Aug 30 (LBO) Sri Lanka's inflation measured in Colombo rose 6.3% in the 12-months to August up from 6.1% in July, though prices fell during the month. The Colombo Consumer Price Index fell 0.6 points during August to 176.2 points. The food and non-alcoholic beverages sub-index fell 0.8% and the non-food items rose 0.1%, the state statistics office said. The prices of several imported foods have also eased amid a falling India rupee, and the state has upped import taxes. more..

Aug 30 (CG) The TNA has told the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay that several people who spoke to her during her visit to the North have been threatened. TNA Chief Ministerial candidate C.V. Wigneswaran said that the TNA communicated this to her when they had a meeting at the Cinnamon Lakeside hotel today. Pillay had visited the North this week and met several civilians including relatives of those reported missing during and soon after the war. more..

Aug 30 (TA) International networks sympathetic to the terrorist Tamil Tigers, decisively defeated in Sri Lanka's civil war in 2009, play a big role in the people-smuggling trade to Australia, says Sri Lanka's President, Mahinda Rajapaksa. "The LTTE sympathiser networks have been in this business for a long time," he said in an exclusive interview in his Colombo office. "It was their big money-raiser. They are still doing it today." more..

Aug 30 (Island) In the wake of Saudi Arabia turning to Sri Lanka and India to meet its demand for domestic workers, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) stressed that it was not interested in sending more housemaids to West Asian countries, including Saudi Arabia. SLBFE Deputy Director Mangala Randeniya said that the Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Ministry would reconsider the request if Saudi Arabia was ready to pay higher salaries and more..

Aug 30 (Island) Glitz, the fashion destination launched their online store, giving customers the world over an opportunity to experience chic clothing & accessories that will bring out a different personality depending on the occasion. The glamorous event which took place at Park Street Mews saw the elite of Colombo walk in with the trendiest outfits of the season. Among the many celebrities that attended the event were Kumar Sangakkara, former cricket captain more..

Aug 30 (CG) President Mahinda Rajapaksa has told the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay that some incidents raised by her are “isolated incidents” and that the majority of Sri Lankans continue to coexist peacefully in all parts of the island. President Rajapaksa also told Pillay that there is a belief among many Sri Lankans that the United Nations is biased in the way it deals with countries, and more..

Aug 30 (AD) Dipped Products the company which owns the latex glove manufacturing factory at Rathupaswala today stated that it will resume operations for an interim period pending its relocation. In a statement the company added that the factory opened for non-production related activities soon after the multi-stakeholder meeting with the President on August 12. As per the court hearing which was concluded a short while ago, the reports presented to the Gampaha Courts more..

Aug 30 (Island) Meeting of SAARC Finance Ministers and Secretaries scheduled to be held in Colombo on 29th and 30th August 2013. The meeting of the Finance Ministers and Secretaries of the member countries of the SAARC 2013 is scheduled to be held in Colombo on 29th and 30th of August 2013. Matters related to the development of economic cooperation of the South Asian region, poverty alleviation, inter-regional long-term investment, SAARC agreements on more..

Aug 30 (CI) Sri Lanka's tour of Zimbabwe is in doubt with the SLC saying the hosts have sought a postponement. Sri Lanka were scheduled to tour Zimbabwe from October 6 to November 4 for two Tests, three ODIs and two T20s. "We received an e-mail from the Zimbabwe Cricket Union seeking a postponement of the tour and the reason given was 'due to unavoidable circumstances'," Nishantha Ranatunga, more..

Aug 30 (CG) The European Union (EU) Delegation in Sri Lanka today called for credible and transparent investigations into disappearances consistent with international standards. The EU said that in Sri Lanka, thousands of people disappeared during the war and while many cases date back to the unrest in the south in the 1970s and 1980s, others are much more recent, affecting people across the country, both during and after the war. “Against this backdrop, the EU Delegation more..

