Jan 16 (MoD) Defence Secretary Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa with his visionary leadership had finished the war within three and half years, and his second battle is to uplift the living standards of the people in the country. The Secretary made these comments speaking at a meeting organized by Member of Western Provincial Council Mr. Duminda Silva under the theme of more..

Jan 16 (Island) Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane yesterday said that the government would resort to legal action against the Common Opposition for signing an agreement with the TNA which will lead to separatism. He was answering a query from a journalist at a media conference as to whether the government is planning such a course of action since more..

Jan 16 (DM) A dramatic turn of events was witnessed yesterday at Common Opposition candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka�s office with Jathika Nidahas Peramuna (JNP) MP Mohamed Muzammil who came to the office turning back alleging that he was offered money. Mr. Muzammil came to the office together with Former Deputy Minister M. M. Mustapha and Democratic Unity Alliance Leader Nazeer Ahamed. more..

Jan 16 (AT) Janata Party President Dr. Subramanian Swamy urges all Tamils of Sri Lanka that if they want Indian opinion on their side in the future, they must vote for the Tamil-speaking Sinhala leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa, for President of Sri Lanka. Dr. Swamy in a statement said it is surprising that some representatives of the defunct LTTE terrorist floated TNA are in India canvassing support of Tamils of India for more..

Jan 16 (TS) A 19-year-old Sri Lankan student has been hospitalised after she was raped and robbed by a man while walking back to her rented house in Tasik Semenyih. The psychology student from Nottingham University was alone when the man approached her and hit her on her head using a sharp object, causing her to lose consciousness. Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Shakaruddin Che Mod said the man dragged her into an empty house more..

Jan 16 (AD) There is an organized campaign by the opponents to carry out aggressive and systematic online forging and hacking of websites and identity theft, says the campaign office of Presidential candidate General (Retired) Sarath Fonseka. �We urge all our supporters to be vigilant and keep an eye out for false documents, online statements, web sites and blogs as well as more..

Jan 16 (AFP) The United States and Norway on Saturday denied funding Sri Lanka's main opposition to defeat President Mahinda Rajapakse's re-election bid later this month. The US embassy in Colombo said it "strongly" rejected the charges made by a ruling party legislator that he was given 30 million rupees (265,000 dollars) that had come from the US and Norwegian embassies to defect to the opposition. more..

Jan 17 (TN) A UPFA supporter was shot and killed and four others injured in a clash between UPFA and UNP supporters Saturday afternoon at Mathurangkuzhi in Puththa'lam North Western Province. Sri Lankan Police said the dead was a supporter of the ruling UPFA. Four others were also injured in the shooting. Several buildings in the area were set on fire. The shops belong to the UNP supporters were set on fire by the UPFA supporters. more..

Jan 17 (TC) The general view on the motive behind the decision to hold the Presidential election two years earlier than the scheduled end of the 6-year term of the incumbent President is to exploit the delight of the majority of the citizens over the military victory achieved in May 2009 that annihilated the ferocious Tamil Tigers. Moreover, President Mahinda Rajapaksa was keen on having the Parliamentary election due in April this year after more..

Jan 17 (TOI) While M S University's department of archaeology and ancient history may have grabbed global attention with its possession of Lord Buddha's relics, but few might know that in his lifetime Lord Buddha had visited Gujarat. This startling piece of information was given by professor Anura Manatunga from Sri Lanka, who presented his paper "Buddhism in Gujarat: Some supplementary evidences from Sri Lanka". more..

Jan 17 (CT) Strongly condemning the mounting poll-related violence, ruling UPFA's mayor of Matara Upul Nishantha has extended support to Gen. Sarath Fonseka despite possible threats to his life. The SLFP electoral organizer for Matara said he did not wish to remain a henchmen for political agendas of others. He said he took the decision to support the common opposition's presidential candidate as his political ideology made him do so. more..

Jan 17 (LG) Gideon Sarig, from Maida Vale, will appear in court next week charged with sending armour-piercing ammunition and pump-action shotguns to eight countries, including Israel and Sri Lanka, in breach of a government export ban. Among the alleged exports were 91 pump-action shotguns which prosecutors claim Sarig supplied to Israel from Turkey. Nearly half were sent during the 2006 Lebanon war, more..

Jan 17 (IE) President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ruled out re-merger of the Tamil dominated North and East provinces as demanded by some local politicians, even as Tamil vote appears to be emerging crucial in the upcoming presidential elections. "The merger of the Eastern Province with the Northern Province was out of the question" Rajapaksa said, asserting that any move to divide the country on ethnic lines would be thwarted. more..

