Dec 28 (CT) Avant Garde Chairperson Nissanka Senadhipathi, who has been giving out various excuses regarding the Avant Garde incident while avoiding the PRECIFAC has been summoned to the Commission once again. He has been notified to appear before PRECIFAC regarding several irregularities that allegedly took place between Avant Garde and Rakna Araksha Lanka. Senadhipathi has given the information PRECIFAC required to commence investigations via his lawyers. more..

Dec 28 (CI) When Tillakaratne Dilshan sent a ball to fine leg in the third over of Sri Lanka's innings, Matt Henry moved quickly and dove to his right to deflect the ball from the ropes. But, he hadn't quite deflected it well enough. As his body was barrel-rolling across the boundary, the ball moved again towards the rope, several metres in front of him. Henry rose again, stumbled forward, and put in another dive. This time, he managed to slap the ball well away from the boundary. more..

Dec 28 (AM) Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga has strongly turned down requests made by party seniors to work with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to ensure the party's victory at the forthcoming Local Government election. Kumaratunga has made it clear that the Rajapaksas should stay out of the party's election campaign as they were responsible for the SLFP's defeat at two successive national level elections. more..

Dec 28 (Island) SLFP Media Spokesman Dilan Perera accused UNP of spreading false stories that the SLFP was on the verge of another major split as the party was divided into two main groups. "UNP has circulated a story that a group of SLFP members with former President Rajapaksa are getting reading to contest the forthcoming LG polls under a new party. These are the stories by UNP propagandists. Former President has repeatedly said that he will do nothing detrimental to more..

Dec 28 (DM) MP Udaya Gammanpila today asked President Sirisena to order the whipping of the organisers of the recent Enrique Iglesias concert. He said it was the President who had the authority to order such a whipping. Mr. Gammanpila said that the environment which made a woman under the influence of liquor throw her underwear on the stage should be investigated. �As far as I am concerned, drinking alcohol in public is prohibited but distributing and selling them in public is prohibited but more..

Dec 28 (CG) Former Cricketers Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena who are the board members of Live Events Sri Lanka, have called for an internal inquiry into the shortcomings at the Enrique Iglesias concert staged in Colombo and have also decided to compensate the fans. They said in a joint statement that the organizers are in agreement, with their direction, that such shortcomings must not be tolerated. more..

Dec 29 (CT) The dawn of the New Year will see Parliament convening as a parliamentary committee of the whole to start the process of constitutional reform. This will be only the second time since the last constitution was made in 1978 that there will be a dedicated effort at constitutional reform. The previous occasion was in 2000 when former President Chandrika Kumaratunga presented a constitutional bill to Parliament which was literally burnt by the opposition. more..

Dec 29 (CT) President Maithripala Sirisena has declared war against two products. In speeches, he has proclaimed that both these products would be banned beginning from 2016. One of the products to be banned is polythene. The other is tobacco. Both are goods from a personal consumption point, because people are willing to spend money to have them. However, they have been accused of delivering bad effects to society over many years when viewed from a social point. more..

Dec 29 (SO) Eleven years ago, many Sri Lankans who did not know the word tsunami - added the Japanese word to their vocabulary; a single word associated with devastation and descriptive of the biggest natural disaster the island faced in recorded history. Tsunami means harbour wave or high sea waves caused by an earthquake or other disturbance. Together with the tsunami came a costly lesson for the unprepared island; more..

Dec 28 (Island) Born at Wellampitiya on March 29, 1905, the early life of Edward Winifred Adikaram was marked by devotion to the practices of Theravada Buddhism and willingness to live strictly by its principles. At age 14 a talk at the Dhamma School aroused his naturally compassionate disposition and caused him to give up meat-eating. He became a vegetarian not in order to acquire religious merit, he later explained. It had one and only one meaning: it's because flesh more..

Dec 28 (SL) The analogy of the cave is presented by the Greek philosopher Plato in his celebrated work The Republic to compare the effect of education and the lack of it on our nature. So when a ruler climbs out of his cave or comfort zone and is ready for self-criticism, that shows the worthy character of a true leader. An historic turn of events took place last 14 Dec when PM Ranil Wickremesinghe made a special statement: �I use my powers not for any personal gain but to build this country. more..

Dec 28 (CT) TNPF Leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam said, the Sinhala leaders are not a bunch of fools! They know full well that a federal arrangement is not separation or separatism. On the contrary, a federal arrangement is probably the only way by which separatist desires can be contained if not completely addressed and resolved "Tamil org. have repeatedly stated that such an accommodation more..

Dec 28 (DM) We have been railroaded into living in a consumer society. This is not a good place for the citizens of a nation but it is where we are. Time was when most of what we wanted we produced ourselves or bartered for. We were piecewise content and group-wise satisfied. Then came this folderol about growth and we embarked on a mad journey to tie ourselves to marketplaces, buy beyond our needs and live beyond our means. We allowed ourselves to be taught that all of that was more..

