July 9 (ST) Set up a top-level committee to probe claims of dengue cures, urged an expert, as this viral disease rampaged through the country sending 19,000 to hospital and nudging the death toll to 50. Claims of cures for dengue are being spread like wildfire through the media, both print and electronic, with in-depth interviews and some even placing prominent advertisements, pointed out Consultant Paediatrician more..

July 9 (CI) Sri Lanka is known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean, the island of serendipity, and has been labelled "a nirvana for beach lovers" by Lonely Planet, but Makhaya Ntini knows differently. "Let me tell you, that place is not a playground," he said. You may think the harsh assessment stems from the narrow escape he had eight years ago when he left the Liberty Plaza minutes before the bomb blast that prompted more..

July 9 (Island) President Rajapaksa in Parliament requested UNP MP Eran Wickremearatne to provide him with a detailed report on ministerial secretaries holding director posts in private companies. President Rajapaksa was in Parliament during the debate on Regulations under the Motor Traffic Act (No 1). He arrived in the Chamber around 2.20 pm, when Transport Minister Kumara Welgama moved the regulations for debate. more..

July 9 (GDI) South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has told the TNA here that he would keep India informed of South Africa�s reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka. Mr. Ramphosa called on President Rajapaksa on Monday, and met TNA leaders on Tuesday. �We met his delegation this morning and discussed all matters in detail,� TNA leader R. Sampanthan said. �South Africans are prepared to help SL more..

July 9 (DN) President Rajapaksa instructed officials to take all measures to prevent illegal acquisition, encroachment or sale of state-owned lands. Speaking at the Puttalam district Development Committee meeting held in Madampe yesterday, the President stressed that the plunder of state owned lands by use of force or power cannot be allowed. "Both public officers and political representatives of the people should act more..

July 9 (SL) The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has proposed that the Ministry of Child Development and Women�s Affairs makes arrangements to empower the NCPA to maintain a register of child sex offenders. NCPA Chairperson Anoma Dissanayake that the register of child offenders is an urgent need to enhance child protection in the country. �The intended use of this register is to protect children from adults who more..

July 9 (DM) Budu Bala Sena (BBS) said it suspected whether the Aluthgama incident was a scripted drama enacted either by the Govt or the Opposition just like the incident which occurred during the concert held in Colombo participated by famous actor Shahrukh Khan despite repeated protests by religious leaders. �When we analyse the facts one by one, we realise that the Aluthgama incident may be a scripted drama. more..

July 9 (CG) Australia today said it stands ready to support Sri Lanka�s post-war progress in any way that it can. President Rajapaksa meanwhile thanked Australia for its continuous support to Sri Lanka in the international arena. President Rajapaksa and Australia�s Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Scott Morrison held discussions this morning after ceremonially commissioning the �Mihikatha� and more..

July 9 (LBO) Sri Lanka's shares closed 0.73 higher on Wednesday crossing the 6,600 mark despite net foreign selling, brokers said. All Share Price Index closed 48.03 points higher at 6,613.84, up 0.7%. The S&P SL20 closed 29.95 points higher at 3,706.06, up 0.81%. Turnover was 2.89 billion rupees, down from 1.74 billion rupees a day earlier with 153 stocks closed positive against 67 negative. Pan Asia Banking Corporation closed 50 cents higher at 19.00 rupees with more..

July 9 (CT) Rajapakse regime has either become completely retarded or imbued with a deep sense of paraplegic paranoia. It seems as though the Defense Secretary has become so �high and mighty� that he has once again forgotten that his motherland has citizens like us with a strong backbone. I was totally baffled to see the letter signed by a �Mr. D.M.S Dissanayake� who is supposed to be the Director/Registrar of the National Secretariat for NGOs on a Ministry of Defence and more..

