Dec 14 (CT) Legendry history of the Island, known as Lanka to Sinhalese and Eelam to Tamils, starts with epic of Ramayana based in two countries India and Lanka or Eelam. There are places in the Island linked to the epic and folklore tales are told by peoples about these places in the Island by both ethnic groups. The places linked to Ramayana are venerated and respected by all; even though there are perceived differences between the Sinhalese and Tamils, as they speak more..

Dec 14 (CI) Rangana Herath will miss the five-match ODI series against Pakistan in the UAE due to personal reasons, Sri Lanka Cricket has said. Herath had remained in Sri Lanka after having been rested for the Twenty20s, but was picked in the one-day squad and had planned to travel to UAE this week. He will now only join the Sri Lanka team ahead of the Test series, which begins on December 31. Ajantha Mendis, who is currently with the Twenty20 squad, will remain in the UAE more..

Dec 14 (NYT) Sri Lanka is so jam-packed with alluring outdoorsy activities that visitors often high-tail it out of the capital a day or two after arriving, choosing instead to spend their vacation days lounging on a southern beach, whale-watching off the coast or leopard-spotting in a national park. Yet Colombo is fast becoming a draw in itself. This city of 555,000 people has been on fast-forward since civil war ended in 2009. more..

Dec 14 (Island) Colombo District Judge issued an enjoining order, restraining the Sri Lanka Automobile Drivers Association (SLADA) from taking steps to obstruct 16-year-old Kushan Pieris, from participating in the Colombo Night Race. Kushan Pieris and his father had complained that Kushan had been restrained from participating in two other recent racing events and if he is restrained or obstructed from participating in the Colombo Night Race, his reputation would be impaired. more..

Dec 14 (Island) Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) was recently ranked number one in the Higher Education category by LMD. The degree awarding institution was adjudged the best in the higher education category according to a stringent set of criteria set out by TNS Lanka Research, which conducted the polls for LMD. SLIIT came on top, affirming its wide range of offerings that include locally and globally recognized degrees, affiliations to reputed foreign universities, more..

Dec 14 (CI) Passive on Wednesday, punishing on Friday - Sri Lanka's top order were fearsome in their defence of the top Twenty20 team ranking, as they slammed 211 for 3 to set up a 24-run, series-levelling win. The total was the highest ever against Pakistan, and was held together by Kusal Perera's 59-ball 84, which began in a breakneck 100-run stand with Dilshan, and finished in a blazing 78-run partnership more..

Dec 14 (CI) Kusal Perera's belligerent innings might have never materialised had Pakistan's fielding been just a tad sharper in the first over, when Perera ran almost all the way to the other crease before being sent back. He had hit the fifth ball of the over in between cover and point and had taken off immediately for the single, but Tillakaratne Dilshan remained stationary, and did not call off the run either. Perera was about three metres from the bowling crease when more..

Dec 14 (GDI) The annual concert of the Naval Pre-School at SLNS Gemunu in Welisara was held under the patronage of First Lady Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa at SLNS Parakrama auditorium recently. Wife of the South Korean ambassador, Madam Park Soon Jue also graced the occasion as a Guest of Honour. The welcome speech was delivered by Supervising Officer of the SLNS Gemunu Naval Pre-School, Mrs. Shammi Perera. Concert which showcased students talents presented by more..

Dec 14 (DM) International Monetary Fund (IMF) cautioned the govt for using banks and other financial institutions to borrow overseas on its behalf, as it could pose additional risks to the financial system. The outgoing IMF Resident Representative Dr. Koshy Mathai said the additional risks could arise due to multiple parties exposing their balance sheets to international capital markets instead of one party borrowing from overseas. more..

Dec 14 (DN) Pakistani Premier Nawaz Sharif requested the Sri Lankan govt to share its expertise on defeating terrorism in their country, Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody said. This request was made by Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif at a discussion held on the sidelines to the 6th Asian Parliament Assembly held in Islamabad recently. "Pakistan wants SL to assist the country by sharing our knowledge, expertise and experience in support of their endeavour to combat terrorism." more..

