Jan 13 (CI) Unjustly labelled a B-team ahead of the series opener in Melbourne, George Bailey's Australian side demonstrated plenty of hunger and no little skill in dispatching Sri Lanka by 107 runs at the MCG. The emphatic nature of the result, and the composure shown by the team in achieving it, reflected handsomely on the national selectors' decision to refresh the squad following six Tests, allowing Phillip Hughes and Bailey more..

Jan 13 (NS) The week that just passed was really a political week full of happenings including the tragic death of a young local government level politician. The week also made special news in the country�s political history with the passing of the impeachment motion against a Chief Justice, a first in Sri Lanka�s Parliamentary history. On Friday night the impeachment motion against CJ Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake was passed in Parliament with two-thirds majority: 155 votes for and 49 against. more..

Jan 13 (SL) The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development says the Fisheries Harbour in Panadura has not been given on lease. Responding to a news item which appeared in The Sunday Leader last week, the Ministry said that only an unused building in the harbour premises which had been abandoned for the last 7 years, was given to Lanka Academy Technology (Pvt) Ltd for training of Seamen and Fishermen. �The training courses are now being successfully conducted and more..

Jan 13 (CT) In a move that is seen as historic as the impeachment motion against the CJ that was passed with a two-thirds majority in Parliament on Friday, Leader of the UNP, Ranil Wickremesinghe, chose to remain silent through the two days of debating. Several members of the UNP admitted their leader did not utter a word during the debate, although he had reneged on a deal struck with the opposition parties to more..

Jan 13 (ST) A supermarket chain titled �Star United� has emerged and run by a group of retail distributors of various products styled the Retailers Alliance Ltd. The group plans to establish 500 modern retail units countrywide with the backing of Ceylon Biscuits Ltd aimed at getting a foothold in the booming retail business, company officials said. As an initial step, six outlets titled Star United Hewage Family Super at Kandy, Katugastota and Barigama; Star United Singhe Family Super at Nalanda were set up more..

Jan 13 (NS) A staggering 432 deaths of Sri Lankan migrant workers in the Middle East in 2012 heightened by 74 mystery deaths and 23 suicides, mostly of Sri Lankan housemaids recorded at the Bureau of Foreign Employment, emphasize the plight of women going for employment in search of greener pastures. Foreign Employment Bureau�s Deputy Director, Aponso disclosed it on the heels of the beheading of Rizana Nafeek by the Saudi Arabian authorities last Wednesday that more..

Jan 13 (ST) Like swords turn into ploughshares in times of peace, a wetland turned into a leisure-and-health park in post-conflict Sri Lanka yesterday in keeping with the Govt�s programme of giving the much-needed facelift to Colombo and its suburbs. The latest marsh or the mudhole that bloomed as a health park with jogging and cycling tracks was what was once called Welipark. The sprawling 18.2 acre wetland in Nugegoda more..

Jan 13 (NS) Jaffna Security Forces Commander Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe on Friday assured that the four students of the Jaffna University undergoing rehabilitation will be allowed to continue their education at campus once the process is completed. He, however, could not confirm a time frame and said it depended on the students themselves. Hathurusinghe said the four students were provided with all the necessary facilities to continue their studies from within more..

Jan 13 (Island) The Medical Officers Forum (MOF) says that the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) has, by releasing a media statement on the CJ�s impeachment issue, proven its partiality in politics and, moreover, created a bad precedence with regard to the functions of this key medical body. The SLMC, in its recent statement, called upon the PSC to conduct the impeachment process impartially. The SLMC is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament to maintain the standards of more..

Jan 13 (Island) President Rajapaksa acted swiftly and decisively to prevent some of those who had switched their allegiance to him after contesting the last general elections in April 2010 on the UNP ticket from skipping Friday�s vote in parliament to remove CJ. The SLMC, the CWC and some UNPers, one member of the TNA and two Up country politicians (Sri Ranga and P. Digambaram) switched sides soon after the parliamentary more..

