Apr 13 (ST) Tough new laws giving effect to the Govt�s policy on medicinal drugs will require all manufacturers, importers and sellers to register with a new Authority and conform to strict new procedures. This is to ensure that poor quality or outdated drugs are not passed off to patients. Move will benefit thousands of Sri Lankans who fall victim every day. Titled the Medicinal Drugs, Devices and Cosmetics Authority, more..

Apr 13 (Island) Justice CV Wigneswaran (CV) made a splendid presentation at the Bernard Soysa birth centenary commemoration and Dr Dayan Jayatilleka (DJ) responded in newspaper and web. The polemic is about one aspect of CV�s address, Self-Determination. I have the temerity to wade into this clash of giants with a correction; both these mighty intellects are stuck with concepts, which unless refined for modern times, have outlived their usefulness. Concepts like Self-Determination more..

Apr 13 (Island) I considered myself blas� about New Year and decided I would do nothing about it, except perhaps light my gas cooker at the auspicious time and attempt making some kiribath. But when the day approached closer and the call of the koha more insistent, I got the strong inclination to get something new to wear and buy the traditional kavun and kokis and of course dodol. Also gifts. Most in my circle of friends and relatives are like me � laid back until the last couple of days more..

Apr 13 (Island) Last Sunday Dhaka gave a fitting farewell to two giants of world cricket. Having announced that they no longer wished to play T-20 cricket, the duo of Sangakkara and Mahela went on a high as world champions having helped the country to win an elusive title over bitter rivals India. What made this win special was that SL had lost four big tournaments having entered some of those competitions as firm favourites. more..

Apr 13 (CG) Three people were killed and 18 others have been injured following an accident involving two buses in Kalmunai this morning. SSP Ajith Rohana said that a bus operating between Akaraipattu and Vavuniya had crashed into another bus operating between Colombo and Akaraipattu. Among those killed are two women. The police spokesman said that the driver of the bus operating between Akaraipattu and Vavuniya was drunk at the time of the accident. more..

Apr 13 (ST) By selling the normal rice as �super grade�, traders have adopted a ruse to get over the Trade Ministry�s decision to introduce controlled prices for rice. The ruse came as the Govt imposed a control price for normal rice after traders started increasing prices following a drop in paddy production due to the drought. An Internal Trade Ministry official said the price controls would apply only for normal rice and after traders started increasing prices following a drop in more..

Apr 13 (HO) Haveeru is aware that the man departed sometime last week. However, the reason for his departure remains unknown and the police refuse to comment regarding the matter. The police did not reveal any details regarding the detainee who was released for being late to court. But Haveeru found out that the detainee was an alleged drug kingpin who was arrested in December 2013. Upon searching him, police had more..

Apr 13 (Island) Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) calls for applications from print and electronic media journalists for a Fellowship program on Investigative Journalism. Mid-career and regional media personnel are encouraged to apply. To be selected for the program, the applicants should have at least three years of experience as a journalist and should be currently employed in a media institute. Their contribution to the media institute should be supported by attaching three work samples, more..

Apr 13 (SO) Govt is confident that the 16 pro-LTTE Tamil diaspora organisations banned last week would be closely monitored by the countries where they operate and consequently their activities will be restricted, Deputy Minister Neomal Perera told the Sunday Observer. Although the LTTE, the world�s most ruthless terrorist outfit, was defeated militarily and now defunct, these organisations are promoting its separatist agenda and pose a regional and global threat, he said. more..

Apr 13 (ST) Police top brass now have the unenviable task of finding replacements as officer-in-charge (OIC) for almost a quarter of the country�s police stations. Reason for the first time in their near one and half century of existence, some 120 OICs have been promoted to the rank of ASP. Whilst the vast majority were OICs of stations, there were a few who held desk jobs elsewhere including Police Headquarters. more..

