July 18 (DBS) The opposition political parties are in disarray. This situation, whilst weakening the opposition movement of the country, has substantially contributed to strengthening the power of the govt. Against this backdrop, Karu Jayasuriya has endeavored to propose a solution of a newer kind to the difficult and complex problem of uniting the opposition parties which are currently in a state of disintegration into a cohesive and consistent movement. more..

July 18 (DBS) The Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary defines �reconcile� as �finding an acceptable way of dealing with two or more ideas that seem to be opposed to each other�. �Reconciliation� is defined as �an end to a disagreement and the start of a good relationship again,� and as �the process makes it possible for two different ideas to exist together without being opposed to each other�. A recent event in the calendar of activities more..

July 18 (LB) At the point of writing this, the trade union action of the Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) has lapped into its second week. While the movement testified to �positive openings� in their initial meeting with the governmental delegate, this by no means suggests that an easy solution is at hand to their submissions which have been on the negotiation tables for the past two years. What is popularly seen as an issue related to �salary hikes�, more..

July 18 (NS) General Secretary of Citizen�s Front and MP J. Sri Ranga charged that Tamil politicians were taking people for a ride for their own benefits. In an interview to The Nation, Ranga said the likes of TNA misled the people and were not genuine on going for a political solution to the ethnic conflict. Ranga also ruled out the possibilities of his joining the UNP, labeling its leadership as �govt sponsored�. He contested the Parliamentary elections under the UNP more..

July 18 (SL) The uprooting of the Bandaranaike colossus that towered over Galle Face and its environs brought to our mind a poem we learned in the Fifth Form more than half century ago on the fickleness of immortality � Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley: I met a traveller from an antique land, Who said � �Two vast and trunkless legs of stone, Stand in the desert . . . Near them, on the sand, Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown, And wrinkled lip, more..

July 18 (DM) When history repeated itself on 6 June 2012, it became clearer that something is amiss in our post-war nation building efforts. One and a half years on, the itinerary of a Presidential visit to the United Kingdom was once again altered when an invitation to deliver the keynote address at the Commonwealth Economic Forum organized by the Commonwealth Business Council was cancelled on the morning of the event. The Commonwealth Economic Forum was organized as more..

July 18 (NS) Sri Lankan expatriate Premnath Thungasiri is in danger of becoming a victim of religious intolerance in the Middle East with the law enforcement authorities in the country he serves in viewing the performing of Buddhist rituals as practicing witchcraft. Recent reports on the arrest of Premnath Thungasiri and the wild speculations and allegations that have followed have created quite a stir among the local populace. Initially, it was reported that he had been arrested for �worshipping a Buddha statue.� more..

July 18 (DBS) At last week�s media briefing on Cabinet decisions, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella made known a govt decision to include news websites under the Press Council Law. This announcement came in the wake of a raid on the offices of two news websites � lankamirror and lankaxnews � and the arrest of a number of its employees. The minister said several websites, not excluding the aforementioned two, were still engaged in reporting news bordering on the scurrilous whilst more..

July 18 (CT) Before we get to our protagonist, lets talk about Ananda College in Paranavadiya, Maradana, Sri Lanka, which is without dispute, accepted as the most prestigious Sinhala Buddhist school in this island. With over 8,000 pupils in it, as one of the most sought after Sinhala Buddhist schools, it speaks of a grandiose history starting in Nov 1886 at No. 54, Prince Street, Pettah, established by the Buddhist Theosophical Society of then Ceylon, initiated and more..

July 18 (CT) Last Thursday five editors, Sinha Ratnatunge -Sunday Times, Prabath Sahabandu � The Island, Siri ranasinghe � Lankadeepa, Champika Liyanarachchi � Daily Mirror and Victor Ivan � Former Editor Ravaya were invited for a �confidential� dinner with the President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Only the President, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Lalith Weeratunge were present. They arrived first 45 minutes nothing of any significance was discussed. more..

July 18 (Island) Following a much-hyped rap on the knuckles, DMK leader M. Karunanidhi is said to have heeded the Centre�s call for refraining from supporting Eelam. But, one should not be so na�ve as to fall for what he says hook, line and sinker. The DMK leader, in our view, knows more than one way to skin a cat! It may be that he has chosen to lie low without embarrassing his main coalition partner, the Congress, too much. All indications are that Karunanidhi will go ahead with the scheduled Eelam conference in Tamil Nadu while more..

July 18 (Island) At a media conference, the skipper was asked whether he always goes with the intention of winning a match. According to reports, the Sri Lanka skipper had looked at the Pakistani journalist in jaunty fashion, and stated that he always adopts a winning approach, even though it may be a charity match. That impromptu reply (?), it seems has set in motion a major project, to stage charity cricket matches as often as possible, as a means to eradicate poverty, more..

July 18 (Island) With Sri Lanka planning to raise US$ 1 billion through an international sovereign bond issue sometime soon, three leading international sovereign ratings agencies Fitch, Moody�s and Standard and Poor�s yesterday released their ratings for the issue, citing the peace dividend, strong economic growth and painful macroeconomic adjustments as positives for the economy amidst some serious concerns. Authorities almost threw away an opportunity for more..

