Oct 12 (LT) All participants of the �Youths tour for freedom� organized by the Socialist Youth Union (SYU) on the occasion of the 46th Che Guevara commemoration in their third lap from Mahiyanganaya to Kurunegala participated in an agitation in Kandy yesterday (11th). The Member of the Central Committee of the JVP and National Organizer of SYU Bimal Rathnayaka addressed the participants of the agitation held demanding solutions for youths� issues. more..

Oct 12 (MEA) Commonwealth Business Council Chairman Dr. Mohan Kaul has appealed to the Sri Lanka Govt to open avenues for investors in view of the large number of foreign delegates who will be present at the Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) to be held in Colombo on November 12-14 in conjunction with the CHOGM. Dr. Kaul made this request at the meeting he had with Minister Basil Rajapaksa at the Ministry more..

Oct 13 (SO) It is indeed heartening to note the unprecedented support Sri Lanka has received to go ahead as the host for the forthcoming CHOGM 2013. Despite a well-orchestrated two-year-long campaign by the LTTE rump and a section of the Tamil Diaspora to prevent Sri Lanka from hosting CHOGM 2013, almost all countries in the Commonwealth have unanimously approved Sri Lanka as the host nation and have confirmed their participation at the highest level. more..

Oct 13 (SL) Canadian PM, Stephen Harper, has for the umpteenth time declared that he would not be attending the CHOGM that is to be held in Colombo next month. Harper maybe under the delusion that his absence at the meeting will take away the shine off this summit meeting. Certainly Canada is an important country of the Commonwealth but Carter does not have the charisma or the fame of famous Canadian leaders such as Pier Treaudeau. He will not be missed. more..

Oct 13 (SO) Minister S.B. Dissanayake said the TNA should think as one nation and develop the country without promoting separatist or Eelam ideologies. The country should be taken in a direction where the Sinhalese and Tamils would not look at each other with suspicion or fear. That mission can be successfully accomplished under the leadership of President Rajapaksa. The Minister said that he believes the NP Chief Minister, more..

Oct 13 (NS) Canada will not send a high-level delegation to the CHOGM, PM Stephen Harper has announced. Canada�s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, regurgitating the anti-Sri Lanka noises emanating from Canada, has explained why. The Sri Lankan Govt, for its part, has conveyed disappointment, pointing out that Canada was isolated in its decision �as the majority of Commonwealth countries were siding with Sri Lanka�. Canada�s logic shows its more..

Oct 13 (Island) The Colombo Stock Exchange, with the cooperation of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Friday hosted an event to encourage more listings on the CSE. This has been an ongoing effort over a long period of time with market booms encouraging listings and the reverse holding true when times were bad on the stock market. While there are many good reasons for encouraging capital market development, questions on both the efficacy and the efficiency of the regulatory more..

Oct 13 (NS) Harshana experienced headaches at first, but later he got used to it. �The pill I use extends the sexual experience by few hours,� he revealed. Harshana said that teenagers go for the high cost pills imported from US rather than Indian products, believing that they are safer and are devoid of side effects. There is no difference according to the price of the pill when it comes to sexual enhancement drugs. more..

Oct 13 (NS) The week was full of political events which included the oath taking ceremony of the first ever Northern Province councilor. UPFA had decided to offer deputy minister portfolios to candidates who obtained highest number of votes at the last general elections. Ten names have been selected for ten ministries which do not have deputies. However, only nine took oaths as deputy ministers. MP Namal Rajapaksa who came first in Hambantota refused to accept a portfolio. more..

Oct 13 (NS) Parliament is becoming a place that discusses only rubber-stamp govt projects. Last week�s sittings gave enough examples for Parliament becoming increasingly useless and redundant owing to its loss of purpose, inefficiency and shirking of responsibilities of the powers that be. The most important task during last week�s sittings was the adjournment debate on the recent report by Parliamentary watchdog committee - COPE published a few moons ago. more..