Apr 13 (CT) A model Coconut Park is to be opened adjoining to Pasikudah Bay with the aim of developing tourism. The Ministry of Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development and Coconut Development Board has chosen Pasikuda for the project taking into consideration the tourists that visit Pasikuda in thousands. The park is being constructed in an area of over 238 acres. Another 25 acres adjoining this estate will be developed as a tourist zone. more..

Apr 13 (NS) Meanwhile, issuing a media statement on Friday, the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) claimed the apparent impunity with which the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) was acting raises questions whether the BBS was running �a parallel govt� like the LTTE during its existence. �At least the so called govt of the LTTE was challenged by the law enforcement authorities but the government of the BBS appears to be above the law,� the statement said. The ACMC further called for a more..

Apr 13 (ST) BATHING FOR THE OLD YEAR: Bathing for the old year, with herbs mixed in water, falls on Saturday, April 12, before the New Year dawns. DAWN OF THE NEW YEAR: New Year dawns at 07.37 a.m. on Monday, April 14. PUNYA KAALAYA: Punya Kaalaya, which is the time for prayer and retreat, is between 01.13 a.m. on Monday, April 14 and 02.01 p.m. the same day. more..

Apr 13 (Island) Secretary to Ministry of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, G.K.D. Amarawardena, emphasized on the need to regulate pharmaceutical prices through vibrant competition, while breaking unhealthy product monopolies. He was speaking at the 8th annual Sales Conference of Markss HLC, where he was the Guest of Honor. Secretary also highlighted the need to distribute products in a systematic manner to ensure that they reach needy patients across the country. more..

Apr 13 (AD) Police today revealed that nearly 600 motorists have been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, following the special operation launched to curb road accidents in view of the festive season. A total of 586 drunk drivers have been arrested since the operation commenced on April 10 across the island while 207 of them were nabbed within the past 24 hours alone. Three bus drivers, 116 motorcyclists, 74 three-wheeler drivers and 14 drivers of other vehicles more..

Apr 13 (SLBC) The school curricula will be changed completely from next year onwards. Accordingly, changes will be introduced to Grade 5 Scholarship, GCE O/L and GCE A/L Exams. The text books on relevant subjects and the syllabuses will be changed from the year 2015. The govt that came to power in 1977 introduced the open economic system and directed the educational process to a different path. more..

Apr 13 (LT) The �Sathyagraha� begun by students of Rajarata University demanding the withdrawal of unjust suspensions on 27 students and solutions for other grievances has continued for 125 days today (13th) and would continue while authorities who are responsible to find solutions for these issues enjoy New Year. The Students� Council states that appeals regarding the 27 suspended students were handed over 7 months ago but authorities have chosen to ignore their appeals more..

Apr 13 (SO) The public has been cautioned about contaminated food and drinks in eateries and Public Health Inspectors stepped up inspections on the eve of the New Year. "Unsuspecting customers who come to the city to do their last minute shopping, should avoid patronising wayside boutiques serving low qualities food and drinks. Ingesting such food is dangerous as it could lead to several health risks", Assistant Director, Food Control Administrative Unit, Health Ministry, H. Tilekeratne more..

Apr 13 (SO) Govt�s initiative to protect children�s rights and look into their needs in the past few years helped Sri Lanka to score a first in the Child-Friendliness Index among South Asian countries, Minister Tissa Karaliyadda said. He said the 3-year survey conducted by the South Asian Initiative to End Violence Against Children revealed that SL had the highest score in the Child-Friendliness Index in the South Asian region. more..

Apr 13 (AD) A record 24,000 vehicles have traveled on the Southern Expressway within 24 hours from 6.00am yesterday to 6.00am today generating an income of Rs 5.8 million, in the wake of the government�s slashing of toll fees for the festive season. The Ministry of Highways stated that the number of vehicles which had plied the expressway within the past 24 hours is the highest numbers recorded since the opening of the Southern Expressway. more..

