Jan 28 (Island) "We fully appreciate the decision of the public health authorities in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, to stop the killing of dogs to combat rabies," said Sagarica Rajakarunanayake, President of Sathva Mithra, commenting on media reports on this decision by the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC). We are glad that Bangladesh is now following the lead given by Sri Lanka�s President Mahinda Rajapaksa five years ago, when he ordered a complete ban on more..

Jan 28 (Island) The third edition of the Jaffna International Trade Fair ,held at the Durayappah Stadium recently,featured an exhilarating performance of Wayang Kulit,the ancient Indonesian art of shadow play. The Indonesian Charge d� Affaires, Albert Abdi told "The Island", that he was happy to have staged Wayang Kulit, for the benefit of visitors to JITF 2012 and was pleased with their appreciative response. "Amidst the entertainment, we also showcased more..

Jan 28 (AN) The govt detention camp (Tarheel) in Jeddah has opened its doors to register visa overstayers for repatriation to their respective countries. The concessionary rule will apply only for those who have overstayed their Umrah, Haj and visit visas to the Kingdom. The Tarheel authorities have set up a special cell with five counters to attend to the cases of overstayers. The authorities have not stipulated a deadline for the intake of such overstayers. more..

Jan 28 (TN) Sinhala plunderers from South who enter Vanni through Mannaar have been cutting valuable timber trees in large numbers and removing them to other parts of the island, people in Vanni complain. The police is assisting the gangs that enter Vanni through Mannaar. The gangs are in possession of �permits� from the ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, which is headed by Sinhala ultra nationalist political party leader Champika Ranawake who more..

Jan 28 (TN) A gang of Tamil-speaking Muslim persons with the backing of government politicians has been engaged in a campaign of threat against Tamil families of Upcountry origin residing in U'rukaamam in Kiththu'l area in the Ea'raavoor Chengkaladi DS division to leave their place and seek residence elsewhere. U'rukaamam-Kiththu'l area is located along Chengkaladi-Badulla highway (A-15). The villagers are of upcountry Tamil origin who fled from their area in more..

Jan 28 (IL) MEPs from many different European countries and political parties, as well as EU officials from the Commission and External Action Service and other involved individuals, met in the European Parliament yesterday for a roundtable discussion on recent developments in Sri Lanka. Discussions focused on the recent LLRC Report and the need for Europe to be more supportive of Sri Lankan post-conflict reconciliation and reconstruction. more..

Jan 28 (Island) The number of rabies victims reported countrywide has been on the decrease, Public Health Veterinary Service (PHVS) says. Head of the PHVS, Dr. P. L. A. Harischandra said yesterday that in 2010 the number of victims reported had been 49 and the figure had dropped to 43 last year. Dr. Harishchandra said the decrease was due to the successful canine vaccination and sterilisation programme carried out by the government and local government authorities. more..

Jan 28 (Island) Prof. Carlo Fonseka yesterday challenged those who opposed his appointment as President of the Sri Lanka Medical Council to substantiate the allegations they were liberally levelling against him. Prof. Fonseka in a brief interview with The Island said various government professional bodies such as the Government Medical Officers� Association (GMOA), the Sri Lanka Dental Surgeons� Association, the Sri Lanka Paediatric Association, more..

Jan 28 (DM) The Attorney General had informed the Supreme Court that steps were being taken by the Police Department to gazette the regulations covering the rights of Attorneys-at-Law to represent their clients at police stations. Deputy Solicitor General Shavindra Fernando also moved for a three month period finalise it. The Bench comprising Chief Justice Shirani A. Bandaranayake, Justices P.A. Ratnayake and Priyasath Dep fixed the matter to more..

Jan 28 (Island) A fundamental rights violation application was filed in the Supreme Court yesterday by 17 petitioners requesting the Court to declare null and void the results of 2011 GCE Advanced Level examination. The petition said that the application of an erroneous and unjustifiable common formula to calculate the two Z scores of candidates who sat the examination under the new and old syllabuses had caused a gross distortion of the examination results. more..

Jan 28 (DN) President Rajapaksa attended a Bodhi Pooja Pinkama held at the Gangaramaya, Hunupitiya on Thursday to invoke blessings on him, the War Heroes and the country. The Pinkama was held to mark the President's completion of two years of the second term of office following a convincing victory at the 2010 Presidential Election. The Maha Sangha led by the Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Mahanayaka Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter were present on the occasion. more..

Jan 28 (FT) Sri Lanka has presented a strong case at the US GSP hearing held on 24 January lobbying for GSP relief, whilst a final decision is pending. �We presented a strong case in our favour and we believe the final decision is pending, subject to another submission,� Minister Rishad Bathiudeen said, after a discussion with officials of the Department of Commerce on US GSP relief. A six-member Sri Lankan team more..