Oct 13 (Island) There�s no doubt that Dinesh Chandimal is the best cricketing talent in the country. The 23-year-old is destined for greatness. What keeps Chandimal above other cricketing talents are, his work ethic, intelligence, personality, priorities in life, perseverance and his desire to become better � not just in cricket but in other essential things like being a good communicator as well. Time and again we have said that if more..

Oct 13 (Island) The attack on the Anti-Ranil Pada Yathra in Matara has placed the crisis in the UNP in the spotlight as never before. One thing that becomes immediately apparent from the coverage this incident has been receiving in the past week or more is that almost everybody has been laying the blame entirely on Mangala Samaraweera�s doorstep. When Maithri Gunaratne addressed the media last Friday, he once again pinpointed Mangala and no one else. more..

Oct 13 (SL) The past week has seen duplicity at its best � this time round courtesy of the UNP the so-called �lead� opposition party in Sri Lanka. Two factions, one aligned to Leader of the UNP Ranil Wickremasinghe and the other aligned to Sajith Premadasa, a much touted figure to succeed Ranil and take the UNP to polls victories, made a huge song and dance about the leadership of the party on the streets of Matara. The Wickremasinghe Faction, also known as the Mangala Faction, more..

Oct 13 (CT) Auditor General, H.S. Samaraweera, has issued a damning report on the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) with startling revelations about the causes for the losses incurred by the Corporation, which include bad procurement practices and inefficient management styles, among a host of others. Such issues have created a negative impact on the reputation of the CPC, as well as the economy more..

Oct 13 (Island) The possibility of a separate board for BOI companies on the Colombo Stock Exchange is now under consideration although the proposal, originating from the BOI, is still at an exploratory stage, a forum on new listings on the CSE was told on Friday. This was stated by Mr. Dhammika Perera, Deputy Director General of the SEC, who was a panelist at the event. Currently there are two trading boards on the CSE, the Main Board and the Diri Savi Board. more..

Oct 13 (Island) The Pathfinder Foundation (PF) has welcomed the agreement signed last week between the Govt of Sri Lanka and the Indian National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd to construct a coal-based power station in Sampur during the visit here of the Indian Foreign Minister. "The PF has been consistent in advocating the opening up of the power generation sector to equity investment. There is no justification for continuing the CEB�s monopoly in power generation on economic grounds. more..

Oct 13 (Island) The dumping of 500 tons of garbage in a 37 acre land at Karadiyana, Piliyandala on a daily basis, without proper waste management systems in place could lead to another Rathupaswela, the Opposition warned. Western Provincial Councillor Niroshan Paddukke, said that while four Ministers in the central govt and an official who sermonizes on economic matters, were looking after their interests, those living in more..

Oct 13 (CT) Several studies have revealed that 10 brands of insecticide presently used in Sri Lanka can cause paralysis, a leading university don revealed. According to Dr. P.I. Yapa, attached to the Agriculture Faculty, Sabaragamuwa University, the sale of these 10 brands of insecticides have been granted approval by the relevant govt agencies, disregarding the health hazardous associated with it. People living in several countries in Central America, where insecticide is more..

Oct 13 (NS) As part of the ongoing efforts to make the Galle bus stand the best in Sri Lanka, arrangements have been made to turn the entire premises into a WiFi Zone. Accordingly, anyone would be able to use internet facilities for free inside the bus stand. Most bus stations around the world have now been turned into WiFi zones and setting up the facility in Galle would be of immense benefit to both local and foreign commuters, he pointed out. In addition, authorities have taken measures to more..

Oct 13 (SO) The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has proposed to do away with the Grade 5 scholarship exam as part of a new Child Protection Policy which is yet to receive Cabinet approval. NCPA chairperson Anoma Dissanayake said the NCPA has conceded that children are pressurised excessively by teachers and parents due to competitive exams in early school years and this is tantamount to child abuse. more..

