Dec 19 (CT) It is just not possible to make a claim for statehood without first defining its physical borders. It is like making a claim for a piece of land: The claimant must have a deed which defines the boundaries. Consequently, all available evidence, including concoctions, is drawn specifically to outline the borders � real or unreal � as justification for the demand of a new State. This explains why the Vaddukoddians went all out first to concoct geographical borders needed to give more..

Dec 19 (NS) What the Hell is going on in our little universe? Yes, Hell appears to be keyword in the context of our beautiful island nation, which was once the famed and tranquil �Dhammadipa� which has been turned into the �Devil�s Playground�, no less. What has happened since? The demolition of the Tamil Tiger war machine by Sri Lanka�s Security Forces in May 2009 took the nation and the world by complete surprise. Our armed forces succeeded in what was thought an impossible mission by more..

Dec 19 (SL) While the Chairman of the Delft Pradeshiya Sabha was found in his home with fatal gunshot injuries last month, the govt has come under severe criticism regarding the breakdown of law and order and also issues of corruption and misuse of power. UPFA MP A H M Azwer defended the govt and claimed that the govt has taken all measures to disarm all parties that were in possession of weapons, while they have more..

Dec 19 (CT) Sri Lanka has to tackle three main challenges in its march toward prosperity. First, it has to sustain a high economic growth rate unabated in the next two to three decades without allowing it to slip away once a high growth has been recorded as it has dropped during 2012 and 2013. Second, it has to elevate itself from the current lower middle income country to a higher middle income country by at least 2020, just within a seven year period. Third, from there onward, more..

Dec 19 (CT) When kidney disease of uncertain origin (CKDU) appeared in the North-central province in the mid-1990s, some commentators hastened to claim that this was bio-terrorism associated with the Eelam wars. Today, a variety of opinions are touted regarding the origin and prevention of the CKDU epidemic. News reports tell us that cases have been noted in other `dry zone� ares like Hambantota and Jaffna. Places like Jaffna and other dry-zone towns are extremely more..

Dec 19 (CT) We are not talking about casinos anymore, it�s going to be only mixed development projects for the next four years, Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene emphasized in an interview. Q: This interview is mainly to find out the truth behind casinos in SL. A: Forget about casinos. We are not going to work on any casinos in SL. We are only going to have mixed development projects. At the moment we will not talk about casinos. more..

Dec 19 (Island) Chronic Kidney Disease of Uncertain Origin (CKDu) has now become the most serious health problem afflicting farming communities in many �dry zone� areas in Sri Lanka. It has already been diagnosed in six out of the nine provinces in the country. Despite over a decade of research, involving scientists (both local and foreign), the exact cause of CKDu is still not known. However, available evidence seems to indicate that the disease is probably multifactorial, more..

Dec 19 (Island) The TNA has stirred another storm of controversy. One of its MPs claimed that Ravana had been a Hindu king, apparently in a bid to support the so-called homeland theory. He chose to bracket some of the monarchs mentioned in Sri Lanka�s chronicles with the mythical king. What is of interest to us is his tendentious attempt to toss a salad of myths, as it were, with some tidbits from the Mahawamsa thrown in for good measure. However, he is entitled to his opinion. more..

Dec 19 (FT) In these troubled times, when Sri Lanka�s democracy is gravely threatened by the twin evils of autocratic governance and ineffective Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, the former UNP Deputy Leader, is busy drawing a self-portrait. For the second time in two days, Premadasa has openly rejected personal invitations from the UNP Leadership Council to attend its Tuesday and Wednesday meetings. more..

Dec 19 (T&L) �The beauty and the horror,� the Sri Lankan�Canadian writer Shyam Selvadurai said to me in Jaffna. �Both things must be there. Otherwise, it�s not Sri Lanka.� We sat in a busy restaurant in a city ravaged by war. I was at the end of a journey north across this island country and the writer�s remark felt now almost like shared knowledge. But it was something that had come to me slowly, this awareness of the Sri Lankan duality, of the creeping horror. Because, 12 days before, when more..