Jan 13 (SO) The French media has turned out to be more positive on Sri Lanka�s development since terrorism was eradicated. France 2, the popular French television channel recently telecast a special documentary on Sri Lanka and its development in many spheres. Sri Lankans domiciled in France said that the latest documentary on Sri Lanka on France 2 is a rare opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka. �They normally don�t telecast this kind of positive documentaries on Sri Lanka. more..

Jan 13 (SO) The Public Administration Ministry will set up over 100 Language Training Centres in all provinces this year to improve the Sinhala, Tamil and English Language skills of over 1.4 million public servants. It will be conducted by the Public Administration Ministry in collaboration with the National Languages and Social Integration Ministry, Divisional Secretariats and other local authorities. According to Ministry reports, some Sinhala speaking public servants face more..

Jan 13 (ST) 11 year-old Sanduni Apsara from Borelesgamuwa was excited about getting back to school on January 2, the first day of term for the New Year. She wanted to show off the new pencil case she got during the school break to her class mates. However, this was not to be. On December 28, Sanduni was rushed to hospital where she breathed her last, the latest victim of the killer dengue disease that claimed at least 200 more..

Jan 13 (ST) Microsoft expects to sell 400 million copies of its October 2012-launched operating system (OS) within 12 months, according to Wellington Perera, Director for Developer Platform Evangelism of Microsoft Sri Lanka. Speaking at a media event to highlight the functionality of its most recent Windows 8 OS, Mr. Perera also noted that so far his company had trained over 600 students from state and private universities in application development for the platform. more..

Jan 13 (NS) Sri Lanka�s diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia will remain intact despite the execution of Sri Lankan maid Rizana Nafeek on January 9, External Affairs Ministry said on Friday. Director Communications of the External Affairs Ministry, Sarath Dissanayake told The Nation that Rizana�s issue would not have an impact on the relationship between the two countries. �There is nothing like that. Sri Lanka�s foreign policies will remain unchanged,� he said. more..

Jan 13 (ST) The Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha members have sought additional police security from the IGP in fear of reprisal attacks on them after the slaying of one of their colleagues and the arrest of the key suspects involved in the shooting. The request came as the CID continued its investigations into the killing of Hasitha Madawala after arresting five main suspects including the gunman identified as Rangana Perera. more..

Jan 13 (SO) Former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva told our sister paper Silumina yesterday that since the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake had been passed with a two-thirds majority in Parliament, it is for the Govt to ensure its commitment to safeguard the independence of the Judiciary. He said by appointing one with seniority and the requisite qualifications from the Judiciary as the next Chief Justice, the conspirators will be denied more..

Jan 13 (SO) A carved granite temple step (Sandakada Pahana) similar to those found in the ancient city of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka will be sold in Bonhams Indian and Islamic sale in London on April 23. This magnificent work of art featuring a cow and other animals has come to light in the garden of a Devon bungalow. It is estimated to attract bids in excess of �30,000. The beautiful 1,000 year old pre-Hindu stone step is one of only six examples known to date from this period, more..

Jan 13 (LBO) Sri Lanka's 'Black Friday Impeachment' of the chief justice will mark a new chapter in illiberal democracy where parliamentary majorities are abused to rob liberties of citizens, a legislator has warned. "The Black Friday impeachment is another shameful day in the history of our country," opposition legislator Harsha de Silva said in a statement. "The absolute majority in parliament obtained through dubious means more..

Jan 13 (Island) With President Rajapaksa expected to remove Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake early this week following the impeachment motion against her being passed by parliament on Friday, four names have emerged to fill the post. Despite speculation that the former Attorney General and current Seylan Bank Chairman, Mohan Peiris would be the next CJ, senior govt sources said that other names were being considered. "It won�t be Mohan Peiris" the sources noted, more..

