Jan 1 (PSL) President Maithripala Sirisena said that he will commit himself to strengthen the national economy and to eliminate poverty in the country with the dawn of the New Year. He made these remarks addressing the media after paying homage to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy to receive the blessings for the New Year, today. President further said that the govt will commit in the next year to bring essential more..

Jan 1 (SL) New Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) plan presented by the govt for the Port City shows an increased public area. The area allocated for public usage according to their originally negotiated position of Sept 2014 was 63 hectares but now it has been increased to 96ha, which has moved the public land area from 27% of the total land extent to 36%. The public areas will follow an open space concept more..

Jan 1 (ST) A flood and drainage management system aimed at preventing flooding in the Colombo city and its outskirts costing more than Rs. 21 billion will get off the ground early next year, a senior official said. The design for the project which is already prepared following an extensive study on the flooding situation in the city and its outskirts includes introduction of new canal systems, underground tunnels for the flow of more..

Jan 1 (Island) The planing of the proposed Northern Highway via Trincomalee would be started this year, Minister Lakshman Kiriella said. He said that the construction work on the Central highways was ongoing, though there was no visible progress during the last few months. People were thinking that the work on the central highway was abandoned or paused but it wasn�t. Concrete beams of the highway would emerge more..

Jan 1 (CI) It took four weeks, but Sri Lanka put together their most comprehensive day of cricket on this tour and suddenly their outlook seems transformed. They lost so badly in Christchurch that this trip to New Zealand was threatening to become the tour from hell. In that handsome Nelson win on Thursday, there were signs it may instead be remembered as a journey of discovery. Chief among promising new more..

Jan 1 (FT) The public have a choice between black and national flags with the Govt urging their supporters to celebrate the victory of President Sirisena by flying the national flag. Ministers Kabir Hashim and Rauff Hakeem called for the show of support during a special media briefing. Rejecting calls from the join Opposition to fly black flags the Govt ministers insisted the people have achieved significant milestones during last 12 months. more..

Jan 1 (Xinhua) Sri Lanka is seeking to become an international hub in the South Asian region and attract more foreign investments next year to boost its economy. The ADB said in its latest report that the election in January of a new president and the change in govt, as well as the prospect of parliamentary elections later in the year, slowed economic activity as investors adopted a wait and see approach. more..

Jan 1 (Island) The TNA and the SLMC are seeking consensus on proposed new Constitution and electoral reforms. Political sources told The Island that top level TNA and SLMC delegations had met at the Opposition Leader�s Office, Colombo 7 on Wednesday in the wake of newly established Tamil People�s Council (TPC), too, seeking to represent Tamil speaking people at future deliberations with other political parties as well as the govt. more..

Jan 1 (LT) Doctors and other employees in the health sector would engage in a trade union action protesting against the failure of the Maithi�Ranil coalition govt to solve issues that develop continuously in the health sector says the General Secretary of All Ceylon Medical Officers� Union Dr. Jayanha Bandara speaking said. Attention was drawn to six main issues that have developed in the health sector and Dr. Bandara said the govt would be given two weeks to resolve the issues. more..

Jan 1 (CT) They say the Chinese have a curse: may you live in interesting times. We Sri Lankans have definitely been cursed by the Chinese. This isn�t just a pun on the Port City: In the space of one year we, as a nation, have toppled a dictatorship, installed another one, cried out against Saudi Arabia and argued passionately the subject of bras being thrown at concerts. We�ve watched from afar as the specter of war spread throughout the world. We�ve battled inflation, corruption & idiots crossing more..

Jan 1 (CT) As the year drew to an end, we at Ceylon Today anxiously await news of a youthful colleague who lies seriously wounded in the ICU of a Colombo hospital � a victim of a callous three-wheeler driver who swerved across his path as he moved into the main road at a busy intersection some 25 km from Colombo on his way home after work on his motorbike. Our paper reported the deaths of over 1,000 motorcyclists in mostly avoidable accidents in the course of this year alone. more..

Jan 1 (DM) Two factories in Ja Ela and Kiribathgoda were gutted by fires last night that caused extensive damage to their property. A fire broke out at the Nagindas Garment Factory in Ekala, Ja Ela at around 7.30pm yesterday. It was brought under control within a couple of hours by the Fire Brigade with the help of the people in the area. The cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained and no casualties were reported. Meanwhile, a plastic goods manufacturing plant in Wedikanda in more..

Jan 1 (Island) The Joint Convenor of the People�s Collective Movement (Purawesi Ekamuthuwa), Saman Ratnapriya said that the govt should hold a discourse with all stakeholders before formulating the new constitution. Ratnapriya said contrary to statements made by leader of the PHU, Udaya Gammanpila regarding the alleged Constitutional Coup to weaken the power of the central govt, President had pledged to abolish more..

