Nov 26 (Island) Children studying at Menik Farm IDP facility are faced with a severe dearth of teachers. According to the October update of the Joint Humanitarian and Early Recovery project, about 60 teachers have been struggling to hold classes for some 1,500 war-affected children. "The Grade 11 students, due to sit the General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level examination in December 2011, are preparing for the Science, Geography and English papers on their own more..

Nov 26 (Island) Adverse publicity given to the nine children who fled the certified girls’ school in Ranmuthugala, had affected and demoralised the remaining children in other Probation centres in the Western Province, said Western Provincial Council Minister for Social Services, Probation and Child Care, Jagath Angage. He said the extensive publicity given to those nine children could have an adverse impact on the remaining children in the school too. more..

Nov 26 (DBS) The count down has begun for “ Great Heroes Day” (GHD) on November 27th. Rival factions of the overseas LTTE competing with each other to commemorate the event in Western countries where substantial concentrations of Sri Lankan Tamils are prevalent. November 27th falls on a Sunday this year. This has reinforced the efforts of both factions as the chances of drawing massive crowds is greater because of Sunday being a holiday. more..

Nov 26 (DN) Media cannot escape from a code of conduct as it is very powerful and has a great impact on the people. If it communicates the wrong information to the public, the society can be destroyed. The code of conduct should emerge from the media itself and should not be something imposed by an outside force, said Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) chairman Mohan Samaranayke during an interview with the Daily News. Here are extracts of the interview: more..

Nov 26 (DN) History has been created by a local organization by establishing the first ever South Asian humanitarian demining organization to rid the mine infested areas of Sri Lanka, which facilitated successful resettlement of over 5,000 internally displaced families. This programme was initiated by the Milinda Moragoda Institute for Peoples' Empowerment (MMIPE) in 2003, which saw the removal of landmines from a vast area exceeding 25,000 acres, more..

Nov 26 (DN) Minister/Head of Mission of the Japanese embassy Hideki Ishizuka said that Japan places high importance to the Southern Expresway project, and therefore the opening ceremony on Sunday will be attended by Yasushi Akashi, Representative of the Government of Japan on Peace Building, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sri Lanka, along with Nobuhito Hobo, ambassador to Sri Lanka and representatives from JICA. more..

Nov 26 (DN) The end of LTTE terrorism created an opportunity to harness mineral sand deposits in Pulmudai, Minister Dayashritha Tissera said. The minister was addressing a ceremony to distribute appointment letters, service permanent letters and job promotion letters to 130 employees at the Pulmudai Mineral Sands Corporation recently. The minister said the utilization of the sand deposits will bring foreign exchange to the country, which Sri Lanka lost in the past 30 years. more..

Nov 26 (Island) The Human Rights Commission (HRC) had forwarded a petition filed by the late Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra’s family to retired Supreme Court judge Nimal Dissanayaka for further investigation. The slain parliamentarian’s family has stated that the police and the CID were not carrying out an independent investigation into his death. The petition has also pointed out, inter alia, that the witnesses in the case have not been produced in a proper manner. more..

Nov 26 (CI) There was no respite for Sri Lanka. In one of the more closely-fought encounters on this tour, it was Pakistan who prevailed by five wickets after their opponents promised to deliver better, only to falter and give it away. First, with their batting, when they began aggressively and scored at around nine an over in the first ten overs before slowing down considerably and eventually capitulating in the second half. And then it happened with the ball, more..

Nov 26 (Xinhua) Sri Lanka will import locomotives from China to meet a demand for more passenger trains in the country, the Sri Lankan railway department said. The department said that orders have already been placed for 13 locomotives including at least two air-conditioned trains from China. According to the Sri Lankan railway department the trains will be mainly used to transport passengers on long distance routes on the island. Sri Lanka has very few air-conditioned trains and more..

Nov 26 (Island) Power piracy costs the Ceylon Electricity Board six billion rupees annually, Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka told Parliament yesterday. Pirates steal around four percent of the annual power production and the cost of the stolen electricity was more than the cost of providing Samurdhi benefits to the people, the minister said. He said the highest number of power piracy cases was reported from the Northern and the Eastern Provinces. more..

Nov 26 (Island) The JVP said on Wednesday that it would launch a protest campaign against govt’s ‘relief–less’ budget. Vijitha Herath said that the Rajapaksa govt had once again presented a budget without any relief to the general public. He said that the protest campaign against the budget was launched from Anuradhapura on Thursday. The second protest and march would be held in Ambalantota in the Hambantota District on Nov 28. more..

Nov 26 (ITN) Senior Minister of Sindh for Education & Literacy Pir Mazharul Haq said on Friday that the education department of Sri Lanka will impart training to the college principals of province. The college principals would be sent to Sri Lanka for training. Talking to the media at Karachi airport on his arrival from 3-day visit to Sri Lanka, Pir Mazhar told that education minister of Sri Lanka offered imparting ten principals of Sindh colleges. more..

