Nov 27 (CG) Sri Lanka today called on the international community to apply uniform criteria without being selective based on political grounds. Minister G.L. Peiris said that there needs to be a collaborative approach designed to strengthen countries engaged in combating terrorism or eradicating the scars left behind by terrorism. He also said that in a post � conflict phase the international community must recognize the overlapping and interlocking strategies more..

Nov 27 (Island) The govt and the Opposition joined forces in Parliament yesterday to condemn a speech delivered by TNA MP S. Sritharan, praising the dead LTTE leader V Prabhakaran. He said that Prabhakaran was a national hero and called upon Tamils to commemorate his death. MP Sritharan was condemned by MPs of both sides for attempting to deliver the Mahaveera commemorative lecture in Parliament. more..

Nov 27 (Island) Not only all elephants, but all employees at the Dehiwela National Zoological Gardens and the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage undergo blood tests for Tuberculosis or TB, an official said. Zoo officials yesterday told �The Island� that despite knowing that a two-and-half-year-old elephant, had been detected with TB and was separated from its mother at Pinnawela and brought to Dehiwela, none of the other ten elephants at the zoo had been tested to date. more..

Nov 27 (CT) Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, condemning the setting up of a Casino village in Katana, said, "The move to establish a casino village will threaten the spiritual mores of even the rural and traditional values still respected in the villages of our motherland." The Cardinal stated, he had been made to understand that the govt is making plans to establish a casino village in the Katana area in the Gampaha District in order to attract foreign investments. more..

Nov 27 (PTI) British PM David Cameron today demanded a "transparent, credible and independent" probe into the alleged massacre of Sri Lankan Tamils, days after he pressed President Rajapaska for an enquiry into rights violations during the final days of the civil war in 2009. During the CHOGM summit in Colombo, he had said that if the Sri Lankan govt fails to launch an independent enquiry by March 2014, more..

Nov 27 (DM) In the aftermath of the recent controversy over the import of powdered milk to the value of a staggering Rs. 45,000 million, President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the 2014 Budget outlined proposals to revive the local dairy milk industry. It had been a flourishing and nourishing industry till the 1970s, when a trans-national company gradually and subtly destroyed the local dairy milk industry, thus forcing Sri Lanka to import shiploads of powdered milk which people-friendly more..

Nov 27 (DM) It is not a shortcoming to be born as a person with restricted abilities. �The Enable the Disabled,� organisation which recently performed the �Dirijaya Prathiba� concert has organised a special interactive workshop titled �Dare to Dream- Make a difference for our Children with Special Needs� for parents, care-givers, teachers, and therapists of children with special needs on 08th & 09th December in Colombo under the guidance of the moderator, Madam Margaret R. Nathen more..

Nov 27 (SL) Four and a half years after the Govt of Sri Lanka declared an end to decades of civil conflict with separatist rebels, thousands of people are still missing, according to the UN and Sri Lankan activists. Family members of these missing persons are still asking for a credible investigation that would enable them to leave the past behind and face the future. Many of these family members of those who have disappeared charge that more..

Nov 27 (CG) Japan says there was much concern about the nutrition levels of the resettled IDPs, especially children in the North last year and the need for continuation of the nutrition program for children still exists. Govt of Japan decided to provide food grant assistance to the value of Rs. 282 million to Sri Lanka through the WFP to support the ongoing School Meals Program in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. more..

Nov 27 (AJ) When Sri Lanka's former President J R Jayewardene was accused of showing scant respect for human rights in the early days of the country's separatist war, he said in the 1980s, "All is fair in love and war." Quoting the 16th century English poet John Lyly, the erudite president was able to silence some of his critics. But President Rajapaksa, who last week assumed the title of Commonwealth chairperson-in-office, more..

Nov 27 (VR) In Sri Lanka, �Cess� is the name given to a special tax imposed on sales, where the revenue is earmarked for a specific fund with a particular economic purpose. But the govt has stymied export promotion and local value addition by �stealing� the Cess. Budget 2014 is poised to further the malpractice. Currently, most Cess is introduced under the Sri Lanka Export Development Act No 40 of 1979. Cess on imports and exports is more..

Nov 27 (Island) The consumption of liquor increased drastically between 2008 and 2012, the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) says. Over 72,330,061 litres of arrack were consumed in 2008 and the amount increased to 82,169,059,499 litres last year. The consumption of malt liquor (beer, Stout, and Porter) increased from 53,453, 984,240 litres in 2008 to 123,556,629,958 litres in 2012. more..

Nov 27 (Island) �Women are more enterprising than men in Southern Sri Lanka, it has been found. The govt wants to give them the best possible incentives to enable women�s entrepreneurship to grow countrywide and the Rs. 250,000 interest-free loan envisaged for women in the 2014 budget is in keeping with this policy outlook, Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara said. �The informal sector accounts for 62% of the local economy more..

Nov 27 (Island) Petroleum Industries Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa was disappointed with his own officials who had provided him with a wrong answer to a query raised by JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, during the question time in parliament yesterday. He asked a question listed on the Order Paper, demanding to know the average import price (CIF Value) per MT, at which petrol had been imported in February 2013. more..

