Coca Cola oil leak disrupts water supply from Kelani
Aug 18 (Island) The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWDB) said that the water supply to three Colombo District Municipal Council areas had been restricted yesterday due to oil contamination in the Kelani River. Colombo, Dehiwela, Mount Lavinia and Kotte Municipal Council areas had been affected, they said. Sources said the oil leak had occurred following a fault in the maintenance work carried out at the Coca- Cola plant situated at Biyagama.
more..
Sri Lanka top business chamber welcomes polls verdict
Aug 18 (EN) Sri Lanka�s top business chamber welcomed the victory of the ruling coalition led by UNP at the polls, saying the new govt must work to restore rule of law and ethnic harmony. Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said it hopes the winners as well as losers accept the final outcome of the election in a peaceful manner, a reference to violence that in the past has marred elections in the island. The EC has said Monday�s poll was the most peaceful in recent decades.
more..
President hails most peaceful election
Need of an effective Cabinet as meritocracy essential for good governance
Aug 18 (DM) During the recent past, the topics of much interest, discussion and debate have been Constitutional Amendments, National Govt, Electoral Reforms, 100-day programme, investigations on abuse, bribery and corruption, cost of living and General elections; many an article has also been written and published with very little outcome! However, on the presumption that all these have been dealt with or attempted to have been dealt with satisfactorily or otherwise resolved,
more..
Rajapaksa's comeback fails as Sri Lankan voters back reforms
Aug 18 (Reuters) Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa's attempt to stage a comeback in Sri Lanka's general election has ended in defeat as results on Tuesday showed the alliance that toppled him making decisive gains. The ruling UNP was likely to fall just short of an outright majority but PM Ranil Wickremesinghe should still command enough support to form a stable govt. "I invite all of you to join hands," Wickremesinghe, 66, said in a statement.
more..
'He's the worst reverse-sweeper I've ever seen'
Aug 18 (CI) As Kumar Sangakkara finishes his storied Test career, his best friend Mahela Jayawardene spills the beans on his strengths, weaknesses and quite a few quirks. Q: What were your first impressions of Kumar? A: In school cricket, I think. He was a bit of a character even at that time. I don't think he showed at school level that he wanted to play cricket. It was just a fun thing for him.
more..
What does Sri Lanka without Rajapaksa out of power mean for India?
Aug 18 (HT) The final results in Sri Lanka�s parliamentary polls are yet to be announced but the UNP led by PM Ranil Wickremesinghe appears set to be the dominant force in Parliament when it reconvenes in a couple of weeks. For Sri Lanka, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa�s defeat in the polls means its voters preferred to continue voting for change. This was also the trend in the Presidential race in January. This was a change from the perceived rule by
more..
Why election verdict is good news for Sri Lanka and India
Aug 18 (HT) Sri Lanka's parliamentary election result on Tuesday, which saw the victory of current incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe and put an end to the prime ministerial hopes of Mahinda Rajapaksa, is good news both for Sri Lanka and India. Here is the context: This was a complicated election. President Maithripala Sirisena is officially the head of the SLFP but could not stop the nomination of his b�te-noire and the man he defeated to become President in January, Mahinda Rajapaksa,
more..
Video: We should have performed better:JVP
Aug 18 (DM) The JVP, which admitted to the fact that it had not performed as expected at yesterday�s election said the party would however function as a vibrant and effective political party while being in the opposition. JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told a media briefing that his party would play an active role as members of the COPE and PAC in the new Parliament.
more..
Let�s make it a people�s victory
Aug 18 (DM) By the time this editorial is read this morning a majority of readers would have some idea about the political party or the coalition that would rule this country for the next five years or at least for the next four years as permitted by the 19th Amendment. Some people by this time or by this evening would be left heartbroken with the political party and/or the candidates they voted for not having been elected, while others would be elated for obvious reasons.
more..
Shares at 7-month high on stability hopes
Aug 18 (Reuters) Sri Lankan shares rose to seven-month high on Tuesday on hopes of political stability after this week's parliamentary polls, but lack of an absolute majority for any party capped the gains as investors awaited direction. Monday's poll results showed the ruling UNP-led coalition was poised to win most of the seats, but could fall short of a majority in a 225-member legislature. The main stock index was up 0.12% at 7,501.40 at 0640 GMT, the highest since Jan. 19.
more..