Oct 13 (SL) The External Affairs Ministry says there is no immediate move to summon Canadian diplomats in Colombo over recent comments made by the Canadian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. A top official at the External Affairs Ministry who wished to remain anonymous said that no such decision has been taken so far. Minister Keheliya Rambukwella had said at the post Cabinet press briefing last Thursday that the govt is contemplating summoning the Canadian envoy or more..

Oct 13 (SL) A person caught sand mining illegally in the coastal area in Angulana, Moratuwa has threatened the Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Director General Anil Premaratne at gunpoint when he went to inquire into the matter. The suspect had been involved in the racket for many years and takes about 10 cubes of sand per day. In Sri Lanka it is illegal to do sand mining in the sea. Premaratne said the suspect has not obtained a licence from the authorities. more..

Oct 13 (NS) Some toothpaste samples available in the Sri Lankan market have been contaminated with lead and other toxic elements, the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) cautioned the nation. The CEJ, which recently exposed alarming levels of lead content in paints sold locally, asserted that there needs to be stricter regulations on toothpaste as lead and other toxic elements pose a serious threat to public health. more..

Oct 13 (Island) Ambassador Dr. Juergen Morhard presided at a ceremony in Colombo to hand over German-funded mine clearing equipment from the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) to Delvon Assistance for Social Harmony (DASH) � a Sri Lankan non-profit demining agency. "Landmines are an ongoing reminder of Sri Lanka�s conflict four years after the end of the war," said Ambassador Morhard. "They prevent resettlement and constrain economic and social opportunities. more..

Oct 13 (OT) Sri Lanka and Istanbul top the list of favourite holiday destinations for Omanis this Eid, according to travel operators. With holidays beginning on Monday, most of them have chosen to take Sunday off and use the weekend as well to head overseas for a break, they add. And local tour operators add that dhow cruises are also becoming increasingly popular for those on a budget looking to have fun during the holidays. �Sri Lanka is an all time favourite, since most airlines offer more..

Oct 13 (Guardian) Prince Charles offered to help in the effort to win justice for a British man who was murdered in Sri Lanka � allegedly by a close political ally of the country's PM. The high-profile case of Khuram Shaikh, a 32-year-old Red Cross worker from Rochdale who was killed in 2011, has cast a shadow over the CHOGM in Colombo next month, which is due to be chaired by Prince Charles and attended by David Cameron. more..

Oct 13 (ENS) Political espionage thriller Madras Cafe brought to the discussion table the role played by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka. But, a rather authentic first person account of the role of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Op Pawan has been written by city-based Air Commodore (retd) Ashok Shinde. Shinde, who served as the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Air Force Cell, during October 1988 and March 1990, said he would publish his book when operational details more..

Oct 13 (CT) Several traders, who occupy shops in the Bang Bang building owned by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) at N.H.M. Abdul Cader Mawatha, Colombo 11, lament that they have been denied access to their places of business after the CMC sealed off three entrances to the building. As a result, they said they have lost their income from their ventures for no fault of theirs. Several traders, who wished to remain anonymous said, there are 82 shops located within the Bang Bang building, more..

Oct 13 (NS) Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wignewaran will call for explanations from TNA Provincial Councilors who boycotted Friday�s swearing in ceremony. The rift within the alliance, which also has the largest Tamil representation in Parliament, widened last Friday when its spokesperson and MP Suresh Premachandran accusing the ITAK of unilaterally deciding on portfolios without consulting the constituent parties. more..

Oct 13 (TS) SIR, ~ This is with reference to Sam Rajappa�s article, �Mandate for autonomy�. It is an elaborate piece but the conclusion drawn ~ India should boycott CHOGM unless Rajapaksa fulfils his commitment ~ is ill-conceived. India is surrounded on all sides by hostile neighbours ~ Pakistan to the west and China to the north-east, Nepal also in the north-east, and Bangladesh (with which India shares a blow hot, blow cold relationship depending on the party in power there) in the east. more..

