Aug 27 (Island) An appeal filed by Chairman of the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha, Prabodha Peiris, will be supported in the Supreme Court next Monday. Pieris has challenged the Court of Appeal order dated July 25, 2014 whereby his appointment was suspended and consequently Indika Koralage was appointed as Chairman. Pieris was appointed the Chairman subsequent to the unseating of the original chairman consequent to the defeat of the budget for 2014. more..

Aug 27 (Island) Senior engineers of the CEB are struggling to put the second turbine of the Norochcholai coal-fired power plant in order besides their latest headache, a leak in the boiler of the third turbine while plans are underway to allocate a large sum of money for the commissioning of the third phase of the power station. It would take about one month to repair a damaged blade of the second turbine the leak in the boiler too would take more..

Aug 27 (DN) PepsiCo and its franchise partner Varun Beverages Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd. announced the launch of Aquafina in Sri Lanka. Aquafina is a renowned brand in the bottled drinking water arena and currently sold in more than 20 countries including the US. Launched nationally, Aquafina will be available in 20 litre bulk water jars and PET packs of 500ml, 1 litre and 1.5 litres. The launch is being supported by a robust Consumer and Trade marketing plan. more..

Aug 27 (E24|7) A Sri Lankan maid claimed that she stole gold jewellery of her employer as the latter had failed to pay for her work, the Dubai Criminal Court heard. ZB, 28, Kazakhstani housewife, placed an ad with her mobile number on dubizzle for a housemaid. �Two days after placing the advertisement, I received a call from AJ who told me that she needed a month before joining work in my house. However, since she had come to see me, I asked her to do some work in the house so more..

Aug 27 (Hindu) TNA has sought India�s help in the return of Sri Lankan refugees from India. �There are over one lakh refugees in Tamil Nadu living in 115 camps. We have requested the Indian government to pressure the Sri Lankan govt to release their [refugees�] land in the north which has been taken over by the Army,� said senior TNA MP Mavai Senathirajah, who was part of the TNA delegation that met PM Narendra Modi more..

Aug 27 (AM) UPFA Kalurata District MP Vidura Wickramanayaka criticized the �monstrous� cabinet in Sri Lanka saying a Cabinet of thirty ministers is more than enough for the country. Speaking to a vernacular newspaper, he said that the inefficiencies within the country could be minimized with a more controlled number of Ministers. He added that the present govt has appointed multiple ministers for some sectors expanding the Cabinet �unnecessarily�. He said that there are 107 ministers already more..

Aug 27 (FT) NDB opened its first digitised branch at the Kandy City Centre (KCC) recently, marking the beginning of a new era of banking. The new branch is the 81st banking outlet to be added to NDBs island-wide branch network and is designed to offer the visitors with a novel banking experience, powered by the latest in information technology. NDBs digital branch at the KCC, �NDB Connect� is equipped with modern digital touch screens and self-banking features that are designed to make more..

Aug 27 (TOI) A week before hearing on petitions by Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa and her arch rival M Karunanidhi seeking retrieval of Kachatheevu Island from Sri Lanka, attorney general Mukul Rohatgi on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that the task was impossible. "The island was given to Sri Lanka on the basis of a bilateral agreement in 1974. To retrieve it now, we have to go to war," Rohatgi said. more..

Aug 27 (CG) Despite what seemed to be a delayed start to the investigations on Sri Lanka by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), an oral update on the probe will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council at its September session as scheduled. The UNHRC has confirmed that the update on Sri Lanka will be presented and it has been included in the agenda for the 27th session of the Council which begins on September 8. more..

Aug 27 (CG) A group of six international rights organisations have, in a joint letter, called on the President and member states of the UNHRC, as well as the govt of Sri Lanka, to take action to ensure no-one faces reprisals for cooperating with the UN. In an open letter, the organisations cite a number of recent incidents, particularly around the ongoing investigation by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights into human rights violations in Sri Lanka. more..

Aug 27 (TOI) TESO, headed by DMK chief M Karunanidhi, lauded the NDA govt's efforts to find a political solution to the Sri Lankan Tamils issue and asked the Centre to expedite steps in this regard. "It is a matter of solace that Narendra Modi -led govt has taken an interest in the Sri Lankan Tamils issue. We urge the Centre to find a political solution in accordance with the wishes of the Tamils in Sri Lanka," a resolution more..

Aug 27 (AFP) Water-starved South Asian nations have devised their own answer to the Ice Bucket Challenge taking the social media world by storm, instead filling buckets with rice and other supplies for the needy. Since June, thousands of people worldwide have doused themselves with a bucket of icy water, then posted a video recording of the stunt online and challenged others to do the same or pledge a donation. The "Ice Bucket Challenge" aims to raise awareness about ALS, more..

Aug 27 (NS) An immigration officer and a prison official were arrested today on charges of allegedly aiding notorious drug dealer Thusitha Chamara alias 'Nilan'. Nilan was arrested at the BIA yesterday as he was attempting to flee the country. He had earlier escaped from the custody of prison officials while he was being treated at Ragama Hospital. Two officials who were taken into police custody today were arrested on information revealed by the drug dealer, who is currently being interrogated. more..