Why Rajapaksa failed to make a comeback
Aug 18 (DW) After being toppled as president, Mahinda Rajapaksa wanted to become PM. But the Sri Lankan leader's comeback bid has ended in defeat as early parliamentary poll results showed the ruling alliance made decisive gains. "My dream of becoming PM has faded away," Rajapaksa said. "I am conceding. We have lost a good fight." The 69-year-old veteran leader, who was hoping to stage a political comeback
more..
Voters in Sri Lanka block political comeback bid by former president
Aug 18 (WP) Voters in Sri Lanka who dumped their two-term president in January proved unwilling to pave his way back to the national spotlight Tuesday, with Mahinda Rajapaksa�s coalition failing to garner enough Parliament seats for a majority. With the final vote tallies nearing, Rajapaksa�s UPFA had won far less than the 113 seats necessary to take sole control of the country�s 225-seat parliament, dashing his hopes to make a comeback as the country�s prime minister.
more..
Sri Lanka�s election thwarts Rajapaksa and sets the scene for deeper reform
Aug 18 (TC) Sri Lanka�s parliamentary election appears to have delivered a firm endorsement of the ruling UNFGG coalition. Result scotches an attempted political comeback by the country�s former president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and consolidates the position of Maithripala Sirisena, who defeated him in the presidential elections in January. Back then, most were hopeful that Sirisena�s win would reverse the slide towards authoritarianism over which Rajapaksa had presided since 2005.
more..
Video: SL too can hold a free and fair election: IGP
Aug 18 (DM) The free and fair election held on Monday had sent a clear message to the world that Sri Lanka too can hold elections in a peaceful manner, Police Chief N.K. Illangakoon said today. He requested the people to maintain the peaceful atmosphere even during the post-election period and uphold the reputation of being able to hold a free and fair election. �We were able to hold a peaceful election because the police
more..
Ex-Tigers say Jaffna voting peaceful, confident of a new beginning
Aug 18 (Island) desapillai Vithiyatharan, chief candidate for Crusaders for Democracy comprising ex-LTTE personnel said that polling in the Jaffna electoral district had been peaceful. Vithiyatharan was speaking on behalf of the contesting group. Veteran journalist Vithiyatharan is the only non-LTTE candidate in the fray as a member of an Independent Group. Asked whether the group could challenge the four-party TNA supremacy in the Jaffna peninsula, Vithiyatharan said that
more..
SL's flag-bearer goes down memory lane
Aug 18 (CB) In a quaint corner of the Galle International cricket stadium, the Sri Lankan flag was flying proudly. No matter what the situation of the match, there was always a cheer around that corner for the home fans. The Lankans needed that, having struggled for a good part of the first Test, and it was, like always, provided by a gentleman by the name of Percy Abeysekera. At 79, he is one of the oldest followers and most well-known cheerleader of the Lankan cricket team.
more..
TNA sweeps Tamil votes in North & East
Aug 18 (ENS) TNA swept the parliamentary elections in the Tamil-speaking Northern and Eastern provinces overcoming new challenges. There were two pro-LTTE Tamil parties in the fray, both urging the voters to adopt a radical stance. And then, there was an unexpected challenge from the Northern Province Chief Minister, C.V. Wigneswaran, who issued a statement urging the Tamils to vote for radicalism thereby
more..
Electorate had opportunity to elect govt. of their choice: HRC Chief
Aug 18 (Island) Chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) retired Supreme Court judge Priyantha R. Perera said the electorate had got an opportunity to freely exercise their franchise at yesterday�s polls. He said that the people had enjoyed the freedom to vote for a party and candidates of their choice. The HRCSL chief said that yesterday�s polls could be described as the most peaceful national level poll conducted during the past couple of decades.
more..