July 9 (Island) The crisis of Sri Lanka has gone beyond being the crisis of its govt. Aluthgama has exposed multiple complications in our politics, society, culture and governance, and there is no easy remedy to any of them. The Rajapaksa govt excels in misgovernment and makes misgoverning look not only easy but also normal. If it is only the govt that is the problem, then it can be solved at least partially by changing the govt. But when the problem goes beyond the govt, more..

July 9 (Island) Bollywood star of Sri Lankan origin Jacqueline Fernandez has sent a bunny-shaped vegan cake to Indian Health Minister Harsh Vardhan for banning the testing of cosmetics and their ingredients on animals. The bunny-shaped vegan cake has the words "Be Sweet to Bunnies - Ban Animal-Tested Products" written in tasty icing, along with a letter. Jacqueline, who is a vegan, was delighted to learn that, after banning the testing of cosmetics and their ingredients on animals, more..

July 9 (SMH) Former Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser has characterised Australia�s interdiction and detention of more than 150 Sri Lankan asylum seekers at sea as "piracy on the high seas". He said the apprehension of the vessel on which they were travelling in international waters and their transfer to an Australian customs vessel was "in breach of international law", and he was unsure how more..

July 9 (Reuters) Rupee traded firmer on Wednesday due to inflows from remittances and exporter dollar sales amid light demand for the U.S. currency from importers while dollar buying by state banks curbed gains in the local unit. Rupee was traded at 130.23/24 per dollar at 0724 GMT, a slightly up from Tuesday's close of 130.25/26. "There is no demand for dollars and the state banks lowered the buy rate by two cents to 130.23. But there is no aggressive buying also," said a currency dealer. more..

July 9 (CT) Al-Jazeera correspondent for Sri Lanka, Dinouk Colombage was grilled by the CID, just weeks after state-owned newspaper Editor, Rajpal Abeynayake called for his arrest. Colombage�s lawyers have stated that the CID has interrogated him concerning the reports he filed to Al-Jazeera and a Twitter update he had posted on the ground situation in Aluthgama and Beruwala following the anti-Muslim clashes. He had been questioned regarding his news sources and had been more..

July 9 (Reuters) Sri Lanka has banned activist groups and NGOs from holding press conferences and issuing press releases, a Defence Ministry circular says, raising new concerns over freedom of expression. Circular, dated July 1, also outlaws NGOs and civil society organizations holding workshops for journalists. "This is a continuation of threats on civil society," J.C. Weliamuna, head of Transparency International more..

July 9 (Island) Teachers of the Maliyadeva Boys� school in Kurunegala are up in arms against their principal ordering a female teacher to visit the office of the Kurunegala Mayor and apologise to him for having punished his son for misbehavior in school. The female teacher in question reprimanded a group of Grade Seven students for unruly behaviour last Monday in the college. Among them was the son of Mayor of Kurunegala, Gamini Peramunage. Soon after the incident Principal of the College more..

July 9 (Island) The expansion of Sri Lanka�s leisure and entertainment economy had led to a new social crisis and a dialogue had also emerged in society on corruption and good governance, Minister Champika Ranawaka stressed on Monday. Addressing the seventh Sri Lanka Biennial Conference on Science and Technology (BICOST) and the launch of National Research and Development Investment Framework for 2015-2020, he said that no clear dialogue had yet emerged on the future more..

July 9 (Reuters) Australia rejected accusations of mistreatment by SL asylum seekers returned to the island nation, saying the move sent a strong message to those thinking of following in their footsteps. Immigration Minister Scott Morrison was speaking in Colombo a day after some of the 37 Sinhalese and 4 Tamils said they were ill treated by Australian officials at Sea. "I find those allegations offensive and reject them absolutely," more..

July 9 (Island) INTERPOL assistance would be sought to apprehend a Sri Lankan suspect living in Malaysia for swindling money from a woman after promising to marry her via skype. The suspect had used various methods and different aliases to cheat other women as well, the police said. SSP Ajith Rohana said that the investigations being conducted by Matara Intelligence Division had identified the suspect as Preethi Viraj Ratnayake aka Preethi Viraj Amarasinghe and the police would issue more..