Dec 19 (CI) Lasith Malinga's first ball to debutant Sharjeel Khan was a well-directed bouncer that the batsman tried to duck but copped on the shoulder, sparking an appeal from behind the stumps. Smelling easy blood, Malinga pitched the next one short as well. Sharjeel, though, had been waiting for it. Quickly he shuffled back and connected with an unflinching hook, sending the ball high over deep square leg to strike the top of the stand. Malinga tried a yorker next but more..

Dec 19 (Island) Post-war Sri Lanka�s budget deficit fell substantially from 10% of GDP to 5.8%, the lowest in nearly three decades. Unfortunately, this significant decline was not steep enough for the govt to meet its 2011 target of reducing the budget deficit to 5%. This Insight explores the govt�s success and failure at tackling the deficit. But first some definitional housekeeping. Budget deficit is calculated by subtracting more..

Dec 19 (LBO) Fitch Ratings has confirmed a 'AAA(lka)' rating of Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka with a stable outlook. Fitch said it had a strong market share of 60% for local alcohol production but was vulnerable to illicit products amid tax hikes. Potential debt funded acquisitions change the group's risk profile. "The company has historically actively pursued acquisition," Fitch said. "While it has not indicated it is pursuing specific acquisitions, the group recently restructured to more..

Dec 19 (LBO) Fitch Ratings has downgraded Union Bank of Colombo by one notch to 'BB(lka)' on rising non-performing loans. The outlook was revised to stable from negative at the lower rating. "The downgrade reflects the deterioration in UB's credit profile, in terms of its asset quality and capitalisation," the rating agency said. "Fitch has taken into consideration UB's increasing risk appetite, which can be seen in its rapidly expanding operations despite delays in more..

Dec 19 (CI) Misbah-ul-Haq had implored his top order to produce an innings of substance in the approach to the series but even he may not have expected his top four to respond as emphatically as they did. Two young batsmen stroked alluring half-centuries, while Mohammad Hafeez ended his poor form with a canny 122, to set up Pakistan's third-highest total in 115 matches at Sharjah. Misbah had also warned his side more..

Dec 19 (FT) The ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) has decided to amend the eGovernment policy appropriately. The first eGovernment policy in Sri Lanka, the ICT Policy and Procedures for the Govt (eGovernment Policy), was initially approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 16 December 2009. It was to be implemented by all Govt organisations including Ministries, Govt Departments, Provincial Councils, District Secretariats, Divisional Secretariats and Local Govt Authorities. more..

Dec 19 (BW) Tetra Tech, (NASDAQ: TTEK) announced today that it has been awarded a $74 million contract principally financed by the United States Export-Import bank for the Sri Lanka National Water Supply and Drainage Board. Tetra Tech will design and oversee the completion of a new water supply treatment plant, including storage tanks, pumping stations, a dam and impoundment reservoir, water intake structures, and transmission and distribution pipelines for Badulla more..

Dec 19 (Hindu) The haunting image � from a reporting assignment over a month ago � of an army of Indian trawlers charging towards the shore of Analativu, a small island in the northern tip of Sri Lanka, remains vivid in my memory. Though there were no arrests reported that night, the Sri Lankan Navy, on several occasions before and after that, have arrested Indian fishermen on charges of trespassing. Not just in Analativu, but at more..

Dec 19 (Island) New Zealand based dairy giant Fonterra currently employs 4,000 local dairy farmers to produce several of its milk based products for its Sri Lankan consumers. Addressing the media, following a tour to explain how the local milk produce was used to turn out flavoured milk, yoghurt and curd, under the Anchor Newdale brand, in its manufacturing site in Biyagama, Director Operations Fonterra Brands SL, Sriram Venkatasubramanian said that over 30,000 litres of more..