Aug 27 (Island) The abolition of the executive presidency without required safeguards could plunge the country into unprecedented turmoil, Minister Champika Ranawaka warned. He said such hasty action would lead to a situation where the Colombo-based diplomatic missions could manipulate members of parliament. He stressed that the abolition of presidency wouldn�t be a remedy for all ills of the country. more..

Aug 27 (DM) With the campaign for the Uva Provincial Council elections getting more abusive verbally, legally and morally, the vital question that most independent analysts ask again is whether the elections will be free and fair or more like a greasy poll manipulated by a double-distilled dictatorial administration. The ruling UPFA Govt often boasts it has been staging more elections than any other administration. True and false. Instead of holding PC elections all at the same time, more..

Aug 27 (DM) Chaos, they say, is order undeciphered. Such undeciphered order is what is prevalent in Sri Lanka. All attempts by any quarter to decipher that disorderly �order� is being met by extreme measures. And these measures could be discerned against the harsh realities of self-imposed censorship, intimidation of independent-minded journalists and free-expressing academics, stuffing any and all worthwhile jobs with blood relatives who have proved to be absolute nincompoops and more..

Aug 27 (SL) Some researchers have observed that the Northern Province shows a gradual increase in the number of suicides. Police Media Unit reported that during the first six months of the year 2014 there have been 138 suicides in the North � 94 males and 44 females. Last year there have been 296 suicides � 204 males and 92 females. 3456 suicide incidents were reported in Sri Lanka last year � 2703 male and 752 female. more..

Aug 27 (DM) Negombo, a city well-known as a traditional hot spot for tourists, has now become a battle ground for two area politicians of the ruling UPFA. Throwing allegations of heroin smuggling, extortion, prostitution and thuggery at each other, Deputy Fisheries Minister Sarath Gunaratne and Western Provincial Minister Nimal Lanza take turns highlighting the others faults and tell us why they are more popular among the voters. more..

Aug 27 (AM) Thilini Amalka, the girl from Wariyapola who slapped Chandra Kumara alias Selva at the Wariyapola bus stand has been arrested today by the Wariyapola Police. The police has arrested Thilini Amalka after she gave a statement over the incident. Chandra Kumara yesterday admitted himself to Wariyapola hospital complaining of hearing problems. Speaking to media Chandra Kumara said that a few days after more..

Aug 27 (Island) JHU heavyweight and Minister, Champika Ranawaka, MP, on Monday night warned of dire consequences unless tangible action was taken to stop waste, corruption and irregularities in the public sector. Appearing on �360�, a live political show on Derana TV, Minister Ranawaka said that Sri Lanka could not ignore the urgent need to establish anti-corruption mechanisms similar to those in Singapore and Hong Kong. more..

Aug 27 (Island) Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said the govt would be compelled to ban the use of glyphosate in all 24 districts since the ongoing investigations revealed that people were also beginning to be affected by the chronic kidney disease owing to the use of that chemical. he said that the sale of glyphosate in four districts had been banned already and the govt in consultation with more..

Aug 27 (Island) Middle East-based Simatech Shipping has announced the launch of a fortnightly feeder service linking Dakshin Bharat Gateway Terminal, a new private facility in India�s Port of Tuticorin (V.O. Chidambaranar), with Colombo, Sri Lanka, starting this month, a news story published by the JOC.com, the web portal of the Journal of Commerce said. "Simatech will thus be able to connect Tuticorin exports/imports more..

Aug 27 (GDI) Under the guidance of Ministry of Economic Development, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau launched a mega taxi advertising campaign in Germany early this year with the ceremonial launch of the campaign taking place on 07th March 2014 at Messe Berlin fairground during the ITB Travel and Trade Fair. Under this campaign 300 taxies were branded focusing on tourism attraction themes appealing to German more..

Aug 27 (ST) Sri Lankan insurers, like their international counterparts, have begun stating in their contracts that policy cover will be suspended in case of the United States, the European Union or the UN imposes sanctions against the country. Govt and sections of the private sector are fighting back�but experts warn that �sanction clauses� are here to stay. Some weeks ago, a leading Sri Lankan insurance firm gave a local construction more..

Aug 27 (AM) Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya has requested the IGP of Police to increase the security in areas where election violence has been reported, deploying the Special Task Force if necessary. He has taken this step after taking the recent complaints about elections violence into consideration. During the past few days, a number of elections law violations such as arson attacks on party offices and more..

Aug 27 (FT) Jaffna tourism officials are eyeing a boost of local tourists but insist key development measures need to take place before the north can tap into the lucrative foreign traveller boom in other regions of Sri Lanka. In an effort increase the flow of domestic tourists into the region the Northern Province Tourism Association (NPTA) signed an agreement with Lanka Travel Eye. Venture aims at promoting though its website more..