Dec 14 (AHRC) Even though exact statistics may vary and may be disputed, malnutrition does exist in Sri Lanka. There are many families who just cannot manage even one proper meal a day. And among the working classes there are many who are unable to ensure decent living standards for their families. The living conditions especially of the plantation workers and the fishermen need to be improved and urgent attention should be given to this. Trade Union action has been at times put down ruthlessly more..

Dec 14 (DN) The New Drug Policy Bill formulated on the basis of Prof. Senaka Bibile Drug Policy will be presented to Parliament early next year. Minister Maithripala Sirisena said that once the Bill is passed the policy will be implemented with immediate effect. He reminded the House that the price control of drugs was withdrawn by the UNP regime -- and the govt intends to reintroduce a price control policy from January 2014. more..

Dec 14 (Island) Western Provincial Council UNP Member Harshana Rajakaruna said yesterday that some media reports, to the effect the he would be crossing over to the govt were false. He said that the Rajapaksa regime usually spread rumours of defections whenever elections were approaching. Such claims were bound to increase in the coming weeks with provincial and national polls expected to be held early next year, but he would not leave the UNP, Rajakaruna said. more..

Dec 14 (FT) The world�s leading wellness multinational Nestle is upbeat on Sri Lanka, albeit �cautiously�. �We are investing and expanding in Sri Lanka. We are looking to grow in Sri Lanka markets. I am not at liberty to comment on the forthcoming investment values here but we are certainly planning. In fact, we are cautiously optimistic,� said Nestl� Executive Vice President Nandu Nandkishore � the Swiss-based Second-in-Command of Nestl� Global who is now in Colombo. more..

Dec 14 (CT) Budget 2014 of the Moratuwa Municipal Council was passed arbitrarily and the UNP is planning to go to Courts regarding the matter, Opposition Leader of the Council, Kularatne Peiris said. He said that Mayor Saman Lal Fernando, who is from the ruling party, UPFA passed the budget, without considering the votes of the opposition members. �Before the Budget was presented to the Council, six ruling party more..

Dec 14 (FT) UNP MP and rebel Sajith Premadasa will be extended a special invitation to attend the meeting of the Leadership Council meeting to be held next Tuesday, the Council announced. Premadasa who was appointed a member of the new Council that changed the leadership structure of the UNP last month, has declined to accept the position. Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya is to personally extend the invitation to Premadasa, the announcement said. more..

Dec 14 (AT) The perennial battle between the Bharatha Nation (India) and Lanka takes different forms: In India's epic 'Ramayana' the invasion and lethal battle is to retrieve an abducted wife; then the Cholas' invaded and occupied parts of Lanka in later years followed by the Lankan rulers to seek military help of the Pandyans to chase the Cholas; Then the Pallawa's had a hand in the affairs of Lanka; in recent times, the great visionary Pannikkar set India's twentieth century foreign policy more..

Dec 14 (AN) Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka will sign a MoU early next month for the protection of domestic workers from the island nation in the Kingdom. An official from the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry said that the decision to sign the agreement was taken last week during the visit of Ziyad Al-Sayigh, deputy minister for customer services and labor relations, to Sri Lanka during the two-day Asia-Gulf States Regional Dialogue on more..

Dec 14 (CT) A man who had travelled on the Katunayaka highway from Katunayaka to Seeduwa on a bicycle was arrested at the Seeduwa high way exit point. Police said that the suspect who was released on personal bail after being produced before the Negambo Magistrate�s Court is summoned to appear before Court again on 21st of Dec. Meanwhile, two police officers who were on duty at the entrance of the Katunayaka highway during the incident have been interdicted more..

Dec 14 (Island) A majority of officials, who were in coat and tie, never cared for the blue-collar workers, the Minister Welgama said at a function held to hand over appointment letters to some German Technical College trainees, as Railway technical officers. He said work in the transport sector was not easy. All transport ministers of successive govts had been severely criticised. General Manager Railway B.A.P. Ariyaratne said the govt was blessed to have a transport minister like Kumara Welgama more..