July 9 (CT) Development projects earmarked for areas in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, destroyed by war and natural calamities, should be implemented without political bias whether recommended by ruling party politicians or opposition politicians. This was said by Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) Opposition Leader C. Thandayuthapani, addressing the villagers Kallimedu in Thampalakamam recently. Then only will the country be fully developed, he said. more..

July 9 (CG) UNP has demanded that Govt and Ministry of Defence (MOD) relinquish its stranglehold on civil society. Chairman of UNP LC Karu Jayasuriya said that that the time has come for Sri Lankans to question why the MOD�s shadow intrudes into every aspect of civilian life and governance in this country. He said as citizens, Sri Lankans must question why they are forced to rely on military to perform the most perfunctory of tasks. more..

July 9 (Island) Northern Provincial Council Chairman C.V.K. Sivagnanam with the concurrence of Northern Province Health Minister P. Sathiyalingam has sent a letter to the Deputy Indian High Commission in Jaffna, asking for Tamil speaking doctors and teachers of English and Information Technology from India to fill vacancies in the Northern Province, according to the All Ceylon Government Medical Officers� Association (ACGMOA) alleged. more..

July 9 (AM) Attacks on Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy will play a major role during the month-long session of the Tamil Nadu Assembly will begin in Tamil Nadu tomorrow. During the debate on grants for the respective departments, the Opposition parties are likely to raise a slew of issues, including power and drinking water supply even as the ruling AIADMK will counter them with a newfound vigour against the backdrop of its splendid show in the Lok Sabha polls. more..

July 9 (CG) Presidential Commission to Investigate Complaints Regarding Missing Persons has received over 300 new complaints during sittings held in Mullaitivu District. Former High Court Judge Maxwell Paranagama, Chairman of the Commission, said that 387 new complaints had been received during a four day period. Commission registered the information related to the complainants & will later give them a new date more..

July 9 (SM) A top level investigation is underway into chief inspectors who had failed to be promoted as ASPs at the granting of the promotions. The special investigation unit is carrying out the probe on the orders of IGP N.K. Illangakoon. It has already recorded statements from several CIs, say police sources. Police spokesman Ajith Rohana confirmed that such an investigation is taking place. A group of policemen filed six fundamental rights petitions last May at the SC over ASP promotions, more..

July 9 (GDI) The Govt has allocated Rs. 3,000 million in the 2014 Budget to develop and build fisheries harbours and anchorages island wide. Accordingly construction work on the Fisheries Harbour in Kalametiya which was earlier disrupted due to various reasons and the Kaikawala anchorage began under the patronage of Minister Dr. Rajitha Senarathna. The construction work on the anchorage at Kaikawala commenced after the report of the feasibility study was received. more..

July 9 (GDI) President Rajapaksa, this morning at the Port of Colombo, ceremonially commissioned the Mihikatha and Rathnadeepa patrol boats that were gifted by the Australian Govt to Sri Lanka. Australia�s Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Scott Morrison also participated in the ceremony. The two patrol boats were gifted as a gesture of goodwill to the Sri Lanka Navy. Following the ceremony, President Rajapaksa and more..

July 9 (AM) While concluding prosecution's submissions on murder of British NGO worker khuram Shaikh at a hotel in Tangalle, the Attorney General maintained that all accused in the case including former Tangalle PS chairman had intentionally involved in the killing British national and raping his girlfriend. Senior State Counsel Thusitha Mudalige addressing Colombo High Court Judge Rohini Walgama on behalf of the Attorney General told that according to the evidence of more..

July 9 (ABC) The father of a three-year-old asylum seeker being held on a Customs vessel at sea fears his family would be "wiped out" if returned to Sri Lanka. The girl is among a group of 153 Tamils who left India last month in a boat for Australia, and could be held for weeks while the High Court decides their fate. They face an uncertain future, as Sri Lanka has indicated it will not take them back and India has confirmed it is not in negotiations to take them. Meanwhile Immigration Minister more..