July 18 (Island) The Atomic Energy Authority (AEA) has taken steps to study the elements in artifacts found in Sri Lanka. AEA, Chairman Dr. Ranjith Wijewardena said that Sri Lanka would obtain Polish govt assistance and modern laboratories available only in a few countries in the world to test archaeological findings in Sri Lanka. It would construct Non-Destructive Centre and Multi Purpose Gamma Irradiation facility in Sri Lanka, he said. AEA would establish a centre for agriculture, Isotope Hydrology Laboratory and more..

July 18 (Island) Look back 110 years and you�ll find the humble beginnings of a multi-faceted family bakery business that continues to prosper today � Perera & Sons Bakers (P & S). When K.A. Charles Perera who hailed from the remote Southern village of Kodagoda, baked his first loaf of bread at the turn of the 19th century, he could never have guessed he was founding an empire. Charles Perera is great-grandfather to today�s fourth generation management of P&S. According to the family history, great grandfather Charles, more..

July 18 (Island) Strategic Communication Design firm WeLoveIt will launch Sri Lanka�s first-ever online designer portal The Fashion Circle at a gala fashion show "The Fashion Circle Runaway Show" to be held on the 7th of September this year at Mt. Lavinia Hotel. A blend of experienced and upcoming designers including collections from Prabath Samarasooriya, Krishanthi Fernandopulle, Ramona Oshini, Lesha Hettigama, more..

July 18 (DN) Heavy rains experienced in the North Central Province over the weekend has spoilt UNP's plans to win the forthcoming Provincial Council election by harking on the prolonged drought and its difficulties faced by farmers, said Minister S M Chandrasena. He said so at a meeting attended by SLFP activists at the ministry office on Monday in support of former Provincial Council member S M Ranjith. Minister Chandrasena said the UNP had faced defeat at 21 successive more..

July 18 (DN) A massive sum has been granted to 2,600 Daham Pasal to commemorate the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthiya. Each Daham School will receive Rs 150,00 for development under this programme, Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said. He was speaking at a ceremony at the Dharmasalawa at Bodhi Araksaka Sabawa, Matara recently. The ceremony was held to grant financial assistance to 127 Daham schools in the Matara district. more..

July 18 (Island) They were committed with responsibility to take forward the supreme concepts (Chinthanaya) of leaders of the calibre of S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, Sirima Bandaranaike and President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the towering figures of the SLFP. It was with that spirit that the young parliamentarians of the party with the patronage of the party were endeavouring to protect and promote the party, observed UPFA MP and stalwart of the young SLFP MPs� Forum, Namal Rajapaksa in Kandy on Monday. more..

July 18 (Island) The Faculty of Medicine Teachers� Association (FMTA) has thrown its weight behind the Federation of University Teachers� Associations (FUTA) now on strike to pressure the govt to address its grievances. The FMTA, which is the trade union arm representing the academic staff of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo in a statement issued yesterday said: "FMTA notes with regret, that over the successive years funds allocated for higher education has progressively declined when compared to the rate of inflation more..

July 18 (CT) The Central Bank�s decision to invest in Greek bonds was defended in Parliament by Minister Sarath Amunugama who told the House that it was done in accordance with the country�s monitory regulations. The losses that could have been resulted were avoided and some profit was made, the minister said in response to questions raised by UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who made a special statement in Parliament earlier raising several issues more..

July 18 (AT) India Sri Lanka Foundation is supporting visit of eight students and two teachers from Richmond College, Galle to India to participate in the Gateway Computer Tournament being organized by Montfort Sr. Secondary School, New Delhi from 23rd to 29th July, 2012. The students and teachers visited the High Commission of India prior to their forthcoming visit to India. The Gateway computer tournament is an interschool competition, where participating schools would initially more..

July 18 (Island) The Rent-A-Car Association accused the govt of not properly regulating the trade as many unregistered establishments were resorting to fly-by-night practices. Rent-A-Car Association President Kishan Perera said that their member organisations had never been found guilty of any crimes since the inception in 2008, but the police and public had a wrong impression of even the professional rent-a-car companies due to unregulated car rental centres more..

July 18 (CT) Foreign doctors are temporarily registered as medical practitioners, but instead they practice as specialists without adequate qualifications, the Govt Medical Officers� Association (GMOA) alleged. GMOA President Dr Anuruddha Padeniya said foreign medical practitioners get temporary registrations from the Sri Lankan govt, but they register themselves as medical practitioners and not specialist doctors, though they practice as specialists thereafter. more..

July 18 (FT) NDB Investment Bank Limited (NDBIB) was adjudged the �Best Investment Bank in Sri Lanka� recently at the Awards for Excellence 2012 by Euromoney, the world�s premier financial markets magazine. This is a historical achievement for NDBIB as well as the country since it is the first time Euromoney has ever recognised an investment bank in Sri Lanka, for any award. It is also the first time an investment bank in the country has received an international accolade for excellence. NDB Investment Banking Cluster CEO Vajira more..

