Dec 7 (Hindu) China has started a major water supply project in Sri Lanka, using its 'soft power' to deepen its relationship with Colombo. China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) has launched the $230-million enterprise — the largest ever undertaken by the Sri Lankan govt. Chinese company had been earlier involved in the construction of the $ 1.2 billion Lakvijaya coal fired power plant in Sri Lanka. Once completed, the new project will yield clean drinking water that more..

Dec 7 (AM) A mother of two children had sent a letter of demand to Principal of Royal College in Colombo claiming Rs.260 million as damages alleging that there had been a lack of due care on the part of the School authorities and those who were entrusted with the care of her son Sasanka Alwis who suffered permanent brain injuries and left in a permanent vegetative state since March 2, 2013 at the scout camp more..

Dec 7 (AG) On June 23, 2014, Prasad Kariyawasam, a longtime member of his country’s Foreign Service, took over as Sri Lanka’s ambassador to the United States. Kariyawasam was born March 21, 1954, in Galle, to educators Pragnadasa and Anula Kariyawasam. He was a Boy Scout and a cricket player; one of the best of his age group in the country, in fact. He was captain of the Richmond College Galle team in 1972 when it won a match against Mahinda College that is more..

Dec 7 (Island) "Heads of Local govts including Pradeshiya Sabha Chairmen are being front-lined by powerful government ministers to spearhead violence against opposition members," alleged Manjula Gajanayake, National Co-ordinator for the CMEV. "We arrived at this assessment after analyzing several incidents. We can cite at least three notable instances when PS members and chairmen are alleged to have been involved in violence against opposition members more..

Dec 7 (PTI) Sri Lanka's main Tamil party, TNA today said that Tamils were yet to decide their preference for the January 8 presidential polls as their concerns remain unaddressed by both, the incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa and his main opposition rival. "Tamils are facing various issues. There are hundreds of people who still can't go back to their own lands because Army is occupying them", TNA MP Suresh Premachandran said. more..

Dec 8 (CT) The 14 day notice period ending today (7) by the Flight Attendants Union of Sri Lankan Airlines may ignite their threatened Industrial Action of “No Smiles” by wiping away the their smiles on board all flights the airline operates on their entire network. The famous ‘Sri Lankan Smile’ that the airline has been made world famous for, may seize and be wiped away due to their ‘Collective Bargaining Agreement’ which still has not been finalized by the Airline’s Senior Management more..

Dec 8 (SL) The constant honking of horns, thrashing noise of giant construction machineries, loudspeakers blowing our ears off, airplanes hovering above our heads, our daily lives are packed with so much noise that most of us can’t wait for the weekend to get out. We desperately seek silence, away from the hustle-bustle of the city and into the wilderness, to give ourselves a much needed break. But as traditional villages gradually become urbanised cities, country is faced more..

Dec 8 (SO) Sunday Observer in a recent issue highlighted that SL has recorded a staggering 13,365 foreign visitors who have not emigrated in the past two years. Apart from those who come for pleasure or business, the figure had significantly increased by the recent groups that temporarily arrived in search of political refuge in a third world country. In other words, Sri Lanka has become a popular transit point for asylum seekers, more..

Dec 8 (CT) Maithri Bhavana, the cultivation of benevolence towards all living beings, is an extremely popular form of meditation in Buddhism. The state-owned SLBC has a regular programme on how to practice Maithri Bhavana. That programme, until very recently, was called, Maithri Bhavana. Then Maithripala Sirisena crossed over to the opposition and became the ‘Common Candidate’, turning his name into a dirty word in the Rajapaksa lexicon. Suddenly SLBC changed the name more..

Dec 8 (SL) The first five weeks of the league competition has jolted our senses so often that even the sight of Santa Clause careering through Colombo streets in his kayak is not likely to cause astonishment. A rapid succession of outrageous results has left fans immune to shocks. The first in a series of staggering upsets came as early as in the league’s second week when fourth ranked CR&FC tugged the rug from under no. 3 Havelock SC. But that outcome was made to look only more..

