Apr 12 (Island) The police on Thursday warned drivers and riders not to drink and drive and the culprits would be prosecuted immediately. SSP Ajith Rohana said that many fatal accidents had been reported during the previous New Year season from April 8 to 21 and, therefore, about 10,000 police officers had been deployed this year to nab offenders to ensure the safety of the public. He warned that legal action would be taken more..

Apr 12 (Island) Minister G.L. Peiris called for the widest possible Ministerial level participation at the World Conference of Youth scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka in May, at a diplomatic briefing on Thursday. He recalled that the WCY 2014 in Colombo has been endorsed by two United Nations General Assembly Resolutions and explained the intensive preparations already made by Sri Lanka in this regard. more..

Apr 12 (ST) It is not a �happy New Year� with the cost of living dampening Avurudu celebrations in all parts of the country as the public cuts down drastically on shopping and travelling expenses. H.W. Chamara, 21, from Polgasowita, said normally people formed queues to buy homemade kevum, kokis, mun aluwa and asmi from the stall his family runs at the Maharagama Youth Centre. �This year the sales were very bad,� more..

Apr 12 (DM) Rajarata University Senior Lecturer in Medicine Dr. Channa Jayasumana said tests carried out by the California State University had revealed that higher grade students in the the North Central Province were at risk of contracting renal diseases in their early youth. �We sent urine samples of students studying in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 to the California State University and those tests have revealed that they are more..

Apr 12 (CG) British nationals visiting southern beach resorts in Sri Lanka have been warned of reports of drinks being spiked with drugs in bars and restaurants. The warning has been issued in an updated travel advice on Sri Lanka issued by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office. �There have been reports of drinks being spiked with drugs in bars and restaurants in southern beach resorts. more..

Apr 12 (Island) Sri Lanka was the world�s third biggest ornamental fish exporter after Thailand and Vietnam, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said. "Sri Lanka ranks third in the world ornamental fish exports. Its aquarium fish exports are estimated at Rs. 1212 million in 2013," he said, adding that the country�s ornamental fish exports continued to develop significantly from year to year. more..

Apr 12 (AD) Pointing out that the Bodu Bala Sena�s disruption of a press conference aimed at forging national harmony and the abuse of Ven. Vatareka Vijitha Thero were a clear breach of the country�s laws, the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL) today sought the intervention of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa in conducting a probe into the incident. �We wish to bring to you kind attention the continued intimidation and more..

Apr 12 (DM) Sri Lanka cricketers who refused to sign their annual contracts and left for their victorious campaign in the ICC World T20 tournament in Bangladesh over a disputed payment from ICC events, have been assured of receiving almost what they demanded and have actually clinched much more with the prize money for winning the world title, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Treasurer Nuski Mohamed said. more..

Apr 12 (Xinhua) The Sri Lankan Govt on Saturday said it has no faith in an international investigation into the alleged human rights abuses said to have occurred during the war in the country. Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said that Sri Lanka feels an international investigation will lack credibility and will not be independent. Samarasinghe was speaking to reporters after meeting some of the island's leading Buddhist monks and briefing them on more..

Apr 12 (CG) MDMK general secretary Vaiko said that a Modi-led Government at the Centre would not repeat the blunders of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance govt in Sri Lankan Tamils and fishermen issues. Mobilising support for a party candidate in Tamil Nadu, he said the UPA government, in which the DMK was a vital constituent, paved the way for the massacre of Lankan Tamils by providing men and materials to the island nation�s armed forces, more..

Apr 12 (CT) India, the world's largest democracy early this week embarked on what is being deemed both a mammoth and epic battle of democracy that could well change the nature of Indian society. Critics have dubbed the polls a Hobson's choice between the old dynastic India of patronage politics and a political upstart driven by Hindu chauvinist ambitions, but the writing it appears is literally on the wall for the ruling Congress Party. Unlike in most democracies, Indian General Elections is more..

Apr 12 (CG) Sri Lanka�s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Major General Shavendra Silva had met a group of Amnesty International representatives following a protest held outside the Sri Lankan Mission in New York yesterday. The protest involving mostly youth, had been held calling for action over the murder of five students in Trincomalee during the war. A representative of an Amnesty chapter more..

Apr 12 (Island) On an inspection visit to the Peliyagoda Fish Market, Minister Rajitha Senaratne yesterday discovered that the fish prices had decreased by 20-35% during this New Year season compared to the previous one. He was of the opinion that one of the main reasons for the price reduction was the increase in the number of Fisheries Corporation outlets to 133 and said that within the next two years they would be increased to 250 outlets countrywide. more..

Apr 12 (CT) I didn�t see anything particularly disagreeable when the NPC Chief Minister, C. V. Wigneswaran, interpreted the national question in Sri Lanka as the �question of non-recognition of nations� on an equal basis, I might add, in the country in his Bernard Soysa memorial lecture recently. If there was any major weakness that was in respect of the binary manner that it was raised in respect of the Sinhalese and the Tamils which can raise and has raised some eyebrows. more..