Jan 13 (CT) Chairman of the Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha (PS), Prasanna Ranaweera, expressed gratitude to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, for accepting the resignation of Minister Mervyn Silva from the post of SLFP Organizer of Kelaniya, and alleged the minister would have killed them all, if he remained in the position. Ranaweera alleged Minister of Public Relations, Mervyn Silva, had the intention of killing all politicians who stood against him in Kelaniya. �It was reported that more..

Jan 13 (ST) UPFA leaders were busy yesterday to ensconce a new CJ, the country�s highest judicial office, on Friday. On this day, he will be sworn in by President Rajapaksa. Other than that ceremony, it is likely to be sans official events and ceremonial fanfare that goes when a CJ takes office in Hulftsdorp. Last night, the govt was looking at the possibility of appointing a serving Judge to succeed Shirani Bandaranayake more..

Jan 13 (SO) The Ministry of Prisons and Rehabilitation has appointed a committee to probe last week�s jail break at the Avissawella Prisons where 10 prisoners escaped from custody. The committee will probe the lax security measures that were in place at the time of the jail break at the Avissawella Prisons. Three prisoners who escaped from the Avissawella Prison on Thursday after assaulting two prison guards on duty at the Avissawella prisons were arrested by the more..

Jan 13 (SO) Gem, jewellery and diamond exports continued its upward trend in earning foreign exchange by recording an overall growth of 22 percent. The sector�s growth in terms of value increase was from Rs. 57.856 b to Rs. 70.443 b, National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) CEO, Prasad Galhena said. The most significant growth was recorded by gem exports, recording a 42% increase, generating Rs. 14.21 b in 2012 compared to Rs. 10.028 b in 2011. more..

Jan 13 (Island) �Aney Ammo!!! Mata Kelaniya nam epaa, epaa mai� (Oh!!! I do not want Kelaniya electorate) bemoaned well known actress Malini Fonseka. She was not on the set of a new film. The real life drama for her came in the lobbies of Parliament. A group of her UPFA colleagues, including Arundika Fernando, Lohan Ratwatte and Roshan Ranasinghe, were engaged in some light-hearted banter. One of them told more..

Jan 13 (ST) The floods in most areas of the country have receded, but the impact of it continues to cause hardship to thousands of affected people with charges that compensation and relief were trickling in slowly. Some 300,000 people were hit by floods, landslides and adverse weather conditions in several parts of the country, with some areas still under water. In Puttalam District over 30,000 people were affected by rains that more..

Jan 13 (ST) As Colombo markets get flooded with expired food products, Govt authorities blame sellers for unscrupulous practices while sellers accuse authorities of corruption. Just last week the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) detected more than 100, 000 kilos of potatoes, 1,000 kilos of dried fish and 48, 000 kilos of onions unfit for human consumption in Colombo, Kurunegala and Gampaha districts. Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) more..

Jan 13 (ST) President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared yesterday that there was still time for Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake to retire with full pension rights. He made the remarks when he met judges of the Supreme Court at �Temple Trees� yesterday. They were invited to meet him last afternoon, hardly 24 hours after Parliament passed a controversial impeachment motion against Chief Justice Bandaranayake. more..

Jan 13 (Island) British Parliamentary Under Secretary Alistair Burt is expected to visit Colombo at the end of January on a fact-finding mission on Sri Lanka�s human rights record. Speaking at the conclusion of the debate on Sri Lanka in the British Parliament last week, Burt said the March 2012 Human Rights Council resolution, supported by the UK and a number of member states, called on Sri Lanka to implement the LLRC more..

Jan 13 (ST) A new web portal has been created which would end the hassle of selecting a course of study or to find a job for young people that matches their qualifications and for the employer to obtain the services of the best person. These comments were made to the Business Times (BT) by Kamal Abeysinghe, Chairman, EDEX (Education and Careers Exhibition) on the sidelines of a media briefing held this week, in Colombo more..