Dec 8 (SL) Former Minister Navin Dissanayake who crossed over from the govt to support the common candidate to abolish executive presidency said like his father the late Gamini Dissanayake, he too sees how dangerous it is to have executive powers with one person. “Like my father I too had to take certain decision to serve the country. That was why I crossed over with another 17 to strengthen President Rajapaksa’s govt to more..

Dec 8 (ST) As in the case of the entrance to the Underworld in Dante’s Inferno, the practice of the law in Sri Lanka should ideally have a warning sign stating ‘abandon hope, all ye who enter here.’ In particular, and only slightly in jest, such a warning should be issued to hopeful new entrants in this day and age who don their black coats for the first time with feelings of trepidation as they tiptoe gingerly to take their oaths as attorneys before the Supreme Court. What pray, is the point of learning more..

Dec 8 (NS) If Sri Lanka is to win another cricket World Cup they will need to come with a new strategy like the one they adopted in 1996 when they caught the cricket world by complete surprise with their pinch hitting making maximum use of the fielding restrictions in the first 15 overs when a fielding side could have only two men outside the 30-yard circle. Sri Lanka implemented this plan to perfection using the exceptional batting skills of left-hander Sanath Jayasuriya and more..

Dec 8 (CT) Actor Ranjan Ramanayaka is once again embroiled in a controversy, this time over a telephone call insulting Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage. He says that he will standby Matara Sunil and the Police have found that the call had come from a phone number registered in Ranjan Ramanayake's name. Q: Is this the latest way of gaining popularity? A: In this programme, some person called Matara Sunil more..

Dec 8 (NS) The ruling UPFA was taken by surprise when the General Secretary of the SLFP Maithripala Sirisena emerged as the ‘common’ candidate for the opposition for the presidential elections, but it is now formulating its response. It is no secret that the UPFA was counting on the opposition offering UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as its candidate. Given Wickremesinghe’s well-known shortcomings in public relations, govt expected President Rajapaksa to win the poll comfortably. more..

Dec 8 (ST) Wonder what kind of supple granite material, malleable to the touch Navin Dissanayake uses to engrave his solemn promises to the nation? Certainly it cannot be a chip of the old stone block kings of yore used to inscribe their edicts and record momentous events for posterity; or even the polished marble his late father employed to etch his solid political stance. Speaking at a news conference to explain why he refused a bribe of Rs. 100 million offered by three people more..

Dec 8 (CT) The plot had everything from political skullduggery, satellite phones to high treason. At stake, of course, was the country. And, then there was the common candidate. A simple idea whose nascence has now taken the entire country by storm, resurrecting and representing hope for those languishing in the political wastelands, including many in the govt and the Opposition, in the form of former General Secretary of SLFP more..

Dec 8 (Island) CID has reportedly been called in to investigate an allegation made by former Minister Navin Dissanayake that the govt offered him a bribe of Rs. 100 mn in a bid to prevent his crossover. This is, no doubt, a political probe, but it behoves MP Dissanayake to co-operate with the police and reveal the names of the persons and other relevant information he claims to possess and substantiate his claim. There is no other way he could convince the public that he is telling the truth, more..

Dec 8 (Island) With less than a month to go to the polls there seems to be many outstanding issues that either candidate needs to address to convince the 11 million voters that he is the better man for the job. There are of course the diehards on either side who will not change but it is the swing voter who could make the difference that needs to be convinced. In this, President Rajapaksa is at an advantage with established credentials while the common candidate is yet to prove his. more..

Dec 8 (CI) Sri Lanka revels in being a little weird. This manifests in Colombo's bus drivers, who alternate so forcefully between the brake and accelerator that their vehicles are practically twerking their way through the city's streets. Or in the long, loud howls with which market vendors advertise their wares, their language sometimes so warped it sounds more like a whale song, than the native Sinhala or Tamil. more..