Dec 28 (DN) E-waste is a term used to describe discarded electronic goods such as computers, televisions, cell phones, photocopiers, facsimile machines, audio and stereo equipment. In 2006, the world production of e-waste was estimated at 20 - 50 million tonnes per year by UN Environment Programme, with a major component of it being produced in Europe, US and Australasia. It is estimated that China, Eastern Europe and Latin America will become major e-waste more..

Dec 29 (EN) With Dubai�s global humanitarian aid centre nearing capacity, southern Sri Lanka�s disused air and seaports could be a potential deployment hub for relief in Indian Ocean region disasters, offering business opportunities for logistics firms. SL has the logistics infrastructure and expertise and experience derived from war to respond quickly with aid if disaster strikes in the region, according to Sinharaja Tammita-Delgoda, an academic and foreign affairs analyst. more..

Dec 28 (SL) With PM Ranil Wickremesinghe scraping off certain proposals from the Budget 2016, the next concern that comes to mind is to determine how the govt intends to generate the revenue that will lapse due to the deleted proposals. This concern is mainly due to most of all the amended proposals falling in the revenue generating category of the budgetary agenda. In order for the budget to deliver the required fiscal policy, monitory policy and public � private partnerships, more..

Dec 28 (SL) Just four days for the end of the year 2015 and it certainly was an year of changes. There had been some memorable years where notable changes had taken place. Likewise, this year was packed with some of the most notable changes that had ever happened in Sri Lanka�s political history. There were several reasons for the year 2015 to be exceptional. In a gist, the year marked the change of a regime that had more..

Dec 29 (TD) Several weeks ago, Chandrika Kumaratunga announced that Sri Lanka would set up a special court to deal with alleged wartime abuses. Kumaratunga is the chairperson of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR); she served as President of SL from 1994-2005. News about a special court came as a surprise to many people. The court was expected to begin its work by late December or early January. Yet it remains unclear if that�s still the case. more..

Dec 28 (Island) Enrique Iglesias� recent Sex and Love tour concert where some girls and women got so amped up and hyper that they threw their bras at the artiste has scandalized President Maithripala Sirisena beyond measure. Such events ruin Sri Lanka�s culture, the President has said, declaring that the organisers thereof should be whipped. President Mahinda Rajapaksa launched the much-publicised Mathata Thitha to create what he called a sober Sri Lanka. more..

Dec 29 (ST) Sri Lanka is now in the process of finalising the Indo-Lanka Economic and Technology Agreement (ETCA) framework and to have final agreements in place for signing by May next year by Indian PM Narendra Modi and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. A top level Sri Lankan official delegation will visit India to attend a meeting in New Delhi to discuss modalities of proposed agreement that will cover investment and services, more..

Dec 29 (Island) Most of CSE listed companies' net profits have come down by more than 6%. The reason behind this development is that people's disposable income has come down this year. Consequently, companies have been affected where business volume growth is concerned. "Listed companies saw total net profits sliding 6.2% year-on-year to Rs 47.7 billion in the month of Sept quarter. This was because the disposable income of most people came down significantly. more..

Dec 29 (EN) Govt support for Sri Lankan businesses is being refocused from big companies to small firms which make up the majority of private enterprises. Large enterprises make up only a fraction of businesses in the island but have been getting most of govt support, said Sunil Jayantha Navarathna, an advisor to the ministry of commerce and industry. Sri Lanka has just over a million enterprises of which 92% are micro-enterprises employing just one or two people. more..

Dec 29 (FT) SL�s tourism sector is said to be losing its early post-war charm with sluggish growth in numbers due to absence of a proper strategic market plan. SL Association of Inbound Tour Operators President Devindre Senaratne said that due to lack of a proper promotional plan country is losing millions in foreign exchange to many countries who have positioned themselves well in world tourism market. more..

Dec 29 (SO) Global oil prices continue to tumble with current levels the lowest in over a decade. But Sri Lankans may have to wait longer to benefit. CPC Chairman, T.G. Jayasinghe rules out immediate price cuts but promises a new pricing formula early next year that could bring down prices. Analysts warn, however, that sharply lower incomes of oil-rich countries could see less migrant labour demand in West Asia on the one hand and, less purchases of tea & other SL products exported to those more..

Dec 29 (CT) Sri Lanka has been at the receiving end far too long since the elders made early exits to give the new generation room to begin their turn. It does not seem to have worked quite the way the elders thought it would. Batting has been the bane since of late, making a dent in the progress Sri Lanka's performances internationally. Sri Lankan batting can develop. But, it must develop without delay. If you take its batting there is signs of the rubbing it had had from great players of the calibre of more..

Dec 29 (PMD) All must unite with a commitment to give a high priority for our indigenous systems to make our country victorious, said President Maithripala Sirisena. President further said that we should always admire our heritage and our indigenous systems to conquer the international market to become a one of the greatest country in the world. He made these observations participating in the opening ceremony of the newly built more..