Jan 17 (EB) In contrast to his principal rival, Gen Sarath Fonseka, who is stressing government corruption in his campaign, the incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa has made his government�s victory over the LTTE and his own strong nationalistic credentials the main planks of his campaign to retain the Presidency. Rajapaksa is portraying himself as the only President in the history of Sri Lanka to have successfully fought a war against the LTTE�s terrorism and separatism, more..

Jan 17 (LBO) Central bank has created average inflation of 11.0 percent and must take the blame for impoverishing the people, a senior monetary economist and former central banker has said. After Sri Lanka got independence from Britain, the country had registered growth slightly over that of India, but had lagged the world. "Another past achievement of Sri Lanka during the whole post independent history is that we have had high inflation," more..

Jan 17 (SL) The Sunday Leader has uncovered evidence of an enormous fraud perpetrated by the minister Bandula Gunawardena and the Chairman of the State Trading Cooperation Pradeep Gunawardena. By exaggerating stories of an impending rice shortage the Gunwardenas were able to persuade the cabinet to extend a two month duty waiver on the import of rice extended until March 21st 2010. more..

Jan 17 (SL) The 30-year battle against terrorism has turned into a vicious battle for the spoils-of-war in recent times. This post-war phenomenon does not augur well for the people of Sri Lanka. In a strange quirk of history, what took place within the Tigers of the north since February 2004 is now taking place among the Lions of the south since May 2009. Cut-throat competition for the spoils-of-war between more..

Jan 17 (SL) That this country is riddled with corruption is not an open secret, it is a basic fact of life. The instances of ministerial corruption, fraud, nepotism and venality documented by this newspaper alone are almost innumerable. ut while there is little doubt as to where the rot stems from, over the past year or so few have dared to make allegations against the ruling family itself. more..

Jan 17 (SL) As if the conventional mud slinging campaigns were insufficient, the country�s two top presidential contenders, have unleashed their political war in cyberspace by launching countless websites and fan pages to ensure their victory at the January 26 election. This is the first time in Sri Lanka�s political history that frontline politicians are using the internet extensively for more..

Jan 17 (SL) Wednesdays aren�t a particularly busy day at the office. As a Sunday paper we have the luxury of an entire week to compile the newspaper. And the vast majority of our writing is done on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Wednesdays the majority of journalists are out in the field, conducting interviews, following leads and gathering the stories that will be written up later in the week. more..

Jan 17 (SL) President Mahinda Rajapaksa�s eldest son Namal�s Tharunyata Hetak has spent a staggering Rs. 119 million on election propaganda promoting his father for the upcoming presidential election. This was revealed by the Programme for the Protection of Public Resources, (PPPR) which operates within Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), in its second report released last week. more..

Jan 17 (Hindu) Less than two weeks ahead of the much awaited January 26 Sri Lanka Presidential election, the United States and Norway � the latter acted as the official facilitator of talks between the Government and the LTTE till the early 2009 � have become the centre of a controversy. On Saturday the missions representing Washington and Oslo here issued two separate statements vehemently denying charges that more..

Jan 17 (Hindu) Universities in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Sri Lanka should work in close coordination to trace links that existed between India and Sri Lanka, said historian S. Muthiah here on Saturday. Inaugurating an archaeological exhibition on �Ancient Tamil Civilization in Sri Lanka,� he said everyone in Sri Lanka had roots in India in one way or the other. Cultural links between the countries existed since time immemorial. more..

Jan 17 (Hindu) Andhra Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer I. V. Subba Rao, who successfully conducted general elections in the State in April last, freeing the process from several electoral malpractices, will oversee the Presidential elections in Sri Lanka being held on January 26. He will be part of a five-member Commonwealth expert team headed by K. D. Knight, former foreign Minister of Jamaica, which is going to oversee the Presidential elections in Sri Lanka. more..

Jan 25 (LB) MP c who made a startling revelation last Friday (Jan 15), of an alleged bribe being offered by the Opposition to buy him over handing him rupees 30 million, is set to go before the Bribery Commission to bring the matter to their notice officially, said a spokesman of the media unit of the National Freedom Front (NFF) Jathika Nidahas Peramuna. more..