Aug 30 (Xinhua) South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong-Won met the Sri Lankan president for bilateral discussions on Friday during an official visit aimed at boosting relations and investment. The three-day official visit from 28-30 August also saw the prime minister visiting new areas on development in the island including a visit to the freshly expanded Colombo port, which is now the deepest harbor in South Asia. Chung and Rajapaksa discussed investment and trade more..

Aug 30 (ST) Addressing the third session of the Sri Lanka Youth Parliament, UN rights chief called on the country’s youth to set aside differences and play a transformative role in society while urging the govt to take up the pressing issues of youth suicide, unemployment and education. Ms Pillay said she was concerned about young people in the country and diaspora who were 'frozen in the hatred that fuelled the war". more..

Aug 31 (NS) The Weliweria incident tells us several of our weaknesses. As an administrator, having adorned the Sri Lanka Administrative Service for eighteen long years, I can figure out that our administration is now weak at the village level and the incidents that happen frequently today could have been nipped in the bud if only we had a vibrant administrative set up from the village level upwards. Recently, the newspapers reported that there were foreigners from various countries like more..

Aug 31 (NS) Taking to Managing Director Praguna Management Consultants Dhammika Jayasuriya, an expert on International Standards, is refreshing. He’ll refuse to take a product home if whoever who sells him something fails to put it in a bag. Jayasuriya is of the opinion that the present generation of employees- which includes individuals born after 1980 and are just entering the job market- will change the attitude (passiveness) of customers in this country. more..

Aug 31 (SO) The journey becomes more wearisome when the sights are so new, the heat fierce and there is dust everywhere. The vehicle groaned moving over the improbable road to a village in Welioya. We were on our way to Konwewa, a remote villages in Welioya in the Mullaitivu district where families have returned during the past few months to resettle in their homeland. Amid the setting sun one could more..

Aug 31 (CT) Last Sunday, President Mahinda Rajapaksa left the shores of the isle on an official visit, as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay, who had finally accepted an invitation extended two years ago by the Rajapaksa Administration, arrived in the country. Sri Lankans, who have a fascination for conspiracy theories would call it a snub and was a belittling of the UN Envoy. But, official visits by the Heads of the State are planned months, more..

Aug 31 (CT) As dry- seeded rice systems grow in popularity – particularly in the Asian region – a new scientific experiment has highlighted the strong possibility of increasing the yield of dry-seeded rice by rotating the various herbicides used in this specific rice cultivation method. By rotating different herbicides, dry-seeded rice yield could record a higher yield than wet-seeded rice as well as transplanted rice, says Dr. Bhagirath Singh Chauhan, a weed scientist more..

Aug 31 (Island) The South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) which opened its new Sri Lankan clinical hospital called Neville Fernando Russia Friendship Hospital a few months ago has become the largest private hospital in the country. The construction of the hospital was the brainchild of its Chairman Dr. Neville Fernando. He spent his own money to construct thea state-of-the-art private hospital more..

Aug 31 (CT) Today marks the 50th anniversary of the “I Have a Dream” speech by Martin Luther King Jr. delivered in Washington, on August 28, 1963. This remarkable speech that touched many people’s hearts was delivered on the centenary of the Emancipation Proclamation introduced by President Abraham Lincoln. It reminded the great values of human life and created hope for a better society to live in harmony with dignity and without racial segregation. more..

Aug 31 (CT) Take a look at our ruling political elite in Sri Lanka from the top, right through the hierarchy of tail-wagging, incompetent Ministers, to the lowest Pradeshiya Sabha ranks. Look at the Para-political levels, namely the myriad hangers-on- of this mainstream elite: servile lowly monks who confer exalted and inflated religious titles on corrupt leaders; opportunistic Public Servants willing to concoct bogus statistics to boost the govt; media personal who are recipients of more..