Oct 13 (DM) The widely anticipated meeting between UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa and former Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya is scheduled to be held on Tuesday October 15, at party headquarters Sirikotha. The meeting comes after a marathon Working Committee meeting which lasted close to six hours last week with the decision to appoint a leadership council. Earlier rumours were rife that Premadasa had declined to participate in more..

Oct 13 (SL) The Sunday Leader learns that defence authorities were placed on high alert last week after information was received that a Channel 4 journalist was in the country. Intelligence agencies had initially alerted the TID to look for the journalist and his partner who were believed to have been staying at an apartment in Colombo. Police said that the journalist had been staying at the Hilton hotel while having an apartment in Colombo. more..

Oct 13 (Island) Sri Lanka has with immediate effect suspended on-line applications for business visas ahead of next months� CHOGM, the Immigration department said. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system which foreigners must access to obtain a visa before entering Sri Lanka informed visitors to its www.eta.gov.lk website that no business visas will be entertained. "Notice is hereby given that the ETA under the business category is unavailable with immediate effect," more..

Oct 13 (SL) The Human Rights Commission in Sri Lanka will be given more powers to take stronger action on those failing to respect its recommendations. Chairman of the Commission, Justice Priyantha R. P. Perera said that under the new laws anyone failing to implement the recommendations of the Commission within two weeks will face legal action. He said that when a complaint is lodged with the Commission alleging violation of human rights then following more..

Oct 13 (Island) 100 acres within the proposed USD multi-billion �port city� to be built on reclaimed beachfront land bordering the Colombo harbor will be allocated to the investor on the basis of Return on Investment (ROI) for developing the infrastructure of this mega project. The investor is expected to inject an additional US$ 2.5 billion to develop the acreage given to him within the zone itself demarcated under a separate plan, says more..

Oct 13 (AT) Sri Lanka�s international Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is none other than its hub positioning. �At this moment, many countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia including Sri Lanka have great investment opportunities. Sri Lanka will have to compete with these countries to leverage foreign investment streams from Switzerland� revealed a very confident Wolfgang Schanzenbach, Regional Director Asia Pacific of Switzerland Global Enterprise (SGE) on 3 Oct in Colombo. more..

Oct 13 (SL) The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau says it expects more earth tremors in the Southern and Eastern parts of Sri Lanka. Chairman of the Bureau Senarath Jayasundara however said he is unable to predict when the tremors would occur. Recently an undersea tremor, which was 4.5 on the Richter scale, was recorded off the Eastern seas. He said that several areas have now been identified as being prone to feel the effects of the tremors. As a result new constructions in more..

Oct 13 (NS) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is spending around a staggering 15 million rupees per month paying the salaries of 42 personnel working in their Coaching Department. But the big question is whether all that amount of money paid has brought any dividends and the expected returns.Since the advent of spinner Ajantha Mendis to the international cricket arena the coaches have failed to produce any national cricketer of international repute. more..

Oct 13 (ST) And so, the visiting Indian Minister of External Affairs was here, and on cue performed the role of virtual attesting witness to the marriage his Govt had brokered, not without coercion, between the Sri Lankan Govt and the TNA in the creation of the NPC. It is not an exaggeration to call it a �shot-gun� wedding. Gradually, and with infinite patience and stratagem, India got what it wanted in its over-all geopolitical game plan; a pro-Indian Sri Lankan political party in power and place in the North more..

Oct 13 (ST) My dear new deputy ministers, I thought I must write to congratulate you on your appointment as deputy ministers this week. I am sure Mahinda maama has very good reasons to appoint you to these posts and that you fill a long overdue need to make our country a true paradise! With your appointment, Sri Lanka now has one President, one Prime Minister, ten senior ministers, 54 Cabinet ministers, 38 deputy ministers and two project ministers, rounding up a grand total of more..