Aug 12 (ST) No decision has been taken regarding any action against the suspects involved in making threatening calls to the Mannar Magistrate, Attorney General Palitha Fernando said. He said a report on this was handed over to the Attorney General’s Department by the CID which sought further instructions. According to legal sources, the Magistrate has ordered the CID to arrest the suspects involved in the attack. But so far no arrests have been made. more..

Aug 12 (Hindu) The Madras High Court on Sunday permitted the Tamil Eelam Supporters' Organisation (TESO) to go ahead with its conference at the YMCA grounds, Royapettah in Chennai. A Division Bench, comprising Justice Elipe Dharmarao and Justice M. Venugopal stayed an order of the Chennai city police denying permission to hold the conference at the YMCA grounds. The Bench allowed the meet to go on at the same venue, but imposed some conditions. more..

Aug 12 (CT) A 22 member delegation of Tamil diaspora which comprised mostly the individuals who were one time LTTE supporters abroad were assured by the Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa that the govt was committed towards enhancing the lives of the Tamils in the war hit areas and addressing the humanitarian issues which remain unsettled. The meeting between the Tamil diaspora delegation and the Defence Secretary took place at the more..

Aug 12 (Island) Can the Opposition exploit the ongoing controversy over the govt’s failure to investigate and punish those responsible for import and distribution of contaminated diesel at the forthcoming elections to three PCs in Sabaragamuwa, North Central and Eastern Provinces? The latest controversy has pitted Minister Susil Premajayanth, who is also the General Secretary of the ruling UPFA, against business tycoon Harry Jayawardene, more..

Aug 12 (LB) A govt minister is alleged to have cleared 2.2 hectares (5.4 acres) off the eastern edge of the Minneriya National Park to start building the second phase of his hotel named ‘Jeew’s Hide Out.’ This tourist hotel could be located on the Habarana-Polonnaruwa route and is deep inside the Minneriya National Park; the hotel complex could be spotted behind the cover of thick forest. Sources say that from the place where the hotel has been constructed more..

Aug 12 (ST) From allegedly killing a tourist to raping a 13 year-old and beating a 72 year-old, an increase in crimes committed by local politicians begs the question whether they are serving the public or harassing them. According to police records, for this year alone, legal action has been taken against 42 politicos including three MPs and others from Provincial, Municipal and Urban Councils and the most number from Pradeshiya Sabhas (PS). more..

Aug 12 (Island) The Vitol Group of Companies strongly refutes the allegation that diesel it supplied caused the reported incidents of damage to vehicles and machinery. The Vitol Group of Companies further denies the various allegations that have been made about its reinstatement as a registered supplier to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s (CPC) following its suspension in 2009. The diesel supplied by Vitol came from a larger parcel of product which has more..

Aug 12 (SL) The Tuberculosis Control Programme of the Health Ministry has not paid over a million rupees to the Java Technical Institute for services provided in developing a software and maintaining a computerized database on TB patients and the drugs involved. This project had been initiated as a national programme for the first time in the world, and it is claimed that in other countries, this type of project would cost at least US$ 12 million a year. However, the Java Technical Institute had more..

Aug 12 (LB) Papaya sold in Colombo’s traditional markets last week at Rs90 to Rs100 per kilo up from Rs35 to Rs50 per kilo when the Islamic Ramadhan fast began July 20. Sweet and sour plantains follow a similar price rise in the Colombo’s established markets as Mariyakade, Dematagoda, Grandpass and Thotalanga where there is a concentration of poor Muslims. Buffeted by 25 per cent of Colombo city’s 752,993 inhabitants being Muslims who more..

Aug 12 (NS) More Heads of Corporations and public sector institutions reported to be corrupt were to be removed shortly. The Nation learns that at least 10 Chairmen are to be removed from office in the coming weeks. The Nation also learns that the hierarchy of the government had directed the relevant authorities to report corrupt chairmen ousted from office to the CID and the Bribery Commission. more..