Dec 19 (ST) The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has zeroed in on 11 potential firms to go public, officials said. �We initially met 30 firms and now we have had discussion with 11 potential firms to go for Initial Public Offerings (IPO). Out of these about six firms are working on their IPO applications,� a senior CSE official said. The CSE is also planning a roadshow next August with the Board of Investment in a move to capitalize on the Crown Casino project investment in a move to capitalize on more..

Dec 19 (DM) The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic resources is hoping to secure the release of all Sri Lankan fishermen detained in Tamil Nadu prior to Christmas or in the beginning of January, Media Secretary Narendra Rajapaksa said. He said these efforts were being delayed because of the interference by TN Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jeyaram. Sri Lankan fishermen and their boats taken into custody by Indian authorities were more..

Dec 19 (SLN) Two Indian Coast Guard ships, �Vishwast� and �Rajkamal� arrived at the Port of Trincomalee on 18th December 2013. They were welcomed in accordance with naval traditions on arrival. ICGS Vishwast is an Offshore Patrol Vessel commanded by Inspector General JK Verghese. The OPV is 94 meters in length and has a displacement of 2,400 tons. The ship�s complement consists of 102 personnel that include 10 officers, 02 under trainee officers and 90 sailors. more..

Dec 19 (CT) The UNP members who attended the Kegalle District UNP active members' meeting at the residence of MP, Kabir Hashim, confirmed the news story appeared in our sister newspaper Mawbima and said most members expressed their views aggressively and heated arguments led to near fisticuffs. Opposition Leader of Dehiowita Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) and General Secretary of UNP Kegalle District local govt members' consortium, Sestus Arsakularatne, said if more..

Dec 19 (FT) Opposition Legislator Dr. Harsha De Silva who has led the charge against the Govt�s casino bill, yesterday slammed the regime for attempting to mislead the country and taking the country for fools after it gazetted the controversial James Packer hotel project on Tuesday night. Speaking in Parliament De Silva said that Rank Holding Chairman Ravi Wijeratne had told a newspaper he would open a casino at more..

Dec 19 (Island) A noteworthy tripartite initiative to stimulate technology start-ups by Sri Lankan university students and recent graduates gets underway in January 2014 with corporate sponsorship and participatory inputs from Brandix. Sri Lanka�s single largest apparel exporter has confirmed it will collaborate with the Sri Lanka Association of Software and Service Companies (SLASSCOM) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to offer 6-month more..

Dec 19 (Island) Apropos our front page lead story headlined �Sri Lanka HR situation like �elephant in room-Canada� on Dec 5 edition, Canadian High Commissioner Shelley Whiting has sent us the following statement dated Dec 11: "It is unfortunate that facts were not verified prior to publication of the article. Contrary to what was reported, it was due to the sudden cancellation of the flight to Jaffna that Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and more..

Dec 19 (Island) UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera accused many MPs of living on the income from selling heroin and other narcotics. Samaraweera, participating in the third reading stage debate, on budget 2014said that Prime Minister DM Jayaratne was neither a drug peddler nor a thief. He said that issuing a letter requesting a demurrage waiver for a container, too, was not something wrong or illegal. more..

Dec 19 (Island) Weightlifting prodigy Shashika Ekanayake who won a gold medal at the recently held Commonwealth Youth Weightlifting Championships has been ranked second in the world in his weight class according to latest rankings issued by the International Weightlifting Federation. Ekanayake is sharing the second spot with Jong Ju of Korea, while Chinese champion J.I.A. Xionghui is ranked world number one in the youth category. The 17-year-old who has a personal best of more..

Dec 19 (CT) Statistics reveal that there are 51 children in Sri Lanka who were born with HIV/AIDS, at present, the Director of the National STD/AIDS Control Programme (NSACP), Dr. Sisira Liyanage, said. Most of the children had been afflicted due to the disease being transmitted by their mothers, and the infants who had been so diagnosed, are receiving the necessary medical attention. 3 babies who had been so infected were born in 2010, 6 were born in 2012, and 12 were born up to Sept more..

