Nov 17 (CG) The Cabinet has agreed to exempt the items needed for a Chinese funded project to repair and refurbish the Superior Court Complex. The Chinese Govt has agreed to undertake the project to repair and refurbish the Supreme Court building in Colombo. The proposal made by the Minister Rauff Hakeem to exempt the items needed for the project from the relevant taxes and levy, after the project is approved as a special project under relevant Acts, was approved by the Cabinet. more..

Nov 17 (AFP) Sri Lanka is considering a South African-style reconciliation commission nearly five years after crushing Tamil separatists in an offensive that triggered international allegations of war crimes. Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said President Rajapakse, who attended a memorial service for former SA president Nelson Mandela, was trying to replicate the late civil rights icon's reconciliation bid. more..

Nov 18 (NS) In the West, glasshouses are built to create a hot house for growing tropical plants. The Commonwealth met in our tropical house and Cameron, the presumed white master began throwing stones as Mahinda Rajapaksa aptly pointed out. If you throw stones in a glasshouse, you break the artificial glass cocoon and chaos results. We must utilize this chaos, in this broken Commonwealth. We must take what remains of this relic left over by a dead British Empire and more..

Dec 18 (Island) Sri Lanka�s celebrated war time General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 58 Division, Maj. Gen. Shavendra Silva was deprived of a slot at the US War Army War College (USAWC) in Pennsylvania on the basis of unsubstantiated war crimes, allegations/accountability issues during the third week of the ground offensive directed at the LTTE, in May 2009 on the Vanni east front. The Gajaba Regiment veteran was accused of ordering troops under his command to more..

Nov 18 (SO) Sri Lanka lost many opportunities to develop its economy in par with countries which are now ranked among the best performing countries in Asia. The three decade battle against terrorism was an impediment for innovative thinking and harnessing natural resources. The country has to depend on traditional economic means such as plantations, agriculture, garment industry and foreign exchanged earned through the unskilled more..

Nov 18 (NS) December 10, 2103, marks the 65th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The Anniversary may be celebrated on the basis of considerable awareness that this Declaration has created amongst the people all over the world about their rights and duties to respect others� rights. The UN and others have made the Declaration available in over 150 languages. This year the UN is awarding the International Human Rights Prize to six winners, more..

Nov 18 (SL) Hypocritical and sycophantic tributes which should make even the dead squirm � had they been modest and honest people when alive � is the persisting style in funeral oratory the world over. It was inevitable that such lavish outpouring of tributes should have been made outside and at the funeral of Nelson Mandela, �the Greatest Liberator of the 20th Century�. What�s remarkable is that praise and appreciation expressed by world leaders and even by humble Africans that assembled at more..

Nov 18 (DBS) The NPC is presently entangled in an intricate imbroglio. Newly elected chief minister CV Wigneswaran of the TNA is at loggerheads with G.A. Chandrasiri the Governor appointed for the Province by President Rajapaksa. This titanic clash between the former SC Judge and the retired Army Major-General has virtually paralysed the NPC besides raising Constitutional issues of a controversial nature. more..

Nov 18 (CT) As a human being first, and Muslim second, I strictly oppose the segregation of any kind: class, gender, sex, ethnicity, and you name it. I have been following the recent developments related to segregation of lectures along gender line in the UK. Accounts suggest that British Universities allow segregation �if the segregation represented the �genuinely held religious beliefs� of the hosts, separate seating could be upheld.� Whether the decision the university took more..

Nov 18 (CT) An Urban Councillor goes on a family-vacation to a neighbouring country. At a restaurant he is befriended by a stranger who introduces himself as a businessman. Later, during a provincial election, this �strange-businessman-turned-friend� visits the home of the Urban Councillor with a tale of woe. He had imported a consignment of plastic goods and tar. The container has been delayed at the port for two and a half months. Consequently he will have to pay an enormous amount of more..

Nov 18 (CT) The former Coordinating Secretary to PM, D.M. Jayaratne, Keerthi Sri Weerasinghe, in an interview with Ceylon Today, said he did not know that the container contained heroin and that he had issued a letter to Customs requesting that the demurrage be reduced, not to release the container early as is being reported. Q: Right now in troubled waters. Our newspaper has been following the incident, what are your plans now? more..

Nov 18 (GV) Dear Mahinda Rajapakse, At the outset, I would like to tell you one thing. I regret very much that we have never met and not had the opportunity to share our experience. Perhaps you could not visit me before I became bedridden because you were bogged down with a difficult war. First of all I should thank all the people living in your beautiful country for the indomitable solidarity extended by them and their leaders when our country was under the curse of naked racism more..

Dec 18 (Island) Susantha Fernando, Secretary of the Sri Lanka Schools Athletics Association (SLSAA), said that his was the most active of all Associations and clubs affiliated to the Sri Lanka Athletics Association (SLAA) this year though some individuals with vested interests had tried to indicate otherwise, that too in vain. The SLAA summoned seven of its affiliates including the Schools Athletics body to its headquarters on Tuesday to inquire about the respective AGMs and more..