July 18 (DN) People have not gained a proper awareness about the massive development projects in progress throughout the country and the attendant benefits accruing to the people, said Minister Keheliya Rambukwella at a ministry progress review meeting attended by Heads of institutions coming under the ministry. He noted that a continuous propaganda campaign should be carried out through the media to educate the people about the development activities launched by the govt. more..

July 18 (Island) Kalum Shirantha Rodrigo Proprietor/Chief Editor of the website, www.srilanka mirror, managed by Lanka Mirror Media has moved the Supreme Court against the blocking of his website as well as another (www.srilanka x-new.com) housed in the building as Sri Lanka mirror. The blocking was effected by the TRC on Nov 5, 2011. The petitioner Rodrigo has said that the website www.srilankax-news.com is managed by UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera. more..

July 18 (AT) The Govt of Pakistan has sponsored the construction of this 3 storied state of the art school building in Gampaha district to support education sector development drive of the Sri Lankan govt. The foundation stone of the project was laid on 9th February 2011 by the Minister Basil Rajapaksa and High Commissioner of Pakistan, Seema Ilahi Baloch. The newly constructed school will be catering to the local population of Pasyala area. Presently, the school has an more..

July 18 (Island) Apropos our front-page story, Norwegian attempt to forge TNA-SLMC alliance fails, on July 16, the Norwegian embassy has sent us the following statement: "The Norwegian Embassy would like to point out that Norway has not been involved in forging any alliance between TNA and SLMC. Norway does not interfere with other countries� elections or internal party politics." News editor�s note: Let the Norwegian embassy get the TNA and the SLMC to deny our story. more..

July 18 (CI) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and its players have agreed in principle to the terms of the central contracts for the next year, bringing to an end almost five months of negotiations and avoiding a potential stand-off over Sri Lanka's top players participating in the inaugural Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL). The new contracts, which will run from March 1, 2012 to February 28, 2013, will bear the existing retainer and match fees, more..

July 18 (Island) The Colombo Magistrate Court on Monday released Wing Commander Deepal Munasinghe on surety bail when he was produced in court for allegedly trying to deceive Air Force Commander, Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema. Investigators said that a person masquerading as MP Namal Rajapaksa had phoned the SLAF chief on behalf of WC Munasinghe and directed him to cancel a transfer given to the officer. more..

July 18 (CT) Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe declared in Parliament yesterday that the losses suffered from the decision by the Central Bank to invest in Greek Bonds, has mounted to an estimated Rs 3.4 billion, and questioned the govt to explain the rationale behind the decision. �The main objective of investing in overseas bonds is to earn a larger income through it. Therefore, it is customary to penetrate very scientifically into the future goals prior to more..

July 18 (FT) Sri Lanka has successfully secured the coveted rights for the Pure Ceylon Cinnamon brand name in the EU market. �Thanks to the efforts of the Export Development Board, I am pleased to announce that we have successfully secured the Pure Ceylon Cinnamon trade mark in the EU market. I am also happy to see that we now have two global brands after us, the first being the well-known Pure Ceylon Tea,� announced an upbeat Minister Rishad Bathiudeen yesterday. more..

July 18 (Island) Police security would be strengthened with additional check points set up in and around the District Secretariats as the deadline for the handing over of nominations by independent groups for Sabaragamuwa, North Central and the Eastern PC polls, closed at 12 noon on Wednesday, Police Media Spokesperson SP Ajith Rohana said yesterday. The deadline for handing of nomination by registered political parties closes at 12 noon on Thursday. more..

July 18 (Island) Major investments proposals received by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority to start business ventures at the Tricomalee Port premises had been forwarded to the Cabinet appointed committee for approval, Chief Engineer, Planning of the SLPA, Susantha Abesiriwardhana said. Authorities had received nine large scale investment proposals for operating cement plants, petro chemical industries and fisheries related industries, he said. more..

July 18 (DN) Police have bared a racket by a group of criminals where affluent families in Mirihana and other areas have been threatened with harm and death if they did not deposit ransoms in several bank accounts. Mirihana Police on Monday arrested a suspect in connection with the incident and further interrogation of the suspect revealed that another suspect who is serving a 36 year sentence in the Mahara Prison was instrumental in the racket. more..

July 18 (LB) Clubbing to death of a Public Health Inspector (PHI), while on duty, was the heart rending and appalling incident which shocked the country last week. PHI Mohamed Faleel (52) had visited the Saliyapura Community Hall in Kantale and was in the process of inspecting a house and checking for possible dengue breeding areas, when he was hit on the head with a wooden pestle by a resident of the house. more..

July 18 (DM) Sri Lanka�s international umpires have fallen so much on hard times that they will be forced to share the official match shirts they wear on duty according to a ruling that is unheard of in history. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Manager of Umpires and Match Referees Carlton Bernadus has written to the six Sri Lankan umpires who have been appointed for Fourth Umpire duties during the forthcoming ODI and T20 Series against India, more..

July 18 (Island) The former army commander Gen. Sarath Fonseka should make a direct request to the UNP, if he wished to join the party without making indirect statements, General Secretary of the UNP, Tissa Attanayake said yesterday. Speaking after the UPFA Chairman of the Embilipitiya Pradeshiya Sabha, Vijaya Withanage had obtained UNP membership from party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at the more..