Final result: UNP-106, UPFA-95, ITAK-16, JVP-6, EPDP-1, SLMC-1
Aug 18 (AM) UNP received a total of 5,098,916 votes and won 106 seats including 13 from the national list, thereby becoming the largest single party in the next parliament. The UPFA won 4,732,664 votes and won 95 seats with 12 national list seats. The ITAK won 16 seats including 2 from the national list while the JVP could manage only 6 seats including the 2 from the national list. The EPDP and the SLMC won 1 seat each. None of the other political parties could win any seats
more..
New era for Sri Lanka as Rajapaksa goes
Aug 18 (FT) As former president Mahinda Rajapaksa comes to terms with his second electoral defeat in eight months, many in Sri Lanka are also predicting what once seemed unthinkable: the final political demise of a leader who, until just a year ago, seemed to hold an iron grip on their country. Mr Rajapaksa hoped Tuesday�s result would herald an unlikely comeback � allowing him to seize the office of prime minister while simultaneously
more..
Pensioners now get smaller pensions!!
Aug 18 (CT) Pensioners were taken aback when they went to their banks to collect their monthly pensions this month to discover that their salaries had been decreased instead of being increased. A decrease in their salaries has resulted during the process of elimination of salary anomalies of govt pensioners who retired from service before 2006. In some other instances their salaries have not been increased at all. Consequently the employees who went to the bank on the 10th expecting to
more..
Election Law violators land in remands islandwide
Aug 18 (CT) Voting in Sri Lanka's 15th General Election was held sans any incidents of major violence since polling began at 7 a.m. and ended at 4 p.m. yesterday, with a strong security blanket thrown around the metropolis and outstation polling areas under the initiative of the IGP, N.K. Illangakoon, Police Media Spokeman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said. He said the post election period security clamp down will continue for a week after the election results are announced.
more..
Sri Lanka aim to give Sangakkara victorious send-off in India Test
Aug 18 (AFP) Kumar Sangakkara gets a chance to bow out in style by leading Sri Lanka to a series-clinching victory in the second Test against India starting in Colombo on Thursday. The prolific left-hander, the highest run-getter among those still playing at the highest level, will bid adieu to international cricket after the match, ending a glorious 15-year career. With Sri Lanka leading the three-match series after conjuring a brilliant
more..
Sri Lanka Tourism selects 8 American kids for tour of Monkey Kingdom Trail
Aug 18 (SLT) In the backdrop of a 31.2% visitor arrival growth in July with the US market registering a 19.1% growth Sri Lanka Tourism is targeting the American traveller as a future potential market to be developed by selecting 8 lucky American kids from an online consumer promotion. The epic $16.4 billion top billed Disney movie Monkey Kingdom documentary which was filmed in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka will be visited by the lucky 8 kids in the phase one and then extended to attract twenty kids
more..
SL Tourism launch global online video competition 365 days holiday
Aug 18 (DM) �Given the research insights that 23.2 million google searched Sri Lanka Tourism and 54 million trip advised, Sri Lanka tourism gives an indication of the importance of online communication in the decision making process of a potential traveller� said Chairman SL Tourism Dr. Rohantha Athukorala at the launch of the global online video competition 365 days holiday which will avail twenty lucky winners to receive a 18 plus days all-inclusive holiday in Sri Lanka.
more..
Rajapaksa's failure to make a comeback great news for India
Aug 18 (TOI) With the govt looking at UAE's commitment on terror as a snub to Pakistan, it had another reason to rub its hands in glee Tuesday as former SL leader Mahinda Rajapaksa's bid to make a comeback in the parliamentary elections fell through. Results have validated the outcome early this year of the presidential polls which saw Rajapaksa lose to former ally Maithripala Sirisena, the incumbent president.
more..
Modi calls up Wickremesinghe to congratulate him on poll win
Aug 18 (PTI) PM Narendra Modi today called up Ranil Wickremesinghe to congratulate him on his party's victory in parliamentary polls, and expressed confidence that the relations between the two countries will get better under his leadership. "Spoke to Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe & congratulated him on his alliance's wonderful performance in the elections," Modi tweeted. "I am confident that under Mr. Wickremesinghe's leadership, bilateral ties between India & SL will grow stronger,"
more..