Apr 13 (CG) The army says there are many unsuccessful efforts at regional and international levels, adopted by different groups with vested interests who are working tirelessly once again to destabilize the country and sow the seeds of separatist ideologies as per their agendas. Commander of the Army Daya Ratnayake says Sri Lankan troops should challenge such threats by promoting notions of co-existence, harmony and reconciliation in the areas they serve. more..

Apr 13 (PTI) Sri Lanka today said it will ask Interpol to issue a red notice for the arrest of a Europe- based LTTE leader who directed actions of three key operatives of the banned outfit killed in a major operation last week. "We want an Interpol red notice issued for Nediyavan, police spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said. "Nediyavan and Vinayagam are wanted in our action to curb the revival of the LTTE. They are currently living overseas," he said. more..

Apr 13 (NS) The Ministry of Environment and Renewable Energy announced that plans are in the pipeline to upgrade the facilities at the sacred Sri Pada premises in time for the next Sri Pada pilgrimage season beginning in December this year. Minister of Environment and Renewable Energy, Susil Premajayantha confirmed the plans while visiting those who were to take part in a cleanup project organized by the Central Environment Authority in Sri Pada recently. more..

Apr 13 (DM) Acting UNP leader Karu Jayasuriya today said that if the late Dudley Senanayake held the executive presidency, the public would not demand to abolish the Executive Presidency, as Mr. Senanayake used the emergency law only once and that too to protect the people�s rights. �Mr. Senanayake used the emergency law to protect people�s right, but currently the emergency law is being used to suppress the people,� Mr. Jayasuriya said speaking at the 41st commemoration more..

Apr 13 (LBO) Sri Lankan firms are asking to employ more foreign workers to fill labour shortfalls, with over 10,000 working in the country on tourist visas, President Rajapaksa said. "Some companies come and say, allow us to bring workers from abroad, from India," President Mahinda Rajapaksa told a business forum. "Allow us to bring them from Korea. Chairmen of some companies have come and had talks over that." more..

Apr 14 (CT) The Politburo of the NFF met last Tuesday, with General Secretary, Priyanjith Vitharana, in the Chair. Party Leader, Minister Wimal Weerawansa, was absent as he is currently attending the seventh session of the World Urban Forum (WUF) in Medellin, Colombia. The first topic under discussion was the US-sponsored resolution passed at the March sessions of the UNHRC in Geneva. Media Spokesperson of the NFF, Mohammed Muzammil, started the more..

Apr 14 (SL) ON the day Sri Lanka�s cricketers triumphed in the final of Twenty20 World Cup final, Sunday, the Sri Lanka tennis team won a Davis Cup tie against Vietnam that ensured the country�s Group 2 status is preserved. The two achievements are worlds apart, and to speak of them in the same breath would seem extremely impudent. After all, success in a bilateral contest has no right to be placed on the same shelf asa triumph on theworld stage. Said simply, the magnitude of more..

Apr 14 (SO) Minister Lakshman Senewiratne said that the US being the super power has failed to muster a majority on the resolution moved against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC as evidenced by the voting pattern. He said the US wants to be the 'World Policeman'. Today, even small nations have begun to challenge US dictates. These powerful countries hide so many things. We can see what is really happening in Libya, Crimea, more..

Apr 14 (SL) The Gospel of Saint Sison, Chapter 1, (more Chapters later perhaps?) has just been revealed to Sri Lanka and the World. Sison is Michele J. Sison, U.S Ambassador to Sri Lanka. Let�s study it a bit for now. The US. Resolution, UNHCR, Geneva 2014, strongly supported by the UK, EU and the West called for an Independent International Investigation into alleged violations/abuses of Human Rights (HR) by both the Sri Lanka Govt and the LTTE during more..

Apr 14 (ST) Not even during the entire three decades of the war between the LTTE and govt troops has communalism and race hatred been displayed so openly by Govt protected groups of men wearing yellow robes as in these most unhappy times. During that period, churches were not attacked and kovils were not robbed. Obscenities were not openly screamed by rabid forces like the BBS against Muslims and Christians. Ironically it was only after the ending of conflict in 2009 more..