Aug 12 (SL) The demands of the University lecturers are reasonable and discussions are already in progress to meet their demands, says Nandimithra Ekanayake, Deputy Minister of Higher Education. “The issues of the University lecturers should be considered on sympathetic grounds. Tit for tat measures would only aggravate the situation. Although the granting of the demands could be viewed as a duty of the govt, it would not be possible to increase their salaries in line with more..

Aug 12 (SL) With the Provincial Council elections in the North-Central, Sabaragamuwa and Eastern Provinces a month away, election law violations are on the increase, according to the Department of Elections. As of Friday, with election fever gripping the three provinces, there were over a 100 reported cases with predictions of a further rise. Acting Commissioner of the Anuradhapura district office, Nalaka Rathnayake, explained that his district had received the highest number of complaints. more..

Aug 12 (Island) A large turnout of devotees have converged on Mannar to participate in the ten-day Feast of Assumption of Our Lady in Madhu — a major festival by the Catholic church — said Rev. Fr. Victor Sosai, Vicar-General of the Diocese of Mannar. He said the festivities commenced with the hoisting of the flag on August 6 Monday by the Administrator of the Madhu Shrine Father, S. Emilianus Pillai. more..

Aug 12 (Island) The UPFA held a series of rallies in the Ratnapura district in support of its candidates at the forthcoming Provincial Council elections. The rallies took place in Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita and Ratnapura town. Among the speakers at these meetings were Minister John Seneviratne, Prof. G.L. Peiris and MPs Namal Rajapaksa and Udith Lokubandara. The speakers explained the reasons why PC elections are being held at this time. more..

Aug 12 (ST) The problems plaguing the education system have spilled over to the ongoing A/L exam as well with mistakes found in the questions papers of several subjects held so far. The mistakes have been found in the Sinhala and Mathematics papers. A question in the Sinhala (Part One) paper (under the old syllabus) given on Friday asked students to explain the words highlighted in simple language but no words were highlighted, students who sat more..

Aug 12 (ST) The country lost nearly Rs. 2.14 billion of public funds due to the illegal transaction of investing in Greek Govt Bonds violating the rights of the people of the country, a UNP MP complained to the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Petitioner UNP MP Sujeewa Senasinghe, filing the petition on behalf of the country’s citizens who are the beneficiaries of the Consolidated Fund, said this public property more..

Aug 12 (PTI) Window panes of a boat, part of 78 which had put out to sea from this coastal town, were damaged in an attack allegedly by Sri Lankan naval personnel, who also took away the fish catch from 10 boats, fisheries department sources said. They said the Sri lankan naval personnel threw beer bottles and stones at the boat last night damaging the windowpanes. Later they surrounded the boats and threatened them to leave the area, the sources said. Meanwhile about 11 fishermen's organisations did not put out to sea for the fifth more..

Aug 12 (Island) The next few years would be decisive for the whole shipping industry because all shipping lines are expected to face a financial meltdown due to the oversupply of vessels and high bunker costs, aggravated by the recession in the Euro zone and USA. This will pressure margins in most shipping segments in the country, Chairman, Ceylon Association of Ships’ Agents (CASA) Ralph Anandappa warned last week. "The outlook for the next 12 to 18 months for the shipping more..

Aug 12 (ST) Treasury Secretary P. B. Jayasundara has ordered the disbanding of the Customs Revenue Task Force (RTF), after the officers swooped on a group of Maligawatte businessmen reportedly bringing dutiable goods in large quantities. The order followed a standoff between the RTF officers and passengers who had arrived on a flight from Chennai. When the officers wanted to check the goods, the passengers had allegedly hurled abuse at them. more..

Aug 12 (SL) The new vehicle registration number plates will not include the number 13 after the public complained, according to S.H. Harischandra Commissioner General of the Registration of Motor Vehicles (RMV). He said that many people were superstitious of having the number 13 on their vehicles, and so the RMV will not issue vehicle license plates, which either have the number 13 or add up to 13. He added that hotel rooms do not have the number 13 or the 13th floor either because of the public’s superstition. more..