Dec 14 (IL) President Mahinda Rajapaksa who visited the United Nations Office at capital Nairobi (UNON) gifted a painting of the Kandy Sri Dalada Esala Perahera that would be hung at the UNON premises this morning on 13 December. This is the only UN head Quarters in Africa and the Global South. It is located in an extent of 146 acres comprising of more than 80 buildings near the Kenyan capital. more..

Dec 14 (Island) Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) announces the changes in S&P Sri Lanka 20 index constituents made by S&P Dow Jones Indices at the 2013 annual index rebalance as follows. S&P Dow Jones Indices today announced that effective from the Dec 23, 2013 (after the market close of Dec 20, 2013), Sri Lanka Telecom PLC (CSE Ticker: SLT) and Aitken Spence (CSE Ticker: AHUN) will be removed from the S&P Sri Lanka 20 index as they no longer qualify for index inclusion. more..

Dec 14 (FT) Sri Lanka is in the 10th place in the World Giving Index (WGI) compiled by British Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). The index by Britain-based CAF looks at three measures of giving in the past year: donating money to charity, volunteering, and helping a stranger. Sri Lanka has improved on two fronts: volunteering and helping a stranger. The Foundation ranked the United States the world�s most generous nation, up from fifth place last year. more..

Dec 14 (Island) JHU has said the massive drug smuggling bid from Karachi was a national crime and urged the IGP to conduct a full scale investigation and prosecute the culprits. SSP Ajith Rohana said that JHU leader Ven. Dr. Omalpe Sobitha Thera had written to the IGP N.K. Illangakoon urging him to conduct a full scale investigation into the attempt to smuggle into the country a large stock of heroin from Pakistan more..

Dec 14 (DM) Deputy transport Minister Rohana Dissanayake said yesterday there were moves to employ women drivers and conductors in Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses so as to instill some form of discipline on the roads. He further said such services were being carried out on an experimental basis in Colombo and the suburbs. Mr. Dissanayake said this proposal was being mooted because women comprised a majority in SL and it would also help introduce a disciplined service. more..

Dec 14 (CT) Director of the National Zoological Gardens, Anura de Silva said that he would be concentrating on improving visitor experiences at the Dehiwala Zoo and the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in 2014. �This year, we had 1.5 million visitors to the Dehiwala Zoo and 980,000 visitors to Pinnawala, and 30% of the visitors to Pinnawala were foreign tourists. Such large numbers cannot be accommodated at present and it is causing a lot of congestion and inconvenience more..

Dec 14 (Island) Global Tamil Forum (GTF) is representing Tamil Diaspora community of Sri Lankan origin in ongoing tripartite talks, involving the govts of South Africa and Sri Lanka to pave the way for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to address accountability issues. It is widely believed to be the most influential Diaspora grouping with close connections to British political parties as well as the ruling ANC. more..

Dec 14 (DM) Madeba Nelson Mandela, widely acclaimed as the world�s greatest statesman since the legendary Abraham Lincoln of the United States, will be laid to his eternal rest in his home town tomorrow with virtually the whole world watching and in the afterglow of the memorial service attended by more than 100 world figures � the biggest gathering of world leaders in history. What matters even more than all this is the legacy this enlightened selfless and sacrificial leader leaves behind and more..

Dec 14 (DM) This may be a question most Sri Lankans find absurd with the end of the war in 2009. But the enlightened citizens, we hope, will grasp the gravity of it. For those who find the question absurd�a beautifully designed walking path through nicely trimmed grass lit by solar panels could be an incubator to a decaying society, as much as a two-and-half-decade-old war that was marked by blood and unimaginable suffering. Rape, murder, embezzling of money, abuse of power, more..