Apr 14 (SO) Prof. J.B. Disanayaka said the importance of Avurudu is not the preservation of rituals or customs that had been carried on since the olden days but preservation of their meaning which symbolises certain values that help shape a society. He said customs change from time to time or get replaced by new ones. �In a world of changes you cannot keep old customs alive for ever. Therefore, don't go by rituals literally but more..

Apr 14 (CT) On March 16, 2014, Colombo Telegraph, published an article entitled �Jayantha Dhanapala Is A Liar; Caught Lying Over Silence On Colombo Telegraph Blocking�. This article was a follow-up of an earlier article on the failure of Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala, a member of the Board of Directors of Dialog Axiata PLC, one of Sri Lanka�s premier telecommunications service providers, to prevent Colombo Telegraph from being blocked by that company in Sri Lanka. more..

Apr 14 (CT) When a nation�s economic priorities demand rearrangement, political philosophy too turns colour. India has come to this nodal point. Kept back by indifference and indecisiveness, rapid growth is seen as the route to compensate for past default. The tempo of political change unleashing itself at the Lok Sabha election is now at fever pitch. For a fundamental change in the destiny of India, firstly party fortunes have to be reordered. In a nation of over a billion people, more..

Apr 14 (CT) India's decision to abstain from voting at the UNHRC was a well-considered decision which was a manifestation of India's principled approach towards its closest and dearest neighbour � Sri Lanka � noted India's High Commissioner, Y.K. Sinha. He said that the bonds between the two countries were too strong and multi-faceted to be affected by a single issue such as India's onetime decision voting more..

Apr 14 (CT) In the afterglow of winning a coveted international trophy, the newly-crowned T-20 cricket champions paid a courtesy call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa last week. The Head of State accorded them a warm welcome. Amidst light banter and loud laughter that reflected the good mood, it was Mahela Jayewardene who voiced his discontent about a certain matter. His grouse, however, had nothing to do with cricket of even Sri Lanka, but had everything to do with neighbouring India. more..

Apr 14 (ST) Oblivious in bliss to what horrors the morrow may hold, Lankans danced on the midnight streets in Colombo after Lanka pulled off a victory over India in a rain hampered damp final T20 cricket match played in Bangladesh last Sunday. Finally with Thisara Perera�s match-winning six, India�s insufferable insults delivered unlimited during the last few months at various international forums, were finally avenged at Mirpur Stadium. No matter it was not the prestigious world test final. more..

Apr 14 (SO) Hollywood-style daring attempt to demand a ransom of three million rupees by abducting an 8-year-old boy in a masterminded kidnap drama was successfully thwarted by officers of the Maligawatta Police last week after four suspects were arrested. From the moment the child was kidnapped up to the time when the kidnappers were to receive the ransom, events turned like in an action film planned to the dot both by the more..

Apr 14 (ST) Today we celebrate the National New Year: in a backdrop of Sri Lanka�s superb victory at the World T20 Cricket Championship. Winning this World Cup has added to the elation of the country�s cricket crazy populace and enhanced the nation�s enjoyment of the New Year sans class, community or creed. Will we ever learn the significant lessons from our success at cricket for the country�s development? The Aluth Avurudu for the Sinhala population and Puththandu for more..

Apr 14 (MW) Jefferies today announced that it is entering into a cooperation agreement with JB Securities (Pvt) Limited to distribute JB Securities equity research on companies in Sri Lanka on a co-branded basis to Jefferies� global institutional client base. JB Securities provides comprehensive equities research and stock brokering services in Sri Lanka. The firm is a member of the Colombo Stock Exchange and is part of the Jafferjee Brothers Group. more..

Apr 14 (GV) In 2009 the govt announced that the LTTE has been wiped out from the country with the end of the armed conflict. However, in the past few weeks there have been a number of arrests, including of women under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) supposedly to investigate and counter a renaissance of the LTTE. Most of these arrests were in connection to the search for a man called Gopi who according to media reports more..