Nov 27 (Island) The JVP-led All Ceylon Peasants� Association (ACPA) yesterday urged the government to offer better prices for paddy. Addressing a media conference, ACPA National Organiser, JVP North-Western Provincial Council member and ACPA National Organiser Namal Karunaratne said that their association had, in its budget proposals, requested President Rajapaksa to set Rs. 40 as a certified price for paddy but in vain. more..

Nov 27 (CT) South Africa has embarked on a new initiative to resume the stalled peace talks between the govt and the TNA, following the recent meetings the South African President, Jacob Zuma, had with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the TNA leadership, during his visit to the island for CHOGM. A high profile South African (SA) delegation is reportedly focusing on visiting Sri Lanka, to explore the modalities more..

Nov 27 (Island) Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said yesterday that the Casino menace, along with the Executive Presidency, should be got rid off, as matters of priority. The Cardinal had expressed his views when the UNP Leadership Council, headed by Karu Jayasuriya, called on him at the Archbishop�s House in Colombo. The delegation which included Ravi Karunanayake Tissa Attanayake, more..

Nov 27 (SM) UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera has written to Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma accusing him of concealing some information ahead of the Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka. Samaraweera told Parliament today that in his letter to Sharma he had accused the Commonwealth chief of concealing information in the face of objections by some powerful members in the Commonwealth on holding the 2013 summit in Colombo. more..

Nov 27 (Island) A radiation leak in the Koodankulam Nuclear Plant, in the state of Tamil Nadu, would have no effect on Sri Lanka, Parliament was told. A document tabled by the Minister Champika Ranawaka, in response to a question raised by UNP MP Anoma Gamage, said that only if a major disaster or accident in the plant, that could be classified as Level 7 on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES), introduced by the International Atomic Energy more..

Nov 27 (LBO) Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka says its operations in the island have are continuing and have not been suspended following a court order. "Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Ltd would like to inform that there is no impediment in law, for the Company to continue with its production, distribution, and sales," the firm said in a statement. A court in Kebbethigollawa, in north central Sri Lanka last week ordered the company closed for more..

Nov 27 (LBO) Stocks fell for the fourth straight day with diversified stocks losing ground amid foreign selling. All Share Price Index closed 3.34 points lower at 5,744.67, down 0.06%. The S&P SL20 closed 6.17 points lower at 3,162.52, down 0.19%. Turnover was 836.51 million rupees, up from 464.68 million rupees a day earlier, with stocks of 73 firms closing in the red against 86 gainers. Commercial Leasing and Finance closed 20 cents higher at 4.00 rupees with an off market transaction of more..

Nov 27 (CT) Minister Mervyn Silva whose ties to the ruling Rajapaksa regime were recently restored, literally sang the praises of President Rajapaksa in Parliament during the budget debates today. The Minister broke into song twice � once about SLFP MP and President Rajapaksa�s father D.A. Rajapaksa and again in adoration of the current head of state, during House sittings today. Addressing the Chair, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, Minister Silva said that if he mentions more..

Nov 27 (SLN) A Naval Ship of Indian Navy arrived at the Port of Colombo on 27th Nov on a goodwill visit. The ship was ceremonially welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions on their arrival. INS Shivalik is a frigate, which is 143 meters in length. It has a displacement of 5300 tons and consists of a complement of 400 naval personnel that include 50 officers and 350 sailors. more..

Nov 27 (NF) Norwegian national V.I.S. Jayabalan who was arrested on charges of violating immigration and emigration laws in Mankulam has been deported from Sri Lanka. Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, Chuulananda Perera said that Jayabalan was deported at around 9.20 p.m. last night subsequent to investigations. Jayabalan was arrested on Nov 22 in Maankulum by the Terrorism Investigation Division and was handed over the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

Nov 27 (Island) Deputy Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama told Parliament that the per capita debt had passed Rs 300,000. Minister, responding to a query by UNP MP Sujeewa Senasinghe, said the per capita debt was Rs 321,472. "Of this, the average national debt shouldered by each Sri Lankan was at Rs 179,341 while the rest was external debt per capita." He said that in 2012 the per capita debt was at Rs 295,165 and in 2011 the corresponding figure was Rs 245,980. more..

Nov 27 (Reuters) Sri Lanka, which has attracted more investment since its 26-year civil war ended, says it is cutting the number of tax holidays granted to foreign investors in a move to help trim the country's budget deficit. The govt doesn't publish data, but it is believed to have granted a sizable number of 10-15 year tax holidays during the civil war, which ended in May 2009. Economist and analysts have said there is no longer a need for tax concessions more..

Nov 27 (CT) As the dust settles on the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Colombo, the press has reported that Sri Lanka may be considering the establishment of a South Africa style Truth and Reconciliation Commission with the assistance of the Commonwealth and the South African govt. As a preliminary observation, however, it is important to note that contemporary Sri Lanka and post-apartheid South Africa have vastly different political and social contexts. more..