Aug 31 (FT) Sri Lanka Tourism’s novel joint mega promotional campaign named ‘Sri Lanka Shines in Beijing’ started off in the Chinese capital on 29 August 2013 with the aim of attracting potential Chinese travellers to Sri Lanka. This joint mega promotion campaign is a result of collective efforts of public and private sector organisations in travel and tourism industry, initiated under the advice of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. more..

Aug 31 (ST) BOI Chairman Lakshman Jayaweera is likely to be removed or asked to resign amidst accusations from workers that he was neglecting his duties and responsibilities, informed sources said. Treasury Secretary Dr P.B. Jayasundera was not satisfied with the performance of the BOI Chief who failed to attract any substantial foreign investment into the country during his tenure of office, these sources said. Dr. Jayaweera was overseas and could’t be contacted for comment. more..

Aug 31 (Island) A minister has taken umbrage at police dogs being made to ‘tie the nuptial knot’ like humans at ‘weddings’. He has faulted the Police Department for having made a mockery of the traditional poruwa. But, neither he nor any other government worthy seems to be worried about the fact that the ruling party politicians in the election fray are behaving like feral dogs. The country is now free from ferocious Tigers but, sadly, it is troubled by mad dogs in politicians’ clothing. more..

Aug 31 (DBS) Navi Pillai is a name which has become very familiar to most Sri Lankans in recent times.The past week has seen the Sri Lankan media flooded by references to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Emotions are on the rise and expectations are high as the week long visit to SL by the 72 year old UN Human Rights chief continues to receive extensive media focus. Navi is a shortened form of the name Navaneetham. more..

Aug 31 (Island) Nishantha Ranatunga and Upali Dharmadasa were allergic towards Test cricket. They cancelled ten Tests during a 12 month period in office. The cancellation of the high profile three match Test series against South Africa on home soil was a bitter pill for the lovers of Test cricket in Sri Lanka to swallow. Young and talented players who are on the wings to reach greater heights in their careers were denied an opportunity to see some of the crème of international more..

Aug 31 (FT) Tokyo Cement has won an interim order against the commissioning of the packing plant of the Holcim Lanka at the Trincomalee port. The development follows after Court of Appeal yesterday granted an interim order pending the determination and hearing of the writ application filed by Tokyo Cement against the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and others. Holcim Lanka’s subsidiary Trinco Cement Works was to commission a new terminal packing plant at the Trincomalee Port more..

Aug 31 (CT) Issues pertaining to Sri Lankan lesbians, gays, bisexuals and Transgenders (LGBT), HIV/AIDS were raised by representatives of civil society during open meetings conducted between civil society and the Commonwealth People's Forum (CPF), which were held in Kandy, Jaffna and Colombo. The Commonwealth Foundation's Deputy Director, Myn Garcia said she welcomes the fact that more..

Aug 31 (Island) Some decades ago I quoted Santayana’s dictum that a people who cannot remember its past is doomed to repeat it. I cannot remember the exact words. Shortly thereafter President Jayewardene repeated the quotation, and it was much in vogue for some years. Now, in writings on July ’83, the idea that a people who cannot remember its past is doomed to repeat it has been powerfully revived, though the quotation has been forgotten. more..

Aug 31 (Island) Around 80 disabled war heroes were given 12 perches of land each in Aluthgama, in recognition of the selfless service rendered by them during the war. Transport Minister Kumara Welgama hands over a deed to the wife of a war hero at a simple function held at the Transport Ministry recently. The country’s security forces valiantly had fought not to protect their own personal properties, but to safeguard the territorial integrity and the rights of all communities in the country but more..

Aug 31 (Island) Apropos our news items, Mandana says ‘gold haul’ found by police does not belong to her and Suspect reveals mastermind’s identity - Victims confirm jewellery belong to them on Aug. 29 and Aug. 30 respectively, Associate Editor of The Sunday Leader, Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema, has sent us the following statement: "I wish to categorically state that the report published on Thursday listing out the items of jewellery more..