Apr 12 (DM) The UN recalled the commitments made by the Sri Lankan Govt in its joint statement with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in May 2009 and urged Sri Lanka to remain committed to its undertaking. UN spokeswoman Eri Kaneko, urged the Sri Lankan Govt to constructively engage and cooperate with the OHCHR in implementing the resolution adopted at the 25th UNHRC session in March. more..

Apr 12 (ET) New York based emerging market private equity firm Zephyr Management is raising a $50-million fund focused on Sri Lanka, as investor interest increases in the island nation that is returning to business after a threedecade long civil war. The fund, called Emerald Sri Lanka Fund, will be managed by a team based out of Colombo and Bangalore. Zephyr, which has so far raised $1.3 billion for investments in emerging markets, has formed a joint venture with investment bank more..

Apr 12 (Island) The Govt Medical Officers� Association responding to allegations leveled by the Govt Nursing Officers Association (GNOA) said that MOH officers were not on strike but they were unable to provide services owing to the strike launched by midwives. GMOA Spokesman Dr. Naveen de Soysa said that Medical Officers of Health could not function without the services rendered by the midwives. They were the ones who maintained records of pregnant and more..

Apr 12 (Island) Sampath Bank has taken a blow from the sharp decline in gold prices on account of its substantial pawning portfolio with profit after-tax for the year ended Dec 31, 2013 down to Rs.3.43 billion from Rs.5.23 billion earned a year earlier. Bank�s Managing Director, Aravinda Perera, has told shareholders in the company�s annual report that impairment charge for loans and other losses was Rs.3.5 billion. more..

Apr 12 (Island) The 13th �Chinese Bridge�, a Chinese language proficiency competition for Sri Lankan university students was successfully held at the Lumbini Hall recently. 34 Lankan undergraduates took part in the competition, which consisted of written examination, speech and a talent show. The first prize of the competition was won by Miss Madara Sandamali, an undergraduate of the Kelaniya University. She will represent Sri Lankan university students in more..

Apr 12 (LT) The Army officers of UDA threaten people in housing estates in certain parts of Colombo saying, �If you don�t go from your homes voluntarily, we�ll evict you by force. What is Human Rights Commission? Is it an institution? We don�t care for decisions given by the Human Rights Commission. It is merely a mediation board. We are not bound by its decisions. We�ll give you only 24 hours to leave your homes.� This was stated by the convener of the �Organization to more..

Apr 12 (PTI) A day after three key operatives of the banned LTTE were killed in a major military operation in Sri Lanka's north, the govt today justified maintaining troops in the former war zones. Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said yesterday's incident has underlined the need to keep the military on alert. "We were asked and criticised about the presence of the military in the north and the need to scale down its presence by the international more..

Apr 12 (CG) The bodies of the three LTTE cadres killed following the confrontation with the army on Thursday were buried in Anuradhapura today on a court order, SSP Ajith Rohana said. He said that the relatives of the three rebels identified the bodies and a Magisterial inquiry was also conducted. He said that the Magisterial inquiry had ruled that the three former LTTE members had died of gun-shot injuries. Former LTTE member Gobi and two others were killed following a confrontation with the army more..

Apr 12 (Island) Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara yesterday said extremist groups like the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) etc be classified as semi terrorists and dealt with according to the law immediately. Unless such action was taken the law and order situation in the country would break down and it was the responsibility of those concerned including President Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Secretary to the Ministry of Law and Order Major General Nanda Mallawaratchi more..

Apr 12 (CG) The General Secretary of the BBS, Venerable Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara thero today gave a statement to the Slave Island police regarding the incident which took place at the Nippon Hotel. Police said that Galaboda Aththe and another monk as well as two others made statements to the police after they were issued notice to appear today. The police will now seek statements from the other party involved more..

Apr 12 (LBT) SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, now facilitates Umrah pilgrims to Jeddah, with its latest route via Mattala. For the first time in history, SriLankan passengers will now have the opportunity to start their journey from the country�s second international airport, Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA). Accordingly, the first batch consisting 30 Umrah pilgrims, departed from MRIA, on Thursday. SriLankan Airlines, Manager Sales (Agency/Passenger) more..

Apr 12 (LT) Nimal Jayakody from Belgium Committee and Pubudu Samaraweera from the Netherland Committee participated representing the Socialist Youth Union of the JVP at the 10th Congress of Portuguese Communist Youth (JCP) of Portuguese Communist Party held in Lisbon from 4th to 6th April. Youth Representatives from Canada, Venezuela, Spain, Catalonia, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Western Sahara, Brazil, Belgium, France, Austria and SL participated. more..

Apr 12 (Island) Minister of Child Development and Women�s Affairs Tissa Karalliyadda told Parliament that solving the problem of rape of women did not come under the purview of his ministry. Minister responding to a query raised by UNP MP Rosy Senanayake said that the questions pertaining to incidents of rape and sexual violence against women should be referred to the Ministry of Law and Order. more..