Aug 12 (PTI) Seeking to inject life into the defunct Tamil Eelam Supporters' Organisation, DMK chief M Karunanidhi today charged the Sri Lankan army with running a "state of Emergency" in Tamil areas. He also said a long-term solution to the Tamils issue has to be a political one. The plight of Sri Lankan Tamils was linked with human rights and dignity, which required short-term, medium-term and long-term solutions, Karunanidhi told a conclave ahead of the pro-Eelam international TESO meet more..

Aug 12 (LBO) Power minister has sought cabinet approval to raise state-run Ceylon Electricity Board’s borrowing limit to 74.2 billion rupees to meet increasing fuel needs, settle debts and pay independent power producers, a report said. Minister Champika Ranawaka told his cabinet colleagues that the state power utility owed 16 billion rupees to independent power producers and another 15 billion rupees to state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, more..

Aug 12 (SL) Every day, children over the world are molested, raped, abused, and killed. Who is responsible?, Ms. Diarietou Gaye, World Bank’s Country Director in Sri Lanka recently wrote in the Bank’s “blog.” She also said, “ We all are, as parents, teachers, personalities, journalists, neighbours, politicians, religious figures, men and women of this world; we are all responsible, including and especially those of us who have decided to be silent observers of the horrible more..

Aug 12 (CG) The police today offered a Rs. 1 million reward for any information which could lead to a breakthrough over the investigations into the double murder in Kahawatte last month. The reward has been offered on the instructions of IGP N.K. Illangakoon and the identity of the informants will be kept strictly confidential. On July 19 a woman, 63 year old L.A. Premawathi, and her 33 year old daughter were found dead in their house at Kahawatte. more..

Aug 12 (CG) The police say the tear-gas fired on a group of protestors in Badulla today was not targeted at the Badulla hospital. A tear-gas canister had fallen inside the hospital premises at the time the police fired tear-gas on the protesters to disperse them. Police said that an investigation has been launched into the canister falling into the hospital premises where patients were also present. “The tear-gas was not meant to target the hospital, more..

Aug 12 (AD) The four temporary houses set on fire in the Unachchiya area in Vavunathivu last night was the result of a clash between two groups from that village and a nearby village, police said today. One suspect has been arrested over the incident, police spokesman SP Ajith Rohana said. He however added that certain electronic media and websites are attempting to portray this incident as a conflict between majority Sinhalese and minority communities. more..

Aug 12 (SL) Election campaigning by political parties in the Sabaragamuwa Province is yet to hit fever pitch with a few weeks more for the hustings. The lacklustre campaigns of the opposition parties have given the edge to the ruling UPFA. However, political analysts say unlike during the previous provincial council elections, the enthusiasm shown by the people in the province this time is low. This election, while expected to be won by the UPFA, will not be a comprehensive victory according to Professor Nalaka Fernando retired lecturer more..

Aug 12 (CG) The police today warned the media and the public not to incite racial or religious tensions by spreading false information regarding some incidents. The warning comes after some news websites had indicated that an incident in Vavunaitivu early this morning was as a result of a clash between Sinhalese groups and minorities in the area. Four temporary shelters were set on fire in Unachiya, in the Vavunaitivu police more..

Aug 12 (CI) A blazing opening stand between Tamim Iqbal and Kamran Akmal made a chase of 180 seem a cakewalk, as Wayamba United crushed Uthura Rudras by nine wickets, with four balls to spare at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Tamim savaged an unbeaten 93 from 61 deliveries, while Kamran made 79 from 55. The latter's dismissal in the penultimate over was the only hiccup during the run chase, and that too when the game was already in the bag. Earlier, Imran Farhat's more..

Aug 12 (HT) The Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) in partnership with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) organized a 'Nepal Sanjh'(Nepal evening) with an objective of attracting investment and increasing the number of Sri Lankan tourists to Nepal. On the occasion, Vice-chairman of the Sri Lankan Parliament, Chandima Birakodi, said that the friendly relation of the two countries would be made stronger through tourism. He further said that a large number of tourists could be attracted more..