Nov 26 (LSN) The Sri Lankan Times reports that the Ministry of Child Development and Women Affairs is considering a move to expand the island nation’s abortion law to allow the killing of unborn children diagnosed as “defective.” Existing Sri Lankan law allows abortion only if continuation of a pregnancy will endanger a mother’s life. Secretary of Child Development and Women’s Affairs, Sumithra Rahubadda, said discussions were planned with the Health Ministry and more..

Nov 26 (DM) Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka’s wife Anoma said yesterday she would need a new court directive to ensure that her husband received medical treatment in hospital after the authorities had not permitted him to get such treatment recently. “We tried to get our lawyers to intervene to get my husband to hospital but the authorities didn’t allow it. So we will have to get another court order to take him to hospital,” Mrs. Fonseka said more..

Nov 26 (Island) Abortions, a criminal offence in Sri Lanka, have become common in the country as sexual promiscuity has increased among people in the country. The available statistics reveal that around 1,000 abortions are performed daily throughout the country and the annual figure is estimated around 300,000. Health Ministry’s Health Education Bureau Medical Officer Dr. Uthpala P.M.T. Amarasinghe said they were unable to arrive at an exact figure because more..

Nov 26 (Island) The double standards observed by the Health Ministry in giving transfers to doctors returning to the country, following their post graduate training, has a led to a dilemma in the free health sector. Informed medical sources said that it had led to an acute dearth of consultants in several parts of the country. Sri Lanka requires at least 3,000 to 4,000 consultants. Currently the numbers are less than thousand. But even they are treated more..

Nov 26 (Island) The Court of Appeal yesterday suspended the operation of two govt circulars, issued recently in respect of the Sri Lanka Medical Council. The first circular sought to categorise the Sri Lanka Medical Council as a Regulation Agency under the Public Enterprises Department, while the second amended the retirement age of the employees of the Public Enterprises Department. Notice was issued returnable on December 14, 2011, on the more..

Nov 26 (DN) Doctors produced by Sri Lanka are in demand due to the high quality of medical education and training, Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne said. He was addressing the 49th anniversary of the World Congress of Integrated Medicines 2011 at the BMICH. The Prime Minister said that Sri Lanka is one of the main countries offering free medical education for students and free medical service for its citizens. "Sri Lankan doctors are preferred in other countries because more..

Nov 26 (DN) Sri Lanka enjoys a supportive and satisfying relationship with the Russian Federation, and deeply appreciates the consistent understanding which Moscow has shown during the conflict as well as in respect of the current initiatives regarding development and reconciliation after the eradication of terrorism, Minister Professor G L Peiris said recently. He was speaking at the Foundation Laying Ceremony for the Russian Embassy building on Bauddhaloka Mawatha. more..

Nov 26 (DM) Security in and around the Jaffna peninsula and the North has been tightened as the military has received information that a group was planning to paste posters in the area to mark the birthday of Velupillai Prabhakaran. Jaffna Security Forces Commander Major General Mahinda Hathurasinghe noted that no celebration or activity will take place in the Jaffna peninsula today. “We received some information that a group attempted to paste a few posters. more..

Nov 26 (Island) The National Lottery Board (NLB) awarded of prize monies exceeding RS. 100 million to five super prize winners at the Sasakawa Hall in Kollupitiya on Wednesday. The NLB presented two motor cars and three LCD televisions to winners of the New Airport Lottery and the winners of Vasana Sampatha received air tickets to Bangkok. Since its inception in 1963, for the past 50 years the National Lottery Board had millions of people had benefited by winning prizes. more..

Nov 26 (DM) The Embilipitiya Paper Corporation has been leased out to a sole trader registered by a relative of a certain VIP, but not to a company as reported earlier, the UNP charged in Parliament yesterday. Earlier, it was reported that the corporation was leased out to Perth Engineering Company for a period of 30 years. “This, according to reliable information I have received, is not a company but a sole trader registered by a relative of a VIP who was in Perth till 2006,” more..

Nov 26 (Island) Heavy rains and gale force winds that lashed most parts of the country yesterday caused havoc leaving eight persons dead and thousands homeless. Of the eight deaths reported, seven were from the Matara district and the other from Moneragala. Five deaths were reported from Weligama and one each from Pasgoda and Thihagoda in the Matara. District where four other were injured. more..

Nov 26 (LBO) Sri Lanka's Wealth Lanka Management (Pvt) Ltd, an investment house, and Al Tayseer Advisory Services Sdn. Bhd a Malaysia based consultancy has linked up to provide Islamic banking and bond market instruments, officials said. The firm advices on Islamic banking and corporate finance and advisory services for specialist industries like steel, cement and cotton. "We find Sri Lanka as an emerging market for Islamic finance with immense future growth potential," more..