Apr 12 (MoD) A New Year festival was organized for the Tamil people in Wellamulliwaikkal by the troops serving under 68 Division of Sri Lanka Army on 06th April. It was organized in view of the Sinhala and Hindu New Year that falls on 14th of this month. The event was inaugurated giving prominence to traditions and customs of both cultures. More than 3000 people from all over the region gathered at the venue to take part in the proceedings in what can be described as a show of perfect communal more..

Apr 12 (Island) As a result of the tussle between the nurses and midwives, the National Immunisation clinics located in all the MOH divisions have come to a standstill, depriving many children of their due vaccinations. Health Secretary Dr. Nihal Jayathilaka said that on the instruction of Minister Maithripala Sirisena he had issued alternative circulars to the Epidemiology Chief Dr. Mrs. Paba Palihawadena to use alternative methods to provide the due immunisations to children on time. more..

Apr 12 (SM) Senior cricketer Kumar Sangakkara has been invited to be the opposition's common candidate in the next presidential election, reports Minister Wimal Weerawansa's website 'Lanka C News'. The particular invitation has been made at the tea party organized at the parliament to felicitate the victorious Sri Lankan team. While Sangakkara was engaged in discussions with ruling and opposition party more..

Apr 12 (SM) A recent media briefing held by Jathika Balasena fell through amid the intervention of a group of BBS members lead by General Secretary of the organization Ven. Gnanasara Thera and from the way the police behaved towards the situation it was evident that certain powerful hands are behind the particular action, says Minister Rauff Hakeem. He has further stated that considering the similar incidents occurred recently attention should be paid towards certain Buddhist monks violating more..

Apr 12 (Island) Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE) at Bogambara, Kandy has been closed indefinitely pending an inquiry into an alleged incident of ragging female students. The institution remains closed from mid-day Wednesday, and declared out of bounds for students by the director of the institute. Directress M.P.K. Ratnayake, in a notice put up at the entrance of the institute has warned that civil and criminal action would be taken against any students more..

Apr 13 (SO) World Cup cricket fever gripped Sri Lanka after the national team, led by Lasith Malinga, emerged champions in the ICC World Twenty20 final beating India by six wickets in Dhaka, Bangladesh last Sunday. The World Cup victory, Sri Lanka's second and the maiden triumph in the T20 version of the game, brought the nation under one banner. People cast aside petty political, racial and religious affiliations to celebrate Sri Lanka's World Cup win. more..

Apr 13 (SL) The Avuruddha is unstoppable. The Koha commenced his melodies at dawn a fortnight ago. The trees are flowering. The luscious kadju puhulang is swinging temptingly while the lasses are fetching ropes for the swings to sway in the winds on festive day. The doorbell keeps ringing. The postman, the road cleaners, organisers of Avurudhu festivities are standing in the doorway with the broadest smiles possible and collection lists in hand. Who remembers Geneva? more..

Apr 13 (SO) The activities and operations of the 16 pro-LTTE Tamil diaspora groups which the Govt has banned will now be restricted and be under observation in the countries where they are based, said Deputy Minister Neomal Perera. He said they are a threat not only to Sri Lanka but to the region and the world as a whole. Members of the organisations and persons connected to the organisations will be arrested and detained more..

Apr 13 (Island) Whenever the Sinhala and Tamil New Year dawned as the war was raging, national leaders and editorialists never tired of exhorting that this annual occurrence, according to age old custom and tradition hallowed by time, gave us an opportunity of a new beginning. Such sermonizing became an annual ritual, perhaps unheeded by many bored by the fact that it had been said so often, although the validity of what was said remained intact both during and after the war. more..

Apr 13 (NS) President Mahinda Rajapaksa knows how to smile. Everyone knows this, even those who erroneously think that his biggest strength is his affable nature and the ease with which can interact with people from all walks of life. He can make a joke and he can take a joke. As is the case of all leaders he has had his share of lampooning. Indeed, in the age of the internet, he�s had it worse than his predecessors. He has smiled through it all. Now it is true that not everyone is blessed with more..

Apr 13 (SL) Reputed for his outspoken nature Professor Rajiva Wijesinghe feels that the govt has been too hasty in proscribing the Diaspora groups, and the Foreign Ministry has done nothing about the LLRC recommendation to build up positive relations with the Diaspora. Instead, Professor Wijesinghe said, in an interview, �as happened with Dayan Jayatilleka, they engaged in adverse propaganda about those who more..

Apr 13 (ST) Around this time last year, the country was witnessing a bizarre onslaught on the Muslim community by a miniscule but vocal section of the majority community. Just when a long drawn-out insurgency had been put down, racial tension rose to a peak with a new foe. It was a case of the insensitivity of one to display its religious identity, and the intolerance of the other. Fortunately, the authorities managed to clamp down fast. What could have spiralled out of control more..