Aug 27 (CT) Work took me to Indonesia a few times during the last couple of years. On all those occasions, I flew Mihin Air though I usually avoid the airline due to the negativity that surrounds it. I found the flight from Colombo to Jakarta and back wasn�t bad. Actually, the service of the airline staff is good. So I took a Mihin flight again on Monday early morning to Jakarta. Though the flight originates from Colombo, very few Sri Lankans are on board. In fact, on one occasion I was the only SL more..

Aug 27 (Island) JVP said that the present election laws would have to be updated to bring them in line with the needs of the Proportional Representation (PR) system. JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said former Election Chief Dayananda Dissanayake had described the present election laws as having a Japanese head and a German body. Silva said that according to present election laws, a candidate could not paste posters or display his number with party symbols even at his own election office. more..

Aug 27 (LBO) Sri Lanka's shares close 0.41% lower Wednesday with oil palm and beverage stocks losing ground amid low foreign participation. All Share Price Index closed 28.41 points lower at 6,984.91, down 0.41%. The S&P SL20 closed 9.02 points lower at 3,842.83, down 0.23%. Turnover was 742.11 million rupees, down from 1.73 billion rupees a day earlier with 84 stocks closed positive against 120 negative. Seylan Developments closed 10 cents higher at 14.10 rupees more..

Aug 27 (CT) Polls related violence is nothing new in Sri Lanka. It has become almost the new norm, the expected prequel to citizen's choice. Yet, when 18 election offices are vandalized by political opponents, meetings are sabotaged and supporters of the opponents are intimidated, all within a brief span of twenty four hours, it becomes something way beyond the norm, way beyond even repulsive. And it becomes deeply disturbing when these acts of violence are executed, not by miscreants more..

Aug 27 (GDI) The foundation stone of the project to renovate the Duraiappah Stadium in Jaffna was laid by Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, and High Commissioner of India Y.K. Sinha, at a ceremony on Wednesday. The Duraiappah Stadium, named in honour of a former Mayor of Jaffna, the Late Alfred Thambirajah Duraiappah, is being renovated at a cost of SLR 145 million, and the project is more..

Aug 27 (Island) A consultant surgeon attached to the Hambantota General Hospital Dr. Mahinda Mallawathanthri and his team saved the life of a 53-year-old man whose chest had been pierced by a branch of a falling tree. Dr. Mallawathanthri said his patient had been riding a motorcycle at Amabalanthota on August 25 night when a tree suddenly fell with a branch of it piercing his chest. The victim was rushed to the Ambalanthota Base Hospital with the branch and transferred more..

Aug 27 (PTI) Two Indian nationals have been arrested here for allegedly possessing photographs of Sri Lanka's Parliament and Prime Minister's residence, police said today. Acting on a tipoff, they were arrested by the police yesterday while travelling in a three wheeler taxi in Colombo, police spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said. Police claimed they have found images of the Parliament and the residence of the prime minister in a laptop and a camera the duo had. more..

Aug 27 (AM) All rounder Thisara Perera, who scored a blistering half century in the second ODI against Pakistan, has been considered for selection after President Rajapaksa intervened in the matter. Perera became the man of the match yesterday for his all round performance when Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 77 runs and squared the series. The all rounder was considered for selection after a hiatus of a few months. more..

Aug 27 (Island) Seven days after the death of popular actress Rebecca Nirmali, her seventh day alms-giving was performed at Amarawathi Buddhist Temple in London on August 18. The event was organised by actor and film producer Wimal Alahakoon together with Rebecca�s close friends in London. Veteran actress Prema Ganegoda also attended the ceremony. Fifteen Buddhist Monks participated in the alms-giving. Speciality was those monks were either English or Europeans. more..

Aug 27 (HN) A tense situation erupted at the govt press today after the members of Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya stormed an awareness meeting organized by the trade union collective. The Govt Press Trade Union Collective which is comprised of UNP and JVP workers charged that the Govt Printer is a political appointee, and SLFP Uva PC election propaganda materials are printed in the Government Press. Trade Union Collective met opposition politicians to educate them on more..

Aug 27 (AM) BBS challenged two Muslim organizations � All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama and Shura Council � to disclose their stance on terrorist attacks carried out by ISIS group. Dilantha Withanage, CEO of the BBS said the two organizations should also make their position clear on the terrorist organization �Boko Haram� � which is based in Africa. �If they remain tight-lipped on heinous crimes carried out by Islamic terrorist more..

Aug 27 (Hindu) A sense of alienation appears to have crept into the psyche of the six Sri Lankan Tamils, who made a vain bid to reach Australia, without proper travel documents with the logistics arranged by a gang. Desperate to leave the island nation, the six Lankan Tamils from Mullaitheevu and Mattakalappu (Batticaloa) had decided to go to Australia, moved by the success stories of Sri Lankan settlers who have made it to Victoria and other places in Australia. more..

Aug 27 (GDI) �In our quest to be the best� we have decided to tap into the collective wisdom of top corporate leaders to shape and sharpen the attitudes, skills and the competencies of our senior management potentials. Specially to coach them to think differently", said SriLankan Airlines, Head of Human Resources, Pradeepa Kekulawela. SriLankan Airlines� Human Resources Division recently nominated two successor pools consisting of managers and senior managers, more..