July 9 (AP) The brother of an imprisoned ex-billionaire hedge fund founder was acquitted of conspiracy on Tuesday, handing Manhattan prosecutors their first loss after dozens of insider trading convictions in prosecutions that relied heavily on wiretaps and the testimony of those who pleaded guilty. After the verdict was announced, Rengan Rajaratnam hugged attorneys before jurors even left the room. more..

July 9 (HN) National Council for a Better Tomorrow held a meeting with the JVP at their Headquarters in Battaramulla today to discuss the policy statement released by the council titled �the path the country should take�. Meeting was held with the participation of MP Athuraliye Rathana Thera representing National Council for a Better Tomorrow and the General Secretary of the JVP Tilvin Silva. Rathana Thera is also due to meet Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe tomorrow more..

July 9 (AM) A heated verbal argument between Chief Minister of NWP Dayasiri Jayasekera and UNP MP Harin Fernando inside Derana studio, has ended in fisticuffs last night. As a result, UNP MP Harin Fenrnado had received minor injuries. Derana Presenter Chathura Alwis, who intervened to resolve the problem, had also received injuries. The fight occurred after 'Waada Pitiya' political programme on Derana where Jayasekera and Fernando represented the two main political parties. more..

July 9 (CI) Thirteen is thought to be the number of misfortune. For Hashim Amla and South Africa, it was the opposite until today. On the 13 occasions before this one when Amla has scored an ODI century, South Africa have emerged victorious. He recorded his 14th century - becoming the quickest to the mark - in Pallekele but the result was not in his team's favour. Dilshan's enterprise in the first ten overs and wickets in the more..

July 10 (CT) While trying to locating a rendering of Carnatic music on the YOUTUBE, I stumbled upon Narendra Modi�s tele-link address to the Global Forum on �Evolving Markets� held in Washington DC. Narendra Modi was yet the Chief Minister of Gujarat, though the Prime Ministerial candidate. Gujarat is three times bigger than Sri Lanka. It has a multi-religious population and had seen extremely violent communal strife preceding and following India�s independence. more..

July 10 (CT) About a month ago, State media posted a photo of US Ambassador in Colombo Michele J. Sison tagged as common candidate of the Opposition. The State owned Dinamina newspaper ran a lead news story stating that there was a battle to become the Opposition's common candidate. The report said that the name of Ms. Sison was also among the names of contending Opposition common candidates. The entire lead story aimed at ridiculing the US ambassador. more..

July 10 (SO) Govt is now fast tracking the Rs.5,800 Mn ADB assisted Per Aru Dry Zone Water Supply and Sanitation Project in Vavuniya which would benefit over 16,000 families in 10 villages on completion at the end of next year, Vavuniya GA Bandula Harischandra said. This is one of the major projects undertaken in the district in the recent years and will contribute immensely to the livelihood and economic well-being of the more..

July 10 (CT) S.B. Dissanayake's son, Tharu Dissanayake, has publicly announced his plans to continue with the family legacy. In South Asian politics this is nothing new. But if corruption is what is influencing power and political favours to oneself, family and friends, it is time voters in Sri Lanka think of the notion of equal playing field for all who enter politics. A few years ago, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the son of slain Pakistani PM, Benazir Bhutto, emerged in Pakistani politics. more..

July 10 (CT) The foodie in me often takes me to places where people meet, chat, drink and eat. One of those hip places is �Floor by O�, a bar-restaurant located down Maitland Crescent, Colombo 7. �Floor by O� offers some 1,000 cocktails as well as a variety of bites, some of which are slightly political. One such bite is �Grease Yakaa�, an extra-devilled dish served with your choice of meat. There�s another Floor in Colombo which offers a different culinary experience: the Fourth Floor. more..