Aug 12 (SL) Sri Lanka has seen a rise in the number of narcotic suspects apprehended by the police with nearly 20,000 being arrested in the first seven months of this year. Police says this is due to increased surveillance by the narcotic and police units. “We have arrested nearly 20,000 suspects this year due to new methods of investigations being employed by the police,” he said. Of those arrested 30% have been convicted and jailed, more..

Aug 13 (SL) CONCEDING the ODI series to India 1-4 is disheartening, coming as it does on the heels of Sri Lanka’s admirable 3-1 triumph over Pakistan in the series before, in June. The Indians, remember, were resuming international cricket after a two-month holiday, during which period Sri Lanka was honed by a taxing schedule of three Tests, five ODIs and two T-20s against Pakistan, two of which contests the islanders won while the T-20 was shared. So, if the forecast didn’t tilt more..

Aug 13 (SL) As someone once said “It’s hard not to be paranoid when the b….s keep harassing you!” Messages to ‘cease and desist’ from criticizing our nonpareil government which epitomizes peace and goodwill to all mankind (and some on the distaff side, too) have come and continue to do so from every direction, most, but not all, relatively innocuous, well-meaning and non-threatening. However, recently, on the night before I was due to make a pilgrimage to the Sri Lanka Press Institute/The Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka more..

Aug 13 (SO) Confident of the people's support to the SLFP Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs John Seneviratne said that the Provincial Council elections 2012 will bring an outstanding victory for the party. He said that this election will be an alternative to a by election which will be the yardstick to measure people's confidence in the Govt. Ensuring a free and fair election He said. "The party will not hesitate to take strict disciplinary action against those who would commit offences". more..

Aug 13 (CT) About 15 years ago as I was passing the Senior Common Room of the Peradeniya Arts Faculty, I saw Dr. S.B.D. De Silva having a cup of tea. He was alone. I walked in and had a chat. I asked him why the place was empty and if this was ‘normal’. He said ‘If you want to find the lecturers, you have to go to Polgahamulla’. The reference was to a highly successful tuition operation close to Peradeniya where lecturers would teach students reading for external degrees. more..

Aug 13 (CT) Public debate is rife with heated opinions in regard to the virtual breakdown of the law and order process in Sri Lanka. The govt continues to deny that there is a steep rise in crime and quite absurdly blames the media for reporting on crime. The root causes for this deterioration in law and order, namely the involvement of politicians from the highest to the lowest level in the underworld and the nefarious activities of corrupt police officers, are however glibly passed over. This week, we hear the frightening story of more..

Aug 13 (DBS) Sumangala Kailasapathy will be one of three new faces soon on the Ann Arbor City Council. A Certified Public Accountant, Kailasapathy ran for the Democratic Party’s nomination against the Democratic Mayor’s big projects (like a proposed railway station and a countywide expansion of public transit services), in favor of services and citizens’ priorities. She received an astounding 57.7% of the vote. more..

Aug 13 (SO) A 19-year-old girl from a poor family in the Sabaragamuwa province came to Kaduwela with her boyfriend and settled down in a small rented house. The boy friend who was a cab driver was away from home most of the time. A three wheel taxi driver who befriended her has lured her into prostitution by promising to pay her a big sum of money. The OIC Walana Vice Squad, Inspector Duminda Balasuriya received a tip off from an informant that a three wheeler taxi driver and his wife are more..

Aug 13 (ST) The persistence of poverty despite economic growth has remained the puzzle of our times. Nations have learnt strategies to achieve economic growth; not the art of distributing wealth and incomes equitably. Inclusive growth is illusive in developed and developing countries around the world. Although most countries in South Asia are experiencing reasonable economic growth, a very large number of people are left behind by the growth process. Why does poverty persist in more..

Aug 13 (DBS) I am glad to speak on this motion moved by the Hon. Member for Colombo and I am further glad to speak at the time when you are in the Chair, and quite unusually, after a speech in which you have said some things on which we can agree on. Hon. Member while moving the motion referred to the first Prime Minister Hon. D.S. Senanayake twice in his speech and sir, you also referred to the first Prime Minister. more..