Nov 26 (DN) Sri Lanka can be an example to the world by being a country free of the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war, said International Court of Justice former Vice President Justice C.G. Weeramantry. He was participating in an awareness event on mine and action at the Foundation Institute Auditorium. "Sri Lanka has a good plan to do this. Public awareness is essential to reach this target. Sri Lanka is in progress towards banning more..

Nov 26 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Saturday termed as 'illogical, preposterous and absolutely outrageous' the central government's stand that the state proclaim a 'no fishing zone' within five nautical miles (NM) from the India-Sri Lanka international maritime boundary line and punish its violators. In a letter to Prime minister Manmohan Singh, she slammed the stand taken by the more..

Nov 26 (DN) The dream of Sri Lankans to reach their desired Southern destination in double-quick time will become a reality with the opening of the country’s first Expressway, ‘The Gateway to Wonder’ by President Mahinda Rajapaksa tomorrow. This is a mega development project launched by the govt to ensure that all segments of the country receive the dividends of development. more..

Nov 26 (TOI) The passenger ferry service between Tuticorin and Colombo in Sri Lanka, which was launched amidst much fanfare, has been stalled suddenly with the vessel, which left for the island capital on November 18 not having returned since. However, an operator of the luxury liner has said that the services have been stopped only for this week due to technical reasons. more..

Nov 26 (DM) Since 2009 till November this year, 882 abductions have taken place according to a new report prepared by the police under the directions of Inspector General of Police (IGP) N.K. Illangakone. Police media spokesman Ajith Rohana said that 875 cases have been solved after finding the abducted victims and 849 suspects were arrested in connection with the abductions. The number includes personal issues as well. more..

Nov 26 (DM) The court of Appeal yesterday listed to be mentioned on December 15 the Writ application filed by former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka seeking to sit and vote in Parliament. The matter was taken up before Justices R.L.Ranjith Silva. Petitioner Fonseka is seeking the court for an order directing the Respondents to take all necessary steps according to law to enable him to sit and vote in Parliament and to exercise his powers, privileges and immunities as a MP. more..

Nov 26 (DM) Dismissing speculations to the affect that the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant (LCPP) located in Puttalam was up for sale, Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday stressed that the plant was not for sale. Minister Ranawaka visited the plant and spoke to its employees assuring them that their jobs were safe and that the power plant would not be sold to a private company. At a discussion with officials of the Lakvijaya Plant more..

Nov 26 (DM) Russia's oil and natural gas giant Gazprom which is one of the biggest companies in the world engaged in the industry is expected to introduce Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) to Sri Lanka and improve the refinery facilities in the country. Minister G.L. Peiris had expressed satisfaction over the progress which had been achieved with regard to collaborative arrangements with Gazprom, the Russian gas company more..

Nov 26 (Island) The depreciation of the rupee, by three percent, coupled with various other factors have seen an increase in the prices of essential food items. This is felt badly by the consumers, though the prices at Lak Sathosa outlets continue to remain fairly reasonable at the moment. Consumers complained that the prices would increase further with the arrival of new stocks and they would be forced to tighten their belts for the forthcoming Christmas and New Year festivals. more..

Nov 26 (LP) The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said 26,011 people belonging to 6,496 families were affected and 17 deaths were reported due to prevailing bad weather condition in the country. Assistant Director, DMC, Pradeep Kodipilli, said winds that swept through the Southern area caused the greatest damage to Matara District. He said 5,515 people belonging to 1103 families were affected in Matara district. more..

Nov 26 (Island) The govt believes that a visit to the Eastern Province undertaken by British High Commissioner, John James Rankin, is timely, particularly in view of the ongoing attempts by the international arm of the LTTE, including those living in the UK, to undermine Sri Lanka’s post-war development process. The three-day visit, which concluded on Thursday, would have helped the British to make a realistic assessment of the ground situation. more..

Nov 26 (DM) Humanity in its evolution towards ascendancy is called to be ever watchful over itself. To not do so, would entail our inability to develop ourselves and naturally become the losers. In the natural world there are laws that govern it. Likewise we have to start with the premise that there is within each one of us something more than the natural; this we could call the spiritual side of people. It follows then that there has to be certain laws that govern its function. more..

Nov 26 (DM) One person was killed another 12 persons were injured when a private bus collided with a luxury bus while attempting to overtake it in Mundalama area in the Puttalam-Chilaw main road a short while ago. Police said that the luxury bus was bound to Jaffna at the time of the incident. The injured were admitted to the Puttalm and Mundalama Hospitals. The incident was reported around 12.15pm. The luxury bus had crashed into two trees after it collided with the other bus. more..

Nov 26 (ST) Sri Lanka champion Susantha Boteju and Ryan Somaratne left for India today (25) to compete in the IBSF World Men’s Snooker Championship which will be held in Bangalore from November 28 to December 3. Over 100 players from 15 different countries will battle it out at the world championship conducted by International Snooker Billiard and Snooker Federation (IBSF). Players have been drawn into 18 different groups and 14-time Sri Lankan champion, Boteju is been more..