Jan 1 (CT) Members of a group which engages in web related terrorism, and who intimidate politicians, eminent persons and millionaire businessmen, are now using the name of a top officer attached to the Attorney General's Department and the names of top level officers of institutions handling investigations into fraud and corruption. The group have resorted to threats of exposure of fraud and corruption to blackmail persons being probed by the Police and the Commissions. more..

Jan 1 (LT) The year 2016 has dawned. The New Year has dawned bringing in many challenges for all the people in the country. The country is confronted with a massive economic crisis. We all step in to the New Year with a record budget deficit of Rs. 740 billion. The ruling class doesn�t have a new economic strategy to overcome the crisis. As a result people will be asked to bear the burden of the economic crisis; benefits enjoyed by people would be slashed. more..

Jan 1 (ST) Subhashini, one of thousands of Sri Lankans working as housemaids in Middle East, who was repeatedly forced to swallow nails by her abusive Saudi employer has spoken about the torture she suffered. The day it all came to a head she had been in severe pain from internal injuries caused by the nails she had been forced to swallow. Woman who employed her had ordered her to wash clothes. more..

Jan 1 (EN) Sri Lanka is developing a Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) to provide early indications of economic conditions, based on surveying supply chain executives, an indicator that is a closely watched in other countries. Central bank governor Arjuna Mahendran said they had already started compiling data but would formally launch the index after about a year or so to ensure there is enough comparative data on which to make assessments. �The Purchasing Managers' Index is a more..

Jan 1 (CT) Twelve police officers including four Chief Inspectors and nine Police Inspectors were transferred with immediate effect due to exigencies in the service. Kandana OIC P.D.C.P. Wijesinghe has been transferred to the Colombo North Division, Chief of Presidential Security Division (PSD) OIC W.A.H.N. Jayathilake has been transferred to Kandana,Wellawa OIC P.M.A. Gunawardena has been transferred to Puttalam and Nadunkarni OIC J.M.I.N.W. Herath has been transferred to more..

Jan 1 (AD) The prices of cigarettes have increased with effect from today, CTC said. The price of Gold Leaf cigarettes has been increased by Rs 2 while the new price will be Rs 35. Dunhill SWITCH increased by Rs 2 (new price Rs 40) and Dunhill Lights increased by Rs 2 (new price Rs 37). Benson & Hedges (B&H) also increased by Rs 2 therefore bringing the new price to Rs 37. The price of Bristol has been increased by Rs 1 and more..

Jan 1 (CT) Unemployed Graduates' Association of the Western Province staged a protest demonstration on Thursday morning opposite the Chief Minister's Office demanding immediate employment for all qualified teachers in the Western Province. Convener of the Association Dhammika Munasinghe said the main objective of the protest was to compel the government to provide jobs for all other graduates too. A special discussion was held between the Secretary to the PM and more..

Jan 1 (CG) Border guards have arrested four Sri Lankans attempting to illegally enter Romania from Ukraine. The arrest was made yesterday as the authorities along the Romania and Ukraine looked to stop illegal immigrants crossing the border. The four Sri Lankans had attempted to cross through the river Tisza when they were detected by border police and arrested. Initial investigations revealed that the men could not speak Romanian and were of Asian origin. On being questioned it was revealed that more..

Jan 1 (CT) Northern CM C.V. Wigneswaran said that all vacancies in the province coming within the purview of the Provincial Council will be filled with effect from Jan 2016 with 700 persons to be given employment as a first step. There are 29 vacancies for secretaries to urban councils, 25 administrative officers, 54 Management Assistants in Local Govt institutions. As many as 326 graduates have been called for interviews by the NPC for immediate appointment. more..

Jan 1 (LBO) Sri Lanka Ports Authority has raised 40 million rupees from auctioning their unused vehicles, the authority said. 67 bidders have forwarded their bids to the auction held Wednesday which included 50 vehicles and 33 associated equipment. Sri Lanka Ports Authority said this was the first time such a large number of vehicles had been brought before an auction. The authority further stated that most of these vehicles have been bought during the past regime and said that more..

Jan 1 (HCI) The Indian Housing Project, under which 46,000 houses are to be constructed or repaired in the Northern and Eastern Provinces and 4,000 houses constructed in the Central and Uva Provinces, is nearing completion in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. As on 31 Dec 2015, a total of 43,800 houses have been completed. During 2015, 13,827 new houses were constructed in Northern Province, and 2,051 in EP. more..

Jan 1 (ST) A solution to the crisis besetting Sri Lanka�s plantations sector could come only after the three committees which are studying the problems in detail submit their reports, Plantation Ministry Secretary Upali Marasinghe said. He said there was no easy way to solve the problem of the ailing plantations sector but the Government was determined to revive the industry instead of taking over the management from Regional Plantations Companies (RPCs). more..