Jan 13 (ST) Police, including armed STF personnel, stood idly by on Thursday, as pro-government thugs with wooden poles beat up demonstrators who convened at Hulftsdorp, to decry the Chief Justice�s removal and the breakdown of the Rule of Law. The attackers made no attempt to hide their weapons. They carried out the assaults even as television cameras and photographers recorded their actions. One man ordered the more..

Jan 13 (ST) Every day, even when snow lies deep on the ground, Mohammed Shaikh visits a grave at the Rochdale Cemetery to mourn the passing of a son who was murdered in Sri Lanka. Khuram Shaikh, a 32-year-old British Red Cross worker, was stabbed to death in Tangalle on Christmas Eve, 2011. His family said yesterday, they could not understand why his case was being held up. �It is extremely disappointing,� Khuram�s more..

Jan 13 (Island) A senior Cabinet Minister last week gave a categorical assurance to protesting Golden Key (GK) depositors that the govt will intervene to ensure that justice is meted out to them expeditiously. Shortly after Parliament pushed through the impeachment of Chief Justice Shiranee Bandaranayake on Friday evening, Minister, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa visited the scene of the agitation, opposite the CJ�s official bungalow, more..

Jan 13 (Xinhua) President Rajapaksa on Sunday removed the island's Chief Justice in accordance with an impeachment vote passed in parliament last week. Presidential spokesman Mohan Samaranayake said that the documents signed by the President removing CJ Shirani Bandaranayake from office were sent to her official residence on Sunday. The parliament had late Friday voted in favour of an impeachment more..

Jan 13 (SL) The police are investigating the attack on a man delivering Uthayan newspapers in Jaffna last week. His motorbike as well as a stack of newspapers were also set on fire, Uthayan Managing Director E. Sarawanabawan said. The delivery man had gone to the Uthayan office and collected the newspapers and was heading towards his delivery point when he was surrounded by men on two motorbikes. He was then assaulted using poles and the motorbike as well as the more..

Jan 13 (SL) The govt is to appoint a new Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, the External Affairs Ministry said. Secretary to the External Affairs Ministry, Karunatillake Amunugama, said that the former ambassador was recalled purely as a mark of protest at the beheading of Rizana Nafeek. He said that Ambassador Ahmed A. Jawad, who was recalled, was not at fault for Rizana�s execution. He said the execution sent shockwaves in Sri Lanka and so the Ambassador was recalled to more..

Jan 13 (Island) The Tamil Diaspora in the United States is now extremely supportive of development of the north, having seen the true potential of the area since the cessation of hostilities, says Sri Lanka�s Ambassador to Washington Jaliya Wickremasuriya said. Those who have visited especially in the north are amazed at the development potential there and have already invested in hotels, motels, agricultural more..

Jan 13 (NS) The Medical Supplies Division (MSD) of the Health Ministry is in the process of linking all state hospitals island wide for effective management of its drug distribution program. �We hope to link up with all our line ministry state hospitals and regional drugs stores all over the island. Once completed it will result in more effective drug distribution to these health facilities and distribute drugs whenever they inform us of a shortage. It will also help us to obtain their estimated drug distribution usage more..

Jan 13 (NS) Police are still on the lookout for seven inmates who escaped from the Avissawella Remand Prison in the early hours of Thursday and search operations are ongoing to apprehend the escapees. Ten inmates escaped from the prison on Thursday after breaking open the locks of their prison cell and overpowering three prison officials. Police were able to apprehend three of the escapees by Thursday night itself. However, the remaining seven were still at large at the time this edition went to press. more..

Jan 13 (SL) Former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva has dismissed as mere rumours that he will join the govt after he had made comments in support of the impeachment process of CJ Shirani Bandaranayake. Silva says he has no intention of accepting a role in the govt as an advisor or any other post. Sarath N Silva was quoted by state television as saying that the investigations carried out in respect of the impeachment against more..