The petition filed by LTA Peter Rayan, president of Fishermen Care, said since Katcha Theevu was ceded to Sri Lanka and also the rights to exploit all marine resources as per an agreement in 1976, more..

Feb 16 (Island) President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Meelad-un-Nabi message says the teachings of the Holy Prophet promote co-existence and therefore are a blessing for the country. Sri Lankan Muslims, he says, are now free from pain and oppression caused by terrorism. Full text of the President’s message: "I am pleased to send this message of greetings on the occasion of Meelad-un-Nabi, the birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammed, celebrated with much reverence by the followers of more..

Feb 16 (Island) Muslims the world over celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhummed today, by engaging themselves in prayer and reciting "Mowlod", in praise of Allah’s last messenger,who has been described as a "Blessing to Mankind." Muhammed,is the model of Qur'anic behavior for Muslims and they always mention his name by adding " Sallalahu Allahiwasalam- Peace be upon him." more..

Feb 16 (Hindu) En route to Delhi, over 100 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees from camps in Tamil Nadu and Orissa on Monday entered into Maharashtra through Adilabad. Their aim is to meet government functionaries and BJP leaders in Delhi and urge them to ensure the implementation of the India-Sri Lanka accord signed in 1987. The 2,005-km march which started at the Rajiv Gandhi memorial at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu on January 16, will culminate in Delhi on March 18. more..

Feb 16 (Independent) Tourism is a major industry in Sri Lanka and is set to grow even more in the coming years. Last month, tourist arrivals to the country were up by 46 percent on the same period last year, and - fuelled by the recent end of the island's civil war - a total of 650,000 people visited in 2010. This year, Sri Lankan tourism authorities are aiming for 700,000 and by 2016 the country hopes to pull in 2.5 million overseas visitors annually, more..

Feb 16 (AT) The Presidential Task Force established to address the problems of the flood affected people and make arrangements to provide relief assistance would give priority to strengthen the economy and to restore the living conditions of people affected by the floods. Accordingly reconstruction of damaged houses and provision of seeds and planting materials for paddy and vegetable cultivations affected more..

Feb 16 (UN) UN-HABITAT in Sri Lanka has just launched USD 28 million housing programme to support internally displaced war survivors in the north of the country. Thanks to funding from the European Union, AusAid, and Swiss Development Corporation, the agency will help construct 4,400 new homes in the north of the country where more than 230,000 people were forced to flee and confined to a single camp. UN-HABITAT was been invited by the Sri Lankan Government Presidential more..

Feb 16 (DM) TULF Leader V. Anandasangari said that even though he had fully supported the government in its fight against LTTE terrorism, it was unfortunate that Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP has more security than he had. Mr. Anandasangari said he and other Tamil politicians were at the mercy of KP with regard to security in the Northern Province. “The govt can trust KP. But I will never accept that a ‘Tiger’ can come out after a shower and says it is not going to eat meat thereafter” more..

Feb 16 (Island) Jaffna fishermen angered by what they term Sri Lankan govt’s inaction vis-à-vis poaching by the Tamil Nadu fishing fleet, yesterday resorted to direct action and captured about 100 Indians together with their trawlers in the Sri Lankan waters. The Indian fishermen were handed over to the Point Pedro Police Station last night. None of them had been harmed. Former Navy Commander Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe predicted more..

Feb 17 (DM) Notorious underworld figure M. N. Naufer alias Potta Naufer who is serving a death sentence for the killing of High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya was yesterday assaulted at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court by members of a rival party in a case. Naufer was assaulted by prisoners who were in the lock up in Court No 6 at the Colombo Magistrate Court when he was escorted into the court room. He was assaulted with handcuffs by the prisoners and missiles thrown by more..

Feb 17 (Island) The Ceylon Electricity Board has asked for more time from the Central Environment Authority to identify Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)-synthetic organic chemicals- that are deadly to humans found in age old transformers, CEA Waste Management Authority official Tissa Gamage said. He said CEB, Lanka Electricity Company and Lanka Transformers Limited were informed to obtain Scheduled Waste Management licenses as they are the major PCB waste generators. more..

Feb 16 (ICP) Two weeks after the UN acknowledged that a petition about a journalist's disappearance was transmitted to New York by its office in Sri Lanka, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky on Tuesday claimed “we here did not receive a petition yet. If there is such a petition.. we haven't seen it yet.” Video here. The UN of Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is accused of not doing enough for press freedom, by the Committee to Protect Journalists and others. more..