Jan 1 (Island) An unnecessary problem has cropped up at the new private medical college at Malabe. This can be traced to want of respect for the legal basis on which any medical unit, small or big, involving health care is run anywhere in the world. There are many arguments for and against the institute all of which are partly valid. The institute, students and the academics are already enjoying the universal right to education at the institute, but not the right to practice in more..

Jan 1 (CG) FCID has been asked to investigate an attempt to convince two SL cricketers to fix a match. Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera said that he filed a complaint with FCID after he was informed that cricketers Kusal Janith Perera and Rangana Herath had been approached and asked to fix a match. Minister said that two people who had assisted the National team during training at the Kettarama stadium had made the approach. more..

Jan 1 (CG) Army Commander Crishanthe De Silva says the army is prepared to face any challenge. Addressing troops at the Colombo Army Headquarters, he said that everyone in the army should remember that their prime responsibility is to safeguard the territorial integrity and the unitary status of the country while extending their best cooperation towards nation-building. �The Army should always be prepared to face any challenge when it matters to defence of the country,� more..

Jan 1 (DM) The number of people admitted to the Colombo National Hospital as a result of accidents on New Year�s Eve and the day before had been increased compared with last year, hospital sources said. Hospital�s Public Relations Officer Pushpa Soysa said 551 accident victims were admitted during the past two days. �This is an increase of 20% from last year. The number of road accidents reported was 135, which is an increase of 32% compared with last year,� she said. more..

Jan 1 (DM) Three JHU Western Provincial councillors would act independently in future, JHU councillor Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe said. Ven. Thembuwana Piyananda Thera, Mr. Warnasinghe and Nirosha Athukorala are the three JHU members in the WPC and they were elected from the UPFA ticket. Decision had been taken soon after WP Chief Minister Isura Devapriya took over Health Ministry, which was earlier more..

Jan 1 (CT) The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has temporarily suspended unloading of kerosene oil after an explosion led to a leak into the Muthurajawela Lagoon. An official at the Petroleum Storage Complex in Muthurajawela said that the leak could cause extensive environmental damage. He said a tube which was kept filled with sea water and unused for about two years had been suddenly used since Wednesday and this probably caused the explosion leading to the Kerosene leak. more..

Jan 1 (TA) Spices. The word conjures up thoughts of mystery and magic, of exotic locations and great adventure. Spices have been important for centuries as medicinal potions, in perfumes, in cooking, and even as poisons. History of the spice trade is long and evocative, shrouded in drama and danger. It is a tale of great daring and exploration to unknown, distant places � and of great reward. Spice trade dates back to the Middle Ages (AD700-1000), when it was controlled by Muslim �merchants. more..

Jan 1 (CT) The CCD informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court that they have received concrete evidence attesting to the fact that private bodyguards of UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra had abducted a youth in Dematagoda and brought him to Premachandra's party office and presented him before her. A statement given by daughter of 5th suspect in the case has provided ample evidence, more..

Jan 2 (CT) The interviewer asked on TV from Ziauddin Yousafzai, the father of Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Prize winner, about the man who shot her. He replied It wasn�t a man, it was an ideology. I write this with a tingling sensation that warns me of a growing, instigated and extremely ignorant akin ideology in my mother country, SL. I am sure as a reader you would have definitely seen this new Sinha-Le image going viral not only through digital media like Facebook but also in print. more..

Jan 2 (SL) It could be a wrong time of the season to launch a book, but a timely book launch for the experts, policymakers and politicians as well as the general public to educate themselves as the govt look forward to bring a change in the country that would be purely democratized and that would protect the human values and the Constitution of the land in which the future generation are expected to be benefited from, was witnessed recently. Since the govt of good governance and more..

Jan 2 (CT) State Minister T.B. Ekanayake, who shot to fame after wearing a shoe with a broken sole, at a high level diplomatic event during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping, believes a mammoth contribution by former President Rajapaksa, is necessary to reinforce the SLFP. He was a hard-line supporter of Rajapaksa prior to the parliamentary election and held a core position in the campaign of the latter. more..

Jan 2 (NS) A few days ago we heard the story of an elderly woman who was pillion riding on a motor bike with her husband getting killed when a branch of a tree cut down by a prisoner fell on her in front of the prison premises at Baseline Road, Borella. For many, it may just be another accident. But in reality it�s much more. In this incident a group of prisoners were used by prison authorities to clean the prison premises and some of them had been cutting a tree at the premises of the Prison Commissioner�s more..

Jan 2 (NS) In recent weeks, much to the delight of Colombo city road users, driving a vehicle seems to have gotten a lot pleasanter. In the not-too-distant past, the mere thought of stepping behind the wheel to get from Point A to Point B in Colombo, was enough to turn anyone into a grouch. Not surprisingly because drivers had become accustomed to their driving lanes being taken over by impatient three-wheeler drivers and motorcyclists. Throw in the odd behemoth of a bus or more..