Jan 25 (LB) In a bizarre turn in the tragic death of the 64-year-old victim of election violence, Kusumawathi Kuruppuarachchi, who was shot dead when gunmen fired on a bus carrying the UNP supporters to a rally, her family says that the deceased was a supporter of President Rajapaksa. She has gone to the UNP rally, ostensibly to collect welfare items issued at the rally, says her husband, 70- year- old Martin. more..

Jan 25 (IL) The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has received information about various efforts to mislead the public about the security features of the Rs. 1000 note issued to commemorate ushering of peace and prosperity to Sri Lanka. The Central Bank has educated the public earlier through print and electronic media about the security features of this note. It contains all security features that are included in other circulation notes. more..

Jan 17 (LB) Last week Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake criticized state media organizations, alleging that the competent authority appointed by him had been humiliated and ridiculed by state media. He claimed that these media organizations have deliberately overlooked media guidelines issued by the elections department to conduct a free and fair election. more..

Jan 17 (LB) Lead actress of the highly-popular mega tele-series �Paba� screened on ITN, Upeksha Swarnamali, who is currentlyfacing a maelstrom of media controversy, says that the treatment meted out to her on the production sets of the drama smacks of political vengeance - after she publicly proclaimed her backing of common presidential opposition candidate general (rtd) Sarath Fonseka. more..

Jan 17 (TC) The following is full text of media Communiqu� No 13, issued by CMEV on Jan 16: According to North Western Provincial Councilor Mr. Sanath Nishantha Perera (UPFA), at 3.50pm, UNP supporters had shot at UPFA supporters in front of the UNP party office located in front of the Minnas Private Hospital, Madurankuliya, Puttalam District, resulting in the death of UPFA supporter Mr. Saman Kumara of Thonigala, Anamaduwa. more..

Jan 17 (LB) Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Education said that allegations made against Sarath Fonseka will be investigated after the presidential election on January 26, adding that promises made by Sarath Fonseka can never be met. Q: The second manifesto of the UPFA, which is a continuation of the Mahinda Chinthana, has been released. What are the new planks included in this manifesto? more..

Jan 17 (SO) Hindu Culture is one of the fascinating features of the life in Northern town of Jaffna. Reviving this unique cultural heritage which once enriched the cultural landscape is one of the priorities of 'Uthuru Wasanthaya', the Government's ambitious programme to rehabilitate the shattered lives of thousands of people over the last thirty years. The Northern Provincial Government seeks to create the cultural panorama of the Province through an arts festival in Colombo, more..

Jan 17 (SO) The past four years were the most dramatic years in the contemporary history of Sri Lanka. At the time President Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed office as the fifth Executive President, the country was saddled with major issues which threatened the very existence of the nation, amidst the clamour that Sri Lanka was on the brink of labelling itself as a Failed State. more..

Jan 17 (LB) UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who is on the frontlines stumping for the opposition common candidate General Sarath Fonseka, took time off his campaign schedule last week to speak to Rajpal Abeynayake. Wickremesinghe spoke about the election, media and the Tamil issues, and the Rajapaksas etc., Q: The TNA is supporting the General. The government seems to be making use of this move to show that the UNP is back to its old tricks. more..

Jan 17 (SO) The idea of university education is an outcome of imperialism. Though confined to the development of their own interests the country under British rule was benefited in many ways. The system of education with prominence given to English was upheld to the highest standard and it is the highest academic discipline. The university became the symbol of education of the elite in the colonial era. more..

Jan 17 (SO) The dividend of peace reflected sharply on Sri Lanka�s tourism sector as it recorded the best financial year in 2009 generating US $ 420 million. Yet another accolade for Sri Lanka was when The New York Times identified Sri Lanka as the top destination to visit in 2010 from among 31 other destinations hailing the island nation�s �pristine coastline� and �tropical zoo�-like attractions. more..

Jan 17 (SO) This is not just another Presidential Election. It is not a matter of having or not having the presidency. According to National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa, today, it is a matter of patriotism and saving the country�s territorial integrity. In an interview Wimal Weerawansa relates the how difficult it is to save the country from puppets dancing to the tunes of foreign forces from the Western World. more..

Jan 17 (SO) WPC Minister Udaya Gammanpila said the TNA should explain to the country why they put forward one set of proposals to President and something else to the New Democratic Front (NDF) Presidential candidate. He outlined the Government has all the right to assume the fact that the NDF Presidential candidate has agreed to fulfil the promises put forward by the TNA unless and until a different explanation is given by the TNA. more..