Dec 8 (Island) Sri Lankan-German SME Development Programme aims to support a cohesive policy framework enabling Sri Lankan SMEs to grow in an eco-friendly manner through a wide range of technical assistance, innovation and improved access to finance, German Muller, Senior Advisor GIZ said in Colombo recently. Muller said so at the inauguration ceremony of ‘SME Pavilion of Quality -2014’ which was held at the BMICH from December 3-7. more..

Dec 8 (CT) If we did not focus on quality we wouldn't be where we are today - Nilrukshi De Silva, Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Business Development. With a journey spanning across 33 years, Multilac has been able to earn an enduring name in the paint and surface coating industry in Sri Lanka. In an exclusive interview Nilrukshi De Silva spoke about Multilac's focus on quality, the company's journey over 3 decades and what sets it apart from its competition. more..

Dec 8 (Island) Sri Lanka is now negotiating with many international carriers, including Etihad and Oman Air, which have earmarked the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) at Mattala as a proposed alternate destination in Sri Lanka, a top aviation industry official said. "Discussions are continuing with many airlines and we are optimistic of a positive outcome as MRIA has an A380 facilitated runway", more..

Dec 8 (CI) 115: Number of ODIs hosted at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, the fourth-most at any stadium, overtaking the Harare Sports Club (114). The only venue to host more ODIs are the Sharjah Cricket Stadium (216), the Sydney Cricket Ground (144) and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (138). 90: Runs scored by James Taylor, his maiden ODI fifty. He had only played two previous ODIs, both against Ireland, in 2011 and 2013, scoring 1 and 25 respectively in those games. more..

Dec 8 (FT) National Sales Average for tea in November has fallen “significantly” by 11.4% to Rs. 437.72 per kilo from Rs. 487.70 a year earlier, according to produce broker John Keells Ltd. “The biggest losses have been from the Low Grown (-13.1%) and Medium Grown (-9.7%) and High Grown (6%). The to-date (Jan-Nov) national average still stands higher at Rs. 463.50 compared to Rs. 440.25 per kg during the same period last year,” it said. Meanwhile, at tea auctions last week more..

Dec 8 (CI) Kumar Sangakkara is in advanced talks with Surrey about a county stint in 2015, but will not make a firm commitment until he decides on his Test future. His original retirement plans, which entailed quitting all formats after the forthcoming World Cup, would have left him wide open for a county season next year. However, as he is now considering playing Test series in June and August, both he and the county must grapple more..

Dec 8 (FT) Sri Lanka’s largest listed company John Keells Holdings (JKH) is ranked at the top out of the 34 stocks captured in the latest compilation of the MSCI Frontier Markets (FM) Asia Index. As at 31 October, JKH has an index weight of 9.05% which has seen the stock improving from its second position from the previous index update (end-August 2014). “This is a significant feat as Sri Lanka itself accounts for the smallest country weight of 13.88% in the index,” according to Frontier Research. more..

Dec 8 (FT) Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has licensed Singer Finance PLC to issue payment cards, both Debit Cards and Credit Cards, making the company the very first non-banking financial institution in Sri Lanka to be able to do so. The pioneering company is a subsidiary of retail giant, Singer Sri Lanka, and is leveraging the strength and reach of its parent company in order to bring flexible financial solutions to Sri Lankans all across the island. more..

Dec 8 (FT) Tommy Hilfiger, owned by US-listed PVH Group and one of world famous designer brands, entered Sri Lanka last week, setting up shop at Arcade Independence Square. Sri Lanka joins the expanding global network of over 1,400 Tommy Hilfiger stores in over 90 countries worldwide. PVH Corp. is one of the world’s largest apparel companies and owns and markets the iconic Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger brands. more..

Dec 8 (AN) Islamic Finance has garnered an increased interest in the last few years and has the potential to develop the capital markets of Sri Lanka and assist in the development of infrastructure along with encouraging foreign investment in the island state, according to an economist in Sri Lanka. Suresh Perera, tax and regulatory principal of the KPMG Sri Lanka, said Islamic Finance was first introduced to Sri Lanka as early as 1997. However, the landmark evolution was more..