Dec 19 (Island) Many an eyebrow has been raised over the mysterious reduction in the weight of heroin seized on August 30 and sent to the Govt Analyst. The Customs on August 30 seized 261 kg and 292 g of the narcotic but the Govt Analyst�s report has put the quantity down at 130 kg. The stock of heroin was handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau by the Customs on an order issued by the more..

Dec 19 (DN) Sri Lanka will introduce a Human Resource Policy for the first time in since independence, Senior Minister D.E.W. Gunasekera told Parliament. He said that he plans to introduce the Policy Paper as a Bill before the House next year. Minister Gunasekera told the House that a National Policy on Human Resources has been submitted for Cabinet approval. "In fact we did not have such a policy since independence, although other developed countries had such a policy. more..

Dec 19 (Island) Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage told Parliament that Sri Lanka Cricket had lost USD 3 mn in a case filed against it by a Tamil Nadu company over telecasting rights. The Minister said that a match that had been played in Sri Lanka had been telecast in Sri Lanka using Tamil Nadu satellite technology. Later, an affected party, that had the rights to telecast them in Tamil Nadu, filed a case against Sri Lanka cricket. To settle this case the SLC had to pay the aforesaid sum. more..

Dec 19 (FT) Confusion and chaos was the order yesterday within the leisure and entertainment industry as well as the Parliament following the gazetting of three integrated resorts involving two of Sri Lanka�s famous corporate names as well as a world famous gaming mogul. Govt on Tuesday released three separate gazettes approving three multi-billion rupee Integrated Super Luxury Tourist Resorts (IRs) � Waterfront Properties, with more..

Dec 19 (DM) The day after the legendary statesman Nelson Mandela�widely revered as the patron saint of political miracle--was laid to his eternal rest in his home village, a huge statue of this hero of heroes was unveiled in Pretoria where about 20 years ago he was sworn in as South Africa�s first black and first democratically �elected President. While statues are largely showpieces what is much more important for about hundred world leaders who attended the funeral ceremonies and others is not just more..

Dec 19 (DM) Almost the entire world has come under the influence of neo-liberalism over the last several decades. The Neo-liberal ideologues that include the key bureaucrats of the international financial institutions assert that the market should be allowed to guide major decisions not only with regard to production, distribution and consumption of goods and services, but also relating to many other human endevours and that the state should voluntarily reduce its role in the economy more..

Dec 19 (TOI) A six-member Sri Lankan govt delegation spent two days in Kerala studying the administration of the 'Buds - Special School for Mentally & Physically Challenged Children' here. Their main objective was to get a first-hand account of how disability is addressed by the panchayats in the state. The team concluded its visit to the state on Wednesday. Sarath Wickramaratne, the World Bank consultant more..

Dec 19 (DM) Shortly after Monday�s Cabinet meeting, ministers sat for the customary dinner hosted by President Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees. Seated together at one table were Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, Ministers Wimal Weerawansa, Pavithra Devi Wanniarachchi, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, and Dilan Perera. The Cabinet colleagues were jovially enjoying a delicious meal of Dosai with some �gourmet gravy� while more..

Dec 19 (SL) Continuous acts of certain religious organizations taking law and order into their hands with their sense of righteousness have raised a question on the level of interference allowed to individuals in the country to act on their own ground rules. While misdoings and misbehaviors of any priest under the robe should not be tolerated, many question on what grounds individuals are given the power or authority to take more..

Dec 19 (DM) Singer and actor turned politician Madhu Madawa Aravinda was elected to the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) from the JHU. Getting elected after a campaign without posters, crackers, polythene, treats and liquor, which was different from most election campaigns that we see nowadays, Madhu Madawa�s decision to resign from the CMC while still hoping to contest the upcoming WPC marks the latest political unfolding in more..

Dec 19 (ST) Large-scale financial irregularities and mismanagement at the cash-strapped Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) have been exposed by the AG, according to the corporation�s annual report presented to Parliament. The report refers to losses incurred by the import of substandard fuel, the fallout of the infamous hedging deal and payment of bonus to the staff when the corporation was running at a massive loss. more..