Jan 28 (DN) External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, on a two-day visit to New Delhi held discussions on Monday with over 70 envoys accredited to Sri Lanka who are resident in New Delhi. The minister briefed the envoys in detail regarding the situation which existed in Sri Lanka's North and East before the conclusion of the conflict in May 2009, the current situation, specific approaches that have been identified as a means of overcoming the challenges before the nation, more..

Jan 28 (GR) The Sri Lankan Health Ministry has today (27) temporarily suspended the selling and using of Drug imported from Pakistan "Isosorbide Mononitrate" 20mg which used to prevent Angina Attacks after more than 100 Heart Patients in Lahore, Pakistan were reported as died after administering the said drug. This drug reported as imported to Sri Lanka from several trade names is a widely used drug among cardiac patients. more..

Jan 28 (Island) The Mahinda Rajapaksa govt, which included the likes of Minister Wimal Weerawansa, who paraded as patriots, had allowed the �economic hit men� from China to invade Sri Lanka, causing serious geopolitical implications for Indo-Lanka relations, UNP MP Harsha de Silva said yesterday. He said that the SLFP and leftist political parties, who were all now part of the Rajapaksa regime, more..

Jan 28 (Island) The Commission to Investigate Allegations on Bribery and Corruption had received nearly 2,500 complaints of bribery for the period of May 2011 to January 15, 2012, Chairman of the commission and former Supreme Court Judge Justice Jagath Balapatabandi said yesterday. "The commission has investigated 1,046 complaints and certain cases which do not fall under the purview of the Bribery Act were directed to the respective authorities," he said. more..

Jan 28 (DC) Triplicane Urban Cooperative Society (TUCS), the oldest and largest in TN, has removed Sri Lankan biscuits from the shelves of its chain of stores and PDS shops following a protest by a little-known Tamil outfit. Special officer R.G. Sakthi Saravanan issued the order effective immediately after receiving a petition from two members of Boycott Sri Lanka Team. �We are shocked to learn TUCS stores in Chennai are selling biscuits and chocolates made in Sri Lanka,� more..

Jan 28 (DN) �Whatever the obstacles, we shall not delay opportunities for economic development�, President Mahinda Rajapaksa asserted yesterday. The President noted the above at a ceremony held in Moneragala where land deeds were handed over to more than 10,000 landless families in the Uva Wellassa area, thereby granting legal ownership of the lands they were residing in. Speaking to a large gathering at the public grounds in Moneragala more..

Jan 28 (Island) Former Minister A. R. Mansoor told The Island that the people of the Eastern Province were saddened by the failure of the Indian HC to arrange a visit to the EP by former President Dr. A. P. J. Kalam. Munsoor said that University students and academics in the East had expected the Indian leader to visit the EP. "We were not given the opportunity afforded to University students and students in the Northern Province," Munsoor said. more..

Jan 28 (Island) An associate of a suspect held in connection with the assassination of Southern Provincial Council Minister Danny Hittetiyage a few years ago is in custody over an alleged extortion racket. Police nabbed the suspect in the act of receiving a parcel containing Rs. 50,000 from a businessman. Following a complaint lodged by the businessman that Sunil Premaratne alias Eta Indika held at the Galle remand prison had demanded Rs. 300,000 from him, more..

Jan 28 (DN) Western countries have no right to impose sanctions on Iran on the basis of its nuclear programme. All countries should come forward to support Iran which is developing its nuclear programme for peaceful purposes, said Minister Champika Ranawaka. He expressed these sentiments during bi-lateral discussions held with Iranian ambassador Dr M N Hasani Poor at the Ministry office yesterday. more..

Jan 28 (Island) Finance Ministers of the SAARC will meet in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka from February 1-3 to deliberate on issues relating to dollar payments to Iran for petroleum purchases and also vexing security issues relating to migrant workers in the Gulf. Minister Sarath Amunugama will lead the Sri Lanka delegation as the accredited representative of President Rajapaksa and will be accompanied by officials of both the more..

Jan 28 (DM) In the backdrop of a deadlock in talks between the govt and the TNA, the TNA said yesterday that they would welcome an international mediation at this time to facilitate future negotiations. At a recent meeting with Dr. Alyssa Ayres, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian affairs, TNA MP Selvam Adaikkalanathan and P. Sritharan called for a facilitator role by the US in this respect. more..

Jan 28 (Island) The DPF appealed to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to bring Tamil political detainees in remand prisons countrywide under a rehabilitation scheme. DPF leader Mano Ganesan said currently there were about 800 such detainees in prisons countrywide. Bringing the Tamil political detainees under rehabilitation programmes would be a goodwill sign to the Tamil community at large that the govt was working towards national reconciliation, more..

Jan 28 (DM) The government has opened up doors for rehabilitated LTTE combatants to join the police service if they have fulfilled necessary educational qualifications along with other requirements, officials said yesterday. During the last phase of war, around 11,000 combatants surrendered to the military. The govt has already rehabilitated 10,000 of them to be reintegrated into society. more..