Nov 27 (CT) As to why the government's repeated denials on the extent of civilian casualties that had taken place during the final phase of the Eelam war had failed to convince its critics, is that the government itself has no clue as to how many people had perished during the last months of the war. The Darusman Report, which is officially known as the Report of the UN Secretary General's Panel of Experts on Accountability in Sri Lanka, and was headed by the reputed Indonesian jurist, more..

Nov 27 (CG) The Court of Appeal yesterday issued notice on the Central Environment Authority (CEA), the Board of Investment (BOI) and Venigross Pvt. Limited, of Weliweriya, returnable on January 27, 2014. The aforesaid respondents were ordered to be present in Court or be represented by counsel in respect of the petition filed by the Centre for Environmental Justice Limited and its convenor Praneeth Kumara. more..

Nov 27 (Island) The Gangodawila Magistrate yesterday remanded Arachchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Jagath Samantha Perera till Nov 29 over a fraudulent land deal. SSP Ajith Rohana said that the suspect had been arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department on Monday after investigating the fraudulent land deal. The 48-acre land belonging to the State had been sold to a Belgian national for Rs. 50 million for a BOI project in Puttalam utilising a bogus deed. more..

Nov 27 (CT) UNP MP Buddhika Pathirana, has stated that the mapilas (poisonous serpents) who were instrumental in destroying the other parties are now destroying the UNP as well. "The UNP suffered at the hands of three terrorist movements: In the 1987-1990 period, so-called patriots destroyed all our leaders in villages; in the 1990s the murderous V Prabhakaran's terrorists killed all our frontline leaders. Yet despite this we secured 38% of the votes at the General Election in 1994. more..

Nov 27 (CG) The commission appointed by President Rajapaksa to investigate incidents of disappearances during the war has sought an extension to the time period it was given by when to complete investigations. Former Judge Maxwell Paranagama, who is heading the Commission, said that so far the Commission has received 8000 complaints on disappearances. Of the complaints, 4000 involve civilians and more..

Nov 27 (CG) TNA today drew reference in Parliament to those killed during the war while fighting for the rights of Tamils. TNA MP S. Yogeshwaran expressed his condolences to those killed during the war. He made the comment on the backdrop of the army saying that promoting and propagating the separatist ideology within Sri Lanka directly or indirectly, even by using media freedom, and attempting to commemorate or glorify terrorists that belonged to a proscribed organization, more..

Nov 27 (Island) �Prominent representatives from every segment of Lankan society will come together at the BMICH, next March, to bring out what will be referred to as a National Unity Charter. This will begin to reverberate throughout the island through schools and other institutions, through essay, art competitions and the like, Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara said. �Prior to and after this Great Convention of National Unity we wish to generate a fresh wind of national unity which more..

Nov 27 (APP) Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Wednesday agreed to enhance bilateral economic cooperation during the 11th Session of Sri Lanka - Pakistan Joint Economic Commission held in Colombo. Minister Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi represented Pakistan at the forum while Minister Rishad Bathiudeen represented Sri Lanka, according to a message received here from Colombo. more..

Nov 27 (MoD) The Australian govt has extended the proscription on the LTTE for another three years. This has been announced by the Australian Foreign Minister Mrs. Julie Bishop saying that this initiative has been taken to prevent the raising of funds for terrorist activities in compliance with the relevant U.N. Security Council Resolution. In addition to the LTTE, Australia has also proscribed other recognized terrorist organizations as well. Australia has also emphasized that there will be no more..

Nov 27 (SM) JHU demands the govt enforces the law and punishes those who had celebrated the LTTE heroes day and formulates new laws if the existing ones are inadequate to mete out the punishment. JHU leader Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera says TNA MP S. Sridharan had made a nearly � hour speech in parliament in which he had referred to the birthday of V Prabhakaran and the LTTE heroes day, describing the slain LTTE chief as a national hero and a liberator. more..

Nov 27 (AD) Another two suspects arrested in connection with the murder of a police constable and his wife in Kamburupitiya drowned after trying to flee police. The suspects had allegedly drowned in a lake in Benagama, Hakmana after trying to flee while they were taking a police team to show an arms cache. A police constable was also admitted to the hospital after he injured himself trying to rescue the drowning suspects. more..

Nov 27 (Island) The 2014 budgetary allocation for President Rajapaksa was Rs. 85 billion, up from Rs.74 billion this year, the UNP said yesterday. Western Provincial Council UNP member Niroshan Padukke, said that the 2014 financial allocation for the President worked out to Rs.10 million per hour. Considering the mounting cost of maintaining President Rajapaksa, the question people asked was whether it would be prudent to give him a third term, Padukke said. more..

Nov 27 (Island) The Puttalam police on Monday arrested five men, aged between 20 and 25, for allegedly gang raping a 20-year-old mother of one child on Sunday. The police media said that the suspects were arrested on a complaint lodged by the victim. She had been taken to a forest, near the cement factory in Puttalam, by her paramour and then allegedly raped by him and his four friends. According to the police, she had had an affair with one of the suspects after more..