Aug 31 (ST) A delicious drink prepared using the jelly substance in Aloe Vera plant is growing in popularity, the company said. The Bio Care Institute in Kaludewala, Panadura has prepared and introduced the “Active Aloe” Aloe Vera Jelly drink three years ago to the market. This has been initially sold in and around Colombo City and other towns close by where a high acceptance was noted in the market. “The reason for this high acceptance is that this drink has been proved to more..

Aug 31 (CT) The Cosmetics, Devices and Drugs Regulatory Authority (CDDRA) yesterday said all vials of the drug Promethazine Hydrochloride and Acyclovir Sodium will be withdrawn from the shelves of all hospitals and pharmacies islandwide and stern action will be taken against the Indian supplier, with immediate effect. Chairman of the CDDRA, Dr. Hemantha Beneragama, said the reports from the National Quality Assurance Laboratory on samples of both injections indicate that more..

Aug 31 (Island) Regional Development Department of Central Bank recently launched its newest loan scheme ‘Commercial Scale Dairy Development Loan Scheme (CSDDLS)’ aiming at ensuring self sufficiency in milk and milk products in the country. The ceremonial launching of this new Credit Scheme took place on August 29, 2013 at Salgastenna Dairy Farm at Indigolla, Nittambuwa with the participation of more..

Aug 31 (ST) Urging equal treatment, high-end depositors of Ceylinco Shriram complain that they are yet to receive a substantial amount of their dues to fall in line with their low end counterparts in accordance with the Supreme Court approved repayment plan. The initial payment as per the repayment plan was limited up to Rs.900,000 or 60 per cent of the value deposits whichever is less and this basis should be followed in settling the dues of all depositors, a spokesman of the Ceylinco more..

Aug 31 (CT) Candidates of the UNP contesting the upcoming North-Western Provincial Council (NWPC) elections appear to be divided over the decision to not allow former Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa to take part in election meetings in the Kurunegala District. Former Opposition Leader of the NWPC, Prasanna Senarath said, the decision is good for the future of the Party. However, some other candidates have disagreed by saying that removing Premadasa from the list of speakers would more..

Aug 31 (CG) Japan says it encourages Sri Lanka’s efforts for national reconciliation as a means of sustaining long-term development in the country. As a key partner in the peace process in Sri Lanka Japan has provided its unstinted support to reconstruct and rebuild the Northern areas, with highest priority to the welfare of the people. The Govt of Japan today extended Rs. 37 million to the “Reconstruction of Community and more..

Aug 31 (CG) Minister DEW Gunasekera feels the TNA will set a good example if it wins the NPC elections. Gunasekera said that the TNA has a strong list of candidates contesting the polls headed by former Supreme Court Judge C.V. Wigneswaran. He says the TNA will lead the council well and in the process they will also set an example for other provinces. “If they win I feel they will be more democratic and they will also gradually move away from the separate state concept,” he said. more..

Aug 31 (CG) Tight security has been placed outside the UN office in Colombo ahead of a scheduled press conference by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay. Pillay is to address the media at the UN compound tomorrow morning but some Buddhist organizations have threatened to block her convoy near the UN office and handover a petition. The monks have already informed the media about their plans including a possible attempt to surround Pillay’s vehicle if she fails to more..

Aug 31 (HT) The Sixth SAARC Finance Ministers’ meeting started, today (30), in Colombo. The meeting, this year, will focus on the status of economic and financial cooperation within the region and review the progress made in the implementation of recommendations of their last meeting. The meeting will also discuss a proposal to allow greater flow of financial capital and long-term investment within the SAARC region, more..

Aug 31 (CT) Shanmugalingam Sivagnanakumar, elder brother of former Chief of the LTTE Intelligence Wing, Pottu Amman, has died in Jaffna last week. Sivagnanakumar, who is a German citizen, has arrived in Sri Lanka in secret and had lived in Jaffna till he passed away due to a heart failure. He had been staying at a house, which he claimed to be his ancestral home, in Ariyalai, Jaffna. However, following his death, the German Govt had taken steps to take his remains to more..