Dec 14 (AD) The Democratic People�s Front (DPF) has decided to contest the Western Provincial Council elections on its own under the symbol of the ladder with DPF Leader Mano Ganesan as the chief candidate. In a statement, the party stated that it will shed its affiliations with half-baked alliances and will contest in all three Districts of the Western Province. Full statement: Politburo of the DPF led by Mano Ganesan has decided to more..

Dec 14 (KSA) Colombo-based trader and frequent flier Mohamed Fahim says he loves his new drive time between the city and Bandaranaike International Airport. The 39-year-old now reaches the airport at Katunayake in a fraction of his old commute. "At least once month, I go abroad to purchase fancy items from Chennai and Bangkok. Then, I ship them to Colombo. Time is very important for a businessman like me," more..

Dec 14 (AFP) Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal said his team were over the moon on keeping their world number one status intact with a win against Pakistan in the second Twenty20 in Dubai on Friday. The 24-run win levelled the two-match series 1-1 and dashed Pakistan's hopes of replacing Sri Lanka as the number one team in the Twenty20 rankings. Chandimal said his team showed great resolve in their comeback win after losing more..

Dec 14 (DM) David Cameron, the PM of the formerly `Great’ Britain has repeatedly not just requested but purported to `demand’ that the sovereign state of Sri Lanka which ceased to be a colonial possession of Britain 63 years ago, should conduct “Credible Transparent and Independent” investigations into alleged war crimes. What exactly does Cameron mean by these terms? What does Cameron mean by credible? more..

Dec 14 (SL) The International Anti-Corruption Day falls tomorrow (9). Although this day is marked worldwide, questions have been raised as to how the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption in Sri Lanka will mark this day when their own members are accused of corruption. The Bribery Commission has to be an independent body, which cannot be messed up by any visible or invisible force and has to work more..

Dec 14 (Island) Japan�s Special envoy to Sri Lanka Yasushi Akashi revealed that President Mahinda Rajapaksa�s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga would visit the UNHRC next month to explain the steps taken to address accountability issues stemming from the last stages of the war with the LTTE, which the international community was pressing for. Akashi, who is the Japanese Govts Representative for Peace-Building, Rehabilitation and more..

Dec 14 (IL) President Rajapaksa visited the Nairobi Buddhist Viharaya, located in a suburb of Nairobi on Friday. This Theravada Buddhist temple that has been functioning for more than a decade consists of a small stupa, meditation hall and a residence for monks. President worshiped at the temple and participated in several religious activities. The President also presented Atapirikara to the Chief Incumbent of the Viharaya, more..

Dec 14 (Island) The GMOA claimed that some Health ministry officials were blocking circulars aimed at promoting liquid milk, being sent to all hospitals. GMOA executive committee Member Dr. Navin de Soysa said that GMOA had held talks with Health Secretary Dr. Nihala Jayathilaka a few days back and reached a consensus on liquid milk promotion. Health Ministry�s Director Nutrition with the concurrence of the Health Secretary more..

Dec 14 (Island) The Chairman of the Presidential Commission to Investigate Complaints on Missing Persons assured the members of the Dead and Missing Persons Association from the North and the East that it would do everything in its power to solve their problems. Commission Chairman retired High Court Judge Maxwell Parakrama Paranagama urged the family members of missing and abducted persons to direct more..

Dec 14 (CT) The All Ceylon Transport Workers� Union (ACTWU) alleges that the 100 UTom luxury buses imported for the Commonwealth summit have not been given to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) to be used for public transport and they are currently being parked at the Ministry of Finance premises ever since the summit ended. The buses imported from China by the Ministry of Finance are worth Rs 12 million each. more..

Dec 14 (CT) Development is not always a smooth process. It comes with an opportunity cost and there will always be communities who feel threatened, left out and, sometimes, disconnected from the development process during its early stages. That may explain the grievances of the residents of Wanathamulla, who yesterday petitioned the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka against a plan mooted by the UDA to demolish slums and relocate their inhabitants in order to develop more..