Dec 18 (Island) An extremely rare white turtle said to be worth about Rs. 50 million is reported to have been stolen from a private hatchery in Kosgoda. Two police teams have been deployed to trace it, we are told. The person who runs the place has told the media that, having turned down an offer of Rs. 35 mn from a Sri Lankan for the animal, he hired four security guards and even kept a guard dog to ensure its protection, but in vain. In a country where invaluable artefacts have gone missing from more..

Dec 18 (CI) If the T20s are an indication where Pakistan and Sri Lanka stand in limited-overs cricket, fans may be in for one of the more absorbing, unpredictable bilateral ties in the year. There was everything from top-order audacity, to spin-induced collapses, outstanding catching and a lower-order resurgence, all delivered with the spark that has defined matches between these sides in recent years. Already well-matched in Asian conditions, both teams also approach more..

Dec 18 (Island) The best edition of the Colombo Night Race lit up when the country�s only professional Motor Racing Team, EZY Racing, entertained over millions of television viewers and over 100,000 spectators as their race drivers and riders displayed spectacular racing skills, during a night of dominance in the Colombo Night Race 2013. The Oracle powered team, who early this month launched their 2014 cars and bikes more..

Dec 18 (Island) Although there have been several instances of political interference in cricket administration, those running the sport and their political bosses have strongly denied that cricket decisions are politically motivated. However, a secretly recorded audio of a recent SLC Executive Meeting shows the board's President Jayantha Dharmadasa informing Board Members that there is widespread political interference in the administration of the sport. more..

Dec 18 (FT) A significant event in the interest of integrating business entities from the north to mainstream capital market operations was organised by the Yarlpanam (Jaffna) Chamber of Commerce last week. This forum was facilitated by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in order to encourage companies to raise funds through the capital markets of Sri Lanka and derive the benefits of listing on the CSE. more..

Dec 18 (FT) Bharti Airtel, a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 20 countries, announced the launch of the initial phase of a comprehensive network expansion exercise in Sri Lanka across 250 plus sites in urban, suburban and rural pockets across all districts of the country. This project would thereby see Airtel Lanka increasing its 3G presence beyond 1000 towers and 2G presence beyond 1800 towers across the island. more..

Dec 18 (Island) One of the world leading multinationals recently launched the first FMCG retail lab in Colombo, the company is planning to invest more in the country and expand its presence. "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 bullish" said Nandu Nandkishore Executive Vice President Nestl� S.A., more..

Dec 18 (FT) Sampath Bank , the pioneer in introducing many innovations to the Sri Lankan banking industry, has launched its latest state-of-the-art banking facility, the �cardless cash ATM� for the first time in Sri Lanka. This new facility will facilitate the customer to withdraw cash from ATMs without using an ATM debit card. The first-ever �cardless cash ATM� was launched yesterday at the head office of Sampath Bank under the patronage of Aravinda Perera, MD, Sampath Bank. more..

Dec 18 (FT) Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera yesterday declared that Sri Lanka is not protectionist-and let transparency prevail when it comes to Terminal Handling Charges (THC). �We don�t have to be too smart but smart in the right direction. Some criticise us saying this government is protectionist and we discourage imports. This is wrong. What we are promoting is competitive business,� Dr. Jayasundera told more..

Dec 18 (DM) Bentara-Elpitiya UPFA organiser Geetha Kumarasinghe said that she was going to contest the upcoming Southern Provincial Council (SPC) election with the sole motive of becoming its chief minister. �A provincial council membership is nothing to me. I don�t need to strive to become a mere council member, Ms. Kumarasinghe said. She said that some powerful figures within the party had tried to disrupt her political campaign fearing her prospective victory at the upcoming more..

Dec 18 (Hindu) As MPs from Tamil Nadu protested the govt�s move to train Sri Lankan defence personnel in the country and sought a discussion in Parliament, the Defence Ministry said it had requested the Lok Sabha Secretariat to not allow a debate on the issue. �Since the subject matter [training Sri Lankan defence personnel] involves our relations with a neighbouring country and discussion on this issue on the floor of the House will involve sensitive matters pertaining more..

Dec 18 (Hindu) Snatches of familiar tunes catch your ear as you walk around the hut-shaped, circular classrooms at Ramanathan Academy of Fine Arts in Jaffna University. One of them is �Sri Rajamatangi�� Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar�s popular varnam in Suddha Dhanyasi � that is heard distinctly, in a loud chorus of female voices. It is hardly surprising that the charming composition has travelled from south India more..

Dec 18 (SM) The Kenyan and Sri Lankan Govts have signed an agreement that will help develop the sport of cricket and athletics in the country. The sport agreement was among the eight MOUs signed between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Sri Lanka colleague Mahinda Rajapaksa when they held bilateral talks at State House Nairobi last week. The Sri Lankan president was among the heads of state who were in the country for the Kenya@50 Jubilee celebrations held last Thursday at more..

Dec 18 (TOI) Leading cement manufacturers from South India have started exports to Sri Lanka or are increasing their monthly dispatches, in a bid to participate in the post civil war reconstruction in the island nation. Among the cement makers who have established their presence include The India Cements, Ramco Cements and Dalmia Cements. For the southern cement manufacturers, who are reeling under massive capacity overhang, this small export opportunity appears as a hedge, more..