Dec 29 (ST) Questions are being raised over repeated attempts to rope in Magnus Bocker, former CEO of the Singapore Stock Exchange, to assist Sri Lanka�s capital market reforms, particularly since the reforms process is already underway. �It was suggested that he become a consultant to a project grant which was awarded by a multinational donor agency for the financial sector reforms in Sri Lanka but this attempt was thwarted by an advisor to the Prime Minister,� a Treasury official said. more..

Dec 29 (CT) While commodity prices world over, led by oil have fallen mainly due to the slowdown in China, the world's second largest economy, rice import prices here, according to latest data, has had however shot up. For instance rice imports to Colombo, saw their CIF price increase by 33.3% to US$ 626.93 per metric ton (pmt). The likely influence of a strong El Ni�o weather anomaly over the next few months could still exert much influence on 2015 rice production outcomes, more..

Dec 29 (CT) Garbage problem in Colombo hit yet another crisis as clashes erupted amongst residents of Meethotamulla who took to the streets on Sunday to protest against their homes being turned into Colombo's dump site. Two protestors were injured in Wellampitiya when an unknown group assaulted protestors who were engaged in a hunger strike, opposing the piling of garbage in Meethotamulla, on Sunday night. more..

Dec 29 (SO) Environmentalists in Wayamba said that all appeals to save the province from the environmental disaster caused by manufacturing companies have fallen on deaf ears and that there would be a major uprising worse than Rathupaswela, if the authorities fail to intervene soon to address the issue. Ven. Wekandawela Rahula Thera, an ardent campaigner against destruction of the environment in the area said he would lay down his life for the well-being of more..

Dec 29 (CT) Sri Lanka has qualified for the South Asian Football Championship (SAFF) semi-finals after a lapse of six years, as the team managed to secure the second place in Group A. India emerged champions from this group as the hosts will now top the Points Table and earn a place in the semi-final along with Sri Lanka. In Group B Afghanistan emerged as the top team and Maldives ended in the second place at the completion of the first round matches. more..

Dec 29 (TOI) Ahead of the 2016 assembly polls in the state, the ruling AIADMK and other political parties are attempting to stoke public sentiments on emotive issues like Sri Lankan Tamils' sufferings and LTTE, although they have not translated into electoral gains in the past. Last week, the AIADMK IT wing forwarded a video clip showing gruesome images of people slaughtered in SL war, images of DMK chief Karunanidhi's more..

Dec 29 (FT) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe with approval of the Cabinet, has appointed a 24-member committee comprising representatives from political and civil society to obtain views on constitutional reforms from the public. The Committee is headed by Attorney-at-Law Lal Wijenaike and comprises Faizer Musthapha PC, Prof. Gamini Samaranayake, Dr. Navaratna Bandara, Prof. M.L.A. Cader, N. Selvakumaran, S. Thavarajah, Kushan de Alwis PC, more..

Dec 29 (DM) Popular singer Madhumadawa Aravinda asked MP Hirunika Premachandra to kidnap former UPFA MP Duminda Silva in her black defender to hear the case of her father Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra�s murder in her own court in her own style if she had courage to stand against his father�s murderer as claimed by her. Responding to a recent statement of Ms. Premachandra who had aggressively criticized a particular media institution for having links with her father�s murderer, more..

Dec 29 (Island) The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) employees currently engaged in trade union action threatened to cut down the countrywide water supply if the govt failed to address their grievances. They staged a token strike yesterday, demanding full bonus payment or any other acceptable solution. The unionists demand that the authorities offer a solution by today noon. more..

Dec 29 (DN) Browns Hotels and Resorts will be extending their footprint to the Maldives. Group is planning to build two resort hotels in the island nation. The company has also signed up with one of the leading travel agencies in Italy, Alpitours to market the newly opened Dickwella Resort and Spa opened on Dec 22. Browns Hotels and Resorts General Manager Eksath Wijeratne said that they have signed up with the Italian company who in turn will send tourists for the hotel. more..

Dec 29 (Stuff) If history is anything to go by, Saxton Oval should produce plenty of runs again this week. But if form is your gauge and Sri Lanka bat first, then it might be a different story. Groundsman Dan Hooper has been a busy preparing the Saxton Oval wicket for the two one day international cricket matches between the Black Caps and Sri Lanka on Thursday and Saturday. He even spent Christmas afternoon with the roller. "There was some rolling and watering on Christmas Day but more..

Dec 29 (ENS) For the first time in the post-independence history of Sri Lanka, Tamil parties and Tamil civil society groups are gearing up for participation in the making a new constitution for the island nation. Tamils did not participate in the making of the 1972 and 1978 constitutions. In 1972, Sirima Bandaranaike govt had refused to amend the official language clause in the constitution�s outline (Basic Resolution). more..

Dec 29 (DN) A Group of people protesting against the dumping of garbage, at a site in Meethotamulla by Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) dispersed after MP S. M. Marikkar gave them an assurance that he would take up the issue with PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. Marikkar said that the would definitely take up the issue with PM after he returns to the country, to find a permant solution to the serious environmental and social issues faced by the people due to this garbage dumping site. more..