Jan 28 (Island) Fitch Ratings Lanka says that its outlook for the majority of Sri Lankan banks is stable, underpinned by improved earnings prospects due to post-war growth in the domestic economy as well as the government�s capacity to support the banking system. However, rapid loan growth will test the banks� risk management systems and funding profiles. "A significant revision of govt economic policy, macroeconomic shocks, more..

Jan 28 (DN) Rehabilitation and Prisons Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera yesterday said that maximum punishment could be given to those who are responsible for the clashes that took place at the Magazine prison, with the release of an interim report. The investigation committee which was to inquire into the clashes at the Magazine prison will hand over the report on January 31. more..

Jan 28 (GDI) Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene said that 14 new hotels are being constructed in the Pasikuda Tourist Zone by the private sector businessmen investing Rs. 6,530 Million for the construction of these hotels. The Pasikuda Tourist Zone consisting 150 acres of land has become a very attractive location for tourists, especially for the European tourists, and is being developed under the observation of the Tourist Development Authority. more..

Jan 28 (Island) The govt is under heavy Indian pressure to turn a blind eye to poaching by the Tamil Nadu fishing fleet not only in the Palk Bay but in Sri Lanka�s eastern territorial waters as well. India strongly opposes those arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy being produced in court. In the wake of the arrest of 43 poachers along with their six trawlers east of Mullaitivu on Tuesday by the SLN, India intervened to secure their release. more..

Jan 28 (CT) The Police have commenced a countrywide operation to arrest 50,000 fake doctors who are currently operating in the country. Many of the fake doctors take the registration numbers of registered doctors who are currently residing abroad and of those who have already passed away. Police divisions have been given orders to maintain records of all private medical clinics and doctors who operate in these clinics. more..

Jan 28 (DM) Since the release in December of the wide ranging report of the LLRC, reconciliation has emerged as a top priority issue not only for Sri Lanka but also for neighbouring India and the International community. Almost every day, either a spokesperson representing a foreign country or one of the leaders of the socialist parties in the Govt and outside and some leading figures of the regime have been focusing on this vital issue on the basis that while more..

Jan 28 (AT) Sri Lanka�s Ambassador to the Philippines Nawalage Bennet Cooray handed over a donation of US $ 50,000 to that country�s Foreign Minister, Albert F. Del Rosario recently for relief operations in the wake of the enormous natural disaster suffered by the Philippines in recent weeks. Having witnessed the vast destruction caused to human lives and properties by the recent floods in the Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Cities in Mindanao Province of more..

Jan 28 (Island) All arrangements are in place to celebrate the country�s 64th Independence Day under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi Mawatha in Anuradhapura. This year�s theme of the Independence Day is "Let us build up a miraculous motherland." This is the second time a national ceremony to celebrate the country�s independence is held in the North Central Province. The more..

Jan 28 (CT) Piliyandala Hospital staff including Doctors had withdrawn from their duties today due to behavior of person who brought a patient to the hospital, General Secretary of the GMOA Dr. Chandika told Ceylon Today. �Tuesday around 6:30pm a patient was admitted to hospital who was injured from a clash. He had some fractures on his shoulder, and when one of our female doctors tried to check his condition the person who came with him start shouting to the doctor� said. more..

Jan 28 (DM) The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) yesterday said it would inspect more than 6,000 school vans to grant NCPA certification which would be given based on school van maintenance and information related to the driver and van owner. According to new NCPA regulations a school van driver should possess a minimum of five years driving experience and should be over 25 years of age. The driver and owner of the van should get a police report from their more..

Jan 28 (DM) The police are to strictly monitor vehicles and take action against them, if they are engaged in transporting more than the given seat capacity of passengers. They warned trishaws not to transport passengers above its given seating capacity. Police media spokesman Ajith Rohana said that these steps were taken following the accident in Mount Lavinia. �We don�t have a problem if the vehicle is transporting children who are under the age of 12. more..

Jan 29 (SO) Exactly 14 years ago, on January 25, 1998, the LTTE launched a dastardly attack on the most sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic in the ancient city of Kandy. The Tiger suicide cadres exploded a massive truck bomb at the entrance of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, killing 16 persons including a two-year old infant and injuring about 25 others, all innocent devotees who were on their way to offer alms at the Temple on that fateful morning. The destruction by terrorists to more..

Jan 29 (SL) For a govt vested with enormous powers and no real obstacles ahead � at least domestically � the performance of the Rajapaksa administration, to say the least, has been pathetic. The unchecked constitutional powers vested in President Rajapaksa could be compared to that of a near totalitarian ruler and to give it a shine of democracy, he has in parliament his group with his coalition partners having over a two thirds majority which constitutional experts more..

Jan 29 (SO) Democracy is accepted as the best form of governance in the civilised world and the majority of countries at present practise democracy. The word 'DEMOCRACY' is not an original English word, but a combination of two Greek terms eg Demos-Crathos. In Greek demos means people and Crathos means rule or administration. These two Greek words have formed the English word Democracy, which is basically defined as a govt of the people, more..