Dec 8 (Hindu) Bureaucratic procedures and a “flawed” survey have resulted in numerous Sri Lankan Tamil repatriates being denied caste certificates. Daiva Kumar, president, Dakshina Kannada Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes and Repatriates Welfare Association estimated that nearly 20% of the community – who live in colonies abutting rubber plantations along the Western Ghats – will not receive caste certificates. After a decade-long struggle for caste recognition, more..

Dec 8 (DM) JVP MP Vijitha Herath said voters in the country were intelligent enough to understand the message of the JVP when it appealed to them to defeat President Rajapaksa and replace the UPFA regime with a people friendly govt. Responding to a journalist at news briefing, as to why the JVP does not name a candidate for JVP followers to vote at this election, Mr. Herath said JVP’s fervent request from the entire country more..

Dec 8 (MR) While Sri Lanka may not be known as a global power of Rugby, they have a Rugby tradition that dates back to 1879 (longer than any other Asian nation). They competed against Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea and the Philippines in the 2014 Asian Five Nations, and are currently ranked 48 in the world. Thurstan College are a full member of the Sri Lankan Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA), and Richard Nissanka is a past student and Rugby player at Thurstan College. more..

Dec 8 (FT) PAFFREL said 35 international election monitors will arrive in Colombo on 26 Dec to observe the forthcoming presidential election. According to PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi, Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya has granted approval for their proposal to invite a team of 35 foreign observers from the Asian Elections Monitoring Organization. PAFFREL Director said the 35 observers representing Bangladesh, Thailand, Philippine, more..

Dec 8 (TOI) It is inevitable for the Central govt to engage with the Sri Lankan establishment to bring about a permanent solution to the sufferings of TN fishermen as well as Sri Lankan Tamils, said BJP general secretary Muralidhar Rao on Sunday. Speaking at a seminar organized to chalk out a solution to the sufferings of TN fishermen at the hands of SL Navy in Palk Bay, Rao wondered if Modi's govt had refused to maintain more..

Dec 8 (CT) Adding another name to the list of crossovers from UPFA, Kotikawatta Mulleriyawa PS Chairman Prasanna Solangaarachchi yesterday pledged support to Common Opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena. Solangaarachchi, who is also the President of the Sri Lanka Pradeshiya Sabha Chairmen's Association, told the media that he had decided to extend his support to Maithripala Sirisena at the forthcoming Presidential election as the killers of Presidential Advisor Bharatha Lakshman more..

Dec 8 (DM) Political parties are banned from holding meetings, rallies and any other programmes in the vicinity of centres holding GCE O/L Examinations SSP Ajith Rohana said. The examinations are held from December 9 to 18 in 4,200 examination centers Island wide. SSP Rohana said that political rallies and other programmes would be banned during the examination. Permission for programmes which needed loudspeakers would not be granted as well, he said. more..

Dec 8 (Island) UPFA Kotikawatte-Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Prasanna Solangaarachchi yesterday broke ranks with the govt to support Opposition Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena in the presidential fray. The Kotikawatte-Mulleriyawa PS had 16 UPFA and 5 UNP members. Of the UPFA group 15 members have pledged their support for President Mahinda Rajapaksa. more..

Dec 8 (DM) Special traffic and security plans are to be implemented tomorrow (8) in the roads connected to the Elections Secretariat in Rajagiriya and its vicinity in view of the final day to hand in nominations for the forthcoming Presidential Election, the Police Department said. 2,000 officers had been deployed to the Elections Secretariat and its vicinity as security measure, SSP Ajith Rohana said. Under the special traffic plan roads from Ayurveda Roundabout at Rajagiriya towards more..

Dec 8 (CT) Having parted after a hopper meal at the Temple Trees, President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his former Health Minister SLFP General Secretary, Maithripala Sirisena will meet for the first time face to face today when the duo visit the Elections Secretariat to hand in nominations for the upcoming presidential poll due on January 08. Today they meet as rivals to contest the upcoming presidential poll having been members of the SLFP for over four decades. more..