Jan 17 (TL) Jim Jones reads the global trends forecast in today�s costlier cuppa. A storm in a teacup? Forgive the intentional pun, but few people seem to have noticed that international tea prices have soared in the past year. Tea is not a large part of most families' grocery budgets and, by the time you chuck that packet of tea bags into your supermarket trolley, the high cost of the tea itself will have been partially mitigated by competition between producers more..

Jan 17 (TC) Douglas Devananda once likened Tamil nationalism to cholesterol, saying just as there is good and bad cholesterol, there is good and bad Tamil nationalism, and just as you need good cholesterol, you need the good Tamil nationalism. Certainly the history of Tamil nationalism shows plenty of examples of "bad cholesterol". Elite Tamil nationalism opposed the abolition of communal suffrage and more..

Jan 17 (AT) UNP MP Dr. Jayalath Jayawardana said in Chennai that his UNP would ensure democracy in the island nation if their Presidential candidate nominee Gen. Sarath Fonseka is voted to power. Stating that major political parties including UNP and JVP came to a common platform for the first time in Sri Lanka to create a democracy, he said "he (Fonseka) and his supportive parties included will more..

Jan 17 (EB) Historian S Muthiah on Saturday said the contribution made by Tamils of Indian origin had given a boost to the Sri Lankan economy. �The Indian Tamil labourers in the island nation built harbours and railways, giving a boost to the country�s economy between 1930-70,� he said at the inauguration of a four-day archaeological exhibition on ancient Tamil civilisation in Sri Lanka, organised at Sri Parvathi Art Gallery here. more..

Jan 17 (LBO) Supreme Court has granted bail to the chief executive and a director of the failed Golden Key Credit Card Company and ordered more asset seizers to repay depositors, a media report said. The Sunday Island newspaper said Kavan Perera, chief executive of Golden Key and Saradha Sumanasekera, director were released on cash bail of five million rupees, certified bail of 100 million and five sureties who were permanent residents of Sri Lanka. more..

Jan 17 (GDI) Tourism Promotion Minister, Faizer Mustapha said in Kandy that the minorities in this country now felt they were equal citizens under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He made this observation during a meeting in Akurana, in the Kandy district and added that the feeling,'minority' was fast fading from their minds. more..

Jan 17 (GDI) The revenue earned by the Motor Traffic Department in 2009 recorded a remarkable increase of Rs.150.9 million when compared to the figure over the previous year. The total revenue earned by the Department in 2009 stood at Rs.2214 million, statistics indicated. The Department collected Rs.211.6 million from 'luxury' and 'semi-luxury' taxes last year. more..

Jan 17 (GDI) The "Adhishtana Journey" (procession of commitment) aimed to ensure the victory of President Mahinda Rajapaksa conducted by the disabled soldiers will reach Colombo today to meet the President. The procession began from the Matara Bodhiya on January 12 to pay tribute to the President Mahinda Rajapaksa for providing the best of facilities and post welfare measures to the disabled soldier community. more..

Jan 17 (MoD) Travel to Jaffna in utmost comfort and luxury and enjoy the special discounts on the Lake House Colombo-Jaffna bus. The service which was launched on the Thai Pongal festival day costs Rs. 1,600.There are two super luxury 49 seat buses including special discounts for senior citizens (above 60 years) and for children under 12. Special discounted packages are available for schools, higher education institutes and recognised welfare societies. more..

Jan 17 (MoD) The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication has taken steps to open 53 new post offices in areas where IDPs are resettled on priority basis on a directive by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, a Ministry source said. According to the source, from end of January, 2010 the 53 post offices will operate in Killinochchi and Mullaitivu districts. New postal workers will be appointed and those who serve on a temporary basis will be made permanent within a few months. more..

Jan 17 (LP) A five-member Commonwealth Expert Team (CET) will be arriving in Sri Lanka next Tuesday as part of the international election monitors to oversee the Presidential Elections due to be held on January 26th. The team headed by the Team former Jamaican Foreign Minister K D Knight was constituted by the Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma at the invitation of the Sri Lanka Elections Commissioner. more..

Jan 17 (TN) Normalcy has not been restored in greater part of Ki�linochchi district as Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has declared a large area of it as its High Security Zone, sources in Ki�linochchi said. Although Northern Province Governor, Major General G. A. Chandrasiri ordered all government offices to function from 1st January, many of them being located east of A9 road, have not been opened as they are caught within the HSZ, the sources added. more..