Dec 18 (AFP) Sri Lanka will revive its defunct state-run shipping company by introducing two new cargo vessels bought from China, the govt said. The Ceylon Shipping Corporation will buy two 64,000-tonne bulk carriers that will also be used to train Sri Lankan crew. The two vessels will cost a total of $70 million and will help revive the local shipping company, which does not own or operate any vessels at the moment. more..

Dec 18 (Island) Colombo High Court Judge Padman Sooresena yesterday found Nilantha Kumara guilty of being in possession of, and dealing with narcotics. The convict was sentenced to 22 years rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 600,000. Nilantha Kumara was arrested, by the Police Narcotics Bureau, on April 13, 2009, at Peliyagoda, in possession of 1.053 grammes of heroin and 7.2 grammes of morphine. He was indicted for being in possession and dealing with those narcotics. more..

Dec 18 (ABC) Sri Lankan police say they have arrested an Australian man who is alleged to have raped a mentally disabled girl in the country three years ago. Police say they arrested the 56-year-old Victorian man when he returned to Sri Lanka in recent days. The man is alleged to have raped the 17-year-old girl in 2010 and then fled the country. Police say he had returned to Sri Lanka to attend a friend's wedding when they caught up with him. The man has appeared before a magistrate and more..

Dec 18 (DN) Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa told Parliament yesterday that the final decision with regard to a Private Member's motion forwarded by UNP MP Wijayadasa Rajapaksa to formulate a procedure for the removal of Superior Court Judges would be taken by the House. MP Rajapaksa's Bill purpoting 'to ensure a fair, independent and impartial trial for Judges of Superior Courts, in the event of a resolution more..

Dec 18 (Island) The govt, while admitting that some local authority Chairmen were corrupt, yesterday rejected holding secret ballots in Parliament. Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, when asked, why Parliament was not following the secret vote procedure adopted by the local govt institutions, with regard to the national budget, replied that the govt didn�t want to do what the UNP and JVP asked for, but was willing to consider suggestions by any of the UPFA constituents. more..

Dec 18 (Hindu) Taj Samudra, Colombo, has re-opened its doors after extensive renovation costing $20 million. The property overlooks the scenic Galle Face Green and the Indian Ocean, and is situated at the heart of the city�s business hub. It has 300 rooms of which 71 rooms and 15 suites have been renovated. A new category called the Taj Club rooms has been introduced, along with a Tata Suite or presidential suite. Commenting on the re-opening of the hotel, Rohit Khosla, General Manager, more..

Dec 18 (CT) Prime Minister, D.M. Jayaratne, will have to resign from his position, if he is found guilty of being involved in the case pertaining to the largest haul of heroin detected in South Asia, the govt said yesterday. "This is a very serious issue and the Prime Minister will have to take appropriate action at the appropriate time," Minister, Keheliya Rambukwella, said at the weekly Cabinet news conference, yesterday. more..

Dec 18 (CT) Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) Deputy Chairman (UPFA), Sanjeewa Senasinghe, alleged that the PS budget was passed illegally at the second reading. He, along with 3 other UPFA members and a JVP member, had been waiting to cast their votes against the budget at the second reading as there was a deficit in the heads of expenditure exceeding Rs 2.5 million. According to him, hired goons did not allow them to enter the chambers and they were subsequently more..

Dec 18 (AFP) In-form Pakistan are seeking to build on their recent thrilling one-day triumph in South Africa when they take on dangerous but rusty Sri Lanka in a five-match series starting in the UAE on Wednesday. Pakistan last month sealed their first-ever ODI series win against the Proteas, beating them 2-1 just weeks after a 4-1 drubbing against the same opposition in the UAE. Skipper Misbah-ul Haq, whose side lie sixth in the one-day rankings, two places lower than Sri Lanka, more..

Dec 18 (Reuters) Sri Lanka has approved Australian Crown Resorts Ltd's $400 million complex along with two similar projects, but without any explicit permission to operate casinos at them. However, Crown's chief, gambling tycoon James Packer, would still be able to operate a casino in his mixed-development project through his local partner. Govt's decision to alter the deal's terms came after opposition politicians said Packer was getting more..

Dec 18 (DM) With more people continuing to fall sick more often due to a little bit of poison in the food we eat and growing pollution of the air and water, the Health Ministry has promised that price control on medicinal drugs will be imposed as New-Year relief for the people. Health action groups and most people are cynically sick of the promises made by the Health Ministry, especially on the implementation of the National Medicinal Drugs Policy (NMDP) based on Prof. Senaka Bibile�s more..

Dec 18 (DM) Advertisements often reveal a more realistic picture of a country situation than the statistics churned out by a government source that has lost its independent ability to produce the actual existing data. We hear over the radio advertisements urging people to purchase more, to obtain credit cards for easy payment, to make use of instalment schemes where the first premium is very low and making tantalizing offers of money for specific purchases. more..